National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-27

Less than year since student Of quiet
and gtntlemanly dcmcanor had been fro
quently insulted by these hotspurs with the |
view Of q fight, but to be thus dragged Into |
personal conflict. All their efforts having |
proved unavaillng, they imagined that II was |
cowardice that induced him to refuse to take |
offence. The matter was taken up at the |
meeting of one Of these societies, and young
student, who was very expert In the use OF |
his sword, named Ruelling, was selected to |
clog rs steps and seek every opportunity Of
Insulting hin. His efforts were unavailing,
until one morning he met him at the depot
whittier he had gone to see lady friend of |
In the cars, Here Ruclling so grossly In |
suited him In the presence of the lady that |
forbearance ceased to be virtue, and he was |
forthwith challenged. To the surprise Of all
who had doubted his courage, he Indignantly |
declined to recognize the Heidelberg code,
but demanded that the encounter should be
with broadswords and TO the death. /
The matter was taken up by the society
which had appointed Ruelllng to insult him,
and, under the belief that their expert cham
pion would DO able to disarm and overpower
him, II not slay him, the terms o. the chal-
lenge were accepted, and the time and place
Of meeting selected. The matter was kept
secret from the authorities, and at the ap
pointed time they met, with their seconds and
medical attendants. So confident were all In
| the triumph Of Ruelling that bets Of ten to
one we're offered on the result, with no takers.
Their swords were, however, scarcely crossed
before 1t became evident that the youth who
they regarded as poltroon was not only
dreadfully In earnest but that he was thor
oughly master Of his weapon. The fight had
not lasted very long when Ruelling fell NOR
tally wounded, and none OF his valiant back
crs and instigators were found willing to take
up the quarrel. This ought to have put an
end to these ducls, but the fresh-scarred faces
i to be seen on the streets show that II has only
had tho effect Of causing more care In the
selection Of their intended victims.
| THE DuELLIsG CODE.
The term for studying In tho University Is
five years, and these young hoods OF wealthy
parents seldom attend q lecture during the
tirst Ave years Of their residence In Hoidel-
berg. The fifth year they usually abandon
the societies and commence to study, and IL
Is singular fact that many Of them have
subsequently become eminent In their several
professions. The majority OF them arc
turned out upon tho world professors OF
hing but roistering and beer-swilling.
After four years Of such life as they have led
at Heidelberg, 1t Is not all OF them that can
recover their manhood and devote themselves
to stidy and subsequently to a career Of use
fliness.
: The occasional fatal results that have en-.
sued from these duels have led TO Govern.
meat interference, so far as to require then
when they fight to wear q peculiar style Of
spectacles for the protection Of the eye, long
: padded, gauntlet buckskin gloves, extending
TO the shoulder, for the protection of III,
. hands aud arms, and q similar padded buck,
' skin apron for the protection Of the body
!, A peculiar broad-bladed, but light sword
/ sharp only at the point was also established
0 rs the regulation weapon, with which stun
. ming blow may be struck on the head, ant
J. the face gasfed, which are the only parts lcf
u unprotected, thrust or blow anywhere els,
y being deemed violation Of the code. II i
q thus arranged and thus they fight Gu
.r across the countenance leaving u scar beinl
l. deemed q mark OF honor. As we seldom SCI
5; these caps and ribbons unless they are &C
" G Jmpanied by u Scared face, some Idea ma
r, be formed by our Southern chivalry what
al glorious time they would have at Heidelber
l. 70 satisfy their cutting and slashing propcn
~ stiles.
n 80 dearly arc these Scared faces valued
ic that when the wound Ia not deep they kee
I'd II fostering with nitrate of silver, and 1t
u not allowed 10 heal until there is an asst
g. rance that II will leave It's mark. OF cours,
as there are plenty of students here who CON
Is TO study, and live very exemplary lives, ha'
bs ing neither the money nor the inclination
II join these rolsteriug and fighting societie
an which are composed mostly Of the sons
or wealthy parents. They have their cit
rooms, and generally spend largely In exec
ny Of the allowances sent them by their parent
nd The better class OF students have oil goi
CHI home for the vacation, and Il Ia only some
sr- these Young bloods who arc still here fnis
mt ing their line of dissipation, and probat
nix waiting for remittances 10 enable them al
're 10 leave for home.