Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-10-30
TRUE HEROlSM'


4
example, well worthy Of being initiated
by all who desire to bc thought truly
brave and courageous. 1t records an
instance Of n victory gained by man
over his own PASSIONS victory more
glorious, more honorable than any that
has ever been purchased with fire and
sword, with devastation and bloodshed.
Two noblemen, the Marquis lie Valaise
and the Count de Meric, were educated
under the same masters, and We're re-
gartled by all who knew them as patterns
of friendship, honor, and sensibility.
Years succeeded years, and no quarrel
had ever disgraced their attachment,
when one unfortunate evening the two
friends, having indulged rather freely in
some excellent Burgundy, repaired to a
neighboring hotel, and engaged in a
game of backgammon.
Fortune declaredhe herself in favor of the
Marquis; he won every game, and, in
the thoughtless glee Of the moment,
laughed with exultation at his unusual
good luck. The Couno .ost his temper,
and once or twice upbralded the Marquis
for enjoying the pain which he had ex-
cited in the bosom of his friend. At last,
upon another fortunate throw made by
the Marquis, by which he gammoncd
his antagonist, the infuriated Count
threw the box and dice in the face of his
brother soldier.
Every gentleman present was in
amazement, and waited, almost breath
lessly, for the moment when the Marquis
would sheathe his sword in the bosom Of
the nOw-rerentant Count.
Gentlemen" said the Marquis, 81
am Frenchman, a soldier, and a friend.
l have received u blow from French
man, soldier, and a friend. l know
and acknowledge the laws of honor, and
l will obey them. Every man who secs
me wonders why am tardy in visiting
with vengeance the author of my dis
grace. But, gentlemen, the heart Of
that man is cntwined with my own ; our
education was the same, our principles
are alike, and our friendship dates from
onr earliest years. But, Frenchman, 1
will obey the laws of honor and of
France l will stab him to the heart"
Upon this he threw his arm around
his unhappy friend, and said " MY dear
De Meric, 1 forgive you, if you will for
give me for the irritation 1 have occa-
stoned in sensitive mind by the levity
of my own. And now, gentlemen, add
ed the Marquis, "though have inter-
preted the laws of honor my own way, if
there remains in this room one French
man who dares to doubt my resolution
to resent even an improper smile at me,
my sword is by my side to punish an
affront, hut not to murders friend, for
whom would lie, and who sits there a
monument Of contrition and bravery,
ready with me to challenge the rest Of
the room to deadly combat if any man
lare to think amiss of this transaction. Z"
yELF-INFLICTED TROUBLES AND
| CARES.
A popular Macon minister spent the
night thirty miles below Americus with
backwOodsman, whose house consisted
of only two rooms. The family, how
ever, consisted of twenty-One, though,
owing to dance in the neighborhoOd,
only seventeen of the children were at
home. The minister spent the night
with the farmer and seven sons in one
room, while the old lady and ten daugh-
tiers occupied the other. In the morn
ing junior member Of the family, in
response to an application for wash
bowl, brought him an old tin pan, and,
after the face toilet was completed,
hunted up about seven teeth Of an old
tucking comb for him to arrange his
hair with. During the progress Of the
important ceremony, the following con-
versation took place: "Mister, do you
wash every mornin'?" IL do" "And
comb your hair, too?" EYES" "Well,
don't it look to you sometimes like you
is heap CT trouble to yourself?"-Macon
(Ga.) Telegraph.
AN old man, supposed to be a tramp,
p!ucked bunch Of grapes on the prem.
ises Ct a widow residing near Agaev
station, on the Ohio river, few miles
below Pittsburgh. A gang of railroad
laborers, seeing the act, started in pur
suit Of the offender and threw stones al
him. To escape his prosecutors the
runaway jumped into the river and made
for a sand.bar in the middle Of the
stream. A missile thrown by one Of the
railroaders disabled his arm, and the
poor fellow sank never to rise again
Many persons witnessed the cruel treat
ment inflicted by the brutal railroad .r'
on the unfortunate man, but not ont