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

George was thoughtful and SILENT
From time to time, however, l saw a
smile cross lips. / Imagine be under
stood my flow of spirits. s
On returning 1 dined with George
and de B. and afterward, whsn /
proposed taking box at the Boufes,
we all went to the theatre together.
The conversation was the same as in
the morning, though even more per-
sonaI.
"Your adversary is taller than ,you," "
said George to me. "You shall retreat
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."
"Bah3" said I. laughing 'let us
have supper, and talk of something
else. Tomorrow will be time enough
for I'll that. mean to enjoy my last
Eight"
That was the iGurth or fifth time
that / had spoken of my lasss night,
last evening, last dinner, ,--allusions III
questionable taste. %
"You will oblige me by committing no
follies, and taking yourself off to sleep
early this evening. De B and
are going to talk awhile with you, and
see you to bed, and tomorrow at ten
shall come for you to go to the fenc-
ing-room. . = G@
/ demonstrated but to no purpose,
and after the play we all went to my
apartments. We Lit cigars, chatted
an hour, and then my friend went
away, leaving me alone, face to face
with myself, and the prospect of the
morrow. Fs@ r~ss,
Naturally I desired to set my affairs
| in order.
Hardly had 1 begun TO take out the
various papers, bills, inventories, and
letters, when / saw them isp such dis
order that ! pushed them all back pell-
nell into the drawer, withoutthe cour-
r age to examine farther.
So simply wrote short letter, in
E the most tender terms, to my mother,
sealed and addressed it carefully, and
left it on my bureau. Then Invent to
bed, and, contrary, to my expectations,
was able to sleep. Ny last conscious
thought was this: Who knowsif to- NOR.
, row evening I shall seethis chamber
once moref Who knows if / shall ever
again lie down upon thisbed?
On waking the first thing I,saw wa.
Georges head beside my pillow. In g
! second the thought of my first due
flashed across me, and felt sort o
! oppression at the heart, Then, aftel
the first hand-clasp, I examined hi
1 dress,--black coat, light trowsers
n pearls gray gloves. l was sure he hat
f Intentionally avoided The lugubriou
!. toilet common on such Occasions. FL
preceived my impression.
= "My dear fellow" said he, at is NJ
Il longer the custom to go to such meet
I ing as to burial ; it is simple prone
n made"
L " n
n ] rang for my valet.
"a "Joseph." said George, bring you
q master the stiffest starched shirt yo
a can find, with a turned-down collar
It Then get me his oldest pair Of boot'
a no matter what"
"a Joseph seemed surprised, but return
m ed a moment later with the object
70 designated. George examined th
d shirt with scrupulous care.
"Good. That will do. Now tax
re these boots to the shoemaker, and te
Is him to cut off the heels close to Ii
sole-like this. Go, and be quick
o. / listened in bewilderment while tn
III was passing.
at is important" he explained, IN,
" to have the heel catch and make yc
.ss lose your balance when you are han
w. ling a sword. Beside, you want yol
he foot firm, but not pressed too hard.
be is superb weather. You are real
IN fortunate. You can fight in line
al trowsers, which is much the most CO
an venient dress"
of Decidedly my friend George toc
gigantic proportions in my eyes. Wit
ur out word put on the things
A. showed me: black coat, black wah
,ol coat, white linen trousers. A Il
l. minutes more and we were at the ha
I'd George appeared very we'll satisf
N with my fencing. but renewed his J
or. Communications of the day before
which l listened with all my ears.
". "That's it, stick him in the arm
np- you advanee,-gOOd, Od,--caPital VIII
sed you quit your adversary's sword to
er. tack, disengage, aud lunge. below
hand. Well done There tha