The Washington herald., 1908-02-23

thrust in the belly. You are dead
man." said Fournier.
Il shall parry your thrust.
Impossible
Il shah keep you pinned till you throw
down your sword"
Il shall not do that. intend to Kill
you"
Fortunately. the noise made by the two
generals was heard by some officers, who
separated the ccmbatants.
Dupont the more reasonable OF tho
two, sometimes thought Of the absurdlty
of quarrel which still went on after sc
many conflicts, and at last decided to
make an end OF the matter.
DupOnt's DrOn Idea.
One morning he called on Fournier.
Are you come 10 fix a day for a
match?' inquired the latter.
Yes: but first Of all let us talk a III.
tie. Listen. / intend 10 get married
and before doing so l should like to be
done with you.
oh! OH"
Our quarrel has now lasted for nine
teen years. do not wish to continue a
style Of life which my wife might con-
slider not exactly comfortable. and there
fore I am come to propose a change in
the mode OF the combat One OF my
friends has. at Neuilly, an inclosurt
planted with trees. surrounded by walls
with two doors. one at each end. At the
hour agreed we viii go to the inclosure
separately. armed with our two holster
pistols. to take single shot with each
We viii try which can find the Nother
and whoever catches sight OF the other
shall fire"
That's droll idea
Does il suit-yOu?
Ten o'clock on Thursday morning
will that do?"
Agree Adieu till Thursday"
They were punctual at their rendezvous
and as soon as they were inside the in
closure they sought each other cautious
" They advanced slowly, cooked pis
tolls in their hands. eve on the watch. and
ear all attention. At the turn of an alley
they perceived each other. They threw
themselves behind a couple Of trees and
waited.
At last Dupont resolved TO act He
waived the tail Of his coat Just outside
the tree which protected him: then hs
protruded his arm. drawing il back in
stantly. Immediately bullet sent q
large piece of the bark flying. Fourniel
had lost a shot
FOurnier Allowed to Live.
After a time Dupont recommended the
same maneuver on the opposite side OF
the tree trunk. without however. draw.
ing his adversary's fire. Then. hoIdinf
his hat in his hand. he displayed it as fal
as the briul- In a twinkling the hat was
blown away. Fortunately there was nc
hand inside it. Fournler, therefore. had
wasted his second bullet
Dupont then sailed from his fortres.
and marched Up TO his opponent, who
awaited him IN the attitude of brave
man for whom there is no further hope
When Dupont was close 70 him he said
Il can Kill you If / like-it is my right
and my privilege; but I cannot fire at
human creature in cold blood. spar,
your life"
"As you please.
Il spare you to-day; but YOU clearly
understand that ] remain the master o.
my own property. OF which I allow yo,
the provisional enjoyment. II ever yo,
give me any trouble. II ever you try I,
pick a quarrel with me, I shall take tn,
liberty Of reminding You that I am IN,
/ lawful owner OF couple OF bullets spe
cially designed to be lodged in your skull
anad we will resume the affair exactl,
at ithe point where l think proper tt
| leave it to-day"
SO ended a duel begun in 1894 and fin
| lished in 1913.