Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-09
A FRENCH DUEL.
Translated from the French ]

The morning was cold and rainy, and seeing
before him n /" chalet" through whose win
dows shone n glorious fire, and whose curious
external stairway descended even 10 his feet,
as IL coquettishly inviting him to share noun
tain hospitality, Dupont did not hesitate 20
mount TO the door; he found the key In the
lock, opened and entered. A man was seated
at desk with his back TO the door-st the
noise Of the opening he turned his head, and,
recognizing the intruder, cried
"Ah, it is you Dupont we will take turn
immediately"
1t was Fournier who thus spoke.
Faith, l am ready" said Dupont
Z. took his sword from the corner Of the
room they fell into position-they crossed
weapons. All this passed in a mosuen,-to
see, recognize and provoke, and attack each
other was as natural and spontaneous ss 10
breathe. IL was only between the passes that
they conversed.
Z" thought you were employed in the inte-
rior, /" said Fournier.
"The Minister gives mo the fourth divi-
sien."
Indeed, how fortunate, command tho
cavalry there. So you have just arrived"
This instant"
And thought Of me the frst thiRe-how
amiable you sre!'
"No, really. / did not know you were here;
seeing fire through these windows, as / was
about to pass, stopped to warm myself"
This exercise will warm you sufficiently"
The fight became fiercer-FOurnier hazarded
a pass, which Dupont taking advantage Of,
pushed him so vigorously that be was forced
to give back step by step.
Dupont advanced steadily within distance,
crying:
Aha, You run, You run"
"Not at all. only retreat. Do you think
am going 70 let you spit me like a sparrow"
no is n II hal Hyiva fot th<.
wallur
awe shall see."
"See thenrr and as Dupont said this, be
pressed Fournier literally into the corner, and
his sword piercing the muscles Of F.'s neck,
pinned him to the wooden wall like family
portrait badly hung.
"Tbe devil ." cried the spitted general
"You did not expect thisl" said Dupont.
son the contrary, il is you who do not ex-
| pect what will happen"
Indeed, what is about to happen, then ?"
"Why, the moment you draw out your
sword, shall thrust mine into your stomach,
| and you will fall"
"frue," replied Dupont, pressing bis sword
with great force into the logs Of the cottage
| wall.
"well, what the devil are you piercing the
wall for?"
81 am taking precaution agains. your lunge
| in my stomach"
You cannot avoid II, the moment you With
draw you die -
"I Shall not withdraw till you throw down
your sword
1T is impossible for you to keep your arm
| thus strained for ten minutes, IL must drop,
and you receive my thrust"
"YOu are unreasonable, your blood Is fow.
ing, in ten minutes your eyes will close"
| I'VE shall see"
| "Nery well. i am not impatient"
| "NOr /. We will abide the result :"
This contest would probably have been pro-
| longed to a fatal termination, had not the
noise of their dispute at length been heard by
some officers in another part Of the house, who,
coming hastily upon the scene, separated with
much difficulty the obstinate combatants.
| When parted, they each claimed the VIC
tory, and finally demanded, with great grayi-
| ty, to be replaced exactly as they were when
separated, Dupont promising 10 refx his
| sword through Fournier's throat without in
| creasing the wound.
They were finally obliged 20 force the latter
to bed and the former out Of the chalet.