Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-09-11
FREN NCH STORY.

The morning was cold and rainy, and
seeing before him a "chalet through
whose windows shone glorious FIRE, aud
whose curious external stairway descended
even to his feet, as if coquetishly inviting
him to share mountain hospitality. Dupont
did not hesitate to mount to the door he
found the key in the lock, opened and en-
tered. A man was seated at desk with
! his back to the door-at the noise of the
opening he turned his head, and recogni-
zing the intruder. cried
All is Dupont7 We Will take turn
Immediately"
| 1t was Fournier who thus spoke.
Faith. | am ready" said Dupont.
| Fournier took his sword from the cor
ner of the room; they fell unto position
they crossed weapons. All this passed
| in a moment-to see, recognize, and pro-
woke, aud attack each other was as natu-
raj and spontaneous as to breaths- 1t
was only between the passes that they
| conversed.
81 thought you we're employed IN the
Interior" said Fournier.
"The Minister gave me the fourth d.
vision"
Indeed, how fortunate l command
the cavalry there. So you have just ar
rived 2"
"This instant"
aAnd thought of me the first thing
how amiable you are t'
" No really did not know you were
here; seeing fire through those windows
as l was about to pass, stopped to warm
myself"
This exercise will warm you sufficient
ly."
The fight became fercer-Fournier
hazarded pass, which Dupont taking
advantage of, pushed him so vigorously
that he was forced to give back step by
step.
Dupont advanced steadily within dis
tance, crying
Not at all | only retreat. Do you
think am going to let you split me ilko
a sparrow p
The room is small; shall drive you
to the wall r'
We shall see !"
81 See then" and as Dupont said this,
be pressed Fournier literally into the
corner, aud his sword piercing the mus
cles of Fournier's neck, pinned him to the
wooden wall Ike family portrait badly
hung.
The devil /" cried the spitted general.
:. You did not expect this !" said Du.
pont
'On the contrary, it is you who do not
expect what will happen ?"
Indeed, what is about to happen,
then ?'
Why, the moment you draw out your
sword, [ shall thrust mine into your stOm-
ache. and you will falln
True" replied Dupont, pressing his
sword with great force into the logs of the
cottage walls.
"Well, what the devil are you piercing
the wall for ?"
q 1 am taking precaution against your
lunge on my stomach"
You cannot avoid it; the moment you
withdraw. you die !"
81 shall not withdraw till you throw
down your sword"
'.It is impossible for you to keep your
arm thus strained for ten minutes, it must
drop. and you receive my thrust"
You are unreasonable, your blood IS
flowing, and in ten minutes your eyes Will
! close''
ave shall see"
very Wen am not iin nPa'ioS,
| Nor l. We will abide the result"
This contest would probably have been
prolonged to fatal termination, had not
the noise of their dispute been heard by
some officers in another part of the house,
who. coming hastily upon the scene, sepa-
rated with much difficulty the obstinate
combatants
When parted they each claimed the vic
tory and finally demanded with great
gravity, to be replaced exactly as they
were when separated, Dupont promising
to refx his sword through Fournier's
throat without increasing the wound.
They where obliged to force the latter
| to bed, and the former out of the chalet