The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-01
THE DoUGH-TROUGH.


relsome pair, and between them heated Roderick
more than blazing oven. But they had love-
ly daughter, who spake comfort to the good youth
Gretchen wasin her nineteenth year, and against
the faults of maiden Of that age, Roderick had
nothing to say but bore them with Christian
patience. But the heaviest of Gretchen's faults
was that she carried her chin too high, and
would rather look at Prince lhana bakers boy,
even itthe latter We're the handsomest.
And in fact she had found Prinee~an a
crown Prince in the bargain, who, as Major Of
dragoon regiment, was stationed with the gar
rison in the village. Here the young princely
Major was to be taught the science of war but
unfortunately in the little garrison town there
was nothing to conquer, but the-hearts of the
fair. Against these, then, the Prince had waged
active war, and Gretchen appeared to him one
of the most formidable adversaries against whom
he had ever practised the mysteries of strategy
and tactics. In this game our poor Roderlck
naturally played a sorrowful part. He carried
alternately meal-bags and love-letters The
Prince had evidently studied Vauban to advan-
tage. The siege went On prosperously. Gret-
chen determined to capituate. And no wonder!
A Prince to bakers daughter, is not an angel,
but all archangel.
Had Master Birnenstel indeed suspected the
affair, it would have gone i'll with the rosy
cheeks and coral lips Of his pretty daughter
and the meal and letter carrier would have left
the house without blessing. But so it was,
Master Brnenslel thought OF nothing less than
that Prince, without making any inquiries as to
family or descent, had such intention to take the
place of son-in- law. But this admirable plan
entirely miscarried, through unforeseen crcum-
stances; and it was this adventure that caused
Roderick to abandon the mystery ofbakng bread
and pies.
One evening, the Prince, in citizens clothes,
took his way to the bakers house to see Gretch-
en-. For good reasons Gretchen was standing
before the door to--look at the stars. Although
the Prince this time wore no stars, yet she look
ed at him; and how could she help it, when he
stood close beside her? Lest others also should
see, they went into the dark passage, and then
hearing Mother Birnenstiel on the stairs, they
both slipped back into the baking-room, where
Roderick, having made up the dough, was read
ing Homer by the aid of dim lamp. Before
he could look around, she jerked the old Greek
out of his hand, and pushed him from the
room, with the meaning words, g Tell US if any
one comes. "a -.
While Roderick faithfully acted the sentinel
without, Prince Xaver pictured t, his saint the
suffering of loving heart. Gretchen, who also
had read romances, listened with emotion, with
out concealing the uneasiness which the high
rank Of her lover inspired, He, however, swore
with tears in his eyes, that if envious fate for
bade him to live with her, with her he would die
" In yonder world" said he, crank is unknown.
love alone exists" 1t is not known how he
learnt this, for he certainly had never been there
Gretchen, however, believed him. A Prince,
thought she, must know. They swore eternal
truth. g And what" sighed Gretchen, . if we
are betrayed ?"
''Then," cried Xaver, s'we will fly to the
stream, our crystal grave, clasp thee in my
arms'-so said, SO done-''give thee the last
kiss" and with these words, no longer repulsed,
he pressed his first kisses upon her soft cheeks
Gretchen wept tears of sorrow and joy-'and
sink with thee, O Gretchen, into death"
With these words, in truth, he sank with her
into the broad dough trough, which, in the faint
light, he took perhaps for sofa. The lovers
lost their balance-not an unusual thng-and
with lips still joined in sweet union, went head
and neck into the soft dough, which Roderick
had prepared with so much pains.
Nothing more chilling could have fallen upon
the enraptured pair. The glow of love vanished
inan instant Each sought to escape first, and in
the scramble kneaded the other still deeper into
the batter, for their situation was as dangerous as
it was helpless AT last, shaken by the power
fu struggle, the unholy trough tumbled To the
ground, with crash that shook the whole house.
Roderick heard it, and at the same time the
suppressed murmurs of the unfortunate lovers
He sprang into the room and gazed, with amaze
ment, on the strange figures, whose lower ex-
tremities alone betrayed humanity. Gretchen
was busy with both hands, first to give her mouth
air. and III en- to free her demure and beplastered
eyes The Prince had siezed Homer and was
ndustrously scraping his face; while the scatter
ed meal was rising in thick white clouds. In the
midst of ALL they heard Master Birnensteil, like
Jupiter with his thunderbolts, rushing down the
stairs. Roderck to save the Prince and his be-
loved had the presence of mind to hasten tomeet
him, and seizng him by the arm, dragged him
into the street, crying with unfeigned terror fly,
fly from the house."
ssWhat for?" asked Blrnenstel
'SAn earthquake, an earthquake" shreked
Roderick.
The Baker was, with all his roughness, God
fearing man. and had long prophesied the destruc-
ton Of the city on account OF its sins. In his
panic he really believed the earth was trembling
beneath his feet, and he besought Roderick to res
cue his wife and daughter As Roderck rushed
again into the house, the beplastered Prince
spranp 10 meet him, and drew him out the back
door into the street.
.sWhat do YOU want 2" asked Roderick.