Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-11
A WOMAN Halter.

rode Inter den Linden many glance rom
lady fair fingered on the stately form of the
cavalier These shots Hans bore with the
greatest sang-froid, and they fell as harm
lezsly around hun as the bullets at Grave
lotta. Hans soon became known as woman
hater, and this reputation spread from the
mess table TO the world beyond. The conse-
quence was that Hans received more invita-
tions to swell affairs than usually fell to the
lot OF an officer with an empty title. 1t was
also noticed that Hans drank heavily. Con-
trary to the usual result with other men,
wine made Hans taciturn and sullen and
chary OF spesch.
II was one night in January when Won
Schwall, of the CuiraSsiers, invited US to his
rooms, opposite the barracks. Hans was one
of the party, which numbered about eighteen
The battle opened about 9oelock, and at 10
a battery OF empty bottles lined the side
board Won Schwall had just finished a cap
ital story, at which Hans even smiled, when,
as the last sound died away, a discordant
echo came from the street below.
"Helpl Helpl" shrieked a female voice
And before the last shrek was lost Hans, who
was nearest the door, dashed down the stairs
Capt. Fallersleben, Lieut. Schliif and myself
were close behind As reached the sidewalk
/ saw Hans in the middle of the street raise
the struggling form of a man in his arms,
poise HIM aloft for moment and the next
hurl him to the ground. The unfortunate
fellow did not move or groan. Hans now
turned his attention to the woman, who
seemed dazed with fright, while we and Q
group of spectators attracted to the scene
stood spellbound. Our uniforms awed the
citizens into passiveness and they supposed
that it was one of the usual street brawls
among wine laden soldiers when interference
by outsiders is dangerous. As Hans spoke
some words of reinsurance to her she turned
her head and the nearest gas lamp threw its
light across her face. Hans started back like
a man who had received blow; the woman
at the same time gave a shrek and fled. In
the meantime our friends had sailed from
the house and were grouped around the in
jured man, and as approached Fallersleben
and Schliff lifted him and carried him into
the house.
1t was then | caught sight of his face.
Imagine my surprise when | recognized in
that pallid countenance Count W., one Of
the most prominent figures III diplomatic
circles and the gayest gallant of the capital.
We were all lost in surmise. Fallersleben.
Schliff and myself We're bestormed with
questions, Hans was deaf to all interroga-
tories, and, perhaps, was as ignorant of the
cause of the fracas as ourselves. He seemed
more excited, however, than even the STIR
ring events which had just trauspired war
ranted, and after draining huge bumper Of
champagne, he left the room without a look
or inquiry for his wounded antagonist.
Meanwhile DR.. Meyer, staff surgeon of the
REGIMENT, who fortunately made one of our
party, assisted by the others, had restored
the wounded man to consciousness. 1t was
found that his left arm was broken in two
places. Too weak to talk the patient was
strong enough TO he removed to his hotel
After discussing the matter at some length
we also left to await further developments.
Three months passed. Count W had COM
pletely recovered from his injuries. His
story was brief and his connection with the
affair decidedly unromantic Leaving a
friends house, where the bottle had circu-
lated rather freely, he had dismissed his car
riage, preftrring the short walk 10 his hotel
to the drive Striking into a side street he
saw before him the yelled figure of woman.
As he neared, her graceful carriage attracted
him A pleasant good evening met with
CHEEKY response and the acceptance of the
counts extended arm The woman seemed
educated above her class, and her companion
was soon lost in an animated conversation
with her Suddenly, when in front of Won
Schwalls rooms, the count missed a diamond
pin, which he usually wore on his scarf At
once it flashed through his muddled brain
that his fair charner was the thief The
wine and the loss of the diamond robbed him
of his better Judgment, and he grasped the
woman by the throat. Her screams brought
about the event above narrated. Detectives
were put upon the case and in a few DAYS ar
rested Adele de Gichy, as she called herself,
aCyprian. She was arraigned, the diamond
in the meantime having been discovered in
pawn shop, where she had pawned it, and she
was sentenced 10 three years imprisonment
at hard labor. A few days after the trial,
while seated at breakfast, Hans entered my
room abruptly.
Karl" he began, without any preamble,
II have been challenged by Count W. Bless
ing, of the Thirty-third, is his second, and l
have taken the liberty to refer him to you as
my friend
"Challenged!n managed to articulate in
my establishment. You don't mean to say
that W has challenged you on account of
that affair of the diamond robberyf'
well, he has never bore me airy love since
shrug But we met at the shooting gallery
this morning. A push, unintentional, Of
course, you'll understand, made him miss
fine shot. He accused me of pushing him on
purpose | did not think it worth while to
assure him of the contrary, it would have
sounded too much like an apology. VOLTA,
the result'
With the enthusiasm of youth 1 accepted
fba Nd laft init e.,
meet him at the Casino that night, and the
parting injunction to accede to every stipu-
lation made by the other side | demurred,
but he was obstinate, and my demurrer was
useles. About II o'clock Blessing called, and
the duel was soon arranged. My friend was
to meet the count next morning at dawn in a
little strip Of wool about three miles from
the city. 1he .luchsts were to fire at the
word ''threen and to continue firing until
one of them was killed or disabled, or the
weapons were enptied. The latter stipula-
ton | knew was super1uous, as both were
crack shots.
At O'Clock my servant woGe me ont Of a
restless SIu.abeT. by The time had finished
a hasty breakfast Of coffee end rolls the car
rage arrived which was to take me to the
scene Of conflict. saw Hans and DR. Meyer
seated in the vehicle smoking cigars. appar-
emily with the utmost concern. Ny greeting
was not ELUSIVE, time had dampened my
ardor, and as took my seat Beside my friend
serious apprehensions arose il my mind. The
GOODNESS Of my companions, who chatted
pleasantly together, and the natural buoy
ancy of youth soon dispelled the gloomy veil
from my spirits. The journeys end was soon
reached, and when the carriage stopped the
first streaks of dawn were just visible on the
horizon. As Hans expressed his surprise at
the nou-arrival of the count and his party
the sound Of wheels was heard in the distance
removed the pistol case from under the seat
where Hans had placed it, and Just then the
second carriage drove up, and from it alight-
ed the count, Blessing and DIR. Spuhr The
mutual greetings were formal and polite.
Blessing and | soon measured the distance,
examined the weapons and completed all the
prelimiuaries. The principals held aloof,
quietly conversing with their respective med
ical friends
The spot was aptly chosen for such meet
ing. 1t was located in the center of the little
woods In an open glade, surrounded on all
sides with somber trees, whose shadows cast
their grotesque shapes on the green sward,
and the scene is indelibly stamped on my
memory. Just the sun rose above the
neighboring hills l handed the weapon to
Hans, and Blessing did the same service for
the count. His hand was steadier than mine
as he took the weapon. A faint alfle played
on his finely chiseled lips as he said Karl, il