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

with him, for, since his fathers absence
obedience and discipline have gradually
lost ground in his case" Without worry.
ing herself to hunt up the lad she went
as usual about her household affairs, pre-
pared the scanty dinner, placed it on the
table, supposing, of course, that Fritz
would be on hand, for he had never vet
missed a meal. But the clock struck
twelve, one, two, and the lad came not.
Then the mother began to worry; she
ran out and asked her neighbors whether
they had not seen him.
But no one knew anything about him
till an old roadrepairer remembered see
ing him early in the morning, in his Sun
day suit, carrying sack upon his shout
ders.
All, the little scamp" exclaimed the
mother in surprise and clasping her hands
over her head she remarked: " He's gone
to his father to bring him the potatoes in
to the camp; we'll that's fine idea, isn't
itg' Home she ran, searched in the bu-
reau- drawer, found that his clothes were
gone as well as a little sack that he had
solicited from her few days before.
6 Is he really gone ?" she asked, signing,
and the great tears ran down her cheeks.
"Well what pranks the fellow is cutting
up! May God protect and preserve him!
I'll say nothing if he only arrives there
safely But for him to leave without any
notice whatever is altogether too bad.'
The sad mother wept as though her
heart would break, and only the thought of
how the father would rejoice at the sight
o. his son could lessen her sorrow in the
slightest degree. And when she knew
neither ways nor means to catch the little
rascal she at last submitted patiently to
her fate and hoped that God would reward
the tilial love of the lad with prosperous
termination of his journey.
In the meantime Soldatenfritze was voy-
aging cheerily and hopefully toward the
Rhine. To be sure, he was not altogether
familiar with the route and yet he knew
the direction tolerably well, as he had
made inquiries of the school-master, so on
he went, certain of making his final des-
tination without fail Money he had not,
nor did he anticipate any need of it, for
he thought to himself, Wherever you
tarry the good people will of course give
you bite You need only relate how
you're going to father, to bring him these
potatoes That will surely please them,
and how glad father will be when |
itdtl It'll. AL, tildt Will tduSC JubllCt,
for have picked out the incest for him
in the whole cellar"
At noon, and at the very moment when
his mother had been searching for him at
home he arrived at large village and
entered the best hotel Taking his seat
boldly on wooden bench at the table, he
wiped the sweat away from his brow.
A considerable number of guests were
10 &C
the hotel and among them an old in
valid with a cork leg. These regarded
the lad with look of wonder and sur
prise. The inn-keeper, too, approached
him, inquiring whence he came and
about his business and destination.
"Well," replies Fritz, I'm Soldaten-
fritzc, from Brandenburg, and Pm going
to father on the Rhine; I'm carrying him
mess of potatoes, because he has ear
nestly wished it"
What, my lad, what is this purpose
Of yours?" inquired the invalid, as he
arose and approached our Fritz, survey
ing him from head to foot with look
of establishment
Yes, sir it is to the Rhine I'm going"
replied Soldatentritze, my father has
been promoted to Orderly Sergeant, but
he makes nothing of that so long as he
has no potatoes; am, therefore, bring
ing him some, and I've picked out the
finest ones, too; here they are in the
sack
"Come on, you singular lad, and tell
your story" exclaimed the invalid, strok-
ing his mustache; are you in earnest =?
Explain yourself so that IA sober man
may understand you"
So Soldatenfritze went on relating his
story, and all present listened attentively
to all he said.
"Well, you rogue" shouted the old SOL
der, come here and give me kiss
you're real and genuine child of a SOL
der At the very sight of you my old
heart leaps with joy. Come here, | say,
come ~
Soldatenfritze hardly knew what was
happening, for the old veteran had got
him by the top-knot, and was kissing him
till Fritz nearly lost his breath. The
other guests served him in like manner,
each in his turn, and even the stout host
himself was touched to the very heart
For that day Fritz could not venture
even to think of pursuing his journey. He
must tarry at the inn, where he was ton.
died and caressed as if he were a real
prince. AT evening, when many more
guests were assembled, he related, at the
instance of the old invalid, his story
once more, after which he was conducted
by the host into little bed chamber and
laid into a soft bed, where he rested like
the little angels in heaven.
But while he lay in sweet sIumber and
dreamed of his father, the aged invalid was
discoursing TO his tellow-gucsts in the inn
| and remarking: "'Twould be sin and 9
shame to permit so brave lad to continue
his journey without the means to meet ex
| penses;" and hemade the matters so plain tc
all that each one opened his purse and con
ributed for brave Soldateniritze. Tho