The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-10-29
for the gMle 9olks,
s.SOLDIERaFRITZ.
cHILDREN's STORY FOR THE TIMES.

throughout the whole CITY of Bran
deuburg by the name of soldier Fritz. |
Heslooked for all the world like a
little general, and was always chos-
en- one of the commanders-in-chi
when his friends had mock battles.
In fact, everybody said Fritz was
born to be a soldier.
When he was in his 18th year,the
war with France broke out, and the
Prussian regiments, in one'.of which
his father was an inferior officer, re-
ceived orders TO march TO the river
Rhine. A sad day was it when that
man took leave of his family and
kissed them all good-by, perhaps for
the last time. Fritz cried to go with
his father, but that could not be; he
was too young and weak for such an
undertaking.
Six months passed away without
a word from the distant father and
husband. But one morning, shortly
afterwards, the family received let
ter from him, containing intelligence
that he had been in good healih,a land
had been raised from his humble pc.
sition, and made a sergeant. "Bu,
what is the use of this honor,' ne
continued in his letter, "if one has
nothing to eat? Oh, if 1 only had a
single peck of splendid potatoes :
How delicious they would be awe
have to hunger here on the Rhine
for three days together; and | have
not had single potato since ! left
home"
This part Of the letter aroused
Fritz so much that he stood in the
middle of the floor. and would not
let his mother read another word I'M
til she had read this over three times,
nor did he soon forget it. 1t panied
him severely to Think that his father
had no potatoes TO eat. while their
cellar was fuilo the choicest kinds.
Several days elapsed, and Fritz
could think of nothing else. So he
said to his mother:
"Mother, give me sack, and |
will take two pecks of potatoes TO
my father"
"Are you acknowledgement his
mother, smiling. "Just think of it.
You would have to carry sack Of
potatoes four hundred miles on your
young shoulders! Away with such
a thought -
These words were much quicker
said than obeyed. Soldier Fritz tried
very hard to forget the potatoes, but
he could not. Wherever he went
they would come afresh into his mind
Even when he lay on the bed atnigh1
he could get.no rest; and often he
would start up in his sleep and say
to himself: gss"Father, you must and
shall have some Of the potatoes ir
our cellar"
One. bright morning everybody
wondered why Fritz was no, dowr
to breakfast. He was always an ear
~ riser, and no one ever thought o
awakening him. By-and-by his mo
Their went up stairs and knocked a
his door, but received no reply, Sc
she went in; but her boy was no
there. She concluded, however,tha
he. had gone out into the meadow
for a morning walk, and would 10
home again sometime during 'h'
morning. But time passed on ant
Fritz did noicome home. The clocl
struck twelve-one-two; but h
was still absent, Finally night came
on; and the only news concerning
Fritz was. that he had been seen oil
the road about the middle OF the at
ternoon with a large sack on hl
shouldersl
"Alas alas :" exclaimed his moth
er, "I..shall never see my son again
What madness TO think OF takin;
potatoes to his father p
Then she went up into his room
and found that his Sunday clothes
his new boots, and a sack he had beg
ged from her three days before, wer
all gone. "He is gone! May tn
Lord protect him, and bring him SAT
home again!" After this short Praye
she wept as if her heart would break
1t was the beginning Of many sor
rowful day to her.
Now | must tell you how Frlt
succeeded in his travels with The sac
ON his shoulders. He did not know
the way 10 the river Rhine. but mad
inquiries of everybody whom he mel
He had no money; in fact, he ha'
started from home with only min
cents in his pocket. and it did no
take long TO find some use for thai
But he thought 10 himself:
"Wherever Igo, the people WI
surely give me loaf of bread.
need only tell them what have j
NV bag, and to whom ] am carryint
she potatoes. Everybody will b
clad enough to help me. And aite
. while | shall reach my father, an