Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-04-11
A WOMAN HATER.

10 US younger tnetnOeIs VI tu0 SOiPS
Hans Won Metz was the personihca-
ton of a 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 Unter den Linden many a
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 harmlessly |
around him as the bullets at Grave
lotte. Hans soon became known as
woman hater, and this reputation
spread from the mess table to the
world beyond. The consequence was
that Hans received more invitations
to swell affairs than usually fell to the
lot of an officer with an empty title
1t was also noticed that Hans drank
heavily Contrary to the usual result
with other men, wine made Hans tacl-
turn and sullen and chary OF speech.
1t was one night in January when
Won Schwall of the Cuirassiers, in
vited us to his rooms, opposite the
barracks. Hans was one of the party,
which mum bered about eighteen. The
battle opened obout o'clock, and at
10 battery of empty bottles lined the
side. board. Won Schwall had just
finished capita story, at which Hans
even smiled, when, as the last sound
died away, a discordant echo came
from the street below.
Help! Help! shrieked female
voice. And before the last shrek
was lost, Lans, who was nearest the
door, dashed down the stairs. Capt.
Fallersleben, Lieut.. Schllff and my
self were close behind. AS | reached
the sidewalk saw Hans in the middle
of the street raise the struggling form
of man in his arms, poise HIM aloft
for a moment and the next hurl him
to the ground. The unfortunate fell
low did not move or groan. Hans
now turned his attention to the wo-
man. who seemed dazed with fright,
while we and group of spectators at
tracted to the scene stood spellbound.
Our uniforms awed the citizens into
passiveness and they supposed that 1t
was one of the usual street brawls
among wine laden soldiers when in
reference by outsiders Is dangerous.
AS Hans spoke some words of reas-
surance to her she turned her head
and the nearest gas lamp threw its
light across her face. Hans started
back like IL man who had received a
blow; the woman at the same time
gave a shrek and fed In the mean
time our friends had sailed from the
house and were grouped around the
injured man, and as | approached
Fallersleben and,Schliff lifted him and
carried him into the house.
1t was then l caught sight Of his
face. Imagine my surprise when
recognized in that paliid countenance
Count W., one of the most prominent
figures in diplomatic circles and the
gayest gallant of the capital. We
were all lost in surprise. Fallersleben,
Schllff and myself were bestormed
with questions. Hans was deaf to all
interrogatorles, and, perhaps. was as
ignorant of the cause of the fracas as
ourselves. He seemed more excited
however, than even the stirring events
which had just transpired warranted
and after draining hugh bumper OF
champagne, he left the room without
look Of inquiry for his wounded an
tagonist.
Meanwhile, DR.. Meyer, staff surgeon
of the regiment, who fortunately
made one of our party, assisted by the
others, had restored the wounded mai
to consciousness. 1t was found tina
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 SOM
length we also left to await furthe
developments.
4 Y u II \ i
Three months passed. Count W
had completely recovered from his in
iuries. His story was brief and hi
connection with the affair decided
unromantic. Leaving friends house
where the bottle had circulated rathe
freely, he had dismissed his carriag'
preferring the short walk to his hote
to the drive. Striking into a sid
street he saw before him the velle
figure of a woman. AS he nearec
her graceful carriage attracted him
A pleasant good evening met wit
a CHEEKY response and the acceptanc
of the Counts extended arm. Th
woman seemed educated above be
class, and her companion was 500
lost IN an animated conversation wit
her. Suddenly, when in front of Vo
Schwall's rooms, the Count missed
diamond pin, which he usually wol
on his scarf. At once it f1ashe
through his muddled brain that b
fair charmer was the thief. The wiz
and the loss of the diamond roobe
him of his better judgment, and
grasped the woman BY the throat.
Her screams brought about the eve