The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-09-16
THE GERMAN STUDENTS STORY.

From Norman Leslie, Il newell by Il. ;. Fay, now
in the Press of Harper 81 Brothers, New York.
a have myself" said Krontzncr, Witnessed
mary duels: but we arc not so blood thirsty, gem
orally speaking, as you moral Americans. We
usually settle these matters with a sword, better
a,etlsod, by the way, and more worthy of ii soldier
than your cold, murdcrous pisto!-fring Any pol
troom may pull trigger but it requires the firm
hand and steady eye of ii man to manage the steel
However, as was suying, when Twas at Jena they
called each other out mcrrily boaux and bellies
to Il dance. 1t was but the trcading on the toe
the brushing OF an elbow; nay, accidental look
TIN, fell on them when they wished not observations
and the day, or, by st. Andrew, the next hour
there was clash of Steel and the stamping of feet
on the grccnsward and the kindling and flashing
of fiery eyes-and plunge and parry, and cut and
thrust, till one of both lay stretched at length u
pass through the dy-a cash open in the check
the scull cleft down, hand off, and the blood
bubblng and gushing forth like a rill or mountain
water. There were more than one of those fellows
devils, must say, who, when they found among
them strange student, timld retired, with
whose character they were unacquanted, or whose
courage they doubted would pass the hint ont of
sport; brush hls skirt, charge the offence up
on him, demand an apology too humble for hare,
and dismiss him from the adventure only with an
opened shoulder, or daylight through his body.
"There was among us one fellow named Mcntz,
who, assumed, and wore with impunity the charac-
ter of head bully. lie foremost in all the dew
iry. Ills pistol death, and his broadsword cut
like the scissors of fate. 1t was curious TO sec the
fellow tre-onc, two, three, and good by to his an
tagonist. His friendship courted by all for to
be his enemy 10 lie in bloody grave. At length
grown fearless of being called to account, he took
pride in insulting strangers, and even women. His
appearance was formidable: great burly giant,
with shaggy black hair, huge whskers, aud grim
mustaches three inches long, wircd under his nose.
A sort of beauty he had too and among the wo-
men-heaven help us--whercver those mustachcs
showed themselves every opponent abandoned the
ground 1t was, at last, really dangerous to have n
sweetheart; for out of pure bravado Mentz would
push forward, make love to the lady, frightcn her
swain and either terrify or fascnatc herself Should
the doomed lover offer any resistance, hc had no
more to do but call surgeon and happy enough
he considered himself if he escaped with the loss OF
his teeth or an eye. He had killed four men who
never injured him-wounded seventeen, and fought
twenty duels. He once challenged a whole club
who had back-balled him anonymously and was
pacihed only by being re-admltted, though all the
members Immediately resigned and the club wa.
broken up.
AT last there came youth into the university
slender, quiet, and boysh looking, with handsom,
face, though somewhat pale. Hisdemcanor, tbougl
generally shy, was noble and self-possessed. III,
had been but short time among us, however, be-
fore he was set down as n cowardy creature, anc
prime game for the devils broke loose as the yon,
Of Mcntz termed themselves The coy youth shunn
cd all the riots and rcycs Of the university-insue,
no one; and if his mantle brushed against that o
another, apologizcd SO Immediately, SO gracefully
aud gently that the devil himself could not bay,
fixed quarrel upon him. II soon appeared, too
that Gertrude, the lovely daughter of the Baron al
Saote--the toast of all the country--upon whom
the most of us had gazed as on something quite a
bove us-it soon appeared that the girl loved .thi
youthful stranger. Now Mentz had singled Ger
irudc out for himself, and avowed his preferenc,
publicly. Arnold, for thus tho new stutlsn call
cd, was rarely, if ever tempted TO feasts bu
once he came Unexpectedly OH casual invitation