The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-02-28
least one-half the game, which beg you

least one-half the game, which beg you
will allow me to give you"
He ceased, and there was a murmur
ief appreciation among the students at
his generosity-the more commendable
when the awful stake which depended
upon the issue of the game was taken
into consideration. '' r.
Maurice bowed, and replied: 'Sir, I
thank you for your courtesy, but | can
not accept of any odds; and notwith-
standing your estimate of my play, |
think you viii find that need none"
Not a word more was spoken, but the
balls were placed in position and the
game began. 1t did not require half a
dozen shots for me to perceive that the
Count was one of the finest amateurs 1 I
had ever seen. His conception and exc
cution were both excellent, and would
have reflected no discredit upon the
first professional in France. - gsl*o
But what positively astonished me
was, that in every respect Delavigne
seemed to be his equal. His play was
magnificent, and in a few moments the
table was completely surrounded by
spectators, attracted by the extra
ordinary skill displayed on both sides.
| As the contest progressed, it was inn
possible to decide which had the advan-
tage; first one was ahead and then the
other; and finally, as the termination
drew near, so evenly were they matched,
| that when the Count needed but one to
complete his score, Maurice only wanted
| three.
1t was the crisis of the game, and the
| excitement was terrible. That of the
/ other spectators seemed hardly less in
tense, although we alone knew of the ter
rible duty devolving upon the final loser.
1t was plain to me that Delavigne-the
generous fellow-had purposely allowed
| Us to beat him, in order to take the whole
| burden upon his own shoulders.
| blamed myself deeply for not hav
ing discovered it in time for remonstra-
ton, which was new too late, and so l
held my peace. 1t was the Count de
Vautrin's play; and as the balls were
rather awkwardly placed he did not at
i tempt to add to his scores, but played
for what is technically known as g safe
| ty," and left them in position from
which it was almost impossible to effect
count Maurice looked anxious, but
after long and careful survey of the
table, seized his cue firmly, and by one
of the most brilliant shots had ever
seen, made a carom on the two reds,
and so won the game.
/ The Count laid his cue upon the Ia
BILE, and smilingly said: "Monsieur, !
must congratulate you. | considered
myself the first amateur player in Paris,
but find that have at least one SUI
perior."
His opponent bowed, and attributed
his success more to good fortune than
any superiority of skill.
1t was getting late, and the frequent
ers had mostly departed, so that num-
ber scarcely greater than that of our
own party was all that remained in the
entire saloon. .5
De Vautrin replaced his coat, ,and hav-
ing lit cigar, strayed leisurely round
the room, and eventually halted in
front of a huge cavalry major, who sal
doing in an armchair with an express.
ion of somniferous bliss upon his
, bronzed features positively touching.
.Sir!" said the Count-and he shook
, him violently by the shoulder. ga
The warrior opened his bloodsho
eyes and glared fercely upon his inter.
rogator. if'* 3
t 9 / trust you viii pardon me, sir, ,
unseemly Interruption; but the fact o.
the matter is, | am under the necessity
| of fighting somebody, and attracted by
the singular beauty of your features
, (the Major was frightfully ugly), &c
have made bold to disturb you in orde
. that you may become my opponent
, "Sir," responded the incensed cav
alryman, syou are fool!n . 1
''Oh, I understand; you wish a rea
, son." retorted the Count, in the mos
courteous of tones. Sc You shall hav,
: it, f~EilE s s~
: And, without more ado, he reached
: forth his hand, and seizing the son 0
Mars by his nose, which was very prom
inent, gave it so vigorous tWeak tha
for moment verify believed he mus
i, have pulled portion of it from his face
He Immediately leaped to the furthe
L side of billiard table; and it was wei
+ he did so, for. the now thorough,
aroused soldier sprang to his feet, an,
: had not some halfdozen of us inter
I fered, he would certainly have throt
5 tied his insulter on the spot.
I never saw man so enraged. IL
: literally foamed at the mouth, and ou
a united efforts were hardly sufficient t
| prevent his breaking away. Finally
t seeing that his attempts to release him
self were Intellectual, he gave his wor
0 to commit no immediate violence, an
: we loosened our hold. s+s-> 'i*1-
! Count de Vautrin, who had been re
Il.