The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-10
THE GERMAN STUDENTS STORY.
BY THEODORE :. rAy.

Americans. We usually settle these matters.
with sword, better method, by the way.
and more worthy OF soldier than your cold.
murderous pistol-fring. Any poltron NAV
pull trigger, but il requires the firm hand
and steady eye 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 dance. Ii was but the tread
ing on The toe---lhe brushing OF an elbow;
nay, an accidental look that fell on them when
they wished not observation, and the next
day or, by 81. Andrew the next hour, there
was clash OF STEEL and The stamping of feet
on the greensward; and the kindling and
flashing oil fiery eyes-and plunge and parry,
and cut and thrust, till one or both lay stretch
ed at length ; pass through the body-a
cash open in the cheek-the scull cleft down,
or hand off, and the blood bubbling and gush-
ing forth like riil Of mountain water. There
were more than one of those fellows-deviIs,
! must say, who, when they found among
them some strange student, timid or retired,
with whose character they were unacquaint-
ed, or whose character they doubted, would
pass the hint out Of mere sport; brush his
skirt, charge the offence upon him. demand
an apology too humble for hare, and dis
miss him from the adventure only with an
opened shoulder; or daylight through his
body.
There was among us one fellow named
Mentz, who assumed and wore with impuni-
ty the character of head bully He was fore
most in all the devilry. His pistol was death,
and his broadsword cut like the scissors of
fate. II was curious to see the fellow fire
one, two, three, and good by to his antagonist.
His friendship was courted by all; for TO be
his enemy was to lie in bloody grave. At
length, grown fearless of being called to an
account, he took pride in insulting strangers,
and even women. His appearance was for
midable, a great burly giant, with shaggy
black hair, huge whiskers, and grim musta-
ches, three inches long, twirled under his
nose sort of beauty he had TOO and
among the women-heayen help us-where-
yer those mustaches showed themselves every
opponent abandoned the ground.
1t was at last really dangerous to have
sweetheart for out of pure bravado Mentz
would push forward, make love to the lady,
frighten her swain, and either terrify or fasci-
nate herself Should the doomed lover offer
any resistance, he had no more TO do but call
a 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
whole club, who had black-balled him anony-
mously, and was pacifed only by being read
mited, though all the members Immediately
resigned, and the club was broken up.
" AT last there came a youth into the Uni
versty-slender, quiet, and boyish-looklng,
with handsome face, though somewhat pale.
His demeanor, though generally shy, was no.
BILE and self-possessed. 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 reyels of the
university-insulted no one, and if his mantle
brushed against that Of another, apologised
so Immediately, so gracefully, and SO gently;
that the devil himself could not have fixed
quarrel upon him. 1t soon appeared, too, that
Gertrude, the lovely daughter of the Baron
de Saale-the toast of all the country-upon
whom the most of us gazed as on something
quite above us-it soon appeared that the girl
loved this youthful stranger. Now Mentz
had singled out Gertrude for himself, and
avowed his preference publicly.
Arnold, for thus was the new student call
ed, was rarely, if ever, tempted to our feasts /;
but once he came. unexpectedly on casual
invitation. To the great surprise of the COM
pany Mentz himself was there, and seated
himself unabashed at the table, though an I'M
hidden guest. The strongest curiosity at once
arose to witness the result, for Mentz had
sworn that he would compel Arnold, on their
first meeting, to beg pardon on his knees for
the audacity of having addressed his mistress.
1t had not appeared that Arnold knew any
thing of Mentz's character, for he set cheer
fully and gaily at The board, with so much the
manners of high-born gentleman, that every
one at once admitted his goodness, his grace
and his beauty, and regretted the abyss on the
brink of which he mconsciously stood.
"sWhat hor at length shouted Mentz, as
the evening had little advanced and the wine
began to mount: a toast! come, drink 1t all;
and he who refuses, is polron and cow
ard quaff this goblet full TO the brim-to
the health and happiness Of Gertrude de Saale,
the fairest of the fair. Who says he knows
a fairer, is a black liar, and will write the
word on his forehead with a red hot brand
Every goblet was emptied but one, which
stood untasted- On perceiving
this. the ruffian leaned forward, fixed his eyes
on the cup, struck his brawny hand down
fiercely on the table, which returned a thun-
dering crash and rattle, and then repeated ina
voice husky with rage:
"'There is cup full by St. Anthony! |
will make the owner swallow its measure of
molten lead, if it remain thus one instant
longer
= Drink il, Arnold-drink it boy keep thy
, 4 Il IL n G n
dent near him, rather advanced III age.
4