The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-02

expected. for Dupont gave him a
frightful wound
"You fence well" said Fournler as he
fell
Not 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
"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. 1t was
now his turn. He gave Dupont q
home thrust, with the comment: "You
see you hold your hand too low to par
ry 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. "We'll come to the catastro-
phe as soon as possible"
AT the third meeting they each re-
ceiyed triling scratch. So these two
fire eaters, annoyed at such 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 contin-
ued to cut and slash at each other In
most enthusiastic style. Fournier used
to observe now and then, 1T is really
astonishing that |, who always kill my
man. cannot contriye to kill that devil
Dupont"
After these encounters had contin-
ued some years Dupont, now promoted
to the rank of general, received orders
to join the army of the Grisons. He
was not expected and was trying In
vain to find lodging when he per-
ceived chalet through whose win
dows light was cleaning He knock
ed at the door and entered. A man
was writing at bureau He turned
his head and, recognizing his visitor,
said before the other could cross the
threshold:
"Ah, Is that you, Dupont? We will
have little sword play"
with all my heart" said Dupont to
Fournier, who chanced to be the occu.
pant Of the chalet, and they set to
work, chatting between the passes.
Il thought you were employed in the
Interior" said Fournier.
"The minister has promoted me to
the Fourth corps"
'Vraiment. What a curious coinci-
dence! | command the cavalry there.
And so you have only just arrived? l
am delighted"
At last General Dupont's sword, aft |
er piercing General Fournier's shoul- |
der, struck the wall.
"Saprist" shouted Fournier.
"YOu didn't expect that"
"On the contrary, directly | left my
guard l knew / was caught. But it's
you who don't expect what is going to
happen"
During the little dialogue Dupont
kept Fournier pinned to the wall as a
naturalist would butterfly.
"Well, what will happen?"
"The moment you stir shall give
you a thrust in the belly. You are
lead man." said Fournier.
Il shall parry your thrust"
Impossible"
II shall keep you pinned till you
.hrow down your sword"
Il shall not do that. ! intend to kill
you."
Fortunately the noise made by the
wo generals was heard by some off
ers, who separated the combatants.
Dupont, the more reasonable Of the
wo, sometimes thought of the absurd
ty Of quarrel which still went on
fter SO many conflicts and at last de-
ided to make an end of the matter.
One morning he called on Fournler.
"Are you come to fix day for a
natchT inquired the latter.
Eyes, but first Of all let us talk a lit
lie. Listen. intend to get married,
nd before doing 80 should like to be