Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-23
THE RAM0NET DUEL.


think. howevxx, that when the thing re-
,ceived Is blow GA the face the distinc-
tion Is not likely 70 be appreciated by
the recipients. This was NJ. Ramonet's
opinion and he had had experience.
he was dining ia restaurant with his
friends Peignot, Glousseax and Mon
pate, and the first named person had in
the heat Of argume at struck hun on the
face. The proprien)r Of the restaurant,
not wishing u hsve,any disturbance, re-
sassted the party 70 adjourn 10 small
room mp stairs for the purpose OF set
Ting the difficulty.
Gl0usseux opened the discussion, say
ing steFnly, 1T seems 20 me. gentlemen,
that my friend Ramoaet cannot be ex-
pected 70 take blow without demand
ing satisfsc hon
''Or he aiSht bring a suit for dam
ages, said Mcnpate more mildly.
Yes, " courser cried Ramonet and
Peignot. both evidently preferring the
last named measure.
81 shall speak of that later" said
Gloasseux-and u SIGH Of relief escaped
the parties most concGned-"but We
must first" BE added, .'tscerts,in whether
NJ Peignot - willing to apologize to my
f4end Rsmouet"
'sIshould ACCEPT SAID che injured man
timidly. bat Pelgnot. thinking he al
luded 20 twenty i've francs damages,
exclaimed Never
Very we'll said Glousseux briskly.
ssThat being tho case we must now de-
eide whether the assault constituted a
slap or blow, SIS there isia great differ
enoe between the two"
Peignot thought the difference might
consist of hundred francs in the way
OF damages, 20 he fastened TO declare
that IL was merely slap, while Ramo-
net remarked, "All know about IL is
that | saw stars"
1T Is the law In affairs of honor
said Glousssax, ''that q slap calls for a
personal meeting. whilo blow Is mere
ly the act Of a boor and may be referred
TO the police for psnalty."
Ramonat and Peignot on hearing this
exclaimed simultaneously that it was a
blow, bat Gloasseux begged them not
70 speak hastily and then added:
"a blow with the fist produces dull,
solid thud, whereas q slap Is sharp and
resembling. Now I will leave 1t to
Monpsts 10 say whether it sounded like
pouf or like ciackF'
The gentleman appealed to replied
that truth compelled him TO say that
he had heard clackl
Besides that" said Giousseux tn
umphantly. ''it Ia evident from the red
mark ON my friends left cheek that it
was a slap he received. We have now,
gentlernen. nothing moro 20 do but 10
arrange the details Of the meeting
Menpate, you and I are willing to act
"a seconds. arerwe nOtf'
Here Rsmenst, evidently enlightened
by the stars he had seen. opened his lips
TO suggest a compromise, bat Monpate
interrupted him.
Will you take as, or do you prefer TO
seek others? No? Very we'll. we ac-
cspt the honor you offer u.s."
And a grave responsibility it is"
aided Glousseux; "tbe lives of two fell
low creatures arr concerned"
The seconds converted in whispers for
few minutes, and then Glousseux re-
marked.
"Ramonet. you have the choice Of
arms, and l counsel you to select
swords.
AT how many pacesT gssped Peig.
not
There Is no question Of PAGES. lex
planned Monpate That is only when
pistols are uscd. The sword is infinitely
preferable. for il seldom kills. but al
ways wounds.
"And in neither case renders the com
basants ridiculous. added Glousseux
Il shall attend % the weapons. and
Monpate viii engage the surgeon
The surgeon repeated RamOnst un-
easily.
Certainly. but you need not worry
about anything leave il AL ~ rs You
have nothing to do but 10 90 10 the APP
pointed rlacs &C the appointed hour.
Now. ny friend. hold mp your head
and walk proudly through that crowd
u journalists down stairs, and lst those
who witnessed the insult ron received
also So that you have exacted satisfse-
ton a. becomes gentleman -
Gould We not 20 ont by the side
door, asked Rarnonet zloomilY.
.sYss. | know the wsv. Follow NE. -
eaid Pei,-not and they escaped without
r.turulne 70 the dining room.
The next morning ~ precisely half
past 30 = carriage stopped &C a short
distance fronf The spot agreed npou. snd
the seconds aIigbfed. followed BY the
rhrsie,an. GIeasseux carried the swords
unaaf ass chask
after short walk they reached the
spot. aud lr Rousselle. a jolly. round
fa,.a,f persoa sai.i cbecrily.
AT the watchnsn cottage there Is a
well stocked harnvsrl aad an excellent
6shponti / have been there before.
While " wsit I vii 20 and order din
rer 10 voa like duck
eVerv much. said tIlousseux. "tot
Suppose thev arrive while von are gene. "
"Ths 6uesse
~N8. cur principais
they can tsgia without me. D. ven
prefer thesn roastei ~ fricassed2 How
would sols g. wifh cnhus2 Do yop iiks
eelsf-
Il sfere fhern ssi5 Monpste, but
Tn san hardly get back m time. and
.sss viii e.srtainiv - a..sz}ed.r