Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-03-12
a aueer Dose for a pu.ll,.t.

] During the period OF the occupation of France by
the allies of Louis XVII, in 1915, regular sys.
| tenn was pursued by the officers of the French
| army of provoking challenges from the foreign Of
ficers whenever and wherever they could. The
Frenchmen then, being the challenged parties
invariably chose the sword, in the use of which
they were greatly superior to their enemies, and
of course always came off victorious. Day after
day ,Prussan and English officers would be gross
ly insulted by Frenchmen- would send cartel
fght-and be carried off regularly TO Pere la
Chase. Some of Napoeon's smaslers at arms''
made business of killing their man each day. A
story is told of one of them-s, old Captaine
Ducroc-who had slain his scores, and was never
known to have met his match with the sword.-
He never sent challenge,wa always the aggres-
sor and pitiessly insisted on the right of choosing
his favorie weapon. When he had not found an
adversary in The course of The day he would enter
the Cafe Foy, at Paris towards six O'Clock, for
dinner and the waters could tell by his face and
the way he twired his grizzly nustache that he
was on the lookout for quarrel. Woe to him
who gave him the least chance! One evening,
there chanced to drop into the same cafe an Eng
llsh officer named Gwynne. He belonged to the
army Of occupation, bat had only just returned To
his regiment from his home, where he had been
kept close prisoner BY wound received at Wa
terloo. During his absence, his brother had had
the misfDriune-so he had heard-to quarrel with
Captaine Ducruc, and To be killed in duel.
Gwynne entered the Cafe Foy few minutes
before six, and sat down at a small vacant table.
waiter started at the sight. and running 10 the
Englishman, observed, with some agitation, that
that was 1.-THE Caplaine's table," q" hat Cap
tain, my friend 90 asked the Engshman. "Oh!
e Captaine Ducroc!" answered the waiter, pro-
nouncng The terrible name almost with feeling
of awe. Gwynne's cheek flushed at the name,
but he merely observed that this table was like
all the others, seemingly still" )" he said, "f the
Captaine insisted upun it. he would doubtless
satisfy him." On which he took up the news
paper and began TO read.
Almust at the same instant the door opened land
heavy tread Of spurred boots was heard approach
ing the table. When at few feet distance, ''le
Capilaine" stopped land surveyed the usurper with
an insulting smile. Gwynne Looked calmly at
him, but did not speak. The Captaine sat down
at a table close by, and began to twirl his mus
tache. People who knew him understood the
meaning Of The gesture, and gathered closer 10 the
redoubtatle champion of France. They had not
long to wait before he commenced operations.
Stretching across suddenly, he seized the lamp
on the EnIllSnlnanS s laOle. anu Sndtcneu IL away,
while with The other hand he plucked the news
paper out Of Gwynne's grasp There was buzz
in the cafe at this gross insult, and one or two
EngIishnen sprang to their feet, and moved 10.
ward their c,untryman. But he did not speak or
move. his face did not even show any notice OF
the affront.
LIE Capitaine read for moment or two, then
turning his chair 50 10 brng it close to the Eng
lishman'S table, he suddenly stretched Out his leg
and brought down the heel of his heavy boot on
Gwynne's foot. There was another buzz s. murmur
among the consun,matews; but Gwynne content
ed himself with drawing his foot up and folding
his arms His countrymen gathered around him
evidently CALLED at his seeming indifference TO the
insult but he took no notice. At last the Capt.
taine, after long look at his antagonist called to
lhe waiter for glass Of brandy. When it was
brought, he raised the glass, and drank It, saying
10 Gwynne, "a rotre courage, .4ngtals" ("Io
your English cuurage!'')
Then slowly and leisureIy the latter rose. He
was man of immense size and strength. With
one stride lie stuud beside the Freuchman; then
rrasping his mustache with one hand and his chin
with the other, he wrenched his mouth open and
spat down his throat.
"Should Monsieur deem it," he said in calm,
quiet voice, "to honor me with a call, there is my
card" So saying he left the cafe. His invita-
ton was not accepted. Ducroc never challenged; /;
,,o obo;ca of meo nnns wos essential In his safety