The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-17
CHALLENGED THE WRONG MAN.
An Albany Bank Clerk Who Crossed
Swords With Little Frenchman.
From the Albany Joltrnd

From the Albany Journal.
A young bank clerk in Albany is wiser than
he was a year ago. In the bank where he was a
clerk new man was given a somewhat inferior
position. The ew-comer was a small, slight
framed Frenchman, whose English was de-
cldedly lame but who SO seldom spoke that II
made little difference. The senior clerk had g
decided penchant for fencing and, compared
with most fellows of his age and position, was
unquestionably good swordsman. In addition
to this he was most insufferable braggart,
and his military accomplishments was his one
topic of thought and conversation. He had
about him very patronizing air, which he pro
ceeded to lnf1lct upon the 1nofenSlve French
man, and his familiar slaps on the back evil
IDENTIFY displeased the stranger. Finally, par
tlcuiarly emphatic thump between the little
Frenchman's shoulders produced as response
singing slap in the face, which left the red
mark Of small hand sharply prominent against
the otherwise deathly pale face OF the young
American
his desk, and shortly afterward, through a
friend, challenged the Frenchman to mortal
combat. The latter apologized, in fact did all
in his power TO undo the mischief of his hasty
blow; in vain. Nothing but blood can wipe
out that insult, y the young man said haughtily.
The details were arranged, the Frenchman, as
the challenged party, choosing rapiers. Greatly
to the surprise of the ot-blooded young chal
lenger, the cashier of the bank, who knew the
Frenchman well. acted as the latter's second.
The day came, and the hour. The principals
stepped to position, saluted, and the blue blades
crossed with that smooth, gliding sound which
is music to the ear of the true swordsman. The
Frenchman, whose familiarity with this weapon
was evident at the start, confined himself at
first entirely to defence turning his opponents
point with grace of movement and absence of
fear or nervousness which were poetry in action.
The young man grew bolder his thrusts began
to have an air of ferocity which seemed to anger
the trenchman. and, turning aside his oppo-
nent's thrust, he made quick lunge, and the
young American barely parried.
Another quick thrust and a turn of the wrist
were too much for him; there was sharp snap
and the top button of his coat flew across the
room. Angry at this evident trifiing the but
toms owner made a spiteful lunge, which was
quietly parted, and the next button was
snapped away One after another the shining
buttons on his natty blue braided jacket were
cut off by the Frenchmans ready point. De-
cidedly ratified at his opponents skill and the
irrepressible smiles of the seconds and surgeon,
the young clerk now, with greater rapidity and
less caution, made fierce lunges, any one of
through the body of the cool Frenchman
while the little man, quietly parrying, with the
sharp point of his weapon, stripped the front
of the young mans jacket to ribbons. The con-
test had lasted some twenty minutes, when sud
denly the Frenchman caught the swiftly ad-
vancing point of his opponent, turned it aside
slipped his own sword quickly down along the
others blade, turning it with quick wrist mo-
ton so that it partly wound around it. and,
with a sharp wrenching motion, tore the
weapon away and sent it flying across the floor.
Then he saluted threw his weapon down and
efC the room.
1t subsequently transpired that the foreigner
was member of a once noble French family,
captain in the French army, and his teachers
have been some of the best SwordSmep. The
young American has not challenged any mis-
cellaneous foreigners since then, and is less in
cllned to talk OF his experience or skill.