The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-09-18
mi is eIIa1le otl /.
For Tie AEgiS &c h'telligacer.
THE WAR PIPE.
TRANSLATED BY G. G. C.
From tile German Of AuerJach.
CONCLUDED.

One day Hansgcorge was about calling
upon Katherlie. He had come around to
the door, and no one had seen him. He
heard Katherlie within talking with some
one.
$50 thou knowest her well enough" says
Katherlie.
"Why should not know her." answered
the one addressed Hansgeorge recognized
the voice Of Maierly, Jewish servant
girl.
81 have seen him with her again and
again. He thought every bit as much of
her as he does of thee, and could it have
been brought about, l believe he would
have married her,"
"Do you KNOW" said Katherlie, 81 will see
how he will stretch his eyes open when he
sees her at his wedding. Can then leave
myself entirely certain as to her being
there?"
II wish l were as certain to be worth
hundred thousand gulden; she must be
| there"
"But Hansgeorgc must learn nothing of
| this
GAS dumb as fish," answered Maierly
and went out.
Hansgeorge came in bashfully. He was
| ashamed that he had stood there listening,
but as they sat trustiully talking, said he,
81 will only say to thee, do not suffer any
one to gossip to thee about me. 1t is not
true. Once there was report about, that
| was keeping the company of one of the
girls ut the Adler House, who is now at
| Rothweil believe me this is not true. /
was there on Sunday sometimes, but it was
only for fun"
| Kstherlie appeared to lay great stress
upon this circumstance, and Hansgeorge
had much ado to vindicate himself He
took all pains for several evenings to learn
something from Maierly, but she was as
"dumb as fish,"
Hansgeorgc had yet many joke to suf-
fer, and in Il measure to run the gauntlet of
the whole village, and in this WISE On the
Sunday before the wedding, in accordance
with the old custom, Hansgcorge and his
friend Fideli, each with 4 red ribbon upon
his arm and II red bow davo) upon his
three cornered hat, went from house to
house through the whole village, and the
bridegroom at every house repeated the fol-
lowing formal invitation, "You arc politely
requested to attend the wedding, on next
Thursday, at the Adler House, and when
we can return the favor we shall do it with
great pleasure. Come for certain; forget it
not"
Thereupon the lady of the house opened
the table drawer and taking thercfrom
knife and bread, handed them to the bride
COON with these words "Cut some bread"
| The bridegroom must now cut u little slice
OF bread and take the same along with him.
Hansgeorge did the bread cutting with his
three fingers somewhat unskillfully; and
1t hurt him not little; when in several
houses they said to him, as good natured
Joke, indeed, Hansgeorge, thou ought not
to marry, since with thy stump finger thou
canst not cut bread we'll"
Hansgeorge was glad enough when the
invitations were all given.
The wedding was celebrated with sing
ing and rejoicing, but there was no firing,
winch since Hansgcorge's accident had been
forbidden under penalties.
All passed pleasantly at the wedding
supper, and while they still sat about the
table, Katherlie went out into the kitchen,
and came quickly back, having in her
mouth the well-known pipe. One could see
no dl1ference-e it was the old one or
another finished absolutely like it TO the
last point Katherlie now, with distorted
face, took few whiffs with the pipe, then
passed it to Hansgeorge with these words:
"fherc, take it, thou hast kept thy promise
bravely, and for all l care thou mayest
smoke. l have not the least objection
Hansgeorge turned red as fire. He gestur
ed no, and replied: "What have once said,
from that no mouse nibbles thread while
live will never draw another Whit
He then got up, saying, swell, Katherlie, ]
must kiss thee, although thou hast been
smoking" and the happy ones kissed at
fectionately.
Hansgeorge now understood what he had
overheard when Katherlie was consulting
with Maierly, and he had thought thai
the conversation was about the girl at thu
Adler House. All laughed heartily at tho
joke.
The pipe, as a constant reminder, wa:
hung in their wedding chamber, and Hans
george often refers to it when he argue
o that through love and firm resolve one cal
overcome any habit.