Evening journal., 1892-01-08
A SINGULAR COMBAT.

AbAhh us bAAnalhANltu bA lut ttHb9IhLlOn AOI
Louis XVIII, and innumerable quarrels
and bloody duels were the result. In
Paris the two factions met more numer-
ousiy at the Palais Royal than at any other
given point, and here the insult, the chal-
lange and its acceptance followed each
other in rapid succession and both parties,
Immediately adjourning to some conyen-
lent locality IN the vicinity, not unfre-
quently settled the whole affair within the
hour.
Ia this state Of affairs it behooved every
man o. mark to be good swordsman and
a dead shot, as about the only means of
prolonging his life, for II known to be in
ferior In the use Of deadly weapons he was
almost certain to be involved in a quarrel
with some skillful antagonist, who would
take both pride and pleasure In sending
him out Of existence.
Wherever dueling is fashionable, there
are always more or less protested duelists-
men who have trained themselves TO fight
with deadly weapons, who know all the
nice points Of advantage and how to OBJ
tain them, who have sehooled their nerves
to an iron rigidity, and their features, man
ners and language to expressa perfect con-
fidenee In their success, and who boast OF
glory in their individual prowess, and tho
number Of victims they have murderously
sent out Of the world.
Yet these same apparently bold, daring,
reckless and bloody minded men are gen
orally towards at heart, and have really as
much fear Of danger as those whese tim
idity is made glaringy manifest; but, like
the professional gambler they have been
trained TO 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 it is only necessary to have
Il 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
mployers-though, as we have already
stated they generally took good care to
know all the fighting qualities and lido
syncrasies Of the proposed victim before
actually closing the bargain Of blood; and
il they discovered too much danger ia the
case they readily invented such an excuse
as would save both their lives and credit;
for who would dare question the motives
and courage Of men so famous for bloody
deedsf Sometimes, however, they made
serious mistakes, Notwithstanding all their
nice calculations, and then the world be-
came a trihe better for suddenly getting
rid Of a human curse.
There were others who fought for the
mere love Of fighting, because their COM
bative and destructive organs would never
LAT rnaf In n
ways ready for anybody and any mode, it
being immaterial TO them whether they
were to fire at their antagonist at ten
PAGES. cross swords with him at one, or be
tied TO him for quick settlement with
dlrks. Then again there We're others who
fought TO revenge sights, both real and
fancled, or TO settle personal or political
animosities, or because they were embit-
tered by disappointment, 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 eccen-
tricities displayed, for where dueling was
so common that an ordinary meeting
would scarcely be mentioned on the fol-
lowing day, certain persons were sure to
seek 10 make themselves remembered by
some popularity that could not fail TO be
long talked OF for its novelty.
Most Of these duels, as we have init
mated, were between partisans-b between
Royalists and Imperialists-and when they
met at the Palais Royal, the great head
quarters Of Paris, the mode OF insult was
simple and easy. A saucy look, a grimace,
or a smile Of contempt was frequently suf
ficient to draw forth challenge; but ii
these failed a jostle, push or a tread on
the foot was always certain TO be a success.
One day an Imperialist officer, one Cap
tain Honitan, who was suffering from
govt, was slowly hobbling along under the
famous wooden gallery Of the palace in
| question when, being somewhat pressed
| by the crowd, and fearful Of being injured
In his suffering limb, he took sudden
l step aside, and accidentally trod on the
foot Of an officer Of the Royal guard Quick
as lightning the latter, young man Of
spirit and fire, seized the former by the
nose and then cuffed him on both sides OF
the head. The face Of the Imperialisl
turned deadly pale as he said, quite calm
/ ly and politely, evidently controlling his
passion by a master effort Of the will;
Il would have spologized for what was
really an accident had not monsieur put
it out Of my powern
81 do not want an apology from such a,
you" was the insulting reply.
"Your nameW demanded the other.
Lieutenant Duvais, o4 the Royal guard
at your service"
II shall remember reioined Captain
Honitan, as he turned to depart.
Pray do not forget, said the lieutenant
at the same time treading heavilyupon tn
equity foot of the captain, and thus draw
ing from him aninvoluntary cry Of pain.
Duyais then walked away with prou,
aud naughty air leaving the other suffer
ing fearfully from pain and rage. AS sooi
as he could extricate himself from tn
crowd, the captain called for a carriage
and was quickly driven out OF sight
For whole week Lieutenant Duvais n
manned in momentary expectation Of
/ challenge from the man be had so grossl
insulted, but none came. Another wee
! passed away and the Imperialist was nc
! heard from.
He is a coward and unworthy Of my n,
r tice, said the dashing young officer, wit
r proud smile of contempt.
why, what could you expect Of a ma
D who doubtless disgraced himself at Waite
, loop rejoined one Of his brother officer
o with a sneer.
BAH this comes Of plebeian bloc
e Henrin
Months passed away and Henri Duvai
Y who was the youngest son Of an anciel