Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-02-21

of the bystanders, who laughed hearti
ly at this singular mode of testing thu
other's assertion"
"None but a marshal Of France ha(
dared to try such pleasantly. T(
our subject, sir. [ maintained tha
your friend is coward, and you-'
"And - repeated D'Argentre
his eyes flashing, and his lips firmly
compressed.
"Holla, gentlemenw exclaimed {
third party, who, owing to the warmth
of the argument, had joined the grouI
unpercei7ed. '"This is my affair."" sale
he to Monsieur d'Argentre, holding
his arm; then turning to his adverse
ry, added-"Monsieur de Malatour,
am at your orders"
''In that case, after you, Unnecessary
said D'Argentre, with his usual calm
ness.
"By my honor you charm me, gen.
tlemen! Let us CO."
zone moment" replied the new
conner, who young as he was, wore the
cross Of st. Louis.
"No remarks. Gentlemen, hasten.
"Too great haste in such cases evi.
dences less a contempt for death than
an anxiety to get rid of his phantom. >
Il listen, sir!"
"Monsieur d'Argentre just now stat.
ed that the bravest have their moments
of fear. Without taking as serious his
anecdote of Monsieur de Turenne,
shall add that, with the exception Of
the difference that exists between mus
cles and nerves, the courage Of the du-
ellist is more an affair Of habit than o1
principle; for it is the natural state Of
man to love peace, if not for the sake
of others, at least for himself. Do you
wish me to prove !"
Enough, sir; we are not here to lis
ten to a sermon"
"Yet moment. Here is my pro-
position: we are all assembled this
evening previous to our leave of alb
sence; [ invite you, then, as also these
gentlemen present, to a bear-hunt on
l. my estate, or rather amongst the pre-
cipices of Clat, in the Eastern Pyrenees
You are very expert, Monsieur de NAL
atour-you can snuff candle with q
pistol at twenty PAGES, and you have
no equal at the sman-wood. Well, ]
lsl>all---1-----------a- -hos---->..l
you succeed do note say in lodg-
ing ball in his head, but merely in
firing upon him-I shall submit i'm
mediately after to meet you face to face
with any weapons you choose to name:
since it is only at that price I am to
gain your good opinion"
care you playing comedy, sir?"
"Quite the contrary. And I even re-
peat that this extreme haste shows
more the courage Of the nerves, than
of the true courage arising from prin-
ciple."
"What guarantee have I, should !
accept your proposition, that you will
not again endeaVor to eVade me~
'My word, sir; which | take all my
comrades to witness, and place under
the safeguard of their honor"
There ran through his auditory such
a buzz of appreciation, that De Mala-
tour, though with a bad grace, was
obliged to acceed to the arrang cement.
It was then agreed that, on the 1st OF
September, all present should assem-
BILE at the Chateau du Clat.
While the young lord of the manor
is making the necessary preparations
for their reception, we shall explain
the accusation of which he was the OBJ
Iject, yet which had not branded him
with any mark of disgrace among a
class of men so punctiliOus on the point
of honor.
The young Baron de Villitreton, in
entering amongst the gentlemen who
formed the household guard of the
king of France, carried with him prin-
ciples which remained uncorrupted
amidst all the friyolities of one of the
most licentiOus courts in Europe. Such,
however, is the charm of virture, even
in the midst of vice, that his exempla-
ry conduct had not only gained him
the esteem of his officers, and the
friendship of his companions, but had
attracted the attention of the king
himself. One alone among his COM
rades, Monsieur de Malatour, took UNI
bragg At this general favor, and, on
the OCCASION Of some trifing express
sion orgesture, publicly insulted him.
Villeteton refused to challenge him,
as beng contrary to his principles,
but determined that this seeming
cowadice, in notfghting q well-known
duellst, should be redeemed by some
actin of eczat during the campaign
Just commenced. That moment had
arried; and for his noble conduct in
trkng the English colors at the battle
of 3ontenoy, he received the cross of
StLouis from the kings own hand on
tn field, the eulogium of Marshal
Sae, and a redoubled enmity on the
! prt of De Malatour.
The first care of the young baron on
friving at his estate was to call his
1ajor-domo, an old and faithful SER
iant.
); 81 have business of thee, my master"
said he cordially shaking him by the
hand.