The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-04-23
A CONTEST WITH FOlLS.

| 1nat we may meet IN heaven TO spend
The eternal Sabbath day
CONTEST WITH FOiLS.
A Story of a Russian Duke-Practica
Test of Teachers Proficiency.
Some thirty years ago arrived in
st. Petersburg, with the intention OF
establishing myself as fencing mas
ter in the capital. Introductions
from disting uished individuals of my
own country enabled me to make the
acquaintance of Count Alexis W.,
and that nobleman interested him.
self greatly in my success. Not con-
tent with procuring me several pu-
pills, he urged me to petition the EN-
peror for the valuable and honora
bic appointment of fencing master to
regiment and toward that end
give me letter of recommendation
to an aid-de-camp of the CzaroWitsch
Constantine, who was then at the
Castle of Strelna, near St. Peters,
burg.
The morning after, l hired a
droshki and set out for Strelna, arm
ed with my credentials. / reached
the convent of st. Serguls, the saint
most venerated in Russia after St.
Alexander Nieuski. A few moments
afterwards 1 arrived at the castle,
and was soon ushered into the apart
ments OF the Emperor's brother. In
one of these I discovered him stand
ing with his back to large fire, and
distinguished by the most torbidding
countenance / ever beheld. He was
tapping his boot with his riding whip,
and the undried splash of mud on
his pantaloons indicated that he had
but recently arrived from ride or a
review. AT table near him was
seated General Rodna, pen in hand,
and apparently writing under the
Princes dictation.
The door was scarcely closed
when the Czarowltsch, fixing on me
his piercing eyes, abruptly said {:
"What is your age p
'sSix aud twenty"
"Name?"
3d."
"You want to be a fencing master
to a regiment ?"
MAY it please your highness, such
is the object of my ambition"
care you first-rate swordsman ?"
"I have fenced in public several
times since my arrival in st. Peters
'urg. and your highness can easily
ascertain the opinion of those who
were present"
81 have heard of you, but you had
only second rate fencers to contend
with"
(which gave them just claims
upon my torbearance, your high,
ness."
"Forbearance !" he repeated, with
flashing eyes, and scornful curl on
his lips !; "But if less considerate,
what shen?'
81 should have buttoned them ten
times for every twice that they touch
ed me, your highness.
"Ha, and could you do that with
me?"
"That would depend upon how
your imperial highness might wish
to be treated. If as prince, it is
probable that your highness would
touch me ten times and be touched
twice. But if your highness desired
to be treated like any other person
the ten hits would be achieved by
me, and the two by your highness."
''Lubenski - roared the Gar
owitsch, rubbing bis hands. ''Lu
benski, bring the foils. We shal
see Sir Braggadocio."
SIS it possible, your highness woulc
condescend-"
"My highness orders you to touch
me if you can. Do you want to bacl
out already =? Now take this fol
and mask. Guard !"
sit is your highness's absolute
command d."
"Yes, yes !"
81 am ready"
"Ten times" repeated the prime
as he attacked me, "ten times, mint
you, less won't do. Ha! ha !"
| Notwithstanding this encourage
ment, l kept merely on the defensi,
contenting myself with parrying hi
thrusts, without returning them.
"Now, then 20 cried he angrily
"what are you about You ar
playing the tool with me. VIII,
don't you thrust %
"Your highness the respect"
"Contound your respect, sir
thrust thrust
| Observing through his mask tina
his cheeks were flushed and his eye
oloodehot, l took advantage of tn,
permission granted, and touched
him three times.
"Bravo!'' cried be. "My turl
now. Ha a hit hit I"
He had touched me. then touch
ed him four times in rapid succession
and was then touched once.
"Hurrah y cried he, exultingly.-
"Rodna, did you see that? !? Twic'
TO his seven!"
"Twice to ten, your highness,"
replied, pressing him very hard
Eight, nine, ten Now we ar
quits"
"Good, good !" cried Czarowitscl
approvingly. every good, but tha
Is not all. The small sword is no
enough, its no use to the cavalry
we want the saber. Now, could yo'
defend yourself, on foot against
mounted lancer Z? Parry lane
thrust, eh ?"
81 think I could, your highness 7
| "Think 80 Not sure, eh p
"Pardon me, your highness,
have no doubt it,"
"Lubenski 70 again shouted tn
prince.
The officer appeared.
| GA lance and horse. Quick 20
"But your highness, "-I interpo
sed.
| "Ha You are afraid ?'
81 am nAt afraid but with Won