The Lincoln County herald., 1873-04-16
ueidelburg.
Description of a German Student Duel.

ueidelburg.
Dcscr iption of a German student Duel.
Correspondence Cleveland Herald
One OF the most exciting and interest.
ing phases Of "core" student life is duel
ling, which Aourishes in this city with
all the vigor of tho eighteenth century.
If your readers are fond of boodshed,
I will take them TO scene which one
would hardly expect to exist in this age
Of refinement.
We 90 down the Hauptstrasse (princ,.
pal strect), over the bridge that spans
the Neckar, thence along the river to a
house called the Hirshgrassa, an isolated
building about quar- er Of mile from
the town. Ascending to the second
story, in our journey passing some FIVE
or six large, ierocious dogs, which are
kept at the entrance to terrify the police
authorities, we iud ourselves in an unte
room, adjoining the Schlaght thinner
(6ghtiug room.)
This room contains all the parapher.
ualla of duelling, rapiers, broadswords,
padded gloves bnndages, coats, duelling
glasses, etc. Here the parties to the
strife are stripped to the waist, and a
coarse linen shirt, without the sleeve
for the right arm, is put on. Then pad
is put under the arm and tied up close by
a string around the neck, so that the
wearer is obliged to keep this arm ex-
tended in horizontal position. Next the
arm is wound with silk bandages to the
SHOULDER. A heavy padded glove is put
on aud padded coat which protects the
body. Another pad is placed upon the
neck, iron spectacles over the eyes, and
this rather elaborate toilette is com
pleted.
Now let US 60 into the next room, the
scene Of action. 1t lis large well lighted
apartment, containing one or two tables
and a small bar. A few waiter girls are ia
attendance, and the room is filled with
"core" students. They sre talking in an
undertone, probably discussing the mer
its of the two bellgerents, as they arc
] now taking their ground and stand ad
vsing with their seconds.
, The contestants are then placed with
the right foot forward, and the left side
| turned from the opponent, SO as to be
out OF danger, so that only the face ant
head are exposed to injury.
| The timer stands ready with note book
q and watch in hand, while opposite hiu
, stands the referee and contestants, witt
their seconds. The old surgeon is buz
zing around like floor manager, com
plctiny his arrangements for taking care
I Of the wounded.
When everything is in readiness th'
timer speaks to the referee. the refere'
, says word to the seconds, and amit
breathless silence the latter gives th,
e word of command, ".uessiers, on, gehe,
o sic Ios," Gn plain English, "go loose y.
the duellists make three strides towart
. eachother, and the clash commences.
4 The rapiers are seen to vibrate few
q seconds in their nervous grasp, and thel
' stroke and parry are given in quick sue
!. cession. So rapidly nre the blows givc'
Q that one can scarcely see the sIende
blade as it cuts through the air with
Il whistling noise. At each parry the fir,
$ flies from the ringing blades, and sooI
the cry of "halt,' is heard, as blood i
!. discovered flowing profu,ely over th'
y faces of both, from wounds IN the head
o The dark red stream which flows from
the face Of one shows that q small arter,
had been cut, and he is still bleeding fas
. when the next onslaught begins.
In a few seconds halt" is again cried
bent biude is soon Strengthened, aut
: thoy "go loose for a second time will
J, moro sanguine result, AS they both re
. ceive cuts ir the forehead. Yhey lool
: pale aud excited. but determined. Tb
0 blood is wiped of, the flow is que0che'
| as much as possible. the wounds exam
I ined and pronounced "not disabling,
g those ominous words ".Nonsieurs on Qehe
i, sic los" repeated, aud again is heard tn
clash Of che blades aud tha sparks fly o
from q blacksmi,h's anvil.
S The fight is Tong, fierce and exciting
{ but at last lock Of hair Is shot up int
!. the sit, snd before II falls TO the Aool
"halt" is cried. aud tho blood 10 see
n streaming down the face Of the younge
4 man. The surgeon, vi,h sleeves role
= up aud hands and arms covered sit
e blood, booking like a butcher, steps "
esanines ,he wound, shakes his heat
n .ponges Of che blood, looks again, shake
i his head a0d whispers 70 the referee, VIII
y tells the audience that the wound is G
n too dangerous a character to admit Q
b further strife, and tho duel is declare
h over.
" y There 10 two kinds Of hipokrits, ih
u bold and the humble, and the humbl