The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-08-11

moving his forefnger abont his side of
the table to mark off his descriptions,
marching and counter marching, max
ing breaches and repairing them, at
tacking here, defending there, and
talking parapets, PALISADES, breast
works and halimOOns as gravcly as if
assisting at cGIncil of general
officers, and ever and anon swallowing
whole goblets of wine, while my poor
pro@enitor was at the last gasp and
just sinking upon the floor. "Let us
drink to the king" said the stranger,
putting an end to his demonstration
and filling up for bis companion and
himself. My ancestor made last con-
Vulsive effort, seized his goblet, drain.
ed 1t and sank heavily upon the foor.
AS he was falling, however, he saw his
companion stroke his hair placidly
back from his temples and at the same
time-now mark the singularity of the
adventure-he beheld column of pale
blue ascend INTO the air from hole in
the strangers head. The devil's i'm
the fellow, muttered my ancestor with
his last breath. as he rolled fairly on
the floor. you've hit it; you've hit It,
roared the other. springing from his
chair and applying vial to the colonel's
nose, who, feeling suddenly refreshed,
picked himself up and sat down again
as fresh and thirsty as if he had never
seen the bottom of a bottle. you are
a gentleman of penetration,' continued
the stranger, filling up the glasses,
'and | made long ago determination
to reward the first man who should re-
tain his senses long enough to see the
wine fumes escaping from my head in
the singular way you have beheld. 1t
IL not until [ am hard pushed that l
make use of my peculi; r secret. For
your recompense take tn ~ said he,
tapping him on the temple with his
forefinger. Now, whenever you have
finished bottle and you wish to be
free of its disagreeabe effects, you
have but to thrust your finger through
your hair, turn the little screw you
will find concealed above your temple
and you will find the fumes evaporat-
ed.' My ancestor, wishing to thank
him for his kindness, turned to him
with outstretched arms, when, Desold,
he had vanished, not vestige remain
ed (though both the doors and windows
were bolted), excepting slight smell
of birthstone which was discernable in
the apartment. The events OF this re-
markable evening were never disclos-
ed by my great grand father during his
lifetime, but were embodied into the
essay OH the rise and progress of the
Vielbeer family, from memoirs Oh the
subject left by the celebrated colonel
himself. My ancestor, after this event,
became celebrated throughout Europe
for his capacity for drinking. believe
he made bet once that he would out
drink the whole of the Heidelberg
council at sitting and won it, and he
was observed, beside, to be very f0rtu-
nate in everything he undertook. He
/ was always rolling in money and mar
, ried the daughter of the archduke,
: Maxinillian, of Austria. He disap-
r peared, however, one night in an awful
thunderstorm and was never heard OF.
, Twenty years afterward, however, q
skull was found in the cellar of Well
beer castle, in which hole exactly
quarter of an inch in diameter was
|. drilled and neatly stopped with silver
! screw. This was all we ever could
/. gather on the subject"
= Here Vielbeer drained quart to
;, lubricate his throat. Toward daylight
crowd of members of the Hirchfall
club came in, all dressed in their clubs
! coors of bright red caps with silver
!, bands, their sashes and watch guards
!, of the same colors.
"What do they wsnt?" asked Luft.
"Felderstein is gong to los (duello)
3 with Brun and Hecht, OF the Hirchfall
; club" answered some one.
;. "What!" said LHtt. addressing Eel
. derstein, ''they are seniors of their
club and two of the best schlagers
q (swordsmen) in Berlin"
"Don't csre,' answered he.
= "You will get your nose cut off,"
: "Don't care"
"What was it about?"
"They tripped me up on the street
one night last week and 1 challenged
them BOTH"
"Then why was it not fought at their
3, club?'
k "Because they are in repairs there.
r Will You second me, Luft."
!, "With pleasure, my boy;7' replied he,
0 donning the seconds regalis of white
Q cloth tied around his left arm and tax
r ing blunt sword in his hand.
b Felderstein went up to box of
/ rapiers, finally selected blade, screw.
ed it into a handle and throwing him
self into a posture of defense, cut a few
slashes in the air. "This will do"
said he as he took off his coat to dress
for the conflict. He first put around
his neck band OF black silk wadded
very tightly aud nearly an inch in
thickness. This effectually protected
. his throat and its vital arteries from any
, sword cut. Next he assumed the
I dueling pants. This elegant article OF
. dress resembles all apron divided into
I two compartments. 1t is made of
' strong leather, padded to great
. thickness, is strapped and buckled
q around the body and the legs and
n reaches from the waist to the knees.
His right arm, from the shoulder to the
q wrist, was then wound around with a
o kind of rope made of black silk cravats.
O This protects the arms perfectly, but
}. allows of free movements OF the elbow
;. and wrist. Upon his head was placed
j large and wadded club cap with a
= large leather front piece. And, lastly.
0 pair of wire goggles to protect his
g eyes. Thus it will be seen that the
4 only parts of the combattants left ex-
# posed are the face and breast, and it is
O consequently these alone that are in
n variably found covered and tattOoed
d with scars These face scars are not
o considered as disiguring. Indeed they
It are admired by the girls. One who has
: two scars is prouder than he who pos
It sesses just one, and the student whose
Q face is cut up like chopping block,
g struts and swaggers along the streets,
q the admiration of all his lady friends.
v Indeed. the girls, in sentimental hours.
n often cry because the students fight in
/. leather and not in armor, as the ducllo
: is all that remains of the days of chiv-
= airy. Felderstein and Luft marched
y into the center of large hall at one
n side OF the building. The windows
r, were suffered and the light came from
: above, so no advantage as regards light
,e was to be had. Soon Brun and his
a friends came in.
3, "Have you fellows brought an um-
l. pireY asked Luft.
i "No, but we will take Vielbeer."
,e Vielbeer went to the center of the
N hall and stood there smoking his pipe
N with perfect composure, and holding a
IS bit of chalk between his thumb and
re foretinger; as soon as the combatants
,r were ready he stopped down and mark.
N ed of with his chalk the proper places
a and distances, a ring was formed and
10 the five were left in the center of q
r circle of some forty or fifty spectators
ID "Join your blades," said Vielbeer.
20 The two principals threw themselves
/, on guard and crossed their weapons
4 n