The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-22
A COURTEOUS RIVAL.

This is the tale oil courteous gentlt
man, an impetuous lover and fickl'
maid The scene is in gay Crescentcity
20 years or more before the war, wheI
New Orleans promised to be the largest
CITY on the continent, when its ship
ping was enormous and when dueling
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-look dressed in
the height of fashion and carrying
himself with a military erectness.
Everyone admired Mr.. Marsden, the
eloquent lawyer, the superb orator and
the brilliant soldier-statesman. Kind
ly, but imperious; with generous in
Etincts, but fiery temper, he was the
ideal type of gallant, chivalrous south
erner. The tender regard he exhibited
toward the young girl with the spark
ling glances was in keeping with the
attention he 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 so
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 off, 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 fire.
quenter of the st. Charles cafe. In that
great e lbteIpanean 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
them 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 floated
on the surface.
As the soldier-statesman 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 ig
nored his presence, smiling her sweet
est upon her companion. Jack ground
his teeth. gazed vindictively after them
and then STROBE toward the st. Charles,
where he drank three mint juleps one
after another. At a fashionable bail
that night he again met his divinity,
who looked simply Undesirable. Jack
forgot his resentment in a sudden spell
of admiration, and, approaching,
begged the privilege of a polka. She
responded that she was engaged.
"You are always engaged when ! hap
pen around" said Jack, savagely.
You, too, have certain engagements,
i believe" she retorted with biting sar-
casm.
Jack thought of the prima donna and
was silent. As he turned away Mr..
Marsden carried off the young lady.
Feeling the most profound aversion to
witnessing his rivals happiness, Jack
plunged into the smoking room and i'm
mediaiely ordered bottle of cham
pagnr. Then he lighted cigar and
cogitated bitterly. trying to shut out
the rhythmical melody of the orches-
ira. The more be drank and the more
ne smoked the more enraged he became
When. after considerable interval. his
rival entered. Jack arose and deliberate
ly jostled against him in moving toward
the door. A flush of anger crossed the
others face, while the lover stood there
with an insolent smile.
You jostled me. sir?" said the rival.
''Oh. did I?'' said the lover.
You have been drinking too much"
Sternly.
mot at all"
You imply intention. You shall
nj lqgize."
bee Eheath the Oaks. at your conven
adnul
sic !, tweIl; will send friend to
wa
Slit be glad to receive him. The
En-. re meet the better. There isn't
! .sar both of us in New Orleans"
Es,uEivai bowed and left the room.
III, 1ldore he danced with the belle,
lat TEX resumed his attentions to
Soon wines of his host. Late that
ace:- ~ or rather early next morning,
when the French maid was disrobing
aer mistress, the girl appeared anxious
30 impart certain information.
|, "MademoiselIe, the butler at the ball
told me something"
what is it?" lndifferently.
He served NJ. Jack with much
wine and many cigars. NJ. Marsden
entered; Nj. Jack jostled him; M. Mars