Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-07-10
A Fight.

A good many years ago was travel
ing in Italy. The Austrians held yet
the power over the NORTHEASTERN part
of that country. Venice, formerly the
queen Of the Adriatic, obeyed that for
eign emperor, residing in Vienna.
Venice is seaport and largely trad
es with the Levante. All the year
round you see sailors from all parts of
the Mediterranean, especially from the
beautiful land of the Greeks. from Asia
minor where Homer was born, and the
Delta of the Nile. They are a rough
class Of people and keep the Venetian
police force alive, but they spend mon
ey and very often the Venetian citizen
has to follow that old rule: Help
yourselfl" and the Southern Europe
ans don't hesitate to help themselves in
the slightest quarrel arising. The knife
is in frequent use.
A friend of mine, an artist, and | had
put up at one of the old Venetian pal
aces, now in use as q hotel. One
bright morning the gondolier took us
to one of those islands in the Adriatic
near the entrance Of the lagunas where
we wanted to enjoy a lazy summer day
after the ell-known Italian style. In.
stead of getting ease and rest, we had
a pretty lively time, although mere
spectators. Soon after our arrival we
entered one of those little wine houses
near the beach, so nicely situated amid
shadowy trees where we had a splendid
view of the sea. The inn-keeper didn't
seem very we'll pleased with our arriv-
al, and unwillingly gave us Il bottle of
wine. We soon found it out, lie had
set a large table, expecting guests We
were to retire to little table standing
near door which opened into the yard.
Shortly after us an Austrian soldier
entered the room. He was Magyar, q
hussar, small fellow but very stout
and muscular. Very quietly he sat
down at the head of that long table,
ordered bottle Of wine and commen-
ced drinking. The saloon-keeper want
ed him to takoa II seat at one of the
little tables along the back wall of the
room bnt the Magyar didn't understand
the Italian language, or - he misun
derstood the inn-keeper on purpose.
At the same time a crowd entered;
all sailors, singing and whistling, in
the highest spirits. They all We're very
strong young fellows, with fists like the
paws Of bear. They at once, without
further ceremonies, began to eat and to
drink, conversing as loudly as possibly.
They were full dozen and had seated
themselves around the table most COM
fortably, with the exception Of one
whose chair was occupied by that un-
movable Hungarian. And he kept his
seat in spite of all invitations to retire.
At last the sailor got wild and gave the
soldiers nose a blow that made it
bleed. Now the Magyar awoke from his
dreams, and with an iron fist struck
the sailors face that it swan with
blood, and the sailor fell headlong on
the floor. But the Magyar sprang to
his feet and with his back against the
front-door of the room, drew his pal
lash Ga long sword, broad, sharpened on
both sides) and commenced fighting as
he was taught in the lighting-school of
his Austrian regiment. For the sailors,
it was impossible to get a hold of him
first, they threw the bottles, glasses,
plates etc. at him, without any effect ;
then, attacked him with the chairs -
no success - at last, they flung their
knives at him, hurting him on face and
hands. But now the hussar saw his
time, pointed at one of the sailors and
with his untiring pallash dealt him a
blow that laid the man on the floor, his
6 head cut in two halves. In less than
one minute the other sailors had
f disappeared, jumping through the win
dows. Our Magyar putting his pallash
back into the sheath, sat down again,
ordered an other bottle Of wine and
drank it out, paying no attention at all
to the wounded sailor, to the trembling
inn. kecpor,or to us who hal cautiously
retired into the yard.
After having done with the wine, the
Hungarian paid two liras for two bot
o ties, and salutating the host in some
what satirical way, took his leave
There was bright smile all over his
martial face.