The weekly Butte record., 1861-12-21
A Long Duel.


pire was one that had lasted nineteen years.
1t mad its origin in Strasbourg: A captain of
Huzzars, Fournier by name, and bretteur
forcene, killed under the most frivolous pretext,
youth named Blumm, who was the only sup
port of family. The evening that Blumm
was buried, General Moreau gave ball, and
gave instructions to his ABIDE camp, Dupont,
to refuse admission to Fournier. The latter,
irritated, challenged the aidde- camp for carry
ing out his Generals orders, but luckily the
latter came off best, and wounded the bully
But month having elapsed, Fournier had so
far recovered as to be able to call Dupont out
again, and this time it was the latter's time to
be placed hors du combat. Being about to
meet a third time, Fournier, who used to amuse
himself by knocking the pipes out of his broth
er officers mouths when riding by, proposed
pistols. But to this Dupont naturally declined
70 accede, and they fought once more with
swords, both being slightly wounded. The
two antagonists became generals without hav>
ing ceased to fight whenever occasion presented
ITSELF One night Dupont arrived at village
in the Grisons, so poor that there was not an
inn in the place. There was only a light in
one lone hut. Dupont opened the door and
found himself face to face with Fournirr.
What you" he said gaily. Well then
we must have bout with the sword"
And so saying, they set to work, conversing
all the time. At length Dupont pierced Four
nier's neck, and held him pinned against the
wall at arms length.
"Come now,' he remarked, you must &C
knowledge that you did not anticipate that
trick"
"Oh! know one quite as good as that
When you are obliged to let 90, will give
you one in the abdomen that will give your
bowels fresh air"
Thank you; but l shant let go. shall
pass the night in this position"
A pleasant prospective. Do you know
that am not at all at my ease?'
Let go your sword, then, and l will let you
CO."
No, not till have disemboweled you"
Luckily the noise brought some officers, who
separated these inveterate enemies.
But after lapse of time Dupont wanted to
marry. This he could not very well so long
as Fournier was alive. So he went to Paris
TO find him out
All ! you here ?" said Fournier. We
shall have another little bout, then"
"Yes," replied Dupont but listen to me for
a moment, first want to get married, but
to do so must get rid of you. So this time
we will fight with pistols'
What are you mad ?" said Fournier, as
tonshed,
No, l know your SKILL but l propose to
equalize the combat. There is a little wood
near Neuilly. l propose that we go there, and
that, after getting out of sight Of each other,
we shall track one another at our convenience
agreed to. But don't think about mar
riage for promise you you shall die a bache-
lor."
On the day appointed, Fournier and Dupont
entered the wood. Each advanced stealthily
through the thicket, till their eyes met in the
foliage. Each at the same moment rushed be-
hind tree. The position was delicate one,
Dupont passed the tail of his coat behind the
trunk. 1t was struck in a moment By ball
that whistled by.
so much for one" said the general
A few moments more elapsed, while holding
bis pistol pointing with with his left hand as
if about to fire, he pushed his hat out with his
right 1t was struck in a second
This is the last" said Dupont, and be
walked, pistol in hand, right upon Fournier.
Your life belongs to me" he said, " but l
will not take it,
"Just as you like" replied the hussar
"Only remember this, | reserve the rights
which l suspend to-day. And if you ever
cross my path I will shoot you like a dog"
And thus ended the long succession of duels
which altogether had been carried on for nine
teen years.