The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-04-10
Forestaned
By JOHN c. LARNED

During the reigns of Louis Kill,
XIV. and XIV. Of France dueling was
% prevalent that at one time it began
p appear that all the bravest men in
France would be killed. While Louis
Nv. was on the throne a young gradu-
>te Of the College Of New Jersey went
abroad for the purpose of finishing his
tducstion by travel.
Paris In those days was a favorite
1esort for the few colonists Of North
America who ventured to cross the
Atlantic, and young Mathewson made
quite a sojourn there. The principal
ipason for bis doing 20 was Mile. Hor-
fense de Boyer, Q dashing girl, who was
Getting the young bloods of the capital
Wild. She vas considered the most
1raceful dancer and the best horsewo-
Span In Paris and had SO far practiced
the art of self defense as to stand
we'll az a handler of the foil.
One evening after a ball. at which
Aathewson had paid marked attention
70 Mile. de Boyer. he was addressed by
young army ofncer as follows:
II am the bearer Of q challenge to
you from Count CASTOR Vaudelais, you
having during the evening brushed
against him in the dance"
Mathewson knew very well that the
<harge was but a pretext for the chal-
hinge and concerned himself only about
the latter. Moreover. he knew that he
must either accept it or leave Paris.
ALLOWED by the contempt Of all who
had favored him by their good will.
He suspected that the true reason for
being called out ri that he had paid
marked attention to Mile. de Boyer.
He replied by referring the officer to
4 friend. then went to his apartments.
The friend joined him soon after. and
Dpon consultation it was determined
p put of the meeting so long as pos
Sdble in order that the American might
prepare himself by practice. for he had
10 skill whatever with any weapon.
The best. however. that could be done
was to defer the encounter for ten
days. Then AathewsOn began to prac-
Wee shooting with a pistol.
The next evening after the ball while
Count Vaudelais was dining at the cafe
where he was used to taking his dinner
= lady handsomely dressed. but wear.
ing q veil that she did not raise, entered
@be place and took a seat near him
No lady was in those days ever seen
70 enter a cafe unattended by an es.
>ort. and the yelled woman at once ar.
vested the attention of every one pres
(nt. Presently she spoke in an indig'
nant tone to Vaudelais, accusing him
Of staring at her, threw a card on hia
table bearing the name of Albert du
1lessis and left the cafe.
Vaudelais. astonished. picked up thu
card. ~supposing it to bear the name Of
Ne lady's husband. Since its being
oven him was tantamount to a chal
enge. he waited for a friend Of tn.
gentlemas to appear. Presently q maj
catered and said that he represented
Du Plessis and made arrangements TO
The duel to take place the next morning
q sunrise.
Vaudelass: low had two duels on hi,
hands On successive mornings. Thi:
I'D not trouble him, for not q yeal
PASSED that he fought fewer than half
dozen. But he did not like lighting tn
Husband OF 4 woman on q charge
Nat be had stared at her. and be wa,
aot satisfied a. to the status Of the w0
man herself. since she had been in
public cafe unattended. He belonged
- the court circle and to 6Eht an!
- except q gentleman would detrac
1Iem his social standing. He endeav
I'D r. discover who was n. du Pies
but Ceand no n who had eve
@10apd q Nh. However, thinking q
E leas n 1Ghftng . -. Ct tn