The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-27
A Famous DueIIist.
From Chamhers,s journal.

duellists at the period of the restoration of
the Bourbons in 1876 when scarcely a day
passed without a hostile meeting. was the
Court de Larilliere, a native of Bordeaux
AT that time he was a man of about thir-
ty-hve-tall, well made, and with polished
manners. His appearance indeed, utterly
Delled the recklessness of his disposition.
one day, as he was walking with a
friend in the principal street of Bordeaux,
he saw approaching them one OF the rich
est and most respected merchants of the
town, with his newly married wife on his
arm. Larllliere advanced toward them,
hat in hand, with all the outward SEM
blance of well-bred man about to make
a speech of more than ordinary politeness.
Il beg your pardon" said he, address,
ing himself to the merchant, who, with
his wife, had halted abruptly but 1 have
Just made a bet with my friend whom
! have the honor of presenting to you
here he introduced his friend in due form
hat VIII kiss your wife on your arm
the merchant, knowing the Count s
character and reputation, here became
deathly pale-"after having given you a
box on the ear"
Saying this, the miscreant stared i'm
pudently in the face of the amazed mer-
chant, and in spite of all the resistance he
could offer, put both threats into inme-
date execution. A challenge and a meet
ms followed, which resulted in the in
Jured party receiving his death wound
ara the aggressor going forth in search
of new victims.
In course of time Larilliere had fought
upward of forty duels and was able 10
boast OF having killed no fewer than
eleVen Individuals. He was now bent
upon making up his dozen, after which
he proposed to rest, and continue his
practice with the new cavalry saber. to
Whlch ne mad taken strong fancy. This
laudaole desire was not destined to be
Iedilzed' however. for he was himself kill
ed IN duel, under strange circuustan noes
a few days after the death of his e1eventb
and last victim. N'-'i
On the evening of a masked hall az The
Grand Theater at Bordeaux, Lariiliere was
seated in the adjoining cafe. IT was ahout
IL o CLOCK, and the Count not being in a
very quarrelsome humor, was occunied in
peacefully imbibing a glass of punch. Sud
uehly TAN young man, wearing a black
ooHlho and black velvet mask. entered
eie t"oil ana strode up to the table at
"hlch the formidable Count was seated
NO particular notice was taken of the
newcomer at first. but no sooner was he
observed TO be in close vicinity of I4aril
Heres table than all eyes were attracta0
toward him. Without single prelirninar ~
observation he seized hold of the Count's
glass; threw away the punch it contained
ana ordered the waiter in a loud voice to
orlng a small bottle or orgeat In its place
witnesses of the scene say that at this
moment for the first time in their lives
they saw that Larilliere had turned male
1t was the common belief in Bordeaux thas
curing all the years this man had been
applying himself TO the work of tlestruc
non ne had never once allowed his coun,
tenance to betray te slightest emotion.
Scoundrel!' he exclaimed, you do not
know who 1 am at the same time making
vigorous but unsuccessful effort to re-
move the strangers mask.
Know who you are perfectly WELL"
the other replied coldly, forcing Larilliere
violently back into his seat.
All present started to their feet ann
without Venturing to interfere, anxiouslv
waited the issue of this strange provoca-
ton.
Waiter" exclaimed the stranger, "be
quick with that bottle of orgeat!''
At this second command the bottle was
Drought, and the masked man, drawing
pistol from his pocket, proceeded to ad-
dress his adversary thus:
Unless in the presence of this COM
pany, and for my own personal satisfac-
ton, you at once swallow this glass of
orgeat, viii blow your brains out with
less conjunction than I would those of a
dog. should you, however, comply with
my bidding, will do you the honor of
fighting you tomorrow morning."
with the saber?" demanded LariIliere
convulsed with rage.
with what weapon Won n1ease" 70
Piled the stranger disdainfully
Whereupon the Count swallowed the or
geat, every one present preserving a
deathlike silence
The masked man, satisfied with the re-
suit, now retired, saying in a. voice loud
enough to be heard by all in the room:
To-day have humbled you sufficiently
tomorrow l intend to take your life. NV
seconds will wait upon you at 8 O'Clock in
the morning. We will fight on the spot
where you killed the young Chevalier de
C" This was the name of the Counts
last victim.
The following morning Larilliere found
himself in the presence of man, no longer
wearing mask, who appeared to be some
five-and-twenty years old. and of a calm
and dignified but singularly resolute hear
ing. His seconds were two private SOL
diers belonging to one of the regiments of
she garrison. They brought weapons with
them, but Larilliere's seconds took excep-
ton to them, at which a scarcely percept,-
bic smile passed over the strangers face,
The combat commenced, and at the first
passes the Count was convinced that ha
had to deal with a sl1Ilful antagonist
However, his courage did not fail him
though at times he seemed to lose some
what of his customary composure. Lunges
and parryings succeeded each other with
rapidly on both sides. Larilliere had al
ready tried his usually fatal finishing
thrust more than once, but each time onlv
90 find his effort turned aside by his adj
versary's blade.
Harassed at finding his efforts unavailinr
he insolently remarked to his opponent:
We'll sir at what hour do you intend
to kill me?'
A mementary silence ensued. Then the
stranger, who seemed to have profited by
that slight interval to assure himself that
the advantage lay decidedly with him
quietly remarked. Immediately"
Rushing forward. he thrust the point NJ
his sword through his adversary. who
sprang backward, tottered, and sank into
the arms of his nearest second.
Putting his right hand on the wound. the
Count was just able to say:
THAT, sir, is not sabre cut: II is a
thrust with the point. With the sabre
feared no one" and in a few minutes he
fell back dead.
The stranger now advanced politely to-
ward the seconds of the man he had slain