Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-06-18
THE DUELLlST.
A GERMAN STUDENTS STORY.


ally settled such matters with a sword-a
better method, by the way, and more wor.
thy soldier than your cold pistol firing.
Any poltroon may pull trigger, but it re-
qures 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 melrily as beaux and bellies
to dance. 1t is but the treading on toe
the crushing of an elbow-nay, an acct
dental look that fell on them when they
wished not observation, and the next day,
or by st. Andrew, the next hour there was
the clash of steel, and the stamping of feet
on the green sward-the kindling and fash
ing of fiery eyes-and plunge and parry,
and cut and thrust, till one or both lay
stretched at ength--a pass through the
body--a cash open in the cheek--the skull
cleft down, or a hand of, and the blood
bubbling and gushing forth like a riIl of
mountain water.-There were more than
one of these fellows, devils, | should say,
who, when they found among them some
strange student, timid or retired, whose
character they were unacqainted with, or
whose courage they doubted-wouId pass
the hint ont Vt mere sport, brush his skirt,
charge The offence upon him--demand an
apology too humble for hare-and dismiss
hum from the adventure with an open shout
der, or daylight through his body.
There was among Us one fellow named
Mentz, who assumed, and wore with impu-
nifty, the character of the head bully. He
was foremost in all the deviIry. His pistol
was death, and his broad sword cut like the
IF fafn tbo
fellow fire. One, two, and three-and good
bye to his antagonist. His friendship was
courted bv al-for, to be his enemy, was
to be in bloody grave. At length, grown
fearless of being called to account, he took
pride in insulting strangers and even wo-
men. His appearance was formidable
A great curly giant, shaggy black hair, huge
whisGers and grim mustachos, three inches
long, twirled under his nose. A sort Of
beauty he was too, and among the women
Lord help us-wherever the mustachois
showed themselves, every opponent aban-
doned 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 fascinate herself.
had no more to do but call surgeon, and
happy he considered himself if he escaped
with the loss OF an arm or an eye. He had
killed four men who had never injured him,
wounded seventeen, and fought twenty du-
els. He once challenged a whole club, who
had black balled him unanimously, and was
paci6ed only by being re.admitted, though
all the members Immediately resigned, and
the club was broken up.
AT last there came youth into the Uni
versity-slender, quiet and boyish looking,
with handsome face, thong Oh somewhat
pale; and his demeanor, though generally
shy, was noble and self possessed. He had
been but short time among US, however,
before he was set down as cowardIy crea-
ture, and prime game for the ''devi.s broke
loose AS the gang Of Mentz termed them
selves. The coy youth Stunned all the RI
OTIS and revels of the University; insuted
no one, and if his mantle brushed against
that of another,h he apologlsed so Immediately,
gracefully,s so gently, that the devil himself
could not have fixed a quarrel with him. 1t
appeared that lovely glrl loved this stran-
ger. Now Mentz had singled Gertrude out
for himself, and avowed his preference pub.
lcly. Arnold, for thus was the new stu
dent called, was rarely, if ever tempted TO
our feats, but once he came expectedly on a
casual invitation. To the great surprise
and interest of the company, Mentz himself
was there, and seated himself unabashed at
the table, though an unbidden guest. The
strongest curiosity rose at once to witness
the result, Tor 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 sat cheertully
and gaily at the board, with so much the
manners OF high born gentleman. that ev-
II y one admitted at once his goodness, his
intelligence, his grace and his beauty, and
regretted the abyss on the brink of which
he stood,
What ho!" at length shouted Mentz
as the evening mad advanced, and the wine
uegau 10 mount, ''to8>t, come drink it all
and he who refuses 1t is poltroon and a
coward. qualt this goblet, full to the brim,
to the health and happiness OF Gertrude de
Saae, the Jairest oil the iair--who says he
knows fairer, is a black liar, and | will
write it on his forehead with a red ho
brand.
Never before had Mentz betrayed his
brutal soul SO openly in words; but the
guests who knew that he was heated with
wine, passed over his CO arse insult witt
shouts of laughter, and drank with riotou'
confusion to Gertrude, fairest of the fair
As the cleaning gohets were emptied, AND
| dn Shan raItIinn IoIvn AGAINST the IA HE