The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-06-24

church in Germany for heresy. His
principal heretical views were those Of
the second coming Of Christ and the
doctrine Of celibacy, which he believed
to be in strict accord with the teaching
Of the Bible. In ISa5 Rapp took his
people to their present location. Short
ly after that the first trouble occurred.
a BOGUS "coUNT LEON"
A German adventurer calling himself
Count Leon learning that the Econom-
ties had great deal Of money, came TO
this country and endeavored to usurp
Rapp's place. He succeeded in making
division so that when Rapp finally sue
ceeded in driving him out he carried
three hundred followers with him. Up
to the moment Of his death George Rapp
believed that Christ would make his
second appearance on earth before he
died, and each Of his succcessors down
to the present, President Henrici, who
is upward Of rs years Of age, has believ-
ed the same thing. Old as he is Henrici
is as clear-headed in business matters as
young man. He is the head Of a
number Of important corporations, pres
ident Of the Lake Erie railroad CON-
pany and manages the business affairs
Of the Economics association, yet he
always meets you with smile and a
pleasant word. He however seems to
believe just as firmly that the second
advent will occur before he dies as he
does that the sun will rise tomorrow.
The Economics are rapidly dying of.
All the original ones are broken down
with age, and they can't get any con-
vcrts in this country. There isn't n
young girl or young man for miles around
that would join them, although they
would obtain their share in the property
and money by doing so. That little
rule and regulation about celibacy set
ties the business. Not farm hand in
all the country about here, even in his
direst extremity, harbors a thought of
joining the Economics. The hundreds
Of acres Of rich land which they own,
and which they used to work with case,
are now too much for their thinned ranks
and they are obliged to hire help
Everything is kept in the best Of order.
The roads which run through their limits
are in the best order, the fences are kept
in thorough repair, ali the outbuildings
are models Of neatneSs, no cattle are
permitted to run at large, and even the
old cannon that stands on the river bank
from year to year, from which the an
nual 4th Of July salute is fired, looks
prim and neat, and everything about il
is in perfect order for loading, for there
are no children TO pry with curious eyes
and more curious fingers into all its be-
longings.
"What will you do with your money
and property when the last man OF your
association dies 7" well.known gentle
man asked Mr.. Henrici the other day.
The veteran Economic laid his hand
on the questioner's shoulder and said in
4 manner that showed he was in earnest,
''That is contrary to our doctrine I; we
believe that the Lord will come before
that day, and we cannot, therefore,
make any provision for the future dis.
position Of our earnings" At the
present rate of deaths the Economic
Association will be defunct in about ten
years, and then, unless Mr.. Hcnrici's
predictions come true or he changes his
mind, there will be about fifteen millions
Of dollars floating around the State Of
Pennsylvania without an owner.
\ STRANGE ROMANCE.
Economy is one of the last places in
the world anybody would look for any
thing romantic. The prosy Germans
don't like people who would indulge in
romance-yet there is story connected
with the lives Of two Of its leading in
habitants the undoubted truth of which
is one more proof Of the old adage that
''Truth is stranger than Fiction
When quite young man Jacob Hen
rici, the present president Of the associa-
tion, almost fell from grace. He was
accomplished and educated above most
ofhis iscompanions, and slowly but surely,
as he grew older he fell in love with Ger
trude Rapp, the granddaughter Of the
founder OF the sect. Young Henrici
struggled hard against the rising passion,
but il wouldn't down spite Of all he could
do. What was worse, il became evil
dent that Miss Rapp reciproca,ed the
attachment. Things assumed an alarm
ing aspect, and rumors were even cir
culated that the two meant to run away
and get married. Every pleasant even
ing they strolled up and down the banks
Of the Ohio, told unrestrainedly their
love and bemoaned the sad lot that pre-
vented them from becoming man and
wife. At length, however, the persua-
sions Of their elders had its effect, and
the two foreswore forever the thought
Of marriage. Henrici, however, it is
said, continues to cherish the passion
for his young love, although Miss Rapp
is now over 70 and he nearer So. At
the Westinghouse Mr.. Heinrich conducts
the services every Sunday and Miss Rapp
sits opposite him and leads the choir.
The two live in the largest dwelling
house in the village, each occupying
wing. Two or three other members Of
the association also live in the house to
prevent scandal Of any kind. Every
morning, through winter and summer,
Mr.. Henrici sendsa bouquet to be placed
at the side Of his old love and she reci-
procates by pouring out his tea with her
own hand. Call at any time, and the
old folks will extend to you the most
courteous invitation to enter, and If you
do, they will offer the Inequalities of
their home. in the shape Of homemade
wine and gingerbread, in the most cour-
teous manner.
All the Economics are very indepen.
dent in whatever dealings they may have
with their neighbors. II you wish to
buy anything they will tell you its price
il they want to sell it, and IL that price
don't suit you they won't sell at ALL