The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-07-06
TOLD BY A DEAD MAN,


One evening, not many months ago.
three persons were seated in a snug cor
ner of the Longing room of the Elec-
,tricians' club of Vienna. From the in
tent and eager expression on the faces of
two OF them twas evident that the sub
Ject of the conversation was more than
ordinarily interesting.
The leader of the conversation was
man apparently on the turn OF thirty
five, with a face strongly marked by the
unsparing brush of late hours and unre-
strained passions. He had reached the
pith of the tale, and was enjoying the
impatience of his listeners with keen
relish. At last, yielding to their eager
opportunities, he said:
"Well, I'll tell you the name of the
lady, but remember you have given your
word of honor that it shall go no far
ther. When followed her from the
train I found it was-oh, shades of vir-
tuei Mrs. Waldemer."
"You liei"
The words rang through the silent room
like trumpest blast. Springing to their
feet with haste that sent chairs and
table flying, the startled trio turned and
saw a gentleman in evening dress stand
ing not three feet away. His face was
convulsed with rage, and his futile strug-
gle for speech only caused his pallid lips
to utter incoherent sounds.
For few seconds no one moved, and
the ominous quiet was only broken by
the deep, labored breathing of him who
had so unceremoniously interrupted the
peace of the night; then with sudden
bound form cleared the intervening
space, and before hand could be raised
in hindrance the boastful roue had
planted terrific blow full in the face of
his adversary, almost telling him to the
floor. The Infatuated combatants were
quickly separated by the excited by
ISLANDERS, and both hurried from the
house.
On the following morning the fire.
quenters of the club stood about in little
knots discussing the episode of the night
before. There was a universal sympa-
thy with the gentleman who had re-
ceived the blow, and many strong ex-
pressions of anger were INDUCED in by
the members, who were justly enraged
at the publicity that would inevitably
follow such disgraceful affair.
One old gentleman in particular was
much excited. He said:
such an unwarranted imputation
against a lady's character should not
pass unpublished, and if Herr Waldemer
does not challenge that brute, why, I'll
do it myself, if only on general princi-
PIES"
AS the choleric old man finished, a
commotion at the door showed the en-
trance of some one with fresh news on
the engrossing topic.
The newcomer was quickly surround
ed, and with the eagerness of a bearer of
glad tidings he exclaimed:
"Waldemer has challenged him, and
the challenge is accepted of course.
have just come from the house of Rukert,
who, you know, conducts all such affairs.
He wouldn't tell me when it was to take
place, or indeed anything at all about it.
Bat there are going to be some extraor-
binary arrangements; could tell that
by his air of mystery-the pompous old
idiotp
The welcome intelligence created a
feeling of general relief among the mem
bers, and it was hailed with great salts
faction. They dispersed to their various
homes, knowing that their code of honor
was still intact.
For several days the curious made
every effort to discover any details con-
corning the impending duel, but with
out avail There was only certainty
that it would take place, but where and
how was only known to the principals
and the indefatigable Rukert.
On the morning of the sixth day after
the quarrel at the club the community
was thrown into state of horror at the
following article published in the Neue
Freie Presse:
AT half-past last night, as party of
young men were passing the house of
Herr Waldemer, in Strasse Wallfsch-
gasse, they were startled by the loud re-
port of a revolver coming from the direc-
ton of that gentleman's residence, fol-
lowed Immediately by an agonizing
scream. They hastily forced the front
door, and after vain search in several
rooms, all untenanted, they reached the
study. There, PROSTATE on the floor, was
the form of our well known citizen
dead. A hideous wound in his left tenn
pie and revolver lying near at hand
showed the cause of death. Stretched
across his body, her hair dabbling in
pool of blood, was his beautiful wife. 1t
was at first thought that she also was
dead; but a hasty examination showed
that she had only tainted.
One of the Mortified gentlemen ran tor
the nearest doctor and also to report the
melancholy news to the proper authori-
ties. The others set to work to revive
Mrs. Waldemer, and soon had the salts
faction of seeing her recover conscious
ness.
By fortunate coincidence DR.. Breslon
happened to be in the neighborhood, and
he was soon in attendance. He pro-
nounced Waldemer past all medical aid,
but said that the lady was only suffering
from a severe nervous shock, natural
under the circumstances.
Despite her protestations Mrs. Wal
demer was taken into custody and re-
moved to the house of detention, where
she remained during the night, all offers
OF bail being resolutely refused.
Owing to most extraordinary and
fortunate circumstance we are enabled
to clear the unhappy lady from all sus-
picion, and also to give our readers the
details of a very singular duel that took
place in this city but few days ago,
and which undoubtedly caused the sui
eide just mentioned.
Last NIGHT at half-nast IN O'clock n