Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-10-20

ing nj the door.
1T is our friends, who have come 70
seek u.s. said Fritz. Il conjure you.
Helena, while we are yet alone. tell
me Of the pusse.'
No, not to-day; some other time,
i'll find you fond. afectionate. and
wise, and that you are not suspicious
or jealous
On saying these words she opened
the door. Her appearance was the
signal for loud applause and clspping
Of hands.
'Fritzl Fritz where is Fritz de-
manded several voices At once.
Let us take away the bride, said
one Of the party. and l warrant the
bridegroom will not linger long be-
hind The bridegroom here sdvanc-
cd, and offering his arm TO Helena,
led her triumphantly away, followed
by the admiring throng
Fritz rejoiced in beingleft moment
70 consider his extraordinary accession
of fortune. Already his good luck
had frightened away his gaiety, and
made him thoughtful and uneasy
He took hold Of the purse, and his
eyes dilatcd at the sight ofthe g0ld.-
His imagination now revellcd in the
possession Of handsome and we'll
stocked shop-Helena enthroned there
in behind an ebony counter, with ali
the fashion and wealth OF the place
pressing in crowds around the beauti-
ful bride, who was insensible 10 oil the
homage she received having neither
eyes nor cars for any save himself
Already in imagination didhe arrange
the clothing he would wear infinitely
more costly than his present suit, and
thought with delight Of how proudly
he would walk thro' the town. and Nc
looked upon with respect as one ofits
richest merchants-even the workmen
his ancient companions, saluting him
with humility: and how he would re-
turn their courtesy with patronizing
and benevolent air.
In order to assure himself Of the
truth ofthis glowing picture. eplung-
ed his handinto the purse. and amongst
the gold, he thought he felt a roll OF
paper, which he hastily drew foth.--
IL was a note, and contained these
words, which were well calculated to
restore his mind 10 the truth Of reali-
ty:
dearest and beloved Helena"
81 send you
the accompanying gold, to appropriate
10 the purpose Of which you spoke TO
me yesterday. would wish my angel
to have divine forethought, in order
that l might anticipate your least
wish. Can ever confer upon you
hundredth part Of the happiness you
have bestowed upon me since the COM
mcncement of your love? Adieu. a
dored Helenal II is not your Prince
who addresses you: II is the most de-
voted ofyour lovers.
up. Stake great care Of the little
girl, Of whom l often think. In
month hence / shall visit her nurse"
This letter bore the signature or the
reigning Prince. as absolutely as the
daily proclamations and ordinances.---
The poor husbands brain nearly
turned at the reading Of this epistle.-
He was seized with species OF furious
madness: he rushed from the house
without his hat, the purse still firmly
clutched in his hand, and arrived
breathless and painting in the midst oC
the joyous throng who had assembled
for the purpose Of celebrating his nup-
tials with their favorito maid. At
sight of his fevcrish and exited appear
ance. the music stopt, and the dancers
became motionless.
Fritz. unable TO restrain himself u
moment longer, stopped before IIele-
nG 80 countenance haggard, and his
dress in disorder.
Here, miserable woman, cried he,
in a voice Of thunder-here is your
gold: Keep il ~ assist you in duping
others. shall not touch the wages
Of infamy.'
In speaking thus, he threw the
purse at the feet Of Helena; but she,
making a sudden bound, caught him
by the arm, exclaiming, while tears
rushed down her cheeks-'Fritzl my
own dear FRITZ what have / done?-
Why address to me these fearful
words?'
Fritz became maddened with rage.
The Princep he exclaimes-'the
Prince! Approach me not-touch me
not with your sinful hands-get quick
ly out OF my sight. il you would not
have me commit crime that He'll
itself would trcmble at
Thus saying. he rudely pushed her
from him; and the poor Helena stag
gered and fell back in the midst Of the
affrighted crowd.
They raised her up-she had faint
ed, and was insensible; and, while
some bathed her temples. others in
terrogated her with more curiosity
than discretion. When consciousness
was restored, her eyes wandered in
search Of Fritz. Seeing that he had
disappeared, Helena covered her face
with her hands, and sobbed bitterly.
No more was required to convince
many Of her former friends that the
young woman was guilty. They dis
persed silently. Poor Helena was con-
Quoted home by a few more compass
sionating than the rest, where she
abandoned herself to despair, with
that purse full Of gold which she had
formorley considered To be the source
of oil her happiness.
As Fritz heard nothing Of his wife
during the two years that followed this
adventure, we shall content ourselves