The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-08-02
REMARKABLE DUELS.
Fantastic Contests That Tried Mems
Nerve and Courage.


Two heavy weights suspended from
II beam by slender cords were the
weapons chosen by two Parlslans nam
ed Durler and Volsin to terminate
their rivalry for the hand of a pretty
actress. Beneath Il weight each took
his stand, there to remain until the
breaking of one or the other Of the
cords should decide his fate. For more
than four hours they remained motion
less, when the cord attached to Du-
rier's weight snapped, and the ponder
Gus mass Of metal falling upon the
man beneath, struck him to the ground.
Fortunately, however, II just missed
his head, and he escaped with no worse
damage than Il severe shock and bro
ken collar bone.
Somewhat prolonged was the duel
waged a few years back at well
known Yorkshire seaside resort, to de-
eide which Of two young men should
surrender his claim to the hand of
local publlcan's daughter. The rivals
both prided themselves upon their ma
he who should first miss his mornings
swim in the open should withdraw his
pretension to the lady's hand For nine
months and more each took his matu-
final swim, but at length there came
day of such furious storm that one
turned faint hearted and refused to
dare the tempestuOus pillows. The 9th
er, however, at considerable risk, dash
ed into the foaming sea- and, although
he was badly cut and bruised, emerged
a triumphant wooer
Another aqueous duel occurred some
years since, the location being the lake
of Geneva and the contestants Swiss
named Zellner and one Lenolr,
Frenchman, who agreed that he who
could remain the longest beneath the
surface of the water should without in
terhptiOn or hindrance from the other
be permitted to pay his addresses to
the daughter of wealthy tradesman.
The rivals dived simultaneously, and
more than two minutes elapsed ere
Zellner's head appeared above the sur
face. There was no sign, however, of
his rival, after whom when yet an
other two minutes had sped a couple
of OnloOkers dived and succeeded in
recovering his senseless body. Restora-
tives were successfully applied, and on
Lenoirs recovering consciousness he
was acclaimed the victor.
At the time of Sussl's forty day fast
at the Westminster aquarium, some
years ago, couple of young Mancunl-
ans agreed by emulating his example
to decide which of them should first
propose for the hand of girl who had
hitherto regarded them with seem
lngly impartial affection. Four days
was sufficient ordeal for one, who, re-
food, left the field clear to his rival,
whose proposal, however, met with
scant consideration from the lady, who
declared that she would not lntrust her
future to the keeping of such fool
as he had proved himself. Needless to
say his rivals reception was equally
glacial.
During very severe winter in the
last century a couple Of Germans, ma
tives of Dresden, resolved for love of
a woman to fight duel to the death.
Very fantastic was the method en-
ployed Without provision Of any kind
and clad only in the lightest of clothes,
they went out into the country, there
TO remain without qholtar,u ,until ono nr
other of them should succumb to the
cold Three days after their departure
a wretched object crawled back into
the town. Ten miles distant his rival,
frozen to death, lay beneath the falling
Tit-Bits.