, 1885-07-07
DUEL.
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR IN THE GER
MANY OF TO-DAY.


lbotingen Cor. minneapolis Irioune.J
Tho affair was t. take place In a mail
village at a little distance from the town,
and thither we were driven early one morn
ing over the frozen snow. Having arrived
at ono OF those picturesque old "Wirthshaus'
"a well known In German song and story as
in the Germany OF to-day, and our cards
having been sent in AMI duly inspected, we
were ushered into a long. low room, moder-
ntely well nlled with students, and artistic
ally drapod with wreaths OF tobacco smoke,
touched, IL must be confessed, with frequent
dnshes Of the amber color proper TO the ma
llonal Leverage. Preparations for tho af-
fray were evidently well under way. There
wcro two objects half reclining on tho
edges OF two chair In the middle Of tho
ROOM; OF tile general human shape, but so
much wrapped up that only their hea Is and
arm, revealed thoir affinity 10 humanity.
Two surgeons were enjoying n preliminary
cigar, and at tho same time looking over
tleir stock Of carbol and lint, and the friends
Of the beligerents were evidently arranging
tho last technical points and assuming the
customary supreme Importance OF those
fortunate persons in all lands to whose lot it
falls a duel or a dog fight, or any similar
pageant, TO superintond.
But tho course OF true "chivRlryH In this
particular instance resembled that Of true
love" which, it viii DO remembered, rarely
rum with all the felicity that could DO de-
sired. Just at the juncture whom every
thing and everybody, except the actual par
Elephants l venture 70 say, were ready, a
man whom the students station at certain
ors-roads for such emergencies came rush
ing ia and broathlessly announced "polizie. +"
A runnway on Washington avenue could
not have changed tho aspect Of things there
moro quickly or more effectively. The
uandaged and helpless were hustled down
cnllar, the implements OF war were thrown
in Il closet, and tho onlookers having dis
tributed themselves judiciously but hastily
in the various guest-rooms OF tho house,
proceeded 10 i%nnocently sing and yell after
the student fashion the world round.
Il is difficult TO imagine why the police
choose 10 Interfere IN this way at stated in
tervals with the student dusls. They are
prohibited by the university laws, TO be
.ure but so openly practiced squArely under
the nose Of all authorities, and 50 Invariably
winked at that tho only rational explAna-
ton seems to DO that the police choose thus
10 give the students a hint now and then ~
keep within proper bounds-which probably
Is TO mean that they shall not quite kill each
other. However this may be, one particu-
lar policeman staid only long enough 10
sample the "Witth's7 brew, and the duel
soon went merrily on. The two persons most
Immediately concerned, reappeared from
below, still wearing their complicated series
Of padded armor and cloth ~wrappings
around the trunk, arms, and neck, leaving
only the face and head bare While tho left
arm was being tied behind them, and the
iron-framed spectacles adjusted TO protect
the eyes, tho referees, Seconds and other
4A-AAN..N W...N4A - a.
rolurs OF his corps took their positions
A short period Of suspense followed,
brokon only by the formal half Latin. half
vernaoular proclamation OF some sort from
the referee, followed by a responso from all
the seconds, surgeons, and other officials, in
turn; 10 that a more impressive moment II
has rarely been my fortune to experience,
Tho word -aoi' from tho referee
a second later but family expresses
the way those two students stood
up 10 each other and tried TO the best OF
their ability 10 mutilats the others head.
The right arms were held straight up In the
air, and every motion came quick as light
ming. seemingly all from the wrist aud FORE
arm Tho steel rapiars. nearly As sharp a.
razu. flashed back aud forth 30 rapidly
that IL was impossible tor the unskilled and
barbarian eye 10 follow them Pretty soou
blood from somewhere began TO trickle down
the adefaces OF both men Thon a brief
bait for the roferoe TO take notes on the stu
alton.
Another halt with more notes By thi,
time thcro weno spota Of Venetian red on
the clothing OF men and on the door. Still
another halt, with still more consultation
A Few minutes later the decisive blow had
evidently boon given and received, although
the tme lad not yet expired. The blood
sireamd down the foreheA1 and face Of one
OF tho gladiAtors so plentifully that it wa.
evident that be was -hors de combat" tn,
referee gave his decision. the wounded 70
ured un ler escort OF the surgeons 10 an al
joining room, the spectators sat Town 10 4
mail lunch aud a scientific discussion o
the details az tho affair" and the work.
went 10 is OLD work again Of turning round