The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-02-07

! be insulted, is it not eminently just ant
/ proper that he should demand satisfac
! ton upon the very spot of the affront?'
"Yes, yesi" shouted several voices.
" You see the sentiment of the com
pany, landlord" continued Jules
''after which l trust your good tast
will prevent your calling for the police
/ Should you persist in SO doing, we vii
be under the unpleasant necessity o
gagging you. So make your choice"
The proprietor, seeing no other al
Tentative, gracefully acquieseed, ant
took a chair to witness the proceed
ings.
"Now, lads exclaimed Laroque
"no time is to be lost Delavigne, il
the fencing-ganery above, you will fine
plenty of foils. fake the two which are
crossed on the eastern wall. They have
no buttons, and will suit our purpose
better.'
Maurice sped away on his mission,
while the rest of the students busted
themselves in closing the window cur
tains to prevent observation from the
neighboring houses, and extinguishing
all the gas jets except two very brilliant
ones in the center of the room, distant
from each. other about twelve feet.
Then, still acting under the direction
of Jules Laroque, they gathered round
one of the billiard tables, and lifting il
bodily from the floor, placed it midway
between the two jets. 1t was not until
that moment | comprehended his inten-
ton. They were to fight on the billiard
table.
Maurice by this time had returned
with the foils, which he delivered into
the hands of Laroque, who, after eX-
aiming them, offered one to the Count.
But he declined, saying, in low, clear
voice, which every one heard, " No.
Let the Major choose first. | always
give beauty the preference"
The cavalryman ground his teeth,
but said nothing, and having selected
one of the weapons, the other was hand
ed to Count de Vautrin, who, after look
ing at it narrowly, and bending it in
various ways, threw off his coat, and
whispering few words to Lemoyne -
instructions, probably, in case of the
affair terminating fatally for him
sprang lightly upon the table. The
Major was in position equally as quick;
and as the two opponents stood con.
fronting each other, could not help be-
ING struck at the immense disparity of
size between them. The soldier was
tall, powerfully built fellow, certainly
over six feet, with the arm and chest of
a Hercules; while his antagonist was 4
slight, elegantly shaped man of not
more than five feet eight, with face
that would have been actually etfemin
ate, had not its softness of expression
been redeemed by the firm set of the
upper lip, and the bold, fearless express
sion of the eyes.
Gentlemen, are you ready?" ex-
claimed Laroque.
A sharp, quick "Yes!' came from
their lips simultaneously.
"Then,'' said he, zen gardel" And
even as he spoke the two blades crossed
with the rapidity of thought, and the
contest began.
There was none of that graceful pre-
Iiminary play, so common among
swordsmen for the purpose of ascertain
inc the strong and weak points of an
adversary; but it was duel to the death
from the first thrust.
To my mind, the Major seemed the
better fencer, handling his weapon as if
i had been feather, and trusting
lither and thither at all parts of his OPP
Donent's body, with tierceness but ra-
1idity which l had never seen surpass-
I'd. | marveled, in fact, how they could
De avoided; and they were-parried ev-
Try one with a neatneSS and address
hat challenged the admiration of all.
The combat had been progressing
some four or FIVE minutes, when the
Major, carried away in the ardor of his
attempt to break through his antago-
lists guard, for moment threw him
,elf out of position.
De Vautrin, who up to this time had
,een acting principally on the defensive,
low totally changed his tactics and as
aulted his huge antagonist with vigOr
md ferocity more than the equal OF his
,wn. His thrusts, which were princi-
oally for the face, were directed by
land so strong and true, that twice he
broke the skin of the Majors cheek,
md once pricked his neck.
The moment was one of horrible in
crest to all. Suddenly, on returning
rom a lunge at tierce, the Count threw
)pen his guard whether designedly or
lot | never knew, but his opponent saw
t, and, quick as thought, thrust for the
spot De Vautrin did not at
empt to parry, but, by a dexterous
of his body, received in his
arm the point intended for his heart,
md at the moment struck his own foil
lilt-deep through the cavalryman's
broad breast. A convulsive shudder
passed through the soldiers frame, and,
himself at his full height,
ne fell backward from the table into the
gloom, which opened to receive him
ike grave.
shall never forget the dull, heavy
.hud of his body as it smote the floor.
Lemoyne assisted the Count from the
able, and bandaged his arm with his
Having hung his coat over his Shout
lers, Count de Vautrin advanced to the
and, putting his purse into
his hand, desired him not to call the po-
lice for ten minutes. Having done
which, be politely babe us good morn
ing, and quilted the saloon in company
with Lem0yne. We examined the i'll
lated Major, but he was stone dead. The
weapon had passed directly through his
heart.
Two days afterward l left France, nor
have | ever revisited it since; but were
[ to live a thousand years | should new
er forget the awful solemnity of the
scene associated with my last dinner in
Paris.
I- How Vines Grow.
An interesting essay, respecting vines
and climbing plants, was recently
read by DIR. j. L. Stewart before