West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1898-11-09
A SPANISH BRAVADO.
REVOLVING SCENE PICTURED BY A
CASTELAR, NOVELIST.

lishman to Guido Him.
The realistic Spanish novelist, Valdes,
In one of his most popular stories C'Sis.
ter San Suplico," translated by Nathan
Haskell Dole) gives description of
retired Spanish generals afternoon out
which will illuminate many chiyalric
incidents in Spanish life and aptly illus
trates the reckless daring and courage
Of which the average naughty don is
literally possessed The scene is q sort
of picnic grounds in the outskirts of
Seville:
Meantime the animation had been
on the increase among the rpffians The
period of unmannerly action had come.
One OF them climbed upon the table to
make a speech, and the others by way
Of applause, threw sherry and MANIA
nilla in his face. Another was irving
TO lift with his teeth companion whom
drunkenness had stretched out on the
floor. He did not succeed. He merely
tore his sack coat Still others were
committing absurd and extravagant &C
tlons, making great noise and uproar.
Tho count remained grave and silent,
drinking one glass of sherry after an
other. But his eyes were no longer, al
usual, incomprehensible and unfathom-
able, like those Of man tired of life.
Though he did not speak or move about
he seemed a different man.
1.-The Englishman had taken off his
jacket and waistcoat, and, rolling up
his shirt sleeves, was exhibiting his
biceps which were really powerful, and
trying to break empty bottles OH his
arm. Once blood had come, but he
went on breaking the bottles without
paying any attention to it. Then he ask
ed the waiter to bring bottle Of rum
and a large glass. He filled this to tie
brim with the liquor, and then slowly,
without moving q muscle or even wink
ing, he drained it to the bottom. Then
he sat down at the table opposite the
count and said solemnly:
You can't do that
ga flash Of fury cleaned through tho
harebrained noblemans eyes, but he
succeeded in restraining himself, and,
turning the rest OF tho bottle into the
glass, he calmly ordered the waiter to
bring him some pepper. He threw in q
pinch of 1t, then threw into it his cigar
ashes heaped up before him, and, with.
out saying word, with the same scorn-
ful, contemptuOus smile, drained the
glass, and, not content with that, bit it
in pieces. We saw his lips spotted with
blood. Tho company received with oles
and shouts of triumph this proof Of an
unconquerable stomach, in which i.
seemed as though the national honor
were concerned
Our nci2hbors in the other booth.
must have reached the same happy
grade Of temperature. for nothing was
heard bnt extravaganza shouts, the crash
ing of glasses, coarse laughter uno
swearing
The count was not yet satisfied witt
his victory over the Englishman. While
he was swallowing with apparent calm
ness the glasses Of liquor which were
offered to him he did not cease to de
YOUR him with his eyes, carried ava.
by dull madness, which soon brok.
out. His eyes, which were the only par
OF his impassive face that moved
cleaned more and more ferociously, lik,
those OF mailman when straitjacket
has been put on him. The Englishman
continued to boast of his strength. He
was now thoroughly intoxicated and
talking impudently enough to the 9th
ers, who were not SO drunk.
So you are very valiant, are you?
asked the count, still smiling disdan
fully.
More than you. retorted the Eng.
lishman
Don Jenaro started to spring at him
but the others restrained HIM. Soon
calming himself, he said:
If you are so brave, why not pu,
your hand on the tablep'
What for?'
To pin it down with mine
1.-THE Englishman, without an in.
Stant's hesitation, stretched out his
huge, brawny hand. The count took out
Of his pocket a damaskeened dagger and
laid his delicate, gentlemanly hand OF
the Englishman' and without hesita-
ton and with ferocious grip he raised
the point with the other and drove it
through both into the table
The women uttered cry Of terror.
All OF us men ran to their assistance
A few left the place in search of help
In All instant our booth was filled with
blood From the wounds great drops of
blood streamed, staining the handker-
ch1ets which we applied TO them.
. doctor who happened to be among
the bystanders dressed the wounds pro.
vlsiona!iy with the few means at his
disposal. The count smiled while they
were dressing his hand. The English
man was as sick rs horse and vomi5-
Ing. Soon the count was dong the
same, and both were taken TO such
rooms as the establishment had to Ctlor
and went to bed. Every one left, com.
mentlnS OH the barbarian of the decd "