The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-06
4 DREAM DUEL.

crept over me. The remembrance il
distinct. The sounds were faint at first
mere subdued echoes of fancy. In my
lonely hours of reverie. when drifted
into the Elysium had created for nv
self, and which tempted me in my idle
moments i was ever dreamer-T
heard the click of steel mingled with a
rasp, as of one blade gliding along an
other A strange excitation seized me:
my heart bounded within me: every
fiber sprang into action and trembled
not in fear, but with eagerness and
anXiety-my whole being becoming sur
charged with intensity of feeling, Which
at its climax was succeeded By sense
of eXultation. What did it mean?
AS grew older and approached mans
estate the peculiar sounds REQUIRED at
briefer intervals, and the spell increased
in power, while maturer reason sought
as indefatigably for their cause and
source. but without avail Once | was
so startled that almost tainted. 1t was
when, for the first time, | took n foil in
my hand Ah how my heart leaped. us
if with joy, as grasped the firm hilt,
gers of my left hand passed caressingly
along the snuous STEEL 1t seemed as if
were welcoming an old friend after
long absence; and yet, could not tell
why.
had always had an instructive liking
for sword play, but l knew nothing of
its science.
Then too, l shall never forget that
tirsi bout. Pastime was never more con-
genial; skill never came more readily and
naturally to beginner. What was itat
work on me? | sprang forward at a
mocking challenge, and when steel
touched steel Il strong electric current
passed through me. My opponent, be it
known, was no novice, but he found
that the despised beginner was not to be
buttoned freely and at will. He sought
to trifle with me, and tempted my blade
to thrust, expecting to place me at his
mercy. You should have seen his face!
Instead of making awkward passes l
lunged en- carte, en- tierce-once! twice!
thrice!-and for every time that l sa-
luted he was hit twice. My guard was
perfect, and he bit his lip in vexation.
My companions looked on in amazement
Il was no less astounded by my own
prowess--and my vanquished opponent
at the close of the bout laughingly ac-
cused me Of having studied in secret that
/ might humiliate him. My positive
half angry denial non-plussed but did
not convince him. That night sat for
hours in brown stuny, striving to
fathom the mystery; but an impenetrable
mist surrounded me, and all that came
therefrom was the ominous clicking Of
steel.
After that was no stranger to the
foils. Skill and finesse developed them
selves. But there was always that i'm
petuousness, that fierceness, that heart
and sSul enthusiasm on my part. until
the others, fearing them, would not
fence with me; and it came to pass that
in my moody moments fought with an
imaginary antagonist, so eager was | to
feel the hilt in my nervous hand.
One day as stood, foil in rest, adjust
ing my cuff, my modern environment
suddenly melted away. / stood in the
open air. was in grove; the foliage
luxuriant, the sward beneath beautiful
green. A faint, scent laden breeze
stirred the atmosphere; the loveliest
flowers blossomed here and there, and
in the background saw an old castle,
ivy grown and massive. from the height
of whose gray tower there fluttered
crimson pennant. Before me stood
young man, sword in hand, in strange
attire, his form clothed in rich black
velvet and decked with profusion Of
feathery lace l marvelled, for he was
q stranger to me, yet l had vague rec
ollection that l had seen him before.
Where was it? Icudgelled my brain in
vain. Looking down, beheld myself
in raiment like his own, save that there
was less lace and wore heavy riding
boots, while he had none. The gleam OF
another sword reflected my inquiring
wondering glance. Near him lounged
companion, in similar costume, who
scowled darkly at me.
"Allons! messieurs!"
The exclamation recalled my scattered
senses, and instinctively placed myself
on guard, the other doing likewise.
Click! click! The swords met-my foil
had by some process been nmetamorphosed
into keen rapier-and the blades moved
cautiously. All! mnge! "Mon Dieu!'
whispered some one, drawing a quick
breath, as if fearing for my safety. The
thrust was close, but Iparried with light
ming rapidity and forced my antagonist
to give way. Once! twice!-his blade
glided along my own like metal snake
and came perilously near, but my wrist
was now like knit steel, and for the third
time evaded fate. Passion seized me
then.-for what reason | can not tell-and
my sword became swift as a bar of sun
light Click! click! an incredibly quick
movement! cry! All, my God! The
blood spouted from his breast, and he
fell heavily, while some one laid hand
upon my shoulder and whispered, ex-
ultantly: "Bien! c'est magnifique!' l
turned to mechanically grasp the hand
of another strange actor in this stranger
drama-my second, presumably-and l
experienced o sense of triumph.