The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-29
A Surprise for the Fencer.
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| young bank CLERK in Albany Is wiser thar
| he was year ago In the bank where he wa.
| a clerk new man was given q somewhat in
| ferior position. The newcomer was a small
| slight-framed Frenchinan, whose English was
| decidedly lame, but who SO seldom spoke thai
| 1t made little difference. The senior clerk had
| a decided penchant for fencing, and compared
| with most fellows of his age and position was
| unqueStonably good swordsman In addition
| to this he was most insufferable braggart, and
| his military accomplishment was his one topic
| of thought and conversation. He had about
| him a very patronizing air, which he proceeded
| to infiict upon the inoffensive Frenchman and
| his familiar slaps on the back evidently dis
pleased the stranger. Finally, a particularly
emphatic thump between the little French
| mans shoulders produced as response a sting
| ing slap in the face which left the red marx of
| a small! hand sharply prominent against the
otherwise deathly pale face of the young Ameri-
| can.
Speechless with rage, the young man found
| 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" the young man said, haughtily.
The details were arranged, the Frenchman as
the challenged party, choosing rapiers. Greatly
to the surprise of the hot blooded young chai
lenger, the cashier of the bank, who knew the
Freuchman we'll acted as the latter's second.
The day came. aud the hour. The principals
stepped to positions, sauted, and the blue
blades crossed with that smooth, gliding sound
winch Is music 10 Lile ear OF tne true swords
man. The Frenchman, whose familiarity with
bis weapon was evident at the start, confined
himself at first entirely to defe ase, turning his
opponents point with grace of movement and
absence of fear or nervousness which were poe
try in action. The young man grew holder, his
thrusts began to have air OF ferocty which
seemed to anger the Frenchman trife, and
turning aside his opponents thrust he made
quick lunge, and the young American barely
parted.
Another quick thrust and turn of the wrist
were too much for him. there was a sharp snap
and the top button OF his coat flew across the
room. Angry at this evident trihIng, the but
tons owner IN ade spiteful lunge, which was
quickly pared and the next button was snap
ped away. One after another the shining but
tons on his natty blue braided Jacket were cut
off by the Frenchman' Is ready point. Decidedly
ratified at his opponents skill and the ire
pressible smiles OF the seconds and surgeon the
young clerk now, with greater rapidity and less
caution, made fierce lunges. any one of which
would have driven the sharp rapier through the
body of the cool Frenchman, while the little
man, quietly parrying, with the sharp
point OF his weapon stripped the
front or the young mans jacket TO
ribbons. The contest had lasted some twenty
minutes when suddenly the Frenchman caught
the swiftly advancing point of his opponent,
turned IL aside, slipped his own sword quickly
down along the others blade, turning IL with
quick wrist motion so that IL partly wound
around It, and with sharp wrenching motion
tore the weapon away and sent IL flying across
weapon down and left the room.
IL subsequently transpired that the
foreigner was-and is-a member of a once
noble French family captain in the French
best swordsmen In France. The young Amer
lean has not challenged any mis- ,ellaneous for
eignerS since tnen and is less inclined To talk of
his experience or skill