Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-09-15
A STRANGE DUEL.
Fought in the Parlor of a Physi-
 cian's Home.
The Man of Medicine Engages in Deadly Battle with a Soldier Dur ing the Absence of His
 Family,

who tells story that savors more of the days of George III. than of the practical nineteenth century. His name cannot be given, says the Chicago Times, but were it known his tale, TO- mantle as it is, would be accepted with out question, as he is well known and respected. Early in August, he said, two residents of Chicago met at club. They were Dr. Lee, formerly of the United States service, and Lieut.. Fair child, who still wears army blue. Dur ing the evening they quarreled. What brought on the quarrel is not known. It might have been a dispute over a trifing matter that developed into something worse, or it might have been difference over social game of cards. The quarrel was apparent enough-too much so-and friends parted them.
 The next day Lieut.. Fairchild, not very much to his surprise, received a challenge. He was a soldier and brave. His reply was prompt. He accepted and named his friend. As to place, that was more difficult. Dr. Lee offered his own home. Lieut.. Fairchild, with chivalric confidence, accepted the propo- sition. It was agreed that the weapons should be German swords, such as are used in the famous university duels, long straight steel blades sharpened to the lzeenness of razor for three inches from the point and dull the remainder.
 The two principals, with one second and gentleman who had been selected as referee, met in the parlor of the physicians home. There had been another second selected, but at the last moment he showed the white feather However it was decided the fight should go on without him.
 Dr, Lee had sent his family away on a visit, which gave the duelists a clear field. The furniture was removed from the parlOr, leaving the good-sized room clear of everything but the carpet. Lit tie time was spent in preliminaries, and as the steeple clocks were hurrying on toward the midnight hour the two an- tagonists faced each other in shirt and trousers. while on either side stood the two witnesses, each with sword in hand. For a moment after they had bowed to each other courteously the two duelists stood facing each other waiting. Then low but sharp and clear came the words: Ready, go." The bright steel blades flashed and met with a wicked clang that sent the sparks flying. In the eyes of both flashed the fires of hate and battle.
 One minute, two, touch, the swords were lowered reluctantly. Again the blades hissed as they coiled about each other trying to reach the flesh beyond The duelists were well matched. Out side of it's possible tragical outcome 1t was pretty fight. So say the witness es. The men struggled and fought like vikings of old, with no advantage to either. A half hour passed Hot and weary, the duelists tried every skill of l fencing, every known device, to get in- | side the others guard, to no effect. But this could not last forever. Dr. Lee made a sharp attack. His long sword leaped over the guard of his antagonist and the next second big crimson spot | dyed the sleeve of Lieut.. Fairchild. The swords were beaten up and an examin- ation made. "A mere scratch" said the wounded man, and he insisted on going on with the fight.
 His insistence left nothing but to go ahead The sword of the physician had passed through the feshy part of the upper portion of the arm. The wound was bound up and the duelists again took their places. Now the lieutenant fought more cautiously and stood more on his defense. His opponent, reQdered confident by success, attacked savagely.
 Round and round the apartment, now spattered with blood, the two contes- tants went, cutting, thrusting, parry ing, until suddenly the lieutenant's sword glided under the physicians arm and bright red spot appeared on the | breast.
 Another halt, but the wounded man, as his opponent had done before him, insisted on proceeding. The end was approaching.
 Fatigued with loss of blood the phy- sician failed in his guard and again the line of steel sprang forth, and this time when it came back after it poured a crimson torrent. That ended the fight The witnesses declared bruised honor amply bathed in blood. The duelists agreed and shook hands as gentlemen should. The physician bound up both his own and his antagonists wounds, sent out for a case of champagne, and in it's sparkling flow the two former an- tagonists swore renewed friendship. Both were laid up for few days, but convenient excuses were found for the care with which the lieutenant used his arm and the physician protected his breast.
 The parlor was cleaned and furniture restored long before the return of the family, and they never knew so ghastly a thing as a duel had occurred there. No more did anyone outside of the four persons who were present until now.
 1 The Charles Dudley Warner in Harpers Magazine, puts the case of the American girl this way: "If the American girl goes in seriously for repose, she will be , able to give odds to any modern languid- ity or to any ancient marble. If what Is wanted in society is cold hauteur and 1 Ian nor11il S11nerci lin1snesS OF lnftu irnr1an-