Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-01-07


stay little longer.
| Stepping into the smoking room, he sal
down and lighted cigar, and was pursu'
ing the subject that engrossed him, when
Philip Royden, Edward Wilkinson, Fred
eric Comstock and two others sauntered in.
While they were blowing smoke through
their nostrils, they resumed, as it seemed, Q
previous conversation on eating. They were
addicted to sensual topics, and their re-
marks showed their familiarity with it.
They were debating about the best restau.
rants; they asserted that New York was
the only city on this continent where one
could always be sure of decent dinner OF
breakfast but that Delmonico's, the
Brunswick or Pinard's couldn't be ranked
with the Cafe Richie, the Maison Doree OIL
Vachette- Brebant's, or many other restau-
rants of Paris. From this they proceeded
to talk of table manners and of men Of
delicate palare, mentioning number OF
their acquaintance as examples.
1t was observable that they adjudged
the grade of gentlemen TO those who spent
money freely, and who could determine at
glance proper menu. A certain Martin
Henderson was under discussion, when
Royden said, Henderson would be gentle
man if he didn't frequently drink Bur-
o,,nd,, 1r;+b 6sL
That's fine point" laughed Wilkin-
son but it's well taken. l agree with
you, Royden."
"Suppose he should drink sherry with
fish, " suggested Comstock; would that
lessen or increase his claim to being gen.
tleman?'
There was considerable pleasantly at this
point among the circle, with deal of stuff
about the nature of gentlemen. This was
very offensive to Archer, who had been
obliged to exercise self-control not to de-
nounce Royden for his fragrant snobbish-
ness, for which he was notorious.
Having finished his cigar, he rose to go.
The movement drew the attention of Roy
den. He evidently had noticed the cut of
an hour before, and cried out, sneer in
his tone, "What do you think, doctor, of
a man who takes Burgundy with fish =? You
assume to be wiser than most of US, and
we should like your opinion. We shall
give it due weight, remembering its
source ~
Archer had, like most strong men, a
high temper, which he generally COM
handed; but Royden's question and sneer,
after his abominable treatment of Chris
tina, were too much to endure.
GA man might drink Burgundy with
fish, he said, with flavor of personality
that could not be mistaken, and be more
of gentleman than man who would de-
liberately. betray poor, friendless girl,
boast of his infamy in a public place, and
then desert her with brood of lies on his
lips"
"Do you mean anything PERSONAL" ex-
claimed Royden, reddening with wrath.
"If you don't know what l mean your
companions do, for it was in this very room
that you proved by your boast that DO self
respecting man ought to associate with
you"
Royden leaped to his feet, crying, "Take
back your words, or I'll slap your face
Archer looked at Royden with inefable
contempt, and said quietly, although his
blazing eye contradicted his external calm
ness, Gas you have shown yourself to be
liar and a scoundrel, it might be well for
you to show that you are not also cow
ard"
Royden dashed toward Archer and struck
at him with clenched fist. The doctor par
ried the blow, and as another was aimed at
him, he warded that off likewise, and,
white with wrath, rushing upon his antag-
onist, he seized him by the throat until his
eyes protruded and he turned purple. He
might have strsngled Royden, had not sew
eral OF his cronies and two or three other
members of the club interposed, and begged
him to release the badly worsted snob.
The doctor was SO furious that he cried,
"Stand back, gentlemen Don't inter
fere, at your peril, and he shook his adver-
sary as terrier would rat. But in a
few moments he recovered himself in
degree; pushed his enemy from him, and
Royden would have fallen to the floor, if
Wilkinson and Comstock had not caught
him.
Archer, turning to those about him
the extraordinary. scene had caused a great
ommotion-remarked placidly, but with
countenance still aAame 81 am very sorry
this has happened; but it was forced upon
me. 1t is impossible to endure every
thing"
The feeling of all who had seen any part
of the painful encounter, Royden's familiars
excepted, were with Archer, who was as
much esteemed as his antagonist was dis.
esteemed. Much surprise was expressed
at the doctors violent action for he was
regarded as very amiable, and was noted
for his uniform courtesy while RoSden
was often insulting and quarrelsome, and a
bit of a bully.
The discounted snob, who had regained
his breath and some of his insolence by
this time, approached the doctor-albeit
not too near for safety-and declared in a
high voice, quivering with passion, " You
shall pay for this outrage, DR.. Archer, and
pay dearly. You shall give me satisfac.
ton. We will see who is a coward.
"You are free. I suppose" replied
Archer, "to take what course you choose.
You seem, just at present, to need some
sort of rehabilitation. He walked out Of
the room into the library, and meeting
several of his acquaintance, talked on or.
binary topics, but without eliciting much
conversation.
The Rensselaer, was plainly moved.
Groups of members were standing around,
oil discusSinp the row many of them