This singular
procedure upset the gravity of the young gentlemen entirely, and a
burst of laughter proceeded from the group.
Unmoved by this rudeness, the stranger continued his frugal repast
until another cherry-stone, from the same hand, struck him upon the
right elbow. This also, to the infinite amusement of the party, he
picked from the floor, and carefully deposited with the first.
Amidst shouts of laughter, a third cherry-stone was soon after
discharged, and struck the stranger upon the left breast. This also
he very deliberately deposited with the other two.
As he rose, and was engaged in paying for his repast, the gaiety of
these sporting gentlemen became slightly subdued. Having discharged
his reckoning, he walked to the table at which the young men were
sitting, and with that air of dignified calmness which is a thousand
times more terrible than wrath, drew a card from his pocket, and
presented it with perfect civility to the offender, who could do no
other than offer his in return. While the stranger unclosed his
surtout, to take the card from his pocket, he displayed the undress
coat of a military man. The card disclosed his rank, and a brief
inquiry at the bar was sufficient for the rest.
Pages:
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286