The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-28
A SINGULAR COMBAT.


Louis XVIII. and innumerable quarreis
and bloody duels were the results. Ia
Paris the two factions met more numerously
at the Palais Royal than at any other given
point, and here the insult, the challenge
and its acceptance followed each other in
rapid succession. and both parties, imme-
diately adjourning to some convenient
locality ia the vicinity, not unfrequently
settled the whole affair within an hour.
In this state of affairs it DehOoyed every
man of mark to be a good swordsmdn aud a
deadshOt as about the only means Of pro-
longing his life, for il known to be inferior
In the use Of deadly weapons, he WAS almost
certain to be involved in quarrel with
some skiliu antagonist, who would take
both pride and pleasure III sending him out
of existence
Wherever dueling is fashionable there
are always more or less professed duelists-
men who ave trained themselves to fight
with deadly weapons, who know au the
nice points Of advantage, and how to OBJ
tain them, who have schoOled their nerves
TO an iron rightly, and their features. man
ners and language TO express perfect con-
fdence in their success, and who boast of
glory in their individual prowess, and the
number Of victims they have murderously
sent out of the world. \ ct these same APP
parently bold, daring, reckless and bloody
minded men are generally towards at heart,
and have really as much fear OF danger as
those whose timidity is made glaringly
manifest: but like the professional gambler,
they have been trained 10 calculate the
chances for and against themselves, and
seldom venture on what gives promise of
doubtful issue. so that to save yourself from
the annoyance of these gentry IL is only
necessary to have it generally known that
in an affair of honor you would be quite as
likely TO kill as get killed.
There were many Of this class In Paris at
that day who actually made living by
dueling-they had their price, like the
Italian assassins OF a former period, for
getting rid OF persons obnoxious to their
employers-thOugh. as we have already
stated, they generally took good care TO
know all the lighting qualities and ldl0syn-
erasies of the proposed victim before actu,
ally closing the bargain of blood; and if
they discovered too much danger in the
case they readily invented such all excuse as
would save both their lives and credit for
who would dare question the motives and
courage Of men so famous Tor bloody deeds?
Sometimes, however, they made serious
mistakes, notwithstanding all their nice
calculations. and then the world became a
tTIfe better fer suddenly getting rid Of
human cdTSe.
There were others who fought for the
mere love of fighting, because their COM
batYe aid destructive ora would never
lei them rest in peace, and these were al
ways ready for anybody and any mode, il
being immaterial to them whether they
were to fire at their antagonist al ten PAGES,
cross swords with him at one, or TO be tied
TO him for a quick settlement with dirks.
Then again there were others who fought
10 revenge sights, both real and fancied, or
TO settle personal or political animOSities, or
because they were emblttered by djsappOint-
ment. or because they were tired of living
and did not care to commit suicide. And,
of course, IN all this range OF character
there were many eccentrlcitleS displayed,
for where dueling was so common that an
ordinary meeting would scarcely be men
toned on the following day certain persons
we're sure to seek 10 make themselves re-
membered by some peculiarly that could
not fail to be long talked OF for its novelty.
q Most OF these dueis, as we have intimated,
were between partisans-between rovaliSts
and lmperialists-and when they met at the
Palais Royal, the great headquarters of
Paris, the mode Of insult was simple and
easy. A saucy look. gTlmace, or a smile
OF contempt, was frequently sufficient to
draw forth challenge; but If these failed,
iOstle, push or tread on the foot was
always certain TO be q success.
Oae day an imperialst officer, one Cap
tain Honltan, who was suffering from gour,
was slowly hobbling along under the famous
wooden gallery of the palace in question,
wbrn, being somewhat pressed by the
crowd. and fearful of being injured in his
suffering limb, he took a sudden step aside,
and accidentally trod on the foot of an off,
Ger of the royal guard. Quick as lightning
n
seized the former by the nose and then
cuffed hiEI on both sides Of the head. The
face of tie imperiaist turned deadly pale,
as be said, quite calmly and politely, evil
IDENTITY controlling bis passion by master
effort of the will:
II would have apologized for what was
really an accident had not monsieur put It
ont OF my power"
Il do not want an apology from such as
yon." was the insulting reply.
III
Lieutenant Duvais of the royal guard,
at your service"
Il shall remember rejolned Captain
III onitan as he turned to depart.
pray do not forget" said the lieutenant
at the same time treading heavily upon the
equity foot Of the captain, and thus drawing
from him an lnvOlun tary cry of pain.
Duyals then walked away with proud
and naughty air. leaving the other suffering
fearfully from pain and rage AS soon as
lie could extrlcate himself from the crowd
the captain called for a carriage and was
quickly driven out of sight.
For whole week Lieutenant Duvais re-
NAMED in mOmeptary expectation Of a chal-
ienge from the man be Lad so grossly in
suited, but none came. Another week
passed away and the imperialist was not
heard.from.
HE is a coward, and unworthy of nv
netice, said the dashing young officer, with
proud smile Of contempt.
why, what could you expect of man
who doubtless disgraced himself at Water
loop rejOined one of his brother officers.
with a sneer.
Bah! this comes of plebeian blood.
HenriP'
Months passed away, and Henri Duyais.
VINO was the youngest son of an ancient and
honorable family ofroyalists, was promoted
to captaincy. lie had fought two duels
since his insult to Captain Honitan, but still
nothing had been heard of that officer, and
membered only as a sneering Jest. More
months passed, and Captain Duvais. aft
aneed to beautiful lady Of rank, began to
prepare for his wedding.
Inc morning OF the intended wedding-day
arrived, and Captain Henri Duvais rose
carry 10 prepare for Duptials that were to
make him the hapDiest man in Paris While
engaged at bis tUiet servant announced
visltoT-a stranger.
Il am engaged and can see no one powu
was the reply.
Il peg your pardon, Monsieur le Capt.
talne, said the voice of the stranger. who
nad followed on the heels of the servant;
oat Know you will see me-"
ANA VINO are you, sir, and why this in
trusion2" demanded the young officer in An
impeflous tone. as he eodly ran his eve
over the person OF middie-aged man in
plain citizens dress.
Il am Captain Honitan. formerly of the
''Well, SIR"
monsieur lie Capitaine seems not to know
me, out yet monsieur may have the hapni
ess 10 remember the pleasure he once had
in pulling the nose, boxing the ears. and
treading On the foot of a Quiet-lookipg
gentleman, under the gallery of the Palais
hoyai, some twelve months since"
ibis was said with the moet frao,;oa
polifeuess; but there was something awfnliv
wicked In the old gray eye of the sneakeI
as II an the time rested quietly and stsadiiy
upon the other.
Hal! said Dnvais, flushing to the tenn
pies, Il know you now; but to save your
reputation you should have come sooner.
my reputation fortnnataiy ,yos..