The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-09-30
An Admirable
x CrichtOn

loriginal.l
To say that man is an Admirable
Crichton means that he has many ac-
eomplishments in which his skill is re-
markable. The original Crichton spoke
twelve languages, could dispute in Lat
In on any subject was master Of
fencing and all manner Of sports, be-
sides being an excellent actor.
once knew an Admirable Crichton.
He possessed a genius for everything
except money making. His name was
Lawrence Dudley. As the real Crich-
ton was In the service Of the Duke Of
Mantua, a tutor TO the dukes son, so
Dudley, after taking every honor in
the universities he attended, went south
and tutored in the family Of wealthy
planter named In Fourche. He taught
Marie La Fourche music and prepared
young Ben La Fourche for college.
This was in the autumn and winter OF
1s60-61, and the spirit of civil war was
red hot In the south. Dudley had so
fascinated many of the planter fami-
lies that the fact Of his being a Yankee
did not change their enthusiasm for
him. However, 1t finally came to
his ears that La Fourehe had been adj
vised to send him north to save him
from rough treatment. Dudley asked
La Fourche If his presence in the house
hold was compromising.
by no means" replied the planter.
Everybody knows my loyalty to the
south. Moreover, II You leave, Ben
win not be ready for college, and am
anxious to have him enter next June"
sThen you are quite willing that
should maintain my positionY
"Act your own pleasure"
The next day d printed circular was
received by each aud every man in the
place whom Dudley knew, challenging
all Corners to argue the question brew
Ing between the states with knife, pis-
toll, small sword, cutlass, lance, 1ave-
lin. halberd. any kind Of weapon that
had ever been used by contentious
man. In any other part Of the world
such a circular would have excited
laughter. In the south, where the tour
ney Of old has often sprung up like a
flower from a root dormant for centu-
ries, the case was different. The young
planters Of high degree met informally
for consultation as to what should be
done. They decided to send polite
note to Dudley accepting the challenge,
the test to come Off IN a tourney. The
day was set, though Dudley ayerred
that the meeting should be no gloved
affair and none but the necessary men
witnesses should be present
The parties met fl a secluded spot
hedged in by trees. There were three
men present, each of whom had re-
ceiyed circular, as wen as several
strangers who had got wind Of the af-
fair and come uniLgited The first
man pitted against Dudley was Stew
art Anderson, who had studied defense
with foils In Paris and had fought sew
ural duels with the napier. The two
men faced each other In shirt and trou-
sers and began to fence Within a
minute Anderson's sword went flying
over tree With true southern fire
he called on Dudley to finish him. Dud-
ley put his hand on his heart, bowed
low and said he would not deprive the
south of so worthy q gentleman.
The next affair was with pistols, and
Dudley ended It with a quick fire, shoot
ing the knuckle off his opponent This
was followed by an engagement with
cutlasses, Dudley's opponent having
been especially trained with this weap-