The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-16
END OF A DUELIST.

END OF A DUELIST.
Sixty or more years ago there flour
ished in France a class of bullies the
most detestable one could conceive,
men who had perfected themselves in
the use of arms, wEo gleefully boasted
of the number of people they had done
to death, and took rank accordingly,
as Red Indian brave takes rank by
the number of scalps in his girdle.
One of these bravOs, who styled him
selef Jules de la Magny, took up his
residence in Lyons. Magny was a
man of about 10, tall, rather slim and
of a military bearing. His very feat
ures, it was said, Were intimidatory,
his pale face, without a speck of color,
being crowned by coal black hair. His
eyes were blacker still and gave him a
sinister aspect, which was increased
when be assumed his cold sini.e. This
scoundrel, who dressed elegantly, who
dined on the best-he preyed on rich
widow, who adored hirl-and affected
the most elegant and aristocratic man
ners, boasted that he meant 10 kill
eight men before the year closed. II
have a method, he said: the method
of progression. Last year il was seven,
this year eight. Behold, il is Septem
ber, and | have only accounted for five,
so this city must supply me with
three" Incredible as it may seem, the
picture is not overdrawn. These fiend-
ish butchers, with their sensitive ''hon-
or, " were as regardless of life as an
eastern despot.
NJ. de Magny opened his campaign
at Lyons with duel that pleased the
citizens. There was already a minor
bully in town, who called himself
Captain Ferreuse, and who had terror
lied the abiding for some time. 1t was
only week after DE Magny's advent
i'm the town that he insulted Captain
Ferreuse in the Palais cafe the swell
cafe of the city, one evening. He sat
down at the same table as the captain,
called for glass of wine, and when it
was brought TO him swept the cap
tain's glass of the table with his cane,
saying TO the waiter: Request this
fellow TO find another table, garcon. |
like not the society of canaille" (the
scum.
The captain replied by taking up De
Magny's glass and throwing its con-
tents in his face Monsieur only smil-
cd his cold smile and wiped his face
delicately with his perfumed handker-
chief. The meeting took place an hour
or two later, and after few passes the
captain fell with n gaping wound in his
throat. Decent people congratulated
themselves, but soon they found that
they had only exchanged King Log
for king Stork, and no man was safe.
OF course De Magny had his friends
there were always to be found dozen
or two who looked up to him As their
leader and chief, and took pride from
being recognized as a friend of so re-
dJubtable man.
Ernest SJleau was a young doctor in
the city most able young man, who
was steadily making a name for him
self. He was respected by his equals
and almost loved by the poor, from
whom he would take no fee. Shortly
after De Maguy's advent in the city he
was married, after a years engagement
to beautiful and charming girl, the
daughter of a deceased colonel. They
were passionately devoted to each 9TH
er, and it Was pure love match. They
spent their honey moon in Italy, where
they staid six weeks, it being the first
holiday the doctor had given himself
in three years.
On aSunday afternoon a week after
their return they were enjoy ing the
sunshine in the public park. They
were seated, talking and laughing mer-
rily, when by evil fortune De Magny
came by. Now, it happened that the
day after his return DIR. Soleau had
been called in TO attend the seventh
victim of DE Magny, a barrister, who
had been wantonly insulted and then
killed. The doctor, as the bravo pass
ed, could not help showing his loath-
ing. Tie cold smile that meant death
came on the face of the bully. H
walked on few yards, then turned
back, and, ignoring the husband, he
stopped before Nine. Soleau, aud with
well simulated politeness said:
Good afternoon, madame. Will
your permission | will seat myself be-
side you, and we will chat together.
love to talk to the beautiful" with
another bow.
Estelle, who had never heard of the
bravo, turned inquiring eyes on her
husband, thinking the man was either
drunk or a mailman. Soleau's face
came frightfuIly pale, and he conirnll-
ed himself with the greatest difficulty,
understanding well that De Magny
was seeking To insult him.
Monsieur" he said, ''you are speak
ing to my wife and you are offensive.
Pray leave U.s."
De Magny affected neither 10 notice
nor hear him. "Will madame give
me permission to sit beside her, or will
she take my arm for stroll? find
madame charming, and adore charm
ing women," and he made her another
sweeping bow.
eco away! Go awayr' said Estelle,
now thoroughly alarmed.