Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-09-28
A Surprise for GIae Feneer.


A young bank clerk in Albany Is wiser
than he was year ago. In the bank where
he was a clerk a new man was given q some
what inferior position. The new conner was
a small, slight framed Frenchman, whose
English was decidedly lame, but who SO
seldom spoke that it made little difference.
The senior clerk had decided penohant for
fencing, and compared with most fellows of
his age and position was unquestionably a
good swordsman. In addition to this he was
a most insufferable braggart, and his militia
ry accomplishment was his one topic of
thought and conversation. He had about
him a very patronizing air, which he pro~
ceeded to inhict upon the inoffensive French
man, and his familiar slaps on the back evil
IDENTIFY displeased the stranger. Finally q
particularly emphatic thump between the
Spouse stinging slap in the>face, which left
the red mark of q small hand sharply promi-
nent against the otherwise deathly pale face
of the young American.
Speechless with rage the young man found
his desk, and shortly stterward, through a
friend, challenged the Frenchman to mortal
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 that insult" the young man
said haughtily. The details were arranged, the
Frenchman, as the challenged party, choos.
ing 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 po-
sition, saluted, and the blue blades crossed
with that smooth, gliding sound which Is
music to the ear of the true swordsman.
The Frenchman, whose familiarity with his
- ekn ii
himself at first entirely to defence, turning
his opponents point with a grace of move
msnt and absence of fear or nervousness
which were poetry in action. The young
man grew holder, his thrusts began to have
an air of ferocity which seemed to anger the
ponents thrust he made quick lunge, and
the young American barely parted.
Another quick thrust and turn of the
wrist were too much for him; there was q
sparp snap and the top button of his coat
few across the room. Angry at this evident
triding, the buttons owner made spiteful
lunRe, which was quickly parted 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 peint. Decidedly "rat-
tied" at his opponents skill and the ire
pressible smiles of the seconds aud surgeon,
the young clerk now, with greater rapidity
ana less cautlOu, mAOe u6rco luuSes, any
one of which would have driven the sharp
rapier through the body of the coel French
man, while the little man, quietly parrying,
with the sharp point of his weapon stripped
the front of the young mans jacket to rib
bons. The contest had lasted some twenty
minutes when suddenly the Frenchman
caught the swiftly advancing point of his
opponent, turned it aside, slipped his own
sword quickly down along the others blade,
turning it with a quick wrist motion so that
1t partly wound around it, and with a sharp
wrenehing motion tore the weapon away and
sent it flying across the floor. Then he salu-
ted, threw his weapon down and left the
room. It subsequently, transpired that the
foreigner was-and is-a member of q 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 miscellane-
GUS foreigners since then, and is less inclined
to talk of his experience or skill.