St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-11
LESSON In FENCING.
The Mistake of a Young Man Who
Challenged a Little F'renchman.
AlbaOv Journal


Challenged a Little Frenchman.
Albany Journal
A young clerk in Albany is wiser than
he was a year ago. In the bank where
he was clerk new man was given a
somewhat inferior position The new
conner was small, Slight-framed
Frenchman, whose English was decid-
edly lame, but who so seldom spoke that
it made little difference. The senior
clerk had decided penchant for fenc-
ing, and compared with most fellows of
his age and position, was unqueStion-
ably good SWOrdSman. In addition he
was most insutferable braggart and
his military accomplishment was his
one topic of thought and conversation.
He had about him very patronizing
air, which he proceeded to infiict upon
the lnotfensive Frenchman, and his
familiar slaps on the back evidently dis
pleased the stranger. Finally par
little Frencbman'S shoulders produced
as response a singing slap in the face,
which left the red mark of a small hand
sharply prominent against the other
wise deathly pale face of the young
American.
Speeches. with rage, the young man
found his desk and shortly afterward,
through friend, challenged the French
man to mortal combat. The latter apol-
ogized-in fact, did all in his power to
undo the mischief of his hasty blown
vain. Nothing but blood can wipe out
that insult" the young man said
haughtiIy. The details were arranged,
the Frenchman, as the challenged party,
choosing rapiers. Greatly to the sur,
prise of the hot-blooded young challen--
ger, 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, sal
uted and the blue blades crossed with
that smooth, gliding sound which is
music to the ear of the true swords
man. The Frenchman, whose familiarity
with his weapon was evident at the
start, confined himself at first entirely
to defense, turning his opponents point
with grace of movement and absence
OF fear and nervousness that were poetry
III action. The young man grew holder,
his thruStS began to have an air of fe-
rocitylwhich seemed to anger the French
man trlfie, and, turning aside his OBJ
p0nentS thrust, he made quick lunge,
which 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 trifling, the buttons owner
made 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 Frenchman's ready
point. Decidedly ''rattled" at his OPP
pOnent'S 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 which would have driven the
sharp lapier through the body of the
cool Frenchman, while the little man,
quietly parrying, with the sharp point
OF this 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 advancing point of his OPP
ponent, turned it aside, slipped his own
sword quickly down along the others
blade, turning it with quick
wrist motion so that it partly
wound around 1t, 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 left the room. 1t sub
sequently transpired that the foreigner
once was and is member of a once
noble French family, 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 bis eX-
Derienee or skill,