Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-09-18
A ST. EOufs ROmauce-Strange Vicissftudes
In the Lie of a NOhleunnn

A St. Louis ROmance-Strange VfefSsftudes
in the Life of "A NObieman
The st. Louis Republican records the death Of an
old man in that city, and in regard to his life fur
nishes the following:
Many years ago Baron Frederick Won Oertel, whose
family was one of the most independent and aristo-
cratic in SaxoDy, fell in love with poor girl and
determined 10 marry Der. He thus incurred the
displeasure of his wealthy father, who on learning
Of the proposed alliance, at once disinherited the
young nObeman and turned him from his doors
This sudden reverse eXasperate1 aud msddened
the lover, and bidding silent farewell to the home
Of his childhood and without informing the object
Of his affections, he bent bis course to this country
On arriving here he Joined the United States army
and served ten years as a soldier. Il is said that
his bravery and true beroism on the fields of Mexico
won the admiration Of ali who had opportunities
to observe them.
At the expiration of the ten years service, he
returned 10 Germany 10 ascertain how the estate of
his family was managed. He found that his parents
we're in their graves, and that the property was
distributed equally among his brothers and sisters,
himself being wholly overlooked and disregarded
in the will. To add to his dark fortunes he aseer-
tanned that the girl who was the innocent cause Of
his ruin had married and moved away. Won Oertel's
mind had never fully recovered from the shock this
intelligence had created. Wandering in reason, he
returned to the United States and St Louis.
Here he was prostrated by sickness for some months
When he convalesced he found himself entirely
destitute Of means. His pride was thoroughly
broken down, and for livelihood, the Baron aetn
ally took to selling "bretZels," kind Of pastry
much in favor with the Germans. He continued in
this paltry, but honest business for sixteen or
| eighteen years, and gained the apPelstion Of
| "Bretzel Fritz"
Three years ago, having saved up the snug sum
| of 5000, and having met one Of the opposite in
whom he thought he could eonfds, and whom he
believed would make him good and faithful wife,
though she several years his junior, Won Oertel
was married. One day, few months afterwards, on
| going home with his basket be found that his wife
! had elOped with q seducer, and not content with
! bringing her husband to disgrace, had taken his
money and everything Of any value about the
/ house, leaving him in possession Of basket OF
] bretzels and a dsh08ored heart. The old man, for
he was now ty-hree years ofage, quietly bore his
new grief, and again, with perhaps an impreeatiOn
on the false one addressed himself to the one great
/ task of his life-fOrgetting-
Bretzel Fritz" has been well known in st. Louis
! "a Eriuk led slow paced, STOPPING old man, with
his basket on his arm and rarely a smile on his face
In the last three years he has laid away $500, the
profits of his little business. Yesterday he was
buried. having been sick three or four weeks. Be
| fore he expired he beneyolently bequeaihed hi:
| small possession TO the orphan children Of pool
man. we'll known to many Of our citizens, who died
/ about a year ago. And so ended the eventual ca
reer of Baron Frederick Won Oertel.