The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-06-11
THE COWARD UNMAsKED.
E GERMAN STUDENTS STORY.

HAVE witnessed many duels; but we
are not so blood thirsty as you morta
Americans. We usually settled these mat
ters with the sword; better method, by
the way, and more worthy of the soldier
than your cold murderous pistol firing
Any poltroon may pull trigger. but it re.
quires the firm hand and steady eye Of a
man to manage the steel. However, when
Iwas at Jena, they called each other out
as merrily as beau and belle to dance
1t was but the treading of a toe, the brush
ing Of an elbow; nay, an accidental look
that fell upon them when they wished not
observation, and the next day, or by St.
Andrews! the next hour, there was clash
of steel, and the stamping of feet on the
green sward; and the kindling and flash
ing Of fiery eyes, and plunge and parry,
and cut and thurst, till one or both lay
stretched at length--a pass through the
body. cash upon the cheek, the scull
cleft down, or the hand off, and the blood
gushing forth like a rill ofmountain waters.
There was more than one Of the fellows
DEVILS, must say, when they found among
them some strange student, timid or retir.
ed, whose character they were unacquain-
ted with, or whose courage they doubted,
pass the hint 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
open shoulder, or with daylight shining
through his body. But to the story.
rTho.o .,,o, ono co11o,y oo,ooo nc M al
Mentz, who assumed and wore with impu-
nifty the character of head bully He was
foremost in all the devil:ry. His pistol was
death, and his broad-sword cut like the
scissors of fate. 1t was curious to see the
fine fellow fre-one, two, three, and good
bye 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 account, he took
pride in insulting strangers, and even wo-
man. His appearance was formidable; a
great bully giant, with shaggy black hair,
huge whiskers, and grim moustaches, three
inches long, twisted under his nose. A
sort OF beauty he had TOO, and among wo.
men-woman, Lord help us-whenever
those moustaches showed themselves, ev.
cry opponent abandoned the ground. 1t
was at last dangerous to have asweetheart,
for out of pure bravado Mentz would push
forward, make love to the lady, frighten
her swain, and terrify or fascinate herself
Should the doomed lover offer resistance.
all he had to do was to call surgeon, and
happy enough he considered himself if he
escaped with the loss OF his teeth or an eye.
He killed four men who never injured him
wounded seventeen and fought twelve
duels. He once challenged whole club
who had black-balled him unanimously,
and was pacified only by being re-admit-
ted, 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, though somewhat
pale. His demeanor, though somewhat
shy, was noble and selfpossessed. He
had been but short time among us, be.
fore he was set down as cowardly crea-
ture, and prime game for the "devils broke