The Placer herald., 1858-10-02

l. Whenever Messieurs Dupont and Four
nier shall happen to be within thirty leagues
distance, of each otler, they shall each per-
form half the distance, for the sake Of meet
ing sword in hand:
II. If one of the two contracting parties
is unavoidaby hindered by his military du-
ties, the party who is free shall travel the
whole Of the distance, in order to reconcile
the necessities of the service with the exigen-
cies 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, its conditions may be modified
with the consent of the parties
This treaty was executed. Whenever the
two madmen were able to meet, they fought,
and the most extraordinary correspondence,
in the second person, too, the most familiar
form Of French speech, was exchanged be-
tween them.
am invited to deieuner by the officers
of the Regiment of Chasseurs at Lunevle
(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 a poke at each other
Or agani:
DEAR FRIEND:-I shall be passing through
Strasburg, the fifth of November next, about
noon. You will wait for me at the Hotel
des Postes; we will have little fencing.
Sometimes the promotion of one of these
duellists put temporary stop to the regular
course Of their encounters. The third article
Of the treaty enjoined respect for the military
hierarchy. There is letter from Fournier
to Dupont, as follows:
My DEAR DUpoNT:-I am informed that
the Emperor has done justice to your merits,
by promoting You to the rank of General Of
Brigade. Accept my sincere congratulations
on IN advancement which is no more than
tie natural consequence Of your knowledge
and your courage. For myself there is a
double motive for rejoicing at your nomina
ton. In the first place, the satisfaction
given by circumstance so hatteriug to your
future prospects; and secondly, the permis-
sion which it gives US Of having tulp to-
gether at the first opportunity.
The singuarity of this affair, lasting, as it
did, many years, attracted in time, the pub
lie attention. Dupont and Fournier strictly
observed the clauses Of their treaty: Their
persons were marked with numerous sears;
they continued all the same for that, to cut
and slash at each other in most enthusiastic
style; and General Fournier used to observe,
now and then, ut is really astonishing that
|, who always kill my man, cannot contrive
to kill that devil Dupont.
By-and-dye, General Dupont received the
order to join the army of the Grlsons. Du-
pont was not expected, and no preparations
had been made for his reception. There was
no inn on the spot occupied by the staff
The General was in vain trying to fnd a
lodging, when he perceived before him a
chalet, through whose windows the light Of
a fire was cleaning. Dupont did not hest
tate to ask shelter and hospitality of th" for
tunate inhabtant of the wooden cottage.
He knocked at the door; he opened it.; he
entered. A man was sitting writing in front
of bureau; he turned his head to regard
his visiter. Recognising the unexpected
guest who came to interrupt his correspon
dence, 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 said Du
pout to Fourner, who chanced to be the oc-
cupant of the chalet. And they set to work,
chatting between the passes.
I thought you were employed in the in
terior?' said Fournier.
'The minister has put me into the fourth
corps
Really, What curious coincidence. |
command the cavalry here. And So you
are only just arrived'
4 got out Of my carriage five minutes ago
'And your first thoughts were devoted to
me. How very kindr
At last General Dupont's sword, after
traversng General Fourner's thrust struck
the wall.
'Sacrede" shouted Fournier.
you did not expect that?'
Yes | did. Directly felt my guard, |
saw that was caught. But It's you who
don't expect what is going TO happen
During this little dialogue, one of the
speakers played the part of naturalist, the
other the part of butterfly.
We'll, let us see what is likely 20 happen
The moment you stir, shall give you a
thrust in the belly. Your are dead man.
I will ward your thrust
Impossible
4 won't stir my sword an inch. I will
keep you pinned till you throw down your
sword
DO you know that this is very disagreea-
bic position| said Fournier.
For you especially. THROW down your
sword, and will allow you to quit it,
No: intend to kill YOU
Fortunately, the noise which the two gene
rails made, was heard by the officers, who
! came and senarated the cnmhaianfs