Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-01-03
Translated from the French.
An ALSATIAN TIE DEUM.


Choir master Richter had scarcely fin
ished his supper, when two heavy raps
of the door knocker resounded all through
the little house which be occupied in a
quiet quarter of NJ in Alsace.
Who could be knocking at such an
hour? 1t was just half-past eight
O'clock; and since the occupation of the
town by the German troops the week
before, al the streets were melancholy
and deserted, even during the day. The
inhabitants, ashamed of submitting to
the invaders, had shut themselves up
tightly IN their houses, and seldom went
out except to go to market.
Under such circumstances, therefore,
those two raps at the front door were
quite startling. Richter gravely laid
his pipe upon the edge of the table,
stretched his numbed legs, arose and
went to the door with magisterial foot
step,
What is that you, Christel?" he
exclaimed on recognizing the parish bea-
die III the person of the importunate Wis
itor. what In the devil brings you
here at this time "
Monsieur Richter, p" replied the bea-
die. all out of breath, 81 really beg
pardon, but the Cure sent me.
Why, has anything happened to
him?" asked Richter.
81 dou't think SO, Monsieur Rich
ter" said the beadle; "but he sent me
to tell you that he wants to see you al
once-at once"
The poor beadle paused to take breath,
after his race.
care you crazy ?" asked the choir
master, the idea of monsieur wanting
tn see me at this hour ?"
Yes, Monsieur Richter, he must see
you at once. was even told to bring
you back with me-"
my God! what can the matter be ?"
the musician unused.
Aud he bade the beadle take a seat IN
The hall, while he ran upstairs for his
hat aud cane. ~ 3 i-' .. az
Richter and the beadle traversed the
Whole city of NJ in silence. Only a
few German officers just leaving the
drinking resorts were still traInpling
through the streets, trailing their heavy
sabres over the pavement. T SD - ~
The beadle opened the little presby-
tery-door with bis key, and the choir
master entered to find Old Cure SchIe9el
waiting for him.
The Cure Schlegel was a fBe old man
OF seventy. His long hair was snow
white, and his eyes frank and true. A
strip OF pink ribbon attached 70 his
breast testified to his having mer1ted the
recompense of fifty years of charitable
deeds. For fifteen years he had been
the parish priest Of M; and there
was no poor person in the parish that
had not reason to praise his kindness OF
heart. a. 81 TFFE ~
He was very palsabat evening" \
g All! here you are at last, my good
Richter" said the priest as the. musician
entered opening his eyes wider than
usual as if anticipating the surprise
awaiting him. Come in, ard shut the
door carefully after you. eHG3Wq a.
Richter did SO. ,f,a ada go Pr y
CT wanted to see you, very much, my
friend" continued the priest, speaking
with an emotion which he was powerless
to conceal. 81 wish TO talk with you"
And taking the bands of the musician
In his own, he looked fxedly at him, and
SAID:
"Ab! my poor little Richter, we are
very fortunate. $3.50 ez. #.t.
Richter stood motionless as if pet.
rifed; the priest, aftera moment, handed
him paper, saying: aJsI- aE.
'Here, Richter, read this; German
soldier. from the military headquarters,
left it here. " -flH5H 1.-t3ls< ...t
Richter read: .raaEE ..ru
F'By order of the military governor OF
NJ, the priest Schlegel of the
Catholic church of Al, is hereby
-enjolned to sing solemn Tie Deum
next Sunday, at noon, with music, in
honor of His Majesty William, King OF
Prussia, and of the royal family, and OF
the German princes, his allies. The
civil ana military authorities of NJ
are hereby convoked."
The choir-master dropped into chain
without a word.
" What shame! what ASHAMED" muir
INJURED the priest
Well |" said Richter at last, aroused
from his siupor; "what do you purpose
doing, MOI sieur z"
After q moments silence the priest
>caiWIY answered:
"To obey |"
Richter sprang to his feet and stood
before the priest, olenching his fists with
indignation.
Eyes. to obey" continued Cure
Schlegel eve 8Ie at the mercy Of
these wretchee. If only [ were con.
cerned, it would matter little; for an ole