Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-02-23
TALES & SKETCHES.
A DUEL AT NEW ORLEANS.
A REMINIscENcE OF SIXTY YEARS AGO.

A REMINIsCENCE OF SIXTY YEARS AGO.
Hermann and Perdious were two riya
teachers of fencing who had long been an
tagonists, but could not, however, live apart
from one another, and although each had a
fencing room of his own, there was no power
which could have induced them to spend
their evenings anywhere else but at the same
coffee house.
We have already said that both were fenc-
ing g-masters, and, as we suppose, each taught
that branch in which he was most efficient
Hermann the sabre, broad sword or coun-
ter-point, and Perdious the small sword or
point
The eternal topic between them, discussed
at every meeting and under every circum-
stance, was necessarily the relative merits of
their respective branches of the fencing art.
Unfortunately, driven by the taunts of
others, Perdious undertook to lower, in the
estimation of their hearers, the efficiency of
the broadsword exercise, declaring that it
was one requiring only brutal force, but a
very limited amount of science-adding at
the same time, that although he thoroughly
despised it, he considered himself equal to
the most famous of the professors of the
broad. d.sword.
This was SO direct ding at Hermann that
he could not stand it, and he met the asser-
tion by most emphatic and energetic denial
They soon exchanged words of mutual
defiance, when, as with view to reduce the
rising quarrel to simple wager Of skill,
Hermann broke out with the following pro-
position, to wit That if Pcrdious would
agree, on his honor, not to use the small
sword or point game, he would wager twenty
dollars to ten, that he, Hermann, would Gu,
off Perdious' head.
The proposition was made in such cool
business-like manner, that its horror did moi
appear to strike either of the parties or the
spectators, and PeTdious, after a few mo
ment's reflection, stretched out his hand tc
Hermann, and accepted the offer.
Hermann suggested that a stakeh holder
should be appointed and the stakes deposit
ed, to which Perdious agreed; but the um
pire once chosen, it turned out that neither
| of them had cent TO stake, and this threa
tened for a time to stop further progress
when, unfortunately, their respective pupils
considering themselves in honor bound tt
see the question "honorably" settled, two
thoughtless youths advanced the amour
required.
All that remained was to settle the con
dtions of the encounter, which was done, a
usual in unexpected cases, in writing. dul,
signed, sealed, and delivered in duplicate
as follows, or nearly so:-
"Whereas, Hermann has offered to Per
dious bet of twenty dollars to ten dollars
| that he, the said Hermann, would cut off th
head of him, the said Perdious, in fair
standup fight, provided he, the said Per
dous, would conform to certain conditions
it is hereby agreed that on tomorrow morn
ing, at -, the said parties shall NEE
with their respective friends, and such other
as may choose to attend, at the old brick
yard near Marigny's canal, to decide the
question.
ut is further agreed that the parties shal
meet with broadswords, and that neither o
them shall use the point or thrust, but shal
con6ne himself to the counterpoint game
under the penalty of being ruled out; th
| fight to continue until the bet he decided, o
either party agree to forfeit his stake"
This curious document, after having beer
critically examined by the principals, wa
signed by them and theiI seconds, who, un
fortunately, happening to be young, reckles
fellows, could not see any thing in this be
yond good joke"
The two adversaries then resumed thei
friendly game of dominoes, drank thei
usual amount of pony brandies, and parted
as usual, about midnight, with the mos
cordial wishes for each others health ans
prosperity.
During the evening, hcwevcr, the new
spread like wildfre, that Hermann had en-
gagged to cut off Perdious' head for ten dol
lars side, and that the fight was comm,
off at six in the morning. The police, a
usual, took good care to take no notice of it
but to let their friends at leisure know of tn
sport in store, which they, with sigh, sale
they could not conveniently attend.
The spot chosen, for the meeting was nea
the old canal Marigny, formerly plantation
drain, enlarged afterwards to accommodate,
the growing city.
At an early hour a gay crowd was col
lected on and around the ground, discussing
the probable result of the bet, and warmly
taking part each for his fayorite.
Soon afterwards the two antagonists, arm
in arm, were seen to approach and wer,
greeted with most uproarious cheers, which
| they acknowledged in courteous manner
and for a time it seemed as ii the main OBJ
ject had been entirely overlooked, and tn,
parties on the ground were preparing TO
for some great hunt or picnic.
! There was, however, notable differenc,
between the aspect of the men. Hermann
like true "Lunicer," was full of boast anC
brag, twisting his gray moustache, anC
swinging to and fro on his long, nervous
legs, while Perdious was more reserved
more guarded, and a slight nervous trepida
tion of the muscles of his handsome fac,
' Was CLEARLY nSreanfihle