Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-06-26
lancaster .9ntelltgenccr.
T1nsDAY EVENING, JUNE %. 1888
AN AMERICAN ABROAD.

uo,n,up ,he Fort In . Foreign saloon.
A few weeks ego an American student
Who had but recently arrived in Heidel-
berg strayed into one of the teer halls OF
an evening and ordered glass of beer.
He drank that, and then ordered second
and third He noticed that the students
who we're grouped about the different
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 for
ward 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
acre free and he should stay. The
German told him if he did not leave at
once he would be put out. He was re-
quested to try it on When the student
went back for reenfOrcements the students
quickly gathered up an armful OF the
thick, heavy earthen beer mug plates that
were on several Of the tables near, and
FABRICATED himself behind heavy oak
tablo in tho corner Of the hall. lie also
collected all the beer mugs and glasses
that we're not in use, and that he could
speedily lay his hands on, then he 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
threats there was a lively fight, which
lasted for about ten minutes. The charge
was met by vOlley after volley of plates,
beer mugs and glasses, every one of
which hit it's mark and did its work. Two
or 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 tho Oaken chairs, which
proved 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
repairs The plates, mugs and
glasses soon gave out and the barri-
cade was demolished. Then the plucky
American met his assailants face to face,
with the odds fearfully against him. But
he Still maintained his ground ana re.
mained master of the situation. Fortu
nately he was scientific boxer, and when
the students made another rush upon him
they were met with what were to them
new and unexpected weapons. Blows
played out right and left from his shOul-
ders with such lightning rapidity among
the opposing forces that soon several we've
lying on the floor, and the others with
drew to Il distant part OF the hall, probably
to reconsider tho matter of putting the
stranger out. The hall was in a fearful
confusion. Chairs and tables were over
turned and broken, windows and mirrors
were smashed, and the floor covered with
a debris of beer mugs and glasses. The
American, seeing that his opponents did
not seem inclined to renew tho fight,
quietly took his hat and walked out. The
next day ho was arrested by tho pro
prietor of the beer hall on 4 charge of
causing disturbance and Cor damages for
broken furniture, etc. lie 1t rnce caused
the arrest of the students as the aggres-
sors in the fray, and the matter was finally
settled by the latter, who we're obliged to
pay the principal share Of the damage.
But the Germans were SO fascinated
with Americans pluck and bravery
that a few nights afterwards they got up
4 grand demonstration on his account at
the same beer hall, on which occasion an
Indefinite quantity of beer WIS drank in
his honor, and he was made to feel that lie
was the hero OF the hour.