The National tribune., 1892-12-29
A FRENCH DUEL.
A Bloodthirsty Affair in which Nobody was
Hurt. -3 'i

| Hurt. 5i
| During the scrimmage in the French
Chamber of Deputies over the Panama rob-
berry the lie passed between Deputies
Clemenceau and Deroulede. That both
lied was probably entirely true, as it was
an enthusiastic symposium of lying all
around, and the man who WAS not
doing more or less vigorous mendacity was
simply not holding up his end. But this
concrete statement of fact called loudly for
blood, and lots of it, All the French pas
sion for theatrical display Immediately pos
sessed both parties to this little interchange
Of "epitaphs," as Mrs. Partington would
say.
| The highest experts in the matter OF
damaged honor were called in, and they
solemnly decided that the two Deputies must
| fight duel with pistols at 25 paces-about
| the length of building lot--each to fire six
| shots, and have the privilege of advancing
three PAGES after each shot. The Partisan
papers issued extras giving these blood
| curdling details. @ &3ea elscz
Then they issued extras telling of the
departure of the combatants for the field of
gore The cablegrams give an abstract Of
these heartrending descriptions:
The parting between Deroulede and his friends
on his start for the dueIihg ground very
affecting. He embraced and kissed them repeat.
edly and assured them that he would die in man
ner worthy of the Legion of Honor. When one of
his friends expressed a hope that the encounter
would not have fatal result Deroulede shook his
head mournfuly.
M. Deroulede fully expected, he declared. to lose
his life. but he had no regrets to express for what
few locks of his hair between them, and then
stepped into cab with his seconds and was driven
rapidly toward the new race course at st. Ouen.
Meantime C,emenceau likewise prepared to go
to the scene Of the mortal combat. He gave di-
rectons usual about the issue Of La Justice and
left orders as TO the management of the paper in
the event OF any fatality occurring to him. The
Staff crowded around their Chief, and he kissed
and embraced them each In turn, while some of
them shed tears and begged him not to expose
himself to more danger than necessary. M. Glenn
enceau gently rebuked these advisers. II have
stood on the field of honor too often" he remarked
Ito have any apprehension now" esf
Reading this brief account one expects
that the ground will be dyed q deep crimson
for rods around, as soon as the fight begins.
What must they have expected who read
the accounts, of which this a cold condensa-
ton? Cab loads of reporters followed the
duelists to the sanguipary field. M. Gle
menceau being careful to have his paper
fully represented by the best descriptive
talent on the staff. Not to be behind him,
M. Delourede had several expert photog-
TapheT6 with K0QakS.
The cablegrams go On to describe the
scene before the fight:
The seconds measured off Is PAGES and the Sur
geon who accompanied the party produced a case
Of implements ready for immediate use. The two
antagonists were pale. DerouIede kept his eye on
the loading Of the pistols, while Ciemenceau walk
ed about in the paddock, waiting for the word
The pistols having been loaded the prineipals
faced each other without apparent emotion aud re-.
ceived the weapons
The only effect of the first shot was TO
scare a man sitting on the fence so that he
hastily climbed down. The combatants
clamored for another shot, as well thew
might-there was nothing dsagreeable in
any number of shots of that kind 1t was
noticeable, however, that neither took adj
vantage of the provision that each might
advance three PAGES at every shot. The dis
tance seemed to suit them very we'll They
wanted more rather than less of it. The
second shot seemed to make the seconds and
spectators nervous, as they moved farther
away with some haste. The report goes on:
NJ. Clemenoeauc coolly raised his weapon again
friend rushed forward and pressed hope that the
combatants would consider their honor sa,isfed and
cease the murderons encounter. Both declared
that they must have another shot and the solicit
Gus friend hastily retired TO a distance.
Again, the only result was to alarm the
bystanders, and the seconds, who seemed to
feel in the most danger, rushed to the prn-
cipais and insisted that they must stop,
since their honor and their courage were
both brilliantly vindicated. This the fire.
eaters at last consented to do. II
The two duellists overwhelmed with con-
graiulations on the courage and coolness they boi
had exhibited on the trying occasion aud were
escorted back by crowds Of admirers gs. ~
Nowhere else in the world but France
could such scene as this have occurred.
Had two Congressman gone to the field with
such fanlarronade life insurance COM
pany would not have taken a risk on them