The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-20

AN AFFAIR OF HoNoR-How Two FRENCH
GENTLEMEN WENT Our TO FIGHT.-[From
the San Francisco Chronicle, August 26]. -
Last Sunday morning, long ncfOIe the
heavy banks Of fog had lifted from
the tops Of the San Bruno mountains,
d snug little nook in the bills seven.
teen miles south Of the city witnessed a
scene somewhat similar to the meeting Of
6" DR.. Slammcr, of the Forty-ninth," and
g Wipkel," the guardian angel Of the world
renowned Pick wick Club. 1t was as carefully
arranged, as tragic and as bloodless. The prin.
cpals were couple OF hot-headed Frenchmep
OF this city, G. Goddart and Felix Daimais,
the seconds q quartet of their particular
friends, the weapon pistols, and the distance
thirty tremendous strides Of a long legged
Frenchman. When time was called, and The
perspiring principals had been propped up,
pistols in baud, at either end Of the line
staked of, one of the seconds, arrayed in Il
faultless toilet, stepped between the combt-
tants and informed them in icy tones that the
conditions of the encounter would not admit
of either of them leaving the field alive.
This statement did not tend TO calm them.
The signal was to be three clsps Of the hand,
the question, care you ready ?' and then
the final "Firer But the trembling duel.
lists were in no condition TO heed these
brief instructions. No sooner had the
first clap of the referees hands resounded
on the ear than biDg went the pistol Of
the challenger, DaimaiS, the bullet find
ing comfortable resting place in the
green.sWard between bis leg and his anita.
gonist, swlying about like broken reed 10
the wind. This disarrapged things some
what, but the challenged party very magnan-
imouSly allowed his opponent another shot,
and while the pistol was being reloaded the
nervous finger Of Goddart pressed too hard
on the trigger Of his weapon, and the result
was two unloaded derringerS. By this time
the principals were pretty thoroughly dis
gusted with the atfIir, and seemed inclined
to shake hands over the bloodess chasm and
be friends, but the merceSs seconds would
not listen to any such settlement. The pistols
were reloaded, the weak kneed Frenchmen
once more dragged to their places, and the
signal again given. This time the bull
let of Goddart brushed the scalp.lock Of his
opponent and the pistol Of the latter missed
fire. 1t Was decided that another cap should
be tried, but the party immediately inter-
ested in the discharge Of that pistol scrupu-
lousy objected. In place CT trying another
cap he was willing to try an apology; and
with tears In his eyes humbly begged
the pardon Of his quivering adversary.
1t was speedily granted, the derringers
tossed in the bottom OF the buggy, and in
company with their chasrined seconds,
the thoroughly subdued Frenchmen
drove back to the city. The cause OF this
harmless encounter was, of course, directly
attributable to woman. The challenging
party is gay young Partisan, recently ar
rived from New Orleans, and the challenged
u young French architect who lately made d
lucky turn in stocks, and danced away with
the mistress OF his jovial New Orleans friend.
One OF the principals (Goddarp has been ar
rested, and the other will probably soon be
captured. AS the offence is felony the par.
ties must be held for the action of the grand
jury.