The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1870-12-08
From the Frsnoh.l
MY FIRST DUEL.


1t was scarcely dawn when my val
ct knocked at my door. Two cards
were in my hand. Drowsily enough
I cast my eyes over them, and saw the
names Of two members of our club.
AdiscussiOn of the previous evening
with the Marquis de c. recurred
to my mind, and, although secretly
wishing myself out of this foolish af-
fair, begged these gentlemen to ex-
cuse my not receiving them, and in
vited them to call that afternoon, at
O'Clock, upon George j, one of my
Oldest friends, an officer of African
Chasseurs, on leave at Paris, in order
to meet de b, my other second,
and arrange the conditions of the
duel.
These gentlemen gone, Joseph made
my toilet quickly, and / hastened to
George to explain my affair.
my dear friend" he said to me,
''as this is a first duel, here is my
opinion: You are very young, absO-
lutely without excuse; if you meet
him, good; if you beat, betteryet."
'iI must write at once to de B,
and go to the smiths about my
sWOrds.n
"No need of that. Go to the fene-
ing hall and get back your fighting
hands and legs. Practice an hour,
not more or you will do too much. l
will let deb know. AS for the
swords, there are mine, which are
lucky"
I smiled with a 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
importance of the case, exercised me
for an hour in the counter of quartz,
retreating with feints from the arm.
l left the hall with delight, armed
with the benedictiOn of my fencing
master, who pledged his head that l
should wound my adversary. Going
Durand's, l practiced all the way
counter of quartz with my cane, to do
honor to COrdelio's teaching. 1 could
think of nothing but my duel. Had
the Marquis de c., against whom
I had no grudge, offered the fullest
apologies, should have refused them
with spirit.
AT Durand's I found George and de
B. We all three breakfasted to-
gether. The whole talk was duels.--l
Of course, George recOunted to me
his meetings in Algeria, from which
it appeared that one is very seldom
killed in cold blood with the sword
1 cOOlly declared that 1 would drink
the blood of the Marquis, at which
George laughed outright. I asked
myself if l should send him also a
couple of seconds. On the whole, no.
He was very fond of me; besides,
I was becoming a little too
much of the bully.
These gentlemen left me in order to
meet my adversary seconds. I went
home. A little nervous excitement.
I was short with Joseph, who did not
know what to make of it. 1 got on
my horse as usual, and went to the
BOis de BOulOgne. Every one spoke
of my duel, which began to be nOised
abroad. put Oh my most indiffer-
ent air, and listened politely. 1 talk
ed and bowed a great deal. Charm
ing, the BOis. Magnificent weather,
Autumn tOilet-the prettiest possible. |
Two ddnsetEses of the ballet troupe
their victoria.
"rell me,n said little v, fare you
really going to fight the Marquis de
c. tomorrow ?'
eyes. Don't mention It; it is
nOtpublic. Tomorrow morning, with
swords"
"Ah! my poor CASTOR! Good luck"
Her jet-blacK eyes smiled a caress
that charmed and drew me. I follow
ed the carriage at an easy gGllop. She
regarded me with a softened air. The
look turned my head, and I began to
think it fine thing to have a DUEL
Perceiving George at a distance, on
his Arabian, / moderated the pace of
my thoroughbred. George Joined me.
'You will fight tomorrow, at four
in the afternoon, at Nesinet. The ar
rangements are all made. Keep cool
during the affair. Your antagonist is
nothing remarkable, but he has had
three duels, and fences pretty WE'LL
We will go to the hail together to-
morrow before breakfast" !"
Every well, +" I replied, laconically.
His last words had somewhat damp
ened my enthusiasm, 1 was less pleas
ed with the prospect before me. New
eTtheless, l kept up appearances, and
persisted in being extremely gay. /
tried to be witty, and made bad jokes.
George was thoughtful and silent
From time to time, however, I saw a
smile crOss his lips. 1 imaginehe un-
derstood my flow Of spirits.
On returning, dined with George
and de B, and afterward, when 1
proposed taking box at the Bouffes,
we all went went TO the theatre to-
9ether. The conversation was the
same as in the morning, though even
more personal.
"Your adversary is taller than YOU"
said George to me. lyon should re-
treat, but keep your sword, aimed at
his body as much as possible, and, if
you see an opening, stretch out your
arm, but don't lunge."
'sBah!" said ], laughing 4et US
have some supper, and talk about
something else. Tomorrow will be
time enough for all that. 1 mean to
enjoy my last night" .-.-r
That was the fourth or fifth time
that I had spoken Of last night, last
evening, last dinner-aIlusions In
] uuaadouaklo taffa