Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-10-26
WATCH AM RHINE.
The Peculiar DuellIng Practices which Are II
yogae In the Fatherland.

The Peculiar Duelllng Practices which Are In
yosas In the Fatherland.
An American gentleman residing
abroad writes to his son in this country:
Two young men were seated in
chairs facing each other. The right
arm neck and breast of each were pro-
tected by heavy quilted stuff, and over
the eyes pair of iron goggles. So
heavy is the padding on the arm that
two men support the weight for the
| fighter in the intervals of rest. So pro-
tected, the face ard head are liable to
cuts, but it is difficult to infiict a seri-
Gus injury. In the pending case it was
said that one of the -combatants, was an
officer in the reserves, and the other
desired to be, but some reflection on his
courage had been made by the officer,
and hence this duel. Perhaps it was
some evidence in favor of the truth of
the assertion that the challenger sought
this comparatively harmless mode of sat
isfaction rather than combat with a
saber and naked breast.
AT a word of order the men took their
feet, their seconds put rapiers in their
gloved hands, the handles of which had
been well cLalked. These rapiers are
about three feet and half long. sharp
ened about foot at the end. but not
pointed. They advanced to within
about two feet of each other and stood
with the weapons raised above their
heads, waiting for the word At the
| side of each was his second, an umpire
was close by and doctor for emergen-
cies. The crowd pressed back respect
full distance.
"Auf mensurr' Go the light ex-
claims one of the seconds.
Bindet die Klingen?" Swords to-
getherD
''Gebunden sindr' Swords are
readyD
"Lossr' Eighty
And quickly following the response
comes flash Of steel, the singing OF the
weapons as they whiz through the air
above the heads of the fighters and the
thud of blows falling on arm or breast
All at once red streak is visible on the
forehead of one of the parties.
"Haltr' exclaims his adversary and
the seconds at the same moment. The
combatants drop their fatigued arms to
the supporting help of their assistants,
who hold them up as Aaron and Hurr
held up those of Moses.
The doctor examines the wound and
sponges it, and both have their faces
wiped by the seconds, and the same for
mula recalls them to the combat. This
lasts fifteen minutes, each getting cuts
from which the blood runs literally
down on their shirts, until they look like
butchered hogs. But the time allotted
is up. They have cut and slashed at
each other, and set their teeth, and lost
their blood, and thereby shown their
courage. But yet, not quite SO, for there
has been an army officer there closely
watching the fight. He has noticed that
the challenging party, who wished by
this fight to prove his courage, had
lodged back on two occasions. So,
am told, the poor youth will not get to
be an officer, for it is an infleXible rule
that no such lodging can be tolerated.
| had not noticed this act of perhaps in
voluntary shrinking, but more experien-
ced eyes had, and his fate was sealed.
The combatants were now Invested OF
their bloody garments, and, it seemed to
me, were relieved to be quit of a heavy
task. l took the opportunity to glance
around the room at the students. They
nearly all had slashed faces. One had a
replaced nose. My captain had per-
feet map of crossing lines. Some of the
wounds were ancient, some were but
lately healed, and few were cuts evi.
IDENTITY made that day These scars are
deemed honorable distinctions here,
and, therefore, decorations. / was for
chilly reminded of remark have heard
also, that the Germans are becoming q
near-sighted people. by observing that
nearly third of those present-and all
were young but me-wore glasses"