Squatter sovereign., 1855-09-18
A French Duel.

The morning was cold and rainy, and
seeing before him a ''chalet" through
whose windows shone a glorious fire, and
whose curious external stairway descended
even to his feet jas if fcoquetishly inviting him
to share mountain hospitality. Dupont did
not hesitate to mount to the door; he found
the key in the lock, opened and entered.
A man was seated at dt=A with his back
to the door-at the noise of the opening
he turned his head, and recognizing the
intruder, cried:
'sAh, is it you, Dupont2 We will take
turn Immediately"
It was Fournier who thus spoke.
"Faith, am ready" said Dupont.
Fournisr took his sword from the corner
of the room; they fell into position; they
crossed weapons. All this passed in a
moment-to see, recognize, and provoke,
and attack each other was as natural and
spontaneous as to breathe. It was only be-
tween the passes that they conversed.
81 thought you were employed in the
interior" said Fournier.
"The minister gives me the fourth di-
vision" @
| "Indeed, how fortunate! i command
the cavalry there. So you have just ar
rived2"
"This instant"
"And thought of me the first thing
how amiable you arer'
"No really. I 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 suff-
GENTLY"
The first became fiercer-F Fournier ha-
zarded pass, which Dupont taking ad-
vantage of. pushed him 50 vigorously that
he was forced to give back step by step.
Dupont advanced steadily within dis
tance, crying:
"Aha. You run. You runr'
"Not at all. I only retreat. Do you
think am going to let you split me like a
a sparrow7'' -.
"The room is small; shall drive you to
the wall!''
"We shall see!7
''See them" and as Dupont said this, he
pressed Fournier literally into the corner,
and his sword piercing the muscles of
Fourniez's neck, pinned him to the wood
en- wall like family portrait badly hung.
'sThe devils' cried the spit:ed gem
eral.
"You did not expect thisr' said Du-
pont
"On the contrary, it is you who do not
expect what will happenf'
"Indeed, what is about to happen,
then7'
"Why, the moment you draw out your
sword, / shall thrust mine into your stom-
ach. and you will falls' fa
"True." replied Dupont, pressing his
sword with great force into the logs of the
cottage wall.
"WelI, what the devil are you piercing
the wall for2 -
81 am taking precaution against your
lunge in my stomach" e 2a
"You cannot avoid it; the moment you
withdraw. you dies'
"I 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 receive my thrust"
"You are unreasonable, your blood is
flowing, in ten minutes your eyes will
close" - ss
awe shall see..
"VeYy WELL arm not impatient"
"Nor I. viii abide the result!''
This contest would probably have been
prolonged to 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
victory, and finally demanded, with great
gravity. to be replaced exactly as they
were when separated, Dupont promising
to refix his sword through Fournier's throat
without increasing the wound.
They were finally obliged to force the
latter to bed, and the former out of the
chalet. -
AND Coon RrDDAscE Too.--A love-