The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-22

delinquent to quaff sundry quantities of
beer, more or less, as the case may require.
One of the most important of these
hilarious signs of good fellowship IS the
Bierjunge, or beer duel, but literally trans
lated, beer boy. Let us suppose two
foxes, as the younger members Of the
korps are called, who have not vet
doomed into ripe students, belonging to
the same society or korps. who have en-
tered into an argument and are unable to
decide who is right and who is wrong. as
livery frequently happens; the wordy
discussion becomes too animated and it
IL found necessary to appeal to senior
student This worthy gentleman, after
pretending that he has strictly consid-
cred the pros and cons of the debate, or
!, ders both foes to decide the debate by
crnking Bierjunge, or by fighting
abeer duel. the victor of which to be hailed
the winner of the wordy combat. The
> young fellows, nothing loath. readily agree
70 this proposal-in fact they must, for
obedience on the part of younger to an
older bursche is rigidly enforced. Two
large glasses of beer are now called for and
an umpire chosen. 1t is the latter's duty
To see that each glass contains an
approximately like quantity. give
the commands. and decide as
10 who is the winner. Now
begins the fun. To many strangers unac-
quainted with the habits of the German
student the proceedings would appear ex-
'eneiy ludicrous. but not so to the per-
sons interested who enter into the contest
with as much earnestness and enthusiasm
as If their lives depended upon the result.
The umpire places both glasses side by
side and examines them carefully;
II one is found to contain
little more liquid than the other,
he orders a certain amount To be taken
out SO that they are both equal. then the
umpire having expressed himself salts
hed As 10 the measurements of each glass.
gives out the word of command in as
stentorisn and authoritative voice rs
possible. The two duellist occupy posi-
tons fronting their respective glasses,
and At the command Take hold" for
me hrst time put their hands To the
glasses, but do not lift them from
'he table until the second command ITO
Tue lips. Is given; then again a pause
easues and silence Oh ain the lips of all
ceepiy interested spectators who cluster
around The two warriors of Racchus.
iheh the tnfTt command rings out:
one. two. three--drink Scarcely has
'ae echo of the umpire's voice died away
NHeh me large glass of each drinker IS
enpued and the half-smothered cry of
pieFlunget Is heard almost simultane-
oasiv from each. the one who has first
s.se!ea the word after drinking down
ms beer being declared the victor. that
~ provided all the other connected de-
sAlis have been relicIously observed, for
careful scrutiny Is taken by the UNI
F"e 10 see whether either of the partici-
saA's mas lett any beer in the bottom OF
nss glass. or whether he has split any on
4s caulhes or on the floor during the
AaTled contest, for If either one or the
a'aeF had committed any Of these faults
ne would be deemed the loser. In the
event OF tie or both combat
aa's committing the like faults the duel
Aast De fought over again until complete
sa'Siactlon is arrived at. IL Is something
aa'Se1ous - note the rapidity with which
soue students perform this feat. The
: ss1..er. during 4 many years sojourn In
us'aany. has known many OF these Jolly
!eane fellows. who had often gone
through the performance. bring IL 10 such
scientific state of satisfactory COM
fNelehess THAI they could take
age glass or stone jar Of beer con-
.s:Iu'nS more than a pint of the malt Juice,
s@p'y bold hack their heads and pour the
S'Au liquid down their threats without
me making use of the palate or swallow
aAs organ, and the beer would flow down
Isl IS easily IS If IL were being poured
a1olgh tunnel into tub. and with as
;-aeh after effect. As a rule these drink
lag contests are harmless, but they are
: S' without spice OF danger. and on