The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-08
MIScELLAN EOuS.
MISCELL-AN NEOUS.
S LIGH I CA IT SES.
From Tie German Of Zschokke.
BY J. D. M'PHERsoN.
Concluded.
THE PRIME MINISTER.

Concluded.
7egt#-sa THE PRIME MINISTER. . It5T
The Crown Prince lived at Naples, in stream
Of dissipation and pleasures. The letters he re-
ceived from home spoke nothing but the excellent
health of His Highness; the Duke, his father,
aud his Willingness that the Prince should remain
yet longer abroad to learn foreign manners, laws
and customs. The Prince was pleased with this
parental kindness; and availed himself Of it., al
though his studies were directed less to customs
laws, and manners, than to fetes and operas. In
fact, the young man, who, with a good deal Of
levity, possessed an excellent heart. had never
received any correct account of his fathers
health. He was beset and betrayed by his own
attendants, who, being in the pay of his enemy,
suppressed many letters and played game which
could not but turn out i'll for the players them
selves
AS do not profess to be writing history Of
State and Court intrgues, will passov thede-
tails Of an affair whichs not yet fully explained,
and only say that Roderick arrived in Naples.
almost i'll with haste and fatigue. Those who
surrounded the Prince, had received nointeligence
Of the events which had happened at home, and
saw the arrival Of their couutryman without slls-
picion; but on the second day they began to per
ceive the effects Of his visit.
Roderick sought the Prince with letter from
the hand Of his father, disclosed the intrigue which
had deceived the Duke and the Prince respecting
their mutual views, and exposed the means by
which the conspirators desired 10 detain the Crown
Prince as long as possible from home, and, in time,
to strip him of all his rights.
Xayer's resolutions was quickly taken. His
people were seized and their papers examined
Roderick showed himself active. Eight DAYS
were suficient.to bring to light all they wished to
know, to punish the guilty, to acquit the inno-
cent to put them on their way home.
Sitting in the carriage together, the Prince
first found opportunity TO thank Roderick hearti-
ly. He had heretofore been in kind Of stupe-
faction. He seized Roderck's hand and said ,
ss How much do owe to your fidelity and pru-
dence! Honor, throne perhaps life itself"
Roderick courteously struggled for moment
against his expressions of gratitude and then
added, smiling, g am but two proud, Your
Grace, to have paid on this occasion an old
debt You do not know me. 1t was by your as
sistance that acquired my education.
:" Who! What! I!''
"Do you,not remember certain earthquake,
while you We're in the garrison at-W
what! cannot believe it. You ?''-
&c Exactly. am the bakers boy of the earth
quake Z"
4 hnU Ine plEl--Wlldl WAS tlPT name So
2. Has married an honest weaver"
60 Good. And how in the world came you at
court and in the confidence, too, of my father p
Roderck told the whole story from the earth
quake to the reticule--only he left out the chap
ter about the beggar family. Princes must not
know every thing.
Our travellers had hardly reached the German
frontier, when they heard of the Dukes death.
He had died Of apoplexy at supper
The new Duke, Xaver, wept bitterly over this
intelligence, then clasped Rodefick in his arms
and said, 9 You mnst not desert me. BE my adj
wiser, my friend, Support me in the station you
have secured for me by your wisdom and hdel
ty." U
THE PINCH OF SNUFF.
That the new Duke made great changes in his
court--that he was very gracious even towards
those who had conspired against him. is matter
Of history, as that he gave his friend Roderick,
with the rank of Count, the portfolio of Prime
Minister; but il maybecome me to state that the
Countess Wilhelmine was in the deepest grief,
by the death of her father from which she was
reused only by the return Of Roderick She lived
mostly upon here states, for the new Duke invited
her but seldom to court and the Prime Minister
visited her there very often, but scarcely often
enough to satisfy his longing.
"My dear Count" said the Duke to him one
day. g one cannot serve two masters. notice
that you are very often absent"
The Minister became very red in the face.
ssYou see tho Countess very often. The
Countess knows how busy You are why does
she not come to the Residence"
The Minister coughed. a alw e
al must put an end to this, and close you. re
nance with wedding, as is customary You
love the Contest
The Minister stammered, "Your Highness,it