Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-29
LOVE, a DUEL AND SUICIDE.
Why Baron Won sternbsrgsfs wind
Young Son Ended His Career
-kis Rival Run Through
the Body.
A Fugitive 20 This Country. He
Releases His RelrOilied from
Her Pr0mfse-FORnd Dy-
ing from Morphine.


~ - AeAAAtf ~
In the early dawn Of 40 August |
morning in l8S2two young men crossed |
swords in mortal combat in a secluded |
spot not fer from Heiderhoff Castle, on
the Rhine. They had been rival suit
ors for the hand Of Fraulein Maria
Marx, the daughter OF wealthy gentle
map who lived in the castle. The
duel was the outcome OF a quarrel that
had occurred between the young men
when 1t became known that the young
lady had accepted one and rejected the
other. The duel progressed hotly
until, after a feiBt, one Of the young
men fell to the ground a corpse, the
sword Of his antagonist having passed
almost through his body.
ABARoE's WILD SON,
Richard Won Sternberger, the son Of
the late Baron Won Sternberger, Of
Bonn, and the betrothed OF Fraulein
Marx, was the survivor OF the fatal IN
counter. For some weeks after the
duel his name was kept from the au
thorities, but it eventually became
known. Won Sternberger's friends
had counselled him 10 leave the coun
try, and while search war being made
for him the successful duelist evaded
his pursuers and took passage for this
city in disguise. Upon his arrival
here the fugitive accepted 4 mental
position in Brooklyn restaurant. As
time wore on The search was aban
doned, but young Won Sternberger.
although advised OF every move that
had been made, for safety sake still
concealed his identity. He had be
come weary Of his occupation, aud
some months ago accepted what TO him
was more congeDisl employment ID a
drug store at No. 1896 Second aveaue
kept by Adolph Hesse. Won Stern
berger was not an educated drug
clerk, but his employer bad offered to
teach him the business, and the agree
ment was that during his pupilage
he was TO receive q dollira week and
his expenses. The stir end did not
support him, but he lived on a month
ly remittance Of s35, which he receiv
cd from his guardian, his income from
bis fathers estate being Sl25 month
When Won SternbeIger first secured
employment with Mr., Hesse he seem.
cd reticent regarding is family or
sntecedents, but when the two became
better acquainted he confessed that
he was the fugitive son Of the late
Baron Won Sternberger, wealthy
man OF high connection. He said
that be was q graduate Of the Univer.
sity OF Bonn and that he had taken q
post graduate course 10 philosophy.
According to his story, when his
father died the estate was placed in
the hands Of trustees for the benefit
Of the heirs. His guardian was one
Of the professors in the university.
He admitted that while q student at
the university and after the close Of
his studies he had been wild and had
accumulated debts which he was
endeavoring to satisfy with the $50 Of
his monthly income retained by bis
guardian.
Mr.. Hesse soon found that his ap-
prentice was an exemplary young man
and has the utmost confidence in his
integrity. Being of good education
| Won Stcrnberger quickly became pro
feient 10 business. Out Of the many
friends tina, Won Sternberger made
Adolph Neiderstein, who keeps q
restaurant at No 1893 Second avenue
became his confdant.
THE STORY OF HIS LOVE.
During the many chats the p ir haG
together in the saloon during the past
few months Won Sternberger told Mr.
| Neiderstein the story Of his love affair
tie said that while on q visit to the
Castle Of Heiderhoff he had becom,
enamouIed OF Fraulein Msrx. Hi
suit was we'll received by the younl
lady. who, be said, was both beautiful
and accomplished. They were in tim,
betrothed, but being deeply in deb
through his extravaganza Won Stern
berger was compelled to set the we'd
ding day far off, The young LADY,
parents having learned Of bis man.
eseapades through a rival and Of hi
embarrassed financial condition
decided to separate the younl
couple. Then came the duel
which compelled him to a.
from Germany. Young Won Stern
berger spoke hopefully Of returning
to Germany in six or seven years, whel
the duel had been forgotten and hi
debts we're all settled, and makinI
Fraulein Marx his wife. he con
stantly corresponded with his be
trolhed, and in q letter which he re
ceived from her in September last sh,
stated that her family persisted in at
tempts t0 induce her to marry
wealthy landowner who lived near tn
castle. She also said that she wa
still faithful to her vow, and implore,
him 10 return to Germany and fulfil
his pledge. In his answer to the let
ter Won SternbeTger said that oircum
stances we're such that ii was impossi
BILE to go back homo for at least sii
years, and he begged her TO PATIENT.
await his return.
RELEASED FRod HIS PLEDGE.
A little over a month ago Won Stern
berger received letter from h'S,)e
tr0thed, which, translated, road q
J follows.
"MY EVER AND ONLY BELOVED
This is the last time / dare call yol
! such. | never thought it possible
/ The mere idea Of it is enough TO driv
! me mad. That now has become
, certainty. We are bound TO part
Z How ] thought 1t all over II pas
week and tried 10 get q last aaenor Q
: hope; but | am hopeless, | hav
3 stood alone weeping and praying, an
! on the other side everybody agains
: me. / asked them to desist fror
, threatening me, but the threats 0
, other people force me TO write this.
J received your letter, and with that m
, last hope was gone. Six years Al
endless long time, which will chang
. many things. fully believe that 70,
} love me, but that long time may COO
your love. When you come back Vol
will be JUST in the prime Of your years
but i, on the other side, win have los
the bloom Of youth. I am woman
You, however, are bound by you
word, and would not hesitate mo
ment to keep it, even il you would b
made unhappy; and rather than pu
, you to that sorrow will not hold yot
10 your pledge any longer. | love yor
too much 10 draw you into unhappi'
ness, and II is quite enough II one 4
unhappy. Ny parents and sisters TO
fuse their consent and never will Civ,
il 10 me. am entirely In their power
II you could como back in one or two
years, as you said at the time you
promised me, | would have withsto0d
ali their threats, but the last hope Il
gone. Hose my hold. | sec the end
only too plainly.
Richard, Richard, why did you
teach me the highest felicity in the
l. a