The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1870-12-08

I
ing garments.
Joseph seemed surprised, but re-
turned moment later with the OBJ
jects designated. George examined
the shirt with scrupulOus care.
"GoOd. That will do. Now. Take
these boots to the shoemaker, and
tell him to cut off the heels close to
> the sOle-like this. Go and be quick.
| listened in bewilderment while
this was passing.
at is important" he explained,
"not 10 have the heel catch and make
you lose your balance when you are
handling a sword. Besides, you want
your foot firm, but not pressed too
hard. 1t is superb weather. You are
really fortunate. You can fight in
linen trousers, which is much the
most convenient dress.
Decidedly my friend George took
gigantic proportions in my eyes.
Without word put on the things
he showed me; a black coat, black
waistcOat, white linen trousers. A
few minutes more and we were at the
hall. George appeared very well sat
isfied with my fencing, but he renew
ed his recommendations of the day
before, to which listened with all
my ear.
''That's it, stick him in the arm as
you advance-goOd-capital When
you quit your adversary's sword to
attack, disengage, and lunge below
his hand. Well donel There, that's
enough, no need to fatigue yourself
for nothing"
We went for the doctor; a common
friend and old college cOmrade. A
good liver, with frank, merry face |
and a jovial eye, and ready 70 do any |
thing for Us all. He took his case of |
surgical instruments. slipping it into |
his pocket aside that might not see,
/ lint, some bandases, a few little
phials, and a bottle Of pure water,
which he gave to the coachman.
ALI three of US breakfasted with |
B. The meal was gay, with Occa-
sional moments Of unusual gravity. |
Spite Of the earelessness of my char
aeter, was afraid of making a fool of
myself When no one saw me, /
stole a glance at the clock; obviously !
the waiting at once excited and ener-
waited me. What dreaded was neith-
er wounds nor death, but the un-
known; in a word that inseparable
emotion of a first debut, which has
become proverbial. felt the need of
lOcomotion, Of occupation, mental or
physical. I gave way to abrupt, ner-
vous movements, harsh bursts of
laughter. And yet / was not afraid.
We talked a great deal, and itwas no.
ticeable that whenever the converse
tion wandered away from the palpi-
tating present, one of us involuntari-
ly recalled it.
''Tell me, Doctor" said to Eseu-
lapius, ''do you consider 4 o'clock in
the afternoon good time to fight ?"
"Assuredly," replied l., tran
GULLY; "you have none of the uncer-
tainties and tremors of toe early ris-
ing; you are at your ease; digestion
is effected, and that allows the per-
formance of an operation"
Against my viii, l shuddered at the
phrase, performance of an operation,
uttered with so much placidity.
To turn it off, went to the piano.
Just then the fOOtman came to tell us
that our landau was at the door.
"Come," said George, 1--WE have no
time to lose. We have still to 60 for
the other gentleman wEO will take us
to st. VS. Park: That is where
the affair will take place; nobody will
disturb us there. Come on.n
1 took my hat quickly. had the
honor of being the first outside, but
in the depths of my heart am afraid
I likened my friend George to the
most accomplished of toTturors.
We got into the landau. The other
gentlemen were all ready, and went
on before us. The way was long, too ,
long. To me it seemed interminable.
From the back seat gazed at the
landscape, smoking all the while with
an absent air Opposite me was
Georges pale face, his black moHs- /
taehe emphasizing his manly cOunte-
nance. His eyes never lost sight of ,
me, and now and again his hand en-
pressed mine.
Beside me sat the Doctors good
comfortable figure. In the bottom of !
the carriage were the light swords;
with curved guards and large hilts,
easy in hand, not too long nor so flex- ,
ible as easily to turn the edge. felt
a childish delight in unsheathing
them as we drove along, and see ng
how they glittered after the grinding
and sharpening of the evening before.
Then passed my finger over the !
point, as an eFicure passes his fingers
over his lips, and, in spite of myself,
secretly found them q little too well
pointed.
At last the end of our route appear
ed. AS we turned to the left / per-
ceived the park railing, at which
something seemed to tighten sudden.
" upon my heart. But Lit another
cigar, and went on smoking with the
greatest apparent tranquility.
The carriage stopped. We had
ceased to talk-involuntarily our
voices had become hoarse and hollow.
[ put my head out Of the door and
George jumped down. The other gen. !
tlemen parleyed with the porter, who /.
opened the gaTes. Not soul about
the chateau. The first carriage pro-
ceeded slowly along the alley, con-
Quoted by the porter, cap in hand.
No one spoke. The alley was narrow
and shady. The gates had been
closed again. Nothing now was heard
save the wheels turning slowly, and
grating with sharp sound on the
gravel of the garden We turned to
right, then to the left, with frequent
stOppages, as if following a funeral
procession. 1 bent down to the Doc
tors ear and whispered with great
GOODNESS, HDo you know if the family
vault is still some way off ?'
He looked at me in establishment
Ond burst into peal of laughter.
Georges head appeared at the car
riage door. "Get out, (" he said to me.
De B. took the swords, and we
jumped out. still smoked my cigar
mechanically, because felt in absO-
lutte need of the occupation. The car
riage remained at a little distance.
The four seconds greeted each other
and talked together some moments.
The ground was measured-I looked
at the doctor with a smile. I
t'Bahri he said to me, "It viii go
off well enough
With a steaIthy glance, I observed 4
my adversary. He seemed exceed
ingly indifferent, and was also smok-
ing. The seconds tossed up some
pieces of money.
George came toward me. "You
have lost the sun, he said. /
''With my luck you might as well
have tried for the moon; should
have lost all thestars Of the armament
one after the other"
And you have lost the SWORDS.
You will have to fight with your an
tagonistis. Well take off your coat
and don't forget what I have said.
Above all, keep cool"
All my self possession returned;
my heart beat rather hard, but de-
.liberately took my place, lit up by
some rays of sunlight aud threw of
my hat, coat and waistcoat. My ad-
versary and now stood face to face
three PAGES apart, measuring each
other with the eye. That is certain +
1 " the most trying moment Of all.
Perfectly cool stopped 70 turn up 1
J enc sitter the ether, the bottoms OF