Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-29
An AMUSING DUEL.

me Adetce WHtch a Fehctng Master 6uce'
A duel was fought some time ago in
France between lawyer and mer-
chant, whose political differences of
opinion, too loudly expressed, had led
to quarrel and an exchange of blows.
Both gentlemen had acted on the spur
of the moment, and both regretted their
vivacity. Nothing could be done Sec
onds had been appointed on both sides,
and these four gentlemen had decided
that an encounter was inevitable.
The lawyer, NJ. A, went of to the
local fencing school, sent in his card to
the professor, and requested an inter-
view. The fencing master had heard
of the affair, and was not sorry for the
opportunity offered him to have a joke
at the expense OF the two men of peace
who had taken up arms.
Good-day, sir" said the professor.
81 have heard of your intended duel,
and can guess what brings you here"
NJ. A explained that he had heard
that his opponent was most expert
swordsman, and he asked for some sys-
tenn of defense which would enable him
to save his life and parry any mortal
thrust. The old soldier gave his new
pupil a rapier and told him to hold it
out at arms length and to refrain from
attacking his opponent, who, losing ali
patience, would rush in and spit himself
on the lawyers sword. If the merchant
advanced, the lawyer was to retreat, and
if the former stepped back the latter was
to beware of falling into trap, and to
remain where he was without moving.
NJ. A took his leave, and within
an hour his adversary, NJ. X, the
merchant made his bow to the fencing
master, explaining that he had to cope
with most dangerous swordsman, who
had been a noted duelist during his stu
dent career, and that he was anxious to
learn some secret thrust like that Of the
famous Jarnac, which would enable him
to have the best of the combat. The
professor declared that he was at the or
ders of the merchant, and ready to teach
him all the secret thrusts of the Milanese
school, but that in order to be able to
execute them a certain knowledge of
fencing was required.
"Oh, yes," exclaimed NJ. x, "but
you see l have never held sword in my
hand"
"Your case is indeed grave, sir" said
the professor, " and, unless you wish to
be killed, you must follow my instruc-
tons to the very letter. "
He then put rapier in his hand,
and gave him precisely the same advice
as he had given the lawyer.
The following morning at daybreak
the two gentlemen, accompanied by
their seconds, repaired to quiet place
outside the town. The adversaries were
placed in position, and the usual injunc-
ton OF "Allez, Messieurs " was uttered,
but there the two stood, sword in hand,
cautiously waiting for an attack, and
firmly convinced that the slightest move
ment would inperil their lives. A sec
ond "Allez, Messieurs !" was pro
pounced, but without having any effect
on the two combatants, who stood glar-
ing at each other. The seconds looked
at each other astonished, and, when they
were forced to conclude that no engage
ment would take place, they stepped
forward and babe their principals put
up their swords and shake hands, de-
claring honor satisfied.
The same evening the fencing master
received two handsome presents, one
from the lawyer and the othos from the
merchant, who both looked on him as
their savior, and protested a debt of
eternal gratitude for him.