Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-10-07

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THE GERMAN STUDENTS STORY.
BY THEODORE s. FAY.
/ have myself said Krentzner, witnessed
many duels; but we are not SO blood-thirsty
generally speaking, as you moral Americans
We usually settled these matters with sword
better method, by-the-way, and more worthy
Of a soldier than your cold, niurderous pisto
firing. Any poltroon may pull trigger, bul
it requires the firm hand and steady eve of
man to manage the steel. However, as was
saying, when was at Jena they called each
other out as merrily as beaux and bellies to a
dance. 1t was but the treading on toe---the
brushing of an elbow; nay, an accidental look
that fell on them when they wished not obser.
walton, and the next day, or, by St. Andrew,
the next hour, there was the clash of1Reel
and the stamping of feet on the green sVSrd;
and the kindling and flashine of fiery eyes,
and plunge and parry, and Cut and thrust, till
one OF both lay stretched at length---a pass
through the body.-a cash open in the cheek
the scnll cleft down, or hand off, and the
blood bubbling and gushing forth like rill oil
mountain-water. There were more than one
of those fellows---devils must say, who,
when they found among them some strange
student, timid or retired, whose character they
were unacquainted with, or whose courage they
doubted, would pass the hint out of mere sport
brush his skirt---charge the offence upon him
demand an apology too humble Tor hare,
and dismiss him from the adventure only with
an opened shoulder, or daylight throug his
body
the ruffians! cried Norman.
Not in the least, returned Kreutzner, laugh
ing; you would have loved them, like broth
ers, had you known their hearts. 1t is all ed
ucation and CUSTOM
ssBut to the story, Kreutzner.'
''Ihere was among US one fellow, named
Mentz, who assumed, and wore with impu-
nifty, the character of head bully.---He was
foremost in all the deviItry.---His pistol was
death, and his broad sword out like the scis-
sors of fate. 1t was curious to see the fellow
fire---one. two, three, and good-by TO- his an
tagonist.---Hi friendship was courted by all;
for to be his enemy was to lie in bloody
grave. At length, grown fearless of being
called to account, he took pridein insulting
strangers--and even women. His appearance
was formidable: great burly giant, with shay
gy black hair, huge whiskers, and grim mus
taches, three inches long, twirled under his
nose. A sort of beauty he had too: and among
the women---Lord help us---wherever those
mustaches showed themselves every opponent
abandoned the ground. 1t was at last, really
dangerous to have sweetheart; for out ofpure
bravado Mentz would push forward, make love
to the lady, frightened her swain, and either
terrify or fascinate herself. Should the'doom
ed lover offer resistance, he he'd no more to do
but call a surgeon; and happy enough he con-
sidered himself if he escaped with the loss of
his teeth or an eye. He had killed four men
who had never injured him. wounded seven
teen, and fought twenty duels. He once chal-
lenged whole club, who had black-balled
him anonymously; and was pacifed only by
being re-admitted, though all the members inn
mediately resigned, and the club was broken
up. Idwell on this character because
because you think he resembles Clairmont,'
said Norman; 'go on, am interested
AT last there came youth into the Univer-
sity--slender, quiet, and boyish-looking. with
a handsome face. though somewhat pale. His
demeanor, though generally shy, was noble
and selfpossessed. He had been but short
time among us, however. before he was set
down as cowardly creature, and prime game
for the devils broke loose as the gang OF
Mentz termed themselves. The coy youth
Stunned all the riots and revels of the univer-
sity---insulted no one; and if his mantle brush
er against that of another, apologized so i'm.
mediately, SO gracefully, and SO gently. that
the devil himself could not have fixed quar-.
rel upon him. 1t soon appeared, too, that Ger.
trude, hclovely daughter of the Baron dc SaaA
--the toast of all the country---upon whom the
most Of US had gazed as on something quite
above us.--it soon appeared that the girl loved
| this youthful stranger. Now Mentz had sin
gled Gertrude out for himself, and ayowed his
preference publicly. Arnold, for thus was the
new student called, was rarely, If ever, tempt
ed to our feasts; but once he came unexpect
edly on a casual invitation. 10 the great sur
prise and interest Of the company, Mentz him
lseli was there, and seated himself, unabasbed
1t the table, though an unbidden guest. --Ths
strongest curiosity arose to witness the result
for Mentz had sworn that ne would compe
Arnold, on their first meeting, TO beg pardon
4 on hiSskgkeRa The audacity Of having ad
dressed his Mistress. 1t had not appeared tina
Arnold knew any thing Of Mentz's character
for he sat cheerfully and gayly at the board
with SO much the manners of high-born gen
tleman, that every one admitted at once nj
goodness, his Intelligence, his grace, and nj
beauty; and regretted the abyss on the brln
Of which he unconsciously stood.
. ssWhat, ho!' al length shouted Mentz, a
the evening had a little advanced, and the win
began to mount: "a toast!--Come---drlnk !
ALI; and he who refuses is a poltsoon and
coward. quaff this goblet---6ll to the brm-
10 the health and happiness Of Gertrude 9
Saaie---the fairest Of the fair! Who says =
knows a fairer is d black liar, and will wrll
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