The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-17

harl Flader was a Rhelnland subject OF his majesty
of Prussia and Karl, like many others | could men
ton in Rheinland, as we'll as out of it, got drunk very
often. lie drank of the best when he could get it, and
when he couldn't be drank whatever he could get. Karl
FIader wasn't very particular about his drinking, if only
there was alcohol in what he drank, and he could get
drunk upon it. Water was his aversion except when
used in his watering rot for Kari was a market gar
dener. Il don't KIN W what water is good for Karl
often exclaimed, except for my cabbages' He WA, des-
tined to know better one day. Karl was an industrious
m IN when he wasn't drunk, which was far ofteuer than
be was industrious; and SO you see there couldn't
much be said in favor OF bis industry, upon the whole.
He was naturally a good hearted fellow even drunken
ness had not been able to make him quite dead to shame.
He resolved once to do without strong drinks. He kept
his resolve, for be was i'll. He resolved a second time.
md again kept it, for he hadn't any money. So you
zee, the way Karl Fladrr kept his two resolves, wasn't
very mcritorious on the whole.
Suppose you could have whatever you might wish
for, what would you wish tor?' said Franz Muller to
Karl one day.
sRhein. vein and schnaps.'
And If you could get as mu~h brandy sebnaps as
you liked, would you never get tired Of il?
Il shonld think not said Karl.
Karl Flader, to whom the words 1hr.n weis and
brandy schnaps we're suggestive, began to feel as If he
wanted some. So fumbling in his pockets, one after
the other, and being a little rich that day, he drew out
a thaler, and patting his companion on the shoulder,
said, come my fine fellow, let's have a glass
OuV A0uO w. W. duu uS -
POUNDS what is this Franz? ? said Karl, You could
once drink like the best of u.s.
That's when | bought it myself, aud could only get
it by paying
You re a funny fellow said Karl, but I like to be
ooligiug. Here pay for me if you like; ptschnaps l
must and will have. | can't do without it.
Franz hadn't any money which ended the matter ;
but if his pockets had been full of money the result
would have been the same.
Stop, my friend, said Karl, until next month, when
your time OF soldering comes, then you'll have as much
as you like to drink, for nothing perhaps even more
Long live the King, said Karl, | didn't know he
was 30 liberal.
Then you don't know anything about his majestv,'
answered Franz, but tattoo beats, | must away. Adieu.'
'Adieu, Franz
Now it was as Franz said the time had almost come
for Karl to serve as a soldier, and what Franz had said
about the King of Prussia's liberality warmed Karl's
heart to such a degree that living on anticipation, he
did q thing he did not think he could have done-went
home, and to bed without schnaps, though he had a
thaler in his pocket.
A month soon passed over the heads of all of us.
and to Karl Flader it seemed to pass more rapidly than
it does to you and to me, because be got drunk almost
daily, whereas you and I don't get drunk at all, which
things oil put together come to this-Mut eyery n,omens
Of drunkenness rs a moment stolen from the drunknrPs
life. The day came at length, whec Karl must dof his
gardeners clothes, put on his soldiers attire, learn
goose step, handle (not Brown Bess, nor the Minie) but
Wv VIZ 6~HS AA VI AoVO yCulS ~ uCCuIGSO VI
guns bell to make holes through men.
Karl was awkward at 6rst-all recruits are. He
stopped, he stumbled, he didn't turn out his toes. But
the drill sergeant is every where a smart fellow he
soon licks awkward recruits into shape; and smartest
among the sharp is the drill sergeant Of Prussia. Karl
not only pleased himself in the end, but also pleased
his betters. Il deserve something to drink l wonder
if they will give me some I but nothing of that sort
was forthcoming.
Il thought you told me that a man had nice things
given him to drink in this place 2 said Karl to Franz
one day.
How can you expect them to give you any, until
they know you're fond of them ?
by the great Fritz, I'll show t EN- I am this very
night III show them = said Karl, drawing a thaler
from his pocket. He chucked The thaler up in the air,
and caught it in the PALM of bis hand as it came down
ag'in. There my pretty little fellow, said he to the
silver coin look me full in the face once more, for by
all that's good to drink in Rheinland, you and I are
soon to part company
1t was rare for Karl to make a resolve and not hold
to it in such a matter as this So he went away 10 The
nearest bibhing place, and bibbed and slipped and bihbed
again, until something got into the place where brains
alone should be. Karl was a soldier now aud knew
what he might expect if he got to the barracks too late.
So when TATTOO beat, he ran and fell, then got up and
ran again-all of which made him still more drunk
than be was before. He arrived at the barracks a little
too late, and was duly reported for the same. If he
had not been reported, the falling would have told C.
tale. He was all over mud, and the King of Prussia
doesn't allow his soldiers to make themselves muddy
for nothing
Karl went to bed and in the morning when he
awoke, he began to reflect what the consequences of his
indiscretion might be.
Shall | have to ride the sharp. backed horse p said
he to Franz.
by no means my friend on the contrary, having
shown what your likings are you will have brandy
schnaps to your hearts content, and all for nothing
you don't say so?'
Il do though
'Heiore we scauaiut the reader with what next took
place, we must describe to him what sort of an animal
is the sharp-backed horse. Be it known then. that the
cat-o-nine tails is unknown in Prussia-but there are
punshments just as bad. One consists in riding sstride
on q sharp ridge, like a piece Of timber, which causes
great agony. If you wish to gain a notion Of it, seat
yourself astride upon q triangular park paling, and stay
there until your lesson is complete.