Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-21
EVENING STAR,
T q Z D o E L .

THE DUEL.
In the year 1905, when the peace of
Tilsit put stop to the conquests of Ma
poleon in Germany, the King of Prussia,
exhausted by his astonishing efforts to
maintain the war against France, reduced
his army to the peace establishment.
Consequently many Prussian officers who
were stationed at Hamburg received fur.
loughs, or were dismissed from the ser.
vice for time (; and life of military
danger and activity gave place to habits
Of idleness and dissipation.
In the early part of September, several
of these officers having dined together,
and sacrificed rather freely at the shrine
Of the jolly god, adjourned towards even
Ii ing to the Exchange coffee house, the
most noted hotel in the city. They en-
tered, singing and shouting in the most
tumultuous manner, setting at defiance
the rules of propriety and decorum. The
youngest of the joyous band, the Baron
de v, who bore the commission of q
lieutenant in the army, was about twen-
ty-hve years of age, wealthy. handsome,
and elegantly formed. But his mind did
not correspond with his person; he was
vain, insolent, self-conceited, and pre-
snming. When they entered the public
room in this boisterous manner, they OBJ
served an individual of small stature, in
q dark suit, seated alone at a table he
held in his hand the journal of the day,
while his right supported a pipe. He
paid but little attention to the entrance
Of this formidable host of blackguards,
scarcely deigning to raise his eyes from
the paper he was reading. The young
Baron, doubtless offended at an appear
ance of indifference, which he thought
bordered on contempt, approached the
man in black, and familiarity slapping
him on the back, said with a smile OF
bitter irony: "Ah! my friend, good
evening. From your appearance 1 should
take you to be schoolmaster-or,p per-
haps, tailor-am l right? Where is
your goose 2"
The citizen raised his eyes, and fixed
them for q moment on the countenance
of his interrogation, and then resumed the
perusal of the journal.
"God forgive me my sins," continued
the Baron, "he will not answer me.
Come, my fellow, we must be more So
ciable. All! l perceive the reason of
your silence; ttat pipe incommodes you.
As must hear the sound of your voice,
allow me to relieve you" So saying, he
snatched the pipe from the hand of the
stranger, and dashed it to pieces on the
floor; piece of wit which his compan-
ions applauded with shouts of laughter
Without laying down the journal, the
insulted individual turned towards the
entrance Of the inner room, and coolly
said, Waiter, another pipe"
"Well DONE" resumed the young i'm.
pertinent, q have gained something,
however. have made him open his
mouth"
The pipe was brought, filled and light
ed, and the citizen continued to peruse
the journal as if nothing had happened.
"My little man." said the Baron,
"where do you belong7 In what village
do you exercise your talents 2 What .
No answer! Have you resolved to enter
into no conversation with me 2"
Hero the insulted person again raised
his head, and looking the officer full in
the face, at the same time putting out an
immense volume of smoke. He then de-
liberately resumed his former occupation.
perhaps was mistaken in your char
acter," interrupted the Baron" you
may be the quid nunc of a village, and
perhaps are endeavoring to commit to
memory the news which that paper con-
tains to impart it correctly to your friends
and neighbors. But you smoke like a
Swiss. That pipe causes you great in
convenience" 1t was q second time
broken.
Without evincing by gesture or any
visible change of countenance, or the
least appearance of anger, the man in
black coolly repeated his first demand
Waiter, another pipe"
| "What q melodious voice !" resumed
the Baron. "Such patience must be
the attribute of an angel or q devil.
would give thousand forms to see
you in . passion. 1t would be deliciou.
SPORT"
An old major, whose embroidered coat
was decorated with military orders and
on whose German physiognomy was de,
picted frankness, true courage, and 10y
atty, who entered the coffee house with
these hair-brained youths, now addressed
the Baron in low voice, but which not.
withstanding could be heard in all parts
of the room: My young friend, you are
insulting . stranger without provocation;
you are foolishly guilty of great imper.
tinence, and your conduct, and that Of
your applauding comrades, begins to dis.
gust me. I beg you will pursue this
foolish joke no further"
The Baron, with his companions, &C.
cordingly adjourned to q neighboring
room, and commenced playing at cards.
To judge from their numerous jokes, fol.
lowed by loud peals of laughter, it would
seem that the young officers folly and
impudence were already forgotten. An
hour passed away, all was mlrth and jol.
lity, the Baron had gained considerable
sum, and his spirits were proportisnably
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