Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-19
CbaIlenged the WRONG MAUI


AN ALBANY BANK CLERK WHO CROSSED SWORDS WITH
LITTLE FRENCHMAN.
From the Albany Journal
young bank clerk In Albany is wiser than he
was year ago. In the bank where he was clerk
new man was given a somewhat inferior position.
The newcomer was a small slight-framed
Frenchman, whose English was decidedly lame, but
who so seldom spoke that 1t made little difference
The senior clerk had decided penchant for fenc-
Ing, and, compared with most fellows OF his age
and position, was unQueStionably good swords
man In addition 10 this he was most INSURER
able braggart. and his military accomplishment
was his one topic OF thought and conversation.
he mad about MIN very patronizing air, which
ne prOceeoeo 10 lnnct upon the inonensfve French
man, and his familiar slaps on the back evidently
dlspieased the stranger. Finally. particular en-
pnatic thump between the little Frenchman's
shoulders produced as response a singing slap IN
the lace which left the red mark OF a small hand
Sharply prominent against the otherwise deathly
pale lace OF the young American
Speeches. with rage the young man found his
desk, and shortly arterward, through a friend,
challenged the Frenchman to mortal combat. The
latter apoogzed In fact did all In Is power to undo
the mischief OF his hasty blow; In vain. "Nothing
Dut Diood can wipe out that Insult, ~ the young
man said, haughtily. The details were arranged,
the Frenchman, as the challenged party, choosing
rapers Greatly TO the surprise OF the hOt-blooded
young challenger the cashier of the bank,
who knew the Frenchman well, acted as the latters
second. The day came, and the hour The prtn-
clpals stepped 10 positions saluted, and the blue
Diaaes crossed with that smooth, gliding sound
which Is music TO the ear OF the true swOrdsman.
The Frenchnan, whose familiarity with his
weapon was evident at the start, confined himself
at nrst entirely to defense turning his opponents
point Win grace OF movement and absence OF
rear or nervousness which were poetry in action.
Inc Dung man grew holder, his thrusts began to
nave an AIR or ierocity which seemed TO anger the
frehcnman. and in turning aside his opponents
thrust ne made quick lunge which the young
American barely PARTED.
Another quick thrust and a turn OF the wrist
were too much for him; there was q sharp snap
and the top button OF his coat flew across the
room. Angry at this evident tritiing, the buttons
owner made spiteful lunge, which was quietly
paired, and the next button was snapped away.
one after another the shining buttons on his
natty blue-bratded jacket were cut off by the
Ffenchman'S ready point. Decidedly ratified at his
opponents skill and the 1rrepreSSible smiles OF
tne seconds and surgeon, the young clerk now,
WIN greater rapidiiy and less caution, made
Herce lungeS, any one OF which would have driven
the sharp rapier through the body or the cool
frencnman, 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 sw1Itly-ad-
Nanclng point or his opponent, turned 1t aside,
slipped his own sword quickly down along the
otherS blade, turning 1t with quick wrist mo-
uon so that 1t partly wound abound II, and, with
sharp Wrenching motion, tore the weapon away
anu sent IT 1yfng across the f1OOr Then he Sa-
luled threw his weapon down and left the room.
IL subsequent tranSpired that the foreigner was
member or once noble French family, captain
some OF the best swordsmen. The young American
mas not challenged any miscellaneous foreigners
since then, and Is less Inclined TO talk Of his ex
per1ence or skill.