New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-02
Sc RIVED OUT,

In the year 1S3- there lived at Bordeaux
the last, or one OF the last, OF a long line OF
scoundrels who made that part of France
infamous ito our ideas) by a succession of
cold-blooded murders, committed under the
sanction of what the people were pleased
to call the code of honor. There was GER
tain Comte de v, a man OF great ply
steal strength, imperturbable sang froid
and relentless cruelty. Not a bad sort of
companion, as some said when the dueling
fit was not on him. but this came on once in
about every six months, and then he must
have blood, it mattered little whose. He
had killed and MANNED boys of sixteen,
fathers of families, military officers, Jour
nalists, advocates. peaceful country gentle
men. The cause of the quarrel was of no
importance; if one did not present itself
readily he made one, always contriving
that, according to the code aforesaid, he
should be the insulted party, thus having
the choice of weapons, and he was deadly
with the small sword. II is difficult for us
to realize society in which such wild
man could be permitted TO go at large; but
we know it to be historically true that such
creatures were endured in France, Just as
we are assured that there were at one time
wolves in Yorkshire, only the less noisome
yermin had harder time Of it as civiliza-
ton progressed than was dealt out to the
human brute.
The last exploit of the Ccmte de V,
previous to the story | am about 10 tell was
to goad poor young student into chal-
lengei and when it was represented that the
boy had never held sword in his life, SO
that it would be fairer to use pistols, he re-
piled that fools sometimes made mistakes
with pistols" and, the next morning, ran
him through the lungs. The evil tit was on |
him; but the blood thus shed quoted him
for another half year. and rather more, for |
public opinion was unfavorable, and the air |
of bordeaux became too warm for him.
But the scandal blew over after time, |
and he came back to his old haunts, one of |
which was a cafe by the river side. where |
many used to spend their Sunday. Into the
little garden of the establishment our wolf |
staggered one fine summer afternoon, with
the heavy, dark and nervous twitching of |
the hands which those who were acquainted
with him well knew meant mischief The
evil fit was on him. consequently, ne found
himself the centre of a circle which ex-
banded as he went on. This did not dis
please him. He liked to be feared. He
knew he could make a quarrel when he
chose, so he looked around for a victim
At table almost in the middle OF the
garden, sat man about thirty wears of
age, of middle height and an expression OF
countenance which at first struck one as
mild and good natured. He was engaged
in reading u journal, which seemed to in
tCi tsb iLiti, nHu tdtAbS cti uN 'NlIite, an Uc- |
cupatiOn which does not call forth any
latent strength of character. Above all he
was profoundly unconscious of the presence
of NJ lie Comte de V, and continued
eating his straw berries and reading his pa
per as If no wolf were in that pleasant fold.
AS the count approached this table. it be-
came sufficiently well known whom he was
about to honor with his insolerce; and the
circle narrowed again 10 see this play. 1t
was not bad sport with some OF Us to see
IeLow creature baited-Pspecially when we |
were ont OF danger ourselves
Inc sjraWoe caters costume was not |
such r VS. ordinarily worn in France Mt
that time, and he had a curious hat " hich.
the weather being warm. he had placed on |
the table By his side.
=, he Is . foreigner" whispered some ia
the dress circle. perhaps he does nut
know Monsieur le Compile"
Monsieur lie Compile seated Himself Of fhe S
table opposite his unconscious stranger. and
called loudly. "Garcon! 2
"Garcon,' he said. when that trrction4rr !
appeared, take me away from that nasty !
hing" which was very poor hat, but Of
British form anu make. I he galccu was S
Embarrassed.
do you hear me 7" Numbered Tie Count. r
Take that thing away No ona has !
light to place his hat on the table
Il beg your pardon" said the strawberry
atef, p9iltSIN, placing the oHetniHS &tlitle | L
n his mead, and drawing his char little U
side, 81 will make room for the Monsieur" a
The gsrcon was about to retire, well sat a
fed but the bully called after him:
Have not commanded you to take that S
hing which annoys me away? a
"Bur, Monsieur lie Comte, the gentleman
as covered himself" o
"What does that matter to met y
"But, Monsieur lie Comte, it is impossi-
81"
what is impossible al
..By no MEANS" observed the stranger, ! TO