The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-12
CLING TO CODE DUEuO
CUBANS STILL LIKE TO SETTLE
THEIR DISPUTES WITH
TILE SWORD
THE IMPORTANCE OF FENCING
Some of the Best Known Fighters,
One OF Whom Has Had Thir-
ty-FiVe Engage
ments.

Cuba still clings to the code duello as
the arbiter of all disputes. and the duel
in Cuba has for years been one Of the
most solid institutions of that. very un-
stable country. It is one, too, which Will
die the hardest death under a new gov
eminent, as it figures prominently in ey-
cry phase Of social and business life, says
the Cincinnati Enquirer.
A Cuban must know how to fence and
to fence well. 1t is one of the chief points
in his education, and from four to six
hours day are spent in practice with
the foiIs. On the shelves of the Havana
book stores a large number of pamphlets
can always be found setting forth the ad-
vantages Of the code Of honor" the eti-
quette to be observed in a meeting and
the proper weapons to be used. The
| sword. saber and pistol are the recognized
arms, and there are few, IL any, of the
young bloods of Havana and other large
cities Of the island who are not expert
with all three. In the Union club, at Ha
yana, sword and pistol practices are the
leading diversions, and nearly all the
prominent newspaper men have records as
duelists.
Politics and love affairs are the chief
causes of quarrel. The front Of the Hotel
Inglaterra is a noted rendezvous for aris-
tocratic men of leisure. who spend their
spare time In looking for chance to cross
swords.
OPERA NIGHTS PROLIFIC.
Another place equally prolific in produc-
ing duels Is the entrance to the Tacon
theater, on the Prado, during the opera
season. The ladies pass from their car
riages over long strip OF carpet, which
is laid from the street to the marble
steps. and on either side of this the young
men congregate and wait for glance or
a smile. Scarcely an opera night passes
that cards are not exchanged, and many
brides have been won at the point Of the
sword, one young society man laying low
as many as seven Of his rivals. No at
tempt is made to keep duel secret. On
the contrary. 1t Is usually attended by
all the friends of the combatants.
One Of the most famous characters In
Cuba is Augustin Cervantes, aptly called
the Modern Cyrano," and In appearance
he Is the typical chevalier OF fiction
Cervantes is about thIrty-two years old
slim and graceful He has a hand Of
iron and wrist OF steel, dark hair. rest
less black eyes and small mustache
It Is said that he is utterly fmpervious to
emotion, and has never been seen to
smile A rumor went in circulation not
many years ago that a young Cuban
beauty and heiress had committed suicide
because She had become infatuated with
Cervantes and failed to gain his love: but
he is rarely seen at social functions, pre-
ferring the gaming tables and the demi-
monde to tanner If a more respectable,
existence.
THIRTY-FIVE DUELS.
Don Augustin has thirty-fve duels to
his credit. and has been wounded only
twice. When Pint, the celebrated French
fencer, was In Havana, he was defeated
twice by Cervantes, whom he declared to
be more expect with the rapier than any
other man against whom he had tried his
skill
Cervantes' principal pastinle Is looking
for trouble, and he is usually very sue
cessful in this line. No one knows at
what he will take offense. This makes
him a dangerous companion and conse-
quently he had few intimates. To differ
with him in opinion means a meeting be-
hind the fortress of Cabanas. To acct
dentally jostle him in crowd Is likely to
terminate the awkard unfortunate's ex-
istence. Although he openly declares his
disbelief In woman's virtue. he is ever.
ready to defend It when questioned by
! another, and the fairer sex can safely