River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-08-07
DECIDEDLY FRENCH.
The Dinner Duel.-Translated Expressly 70
the Chicago Tribune.

Dolu parties came 10 llc STOuHu.
Ii was a dining room all oak and leath
er, brilliantly lighted, with high cell
ing, splendid and gay.
The table was spread with exaggerated
profusion. There were but two p ates-
those of the duelists
Propriety obliges me to conceal thei
names. Let us know them only undel
the tlimsy disguises of Ernest and Coun
Falbaire.
In addition, will inform you tina
both were accomplished gentlemen, il
the prime of lite, brave, elegant, and wit
ty, with Il spice of British eccentrlcity
an admirable seasoning for the French
character.
Notwithstanding which, the evening
before, at the club, one of these gentle
men-I shall not tell you which--seri
ously insulted the other; SO seriously that
a duel was unavoidable.
Both were magnificent fencerS and
shots. They disdained to employ ordin-
airy weapons;
| Both were gourmands-u using the word
in its most heroic and recherche sense
Ernest and the Count decided to settle
their dispute by dinner-duel.
| Though unusual, the duel was to be
serious and dangerous. The rules TO
govern We're carefully settled by the sec
onds.
They were to eat to the bitter end, in
each others presence, without stopping,
till one or the other was h0rs do com
bat.
At first sight this makes us smile.
When we reflect, it makes us shudder.
H.
do your duty, gentlemen, said the
seconds.
AT the signal the two advcrsaries bowed
to each other and sat down.
The seconds were at another table, a
little to one side, where they could watch
the vicissitudes Of the combat.
1t was o'clock in the evening.
AT midnight the dinner (three courses
of The most expensive and exquisite dish
esq was over. Neither had obtained any
decided advantage.
Ernest smiled.
The Count had dined-that was all.
The seconds made a sign to the head
waiter.
RELOAD !" they said.
On the spot another dinner was served,
exactly like the first. The same roasts,
the same fine wines. This time the Sc
verify of the principals was little re-
Taxed. They were permitted to talk at
first they used this privilege sparingly.
Tee second ordeal loosened their tongues.
After a few conventional. phrases, few
brief remarks were made, a running conf
mentary on the viands before them.
These roast thrushes are excellent"
murmured Ernest.
II cannot altogether agree with you,'
answered the Count Falbaire. Gin in
the sauce seems to me barbarous."
'.Yet all the authorities on the sub
ject---"
"Tousseuel agrees with me
Ernest bowed.
In a minute or two Count Falbaire
made an observation.
''If it be the same to you, Monsieur Err
nest, we will abandon the Hermitage
and have some Latour Blanche instead"
''As you will, Monsieur lie Comte."
1t seemed as if the first repast had only
been the absinthe before dinner of the
other
The seconds glanced at each other in
amazement.
1t is unnecessary to add that the part
they played, active at nrst, had now be-
come purely contemplative.
LET us sup" said the Count Falbaire,
after swallowing the last drops of his
coffee
''Let us sup, repeated Ernest.
The eventuality had been toreseen
| Consommes, cold meats, crawfish, and
Russian salad followed one another in
rapid SUCCESSION, washed down with
draughts of hook, port wine, and cham
payne.
The supper was animated-noisy, even
The duel was coming to a crisis. Each
of the adversaries played closely watch
ing his vis-a-vis the mean lille.
OF the two Ernest was the more bril-
liant eater-the Count the more methodi
cal. One had to admire their perfect
style that of the old masters-witl
muscles of iron.
Each seemed equally certain of success
there was suspicion of defiance il
their voices Raillery sprang from the
edge of the cup, epigram from the poin
of fork
Still Ernest's cheeks had a faint tinge o.
red in them.
The Count saw it.
''Would you like that window opened
Monsieur Ernest you seem very warm.
Ernest looked at him sternly.
The supper continued.
Two of the seconds had gone to sleep
the others were watching They haC
made arrangements to relieve each othe
every hour
Once Ernest wanted to sing.
| His seconds promptly checked this in
decent manifestation. Singing had beer
carefully ruled out, because it facilitate
digestion.
This mistake told on Ernest. 1t was
sort of ''first Blood
n 1t was evident that Ernest was strug
Cling against the first approach of drunk
enness His eye wandered, his hand
trembled little.
.,Do you wish to stopgn said the Count
/ Ernest laughed dreadful laugh. Hi
only answer was to empty three glassc
Of champagne in rapid succession.
Il The Count quietly followed his exam
Iple.
Suddenly pale streak appeared acros
: Ern SITS face He leaned an elbow o
the table and appeared to be thinking.
III After waiting several minutes for hi
reverie to terminate, the Count COOL
said.
ii "Wiil You APOLOGIZE"
ALet us breakfast, cried Ernest.
{ ".
III The seconds started at this unexpeete
exclamation. They held short consu
tation, and inally gratiied their prime
pals wishes.
81 It was broad daylight, IA splendi
morning to breakfast
/ Ernest seemed 10 have gained fires
strength Ee charged the oysters wit
!. impetuosity he dashed himself again
i the Chateanbriand steaks; he wrestle
with the sauterne.
Il was no longer rivalry, lit was fur,
1 frenzy.
81 The Count Falbaire fon WED him ste