Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-04-14
Che Sturv Teller.
A NINETEEN YEARS DUEL.


The general attention has been recently at
tracted to monstrous French duel. Th'
records of such things in France present an
other duel quite as absurd, but far less horri
BILE:
At the beginning of the present century
the city of Strasbourg resembled Caen, IL
possessing certain number of wrong headed
gentlemen who took pleasure in getting uE
disputes. Soldiers of all ranks had ample
opportunities of picking quarrels, whenever
they wished it, and often when they did moi
wish it. In 1894, captain of hussars, named
Fournier, INDUCED in this amusement to his
hearts content. At later period, his merit
and his courage earned him the epaulets of a
general. of division. His aggressive temper
and his address with arms, rendered his name
celebrated in the annals Of the duel. He was
invariably the victor in these unfortunate
meetings and Strasbourg had to reproach
him for the loss of several of her sons on the
most futile motives of quarrel, and especially
for having killed, on very triAing grounds, a
young man named Blume-generally beloved
the only support of numerous family
whom he had challenged without any pausi
BILE reason, and slain without the slightest
pity. The death of Bume was regarded as a
public misfortune, and sympathized in by a
public mourning.
On the very day Of Blume's funeral, Gen
Moreau gave ball, to which were invited all
the members of the high bourgeoisc. 1t was
desirable to avoid the scandalous scenes which
could not fail to take place between the tel'
low-townsmen, perhaps the relations Of the
unfortunate deceased, and the aggressor, who
was styled his murderer General Moreau
therefore, desired his aid-de-camp, Captain
Dupont, afterwards the general who capitu.
lated at Baylen, to prevent Captain Fournier
from entering the ballroom. Dupont sta
toned himself in corner of one of the ante
chambers, and he Immediately caught sight OF
him, and accosted him abruptly:
"What are you going to do here?'
"Ah! That's you, Dupont? Good even
ing. Parblue You see what am doing;
am come to the ball.
care you not ashamed to come to ball on
the very day of the funeral Of that poor un.
happy fellow, Blume? What will his friends
and relations say?"
They may say what they please it's all
one to me- But, should like to know, what
business is that of yours" ?"
"It is everybodv's business. Everybody is
thinking and talking about it"
Everybody is wrong, then. | don't like
for people to poke their noses into my affairs
And now, if you please, let me pass"
"You shall not 60 into the ballroom"
"And, pray, why?'
because you must take yourself off in
stead. The General orders you to retire tc
your apartments"
can l turned out of the house?'
"No; it is merely precaution."
Are you aware Of the consequences O.
turning Fournier out Of doors?"
81 do not want to hear any of your rhodo
montades. Just have the goodness to take
yourself off,
"Listenr' said Fournier, in fury, I car
not have my revenge of the General, because
he is my superior officer; but you are my
equal; you have presumed to take your share
in the insult, and you shall pay for the who'll
of it. We will Fl ght!"
. Listen in turn" replied Dupont. 81 hav
long been out of patience with you ; an
disgusted with your bullying ways; and
hope to give you lesson which you will long
remember"
Fournier passed a sleepless night. H
would have gone mad with vexation, had h
not been consoed by the hope of killing Du
pont. But the result of the combat was no
what he expected, for Dupont gave him
frightful wound.
You fence WE'LL" said Fournier, as h
fell.
Not badly, as you see.'
Yes; but now know your game. Yol
won't catch me another time as will shoS
when l am we'll again"
'You wish for another encounter?"
"Parbleu! That's matter of course"
In fact, after a few weeks nursing, -Four
nier for the second time, was face to fac
with his adversary. 1t was now his turn
He gave Dupont home thrust, with the com
ment:
you see clearly you hold your hand to-
low to parry properly. After you had mad
your thrust, you gave me time to stick thre
inches of cold iron between your ribs"
This is only the second act,' cried Du
pont, 1--WE will come to the catastrophe a
soon as possible"
Fournier would have liked to concud
the third act by the aid of the pistol bu
Dupont claimed the military privilege whic
obliges officers to fight with their sword
Dupont was wise in maintaining his righ
for Fournier's expertness rs pistol shot
still remembered with astonishment H
had accustomed his servant to hold betwee
his fingers piece of money, which he sen
flying with bullet, FIVE and twenty pace
distant And frequently one of the hussar
of his regiment, as he galloped past smokin
his pipe, was surprised to find it smashe
between his lips, without suspecting tina