The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-10-12
An Old.Time Duel.

iasteu nearly nVe years. fOurn1er was
the most famous duelist in the French
army at the time. He was skillful
swordsmen, and even more skillful with
the pistol. When quarrels were scarce,
he would frequently smash with his
pistol-ball the pipes in the mouths of
soldiers, who sat unsuspectingly thirty
PAGES away. And quarrels, of course,
became lamentably scarce with such an
expert as Fournier, and the soldiers,
becoming wary, would not sit outdoors
as usual, nor in fact at their windows,
with their pipes in their mouths. While
matters were in this strait, young
Blumm, wealthy burgher, who had
been roistering around Fournier's quar-
ters in Rouen, one evening, was found
corpse the next morning, with a rapier
thrust in his throat. Blumm being in
experienced, some indignation was ex-
cited among the citizens against Four
nier, who was believed to have dis
patched him. Fournier, however, never
replied to the indignant murmurs that
reached his ears, except by shrug of
his shoulders. ga fight,' he would
say, ''is too precious to lose"
On the night succeeding Blumm's
funeral, ball was given at the Grand
Opera, the finest ball that it was probable
Rouen would would see for many day.
1t was reported the Fournier had ex-
pressed an intention of coming. This
following so close on the disastrous duel,
public decency was shocked at the sug-
gestion. The general said that it must
be prevented. He sent for the captain
of the guard, who happened to be young
Captain Dupont.
g Captain" said the general, "Four-
nier proposes to come to the ball tonight
You see it is plainly impossible that he
should be admitted"
" Yes general"
You will, therefore, prevent his
entrance, captain"
g Yes, general"
Captain Dupont knew Fournier by
sight and fame alone. The two could
not be intimate friends, for Dupont
detested duelling and duellsts. He was
o good swordsman, man of honor, and
had brave heart. He loved Marie
Hutton, lovely lady of Rouen, and the
day just before the ball she had consent
ed to become his wife. Now he felt that
ne must be q better swordsman than
Fournier, if he won her. Not that
Fournier loved her, or even knew her,
f.,tt I'm hot 1,,oI ;onx IN
bic, and he must kill or be killed.
The ball opened, and Dupont was at
his post. Late in the evening, Fournier
arrived.
Captain" said Dupont, cit would
seem somewhat indecorous for you to
attend a ball on the night of young
Blumm's funeral"
g presume" answered Fournier,
that alone have the right to Judge of
that"
apparently not" replied Dupont,
1.-THE general has decided that you should
not attend.
" Has the general directed you to pre-
vent my entrance? ?"
8 Yes.''
" L suppose you are willing to answer
at the swords point, for impertinences
that you retail secondhand"
81 am willing to answer at the
swords point"
Early in the morning then, captain,
at the usual spot" said Fournier, eager
Iy; SO, bon soir; assure you do not
segret the ball."
The parties met at the appointed time
aud place, and, after few well contested
thrusts, Dupont was wounded in the
shoulder. AS he fell, he exclaimed; CT
claim another fight"
Then he sank into insensibility.
Perhaps you will claim it when you
recover, and perhaps you will not"
said Fournier and, leaving Dupont in
the care of surgeons, he withdrew.
Within two weeks Dupont was well
again, and he sent word to Fournier
that he claimed his privilege.
The code of honor in those days guar
anteed fight until death or surrender,
but a cessation when either party re-
ceived wound sufficient to incapacitate
him.
Fournier was gratified at Dupont's
demand for another fight.
One man for two or three fights"
said he, ''is economy"
They met again, and Fournier this
time received thrust in the shoulder,
''Ah," said he, in anguish, as he fell,
. 1 claim the privilege"
rhau met q hirh TINA and Eonrniar,