New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-18
A DISAPPOINTED DUELLIST.
ARMAND JACOBY WAITED IN VAIN FOR HIS
ADVERSARY.
CAPTAIN NICOLAS, WITH WHOM HE WAS TO
FIGHT. NEVER TURNED CP-A LOT OF
FENCERs MD MILITARY MEN SAT
AROUND FOR THREE iIOU RS-M

FIGHT. NEVER TURNED CP-A LOT OF
FENCERs MD MILITARY MEN SAT
AROUND FOR THREE HorEs-MUcH
GLOWING ARDOR BUT NO BLOOD.
A number Of expert swordsmen were gathered
10 witness duel yesterday morning In the double
parlor OF No. Is West Forty-fourth-st.. which
is the sale darmes Of Armand Jacoby the
fencing master of the New-York Athletic Club.
There were perhaps twenty swordsmen alto
gether representing the various athletic CLUBS
OF the city the fencing clubs and Troop "A.
An atmosphere of unusual expectancy hung
about the hall. The foils and rapers In their
racks along the walls seemed to wear sinister
look while the carefully marked floor and the
half-shaded windows spoke Of the something
about to occur. which was explanation enough
for the presence Of the swordsmen.
The people sat about in groups speaking In
low tones of blades and duels OF old and Of meet
ings on the field Of honor 1t existed fifty
years ago. Among them were Frederic r. Cou-
dert ir. Laurence Myers and NJ. Vauthier. OF the
New-York Fencers' Club; Mr.. Bradley OF Troop
A. and a number OF New-YOrk Athletic Club men.
But the person to whom all attention was given
was NJ Jacoby, the fencing master himself.
NJ Jacoby was patiently waiting for fight
He was all ready, ncrved to the tension OF thrust
and parry. He declared that he was perfectly
composed. perfectly confident, perfectly easy;
nevertheless he paced back and forth across the
lined floor OF his hall Of arms and looked oiteh
from the windows into Forty-fourth-st. NJ
Jacobv is n Frenchman of medium stature, with
red hair and red beard and mustache. He came
over here from Paris about five years ago to be
the master Of arms at the New-Yovk Fencers
Club. He a swordsman Of repute and
member of the Societe de Secours Mutuel des
Maitres d'Arnes, the Academic d'Armes ana
other schools of fencing in Paris In accepting
tho ros,ion at the F'encers' Club he deprived
Captain Hippolyte Nicolas Of the place. ever
since which time the Captain has been wanting
to stick NJ. Jacoby. -
It was to look for Captain Nlcoas that Hi
Iocpbv went so often to the window yesterday
morning; and it was for the coming or captain
Nicolas that the swordsmen assembled IN the
sale d'armes in Forty-fourth-st. were wal,lns
for NJ Jacobv had said that he would consent
IN fight the Nicolas man on. Jacoby says Nicolas
is not a captain) in his sale II he wouid SNOW
himself there yesterday morning
NJ Jacoby equipped in usht-ntung' pau-
ded suit of white linen. and was In prime con-
dition for a duel. There were TWO or three pairs
Of duelling blades at one side OF the room whicn
had been taken from their racks and which also
were I'm prime condition for use. The men from
the athletic clubs and tine Fencers' too were
just spelling for the tray.
"I told YOU he ez one coward, he said. shrug
oing his shoulders and looking at the assembled
gentlemen He will not come-he eZ re great
coward-he can blow very great-but he VIII
nevare fight - :. - g,
o.clock: Nicolas had not appeared Jacoby went
IN the window to look a last time for his man
There was no one in sight. Then he came BACK
across the marked floor, hung up the dueiing
blades shrugged his shoulders and said again:
lyon ze-he Is one coward he will nevare
fight" .s ,os,ardov
ot The New-York Fencers' Association In East
Eortv-dfth-st where he has his headquarters
The place was locked and there was not even
hell on the door TO announce visitors