San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-04-29
A WOMAN Halter.

Tc us younger members of the corps Hans
Won Metz was the personificatien of soldier
His manly figure and his martial bearing
made him the idol of the barracks. The ladies
of Berlin shared that opinion. When Hans
rode Inter den Linden many glance from
lady fair fingered on the stately form of the
cavalier. These shots Hans bore with the
greatest sang-froid, and they fell as harm
leSsly around him as the bullets at Grave
lotte. Hans soon became known as a 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 suilen and
chary of speech.
1t 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 O'Clock, and at 10
a battery of empty bottles lined the side
board. Won Schwall had just finished q cap
ital story, at which Hans even smiled, when,
as the last sound died away, a discordant
eclO came from the street below.
Help Help" shrieked a female voice
And before the last shrek was lost Hans, who
was nearest the door, dashed down the stairs
Capt. Fallersleben, Lieut. SchlifR 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 a 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 a
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 brawis
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 a blow; the woman
at the same time gave shrek and fed In
the meantime our friends had sailed from
the house and were grouped around the IN
jured man, and as l approached Fallersleben
and SChlitf lifted him and carried him into
the house
1t was then l caught sight Of his face.
Imagine my surprise when l recognized in
that pallid countenance Count W., one of
the most prominent figures in diplomatic
circles and the gayest gallant of the capital
We were all lost in surmise. Fallerslebea.
Schlif and myself were 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 TRANSFERRED 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 Yves
found that his left arm was broken in two
places. Too weak TO talk the patient was
strong enough to be removed to his hotel
After discussing the matter at some length
we also left to await further Developments
Three months posed. Count ". had CON-
pletely recovered from his injuries. His
story was brief aud his connection with the
affair decidedly UnrOmantic. leaving a
friends house, where the bottle had circu-
lated rather freely, he had dismissed his car
riagc, Prcferring the short walk to his hotal
to the drive. Striking into a side street he
saw before him the yelled figure of woman.
IS he neared, her graceful carriage attracted
him \ pleasant good evening" net 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 Iar. So -. -, Thel. in front Of Won