The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-12-17
A COURTEOUS RIVAL.

This is the tale of courteous gentle
= man. an impetuous lover and q fickl.
maid. The scene is in gay Crescent city
~ years or more before the war, wher
New Orleans promised to be the largest
: city on the continent, when its ship
ping was enormous and when duelina
was the gentlemanly and approved
method of settling disputes.
The services at the large Catholic
cathedral had just been concluded, and
through the entrance. out into the pub.
lie square, sauntered a middle-aged
man with young woman, as fair as any
desired to look upon, at his side. Her
cheek had the hue of the sun-kissed
peach and her sparkling glance showed
that she was by no means a demure
madonna, although she had just come
from church. Her companion was tall
and distinguished-looking, dressed in
the height of fashion and carrying
himself with military erectness.
Everyone admired Mr.. Marsden, the
eloquent lawyer, the superb orator and
the brilliant soldier-statesman. Kind
stincts, but fiery temper, he was the
ideal type of a gallant, chivalrous south
erner. The tender regard he exhibited
toward the young girl with the spark
ling glances was in keeping with the
attention be had bestowed upon her for
~ months past, giving rise to much
speculation as to whether or not he
would carry off the prize. Many dis
appointed suitors for Helen Manville's
hand felt extremely vengeful toward
the gallant statesman, none more 20
than Jack Culvert, rich. talented and
extremely reckless young man. For
several months he had sighed before the
shrine of the divinity without making
marked progress and then the states.
man had appeared and seemed to be
carrying her of, despite the young low
er's most strenuous efforts. So it hap
pened that Jack, no better than he
should have been, resorted to the con-
ISOLATION Of mint juleps and similar
beverages, becoming a constant fre-
quenter of the st. Charles cafe. In that
great subterranean resort, where were
found men of all nations, it might be !
said, he made the vain attempt to drown
his sorrow and his chagrin by means of |
the beverage he so persistently drew
through two straws. He even plunged |
into greater designations. Helen once
saw him driving to the races (there
were two great tracks in operation |
then) with the prima donna Of the
French opera, whereupon the society
belle deliberately looked the other way.
And many were the evenings passed at
the cafes, when hook, burgundy and the
more sparkling beverages flowed in
abundance. But the sorrow wouldn't
drown and the chagrin always fioated
on the surface. "
AS the soldier-statesmau and Helen
crossed the square whom should they
encounter but Jack himself, who looked
somewhat pale and fatigued. She
bowed to him very coldly, and then IL.
nored his presence, smiling her sweet
est upon her companion. Jack ground
his teeth, gaeed vindictively after them
and then strode toward the st. Charles,
where he drank three mint juleps one
after another. At fashionable ball
that night he again met his divinity,
who looked simply indescribable. Jack
forgot his resentment in sudden spell
Of admiration, and. approaching,
begged the privilege of . polka. She
responded that she was engaged.
a"You are always engaged when hap
pen around" said Jack, savagely.
"You. too, have certain engagements,
believe" abe retorted with biting sar-
casm.
Jsck thought OF the prima donna and
waS silent. A. he turned away Mr..
carried OF the young lady. :
Feeling the most profound aversion to :
his rivals happiness, Jack
plunged into the smoking room and i'm. ..
mediately ordered a bottle OF cham .
pagne. Then he lighted cigar and .
cogitated bitterly. trying to shut out /,
The rhythmical melody OF the orches- (.
tra- The more he drank and the more
ne smoked the more enraged he became.
When. after considerable interval, his
rival entered, Jack arose and deliberate {
y jostled against him in moving toward 4
The door. A lush Of anger crossed the q
others face, while the lover stood there a
with an insolent smile. Ii
"You jostled me. sir?" said the rival. a
''Oh. did ] p said the lover. iE
"You have been drinking too much.- I
sternIy. la
mot at ALL" II
You imply intention. You shall !
'poiogixe." /" =. Ia
beneath the Oaks. at your conven .
ence."
"very we'll; will send q friend 10
ou." .
II will hc glad TO receive him. The q
oouer NE meet the better. There isn't q
go Tor both Of usin New Orleans." I
To rival howed and left the room. Il Z