The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-06-29
CHALLENGED THE WRONG MAN.
An Albany hank Clerk who Crosse
Swords with, n Little F.cnchman.

A young bank clerk in Albany is
wiser than he was - year ago. In the
bank where he was a clerk " new man
was given a~somewhat inferior position.
Tho newcomer was a small, slight
framed Frcnchman, whose English
was decidedly lame, but who 50 seldom
spoke that II made little difference.
The senior clerk had a decided pen
chant for fencing, and, compared with
most fellows of his age and position,
was un~questionably Il good swordsman.
In addition to this he was a most in
sutferable braggart, and his military
accomplishment was his one topic Of
thought and conversation. He had
about him q Very ~patronizing air,
which he proceeded to infict upon the
inoffensive Frenchmar, and his familiar
slaps on the back evidently ~displeased
the stranger. Finally, a particularly
F~renchman's shoulders produced as
reatohse a singing slap in the face
which left the red mark of u small
hand sharply prominent against the
otherwise deathly pale face OF the
young Ameticah.
speechlcss with rage the Young mar
found his desk, and shortly atterward,
through a friend, challenged The
Frenchman 80 ntoftal 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 TINT. insult" the
young man sid. hAushtiiy. The de
tails We're arranged, the Frenchman
as the challenged party choosing
raplers. Greatly to the surprise of til,
hot-bloo,.sru young challenger, tn,
+, cashier of tho bank. who knew tn,
Frenehn1ah WE'LL acred as tile latter,
second. The day came; and the hour
Ihc principals stepped to position
salutsa, and the blue blades crossed
with that smooth, gliding sound whicl
is music to the a of the true swords
man. The Frenchman, whose talnili
arity with his weapon was evident a
the start, combining himself at first en-
tirely todefence, neutrality-suspicious.
point with a grace of movement am
absence of fear OF nervousness whicl
were poetry in action. The youn,
! man grew boldcr, his thrusts be
gun TO have an air Of fcrocity whic'
! seehied to anger the Frenchman, and
turning aside his opponents thrust, h
made 4 quick lunge, and the young
/. American barely parried.
Another quick thrust and n turn o
I the wrist were too much for him; tler
I was Il sharp snap and the top butto'
, of his coat flew across thereon. Angr
: at this evident triiling, the button
owner made a spiteful lungo, wlic
4 was quietly PARTED, and the next but
y another the shining buttons on hi
+ natty blue=braided jacket were cut o
by the F~renchman's ready point. De
cidedly ratified at his opponents ski
and the irrepressible smiles of til
seconds and surgeon, the young cler
| now, with greater rapidity and les
caution, made fierce lunges, any on
of which would have driven the shar
e rapier through the body Of the coo
Frcnchman, while the little man, quie
Is ly %parrying, with the sharp point
y his weapon, stripped the front of til
young mans jacket to ribbons. tt
IS contest had lasted some twenty minute
le whan suddenly the Frenolman caugl
y the swiftly advancing point of IL
Is opponent, turning it aside slipped h
own sword quickly down along ii
others blade, turning it with a 1uic
wrist motion so that it partly woun
it, and, with asharp wrenching motion
:, tore the weapon away and sent it fl.
Vi ing across the floor. Then he salute,
N threw his weapon down, and left IL
IS room.
1t subsequently, transpircd that II
foreigner was i member of aonce mob
=, French family, II Captain in the Frent
p" army, and his teachers have been son
he Of the best swordsmcn. The your
H. American has not challenged any mi
IS %cellaneons foreigners since then, and
less inclined to talk of his cxpcrien'
:. d skill.--AibunN JourWu{.