Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-08-12

please lead miner my little stOry-tellcr.n 4
The Adjutant disappeared into the tent
chamber, whittier all eyes were now di
rected.
The heart of old Bollerman now beat al.
most to bursting and faint forebodinc OF
the truth seemed to dawn in his mind
After moments pause the curtain which
separated the chamber from the ante-room
rose, and in enters, led by the hand of the
Adjutant, and surveying everything with
a clear and fearless eye, Seldatenfritze him
self
Fritz" exclaimed the Sergeant, for
getting all respect due his superior officer
and rushing with open arms towards him.
Fritz! For Heavens sake, how did you
get here?"
The boy made no reply, but tumbled
with a loud cry into his fathers bosom
Both were held in each others embrace for
long time. The officers were deeply
moved spectators of the scene, and even
from the eyes of the General who was a
kind-hearted and good man. there fell a
tear of JOY and sympathy. His friendly
interference finally separated the father
and son, and in some degree Gained their
excited feelings.
Tell your story, my lad, how and in
what manner you have come hither," said
he; but tirst all be at ease, and take your
seats at The table You need not at all hes
itate, not if it were Kings table Your
true fiial affection well deserves this
honor"
Fritz looked affectionately at the Gen
eral, took his father by the hand, sat by
his side, and went on to relate what we al.
ready know
The officers were all attention Their
severe micn became more friendly. They
too began to enjoy the presence OF the no.
BILE lad who loved his father SO heartily as
to journey over a hundred miles to furnish
him with his favorite dish.
But the old Sergeant seemed to be en-
tirely overcome with pleasure and excite
ment; now laughing, now weeping from
pure delight.
When Fritz had finished his story the
father seemed to have forgotten his sur
roundings altogether.
Again and again he would embrace his
courageous boy, and impressed more than
a hundred kisses upon his fresh and ruddy
face, putting numberless questions TO him,
to all of which he replied with an honest
and frank response.
AT signal from the General all those
present vacated the tent, and left the de
lighted father alone with his son. After
the lapse of half an hour the General re-
turned and presented the brave old Ser
geant with note of dismission in one
hand, and IA purse filled with gold in the
other.
There is your discharge, my friend,
and with it LIES pension for your main
tenance, and there is also slight remem-
brance for your excellent boy, which we
officers have contributed for him. Keep
it for him till he's man, that he may
make good use of it. And now, let it be
your first thought how to get to your
family, which of course will be rejoiced mt
the return of the father"
my Cod General, your Grace is too
kind to me-" stanmercd out the delighted
Orderly, who hardly knew at which he
should rejoice the most, the condescension
of the commanding officer, at his pen
sion, or the wealth Of his dear Soda
tentritze How have | meritcd such
honors?"
BY your gallant conduct during the
last campaign; by the wounds which
through your bravery you received during
the last battle, and which would render
you incapable of further active service dur
ing life; and, finally, through your boy,
Soldatenfritze, there In him have the as
surance that you are good father, and
such a one our King can make better use
of at home than in the campaign which is
now near.its close. Go, then, in peace, old
comrade, and educate, with Gods help, all
your children like him who is real and
genuine son of soldier. Farewell, and
Jn, IA, papI Ertfzo ,,han no ia old
enough, to my regiment, that he may bear
arms for his country and his King
Profoundly agitated in his feelings, the
old Sergeant kissed the hand Of his kind
General.
cheeks and kissed the brow Of Soldaten.
fritze.
=" Remain good and brave, and turn out
a noble man. God honors him who hon
ors father and mother, and prospers him
on the earth. Farewell, my excellent boy,
farewell
Hereupon both father and son were dis
missed. They entered on their journey
the day following, and took no rest until
their arrival in the paternal home.
There was feast, an Understandable ju.
bilec at the return of Soldatcniritzc and
his father The mother wept for joy, the
children lcaped and danced, and the father
was kept busy in distributing to each his
share Of attention and loving kindness.
Soldatenirize received praise on all
hands, but he looked on with glistening
eyes; and il was easy to see that he did not
take all the praise 10 himself.
When Soldatentritze grew up he brought
no disgrace upon his name. He devoted
himself entirely to the military service, and
became an excellent soldier.
He took part in several campaigns, ana
through his gallantry was promoted rom
rank 10 rank, and is now descrvcdly
esteemed as an excellent officer OF hlgh
I IL : ~. ,.f1.t