Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-12-30

hand. ! obeyed without hesitation.
The carriage door was closed, and the
vehicle rolled on. There was in the
carriage, besides the senior of the
Bavaria, Herr Giesen, another men,
Der of that dueling club, and Herr
Baum, the student who had the row
with Lieut.. Won Holz. In the bottom
Of the vehicle were three or four bask-
et-handed dueling sabres.
ave want you as a witness to the
duel that is coming off right away.
You are the first corps bursch I've
seen on the street, and as there is no
time to lose I've just picked you up
said the senior.
80 Baron Lieut.. Won Hol2 has
changed his mind about fighting with
plebeians," l replied.
mo, he hasn't changed his views,
bnt Prince William, the brother of the
grand duke. changed them for him.
Prince William gave our little lieuten-
ant to understand that if he did not
fight he would be kicked out of the
army. That's what brought him to
his milk. So he went over as soon as
possible, lie is waiting for us now,
with his seconds and an army doctor,
in the gasthaus zum adler 1t is going
to be very serious matter and want
witness to see that they don't crowd
us or lie about us afterwards. These
military men are great strategists."
In few minutes we drove into the
courtyard of the hotel and carried the
weapons up stairs. On the large dane
ing seal, where the dispute was to be
arranged, where three gentlemen,
Lieut.. Won Holz, his second, and a
doctor. The latter was unconcernedly
threading curved needle to sew up
wounds. On the table was basin of
water and sponge, also an open case
of Instruments. The Germans are
very business like in all their under.
taiings.
Lieut.. Won IIolz, the cause of this
prospective trouble, did not impress
me very favorably. lie talked through
his nose, which he held up in the air,
possibly to facilitate his flow of elo-
quence. 1t was very largo nose,
with large nostrils that looked as if
they were looped up at the sides. lie
was rather short and stout, and looked
far from enjoying himself, On the
other hand, the lieutenanCS second
presented an interesting appearance.
lie was a liorce looAing, little old man
with shaggy eyebrows, hooked nose
that gave him the appearance Of
being a cross between rat terrier and
n bird of prey. lie was venerable
surgeon relic of the Napoleonic era.
OF our party Bum supplied the
good looks. lie was a dark k-haired,
blue-eyed young fellow, and as
strong as Il lion Giesen, the senior Of
the Bavaria, was big, broad-should-
cred, red whiskered giant, whose face
was adorned with various and sundry
scars that he had acquired at different
universities. Giesen approached the
Napcleonic veteran and informed him
that Baum would lie ready in a few
moments. There was brief consul
tation in a corner of the large dancing
room.
"Now, my dear boy" said Giesen,
laying his hand on his principals
shoulder. "lf l had known about this
before | would have taken it off your
hands; but it is too late now. You
have never practice with sabre, and
unless You do precisely as tell you,
you will be cut all to pieces, for your
opponent knows how to fence. You
must not fence him at all. You are
stronger and quicker than he is, end if
you climb right on him, and cut away
at him as hard as you can, you
will throw him off his guard. Don't
give him time TO cut back at you. AS
soon as give the word, run right up
to bin, and make use OF your natural
advantages
Baum nodded his head. There was
look of determination in his knit
brow and set mouth. The opponents
took their places in silence opposite
each other about fifteen feet apart.
The program was that at the word of
command they should advance on
each other. 1t was agreed that Giesen
should give the word.
"Fertig.!os," said Glesen in loud
voice.
The words seemed scarcely uttered
before Baum was upon his antagonist,
dealing out a succession of terrific
blows that could not be parrcd. Lieut.
Won IIolz began to move backwards,
but Baum followed him more furious
ly than ever, until the lieutenant had
reached the opposite side of the room.
"Ialt," called out the Napoleonic
veteran, interposing his sabre. The
combatants paused and took their for
mcr places.
81 had supposed this duel was to be
carried on according 10 the code, but
see | am mistaken. Your man
should keep his proper distance" said
the o.d veteran.
"And J." retorted Giesen, with a
magnificent sneer, supposed that this
room, which is nearly fifty feet square
| una hiO nnouoh for these pymn astir