Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-11-07
A GOOD SWORD STROKE.
HOW COL. DEMALET MET HIS MATCH.

There was high frolic going on in
small town of Southern France one fin
summer morning toward the end Of tn
last century. The great local fair. which
only came once in six months, was in
swing, and the queer little market-plac'
of the town, with its old-fashioned foun
tain in the middle, and its tall, darl
houses all round, was crowded to over.
flowing. Here was juggler, there ar
acrobat. A little further on q show oi
dancing dogs had gathered large
crowd.
The chief attraction of the fair,
however seemed to be a tall gaun'
man, with an unmistakably Italian face,
who was standing on low platform be-
side the fountain. He had been exhibit
ing some wonderful feats Of swordsman-
ship, such as throwing an apple in the
air and cutting it in two as it fell, toss
ing up his sword and catching it by the
hilt, striking an egg with it so lightly as
not to break the shell, and others equally
marvellous. At length, having collected
a great throng around him, he stepped
forward, and challenged anyone present
to try u sword bout with him, on the
condition that whichever was first dis
armed should forfeit to the other half q
livre ten cents.
Several troopers who were staggering
about the market. place, for there was a
cavalry regiment quartered in the town,
came up one after another to try their
hand upon him. But TO the great de.
light Of the crowd they all got the worst
Of it; and one nigh. have guessed from
the eagerness with which the poor Italian
snatched up the money, as well as from
his pale face and hollow cheeks, that he
did not often earn so much in one day.
Suddenly the crowd parted to right and
left as handsome young man, in fine
gold laced coat, and plumed hat, with a
silver 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 I should like to
try a bout with you myself, for | am
thought to be something of a swordsman.
But before we begin, take these two
livres and get yourself some food at the
French Lily yonder for you look tired
and hungry, and it's no fair match be-
tween fasting man and full one.
Now may Heaven bless you, my lord,
whoever you may be :" said the man fer.
vently "for you're the first who has Civ
en- me a kindly word this many day.
can hardly expect to be match for
you, but if you will be pleased to wait
but ten minutes, I'll gladly do my best. y
The fencer was as good as his word,
and the moment he was seen TO remount
the platform the lookers-on crowded ea5-
erly around it, expecting well-fought
bout; for they had all seen what he
could do, and they now recognized his
new opponent as the young Marquis
DeMalet, who had the name Of being the
best swordsman in the whole district.
Their expectations were not disappoint-
ed. For the first minute or so the
watching eyes could hardly follow the
swords, which fickered to and fro like
flashes Of lightning, feinting, warding,
parrying till they seemed to be every
where at once. DeMalet at first pressed
his man vigorously, but finding him more
skillful than he had expected, he began
to fight more cautiously, and to aim at
firing him out.
This artful plan seemed likely to sue.
ceed, for the Italian at length lowered
his weapon for moment, as if his hand
was growing wearied. But as DeMale
made rapid stroke at him, the othel
suddenly changed his sword from right
to left hand, and, catching the Marquis
blade in reverse, sent it flying among the
crowd below.
"Well done !" cried the young ma
admiringly. 81 thought l knew mos
tricks of fence, but never saw one like
that before"
IL could teach it to your lordship in
week." said the Italian. "For man o
your skill nothing is needed but prac
tice."
"Say you so:" cried DeMalet. "The
the sooner we begin the better. Com
home with me, and stay till you've taugt
me all you know. One doesn't meet
man like you every day."
And so for month to come Anton
Spalatro was the guest of Henri DeMale