Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-02-03
MISCELLANY.
THREE FATAL DUELS.

HOW the deadly teud between the 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 immemorial 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 q later period the
former had been partisans Of Regent
Philippe d'Orleans, while tho Precys had
been foremost among the adherents Of
the Opposition.
King Louis the Sixteenth had confer.
red the order Of St. Louis upon Jsnnoy
de Montbaisson, for gsllantry on the field
If battle, and the Precys had instantly
declared their dissatisfaction with the
conduct Of the royal court. and manifest.
ed democratic sentiments. Que of them,
Veronin de Precy, the eldest Of the three
sons Of Baron de Precy, had shortly
afterward said at ball of the nobility 1t
Tours, near which magnificent old city
the castles Of the two hostile families
were situated, that Mile Montbaisson. the
only daughter Of Count Jannoy dc 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 Z peasant lad.
When this assertion, which appears to
have been . wanton calumny, reached
the ears Of the Montbaisson, the eldest
son OF Count Sannoy, Martin Louis, way
laid the 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 the cur that has been lying
about my sister, Kissed out Martin
Louis de Hontbaisson, with flashing eyes.
by my patron saint, cowardly Mont
baisson :! cried Precy drawing his
sword, II will have your worthless life
for this outrage?'
Montbaisson, though somewhat young.
or than his antagonist, Was amuch strong.
er man. He seemed to have expected
that Prccy would draw his sword on him
Quick as lightning he drew from his DO
som . SMALL whip. Selling Precy's col
lar, he struck him repeatedly in the fact
with the whip, before Precy WAS able te
use his sword. Then he wrested tn,
weapon from Precy's hand and broke il
to pieces.
At this moment two policemen appear
ed and put IN end to the scene.
As they we're holding tho two infuria
ted adversaries, they hurled al sorts o
invectives at each other.
"Ah! Monsieur de Precy, my whip hs
marked you for life. The house of Prec,
has forgotten how to make sword ?
1ai.t1 AvutLisssUu.
"Ha = replied Prccy, foaming will
rage, "you shall pay for this, brothe
Of : wanton and uncle of apeasant'
brata''
The officers took them before the Lieu
tenant Of Police, but that dignitary di,
not venture even to censure the two youn,
noblemen. He extracted from then
only the promise not to commit any fur
Their violence on the territory Of the city
They then returned to their homes.
AT Castle Prccy the old Baron and hi
sons concurred in Veronin' 8 Discriminate,
to send
CHALLENGE TO MORTAL. COMBAT
to Martin Louis de Montbaisson.
At the castle Of the latter's fathe1
there was great rejoicing because of tn,
punishment Martin Louis had admins
tered to Precy. Ills mother and sister
embraced him.
"Martin Louis" sobbed the fair Ma
thilde, Is she was hanging on his neck
"you have avenged me upon my coward
y slanderer-you the noblest Of my bro
thers.''
''The family were still assembled in tn,
large sitting room ct castle Montbaisson
when the Marquis dc Cauchet, . younl
nobleman living in the neighborhood, Va!
ushered in. HiI face was very grave q
he bowed and said:
II desire to have . private interview
with Martin Louis do Montbaisson.'
'Do you wish to sec me on your on,
behalf. Monsieur Cauchet I" demande,
Martin Louis.
mo Monsieur replied tho Marquis
II come to you % the bearer Of . mes
sage from veronip do Prccy.''
"Ah, ah5' exclaimed Martin Louis