The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1880-11-03
NY LORD OF sTEYNE.
The Eccentricities Of a Marquis-A Curl
GUS Combination Of the Gourtly and
Contemplate.
TAI the Year Round.l

OF the late marquis Oh WatoiloLu.
Some new freak of his was always amusing
and confounding Paris. These would not
have been tolerated in one of inferior rank or
less wealth, but it was known that he was al
ways ready to pay for his peculiar pleasures,
and make lavish indemnities to all sufferers
by his humor. The French owe to Lord
Henry the successful introduction Of racing
in their country. He prided himself on driv-
ing faster horses than anyone in the Bots,
and it was one of the traditional but prob
ably exaggerated legends Of the boulevards
that he had expended vast sums in securing
horses with a view to out-trot some mysteri-
ious stranger who contrived to keep in ad-
vance of him. On one occasion he was
bold enough to scut in in front of the kings
carriage, which brought down an order from
the Court to quit France at once. This or
der, however, he contrived to have revoked.
Lord Henry had a splendid hotel on the
boulevard, at the corner of the Rue Taitbout;
one floor of which he had fitted up as a gym
aasium, devoted to fencing, boxing and other
athletic pastimes. Here the leading profess
sors and amateurs met three times a week to
practice and exhibit their skill, and were
treated Hospitality by the noble host. Here,
too, were found a whole tribe of sporting
hangers-on, horse-dealers, English grooms,
farceurs and toadies. Those who enjoyed
the privileges of his intimacy were often the
objects of a sort Of %buffoonery, pushed to an
extent that no man Of spirit would have en-
dured. He delighted when he had discovered
some weakness or prejudice in these com
p%anions. This gave him an opportunity tor
gratifying his humor. Thus he invited down
to shoot a certain count who had a sort OF
morbid antipathy to cats. This noble, re-
turning late, fatigued with his sport, was just
getting into bed when he was thrown into an
agony by finding an enormous dead cat be-
tween the sheets. When, with much repul-
sion, he had brought himself to seize It and
fling it out Of the window, and, overcome
with sleep, was about to lie down, some CON
cealed Jets of water began TO play on his bed,
drenching him. When he few to the door in
a rage he found it fastened, and 8 roar OF
laughter let him know that his tornentors
were enjoying his sufferings. The next day
he was informed that his host was gone, but
had left his compliments, with a wish that he
would make himself quite at home and stay
as long as it suited him. The Frenchman,
| beside himself with rage, came up to Paris,
| but could not contrive to meet his host. He
| sent his seconds with q challenge, but his
lordship was not to be seen. This was part
of the rich lords system--a contemptuous
| determination not to be provoked or take Of
fence or allow that he was accountable for
such tests as he condescended to. Strange as
saw. ne succeeded in establishing q privilege
for himself. Once, put out by the affected
dandyism of one Of his friends, he contrlyed
to have some grains of g%unpowder introduced
into some Of the choice cigars for which bis
house was famous. The dandy's face was
much scorched by the explosion. His host
roared. The victim retorted roughly, it
would seem, with a blow, but the noble jest
en- was not to be provoked into hostile mea-
sures. Useful friends and toadies We're al
ways at hand to interpose and deprecate ex-
IRENE measures, while their patron kept him
self reserved until the matter stbleW over"
One Of his dependents, a man OF small
means. and who was fond of horses, though
| an Indifferent rider, he insisted should ride
out with him. But it was noticed that his
lordship's friend was invariably mounted on
| some vicious animal, any horse in the stable
noted for temper being allotted to the unlucky
equestrian. He was 50 often put in peril OF
his life that he was at last obliged to forego
the honor of riding with his noble friend.
But even more disagreeable were his tricks
at the expense of those who were OF 9 lower
| class. and whom the sense Of his own dignity
ought to have taught him to spare. When
his fencing master had exchanged his clothes
for the professional dress, he would secretly
cover them with q peculiar powder, known
as espoudre a Notwithstanding powder
and enjoy the fortunes of the victim. Anoth-
er trick, which be repeated often under vari-
Gus forms, was that Of putting jalap into
chocolate or coffee.
Ayoung protege, who was at one OF the
French lyceums, came to wish him "A hap
py New Year and the usual disinterested-
ness of the school boys compliments no
doubt reused his cynicism. AT your age
he said, .'boys are found Of sweets. Come
here, tomorrow, and you shall have enough
to feast the whole college. Be sure you
bring a cab The school boy was on the