Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1882-09-21
A PURSE OF GOLD.

A PURSE OF GOLD.
There was II holiday among all tht
shOemakers in one of the little prin
cipalities of Germany. 1t was not tn,
festival of st. Crispin, but it was the
wedding day of Fritz Hoebber ant
Catherine Vanburn. Fritz was the
bcst-naturcd, gayest, and most skilfu
shoemaker in the city-Catherine the
brightest and prctticst laundress in the
cnvirons. Never did happier hearts
pronounce the VOWS of love and union
On their return from the church all the
wedding party directed their steps to.
ward the faubourgs There, beneath
an arbor, was spread table for all
the guests. At the moment they were
sitting down they observed that the
newly married couple had disappeared.
Great was the tumult! They waited
some time, but losing their patience, a
deputation was sent to seek for them.
During this time Fritz and Catherine
were happily walking together through
the city. When they arrived at her
home the young wife opened an old
chest, and took from it new leather
purse richly embroidered, and showed
to her astonished husband that it was
full of gold ducats.
"Behold the surprise have reserved
for you, dear Fritz" said she. "Are
you not pleased? | know that this
purse contains the value of ten thous-
and florins."
"How have you obtained this treas
urc?" cried Fritz, amazed.
"What does it signify to you?n said
she. "Can you not accept the gifts of
heaven without critcising them?n
"Yes," replied Fritz, "if they really
came from heaven; and it is precisely
that which must know"
~ tell you that this gold is truly
mine-or rather yours, since | have
given it to you," answered Catherine.
"But still" continued Fritz, at is
necessary to explain to me-"
Cries mingled with shouts of laugh
ter interrupted these last words, and
loud knock was heard at the door,
"These are our friends who have
come to seek u.s." remarked Fritz. Il
cntreat you, Catherine, to tell me"
"No more to-day replied the young
wife. "By-and-by, if you are wise, ii
you sincerely love your wife, and, above
all, if you are not suspicious, not jeal-
ous." And saying these words, she
opened the door.
Her appearance was hailed with loud
applause.
"And Fritz-where is Fritz?n cx-
claimed several voices.
"Carry away the BRIDE" said the
groomsman, "and tell you that Fritz
will soon reioin u.s."
Consequently the author of this pro-
posal took Catherine by the arm and
ed her away. Fritz was little disturbed
by their departure. He took the purse,
and his eyes dilated at sight of the du-
cats. His imagination suddenly pic
tured handsome shop filled with GUS
toners; Catherine was there, behind
counter, while lords and fashionable
ladies pressed in crowds around the
beautiful laundress. He quickly
thrust his finger into the purse, and
felt in the midst of the ducats small,
folded paper, which he quickly drew
forth. 1t was note containing these
words:-
"DEAR BELOVED CATHERINE;-II
send you these few ducats for the use
you mentioned to me yesterday. [
wish, my angel, | had the foresight to
divine your slightest desire. Can ev-
er return to you part of the happiness
which you have given me since the
commencement of our lovep Adieu,
dear Catherine. 1t is not your prince
who embraces you; it is the chief and
most devoted of your servants"
The note bore the signature of the
prince. The poor husband completely
lost his presence of mind rs he finished
reading this note. He left the house
without hat, the purse in his hand,
and painting for breath stood before
Catherine with haggard eyes.
"Stop, miserable woman" cried he,
with loud and angry voice. "Here is
thy gold; take it and lead joyous life
with thy companions; l do not wish to
share the price of infamy."
He threw the purse at her feet; but
she clung to his arm.
"Fritz,' said she, ,'my dear Fritz,
what have doncP Why these frightful
wordsp"
"The prince, unfortunate one-re-
member the prince! Do not touch me-
do not come near me; hide thyself from
my sight if thou dost not wish me to
commit some fearful crime"
He so rudely repulsed her that she
fell. When consciousness returned she
looked around for Fritz, but perceiving
that he had disappeared she covered |
her face with her hands and sobbed bit
terly
After the violent scene which had in
some measure broken his marriage
Fritz left the city without knowing
where he went. He then entered a
public house and called for wine, which
he drank with the distraction of man
overwhelmed with sorrow. Fritz could
never recollect why he had related a
part of his misfortune to a companion
at the inn. In fact, he could never ex-
plain why he had signed paper which
his companion presented to him, and
above all how he had awakened at the
barracks. 1t is certain that II was with
q feeling of deep repungance that Fritz
arrayed himself in military uniform.
When the cockade bearing the colors of