Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-12-12
4 SURPRISED FENCEE-
The Less on Taught n Young Ameri'
can Swordsman-Disarm

a Young bank clerk in Albany, New
York is wiser than he was year ago
| N the bank where he was a clerk a new
nan was given a somewhat INFERIOR
position. The newcomer was a small,
light framed Frenchman, whose Eng
/ ish was decidedly lame, but who so
eldom spoke that II made little differ
.nce. The senior clerk had a decided
Denchant for fencing, and compared
With most fellows OF his age and po-
ition was unquestionably a good
Twordsman. In addition TO this he was
most insuferable braggart, and his
me topic of thought and conversation.
lie had about him 4 very patroniZing
Iir, which be proceeded to infiict upon
he inofensive FrenchmaD, and his ia
niliar slaps on the back evidently dis
pleased the stranger. Finally a par
icularly emphatic thump between the
title Frenchman's shoulders produced
IS response a singing slap In the face,
which left the red mark or a small
land sharply prominent against the
otherwise deathly pale face of the
young American.
SPECIFICS with rage, the young man
'ound his desk. and shortly afterward,
through lriz nj, challenged the
L
after apolos lied, 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 hauphtily. The details were AZ
ranged, the FTenchman, as the chal-
enged party, choosing rap.ers. Greatly
| 20 the surprise of the hot blooded
young challenger, the cashier OF the
oank, who knew the FIenchman 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
II the true swordsman. The French
man, whose familiarity with his
weapon was evident at the start, con-
lined himself at first entirely to defense,
turning his opponents point with a
grace of movement and absence of fear
or nervousness which were poetry in
action. Tie young man grew bolder,
his thrusts began 10 have an air of fe-
rocity which seemed TO anger the
Frenchman a trille, ana turning aside
his opponents thrust he made a quick
lunge, and the young American barely
parried-
Another quick thrust and turn of
the wrist were too 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 quickly plrIied and the
next button was snapped away. One
after another the shining buttons on
his natty blue braided jacket were cut
of by the Frenchman-s ready point.
Decidedly "rattled'' at his opponents
skill ana the irTepresslble smiles of the
seconds and surgeon. the young clerk
now, with greater TapIiity and less
caution. made fierce lunges, any one of
which would have driven the sharp
rapier through tie body of the cool
FTenchman, while the little man,
gu etly paTrying, 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 advancluG Point of
his opponent, turned it aside, slipped
his own sword quickly down along the
other blade, turning it with a quick
wrist motion so that IL partly wound
around 1t, and with 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. II subsequently, trans
pred that the foreigner vas-and is
member 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 mis-
cellaneous foreigners since, and is less
inclined 10 talk of his experience OF
skill.