Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-05-15
Challenged the Wrong Man.

A young bank clerk in Albany is wiser
than he was year ago. In the bank where
he was clerk new man was given q
somewhat inferior position. The new COM
er was small, slight.framed Frenchmap,
whose English was decidedly lame, but who
so seldom spoke that it made little differ
ence. The senior clerk had decided pen.
chant for fencing, and, compared with
most fellows of his age and position, was un.
questionably good swordsman. In addi-
tion to this he was most insufferable brag.
gart, and his military accomplishment was
his one topic of thought and conversation.
He had about him very patronizing air,
which he proceeded to inflict upon the inof.
fensice Frenchman, and his familiar slaps
on the back evidently displeased the stran.
ger. Finally, particularly emphatic
thump between the little Frenchman's
shoulders produced as response a stinging
slap in the face which left the red mark of q
small hand sharply prominent against the
otherwise deathly pale face of the young
American. Speechless with rage the young
man found his desk, and shortly afterward,
through friend, challenged the French
man to mortal combat The latter apollo
gized, in fact did all in his power to un-
do the mischief of his hasty blow; in
vain. Nothing but blood can wipe out
that insult" the young man said, haught
lily. The details were arranged, the French
man, al the challenged party, choosing
rapiers. Greatly to the surprise of the hot
blooded young challenger, 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 posi-
tion, saluted, and the blue blades crossed
with that smooth, gliding sound which is
music to the eGr of the true swordsman.
The Frenchman, whose familiarity with MS
weapon was evident at the start, confined
himself ut first entirely to defence, turning
his opponents point with q grace of move
ment and absence of fear or nervousness
which were poetry in action. The young
man grew bolder, his thrusts began to have
al air of ferocity which seemed to anger the
Frenchman, and, turning aside his oppo-
nent's thrust, be made quick lunge, which
the young American barely parried. An
other quick thrust and 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
trihiDg, the buttons owner made spiteful
lunge, which was quietly parried, 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. De-
cidedly ratified at his opponents skill and
the irrepressibe 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
parryiDg, with the sharp point Of his wea-
pom stripped the front of the young mans
Jacket to rbbons. The contest had lasted
some twenty minutes. when suddenly the
Frenchman caught the swiftly advancing
point of his opponent, turned it aside, slip
ped his own sword quickly down along the
others blade. turning it with quick wrist
motion so that it partly wound around it,,
and, with sharp wrenching motion, tore
the weapon away and sent it flying across
the floor. Then he saluted, threw his wea'
pom down, and left the room. 1t subse-
quently transpired that the foreigner was a
member of once noble French family q
Captain in the French army, and his teach
ers have been some of the best swordsmen.
The young American has not challenged
any miscellaneous foreigners since then, and
is less inclined to talk of his experience or
skill.-Albany Journal.