This gentleman, I am pleased to say,
passed months upon a bed of sickness before he was in a
position to resume his studies. The second incident
was that which had earned Pinkerton his reputation. In
a crowded studio, while some very filthy brutalities
were being practised on a trembling DEBUTANT, a
tall pale fellow sprang from his stool and (without the
smallest preface or explanation) sang out, "All English
and Americans to clear the shop!" Our race is brutal,
but not filthy; and the summons was nobly responded to.
Every Anglo-Saxon student seized his stool; in a moment
the studio was full of bloody coxcombs, the French
fleeing in disorder for the door, the victim liberated
and amazed. In this feat of arms both English-speaking
nations covered themselves with glory; but I am proud
to claim the author of the whole for an American, and a
patriotic American at that, being the same gentleman
who had subsequently to be held down in the bottom of a
box during a performance of L'ONCLE SAM, sobbing at
intervals, "My country! O my country!" while yet
another (my new acquaintance Pinkerton) was supposed to
have made the most conspicuous figure in the actual
battle.
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