Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-05-16


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 1t; 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-
JUDGE. If the army and the world
misiudged 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 n commotion in the
regiment that the colonel deemed 1t
prudent to interfere. He summoned
the officer to mis- presence. lis 1t
true" he asked, that you have been
slapped in the face by Lieutenant
Trouillefou?"
Yes, Colonel" he replied.
Have you asked for satisfaction"
mo, Colonel
"You must ask for 1t without delay"
81 shall not, for three reasons" was
the reply.
LET us have your reasons" rejoin-
ed the old officer.
Because dueling is opposed to hui
man law, to divine law, and to com
mon sense"
rs that all?' the Colonel inquired
eyes, Colonel"
| WGll, MUuSlGuI FOHldlllS, IL Dc-
fore the end of the week you do not
challenge Trouillefou to duel, will
expel you from the regiment"
Fontaine remarked that only SOL
diers guilty of crime deserved eXpul-
sion. The Colonel rejoincd that TO
stain the uniform Of n regiment with
cowardice was q crime, and repeated
- IaF xty{Ah ~
finching in his determination.
The general then interviewed. AS he
loved the officer dearly, he entreated
him to fight, for the honor of his reg
iment. The lieutenant firmly replied:
"Order me to give up life In behalf
my country, or society, or religion, of
any noble cause, and ] will willingly
encounter death. But ask me not to
disobey the gospel
Fontaine, however. coull not resist
the treatment Of his comrades and
subordinates. He rendered his rcsig-
nation. The minister Of war replied
that 1t could not be accepted under
the circumstances. He could only be
dismissed in disgrace. That filed tae
measure One evening Fontalne again
walked into the Cafe Cambronne,
where his comrades were assembled.
Gentlemen" said he, "you were
witnesses of the insult received from
Lieutenant Trouillefou. ] intended to
forgive it, because my religion teaches
me to forgive. You will have it other
wise, and l obey you. God, who has
witnessed the struggle of my heart,
will allot. to each his share OF response
bility for what may happen. You force
me to fight. ! will fight. | make two
conditions. First, that all who were
present at the outrage shall witness
the reparation second, that the latter
be proportionate to the offense. l
want duel to the death, with pistols,
and only one of them loaded, the dis
lance to be fifteen feet Do you accept,
Lieutenant Trouillefou",
The latter hesitated, but finally
stammered, "All right"
Tomorrow, at six o'clock in the
morning, in the Forest Of Chavandiere'
by the cross road of the Trois-Lou-
wards" said Fontaine.
A roar of applause greeted his
words. The officers crowded around
him to congratulate him upon his de-
termination and to protest their friend
ship.
wait until tomorrow, gentlemen,
the lieutenant replied. you have sus-
pected me of being coward. Before
protesting your friendship, you mac
: better see me on the ground" and he
withdrew.
At the appointed time the officers
of the regiment were at the Trois-Lou'
wards. The colonel loaded one or the
pistols. enveloped them in a silk hand
kerchief, and requested Fontaine &c
choose a weapon, as he was the Insult.
Cd marty The combatants were placed
a1, NJ