Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-01-31
THE RECENT GREAT FRENCH DUEL.

stitutions Of our day. Since it is al
ways fought in the open air, the COM
batants are nearly sure to catch cold
NJ. Paul de Cassagnac, the most invete-
rate of the French duelistS, his suffered
so often in this way that he is al last q
confirmed invalid; and the best physi-
clan in Paris has expressed the opinion
that if he goes on dueling for fifteen OF
twenty years more-unless he forms the
habit of fighting in comfortable room,
where damps and drafts cannot intrude
he will eventually endanger his life.
This ought to moderate the talk Of those
people who are so stubborn in maintain.
ing that the French duel is the most
health-giving of recreatlons because of
Che open-air exercise it affords. And it
ought also to moderate that foolish
talk about French duelsts and socialist
hated monarchs being the only people
who are immortal.
But It is time to get at my subject.
As soon as | heard of the great fiery
outbreak between NJ. Gambetta and NJ
Fourton III the French assembly. |
knew that trouble must follow. knew
it, because long personal friendship
with Nj. Gambetta had revealed to me
the desperate and impacable nature of
the man. Vast as are his physical pro-
portions, | knew that the thirst for re-
venge would penetrate to the remotest
frontiers of his person.
did not wait for him TO call on me.
but went at once to him. As | expect
ed, found the brave fellow stepped in
profound French calm. / say French
because French calmness and English
CalmneSs have points of difference. He
was moving swiftly back and forth
among the debris Of his furniture, now
and then staving chance fragments of it
across the room with his foot; grinding q
constant grist of curses through his set
teeth; and halting every little while to
deposit another handful of his hair on
the pile which he had been building of
il on the table.
tic threw his arms around my neck,
bent me over his stomach to his breast,
kissed me on both cheeks, Rugged me
four or five times, and then placed me
IN his own arm chair. As soon as | got
well again, we began business ut once.
said | supposed he would wish me
TO act as his second, and he said "Of
course" ! said | must be allowed to
act under Il French name, so that |
might be shielded from obloquy in my
country, in case Of fatal results. He
WINGED here, probably at the suggestion
that dueling was not regarded with re-
spect in America. However, he agreed
to my requirement. That accounts for
the fact that in all the newspaper re-
ports NJ. GAmbetta's second was appar-
emily Frenchman.
First, we drew up my principals will. |
insisted upon this and stuck to my point.
| SAID | had never heard Of u man IN
his right mind going out to fight a duel
without first making his will. He said
ne had never heard Of man in his
right mind doing anything of tie kind.
When he had finished the will, he wish
ed to proceed to choice of his "last
words" He wanted to know how the
following words, as dying exclamation
struck me-
u die for my God, for my country,
tor freedom of speech, for progress,
and the universal brotherhood of mani"
objected that this would require too
lingering q death; il was a goood speech
Tor consumptive, but not suited to the
exigencies Of the field Of honor. We
wrangled over good many ante-mor-
tenn outbursts, but finally got him to
cut his obituary down to this, which he
copied into his memorandum book,
purposing TO get it by heart
II DIE THAT FRANCE MAY LIVE"
| said that this remark seemed to lack
relevancy but he said relevancy was a
matter OF no consequence in last
Words,-what you wanted was thrill.
The next thing in order was the
choice of weapons. My principal said
he was not feeling well, and would leave
that and the other details of the pro
posed meeting to me. Therefore |
wrote the following note and carried it
to M. Fourtou's friend:
Sir: M. Gan1betta accepts NJ. Four
tou's challenge, and authorizes re to
propose Plessis-Piquet as the place Of
meeting; tomorrow morning at day
break as the time; and axes as the
weapons. / am, sir, with great respect,
MARX TWAIN.
NJ. Fourtou's friend read this note.
and shudd-red. Then he returned to
me and said with a suggestion of sever
ity 10 his tone
Have you considered, sir, what
would be the inevitable result OF such
meeting as this?'
"Well, for instance, what uouh it
be?9
"Bloodshed'
That's about the size Of it, | said.
Now, il it is 4 fair question, what was
your side proposing to shed?'
had him there. He saw he had
made blunder, SO he fastened to ex-
plain it away. He said he had spoken
lestingly. Then he added that he and
Ms principal would enjoy axes, and in
deed prefer them, but such weapons
~e.e barred by the French code, and
- must change my proposal.
walked the floor, turning the thing
over in my mind, and finally itoccurred
70 me that Gatling guns at fifteen PAGES
would be likely way to get verdict
on TIE held Of honor. SO framed this
idea into i proposition.