Show 20S STUDENT LIFE nity caps A tavern with refreshment rooms stands on the opposite side of the road hilt other than these two buildings there is no building near As we approached the “Techtshalle” we observed a student carefully surveying the road and fields toward town with field glasses Inquiry revealed the fact that on that morning a very unusual thing occurred — a policeman had walked out from that city in that direction The students had some sh’ght misgivings that the policeman intended a raid this forenoon Such a raid is said to be made once or twice a year ‘’just to remind the people that duelling is illegal and to put on a pretense that attempts arc made to enforce the law According to the German laws not only the principals in a duel but also all seconds and lookers-o- n are subject to arrest If by some mischance the policeman should drop in on them without giving time to disthem sufficient he would possible arperse rest a few and give them a night or two lodging in the best rooms of the Gefaengniss (jail) and have the judge impose a fine of a few marks This attitude which the police of the Universitv towns have of winking at duelling and steering clear of the duelling places seems the stranger when we consider how ritridlv laws are generally enforced in German cities The Techtshalle itself in this case is a verv unpretentious barn-lik- c building It has a single room in the main part and a small dressor ing surgical room in a wing at the rear The main room has a balcony in one end where visitors may sit and observe the fight Most of the close friends of the participants however prefer to stand on the floor closer by or on the raised platforms along the sides or on It is an inbenches and tables teresting assemblage that one meets on entering Two or three dozen students are engaged in conversation and jollity About half of one them belong to corps or society and half to another the two groups being clearly distinguished by the colors of the crowns and hands of the gaily colored little caps which they wear Hut little if any conversation passes between members of the opposite groups They seem Immediatenot to be acquainted ly upon our entering our friends take us in charge and very courteously introduce us to such of their society as we have not met With members of the other society we however form no acquaintance unless it be with an official representative who confers concerning the photos to be taken The waiter froyi the tavern across the road is plrcady active in carrying in the drinks Those who are to participate in the combats however do not drink as usual Even a German student is willing in this case to admit that alcohol circulating in his veins is prejudicial to a steady nerve In several heaps about the room is the duelling paraphernalia consisting of a number of light |