Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-08
REMARKABLE DUELS.
Fantastic Contests That Have Tried
Mems Nerve and Courage.

From Tit-Bits
Two heavy weights suspended from a
peam by slender cords were the weanons
CHOSEN by TWO Parisians named Durier and
Nolson TO terminate their rivalry for the
hand or a pretty actress. Beneath a weight
each took his stand, there to remain untiI
the breaking of one or the other of tha
cords should decide his fate For mora
than four hours they remained rnotionless
when the cord attached to Durier's weight
snapped. and the ponderous 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 a severe shock and
a broken collar bone.
Somewhat prolonged was the duel waged
few years back at u well-known York
shire seaside resort to decide which OF two
young men should surrender his claim TO
the hand of a local pubican's daughter
The rivals both prided themselves upon
their natatory prowcss, so ii was agreed
that he who should first miss his mornings
swim in the open should withdraw his pre-
tension to the ladys hand. For nine
months and more each took his matutinal
swim, but at length there came a day OF
such furious storm that one turned faint
hearted and refused to dare The tempestu-
Gus pillows. The other, however at con-
siderable risk, dashed into the foamlng sea
and. although he was badly cut and
bruised, emerged a triumphant wooer
Another aqueous duel occurred two years
since, the location being the Lake of &C.
neva, and the contestants a Swiss named
Zellner and the Lenoir, a Frenchman who
agreed that he who could remain the long
est beneath the surface of the water should
without interruption or hindrance from the
other be permitted TO pay his addresses to
the daughter of a wealthy tradesman- The
rivals dived simultaneously. and more than
two minutes elapsed ere Zellner's head APP
peared above the surface. There was no
sign, however. of his rival. after whom,
when yet another two minutes had sped
couple OF onlookers dived and succeeded in
recovering his senseless body. Restora-
tiyes were successfully applied. and on
Lenoir's recovering consciousness he was
acclaimed the victor
AT the time of Succi's forty-day fast at
the Westminster Aquarium. some years ago
couple of young Mancunians agreed. by
emulating his example. to decide which OF
them should first propose for the hand of a
girl who had hitherto regarded them with
a seemingly impartial affection. Four days
was sufficient ordeal for one who, refus-
ing any longer to abstain from food. LETT
the field clear to his rival. whose proposal.
however, met with scant consideration from
the lady. who declared that she would not
intrust her future to the keeping of such a
fool as he had proved himself. Needless
TO say his rivals reception was equally
glacial.
During a very severe winter in the for
ties couple of Germans, natives of Dres-
den, resolved, for love OF a woman. TO hght
a duel to the death. Without provision OF
any kind and clad only in the hghtest or
clothes, they went out into the country.
there to remain without shelter until one
or the other of them should succump 20
a wretched object crawled back into the
town: ten miles distant his rival. frozen
TO death. lay beneath the falling snow