The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-08-14

the table occupied by the lady, who
took it up and Immediately left the
restaurant.
The same evening while Count Her
man was at work in his office-for In
wartime he never rested-a messenger
brought him note, which read as fol
lows:
Count Herman Burnhardt:
Sir-My wife informs me that you insult
ed her In restaurant on the Inter den
Linden this evening. I desire that you
VIII give me satisfaction at once. 1 am an
american and stranger in Berlin, with
no acquaintance whatever; consequently /
have no one to call upon TO act as my Sec
ond. / am therefore compelled to fight
You without one. You are welcome to as
many attendants as you like. Yours,
ELIHU WAGSTAFF,
Little Rock, Ark, u. S. A.
The count, though yexed, could
scarcely restrain a smile at this I'm
couth way of entering upon combat.
Tell Mr.. Wagstaff," he said to the
messenger, that l will meet him to-
morrow morning and will name the
time and place later. l will provide
him with a second. AS the challenged
party, choose pistols, but If he pre-
fers any other weapon I win cheerful
" give way to him"
When an hour later a captain In the
army, acting for the count, notified
Mr.. Wagstaff Of the time and place of
meeting he was received by Mrs. Wag-
staff, who said that her husband had
gone to bed and, since his nerve de-
pended on his sleep, she would not
awaken him She would say, however,
that since the count was pleased to
give up the choice Of weapons her hus-
band would fight with foils.
When the captain reported this to
the count the latter expressed some
concern that he had not seen Mr.
Wagstaff. He would have withdrawn
from the matter, but his second ex-
pressed dissatisfaction at such a pro-
cedure, stating that he was bound to
fight or suffer the consequences.
Count Herman was on the ground,
attended by surgeon, at the ap-
pointed hour and also with two sec
onds. the one for himself, the other
for his opponent. A bundle Of foils
had also been brought. A few min
utes after his arrival carriage drove
up, and out stepped Frau Weber. Her
hair and her complexion were her own.
She wore a cloak that reached to her
feet. Advancing to the party, she
threw open her cloak and revealed her
figure in fencing costume. The count
on seeing her was paralyzed; the 9TH
ers were amazed.
Count" she said, you are doubtless
aware Of the reason for this encounter
win you send your attendants. out Of
hearing, or shall 1 make my demands
in their presence~
The count was silent for moment
then motioned the others to retire.
When they had gone Minna said to
him:
You have acted shameful part In
lodging a false charge against my hus-
band under circumstances that you
know full WELL"
The count essayed to speak, but she
stopped him.
Either you must sign a paper re-
tracing your charge or you must kill
me or l win kill you"
Once more the count attempted to
argue, but the woman, drawing a foil
from beneath her cloak, stopped him
with, ION guardr
Where is the paper you wish me to
stgnp he asked.
Minna drew q document from a belt
she wore and handed it to him. 1t
read:
Il have been mistaken in my charge
against Heinrich Weber and withdraw
It,"
Minna drew a fountain pen from her
corsage and offered it to him. He &C.
cepted 1t, signed the document and
handed 1t to her
1T is enough that you have sought
revenge upon a successful rival to ruin
you as soon as the fact becomes known.
l shall not use this paper until con-
WINGED that you do not intend to secure
my husbands release If you DO not
see that he is freed within two days
! will send it to the emperor him
self"
Re-entering her carriage, she was
driven away. The attendants received
no explanation from their principal.
Within few days Weber was released
and returned to bis duties.