Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-12-10
THE LIBELOUS PLACARD.


An Historical Sketch.
Translated from the German.l
In the small town of Kustrin, not far from
the capital lived an old, disabled soldier. He
had served during the Seven Years War in a
Huntere Volunteer Battalion, and had lost a
leg in the battle of Rossbach, for which he
received badge of honor, but nothing else ;
for, as is well known, these volunteers were
allowed no pensions, though many OF them
had received small office, and few eminent
places.
Our poor soldier, who lived in miserable
quarters, had asked again and again for an
office, but in vain. His petition remained
unnoticed. He finally went to Berlin him
self, in order to beg good Office in person,
and had tried to lay his petition before the
king, but without success.
His patience was completely exhausted, and
one morning there appeared on the palace
wall large placard, in which the king and
government were attacked in the severest
manner.
Naturally this placard was promptly remov-
ed by the police, and every means taken to
discover the guilty person. As, however, in
spite of all their efforts, they were unsuccess-
full in this, they turned to the king as a last
resort, with the request that he should offer
reward to the one who should discover the
author of the libel.
A
| ways very Indifferent to such matters, would
hear nothing of it but he was finally per
| suaded to offer a reward of thirty dollars for
this purpose.
Meanwhile the old soldier had returned TO
| his home, and had heard nothing of what had
been going ON in the capital, until some time
afterwards there fell into his hands an old
newspaper containing the aforementioned
advertisement. He kept this paper, put on
| 4 ata1..
| set out for Berlin.
Having arrived there, he at once sought an
audience with the king, which, under the pre-
text that he came in regard TO the hbelous
placard and would speak only with the king,
was actually granted him.
Frederick the Great sat in his council cham
Der at his writing desk, and appeared to be in
not very good humor. He left his visitor
unnoticed for some time. Finally be turned
to him
Now, what do you want?"
Your Majesty, l came in regard to that
placard. 1t states in this paper that "a"
Right But what do you know about it
But shall receive the promised reward,
your Majesty"
"If you are in condition to deliver up the
right man, certainly"
Under all circumstances, whoever it may
be, your Majesty
hounds! yes Now, out with it :"
"Wen, your Majesty, l myself have this
placard-"
"Fellow, are you mad, or what is the mat
ter with you ?" cried Frederick, springng up.
"Do you know what you will get for that?
II know it, your Majesty-I 60 to Span
dau but, if only my family receives the
thirty thalers, then no matter what becomes
of me-"
And he told him in few words in what
condition he was how he had often petition
ed for position. how he had in vain tried to
see the king, how in his despair he had writ
ten this placard, and how he had come here
in order to at least receive this reward.
While the old Hunter was speaking, the
king had paced up and down the room with
long strides.
Him, Inn" he growled, as if to himself,
that is certainly bad. In any case, another
objectionable negligence. But said lie,
pausing before the soldier, you need not
: have done that. You could have tried once
more, and you must have obtained hearing.
) 1t certainly cannot be altered now. You must
go to Spandau, and Immediately"
, 'But my wife shall receive the thirty thai
| ers 2" cried the soldier, bursting into tears.
''She shall have it," said the king, "bu
J prepare yourself to go to Spandau. viii
give you a letter to the commandant," added
= he, in mider tone, and Immediately seated
: himself to write the letter but first he strucl
a little silver bell which stood on his desk
l aud turning again to the soldier, said in tn,
= presence of the soldier who had promptly en-
I tered: you have q long journey before
c you, and will be very hungry. Go into the
8 kitchen, and let them give you something t
I eat"
o The old corporal was led into the roya
e kitchen, and entertained. When he entered
: the royal apartment again, the king had fin
I ished his letter, which he handed to him, say
d ing, "You have come here from Kustrin oil
t foot ?"
! II have, your Majesty"
g "Then you can also go on foot from her
I TO Spandau. The country has no money h
# order an extra post for such people-the les
:, that already thirty thalers have been spent ol
d you"
s "Iy family shall receive the money, you
n Majesty"
/. ''That is already attended to-" answered
J. the king, nodding, and added with threaten
# ing voice, 'See to it that you go to Spandau
10 for otherwise"
d With heavy heart the old man had enter
is ed the palace with a heavy heart he stoo
r again on the street. He had hoped, perhaps
to find favor with the king. But to Spar
dau 1t rang continually in his ears. Wha
should he now do 4? Should he really go t
, prison, or should he try TO escapep But ho'
" far could he go with his wooden leg? An
y then, the last words of the king said to hi
"a only too plainly that in that case, it woul
i only be still worse for him for then III
NJ thirty thalers would be lost, and all have bee
AZ in vain Should he at least first inform h
n wife, who had no suspicion of the whole o'
= currence? But he could not bring his heal
90 to witness the grief this would cause her, 6
m he decided without delay to struggle on
as Spandau His family were now provide
"a for, for the immediate present. and VIII
h. should follow lay in Gods hands.
m Arrived at SpAndau, he Immediately ha
Nv himself announced to the oommandant an
n found some consolation in recognizing
It. | him his old sergeant He could not hel
an drawing comparison between him and hin
id self While he, the severely wounded, a
en- most perishing from want and distress, stoo
h. here now as prisoner, the other ha
90 already occupied this lucrative place son
90 years.
The oommandant was also highly delightC
to see his brave old comrade again.
r. 'But how in the world did you come here
p asked he.
n. 81 am your prisoner"
k my prisoner! 1t is not possible. Ho