Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1883 — Staking a Life on a Card. [ARTICLE]

Staking a Life on a Card.

Bt. James’ Gazette. The long and prosperous career of Flotow, the oomposer, who died last month was temporarily clouded iu 1864 by the death of his youngef brother, which took place under painful dramatic circumstances. He was rather what is euphemistically called a “wild” Jfellow, and a practical joke which he perpetrated iu a half drunken freak was taken as an insult by the whole body of the Mecklenburg deputies, of whom he himself was one. A dozen challenges ensued, and young De Flotow agreed to meet any single antagonist selected by lot. This as it happened, turned out to be a certain Count Z—, one of the deputies who resented the offense most keenly. On De Flotow’s asking him if he thought a stupid joke worth fighting about, aud receiving an emphatic answer in the affirmative, “Be it so,’ he said; “and if you at tAoh as little value to life as I do, we will fight in the Amerioan fashion—l staking my life against yours in a game of ecftrte of live points; the looser to blow out his brains in twenty-four hours.” The pro position was agreed to, cards were brought, and the two men commenced the terrible game. The score stood at four points on each side, when Count turned the king. “You have wpp v sir,", said young De Flotow, rising] “I will pay before noon to-morrow.” Next day he sleept till eleven. After breakfast he took a turn in the park, and was observed by his valet gazing for some minutes at the facade of the anoestra mansion; after whioh he hid his faoe in his hands for a moment as if weeping. He then pulled out his watoh; it wanted but five minutes of noon. M. De Flotow enteredhis study At twelve precisely the report of a pistol shook the window-panes. He had pane ually killed himself.