Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-09-23
A CASTELAR, BRAVADO
Revolving Scene Pictured by a
Spanish Novelist.
NERVE OF THE NAUGHTY DON

Striking Description of the Daring and
Courage Displayed by the Old GEN
eraI Who Would Not Permit an Eng
lishman to Guido Him.
The realistic Spanish novelist,
Valdes, in one of his most popular
stories C'Sister San Suplice," trans
lated by Nathan Haskell Dole gives
description of a retired Spanish gen.
erals afternoon out which will illu-
inmate many chivalric incidents in
Spanish life and aptly illustrates the
reckless daring and courage of which
the average naughty don is literally
possessed. The scene is a sort of pic
mic grounds in the outskirts of Seville:
Meantime the animation had been
on the increase among the ruff1ans.
The period Of unmannerly action had
come One of them climbed upon a
table to make a speech, and then the
others, by way of applause, threw
sherry and manzanilla in his face.
Another was trying to lift with his
teeth a 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 actions, max
ing great noise and uproar.
The count remained grave and
silent drinking one glass of sherry
after another. But his eyes were no
longer, as usual incomprehensible and
unfathomable, like those Of a man tired
of life. Though he did not speak or
move about he seemed a 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
asked the waiter to bring bottle of
rum and large glass. He filed this
to the brim with the liquor, and then
slowly, without moving a muscle or
even winking, he drained it to the bot
tom. Then he sat down at the table
opposite the count and said solemnly:
You can't do that
"a fash of fury cleaned 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 wait
er to bring him some pepper. He
| threw In pinch of 1t, then threw into
1t his cigar ashes heaped up before
him and, without saying word, with
the same scOrnful, contemptuous smile,
drained the glass and, not content with
that. bit it in pieces We saw his lips
spotted with blood. The company re-
ceived with oles and shouts of tri-
! umph this proof of an unconquerable
stomach, In which 1t 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
crashing of glasses, coarse laughter
and swearing
1.-THE count was not yet satisfied
with his victory over the Englishman.
While he was swallowing with appar-
ent calmness the glasses of liquor
which were offered to him he did not
cease to devoar him with his eyes,
carried away by dull madness, which
soon broke out. Ills eyes, which were
the only part of his impressive face
that moved, cleaned more and more
ferociousfy, like those of mailman
when a strattJacl1et has been put on
hm. The Engiishman continued to
boast of hts strength. He was now
thoroughly intoxicated and talking i'm
were not SO drunk.
$50 you are very valiant. are your
asked the count, still smiling disdain-
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:
eff you are so brave, why not put
your hand on the tabieP
"'What forT
To pin it down with mine
.sIEhe Englishman without an in
stant's hesitation stretched out his
huge, brawny hand. The count took
out of his pocket a damaskeened dag
ger and laid his delicate, gentlemanly
hand on the Englishman's, and with
out hesitation and with a ferocious
grip he raised the point with the other
and drove it through both into the ta-
!, bic.
THE women uttered a cry OF terror.
All Of rs men ran to their assistance.
| A few left the place in search Of help.
In an instant our booth was filed with
blood. From the wounds great drops
of blood streamed. staining the hand
kerehiefs which we applied to them.
"A doctor who happened to be among
the bystanders dressed the wounds
! Professionally with the few means at