Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-03-03
A PAIR OF FIRE EATERS
The Principals In the Longest
Duel on Record.
IT LASTED NINETEEN YEARS.
The Way the Quarrel Between These
Two Hot Headed Frsnehmsn Began
In 1894 and How II Was Continued
Until Finally Settled In 1873

Two not F1eaded Frenchmen Began
In 1894 and How II Was Continued
Until Finally Settled In 1918.
The following duel story presents q
striking contrast to those we are now
accustomed to hear and gives us some
Idea of the character Of those dash
ing beaux sabreurs by whose aid Napo-
leon became the scourge of Europe.
In the city of Strassburg at the close
Of the eighteenth century soldiers of
all ranks had ample opportunities Of
picking quarrels whenever they wish
ed. A captain Of hussars named Four
nier INDUCED In this amusement to his
hearts content and became celebrated
for his aggressive temper and his ad-
dress with arms. Strassburg had to
reproach him for the loss of her sons,
and especially for having challenged
without any plausible reason a young
man named Blume, whom he killed
without the slightest pity.
On the very day Of Blume's funeral
General MOreau gave ball. to which
high bourgeOlse. 1t was desirable to
avoid the scandalous scenes which
could not fall to take place between
the fellow townsmen, perhaps the rela-
tons, of the unfortunate deceased
and the aggressor, who was styled his
murderer. General Moreau therefore
desired his ald-de-camp, Captain Du-
~ toll taF
from entering the ballroom. Dupont
stationed himself In corner of one Of
the antechambers and Immediately he
caught sight OF him accosted him abb
ruptly.
what are you going to do hereT
"Ah, ID that you, Dupont? Good
evening. Parbleu! You see what |
am doing. am come to the ball"
"Are you not ashamed to come to a
ball the very day of the funeral of
that poor fellow Blume? What will
his friends and relations sayY'
They may say what they please; 1t
IL all one to me. But should like to
ask what business that is Of yoursT
ut Ii everybody's business. Every
body is thinking and talking about It,"
Everybody Is wrong, then. l don't
like people to poke their noses into
my affairs. And now. If you please,
let me pass"
you shall not go into the ballroom"
"Indeedl Why not?"
"You must take yourself or The
general orders you to return to your
own apartments"
"Am l turned out of the house?"
Dupont shrugged his shoulders.
"Are you aware Of the consequences
Of turning Fourier out OF doors2"
II don't want to hear any of your
rodomontades Just have the good
ness to take yourself Off"
Listen said Fourier In a fury
II cannot have my revenge on the
general because he is my superior off,
Ger, but you are my equal. You have
presumed to take your share In the In
suit, and you shall pay for the whole
OF It, We will fight"
Listen In turn" said Dupont. ~
have long been out Of patience with
you. l am dlsgusted with your bully
Ing ways, and l hope to give you
lesson you will long remember"
Fourier would have gone mad with
vexation had he not been consoled by
the hope of killing Dupont. But the
result OF the combat was not what he
expected, for Dupont gave him
frlghtful wound
"You fence WELL" said Fourier as he
fell
mot badly. as you see"
Yes. But now | know your play
You won't catch me another time, as
! will soon show you"
you wish for another encounterY'
"Parbleul 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
home thrust, with the comment: You
see you hold your hand too low to par
~ properly. After your lunge you
gave me time to stock three inches Of
cold iron between your ribs"
This is only the second act" cried
Dupont Wen come to the catastro-
Pne as soon as possible,
At the third meeting they each re
ceived a trihing scratch. SO these two
nre eaters, annoyed at such a negative
result. agreed to recommence the strug-
gle until one Of the two confessed him
self beaten. They therefore drew up
a treaty to this effect. and whenever
the madmen were able TO meet they
fought. Their persons were marked
with numerous scars, yet they eontin-
ned to cut and slash at each other In
most enthusiastic style. Fournier used
60 observe now and then, 1T Is really
astonishing that l. who always XIII my
man. cannot contrive TO kill that devil
Dupont"
After these encounters had contin-
ned some years Dupont, now promoted
10 the rank OF general. received orders
In iOin tha army Of the GrROns He