The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-09-14

sity solely for the fun there is in it. This is
perhaps, putting it a little strong, but never.
theless it is true
The university life of the average student
may be looked upon as one continuous dream
of ease, beer smoke, and with some, dueling.
Yes, the life of a German student is some
what as many make American college life
lone grand loaf.n
Now, It is no easy matter to loaf as the
German does. 1t requires a constitution such
as not every young man has in America, al
though it is true many Americans who at
tend the university are quite able to hold up
their end 1 shall take the case of a German
who has fair amount of money to spend,
and who has entered the university and
identified himself with a fighting corps, and
endeavor TO show what his life would be.
There are a great many fighting corps at
Heidelberg, and the feeling manifested be-
tween them is about the same as that of diff
ferent college fraternities on this side the sea,
only much stronger. From the time of his
initiation the young man is expected by his
comrades, and every one else in fact, to fight
a certain number of duels year, drink beer,
smoke, flirt with every pretty girl he meets,
in fact do everything but study.
y
He does not recognize his best friend on
the street if he is a member of another fight
ing corps; in fact, he ignores all but mem
bers Of his particular corps. He wears a
little cap, called "mutze," which is much
too small for his head, and after having won
in a certain number of duels he is allowed
the privilege of wearing strip of ribbon
across his breast. This ribbon signifies that
- Ill 1.
and is now exempt from duty. He can, how
ever, offer himself as a candidate and fight
again. These students glory in their scars
and love to parade the streets where every
one can gaze at them.
Possibly you may think it necessary that
some one be insulted in order to arrange a
duel. But you are very much mistaken; the
affair is arranged very easily. At certain
times during the year the heads CT different
corps meet and a conversation something
like this ensues:
1--WE have four members who are ready
and willing to fight If you will match them
and set the day we will be glad"
The day is promptly arranged, and the two
corps meet at the dueling ground, which Is
in a house on the bank of the Neckar.
HOW TIE DUELs ARE FOUGHT.
The sight there is a strange one. A large
room, with tables around the wall filled with
students, drinking, eating and smoking, but
conversing only with members of their own
corps. A surgeon is on hand to attend to the
duelists should they need him. The first
duel is announced and the contestants APP
pear; they present very comical sight
They are padded from the head down and
have goggles over their eyes; the ears are also
covered by band passing about the head,
pressing them fiat.
The swords they use are long, slender and
very pliable. They are sharpened on both
edges and are like razors for keennesS. AT a
given sign the fighters begin to rain blows
upon each other so rapidly that one can
hardly see the swords. Their fighting is
sometimes very skillful, and it requires a
great nerve to stand up and have blows
showered upon ones head. Should either of
the fighters retreat a step or try to avoid
blow except by parrying with his weapon, he
would instantly be Kissed off the floor in dis
grace. 1t is the custom to fight until the
surgeon considers one OF the fighters suffi-
GENTLY hacked.
Some of the wounds are very painful, and
the fighters display great fortitude while I'M
der the surgeons hands.
A THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS CASE.
A certain theological student who was
studying because his family wished him to
become a minister joined a fighting corps
and tried to receive wound which would
prevent him from occupying a pulpit. He
succeeded very well, for in his first duel he
lost the tip end of his nose. 1t is said that he
actually cried for joy when the surgeon in
formed him that he would be disfgured for
life. During the time that the fighting is