Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-10-13
At THE SALE D'hRMES

NJ. Beaujais. maitre d'armes. having
given you so stern and excellent a lesson
in the fencing that you could with diff
ticulty see out of your eyes, would III
order to create short breathing space.
spin stories-some true, some untrue,
many with point, and all without "a
moral. Is thus.
lie Capitaine Larne-yes, he was the
worst fcncer in my school, particularly,
as | recolect. at the time of which | am
speaking. Always his moustache grew
finer. but not his workmanship. 1t eX-
planned itself one afternoon when he
came down to sale very beaming. and it
was generally known that he had recent
ly become bctrothed to very beautiful
lady. You younger will be able to lndI-
cate why it il at this period that a man
sword arm is stiff. Naturally, he re-
cciyed the utmost fluctuations, tor he
was OF good temper and popularity be
yond words. Still / happened to hear
Nj. COnstant-a little rat OF civilian The
had been most assiduous with the epee
for some weeks past) say to him with an
air that any one less happy than NJ. le
Capitaine would have taken for imper-
thence:
Il have not yet congratulated you on
your good fortune
'Ah, what needY' said lie capitaine,
in his lazy, good-natured way Il pro-
test that all my friends are of an ever
whelming kindness. | perceive your con
CALCULATIONS iii your eye, monsieur"
You younger will be able to explain
why at this period a man sees so many
things that are not obvious. To me il
seemed as if NJ. Constants eye was like
that of vicious horse, but he neither
aSSputed nor COutTadicted
Shall we have a turn together with
the cpeey' he asked shortly.
NJ. lie Capitaine agreed, and they were
soon pltted against each other for bout
Of five. There "ere many fencing in
the sale ana l was myself inStructing
a pupil but my ears are accustomed to
hear things through the cat of the steel.
"IouChe." admitted le capitainc in
very short time. Again and vet again
he was touched-the last time with a
stroke that would have dissected his
lungs. "Toucher' he called.
That is for the fifth time, is it not?"
SAID NJ. Constant
1T is true" said NJ. lie Capitaine,
laughing
Yesterday it was the same" cont:n-
ued NJ. Constant. Five touches to No h
ing"
you are irresistible" said the other,
humoring him. Also for several weeks
voice, our bouts have ended themselves
in the same manner"
Exactly the same" admitted le capi-
tame, again laughing. Il am no match
for you. | would not stand against you
in earnest for the world
And yet said Constant--and a sheer
came into his voice-"M. le Captaine
larne would sooner fight me than be
publicly announced coward?"
At that VI. le Capitaine took him up
quickly enough. What is your mean
ing, monsieur?" he said,
a little while ago." said Constant Il
observed that | had not yet congratulate
"Well?'
Il do not intend to-
1T can be dispensed with" said lie
capitaine. smiling contemptuously.
For this reason" went on the little
man, insultingly. that | consider the
fortune too good for-shall we say-so
clumsy fcncer? | do not, ii is under
stood, quarrel with lie capitaine's good
taste; Oh the contrary. l propose myself
10 console ma 'mselle in the event OF the
unexpected loss OF NJ. lie Capitaine."
could have shaken the little man.
Here he had been practicing with the
epee for weeks past out of jealousy, III
order that he might force Il duel on NJ.
ie Captainc and come out himself UNI
hurt For a moment | feared lie Capt.
tame would actually shake him. for he
made step toward him with so angry Il
face that the little man shrank back in
terror But he restrained himself. no
doubt from consideration of my feelings
and the convenances Of the sale, and
only said.
Il shall have much pleasure in asking
my friend to arrange a meeting between
monsieur and myself"
And he retired, drawing himself tOccth-
touch him were an abomination. As for
myself. | murmurcd with reference to
the little ra), "ASSaSSin! Further Nte-
ing that NJ. le Capitaine was with me
a great favoritc, | permitted myself. as
Nj. Constant passed by to scrapr up a
friend the had Il few, 10 say in a Saf-
hciently loud voice as if answering some
question put me 10y my pupil;
Who is in my opinion, you ask best
with the epee Of those that attend my
salle$"
My pupil stared. as well he might. but
NJ. Constant pricked up his ears.
Il do not in general. | proceeded.
make distinctions. but without doubt"
NJ Constant stopped To listen.
Without doubt, | said deliberately.
lit is Nj. lie Capitaine Larue."
but" put in Nj. Constant excitedlv.
Il have just, touched him five times to
nothing in Il bout"
"Ah. monsieur" | said smiingly. "aS.
surcdly you also are becoming an excel
lent fepcer. Your practice is most com
mendable; but here in the sale Nj IL
Capitaine plays-hr does NOT exert his
skill. In duel shrugged my shout.
! ders-"I myself should not care to NEE,
| him"
| 1t was lie. but how much better n liz
! than an assassination. | perceived thnt
! VI. Constant departed in great haste. and
! almost | could vow that his teeth chat.
! tered rs he went What happened?
1t was. reported that Nj. le Capitainf
| was much enraged To he kept waiting in
! the morning. for his bravery WAS in
duhitahle; But il appeared that NJ. Con
Staut had conceived SO pressing am nd.
miration for the colonies that he fni,
1 himself compelled 10 leave for Tnu,nir
lay, the night train. He was Gftlc rgt
r. L. Ncrucde in Black and White
\ Strange French Clock.
\ strange clock was made dariu.. tho
last century for French uohlcnan M,
dial was horizontal and IN, figures L's