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

[ knocked at my door. Two cards were
in his hand. Drowsily enough 1 cast
my eyes over them, and saw the names
of two members of our club.
! A discussion of the previous even-
| ing with the Marquis dc G. returned to
my mind, and although secretly wish.
ing myself out of this foolish affair,
begged these gentlemen to excuse my
not receiving,them, and invited them
to call that afternoon at three 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 ar
! range the conditions of the duel.
These gentlemen gone,s Joseph made
my toilet quickly, and l hastened &c
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 if
you beat, better yet"
II must write at once to de B,
and 20 to the smiths about my
swords"
"No 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. i will let de
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 circustances. Then
hurried to the hall, and spoke to my
fencing master, who in view Of the i'm
protance of the case, exercised me for
an hour in counter of quartz, retreat
ing with feints from the arm. / left
the hall in. delight, armed with the
benediction of my fencing-master, who
pledged his head that ] should wound
my adversary. Going to Durand's, 1
practised all the way counters of
quartz with my cane, to do honor to
Cordeloi's teaching, l could think of
nothing but my duel. wanted to
talk of it to everybody. Had the Mar
quis de g., against whom l had no
grudge offered the fullest apologies, 1
should have refused them with spirit.
At Durand's 1 found George and dc
B. We all three breakfasted, to-
gether. The whole talk was of duels.
OF course George recounted to me his
meetings in Algeria, from which it ap-
peared that one is very seldom killed
in cold blood with the sword. Icoolly
declared that would drink the blood
of the Marquis, at which George laugh
ed outright. 1 asked myself if should
send him also couple of seconds. On
the whole, no. He was very fond o.
me beside, | suspected l was becom
little ing a too much of the bully.
These gentlemen left me in order tc
meet my adversary's seconds. 1 wen
nome. A little nervous excitement
l was short with Joseph, who did no
know what to make of it. got OIL
my horse as usual, and went to thu
Bois de Boulonge. Every one SPOKE
of my duel, which began to be noiset
abroad. 1 put on my most indiferen
air, and listened politely, 1 talked anc
bowed a great deal. Charming, tn,
Bois. Magnificent weather. Autumn
toilet-the prettiest possible. TIVE
l danseuses of the ballet-troupe stopped
their victoria.
"Tell me-" said little V, oar
! you really going to fight the Marqui
, de c. tomorrow?
"Yes Don't mention it; it is no
public. Tomorrow morning wit
) swords"
"Ah! my poor CASTOR! Good luck.
; Her jet-black eyes smiled cares
that charmed and drew me. l follow
ed the carriage at an easy gallop. Sh
8 regarded me with softened air. TIL
n look turned my head add 1 began {
think it fine thing to have a due
r Perceiving George at a distance, o
Il his Arabian, 1 moderated the pace {
Q my thoroughbred. George Joined me.
e "You will fight tomorrow at fou
in the afternoon, at Vesinet. The a.
: rangements are all made. Keep coo
during the affair. Your antagonist
nothing remarkable, but he has ha
three duels, and fences pretty vel
We will go to the hall together to-mo
- row before breakfast"
y Every WE'LL" replied laconicall,
a. His last words had somewhat dam
ed my enthusiasm. l was less please
A II II NJ