The Washington herald., 1908-02-23


and caricatures inspired by the duelIng
exploits Of our Gallic neighbors.
The development among the French Of
that sense Of humor which is our partic-
ular pride, and, consequently. the fuller
recognition Of the farcical nature OF such
a settlement possibly account for the dis
appearance of the thirst for gore OF
that determination to fight to a finish.
which formerly characterized the French
duel
Svashbuekler of Strategy.
1The following story presents a striking
contrast TO those we are now accustomed
10 hear. ana gives us some idea OF the
character Of those dashing beaux sabreurs
by whose aid Napoleon became the
scourge Of Europe.
In the city Of Strasburg. at the close
Of the eighteenth century. soldiers OF all
ranks had ample opportunities Of picking
quarrels whenever they wished. A cap
tain Of hussars named FOsrnier indulged
IN this amusement TO his hearts content.
and became celebrated for his aggressive
temper and his address with arms. Stras-
burg had to reproach him for the loss of
her sons. and especially of having chal-
4
lenged without any plausible reason a
young man named Blune. whom he killed
s{ithout the slightest pity.
- On the very day OF Blume's funeral
Gen Moreau gave a ball. % which were
invited all the members OF the high
bourgeoisie. 1t was desirable To avoid
the scandalous scenes which could not
fail 20 take place between the fellow
townsmen, perhaps the relatives of the
1HnfnFfINFf1fa aaaaaeal Il H.,
who was styled his murderer, Gen. Mo-
reau. therefore desired his aid-de-camp.
Capt. Dupont. 20 prevent Capt. Fournier
from entering the ballroom. Dupont sta
toned himself IN corner Of one Of the
antechambers. and Immediately he caught
sight OF Fournier. accosted him abruptly.
FOurnier Presents Himself.
What are you going TO do here?"
'Ahi is that you. Dupont? Good even
ing. Parbleu, you see what I am doing
/ am come 10 the ball
Are you not ashamed 20 come 10 a
ball the very day of the funeral of that
poor fellow Blume? What will his friends
and relatives say?''
They may say what they please; it is
all one TO me. But 1 should like to ask
what business that is Of yours?"
1T is everybody's business. Everybody
is thinking and talking about It."
Everybody is wrong. then. I don't like
people 10 poke their nose into my affairs.
And now, II YOU please. let me pass"
. You shall not go into the ballroom"
Indeed, Why not?"
You must take yourself of The gem
eral orders you to return TO your own
apartments"
''AIi I turned out Of the house?"
Dupont shrugged his shoulders
Are you aware Of the consequences OF
turning FourneT out of dOors?''
i don't want to hear any OF your rod
omontades. Just have the goodness to
take yourself or
Challenge TO Fight
= Listen" said Fournier in a fury. I
tnnot have my revenge on the general
because he Is my superior officer. but
you are my equal; you have presumed 10
take your share in the insult. and YOU
shall pay for the whole Of il. We will
fight"
Listen. In turn" said Dupont. Il have
long been out of patience with you. 1
am disgusted with your bullying ways.
and hope to give YOU a lesson you will
long remember"
Fournier would have gone mad with
hope of killing Dupont. But the result
- the combat was not what he expected,
for Dupont gave him a frightful wound
You fence well, said Fournier as he
fell.
Not badly. as you see"
Yes. but now I know your play. You
won't catch me another time. as I will
soon show you"
You wish for another encounter"
"Parbleu. That's a matter Of course
In fact. after a few weeks nursing.
Fournier. for the second time. was face
TO face with his adversary. II was now
his turn. He gave Dupont a home thrust
with the comment;
You see. you hold your hand too low
to parry properly After your lunge you
gave me time 10 stick three inches OF
cold iron between your ribs.
J This is only the second act" cried
Dupont. ''We1l come TO the catastrophe
as soon as possible"
Continued Round bf sAord Play.
At the third meeting they each received
a trfing scratch. SO these two fire-eat-
ers. annoyed at such a negative result,
agreed to recommence the struggle until
one Of the two confessed himself beaten.
They therefore drew up treaty 10 this
effect. AID whenever the madmen were
able 10 meet they fought. Their persons
were marked with numerous scars. vet
they continued 20 cut and slash at each
other in most enthusiastic style Four
nier used TO observe now aud then. TT
Is really astonishing that l. who always
kill my man. cannot contrive 20 kill that
devIl Dupont
After these encounters had continued
the rank of general received orders to
Join the army OF the Grisons. He was
not expected. and was trying I'm vain 20
find lodging. when he perceived a
chalet through whose windows a light
WAS cleaning. He Knocked at the door
and entered. A man was writing at a
bureau; he turned his head. and. recog-
nizing his visitor. said before the other
couiitii ---css the threshold:
'Ah! is that you, Dupont? We will
Asave a little sword play
with all my heart" said Dupont to
Fournier, who chanced to be the occu-
pant OF the chalet. and they set 10 work
chatting between the passes.
Il thought you were employed in the
INTERIOR" said Fournier-
The minister has promoted me TO the
Fourth Corps"
'Nraiment. What curious coinci-
dence. ! command the cavalry there
And SO YOU have only just arrived? I
am delighted"
Pinned to the Wall.
At last Gen Dupont's sword, after
piercing Gen. Fournier's shoulder. struck
the wall.
Sapristi.' shouted Fournier.
You didn't expect that?"
'on the contrary. directly l left my
fD.sard + knevv 7 xvas ca,,oht 19,,. s.ie