Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-08-27
American Pluck.


DOZEN STUDENTS WHIPPED by ONE.
A few weeks ago an American student
who had but recently arrived in Heidel-
berg, strayed into one of these beer halls
ofan evening and ordered glass of beer.
He drank that, ard then ordered a second
and third. He noticed that the stu
dents who were grouped about the diff
ferent tables, had stopped drinking, and
all had their eyes directed toward him as
if he was an intruder. When he called
for his fourth glass one of the students
came forward and told him to leave the
hall. He was told by the American that
he was aware that Germany was not a
free country, but that beer halls were
free and he should stay. The German
told him if he did not leave at once he
would be put out He was requested to
''try it on" When the student went
back for reinforcements, the student
quickly gathered up an armful of the
thick, heavy earthen beer-mug plates,
that were on several of the tables near,
and barricaded himself behind heavy
oak table in the corner of the hall. He
also collected all the beer and
glasses that were not in use, and that he
could speedily lay his hands on, and
drew around him two or three chairs to
be ready for an emergency. 1t is said
| that for minute or two he worked very
lively. When eight or ten of the stu
| dents rushed forward to carry out their
threat there was lively fight, which
lasted about l0minutes. The charge was
met by volley after volley of beer plat es
beermugs and glasses, every one of which
hit its mark and did it's work. Two OF
three of the students jumped on the table
and attempted to take the American by
| force of arms, but were laid out hors dU
| combat by the oaken chairs, which prov
| ed admirable weapons of defense. The
battle waXed warmer every moment
Fresh recruits took the places of the
wounded as fast as they fell back for re
pairs. The plates, mugs and glasses
soon gave out and the barricade was de
molished. Then the plucky American
met his assailants face to face, with tht
odds fearfully against him. But he still
l remained master of the situation. For
tunately he was a scientific boxer, ant
| when the students made another rusl
| upon him they were met with new, t.
them, and unexpected weapons. Blow
played out right and left from his shoul
ders with such lightning rapidit.
among the opposing forces that soon sew
eral were lying on the floor, and tn
others withdrew to distant part of th
hall-probably to reconsider the matte
of putting the stranger out. The hal
was in fearful confusion. Tables ant
chairs were overturned and broken, win
dows and mirrors were smashed, and tn
floor covered with a debris of beer mug
and glasses. The American, seeing tina
his opponents did not seem inclined t.
renew the fight, quietly took his ha
and walked out. The next day he wa
arrested by the proprietor of the bee
hall on charge of causing disturbanc
and for damages for broken furniture, etc
He at once caused the arrest of the stu
dents as the aggressors in the fray, an
the matter was finally settled by the lat
ter, who were obliged to pay the princi
pal share of the damages. But tn
Germans were so fascinated with tn
Americans pluck and bravery that fey
nights afterward they got up gram
demonstration on his account at the sam
beer hall, on which occasion an indefnit
quantity of beer was drank in his honor
and he was made to feel that he was tn
hero of the hour. - Cor. Springfield
| RpD2LLLicnn