Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-20
Challenges tao wrong nan.
ALBANY Journal

A young bank clerk IN Albany IL wiser
than he was year ago. Ia the bank where
he was a clerk new man was given some
what inferior position. The newcomer was
a small, sIlghtly.irsmed Frenchmau, whose
English was decidedly lame, but who so
seldom spoke that 1t made little difference.
The senior clerk had q decided p@nchant
for fencing, aud, compared with most
fellows OF his age aud position, was I'M
questiOuably a good sworasman. In addition
to this he was q most insunersble braggart,
and his military accomplishment WAS sis
Que topic Of thought and conversation. Re
had about aim very patronlng air. which
be proceeded to irfict upon The lnonensiYe
Frenchman, AND his familiar slaps on the
back evidently dispeased the stranger. FL
nally. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS tbump be-
tween the little FrenchmsD's shoulders pre-
duced a. a response a singing slap In the
face. which left the red mark OF small
hand sharply prominent against the ether
wise deathiy-pa face OF the young Ameri-
can.
speeches with rage, the young man
found his desk, and shortly aiterward,
thrsugs friend, challenges the FrenchmAn
to mortal combat. The latter apologized, IN
fact did all in bis power TO undo the nis-
Ntl1eA Oh uiN ulNty HlVW VI foAhs A'NNhffr
but blood can wipe cut that insult" the
ysung man said haukhtlly. The details
were arranged. the Frenchman, ~ The chal-
lengea party, choosing rapiers. Greatly 10
the surprise OF the het.blOoded young chal-
lenger, the cashier OF the bank. whe knew the
Frenchman well, acted AZ the latter's second.
The day came aud the heur. The priaci-
pals stepped TO position, saluted, and the
blue blades crossed with that suleoth gliding
sound which is music 10 the ear OF the true
,wordsmsn. The Frenchman, wsese Ia
miliarity with this weapoH was evident a.
the start, confined himself 1t first entirely n
defence, turning biz opponents point WITH
a grace OF movement and absence OF fear
or nervousness which were poetry in Sctisn.
The Young man grew bolder, hrs thrusts be-
gan to have an air Of ierocity which seemed
10 anger the Frenchman, and, turning aside
his opponents thrust, be made quick
lunge, and the young American barely par
RED.
Another quick thrust and a turn OF the
wrist were too much for him, there was a
sharp snap and the top button Of bis coat
few across the room. Angry OF this evident
tr1ing the buttons ewner made = splteiul
lunge, which was quietly parted, aud the
next button was snapped away. One after
another the SHINING buttons on MS nalty
blue-braided JACKET were cut off by
the Frencsmsn's ready point. De-
cidedly ratified at his opponents skill and
the irrepressible smiles Of the seconds and
surgeon, the young clerk now, with grester
rapldity and less canton, made fierce Iuages,
any enc OF which would have drives the
sharp rapier through the body OF the coel
Frenchman, while the little man, quietly
parrying, with the sharp point Of his wesPon,
stripped the front OF the younR man:
Jacket 10 ribbons. The contest bad
lasted some t,.enty minutes, when sud
denly the Frenchman caught the swiftly
advancing point OF hi. oppouent, turaed II
aside, slipped his own sword quickly down
along the others blade, turning 1t with
quick wrist motion 80 that II partly wound
around il, and with a sharp wrenching mo-
ton tore the weapon away ana sent 1t hyin2
across the floor. Then he saluted, threw
his weapon down. and left the room.
II subsequently transpired that the for
elguer was member OF a once noble
French family. a captain In the French army,
and his teachers have been some OF the best
swordsmen. The young American has mol
challenged any miscellaneous foreigners since
then, aud is less inclined TO talk Of his eXpen'
ence or skill.