The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
1T COSTS TO FIGHT A DUEL.
History of One Which Was Fought Many
Years Ago.

History of One Which Was Fought Many
Years Ago.
The recent duel between NJ. Deroulede
and NJ. Laguerre has at least furnished ma
terial for an amusing article in the France
from the lively pen of Francisque Sarcey.
"These gentlemen" he says. started off
six in number, and perhaps eight, counting
the surgeons. They reached Belgium and
there they we're obliged to proceed from
place to place, closely followed by the po-
lice. Then they proceeded to Holland and
returned. There was lot of railroad fares,
hotel bills and carriage hire to pay Fancy
a couple of poor devils in their shoes I'm
fortunately, know all about it; have been
there. once had to fight Aurelien Scholl
and our seconds decided that we
should go to Belgium. I never knew
why we didn't 60 simply to Vesi-
net. Fighters are not half so much inter-
fered with in the neighborhood of Paris as
they are near Brussels. But at that time
and speak of long ago-Belgium was the
fighting ground of French journalists. I
admit that wasn't at all pleased with the
idea of going out upon the duelling ground.
was never beliigerently inclined, and had
never sent challenge except out of regard
for the gallery. But the thing that bothered
me most in that devil of a duel was that
hadn't a continental red cent; for at that
time was making my debut in journalism.
| the cost OF my trip and that of my seconds,
and l asked myself how could manage to
reimburse the paper if it advanced me a
handsome sum. And the funny part of
| it was that while was making this calcula-
ton Scholl, as found out since, was say
ing to himself, Well, we'll! There goes the
work of three more days lost, and l 500
| francs pitched to blazesn The 1,5OO francs
he was sure of getting much more easily
than could, because in the Figaro, where
he was employed, they were ali compare
lively rich. But, for all that. it was big
/ sum.
| II had an old schoolmate, Clement Laur-
| Ter, whom found in Paris. to whom was
hound in ties of friendship which were
drawn closer in after years, which qeatf
so rich as he became afterward, but It wal
| he who took me out of the difficulty. With
out asking him he placed 1,5OO francs IL
my hand.
But" said I, 4 really don't know wher
will be able to pay you back
You will pay me- when you can, that
ALL
land if l should get killed.
"He shrugged his shoulders and smiled
and the strange thing about the adventure
was that he, too, was an intimate friend o.
School, who, like myself, holds him in deal
remembrance. He might easily have set
tied the affair, but he thought that it wal
better for me to let it take its course
Moreover, he had no anxiety over the re-
suit He knew that / was an awkward
swordsman, and he knew too, that Schol
entertained no particular hatred towart
me, and that the thing would end in
scratch. Now that ia Just the way that i
did end. after heaven knows how mucl
wandering through rugged fields, CONSTANT.
followed by the police, who were ready {,
collar US If We made the least attempt t,
stop for the commencement of hOstiIities
Scholl chatteG with the policemen, af
fecting the Belgian accent, and with
what animation, gayety and wit! W
were bursting with laughter Will
we listened to him. Never since th
world began Was there such iolly duel
But We We're forced to come back to Pari
aoiled. Two days afterward we set on
again for Baden, and, happily. there the.
Flowed us to finish the business undis
turbed. :! say happily. because the fifteel
hundred francs of Laurier were completed,
devoured.
Expenses have risen since then, as h
cooks say; and, moreover, the DUBLIN,
gentlemen of to-day are more grands sei9
neurs tnan We were. And it must also b
noted that they have to stand trial in tn
polioe court, and, consequently, to thei
other expenses must be added the amour
: Of the hne to which they will be sentenced
: don't include the loss Of time, although
i very probable that II. LagusEis. Who i