The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-11-03
THREE INCHES
COLD STEEL

Among accomplishment which were
considered necessary in an educated
young man during the time of my
youth we're dancing and fencing. To
learn these went to an old French
emigrant who made his living by
giving lessons in these. M. de Bon
heur, a white-haired, tall, military
looking man, declared himself ready
to give me lessons in dancing and
fencing, and asked me when wanted
to begin.
Immediately II It suits you," re-
piled.
Certainly, am at your service"
But you have not yet told me what
| am to pay you"
my usual charge is four lessons for
one louisd'or. Does that suit your"
"Excellently. and 1 wish to take
two lessons in each art"
you don't need to take two les
sons to become a good fencer and !
can see in your eyes that you have
courage. Let me test your eyes and
your wrist. Follow me-"
He took me into a large, very light
room which contained no furniture
except a few chairs and a piano
which in those days was far from be-
ing as common as 1t is today. On
the walls and between the windows
were hanging foils and masks, while
a number of batons we're standing In
one corner.
When the old gentleman showed me
how to stand when about to begin
fencing and took his position oppo-
site me. | noticed that he was lit
tie lame, very little, to be sure, but
1t seemed rather strange to me that
a lame man should be able TO give
lessons in fencing, which calls for
the utmost agility, but l soon saw
that he was master hand. The first
fencing lesson was followed immedi-
ately by the first dancing lesson,
during which he played the violin
himself. After we had practiced for
little while he suddenly cried:
"Sacrebleu This is one of my bad
days. My leg is troubling me so
that can't dance any more"
"Oh, let us wait till some other day
then" began, but he interrupted me
and said No, no, please stay here
and shall find somebody to take my
place"
He limped across the floor and
called into the next room.
Juliet, put on your dancing slip
pers and come in here quickly"
A moment later Juliet appeared.
she was tall, willowy girl, with a
eyes, an unusual pretty mouth with
very full lips, little honey, but as
quick and as graceful as a deer. She
looked one moment like a girl of 10
while during the next one might
easily take her TO be IS. The old
man introduced me: "Mr. Arthur
Foerster--Mme. du Bonheur"
She made courtesy according to
the custom of the time, and | bowed
deeply.
Juliet, | am too weak today tC
dance, so you will please give this
gentleman his lesson"
with the greatest OF pleasure, faith.
er dear"
"Well, begin then Don't look al
madamo!selle's eyes, monsieur. Lool
at her feet; 1t is her feet that are
dancing. One, two, three"
Thus it went on until the lesson wa!
over.
This Is enough for today, monsieur
you will make an excellent dancer
The time will come when | shall fee
proud to have given you your frs
lessons. Juliet, you may 60"
The young girl made another cour
tesy and left the room, while the OLE
gentleman said to me:
81 hope that | shall be able to in
struct you myself the next time"
But two days later he was feeling
worse and Juliet had to take hi
place during both lessons. Wearing
mask, heavily padded plastron. sh
stood opposite me, foil in hand, Will
the old gentleman gave his com
mand:
Salute! Don't look into mademoi
selle's eyes, monsieur, but at he
hand. Ready! Good! Good"
made a thrust at my adversary
while Juliet took her foil into he
left hand and directed mine with he
right.
This will never do" the old ma
cried. Monsieur must not be 8
careful. Once more! You must at
tack with your full force. Don't
afraid of Juliet; she's able to loo
out for herself. Turn your fingers
little more outward. That was better
Once more"
: 1t was terrible to me to have I
thrust against this child, with ful
. force, but II had to be and thus W
went through all the movements
Juliet parrying my thrusts with tn
. greatest ease, showing herself a
much of a master as her father.
Then came the dancing lesson, an