St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-02-14

Pressis- -Piquet in the following order:
first came our earriage-nObody in 1t
but M. Gambetta and myself; then t
carriage containing M. Fourtou and
his second then a carriage containing
two poet-orators who did not believe
in God, and these had MS. funeral
orations projecting from their breast
pockets then a carriage containing J
the head surgeons and their cases OF
instruments; then eight private car
riages containing consulting surgeons
then a hack containing the coroner
then the two hearses then carriage
containing the head undertakers; then
train of assistants and mutes on foot;
and after these came plodding through
the fog long procession of camp-fol-
lowers, and citizens generally. 1t was
u noble turnout, and would have made
a fine display if we had had thinner
weather.
There was no conversation. l spoke
several times to my principal, but l
judge he was not aware of it, for he
always referred to his note book and
uttered absently, 81 die that France
may live"
Arrived on the field my fellow second |
and l paced off thirty-five yards, and |
then drew lots for choice of position.
This latter was but an ornamental cere-
mOny, for all choices were alike in such
weather These pTeliminaries being
ended | went to my principal and ask
ed him if he was ready. He spread
himself out to his full width and said
in stern voice, 'Ready Let the bat
teries be charged"
The loading was done in the pres
ence of duly constituted witnesses. We
considered it best to perform this deli
cate service with lantern, on account
of the state of the weather. We now
placed our men.
At this point the police noticed that
the public had massed themselves to-
gether on the right and left of the field
they therefore begged delay, while
they should put these poor people In
place of safety. The request was
granted.
The police having ordered the two
multitudes to take positions behind the
duelists, we were once more ready. The
weather, growing still more Opaque,
it was agreed between myself and the
other second that before giving the
fatal signal we should each deliver a
loud whOop to enable the cOmbatants
to ascertain each others whereabouts.
InOw returned TO my principal, and
was distressed to observe that he had
lost a good deal of his spirit. / tried
nv best to hearten him. | said, SIN
deed, sir, things are not as bad as they
seem. Considering the character of the
weapons, the limited number of shots
allowed, the generous distance, the i'm
penetrable sOlidity of the fog, and the
added fact that one of the combatants
is One-eyed and the other cross-eyed
and near sighted, it seems to me that
this conflict need not necessarily be ia
tai. There are chances that both OF
you may survive. Therefore, cheer
up; do not be down hearted.n
This speech had so good an effect
that my principal Immediately stretch
ed out his hand and said, "I am myself
again give me the weapon"
| laid it, all alone and forlorn, in the
centre of the vast solitude of his palm.
He gazed at it aud shuddered. And
still mournfully contemplating it, he
murmured, in IA broken voice,
''Alas, it is not death | dread, but
mutiation."
heartened him once more, and with
such success that be presently said,
''Let the tragedy begin. Stand at my
back do not desert me in this solemn
hour, my friend"
gave him my promise. l now as
sisted him to point his pistol toward the
spot where judged his adversary to be
standing, and cautioned him to listen
well and further guide himself by my
fellow seconds whoop. Then prop
ped myself against NJ. Gambetta's back
and raised a rousing "Whoop-ee ~
This was answered from out the far
distance of the fog, and l Immediately
shouted,
''One-twO-three fire !"
Two little sounds like spit! spit !
broke upon my ear, and in the same in
a mountain of flesh. Buried as | was,
| was still able to catch faint accent
from above to this effect
81 die for for predi-
ton take it, what is it l die for7
oh, yes, FRANCE! l die that France
may livew
The surgeons swarmed around with
their probes in their hands and applied
their microscopes to the whole area of
} NJ. Gambetta's person, with the happy
result of finding nothing in the nature
of a wound. Then scene ensued
} which was in every way gratifying and
inspiriting.
The two gladiators fell upon each
others necks, with floods of proud and
) happy tears that other second en-
braced me; the surgeons, the orators,
the undertakers, the police, everybody
, cried, aud the whole atmosphere was
, filled with praise and with joy un-
speakable.
1t seemed to me then that 1 would
rather be the hero of French duel than
a crowned and sceptred monarch.
When the commotion had somewhat
, subsidized, the body of surgeons held a
f consultation, and after good deal ol
debate decided that with proper care
5 and nursing there was reason to believe
that | would survive my injuries. MY
internal hurts were deemed the mos
: serious, since it was apparent that ;
broken rib had penetrated my left lung
and that many of my organs had beer
pressed out so far to one side or the
other of where they belonged that i
: was doubtful if they would ever Learn
. to perform their functions in such re
4 mote and unaccustOmed localities. The,
t then set my left arm in two places
e pulled my right hip into its socke
: again, and re-elevated my nose. wa
a an object of great interest and even ad
mlration and many sincere and warn
D., hearted persons had themselves intro
= duced to me, and said they were prou,
to know the only man who had beel
hurt in French duel for forty years.
4 al,