The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-30
sWisreAa,,v.
THE GREAT FRENCH DUEL
From the Atlantic Monthly for February.

THE GREAT FRENCH DUEL.
From the Atlantic Monthly for February
Much as the modern French duel is rid
lculed by certain smart people, it is in real
ity one of the most dangerous institutions o.
our day. Since it is always fought in the
open air, the combatants are nearly sure
to catch cold. NJ. Paul de Cassagnac, the
most inveterate of the French duelists, has
suffered so often in this way that he is al
last confirmed invalid; and the best ply.
stefan In Paris has expressed his opinion
that If he goes on due'ing for fifteen OF
twenty years more-unless he forms the
habit OF fighting In comfortable room
where damps and draughts 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
heaith-givlng Of recreations because of
open-air exercises it affords. And 1t
ought also to moderate that foolish talk
about French duelists 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 late fiery outbreak
between Nj. Gambetta and NJ. Fourtou in
the French Assembly, knew that trouble
must follow. | knew it because a long
personal friendship with NJ. Gambetta had
revealed to me the desperate and impla-
cable nature of the man. Vast as are his
physical proportions, knew that the
thirst for revenge would penetrate to the
remOtest frontiers of his person.
I did
but went at once to him. As | expected,
| found the brave fellow stepped in a pro-
found French calm. | say French calm,
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
staying chance fragments of IT across the
room with his foot; grinding constant
grist OF curses through his set teeth; and
halting every little while to deposit another
had been building on the table.
He threw his arms around nv neck,
bent me over his stomach to his breast.
kissed me on both cheeks, Rugged me
four or hive tunes, and then placed me in
his own armchair. As soon as had got
well again, we began business at once.
| SAID l supposed he would wish me to
act as his second. and he said, ''Of course. +"
| said l must be allowed to act under
French name, so that might be shielded
from obloquy IN my country, in case of IA
tai results. He WINGED here. probably at
the suggestion that dueling was not re-
garded with respect in America. Howev-
er, he agreed to my requirement. This
accounts for the fact that in all the news
paper reports NJ. Gambetta's second was
apparently Frenchman.
First, We drew up my principals will.
l insisted upon this, and stuck to my
point. | said had never heard of man
IN his right mind gong out to fight a
duel without first making his will. He
sand he had never heard of man in his
right mind doing anything of the kind.
when We had finished the will he wished
to proceed to choice OF his last words"
he wanted TO know how the following
words as dying exclamation. struck me:
Il die for my God. for my country, for
freedom OF speech. for progress, and the
universal brotherhood of man."
object that this would require too lin
gering death; it was good speech for
a consumptive. but not suited the ext
gencies OF the field of honor. We wrangled
over good many ante-mortem 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:
Il DIE THAT FRANCE NAY LIVE"
l SAID that this remark seemed to lack
relevancy; but he said relevancy was
matter OF no consequence in last words,-|
what You wanted was thrill
The pavx
OF weapons. My principal said he was
not feeling well, ami would leave that and
the other details of the proposed meeting
TO me. Therefore wrote the following
note and carried IT to NJ. Fourtou' friend:
SRI: N. Gambetta accepts NJ. Fourtou's chal-
ienge, and authorizes me to propose Plessi.-
fiquet rs the place of meeting; to morrow
morning At aybreak a. the time; and ares a.
the weapons. am. sir, vita grea, respect.
MARX TWAIN.
NJ. Fourtou's friend read the note, and
shuddered. Then he turned to me, and
said. with suggestion of severity In his
tone:
Have You considered. sir, what would
a. thiss'
be?'
'Bloodshed,"
That's about the size of it, said. |
Now, If it is a fair question. what was |
our side proposing 70 shed?"
had HIM. there. He saw he had made |
hlunder, 30 he fastened to explain it away.
he SAID he had spoken jestingly. Then
he added that ne and his principal would
enjoy axes. and indeed prefer them, bat
such weapons were barred by the French
code. and so must change my proposal.
1 walked the floor, turned the thing
over In my mind. and finally IT occurred
70 me that Gatllng guns at Fifty PAGES
The asld Of honor. So I f!snsd tbs idea
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