Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-11-12

fought in room where all light had
been shut out. These were the battles
Of the western barbarians. 1t has re-
manned for Europe to reduce the duel
in the dark to an art.
Giovanni Rossi is an actor of dis
tinction. He is descended from a
famous ancestry, but his family became
impoverished and shortly after he
reached manhood ne adopted the stage.
On several occasions Sig Rossi found
1t necessary to maintain his social dig
nifty at the point of Che sword. There
were those who cast siurs on him be-
cause Of his profession and these slurs
he was never slow to avenge. Several
men fell $efore him on the field Of
honor and as a result he came to en-
JOY almost as great reputation as a
duellist as he enjoyed as an actor,
which leads up to the STORY of most
remarkable duel.
e. Rossi was on the stage at Cassala.
He was playing in an Italian tragedy
and had just reached the climax when
sharp hiss from one of the stage
boxes sounded suddenly in the silence.
The entire house heard 1t. The hiss
rendered the actor speechless for mo-
ment and utterly ruined the scene. He
recovered, however, and went on with
his part as well as he could. The cur
tain dropped, the play ended, and the
audience filed out discussing the hiss
merely as an incident and expecting TO
hear no more Of 1t. But In this they
were mistaken. 1t had fatal ending.
Among the last to leave the play
house came the man VINO had been
guilty of the Kissing. Hidden in the
rear Of the box, few in the houle had
seen and recognized him. But Rossi
had noted him well. From his posi-
ton on the stage he had clear view
of the man, who turned out to be the
Count Travoni, with whom ROssi had
had a quarrel in Paris years before.
Just as Travoni stepped out of the
theater he was confronted by the
actor, who was still in his stage cos
tune, though enveloped by heavy
cloak. Without word Rossi struck
the count a blow across the face. At
once there was an uproar. The people
closed about the two. Count Travoni
was as pale as death.
"You shall give me satisfaction! he
cried. as soon as he had recovered the
power Of speech.
whenever the count pleases," re-
sponded Rossi.
NOW this instant" declared Ira
voni. 81 will not wait single hour.
We can find weapons"
Certainly" assented the actor,
cheerfully. IF the count will accom-
pany me to my hotel we will have not
the slightest difficulty. I have pistols
there and he may take his choice"
They jumped into a carriage that
stood in waiting and soon ratified up to
the door of Rossi's hotel, the actor still
clothed as for the stage. They went at
once to his room. This Is as good
place as any" suggested Rossi. I'VE
may dispose of our little affair right
here"
with pleasure" responded the 9TH
err. 81 want no delay"
The actor took from his trunk a pair
of fine dueling pistols, loaded one, and
handed the other, with cartridges, to
his opponent. This ceremony disposed
o. they were just about to step to OPP
site sides of the room when a sharp
knocking at the door interrupted them.
1t was the landlord, who insisted upon
entering. There was nothing for it but
to open the door. The landlord was adj
mitted after the pistols had been hid
den. Rossi finally succeeded in induc-
ing him to leave the room, though he
said that ne would keep a close watch,
and at the first sign of trouble would
bring the police down On them.
"There is nothing for it," said Rossi
to the count, after the landlord had
gone, except to fight in the dark"
"How?" demanded the other, in
amazeme1t.
eve must fight in the dark" repeated
the actor-"that is" he added, with
biting irony, "if your courage has en-
dured."
The taunt fairly drove the count
wild. He said he would fight in The
dark or in the light, in the house q
on the roof, or anywhere else.
"But how can we see?" he asked
"How are we to aim?"
"By the spark of our cigarettes We
will count together draw until ouI
cigarettes blaze and then fire."
The landlord, satisfied that the
trouble had been smoothed over, wen
downstairs again.
Five minutes later two shots tina
came almost as one sounded through
the hotel. Instantly there was rusf
for the room occupied by the actor
The door was locked but without hest
tation the landlord and those who haC
come to assist him forced it. An at
mosphere dense with smoke almos
stified them. But they could see moth
ing. There was not a CLEAN Of ligh
in the room. From one corner, how
ever. there came a moaning sound AM
the noise Of deep, labored breathing
A light was struck and then the Coun
Travoni Tas found lying beside tn
wall