The Press., 1898-09-08
A SPANISH BRAVADO.
REVOLVING SCENE PICTURED BY A s CASTiLlAN NOVELIST.

SFto ttLtfNbN tNSNCItoIs A Striking Description of the Daring and |
 Courage Displayed by the Retired Gen. |
 eral Who Would Not Permit an Eng
 lishman to Outdo Him..
 The realistic Spanish novelist, Valdes, | fin one of his most popular stories c'Sis- ter San Suplice," translated by Nathan Haskell Dole) gives description of 8 retired Spanish general s afternoon out which will illuminate many chivalrio incidents ill Spanish life and aptly illus trates the reckless daring and courage of which the average naughty don is hberally possessed. The scene is 8 sort of picnic grounds in the outskirts of Seville: s @ > @e Meantime the animation had been on the increase among the ruffians. The period of unmannerly action had come. One of them climbed upon the table to make 8 speech, and the others, by way of applause, threw sherry and manga nilla in his face. Another was trying 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 ac- tions. making great noise and uproar. "The count remained grave and silent, drinking one glass of sherry after an other. But his eyes were no longer, as usual, incomprehensible and unfathom able, like those of man tired of life. Though he did not speak or move about he seemed different man.
 "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 on 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 large glass. He filled this to the
 brim with the liquor, and then slowly,
 without moving 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
 "A flash of fury gleamed through the
 harebrained nobleman's eyes, but he
 succeeded in restraining himself, and,
 turning the rest of the bottle into the
 glass, he calmly ordered the waiter to
 bring him some pepper. He threw in a
 pinch of it, 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. The company received with oles nvrA nt0 ku 0f %~rs ', k,ss 0f @R unconQuerable stomach, in which it seemed as though the national honor were concerned. ".
 Our neighbors in the other booths must have reached the same happy grade of temperature, for nothing was heard but extravagant shouts, the crash | ing of glasses, coarse laughter and swearing.
 'The count was not yet satisfied with his victory over the Eng1ishman. 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 away by dull madness, which soon broke I out. His eyes, which were the only part of his impassive face that moved, gleamed more and more ferociously, like | those of a madman when a straitjacket has been put on him. The Englishman l continued to boast of his strength. He
 was now thoroughly intoxicated and
 talking impudently enough to the oth- CTS, who were not so drunk.
 1 "'So you are very valiant, are you?' l asked the count, still smiling disdain l fully.
 1 "'More than you, retorted the Eng. lishman.
 "Don Jenaro started to spring at him, l but the others restrained him. Soon I calming himself, he said:
 "'f you are so brave, why not put 4 your hand on the table?'
 "'What for?'
 "'To pin it down with mine. "'The Englishman, without an in
 stant's hesitation, stretched out his huge, brawny hand. The count took out
 of his pocket damaskeened dagger and 4 laid his delicate, gentlemanly hand on I the Englishman and without hesita. tion and with ferocious grip he raised
 the point with the other and drove if through both into the table.
 l "The women uttered cry of terror. il All of us men ran to their assistance
 A few left the place in search of help. .l In an instant our booth was filled with il blood. From the wounds great drops oi blood streamed, staining the handker.
 chiefs which we applied to them. q -"A doctor who happened to be among
 the bystanders- dressed the wounds pro.
 visionally with the few means at his
 disposal. The count smiled while they
 were dressing his hand. The English.
 man was as sick as horse and vomit
 ing. Soon the count was doing the
 same, and both were taken to such
 rooms as the establishment had to offe1
 and went to bed. Every one left, com