The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-05-23
MISCELLANY.
The Princess Salm Salm in Mexico.

The following graphic sketch is from
Shelby's Expedition to Mexico y:
DR.. Hazel was young physician from
South Carolina, who had gone through
the siege of Sumter with a devotion and
constancy that had found their way into
general orders, and that had returned in
the shape of rain more precious to sol
dier than sunlight to fiowers-the rain of
official recognition. In addition to the
compliments received he was promoted.
AS heGsipped his claret, several ladies en-
tered, some attended and some unattended.
French custom makes a cafe as cosmopoii-
tan as the street. All sexes congregate
there, and all stratas of society; custom
simply insists that the common laws of So
ciety SHOULD be obeyed-that those Of the
demi-fnonde shall not advertise their pro-
fession. that the gambler shall not display
his cards, the guerrilla unc0il his lasso. the
grand dame exhibit her prudery, the de-
tective his insincerity, and the priest his
protests and his confessional. Appetite
admits of no divided sovereignty, and
hence, at meal time, the French recognize
only one class in society, that of the super
latively hungry.
The Princess Salm Salm returned the
salutation of several French officers as she
entered. and bowed once or twice in ac-
Austrians of her husbands brigade. Be
Ayond these she seemed to prefer isolation
and privacy. Among the Belgians there
wasa Major who had huge yellow beard,
a great coarse voice, depth of chest like
an OK, a sword-belt whose extent would
girth a hogshead. In French cafes gentle
men very rarely speak above the low con-
versational tone of the drawing-room. To
be boisterous is to be either drunk or a
blackguard This Belgian Major Medo-
mark, of the Foreign Legion, did not seem
to be drunk, and yet as he looked at the
Princess Salm Salm, his voice would
change its intonation and deepen harshly
and gratingly. If he meant to be offensive
he succeeded first rate.
The Princess pushed back her plate and
arose as one who felt that she was the sub
ject of conversation without understanding
the words of it. AS she passed through
the door, Medomark boisterously and in
great! glee, called out slang term of the
circus, and shouted:
Hoop la ~
The Agnes LIE Clere that was of the
sawdust and tights, the Princess Salm
Salm that is now of the titles and dia-
monds, heard the brutal cry, and felt to
her heart the studied insult. Turning in
stantly, she came again half into the cafe
her eyes full and discolored with pas
sion, and her face so white that it appeared
as if the woman was in mortal pain. She
could not speak-though she tried hard,
mark as if to crush him where he sat. and
once at Hazel, who understood it all now,
and arose as she again retired.
Hewent straight TO bis American eotln-
trywoman. At the cowardly inference of
the Belgian the French officers had laugh
ed and the Austrians had applauded.
Even those of her husbands brigade had
not uttered protest or demanded apology.
Hazel found her in tears.
"You have been insulted, y he said. 81
know it, or rather, may say saw 1t.
Not understanding German, if, indeed, the
Belgians speak German, have to rely for
my opinion more upon the manner than
the matter of the insult. Your husbands
away, you are an American lady, you are
a countrywoman of mine, you are In
trouble, and need protector. Will you
trustyour honor in my hands ?"
This actress was brave, proud woman,
born, perhaps, to rule men as much by
the force of her will as the bizarre style of
her beauty and her physical development.
She took Hazel's hand and thanked him,
and babe him chastise the insolent bully.
She knew very well what ehastisement
meant in the Language of a soldier, and she
was a soldiers wife. She never referred
to the future, however. She did not even
evinoe interest enough to be curious.
Perhaps her passion kept her from this
at least her champion bowed low to her
as he entered. thinking her the coldest
woman man ever put his life in jeopardy
for. Cold she was not. She simply con-
sidered what was done for her as being
done because of her inalienable right to
have it done. She was not familiar, she
only tolerated.
Hazel, in stature, was very slight As
he stood up before Medomark the huge
Belgian glowered upon him as Goliah Of
Gath might have done upon David.
"Do you speak English?n he asked of
the Major.
GA little.''
"Enough to understand the truth when
l tell it to YOUR
Perhaps, if it is not so plain that for
the telling will have to break every bone
in your body
Medomark's voice was one of that un-
eontrollable kind that runs away with
subject in spite of itself. He meant to be