CAFE SCENE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1929, Page 6

CAFE SCENE

ITALIANS FIGHT WITH SABRES. BRIO'NI (Adriatic) Sept. 2. Miss Betty Fletcher-Mossop, a beautiful London girl, who l.ves in Sloane-Street, S.W., and is a goddaughter of Lady Stalbridge, has beep the innocent cause of a sabre duel between two Italians here, as a result of whi.li one man was wounded on the throat, arm, thigh, nose, chest and cheek.

A few days ago Miss Fletcher-Mos-sop, accompanied by her chaperon, Mrs Louise Sheldon, a rich American of Boston and sister of Mr King Sheldon, • the racquets player, went in a party by motor-boat to Fasana, a small town on the mainland noted for its loosters.

On arrival at a cafe they found another party from Brioni, which' included Signor Volante, of Naples, and Signor Luling, of Florence. Signor Luling has relatives of that name both in England and Paris. During dinner a number of the local inhabitants jeered at the visitors. This infuriated a friend of Signor.' Luling arid both men spoke their minds to the people causing the disturbance. On their return to their party, however, signor Volante said to Signor Luling that in his opinion Signor Luling had behaved badly in front of- the -women, including Miss Fletcher-Mos-sop, by taking notice of the local people and speaking as he did. Signor Luling made some reply to Signor Volante, and this small beginning led to a challenge duel and its acceptance. NEVER HANDLED SWORD.

Signor Volante had never handled a sword before. But etiquette and honour compelled him to go on with the incident. Signor Luling, on the other hand, was a practised swordsman. As it was decided that the duel would continue uptil one man was incapacitated, a -doctor had to be found., as well as seconds. Both sides, too, had to spend an hour or more, according to etiquette, writing a resume of the events preceding the challenge. This was necessaiy in case of either man being killed. Sabres were secured from the local master-at-arms. The two men stripped to the waist and wore gauntlet gloves to protect their wrists and hands. There stood Signor Volante with the sabre in front off Ipm like a broomstick and advancing confidently upon him was young Signor Luling. First he slashed at Signor Volante’s head and nearly took an eye out. Then he cut him slightly on the throat, two inches from the jugular vein. Ho next cut his arm.- He then chipped his nose and cheek, scratched his chest, and made a lung eat the hip. This last thrust cut the skin and removed most of the seat of Signor Volante’s trousers.

Then the doctor called a halt. Signor Volante was removed, but his day was not over. He knew that it was etiquette for the beaten man to stay up as late as his victor on the night of a duel to show that he had endurance. Signor Luling, absolutely untouched, remained in the bar of the hotel until after 3.30-a.m., and his unfortunate victim had to do the same. Miss Fletcher-Mossop and her chaperone have left Brioni.