The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1870-11-01
The First Duel.

4
Of two members of our club.
! A discussion of the previous even
ing with the Marquis de G. returned t.
my mind, and although-secretly wish
ing myself out of this foolish affair,
begged these gentlemen to excuse my
not receiving.them, and invited then
to call that afternoon at three O'Clock
upon George j., one of my oldes
friends, an officer of African chasseurs
on leave at Paris, in order to meet d,
B, my other second, and ar
range the conditions of the duel.
These gentlemen gone, Joseph made
my toilet quickly, and l fastened {;
George to explain my affair.
my dear friend" he said to me, "as
this is first duel, here is my opinion
You are very young, absolutely with.
out excuse; if you meet him, good il
you beat, better yet"
II must write at once to de B,
| and 90 to the smiths about my
swords"
mo need of that. Go to the fenc.
ing hall to get back your fighting hand
and legs. Practice an hour, not more
or you will do too much. will let dc
B know. As for the swords, there
are mine, which are lucky
smiled with constrained air, and
pressed his hand. A significant grasp
a convulsive energy, to be found only
under certain Circumstances. Then
hurried to the hall, and spoke to my
fencing master, who in view of the i'm
protance of the case, exercised me fol
an hour in counter of quartz, retreat.
ing with feints from the arrn. I lef
the hall in. delight, armed with thl
benediction of my fencing-master, wht
pledged his head that ] should woun(
my adversary. Going to Durand's,
practised all the way counters o
quartz with my cane, to do honor t
Cordeloi's teaching, / could think 0
nothing but my duel. I wanted Il
talk of it to everybody. Had the Mar
quis de O., against whom l had NJ
grudge offered the fullest apologies,
should have refused them with spirit
At Durand's found George and d
B. We all three -breakfasted, to
gether. The whole talk was of duels
OF course George recounted to me hi
meetings in Algeria, from which it az
peared that one is very seldom kille
in cold blood with the sword. 1 cooll
declared that ] would drink the bloc
of the Marquis, at which George laugl
! ed outright. 1 asked myself if l shoul
, send him also couple of seconds. o
the whole, no. He was very fond (
me; beside, suspected was becon
Q little ing too much of the bully.
These gentlemen left ME in order
$ meet my adversary's seconds. l wei
: nome. A little nervous excitemen
; / was short with Joseph, who did nj
know what TO make of it. l got c
!, my horse as usual, and went to Il
!, Bois de Boulonge. Every one spoil
e of my duel, which began to be noise
t abroad. / put on my most indiferel
y air, and listened politely, talked al
!, bowed a great deal. Charming, Il
. Bois. Magnificent weather. Autuu
st toilet-the prettiest possible. Ty
h dansetses of the ballet-troupe stopp'
= their victoria.
>, "Tell me-" said little V, "a
s you really going to fight the Marqr
$, de c. tomorrow"
"Yes. Don't mention it; it is n
public. Tomorrow morning wi
0, swords"
.. "Ahl my poor CASTOR! Good lucI
70 Her jet-black eyes smiled car,
that charmed and drew me. folio
- ed the carriage at an easy gallop. S
Ss regarded me with softened air. 7
or or look turned my head add l began
think it fine thing to have du
or Perceiving George at a distance,
NJ his Arabian, l moderated the pace
90 my thoroughbred. George Joined me
me- "You will fight tomorrow at fC
in the afternoon, at Vesinet. The
rangements are all made. Keep C,
during the affair. Your antagonist
nothing remarkable, but he has /
three duels, and fences pretty W
We will go TO the hall together tom
- row before breakfast"
~ ~ "Very we'll" replied laconical
IN. His last words had somewhat dar
ed my enthusiasm. / was less plea
A with the prospect before me. NeN
x less, kept up appearances. and ]