The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-02-03
MISCELLANY,
THREE FATAL DUELS,

How the deadly feud between tho Counts
de Montbaisson and the Cerons de Precy
had originated, not even those who were
we'll acquainted with the history of those
two noble French houses were able to
tell. Since time immenorial they had
inhabited neighboring castles, and they
were even distant relatives; but they had
always displayed the most intense hos.
tility toward each other.
In the politics Of their country they
had always espoused different causes.
During the times Of Richclieu the Mont
baissons had been on the side of the willy,
terrible Cardinal, while the Precys had
as eagerly taken the part Of the nobility
hostile to him. At o later period the
former had been partisans Of Regent
Philippe d Orleans, while the Precys had
been foremost among the adherents of
the Opposition.
King Louis the Sixteenth had confer.
red the order of St. Louis upon Jannov
do Montbaisson, for gallantry on the field
of battle, and the Precys had instantly
declared their dissatisfaction with the
conduct Of the royal court. and manifest
ed democratic sentiments. One Of them,
Veronin de Precy, the eldest of the three
sons Of Baron de Precy. had shortly
afterward said at ball of the nobility at
Tours, near which magnificent old city
the castles of the two hostile families
were situated, that Mile Montbaisson, the
only daughter Of Count Jannoy de Mont
baisson, and very. charming girl. was
dissolute woman, and that few weeks
ago she had given birth to an illegitimate
child, whose father was peasant lad.
When this assertion, which appears to
have been D. wanton calumny, reached
the ears Of tho Montbaisson, the eldest
son 81 Count Sannoy, Martin Louis, way.
laid tho hated slanderer on the public
promenade Of Tours, and, when face to
face with him, he spat upon his coat. A
great many persons, among them some Of
the foremost citizens of Tours, Witnessed
the scene. Veronin de Precy staggered
back. deadly pale, under the degrading
insult.
"That is for tho cur that has been living
about my sister," Kissed out Martin
Louis de .Nontbaisson, with flashing ewes.
"By ny patron saint cow.rdly Mont.
baisson !" cried Precy drawing his
sword, Il will have your worthless life
Ao1 snis OutEaSe:
Montbaisson, though somewhat young.
er than his antagonist, was much strong.
er man. He seemed to have expected
that Prccy would draw his sword on him.
Quick as lightning he drew from his b.
som . smalliwhip. SEEKING Precy's col.
lar, he struck him repeatedly in the face
with the whip, before Precy Was able to
use his sword. Then he wrested tho
weapon from Prccy's hand and broke it
to pieces.
At this moment two policemen appear.
ed and put IN end to tho scene. -,
As they were holding tho two ;nfnr;..
ted adversaries, they hurled all sorts Of
invectives at each other.
"Ah Monsieur de Prccv. nv vh;n h.a
marked you for life. Tho house ofPrecy
mas forgotten how to make sword r.
cried lontbiasson.
"ha T. replied PrecY, foamin9 with
rage, you shall pay for this, brother
Of wanton and uncle Of PEASANTS
bratl'' r. CO.. H. 80. * -.
The officers took them before the Lieu
tenant Of Police. bat that dignitary did
not venture even to censure the two young
noblemen. Ho extracted from them
only the promise not to commit any fur.
ther violence on the territory Of. tho city.
They then returned to their homes.
At Castle Prccy the old Baron and his
sons concurred in veronin' determination
W eeuS ~ .E't.'3 = si'E%+ - 10 II ~
4 CHALLENGE 70 MORTAL COMBAT
to Martin Louis de hontbaisson. r..
Attic castle Of the latter's father.
thersewas great rejoicing because Of the
punishment Martin Louis had admins.
tered 10 Prscy. Ills mother and sister
embraced him. Fi=s'5. ss5>. sszt HEX; m 8