The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-04-02
A FRENCH DUEL.
Which Continued at Intervals for Four
teen Years.

teen Years.
Paris Correspondence N. Y. Evening Post.
The French are eminently duelling
people, and I have laGely heard of many
curious encounters. Perhaps the most
rema rkable duel on record is that re-
lated Of Mr.. Fourier, a captain of Hus-
sars, at Strasbourg, in the latter part of
the last century.
This Capt. Fourier was accustomed
to wantonly provoke quarrel with any
one whom he might chance to meet in
order to crafty his extraordinary thirst
for blood, which rendered him akin to
the tiger species. Upon one occasion he
had insulted, fought and killed young
man by the name of Blumm, who was a
great favorite with the good citizens of
Strasbourg, and his sad and cruel death,
resulting from quarrel so utterly un-
provoked on his part, exasperated them
to the highest degree.
The military commander Of the place
had some time previously announced
ball, which happened to fall upon the
night Of the burial of the unfortunate
Blumm. He, knowing the state of ex-
element into which the bourgeoise had
worked themselves over this legalized
murder of one Of their class, and fear
ing the consequence which might ensue
should they meet Capt. Fourier at the
entertainment, directed one of their Off
GERS, by the name of Dupont, to post
himself at the entrance of the hall and
prevent the admittance of the doughty
duelist.
The command was dangerous one to
ultill; nevertheless it was cheerfully
undertaken by the brave Dupont, who
was himself no mean swordsman, and
had long desired an opportunity to meet
and punish this much-feared brave.
In due time Fourier presented him
self at the door, where Dupont received
him with the quiet remark that by his
generals orders he could not permit him
to pass. Fourier, twirling his NOUS
tache and glazing ferociously at the
imperturbable Dupont, exclaimed:
"Ah! c'est ca! I can not fight the gen.
eral for his rank; you will, perhaps, have
no objection? you who commit imper-
tinences at secondhand"
The challenge was accepted, and, the
combatants meeting few days after,
Dupont succeeded in inficting severe
wound upon his antagonist; but in the
act of falling Fourier called out for a
second trial 1t was granted, and as soon
as he had sufficiently recovered they
met again. This time Dupont was
wounded. Being enraged at the rough
and vicious manner in which his oppon-
ent had thrust him, Dupont claimed
another meeting, to which, Of course, the
victor readily assented.
The latter likewise desired that the
contest should be decided by pistols,
feeling certain of success with this wea-
pom, as he was known to be dead shot,
and frequently amused himself by
knocking the pipes out of the mouths of
soldiers with bullet. Dupont, how
ever, was too wise to grant him this
advantage, and the swords were still pre-
served. The third contest resulting in a
mutual wound, duel convention was
drawn up between them, which is still in
existence, and runs in this wise:
l. As often as MN. Dupont and Four
nier find themselves within thirty
leagues of each other, they shall meet
half way between for duel with swords.
| 2. If either of the combatants finds
himself restrained by the exigencies of
of the service, the other shall make the
entire journey in order to effect meet
ing.
8. No excuse, except such as may
grow out of the xigencies of the service,
shall be advisable.
This singular compact was executed in
good faith and many curious meetings,
strangely brought about, was the result.
One writes to the other upon certain
OCCASION:
am invited to breakfast with party
of officers at Augsburg, and hearing that
you are in the neighborhood, would be
obliged by your affording me the oppor-
tunity for another sword thrust. Truly
yours, &c.
Again, letter runs in this strain:
| Mon AMI: I will be passing through
Strasbourg on the 3dinst. Wewill fight.
In the course of years one or the other
would be promoted; this destroyed the
equality Of rank between them, and &C.
cording to French etiquette no duel
could take place. As soon, however, as
the advancement Of the inferior restored
the balance Of rank, the contest was re-
newed in accordance with the terms of
the contract. The duel appeared likely
to last for many years, as both were ex-
perienced swordsmen and adhered rigidly
to the ruling that no thrust should be
made after blood had been drawn. 1t is
related that they once met very unex-
pectedly in Swiss chalet. The fact of
its being nighttime did not prevent their
proceeding Immediately to their bloody
work. Between the sword thrusts they
carried on the following conversation:
"Parbleu! thought you were in the
interior"
"No, I am ordered here"
"Bon! We shall be near by. Are
you lately arrived?"
"This instant"
every good to think of me-"
As he uttered the last words Dupont's
sword grazed Fournier's neck, drawing
blood, and the fight was over for while.
Thus continued the feud for fourteen
years, when Dupont was about to unite
himself in marriage to fair demoiselle,
who, however, made it condition of
their union that the duelistic engage
ment should be positively closed before
their nuptials. Thereupon Dupont
sought an interview with his enemy, and
agreed to finally settle the dispute with
pistols. In order, though, to obviate the
great advantage which Fournier's skill as
marksman afforded him, Dupont pro-
posed the following:
A friend of mine has pleasant copse,
surrounded by a high wall; there are two
entrances, one to the north, the other to
the south. Let us each enter by sepa
rate gate, nistol in hand. and seek an ON