The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-26
A Smart Young American Catches a

ALBANY Journal


A young bank clerk In Albany Is wiser
than he was year ago. In the bank where
he was a clerk a new man was given a some
what inferior position. The new conner was
a small, slight-framed Frenchman, whose
English was decidedly lame, but who so sell
dom spoke that il made but little difference.
The senior clerk had decided penchant for
fencing, and compared with most fellows OF
his age and position, was unquestionably
good swordsman. In addition he was most
insufferable braggart, and his military ac-
complishments was his one topic Of thought
and conversation. He had about him very
patronizing air, which he proceeded to lnfles
upon the inoffensive Frenchman, and his ia
miliar slap on the back evidently dlspleased
the stranger. Finally, a particularly en-
phatic thump between the little Frenchman's
shoulders produced as response singing
slap in the face, which left the red mark Of a
small hand sharply prominent against the
otherwise deathly pale face Of the young
American.
Speechiess with rage the young man found
his desk, and shortly afterward, through q
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" the young man said
haughtily. The details were arranged. the
Frenchman, as the challenged party, choos-
ing rapiers Greatly TO the surprise OF the
hot-blooded young challenger, the cashier OF
the bank, who knew the Frenehman well.
acted as the latter's second. The day came
and the hour. The principals stepped to po-
sitiOn, 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 his
weapon was evident at the start, confined
himself at first entirely to defense, turning
opponents point with grace OF movement
and absence Of fear or nervousness which
were poetry in action. The young man grew
holder, his thrusts began to have an air OF
ferocity which seemed to anger the French
man trife, and, turning aside his oppo-
nent's thrust, he made quick lunge and the
young American barely parted.
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
triflng. the buttons owner made spiteinl
lunge, which was quickly parted, and the
next button was snapped away. One after
another the shining buttons on his natty
olue-braided jacket were cut of by the
Frenehman's ready point Decidedly rat
tled' at his opponents skill and the irrepres-
sible smiles of the seconds and surgeon, the
clerk, with greater rapidity and less caution,
made fierce lunges, any one Of which would
have driven the short rapier through the
body of the cool Frenehman, while the little
man, quietly parrying, with the sharp point
of his weapon stripped the front Of the young
mans jacket to ribbons The contest had
lasted some twenty minutes, when suddenly
the Frenchman caught the swiftly-adyanclng
point Of his opponent, turnedi 1t aside, slipped
bis own sword quickly down the others
blade, turning 1t with quick wrist motion
so that it partly wound around 1t, and with
a sharp wrenching motion tore the weapon
away and sent II flying across the floor.
Then he saluted, threw his weapon down
and left the room. 1t subsequently trans
pired that the foreigner was, and Is, mem
Der Of a once noble French family, a captain
in the French army, and his teachers have
been some of the best swordsmen In France
The young American has not challenged any
miscellaneous foreigners since then, and Is
less inclined to talk Of his experience and
skill