The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-14

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moment. and then the young man from
ass avenue came down the steps on
his ear, his elbow, his shoulder.blade.
his heel, or on most any part of the
human makeup. He struck the side.
walk, shot across it to the gutter, and
came to a stand.stlll with his head in
the snow. There was peal of laugh.
ter from the house as the door shut.
and the watcher on the horse. block
chuckled and remarked:
'That heartless laugh was not ut.
tered by woman who loves-I'm hun.
kye.'
Five minutes later he carefully
crawled up the icy steps, and the good
policeman heard him cordially greeted,
and unused !:
"Well, if there amt more'n seven
teen different ways of finding out if a
girl loves you -
Fighting Fitzgerald.-His Bullet Proof Shirt.
To The Editor of the New York Sun.
On Friday there appeared in your
columns an interesting article upon
the rules of dueling, in which allusion
is made to the notorious duelist of a
past age,-known as the "Fighting
Fltzgerald'' of Ireland who fraudulent
ly wore concealed armor to protect
himself. Permit me to narrate his last
and fatal duel, than which none was
ever so dramatic in the annals OF the
code.
When Mr.. Fitzgerald was introduced
at the French Court to King Louis XVI,
the Ambassador, thinking to compli-
ment the courage Of Fitzgerald, said:
''Your Majesty, this brave gentleman
has killed nineteen antagonists, in as
many duels,and never has been wound
ed!'' The King replied i'll sorrowful
rebuke: NJ. lAmbassadeur! I should
have been more pleased to have heard
that he had saved the lives of nineteen
persons,or of even one of his Majesty's
SUBJECTS 1t was fact that he had
never been wounded, though opposed
by excellent marksmen, who were in
structed in those days to aim between
the belt and throat; for, to shoot above
or below, was considered ungentle-
manly and non-cavaliero.
Fitzgerald was terror in the society
OF every club, and he belonged to ma
ny; for no person dare blackmail him
or fear Of leaden ball in return. No
one presumed to put his name upon
the bulletin for expulsion for fear of
bullets in his own body. lie insulted
any one who offended him by a blow in
the face with his glove. The insulted
gentleman was compelled to challenge
him, which gave Fitzgerald the choice
of weapon-his deadly pistol, with
which he had often sssnuffed'' can
die out at ten PAGES.
People wondered how it was that he
was never wounded. Many were the
surmises, with bated breath and whis
pered suggestions. At that time, in
Ireland, dueling was the fashion. and
ladies favored no lover who had not
been out with his man. Fitzgerald. of
a noble family, was their reigning fav-
Orite.
There lived in County Galway rich
country gentleman, Richard Martin,
who became renowned as a modern
Richard Occur de Lion. He was the
father of ''Animal Martini so-called
from his humanity to animals,-the
Henry Berg of Parliament. Richard
Martin was a quiet, brave man, in
manners the reverse of Fitzgerald,
who was frivolity personifed.
The conversation at club turned
upon the marvellous career of the lat
ter, when Mr.. Martin observed that he
did not believe Fitzgerald dare fight
duel with his body to his belt entirely
naked. This suggestive remark reach
ed the duelist, who instantly insulted
Martin by striking him across the face
with his glove. Richard Martin had
never fought duel, being opposed to
it upon principle. unless for libel or
SANDER, or gross personal assault. He
was, therefore, compelled to challenge.
factgave Fitzgerald the choice
of weapons. Martins second insisted
that the principals should be placed at
thirty PAGES distance, approach each
other at the signal, and fire at pleasure
as they approached,-each step, Of
course, lessening the distance between
them. This arrangement was agreed
to, the distance measured, and the men
placed face to face. care you ready,
gentlemen e. "Yes." "One, two,
three, and fire!''
1t was noticed that Fitzgerald was
nervous, even in the preliminaries, for
the original remark of Martin causing
the duel strongly suggested knowledge
or belief as to the fraudulently con-
cealed armor. They had advanced on
ly two PAGES each, when Fitzgerald sud
denly fired, and, for the first time
missed his man, his bullet; however
carrying away a portion of Martins
shirt ruffie. The arrangement was
that when either had fired he was to
stop and receive the fire of his oppon-