The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-06-27
Told by a Dead Man.

One evening, not many months ago,
three persons We're seated i'll II snug
corner of the lounsing-room of the
Electricians Club of Vienna. From
the intent and eager expression on the
faces of two of them, it was evident
that the subject of the conversation
was more than ordinarily interesting.
The leader of the conversation was Il
man apparently on the turn of thirty
five, with face strongly marked by
the unsparing brush of late hours and
unrestrained passions. He had reach
ed the pith of the tale and was en- Joy
ing the impatience of his listeners with
keen relish. At last, yielding to their
eager opportunities, he said
"Well, III tell you the name of the
lady, but remember you have given
your word of honor that 1t shall go no
further. When followed her from
the train found il was-O shades of
virtue. Mrs. Waldcmer.
"You lie."
The words rang through the silent
room like IA trumpet blast. Springing
to their feet with haste that sent
chairs and table flying, the startled
trio turned and saw gentleman in
evening dress standing not three feet
away. His face was c0nvulsed with
rage and his futile struggle for speech
only caused his pallid Ii ips To utter in
coherent sounds. For il few seconds
no one moved, aud the nminous quiet
was only broken by the deep, labored
breathing of him who had so uncer"-
moniously interrupted the peace of the
night: then with n sudden bound IL
form cleared the intervening space, and
before hand could be raised in hind
rance, the bDastful roue had planted Il
terrific blow full IN the face of his adj
versary, almost Telling him to the floor.
The infuriated cOmbatants were quickly
| separated by the excited bystanders,
and both hurried from the house.
On the following morning the fire.
auenters of the club stood about in
little knots discussing the episode of
the night before. There was univer
sal sympathy with the gentleman who
had received the blow and many strong
expressions of anger were indulged IN
by the members, who were justly en-
ragged at the publicity that would in
evitably follow SUCH disgraceful
affair.
One old gentleman In particular was
much excited. He said:
"Such an unwarranted imputatiOn
against lady's character should not
pass unpunished; and if Herr Waldo
mer does not challenge that brute, why,
III do ii myself, if only on general
principles.
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 new conner was quickly sur
rounded, and with the eagerneSs of II
bearer of glad tidings he exclaimed:
"Waldemer has challenged him, and
the challenge is accepted of course. |
have Just come from the house of Ru-
kert, who, YOU know, conducts all such
affairs. He wouldn't tell me when ii
was to take place, or indeed anything
at all about il. But there are going to
be some extraordinary arrangements;
could tell that by his mir of mystery
the pompous old IDIOT"
The welcome intelligence created
feeling of general relief among the
members, and it was hailed with great
satisfaction. They dispersed 10 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
cerning 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 prin-
cipals and the indefatigable Rukert.
On the morning of the sixth day
after the quarrel at the club, the com
munity was thrown into state ot
horror at the following article publish
ed in the Neue Freie Presse:
At half-past eight laA night, AS a
party of young men were passing the
house of Herr Waldemer, in StraSSe
Walliischgasse, they were startled by
| the loud report of IL revolver coming
from the direction of that gentleman $
residence, followed Immediately by an
agonizing scream. They hastily forced
the front door and, after II vain search
IN several rooms, all untenanted, they
reached the study. There PROSTATE
on the floor was the form of our we'll
nown citizen dead A hideOus
wound in his left temple and revolver
lying near ut hand showed the cause
of death. Stretched across his body,
her hair dabbling in Il pool of blood,
was his beautiful wife Ii was at first
thought that she also was dead. But IL
hasty examination showed that she
had only tainted.
One of the horrilied gentlemen ran
for the nearest doctor, and also TO
report the melancholy news To the pro
per authorities. The others sci to work
to revive Mrs. Waldener, and soon had
the satisfaction of seeing her recover
consciousness.
| BY II fortunate coincidence Dr BreS-
Ion happened to be- IN the neighbor-
hood, and he was soon in attendance
lie pronounced Waldemer past all
medical aid, hut said that the lady was
only suffering from u severe nervous
shock natural under the circumstances.
Despite her protestatinns 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 IA most extraordinary and
fortunate circumstance we are enabled
II III