Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-09-14
I GOOD SWORD-sTROKE;
EsE Colonel DE Malct Met His Match

KsE Colonel DE Malct Met His Match.
There was high frolic going on N
= small town of Southern France one
kHc summer morning toward the end
II The last century The great local
fzir. which only came once in six
Esontlls. was in full swing, and the
queer little market-place of the town,
with its old-faShioned fountain in the
saiddle, and its tall dark houses all
round, was crowded to overlooking.
Here was juggler eating fire, or pull
ing ribbons out of his mouth by the
Jzrd, amid 4 ring of wondering peas
ants. There an acrobat was turning
head over heels, and then walking on
his hands with his feet up in the air.
a little further on show of dancing
dogs had gathered large crowd; and
close 10y sly-looking fellow in n striped
frOck. leaning over the front of a
wagon, was recommending a certain
curC f6r toothache which. however.
Judging from the wry fases of those
Uio yentured to Try it, must have
been almost as bad as the complaint
itself.
The chief attraction of the fair.
however, seemed to be n tall, gaunt
man, with an Enthusiastically Italian
face, who was standing on low plat
form beside the fountain. He had
been exhibiting some wonderful feats
sf swordmanship. such rs throwing an
apple in the air and cutting il in two as
ii fell, tossing up his sword and catch
ing it by the hilt, striking an egg with II
- lightly rs not to break the shell. and
ezhcrs equally marvellous. At length.
having collected great throng around
him, he stepped forward. and chal-
inged any one present p try sword
bout with him, on the condition
that whichever was first disarmed
should forfeit TO the other half livre
(tcn cents).
Several troopers who were swaggcr-
ing about the marketplace. for there
va a cavalry regiment quartered in
the town, came up one after another
20 try their hSnd upon him. But to
Tho great delight of the crowd they all
got the worst Of it; and one might
have guessed from the cagerness with
which the poor Italian snatched up the
money. ~ well as from his pale face
md hollow cheeks, that he did not
sften earn so much in one day.
Suddenly the crowd parted to right
md left rs handsome young man, in
|. fine gold-laced coat and plumed hat.
With silyer-hilted sword by his side,
forced his way through the press, and
confronted the successful swordsman.
"You handle your blade so well, my
friend" cried he, "that / should like
20 try bout with You myself, for / am
Thought to be something of a swords
nzn- But before we begin, take these
two liyres and get yourself some food
II the French Lily yonder, for you look
tirpd and hungry. and it's no fail
mstch between fasting man and 9
fun one"
"Now may Heaven bless you, my
Iurd, whoever you may bel' said tht
nzn. fervently; for you're the frs
who has given me kindly word thi
Hssny day. can hardly expect Il
- match for you, but If you viii b
pleased to wait but ten minutes, II
Gladly do my best"
Tie fcncer was as good as his word
zzd the moment he was seen TO re
mount the platform the lookers-ol
crowded eagerly around it, expecting
lwcsi-fought bout; for they had al
ssua wItat he could do, and they nov
zsosgnized his new opponent as th
xszng Marquis de Malet, who had tn
nzae OF being the best swordsman 4
whole district.