, 1863-06-11

What passed through the mind Of Frederick
while listening to this confession, no human tongue
can tel for no human eye can look into the secret
heart Of man; but the kings after conduct war.
rants the assumption that II was with feigned
sternness the Prussian monarch spoke the words
Your head will not have, although it is Justly
forfeited; but your offence is heavy one, and
heavily shall II be punished"
As he uttered this ominOus sentence, Frederick
the Great rang the bell and addressed the adjutant
who answered the summons with the words, ,,,
"Take that officers sword and consider him as
your prisoner; wait with him IN the ante-chamber
for my further orders, but let meat and drink be
set before him." The monarch waved his hand IN
token Of dismission, and KRAFT, unbuckling his
sword, handed it to the attendant officer; then,
with low obeisance to the king, followed him
from the chamber Of audience.
Whilst the prisoner was satisfying the cravings
Of nature with all the eagerness Of o iamishiiG
man, and the king with folded arms, paced up and
down his cabinet with agitated steps, the aid-de-
camp returned from his mission to the colonelis
house, and, as he hurried across the antechamber
towards the kings apartment, contrived to whisper
in the prisoners ear: All is cared for the doc
tor Is with your wife, and food Of all sorts Is pro-
vided for the others. Keep good heart; All Is
well at home, and God will help you likewise"
Tears started into the poor mans eyes as warm
grasp Of the hand, and whispered "God reward
you !" spoke bis thanks to bis compassionate com
Fade in arms who with rapid strides soon reached
the royal apartment, in which he remained for
considerable time. At length be again issued
from It. bearing in his hand written order which
he handed to the officer in charge Of the prisoner,
saying aloud. "To Spandau, with speed" The
recipient of this order instantly left the room, and
the compassionate bringer Of Il took tie opportu.
nifty Of saying in low voice, a don't think your
arrest will be long, and in the meanwhile your
family will be well seen to-" ii -
The poor man, who had Just stiIled three DAYS
hunger, clasped bis hands, and threw upward
glance Of indescribable thanks, but spoke not
word. In few minutes { carriage was heard to
drive up, and the officer to whose charge The pris-
oner had been entrusted, entered the apartment,
saying, al have orders, Col. Kraft, to conduct
you to Spandau the carriage awaits Us win
you please to follow met" A couple Of minutes
afterwards the carriage might be seen rolling Of
in the direction Of the fortress and the king gaz-
ing after it from window Of his cabinet, while .
wondrously soft and kindly expression lay on his
usually stern features.
neP IN charge to tie captain Of the guard, while
he himself carried the kings sealed order and the
prisoners sword to the governor Of the fortress
There must be something unusual here, me
thinks, = remarked the commandment as he broke
the seal ; then, after running his eye over the con-
tents, tind putting few questions to the bearer
Of the missive, who was, as we have seen, in full
possession Of an the iacts connected with Il, be
said, with peculiar smile, T" By your good leave,
sir, should prefer seeing your prisoner at once =
and then despatched an orderly, who was in at-
tendance 10 bis dnte-rOom, to request the captain
Of the guard to bring up the prisoner Immediately.
Of sympathizing pity that the commandant gazed
on the convicted figure, which soon aiter appeared
and tried TO trace IN bic wasted form and sunken
features the strong buoyant companion Of earlier,
happier days, and perused the ulmistakable signs.
Of suffering so plainly written In his haggard looks
and thread-bare habiliments and Il was with Q
voice tfeIhulOus with emotion that he said, as be
grasped the veterans hand and shook Il warmly,
d Although you, my old friend and confade, are,
for the present, my prisoner, am not, thank God,
debarred FROM showing hospitality to the friend Of
my youth, and for today, at least, therefore, !
claim you as my guest"
this scene, had, as well as the commandant looked
death in the iace more than once, and therefore
felt no shame though tears stood in the eyes Of Al
there st,,t - -,
The cOmnandant then retired, leaving the lieu
tenantcOlonel and the conducting oliceF alone;
but neither felt any desire for conversation, and
each, buried in his own thoughts, maintained q
profound silence, Until, after the hpse Of short
half hour, they were summoned to table. =.
On entering the large dining hall, they found all
the officers Of the garTison assembled in gala COS
tune; but no one among them failed to bend low
before the spectral figure In faded uniform, whom
th.. commatIdant placed al ne fight hand.
The company seemed animated by the best pos
sible spirits; and although the feelings Of the
prisoner were at first little in unison with the
gaiety around him. still the consciousness tiat his
wife and children were well cared for, and so0th
to say the pleasures Of richly spread board, from
which he had so long been banshed, soon began
imperceptby to have their effect so that the poor
man willingly yielded at last 10 something ap-
preaching actual enjoyment. .t
The cOmnhandant took care to replenish his
glass and, leading the conversation 10 past times,
related with zest many passage Of arms, OF which
his "dear old friend present" bad been partici-
pant until at length the poor fellow began to feel
reinstated in his former SELF and, giving fntuTity
and is cares to the Winds told his tale and cracked
his joke as in days Of yOre 10 that circle Of brave
men, each more sedulOus than the other 10 eVince
respectable cOrtliality, and to aid an unfortunate
to forget his mislortunes.
After suitable time had been thus passed. the
commandant rose, and having requested his officers
to form circle round them, he took the astonished
lieutenant-cOlOnel by the hand, and placing him in
the midst, drew from his pocket the kings written
order and spoke as follows:
"Gentlenen, have claim TO your respectful
attention to our sOvereigns commands, which
am about to read !" and be accordingly read
"Sir Commandant-l hereby nominate and aP;
point the at present halEpay Lieutenant Colonel
KRAFT, who was this day delivered over to you as
q prisoner, to the command Of my fortressOf Span
dau, twhither bis wife and children shall forthwith
follow him) and l look to receiving from this ON
Ger, in his new service, proof Of the same fidelity,
bravery, attention to duty, and strict Obedience,
which he so often exhibited during the hate war.