The Placer herald., 1858-10-02
A Nineteen Years Duel.

records OF such things IN france presents
another duel quite as absurd, but far less
horrible.
At the beginning Of the present century,
the city Of Strasburg resembled Caen, in
possessing certain number of ng-headed
gentlemen who took pleasure in getting up
disputes. Soldiers of all ranks had ample
opportunities of picking quarrels whenever
they wished it; and often when they did not
wish it. In seventeen hundred and ninety
four, captain of hussars, named Fournier,
INDUCED in this amusement to bis hearts
content. At a later period, his merit and
his courage earned him the epaulettes Of
general division. His aggressive temper and
and his address with arms, rendered his name
celebrated in the annals of the duel. He
was invariably the victor in the unfortunate
meetings; and St'asburg bad to reproach
him for the loss of several of her sons on the
most futile motives Of QUARREL and especially
for killing, on very trifing grounds, young
man named Blume-generay beloved, the
only support of numerous famly-whom
he had challenged without any plausible rea-
son, and slain without the slightest pity
The death of Blume was regarded as pub
lie misfortune, and sympathised in by pub
lie mourning.
On the very day of Blume's funeral Gene
raj Moreau gave ball, to which were in
vited all the members of the bourgeosie. 1t
was desirable to avoid the scandaous scenes
which could not fail to take place between
the fellow townsmen, perhaps the relations
of the unfortunate deceased and the aggres
sor, who was styled his murderer. General
Moreau, therefore, desired lis aid-de- camp,
Captain Dupont, afterwards the general who
capitulated at Baylen, to prevent Captain
Fourner from entering the ballroom. Du
pont stationed himself in a corner Of one Of
the anti chambers, and Immediately lie caught
sight of him accosted him abruptly:
"What are you going to do here?"
'Ah. That's you, Dupont! Good evening"
Parbleu You see what | am doing | am
come to the ball
Are YOU not ashamed to come to ball
the very day Of the funeral of that poor un-
happy follow. Biume? What will his friends
aud relations Say'
They may say what they please; it is all
one to me. But, should like to know,
what business is llat Of yours?'
~ II tNti btNN > DtSlUtSS. Every OOuN Is
thinking and talking about it,
Every body is wrong then. don't like
people to poke their noses into my affairs
And now if You please, let me pass
You shall not 90 into the ballroom"
And, pray, why?'
Because You must take yourself off in
stead. The General orders You to retire to
your apartments
Am to be turned out of the house,
No; it is mere precauton.'
Are you aware Of the consequence of turn
ing Foulnier out of docrs?'
/ do not want to hear any Of your rhodo-
montades Just have the goodness to take
yourself off
'Listen!' said Fournier, in fury. i can
not have my revenge of the General, because
he is my superior officer but you are my
equal; you have presumed to take your share
in the insult, and you shall pay for the whole
Of it. We will fghtr
Listen, in re'uIn,' replied Dupont. 4
have long been out of patience with YOU;
| am disguised with your bullying ways; and
| hope to give you lessonn which YOU will
long remember
Fournier passed a seepess night. lie
would have gone mad with vexation, had he
not been consoled by the hope of killing
Dupont. But the result Of the combat was
not what he expected, for Dupont gave him
a frightfu wound.
You fence well,' said Fournier, as he fell.
Not badly, as you sce.'
Yes; but now know your game. You
won't catch me another time---as | will show
when am well again
'You wish for another encounter
'Parbleu! That's matter of course
In fact, after few weeks nursing, Four
ner, for the second time, was face to face
with his adversary. 1t was now his turn
He gave Dupont a home-thrast, with the
comment:
You see clearly you hold your hand too
low to parry properly. After you had made
your thrust, you gave me time to stick three
inches of cold iron between your ribs
This is only the secoud act cried Du-
pont. We'll come to the catastrophe as
soon as possible.
Fournier would have liked to conclude the
third act by the aid of the pistol, but Dupont
claimed the military privilege which ob1iges
officers to fight with their swords Dupont
was wise in maintaining his right, for Four
nier's expertness with pistol shot is still re-
membered with astonishment. He had ac-
customed his servant TO hold between his
fingers piece Of money, which he sent
flying with bullet, at fiveand-twenty PAGES
distance. And frequently one of the hussars
of his regiment, as he galloped past smoking
his pipe, was surprised to find it smashed be-
tween his lips, without suspecting that Four
ner had amused himself by making target
of the tobacco bowl.
| Tha catastronhe. as we must STYLE It.