The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-10-09
.sn extraordinary Duel.

Even to this day the Empress Maria The
resa's laws are in yigor in the Austrian
army. These laws are extremely severe in
every object which touches the point Of
honor. Among other stringent provisions
they declare that every officer who receives
an insult which sullies his honor, and shall
not avenge it, shall be contaminated
and every officer who shall receive blow
on his cheek shall Immediately draw the
blood of the insulter The following sketch
will illustrate:
There reigns a spirit of fraternity in the
Austrian army whose like is nowhere to be
! found. All officers are absolutely equal,
be they Grown Prince or peasant. They
introduce themselves to each other and
officers of the same rank thou each other
Some years since, Count Itchy was captain
in q Hussar regiment stationed at Vienna.
He was unmarried, was just five and twenty,
was handsome, healthy and wealthy. He
lodged in one of the best hotels in Vienna.
One day, as he was getting ready to ride
on the Prater, at the fashionable hour, which
is four o'clock, his servant introduced an
officer who advanced toward him saying (:
"Count Itchy, l have the honor to intro
duce myself to you. / am Captain Baron
H-,of the Archduke Albert Regiment of
| Infantry" Count Itchy replied: Il am
delighted to make your acquaintance
Take o seat. Do you smoker What will
you take to drink-Kummel Rostopohin2
Persico9" The Baron answered: "Noth-
ing, thank you" Count Itchy asked =
"My dear fellow, to what circumstance am
l indebted for the pleasure of your visit 2"
The Baron responded 81 come to see you
because am told Lieutenant K---always
stops with you when he comes to Vienna.
Now, he owes me money, ard I come to ask
him to pay me.n Count Itchy said. "My
dear fellow, it seems to me my lodgings are
not the proper placeto dun people besides
| Lieutenant k is one of my intimate
/ friends. However, he never lodges with
me. Whenever he comes to Vienna he is
to be found at Daum's cafe," (the cafecom-
monty frequented by officers.) The Baron
added: Lieutenant Xviii not pay
me he shuns me-" Count Itchy replied ::
81 have told you Lieutenant K is my
intimate friend. I am astonished to hear
you express yourself in that way about
him." The Baron answered: II treat him
as he deserves" Count Itchy exclaimed:
81 forbid you to add another word in my
presence" Il,
| What then took place between these two
men no one knows. But an hour after
wards Baron H stood in Daum's cafe
surrounded by officers, to whom he related
the scene which took place between them,
/ and concluded his narrative by saying -
"Zichy threatened to make his servant turn
me out of doors. / slapped him and left
the house" This rumor soon reached the
ears of some officers of Count Zichy's regi-
ment. They at once informed him of the
odious rumor spread by the Baron. Count
Itchy smiled sadly and replied: "Gentle-
men, you know me well enough to feel as
sured that had Baron H acted as he
says'he did, would not have quilted my
room alive. Nevertheless, O suspicion rests
on my honor I know what I have to
do"
Two hours afterwards the Colonel of the
regiment received Count Zichy's resigna-
ton. Two of his friends bore challenge
to Baron H. 1t was accepted. Count
Zichys friends arranged the conditions Of
the duel. 1t was duel to the death. To
avoid all chance of intrusion it was agreed
that the duel should take place in q noble
mans park near Vienna. Two sabres were
placed five PAGES apart. The seconds then
placed their principals each ten PAGES from
the sabre next him, which made them
twenty-five PAGES apart. Each had the
right to go up and fire., AS soon as the
signal for the combat was given, each walk
ed toward the sabre. Count Itchy walked
resolutely forward, exposing his whole per-
son. Baron H walked slowly and side
ways, exposing only his side, and covering
his head and breast with his arm and pis-
tol. They were twelve PAGES apart when
Baron H-ired. Count Itchy fell. The
ball entered his abdomen, traversed it, and
made its exit near the spine. Baron H -
walked slowly and sideways up to the sabre
next him, and there stood exposing only
his side, and covering his head and breast
with his arm and pistol. Count Itchy bled
profusely. Nevertheless, he dragged him
self with great difficulty to the sabre next
him. When he reached it, he supported
himself with his left hand and leyelod his
pistol at Baron H. They were only five
PAGES apart. The Baron stood calm and
cool. Count Itchy pulled the trigger. He
seconds to cock it for him. 1t was cooked
said "Ask Baron H if he persists in
saying he slapped me-"
The seconds hesitated, for Baron rs
| plouSt, SoOl, DIdNC dtGltuuc IldOc tuclH
think such a question would be not only
useless but insulting. Count Itchy impa-
tiently insisted upon the question being
asked. While the second was asking the
the question, Count Itchy had gone still
nearer the sabre, and stretched his arm as
far over it as he cold, until his pistol almost
touched Baron H. Count Itchy riveted
his eyes on his adversary. The Baron hest
tated moment and then replied in a weak
voice: "No, did not slap Count Itchy"
The seconds were stupefed. Count Itchy
threw away his pistol, saying: "That man
is not worth powder and shot" He then
! fell senseless.
He lay for ten days completely senseless,
his life despired Of When he recovered
consciousness, he was given his resignation,
(which his Colonel declined to accept
Count Itchy is now one of the most brilli-
ant and popular officers in the Austrian
army. Baron H changed his name,
and removed, it is believed, either to Mas
sachusetts or Tennessee.
EXJe Ont West there lives a man who