The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-06-29

vas 6Itdt excitement. lTOulllolOu
was asked why he had struck his COM
rade. With flushed face, bloodshot
eyes, and foaming lips, he said: 'He
has spoken disrespectfuily OF barri
cades for the purpose of again in
sulting me. No one shall insult me
without blow"
FOntaine was as white as sheet.
He trembled. Two large tears stole
down his checks. He kept his eyes
on Trouillefou: at his nonsensical re-
mark he wiped them, covered his
head with his military cap, hurled at
Trouillefou the words, "You are an
ass and a coward" and left the coffee
house. Comrades offered to accom-
pany him, but he declined their offer.
He walked straight to the chapel OF
the Virgin, fell upon his knees, and
buried himself in prayer. There he
! remained two hours. When he left
! the church he was as calm as though
nothing had happened. Nearly all
the officers Of the regiment offered
their services as seconds. He thanked
them, but declared that he had sought
advice from One "whose wisdom and
love had never deceived him." and
that he had irrevocably determined
not to challenge Trouillefou. The Of
ficers were astounded. Some remark
ed that military honor required that
he should fight. He replied that
Christian honor forbade it.; that Jesus
had set an example Of forgiveness
that no Christian ought to disregard.
Warned by others that he would be
suspected Of cowardice, he answered
that he believed he could offer better
evidence Of his courage by obeying
God than by yielding to human pre-
judice. If the army and the world
misjudged his motives, he did not
care, for God read his heart.
Although esteemed and loved by all
his comrades, Lieutenant Fontaine
could not convince them of the cor
rectness of his views. His refusal to
fight created such a commotion In the
regiment that the colonel deemed 1t
prudent to interfere. He summoned
the officer to his presence. "ls it
true" he asked, that you have been
slapped in the face by Lieutenant
Trouillefou?"
Eyes, Colonel" he replied.
Have you asked for satisfaction
mo, Colonel"
"You must ask for it without delay"
IT shall not, for three reasons" was
the reply.
LET us have your reasons" rejoin-
cd the old officer.
Because dueling is opposed to hui
man law, to divine law, and to com
mon sense"
, .Is that all?" the Colonel inquired
} Eyes, Colonel"
"Well, Monsieur Fontaine, II be
: fore the end Of the week you do no1
: challenge Trouillefou to a duel, vii
, expel you from the regiment
[ Fontaine remarked that only sol
! diers guilty Of crime deserved expul
: sion. The Colonel rejoined that K
/ stain the uniform Of regiment witt
, cowardice was a crime, and repeatei
| his threat. Fontaine left withou
. flinching in his determination.
: The general then intervened. AS b
t loved the officer dearly, he entreatet
him to fight, for the honor OF his reg
: iment. The lieutenant firmly replied
= "Order me to give up life in behal
y nv country, or society, or religion, Q
: any noble cause, and I will willingl.
4 encounter death. Bat ask me not t
I dieobey the gospel"
8 Fontaine, however. coull not resis
: the treatment Of his comrades an
t subordinates. He rendered his rcsls
q nation. The minister Of war reptile
8 that It could not be accepted unde
,. the circumstances. He could only D
y dismissed in disgrace. That filed t.
= measure. One evening Fontalne agal
s walked into the Cafe Cambronnt
e where his comrades were assembled
"Gentlemen," said he, you wer
: witnesses of the insult received frol
e Lieutenant Trouillefou. l intended I
g forgive it, because my religion teache
! me to forgive You will have 1t othel
g wise, and l obey you. God, who ha
witnessed the struggle of my hear
u will allot to each his share OF respons
$ bility for what may happen. You fort
me to fight. will fight. l make t"
q conditions. First, that all who wei
i present at the outrage shall wisne'
: the reparation; second, that the latt'
:. be proportionate to the oHense.
q want a duel to the death, with pistol
e and only one Of them loaded, the di
!, tance to be fifteen feet. Do you accel
- Lieutenant Trouillefou:"
- The latter hesitatcd, but maj
stammered, "All right"
: Tomorrow, at six o'clock In Il
,. morning, in the Forest of ChavandleI
= bv the cross road Of the Trois-Lo
:. wards" said Fontaine.
|" A roar OF applause greeted n
!. words. The officers crowded aroul
:. :. him to congratulate him upon MS q
~ termination and to protest their frien
~ ship.
- "Wait until tomorrow, gentlemen
- the lieutenant replied. "You have 81
- pccted me of being coward. belo
% A..-~ your friendship you d