The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-11-05
for the gittle folks.
lSOLDIER.FRITZ.
CHILDREN's STORY FOR THE TIMES.

But when it was all gone, he shout
Tered his sack of potatoes again, nd
Irudged on in the direction of the
river Rhine. At another hotel where
he halted to spend the night, the
landlords asked him where he was
going. Fritz replied by telling him
that his father was in the Prussian
army. that he had written about his
having eaten no potatoes for six
months, and also that he had said in
his letter he would like so much to
have some of the good. ones he had |
left att home. "Here's boy who
loves his parents" said the landlord;
whereupon he took paper and pen
Gil. and raised from his guests a sub
scription of twenty-eight dollars.
But Fritz would only tak= seven
dollars, for he said he would no;
have cent more than would carry
him TO the Rhine where his father
was.
Finally. after Fritz had journeyed
MANY a mile, he saw in the distance
tn" first sentinel that kept guard
around the Prussian army.
"Will you be kind enough to tell
me- where my father is?'' was the
question he asked of the soldier.
w"Foolish boy, answered the long
whiskered sentinel, show do you
suppose ] know who your father is,
or with what regiment he is con-
nected!'
81 beg your PARDON" replied SOL
der Fritz. hurriedly. "My fathers
name is Martin 'Bollerman, and he
is a sergeant in the Brandenburg
regiment"
"All right. my young friend, you
can pass on"
Then Fritz walked as fast as he
could, until he came to the second
sentinel; then 10 the third; and finally
to the adjutant, who took him bv
the hand, and, after placing himself
right in front of him, made strict
examination of him. But, the more
he questioned the boy, the more
friendly and pleasant did he become
"Come along with me-" he said
81 think we shall be able to find vou1
father without much trouble"
T Softhey walked on until they
came to magnificent tent. from iht
top of which there floated beauti
ful flag. 1t was made Of fine silk
and Fritz's heart bounded for joy a
he saw it streaming in the wind
He went into the tent with the ad
jutant, and only. took his sack O
potatoes from his shoulders when in
vited TO take seat. He was sur
prised !to see in another corner O
the tent, man clad in brilliant uni
form,swho was sitting at a large ia
ble with maps and plans spread on
upon it. When the adjutant cen
up TO him, he slowly raised his head
and as he did so, Fritz was convince,
that he wasthe general Of the army
After few words Of conversa'io
had passed between them, the gen
eral motioned 10 the adintant I
leave and beckoned to Fritz TO com
up to the table where he was.
"What is your name p he asked
as he looked at the boy from hea
10 foot.
"Fritz 'Bollerman, but eserybod
calls me Soldier Fritz" was tn
prompt reply.
The general smiled, and inquire
further: "Where did you com
from :"
"From Brandenburg."
"What brought you here!"
81 wanted my father to have som
OF our good potatoes, and here Is
bag of them tor him."
"Do you say you have poiaioe
in ,ba, sack for your father -
..Seeing is believing, resPecte
general. Here they are. as smcoi
and roundJ as pebbles from tn
brook" answered Fritz, as he unite
the mouth Of his sack.
"Very WELL" my son. They al
indeed excellent potatoes,and sharI
en- up my appetite amazingly. b
do YOU 90 in the little room yonde
and stay until I call you. Lea'
your bag here; it will be safe i'll m
= care"
= So Fritz lifted the little curtai
that served for a door, and eniere
the room at the back OF the ten
As the large armchair was empi..
ne sat down in il. and being wear.
from his toilsome journey, he SOC
fell asleep there. He was suoriu
loud enough, can assure you, whe
the general went in aud looked I
him n half-hour afterwards. b.
while he was sound asleep, the GEL
eral was busy arranging for a suPPe
fIe invited Sergeant Bollerman
and all the highest officers in It
army, to come 10 his tent that eve
;no for tea. Then he gave Il