A REASON FOE NOT FIGHTING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3246, 26 November 1881, Page 4

A REASON FOE NOT FIGHTING.

And a most comical reason it was. We have heard a great many stories of homely, ngly-looking men, but the following, 1 think, beats them all: — Monsieur do Langerie and M. de Montande were both noted for their ugliness — their ugliness of face, for at heart they were like other men—impulsive, perhaps, foufc generous and just. From some cause, which) need not be specified, De Montande challenged tho other to fight a duel, which challenge was promptly accepted ; time and place appointed, and weapons named. Arrived upon the ground and ready for the combat —swords had been the weapons chosen—M. do Langerie looked sharply into his antagonist's face, and started back a pace, at the same time dropping tho point of the sword. 'Upon my honor, Monsieur, I cannot fight with you!' 'How!' cried the other, in amazement. ' Not fight ? Are yon in earnest ?' ' I am. I cannot fight you !' 'You insult me anew, Monsieur. You havo accepted my challenge, and now you refuse mo satisfaction.' ' No, 3 will not refuse you satisfaction. I would rather ask your pardon than fight you.' ' But, Monsieur, what means it ? Why are you unwilling to fight mo ?' ' Ah ! you will be offended if I tell you.' ' I will not. I swear it!' •Well, then, the reason is this : I believe I am by far the better swordsman of the two ; and if wo fight you will bo killed ; and do you not see—that will leave me the ugliest looking man in the kingdom !' De Montande appreciated the point, and bnrst into a hearty laugh ; whereupon they shook hands, and remained fast friends ever after.