Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-10-17
CHE Sturw Teller.
From Chambers Journal.
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.
A GRANDFATHER's STORY.


good, bad, and Indifferent in character, who
had served in his armies, had not yet lost all
hope of the return of their idol, and conse
ouently had not yet thoug bit it worth while
to settle down into thorough peace and quiet
ness.
Young Paul Ferrand, whom frequently
met at the cafe, and who had served as q
Captain at Waterloo, was sure that the Little
Corporal would come back again soon. g 7 ou
sent him to Elbs, but he returned; you have
sent him to ST. Helena, and he will return
again. We shall see.
Ferrand was an exceedingly nice fellow
and although he professed to cherish an un-
quenchable hatred for England and every
thing English, he had, by some means or
other, become attached to Alice Rae, young
English lady of my acquaintance, and who
had been living with her mother, since the
conclusion of peace, at Paris, not far from
the abode of the ex Captain. And ne was
always very friendly with me too. He would,
it is true, abuse my countrymen most un-
mereifully but he was always particularly
eood.natured, and whenever he found himself
saving a little too much, he would arrest him
self and apologize so heartily that l never
could be angry with him. / was alone In the
French capital, and had few friends there ex-
cept Mrs. Rae, her daughter Alice, and Paul ;
and so it happened that | passed good deal
of my time in the society of these three. The
mother, q woman still in the prime OF life,
and the widow of Kings Messenger, was
connection of mine by marriage, and that
fact gave me good excuse for offering my
,bo oh
pretty daughter thought 6t to 60 to the thea
tire or the opera. At such time Paul always
had :. seat in the stalls, and between the acts
he would come up to my box, to the delight
of Alice, who was in love with him, and to
the no small satisfaction of Mrs. Rae, who
herself had quite maternal affection for the
Young Frenchmen, and did not in the least
discourage bis attentions to her daughter. If
there we're no formal engagement between
the two, it was at least perfectly understood
by all rarties that as soon as Paul should get
an appointment for which at the time he was
candidate, he was to marry Alice, and 1,
though only a few years her senior, was to
give her away.
One night the opera-ho was crowded
more than usual. A great singer was to ap
pear, anda new work by renowned composer
was to be performed. But Paul Ferrand, sit
ting in the stalls seemed scarcely to listen to the
music or to notice the acting and much more
often were his eyes turned in the direction OF
my box than in that Of the stage. Alice and
her mother were with me; and as the curtain
fell at the conclusion of the first act, Paul
came up to u.s. He was in high spirits, for
he had heard that the minister had decided to
give him the coveted post, and be expect
ed to hear, in few days, that his appointment
had been signed by the King Ma congrat-
uated him and as he left US to return to his
seat, whispered to him: you'll be hap
py man in month or two now, Paul" he
smiled, and shut the door.
We watched him as he threaded his way to
his place. 1t was in the centre of the second
row from the orchestra, and he had left his
opera glasses on the chair in order to preserve
his right to it; but during his absence tall,
military-l looking man had appropriated it and
had coolly put the glasses on one side. Paul
approached the stranger with the utmost po-
Likeness, and suppose-for naturally could
not hear-requested him to move. The in
terloper did not deign to answer, but sneer-
ingly looked up at Ferrand, as though to ask
him what he meant by his intrusion. Paul
pointed to the opera-glasses; but the stranger
neither replied nor moved. but continued to
appear as though he did not hear. saw that
matters were assuming dangerous complex
ion, for in the new conner | recognized Victor
Laroquiere, an ex-Bonapartist officer like
Paul, notorious bully, and one of the most Gel
ebrated duelists of France. But what could l
do? I could only sit still and Witness the
inevitable consequences. l thought Alice
would faint when Laroquiere, in the calmest
way, rose before the crowded assemblage and
struck Paul in the face with his glove; but
she recovered herself, and like statute watch
ed her lover pick up his opera-g lasses, bow to
his insulter and without word, leave the
building. There were some exclamatlons
from the audience; but the duelist again
arose, and with theatrical air gazed round,
mockingly initiated Paul's parting bow, and
resumed his seat. This was too much for
poor Alice She could not remain any longer !;
she must 20 home; and so. with some Difficult
ty, got her and her mother to my carriage,
told the coachman to drive them home, and
myself walked quickly to Paul's lodgings.
He had arrived before me, and was already
writing when I entered his room. "Of course
he said, as he saw me, and came toward me
with both hands outstretched, "you, my dear
friend, will assist me. 1t is impossible to do
anything but fight. Even Alice could not
make me alter my conviction upon that point,
the insult was so public"
'Suppose you leave the countryF sug'
gested.
Then 1 should have to give up the ap-
pointment and Alice too. No, my dear fel-
low, am a Frenchman, and / must fight ;
and you must arrange matters for me. If he
shoots me, it cannot be helped if shoot him,
shall have shot the biggest scoundrel in
Paris. l beg you to call upon Laroquiere to
night have already discovered his address.
Here it is"
"But must you really fight? 1t is suicide
to fight with professional duelist."
"Ah!' he said, shaking his head, 81 am
afraid it is suicide; but | must fight; so
please don't try and persuade me that l need
not. And will fight, too, as soon as posi-
BILE. You can arrange everything for to-mor-
row morning. l must have the matter over.
In day or two might be coward"
By bis looks he im plored me to 60 to Laro-
ouiere; and constituted as French society
was at that time, had no other course open
to me than to do as he wished.
"If Monsieur came from NJ. Paul Ferrand u
said man servant when inquired whether
I could see his master, IN Laroquiere has
sent to say that he has not left the opera
He has, however, sent the pencilled note
which I am to give to the gentleman who
comes from NJ Ferrand."
tore open the missive 1t contained two
l,a haor;nr tho mama of the dnelist