Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-07
FRENCH DUELING ExrRAoRpINARy

FRENCH DUELING EXTRAORDINARY.
The general attention has been recently at
traeted to monstrous French duel The rec
ords OF such things in France present another
duel quite as absurd, but far less horrible
AT the beginning of the present century, the
city OF Strasbourg resembled Caen in possess
ing certain number Of wrong head gentlemen
who took pleasure in getting ND disputes
Soldiers Of all ranks had ample opportunities
Of picking quarrels Whenever they wished it
and often when they did not wish it. In f7s4.
captain OF hussars, named Fournier, indulged
In this amusement to his hearts content. At
later period his merit and his courage earned
him the epsulettes Of a General of division
HIS aggressive temper and his address with
arms rendered his name celebrated in the an
mails of the duel He was invariably the victor
In these unfortunate meetings; and Strasbourg
had to reprosch him for the loss Of several Of
her sons on the most futile motives of quarrel.
and especially for having killed, on very tri-
nlng grounds, young man named Blume-
generally beloved, the only support of q au-
merous family-whom he had challenged with
cut any plausible reason, and slain without the
slightest pity. The edesth of Blume was regard
ed as public misfortune, and sympathized in
by public mourning.
On the very day OF Blums's funeral, General
MOTeau gave ball, to which we're invited al
the members Of the high bourgeoisie 1t was
desirable to avoid the scandalous scenes which
could not fail to take place between the fellow
tOwnsmen, perhaps the relatives, of the unfor-
tunate deceased and the aggressor who Vas
styled his murderer. Gen. MOreau, therefore
desired his aid-de-csmp, Capt. Dupont after
wards the General who capitulated at Baylen-
TO prevent Captain EOurnier from entering the
ballroom. Dupont stationed himself in a cor
ner OF one OF the antechambers, and immedi-
ately he caught sight of him he accosted him,
abruptly:
What are you going to do here?'
An! That's you, Dupont Good evening
Parblsu. 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, unhappy
fellow, Bluue? What will his friends and bis
relatives say?' =
They may say what they please, it is all
one to me- But, should like to know, what
business is that of yours ?''
I" 1t is evsrybody's business. Everybody is
thinking or talking about it," ..
Everybody is wrong then. I don't like
people to poke their noses into my affairs
And now, you please, let me pass"
You shall not go into the ballroom"
!" And pray, why? ?"
-" Because you must take yourself of in
stead The General orders you to retire to
your own apartments"
Am L turned out of the house ?''
No; 1t is merely precaution"
Are you aware OF the consequences of turn
ing FOurnier out Of doors %
do not want to hear any Of your rhodo-
montadss. just have the goodness to take
yourself of. :"
{" Listen - said Fournier, in a fury. 81
cannot have my revenge of the General, be-
cause he Is my superior officer; but you are nv
equal you have presumed to take your share
In the insult and you shall pay for the whole
of it. We will fght,'
Listen in turn, :" replied Dupont " have
iOhs oeen out OF patience with you; L am dis
gusted with your bullying ways; and / hope
TO give you = lesson which you will long re-
member"
FOurnier passed a sleepless night He yould
have gone mad with vexatiOn, had he not been
eonsoied by the hope of killing Dupont. But
the result Of the combat was not what be ex-
peetsd, tor Dupont gave him afrightful wound
You fence we'll, }" said Fournier, as be fell
Not badly, as you see" =
les; but now L know your game. You
won't catch me another time-as I will show
you when am we'll again.
You wish for another encounter g''
Parbleu That's matter Of course y
In fact, after a few weeks nursing Fourpier.
Tor tho second time, was face to face with his
adversary. Ii was now his turn. He gave
Dupont me-thrust, with the comment
lou ace clearly you hold your hand too
low 10 parry properly. After you have made
your thrust you gave me time to stick three
inches OF cold iron between your ribs
. This is only the second act, cried Dupont.
Wen come to the catastrophe as soon as pos
sible" f
Fournier would have liked to conclude the
third act by the aid Of the pistol but DuBopt
claimed the military privilege which obiigss
orieers to fight with their swords Dupont was
wise IN maintaining bis right for Fournier's
experience as pistol shot is still remembered
with astOnishment. He has accustomed his ser
want to hold between his fingers a piece of
money, which he sent flying with a bullet at
hVe-and- twenty PAGES distance. And frequent
Iy one OF the hussars of his regiment, as he gal
loPed past smoking his pipe, was surprised to
find ii smashed between his lips. without ans
pecting that POurnier had amused himself by
making target Of the tobacco bowl.
The catastrophe, since so we must style il.
brought about no decisive result they each re-
ceiVed trifing scratch Then these two wise
heads, annoyed at so negative a result, agreed
20 Tecommence the struggle until one OF the
two should confess himself beaten, and sbouId
renounce all further resistance They there
fore drew up the following little treaty, which
stlil exists In the possession Of Colonel Berger
II Whenever Messieurs Dupont and Four
nler shall happen TO be within thirty leagues
distance Of each other, they shall each perform
sword in hand
IL IL one OF the two contracting parties ia
uuayOidably hindered by his military duties,
tie party who is free shall travel the whole of
the distance, in order to reconcile the necessi
ties Of the service with the exigences Of the
present treaty. !
III. No excuse shall be admissible except
those resulting from military obligations
" The present treaty being entered into
In good faith, It's conditions may be modified
with the consent Of the parties !" t.
The treaty was executed Whenever the TIVE
madmen were able 70 meet, they fought, and
the most extraordinary eOrrespondence, in the
second person, too, the most familiar form of
French speech, was exchanged between them.
| am invited to 4 dejeuner by the Offices Of
the Regiment of Chas.eurs at LuueyilIe Ivrote
one Of them J Iexpect to take a journey there,
to accept this polite invitation As you are on
leave Ut absence there, we will take advantage
II you like, Of my short stay, to have poke 1t
each other"
Or again: .. .
DEAR FRIEND / shall be passin1 tbrouyb