Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-16
sTAuNToN AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 49, 1853
pont, "We'n come to the catastrophe a

soon as possible"
Fourier would have liked to conclude
the third act by the aid Of the pistol, but
Dupont claimed the military privilege which
obliges officers to fight with their swords
Dupont was wise in maintaining his right,
for Fournier's expertness as pistol shot is
still remembered with establishment. He
had accustomed his servant to hold between
his fingers piece Of money which he sent
flying with bullet at fve-and twenty
PAGES. And frequently one of the hussars
Of his regiment, as he gaHoped past smoking
his pipe, was surprised 10 find it smashed
between his lips, without suspecting that
Fourier had amused himself BY making a
target of his tobacco bowl es
The catastrophe, since we must so style
it, brought about the decisive result; they
each received a trifng scratch. Then these
two wise heads, annoyed at so negative re-
suit, agreed to recommence the struggle un-
til one Of the two should confess himself
beaten; and should renounce all further re-
sistence They therefore drew up the fol-
lowing little treaty, which still exists in
possession Of Colonel Berger
Il. Whenever Mesieurs Dupont and Four
nier shall happen to be within thirty leagues
distance of each other, they shall each per-
form half the distance, for the sake Of a
meeting sword in hand.
I'll. If one Of the contracting parties is
unavoidably hindeied by his military duties,
the party who is free shall travel the whole
of the distance, in order to reconcile the
necessities Of the service with the ezigen-
cies of the present treaty.
Gil. No excuse shall be admissible
except those, resulting from military obliga-
tons. wsM
CIV. The present treaty being entered
into in good faith, its conditions may be
modified with the consent of the parties.
! The treaty was executed. Whenever the
two madmen were able to meet, they fought,
and the most extraordinary correspondence,
in the second person, the most familiar form
Of speech, was exchanged between them.
| 81 am invited to a dejuner by the officers
of the regiment Of chasseurs at Luneville,
(wrote one Of them). [ expect to take a
journey there to accept this polite invitation.
As you are on leave Of absence there, we
will take advantage, if you like, Of my short
stay, to have poke at each other
Or, again:
tDEAR FRIEND: [ shall be passing through
Strasbourg the 9th of November next,
about noon You will wait for ne at the
hotel DIES Portes we will have little fen
cling"
! Sometimes the promotion Of these duel
lists put a temporary stop to the regular
course Of their encounters. The third ar
ticle Of the Treaty enjCined respect for the
( military hierarchy. There is letter from
Fourier to Dupont, as follows:
envy DEAR Dupont: [ am informed that
the Emperor has done justice to your merits
by promoting you to the rank Of General OF
Brigade. Accept my congratulations on
an advancement which is no more than the
natural consequence Of your knowledge and
your courage. For myself, there is a
double motive Of rejoicing at your nom
nation: In the first place, the satisfaction
given by circumstance SO fattering to your
future prospects; and secondly, the permits
sion which it gives US Of having turn to-
gether the first opportunity
The singularity Of this affair, lasting, as
it did, many years, attracted in time the
public attention. Dupont and Fourier
strictly observed the clauses Of their treaty.
Their persons were marked with numerous
scars; they continued, all the same for that,
to cut and slash at each other in most enthu
siastic style; and General Fourier used to
observe, now and then, lit is really aston
ishing that I, who always kill my man
cannot contrive to kill that devil Dupont.
By-and-by, General Dupont received the
order to join the army Of Grisons. Dupont
was not expected, and no preparations had
been made for his reception. There was nc
inn on the spot occupied by the staff. The
General was in vain trying to find lodg-
ing, when he perceived before him chalet,
through whose windows the light Of fire
was cleaning. Dupont did not hesitate tc
go and ask shelter and hospitality Of the for
tunate inhabitant Of the wooden cottage
He knocked at the door; be opened it; he
entered. A man was sitting writing in
front of a bureau; he turned his head to re-
gard his visitor Recognizing bis uuex-
pected guest who came to interrupt his cor
Responsiveness, he said, before the other could
cross the threshold,
"Ah! that's you, Dupont. We will have
little bit Of fence"
''By all means. with all my heart" sale
Dupont to Fourier, who CHANGED to be the
occupant of the chalet And they set te
work. chatting between the passes.
Il thought you were employed in the in
terror p said Fourier
S'The minister has put ME in the fourth
corps"
'Really What a curious coincidence =
I command the cavalry there. And SO you
are only just arrived p
II got out Of the carriage about five min
utes ago" -,
"And your first thoughts were devoted
to me- How very kind!'
At last, General Dupont's sword, afte1
traversing General Fourniers thrust, struck
the wall
sssacre dieu" shouted Fournier.
tsYou did not expect that?
| eyes, [ did. Directly left my guard
saw that I was caught. But It's you who
don't expect what is going on
During this little dialogue, one Of the
speakers played the part Of naturalist, thu
other the part Of butterfly.
swell let US see what is likely to happen.
ssThe moment you stir, / shall give yo'
a thrust in the belly! You are dead man =