The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1908-03-18
A PAIR OF FIRE EATERS
The Principals In the Longest
Duel on Record.
1T LASTED NINETEEN YEARS.
The Way the Quarrel Between These
Two Hot Headed Frenchmen Began
In 1894 and How 1t Was Continued
Until Finally Settled In 1918.


Two Hot Headed Frenchmen Began
In 1894 and How 1t Was Continued
Until Finally Settled In 1918.
The following duel story presents
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 t,uarrelS whenever they wish
ed. 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 amy plausible reason 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
were invited all the members of the
high bOurgeoise. 1t was desirable to
avoid the scandalous scenes which
could not fail to take place between
the fellow townSmen. perhaps the rela-
lions of the unfortunate deceased
and the aggresso". who was styled his
murderer General MQreau therefore
desired his aId-de-camp. Captain pH-
In TAI FnnrOior
from entering the ballroom. Dupont
stationed himself in Il corner OF one Of
the antechambers and Immediately he
caught sight Of him accosted him alb
ruptly.
What are you going to do here?'
"Ah. is 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 say?''
"They may say what they please; 1t
is all one to me- But | should like to
ask what business that is Of yours?"
1T is everybody's business. Every
body is thinking and talking about IT,
Everybody is wrong, then. | don't
like people to poke their noses into
my affairs. And now. if you please,
Jet me pass"
"You shall not go into the ballroom"
. Indeed! Why not?"
You must take yourself off. The
general orders you to return to your
own apartments"
"Am turned out of the house"
Dupont shrugged his shoulders.
Are you aware of the consequences
of turning Fourier out of doors?"
Il don't want to hear any Of your
rodomontades. Just have the good
ness to take yourself off,
LISTEN said Fournier in a fury
Il 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 II
have long been out of, patience with
you. ] am Disguised with your bully
ing ways. and ] hope to give you q
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 q
frightful wound.
You fence well," said Fourier as he
fell, /
"Not badly, as YOU see."
'EYes, But now ! know your play.
You won't catch me another time, as
! will soon show you"
"You wish for another enc0unterY
"Parbleu! That's matter of course"
In fact. after a few weeks nursing |
Fourier for the second time was face
to face with his adversary. 1t was
now his turn. He gave Dupont 4
home thrust, with the comment: "You
zee 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, well come to the catastr0-
phe as soon as possible
At the third meeting they each re-
eeived a trifling scratch. So these two
ire 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
4 treaty to this effect. and whenever
he madmen were able to meet they
ought. Their persons were marked
with numerous scars, vet they contin-
rad - rI1 90 oAIN N~D
most enthusiastic style. Fourier used
% observe now and then, 1T is really
that l, who always kill my
nan. cannot cOntrive to kill that devil
Dupont"
After these encounters had cOntin.
led some years Dupont, now promoted
o the rank of general, received orders
o join the army Of the GrisOns. He
vas not expected and was trying In
rain to find lodging when he per.
.eived a chalet. through whose win
lows light was cleaning He knock
ID at the door and entered. man
vas writing at bureau. He turned
lis head and, recognizing his visitor,
aid before the other could cross the
Threshold;
"Ah, is that y04. Dupont? We viii
ave little sword play" .s.
with all my heart" said Dupont to
fournier. who CHANGED to be the Qccp:
pant Of the chalet, and they set to
work, chatting between the passaE. ssa@l.!!
= thought ygV were employed In the
Interior" said EfourpjeF,
"'Fhe minister has promoted me to
be Fourth CORPS"
"Yraiment! What = curious coinci
le4ee! | command the cavalry there: !
md SO you haYR only just arrived2 I
m delighted"
At last General Duponts sward. aft
T piercing General Fourpier's SHOUT
er, struck the wall.
:'Sapristm shouted Fournier. =