, 1861-09-12

| IehVe OI absence tuere, VIZ VIII thhe duVantdSe,
il you like, Of my short stay, to have poke ut
each other.
Or again:
DEAR FRIExD.-I shall be passing through
Strasbourg the filth of November next, about
noon. You will wait for me at the Ilo el des
Potes we will have little fencing.
Someti les the promotion Of one Of these du-
el'iSts put temporary stop to the regular course
Of their encounters The third article of the
treaty enoned respect for the military hierarchy.
There is letter from Fourncr to Dupont, as
follows:
My DEAR DrPOST.-I 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 my
self there is a double motive Of rejoicing ut your
nomination. In the first place, the satisfaction
| given by circumstance so hattering to your
future prospects; and secondly, the permission
which il gives US Of having a turn together at
the first opportunity.
The snguarity Of this affair, lasting, as it did,
many years, attracted in time the public atten.
ton. Dupont and EOurnier 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
Fournier used tp observe, now and then, " 1t is
really astonishing that ], who always kill my
man, cannot contrive to kill that devil Dupont"
By.and-bye, General Dupont received the or
Ger to join the Army the GrisOns. Dupont
was not expected, and no preparat ons had been
made for his reception. There was no inn on
the spot occupied by the staff The General was
in vain trying to find lodging when be per-
ceived a chalet through whose windows the light
Of fire was cleaning Dupont did not hesitate
to 60 and ask shelter and hospitality Of the for.
tunate inhabitant Of the wooden cottage. he
knocked at the door; he opened II; he entered.
A man was sitting writing in front Of bureau;
he turned his head to regard his visitor. RecOg-
nizng the unexpected guest who came to inter
rupt his correspondence, he said before the other
could cross the threshold,
"Ah! that's you, Dupont. Wewill have lit
tie bit OF a fence"
"By all means; with all my heart, " said Du-
pont To Fournier, who chanced to be the occu-
pant Of the chalet Aud they set to work, chat
ting between the passes
"T thought you wero employed in the inte-
rior?" said FOurnier.
"The minister has put me into the fourth
corps"
REALLY! What strange coincidencei COM
mand the cavalry there. And 50, you are only
just arrivedy"
II got out Of the carriage only Eve minutes
ago."
:" And your first thoughts were directed to
me. How very kind"
At last, General Dupont's sword, after ira
versing General FOurniers thrust, struck the
wall.
.'sacrcdie :" shouted FOurnier
"YOu did not expect tlat?"
Eyes I did Directly LEFT my guard, ! saw
that was caught. But It's you who don't ex.
pect what is going to happen"
During this dialogue, one Of the speakers
played the part Of naturalist, the other the part
Of butterfly.
"Well, let US see what is likely to happen"
"The moment you stir, I shall give you thrust
in the belly. You are dead man."
~ will ward your thrust"
"I won't stir my sword an inch. I win keep
you pinned ill you throw down your sword"
"Do you know that this is u very disagreeable
positiong" said FOurnirr.
"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 generals
made was heard by the officers, who came and
SEPARATED the conbatants. ....
Dupont, the more reasonable Of the two, now
and then thought Of the abSurdity Of quarrel,
which still went on after 50 many struggles, ard
asked himself whether he should not be doing
right in killing FournieT, to make an end Of the
matter. Besides that, he was going TO get mar
ricd. One morning he called on FOurnier
Are you come to fix day for match ?" In.
qured the latter on seeing him enter.
Perhaps I am but first Of all, let us talk
a little Listen to this: intend to get married;
and before enter the serious state Of matrimony,
should like to have done with you"
"Oh! Ohw
"Our quarrel has now lasted for nineteen
years. | DO not wish to continue a style Of life
which my wife might consider not exactly COM
Portable and therefore, 10 virtue Of the fourth
article Of our treaty, | am come to propose q
change in the mode of combat, and 50 to have a
final meeting. the result of which shall be deci.
sive. We will fight with pistols"
"You don't think Of such a thing" cried
FournieT, in astoniShment
al know that that is your strong point. but to
equal the chances, we will do this, if you like.
One Of my friends has, at Neuly, an inelosure
planted with trees, and completely surrounded
with walls; there are two doors to IT, one at each
end. On day, aud at an hour agreed upon,
we will 90 to the inclOsure separately, armed
with our two holster pistols, ready loaded. to
take a single shot with each. We evil try which
can find the other, and whoever catches sight Of
the other snail tire.
That's a droll idea"
Docs il suit your"
%Ten o'clock on Thursday morning--willt that
doI"
That's it; agreed. Adieu, till Thursday"
The hour and the day determined on, they
were punctnal at their rendezvous. As soon as
they were inside the inclOSure, the two antagon
lists sought after each other cautiously, halling To
lisien at every step. They advanced slowly
with their pistols eorked in their hands, eye on
the watch and ear all attention At the turn Of
an alley they perneiVed each other, BY . rapid
motion they threw themselves behind the trunks