Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-11-13


OF being injured in his suffering limb, he took
a sudden step aside, and accidentally trod on
the foot of an officer of the royal guard. -
Quick as lightning the latter young man of
spirit and fire, seized the former by the nose,
aud then cuifed him on both sides of the head
The face Of the imperialist turned deadly pale
as he said, quite calmly aud politely, evidently
controlling his passion by master effort of
the will
would have apologized for what was
really an accident, had not Monsieur put it
out of my power"
| do not want an apology from such as
you, was the insulting reply.
6 Your name 2" demanded the other.
Lieutenant DuvaiS, OF the royal guard, at
your service"
81 shall remember !"rejoined Captain Hon
itan, as he turned to depart
Pray do not forget" said the lieutenant,
at the same time treading heavily upon the
gouty loot of the captain, and thus drawing
from him an involuntary cry of pain
Duvais then walked away with a proud and
naughty air, leaving the other suffering fear
fully from pain and rage. AS soon as be could
eXtr ate himself from the crowd, the captain
>O''NN
out of sight.
For whole week, Lieutenant Duvais re
manned in momentary expectation of a chaI-
enge from the man he had SO grossly insulted
but none came. Another week passed away,
and the imperialiSt was not heard from.
" He is coward and unworthy ofmy notice,
said the daSalng young officer, with a proud
smile of contempt
Why, what could you expect of man
who doubtIcSS Gisgraced himself at the battle
of Waterloo ~ rtjoiued one of bis brother Of
fcerS, with sneer " Bah this comes of
plebeian blood, Henri ~
Months passed away, and Henri Duvais,
who was the youngest son of an ancient and
honorable family of royaliSts, was promoted to
IA captaincy. He had fought two dues since
his insult to Captain Honitau, but still moth,
ing had been heard Of that officer. and the lit
tie affair was nearly forgotten, or remembered
only as a sneering jest. More mounts passed.
Captain Duvai>, al1ianced to beautiful lady
OF rank, began to prepare for his wedding
The morning OF the intended wedding day
and Captain Henri Dnvais rose early
to prepare for nuptias that were to make him
the happ;eSt man in Pals While engaged at
bis toilet, Il servant ANNOUNCED vistor-a
stranger.
9 am engaged, and can see no one now"
was The reply.
deg your pardon, Monsieur le Capitaine, >
said the voice of the stranger, who bad follow |
I'd on the heels of the servant {" but | know
you will see me"
And who are yon sir ? and why this in
tru>ion 2" demanded the young officer, il an
,arin tn h., !Iv
the person of middle aged man in plain citi-
zeu's dress.
- am Captain Honitan, formerly of the
Imperial Guard, at your service"
Well, sir 2"
MouSeur Ie Captaine seems not to know
me i; but Monsieur may have the happiness to
rene cmber the pleasure he once had in pulling
the nose, hCXing the ears, and treadng on the
foot Of quiet looking gentleman, under the
gallery OF the PaialS Royal, some twelve
months since",
This was said with the most freezing polite |
ness ; but there was something awfully wick /!
ed III the cold grey eye of the speaker as it |
all The time rested quietly and steadily on the
other
Ha y said Dnvas. flushing to the tenn
pies. " know you now but to save your
reputation, you should have come sooner"
My reputation fortunately, was not in the |
keeping of rather forward boy" returned the |
other, with grim smile aud mockng bow
'' | have come at last to ask the pleasure of |
Monsieur le Captaine Henri Duvas to a little
quiet walk thinking the beautiful bride elect !
might he pleased to hear Of the prowess Of
her lover on her wedding day"
DuvaiS bit his ps
I" think" he said, Il should be justified /
in putting you off for the present but | will
not balk your kind intentions. We need not
20 far, nor wait long Here are small swords,
and twenty PAGES hence is the garden"
" Monsieur lie Capitane is SO obliging"
bowed the other Perhaps they lied who
,ad Monsieur was a coward and would not
ight"
"You shall see |" cried the young royalis,,
almost bursting with suppressed pass on
8 Coward or 10 coward, | have sent your bet
ers to the devil, and you shall soon follow "
In less than ten minutes the two antagonists
we're in the garden, and their swords crossed.
Hontan was perfectly cool and self-possessed
)ut Duvais was almost blind with rage. The
after was accounted the best swordsman in
lis corps, and there were the fewest number
hat could cope with him, which was one cause
If his overbeariug insolence but in less than
minute he discovered to his horror that be
vas only mere child in the hands of his an
GgOniSt who seemed rather disposed to play
With than fight him. In the course Of five
minutes, however, be received a disabling
wound and then like lightning, the blade of I
he other flashed close before his eyes and Sc,
era6 his nose plpap down n hic faoa
Monsieur lie Capitaine did me the honor
0 pull my nose-I have done myself to cut off
is Good day, Captain | will sand your
ervant to look after you. When you are
,eIi, | will call again. My compliments to
be bride, and how does she like your beauty?'
This affair created great sensation in the