Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-09-16

"This is a trivial affair."" commented
the ambassador, as he laid down the
newspaper in which he had been read
ing an account of one of NJ de Roche-
forts numerous duels. IL do not won
der that you English amuse yourselves
with these comedies, which reflect
little honor on France. Nevertheless,
let me tell you that, when we please,
we can make of the duel something
very different; that is to say, an al
fair Of life and death
Without doubt" ! answered, toss
ing aside my own copy OF the Matin-
we were in the smoking room OF the
Cercle des Etrangers-"but your press
should not give such importance to
these farces."
The ambassador brushed this obser-
vation aside with wave of his hand
ut is the too great facility with
which these affairs are arranged that
has involved them in ridicule," he said,
pursuing his own line of thought. 1T
is when crime has been committed
which is truly worthy of death, and
yet which, from its nature, is beyond
the reach of laws, that the duel be-
comes a sacred resource, indispensable
in the interests of mankind
And are there such occasions,
them" | responded, in order to see
what was in his excellency's mind.
~ L. nf -
he returned gravely, as he began to
roll cigarette.
Il cannot recall the exact date at
which was accredited to the court
of St. James, but it must have been at
least twenty-five years ago. had
come to Great Britain with a sincere
desire to win the confidence of the
brave English people; and knowing
that in your country even politics re-
ceives less consideration than what
you call sport, | resolved to prove
myself a huntSman. Accordingly !
bought myself horses and went out to
hunt the fox.
THE hunt of which became mem
ber was at that time the most aristo-
cratic in the world, made so by the
patronage OF an illustrious parsonage
whose name shall not mention. Her
imperial majesty had formed the habit
of coming over to England during the
season of the chase, under strict IN
cognito, and attended by only small
suite in order to take part in this
sport. 1t was in this way that ! OBJ
tanned the privilege of an acquaintance
which shall always look back upon
as my most cherished remembrance.
Among the members of her maj
esty's suite at this time was certain
Baron Magratz who filled the post OF
private secretary and comptroller of
the household. You will understand,
of course that my intercourse with
the empress was on the most respect
full footing, but 1t was not long be-
fore / discovered that this baron, OF
whom saw a good deal, was dan
gerous, insolent man, quite unworthy
of the confidence reposed in him by
his august mistress.
so acutely did | realize this that
1t became a question with me whether
the favor extended to me by that noble
and unsuspicious lady did not cast
upon me the obligation of warning
her against this mans presumption.
While | was still in doubt an incident
occurred which rendered 1t unneces-
sary for me to speak.
"One morning, when we were en-
gagged in waiting outside small coy-
ert for the fox to appear, | observed
Magratz ride up to the empress and
point with his hand, as if persuading
her that the beast was about to
emerge from point further on. She
turned her horse, and they rode off
together round a corner of the wood.
Troubled by some vague presentiment
Of mischief, at once gave rein to my
horse and followed.
81 got round the corner just in time
to perceive what took place. The
baron had stopped forward, with an
air Of undue confidence, and was
apparently addressing some remark
to the empress when all at once
I saw her majesty rein in her horse,
lift up the riding whip she held in her
hand and draw it swiftly across his
face.
"Magratz started with violence
which caused his horse to rear. What
he would have done next cannot say,
but luckily at that moment he caught
sight of me. The empress had already
turned, and she rode back past me-
the angry CLEAN in her eyes relaxing
into a gracious smile as she acknowl
edged my respectful salute.
1.-THE baron followed at walk, and
as he came up to me | observed on
his face a narrow streak of red, cross
ing from the right ear to the mouth
"Stung, doubtless, by my indignant
look, he checked his horse and ad
dressed me with bitter emphasis:
"I congratulate you NJ pAmbassa
deur, on your good fortune (The
scoundrel spoke in French-no doubt
for the sake OF the double meaning
You have seen how a member of 6
family which is six hundred years ole
! is treated by one of these royalties
We others are not of the same clay
you perceive A Magratz is no more
to them than the ground beneath theil
feet But perhaps this chapter will
have a sequel.