Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-11-17
A ROMANTIC STORY.

nance has lIaG its denouement in this city.
The story is simple one, but it has all
the vital points of melodrama. A little
over year ago Alfred, Count Of Salm,
was student in the University Of Bonn,
Germany. The young man had an enor-
nous private income and was heir appar-
ent Of the noblest house in the lshenish
province. These facts, coupled with his
Kings IIussars, proved 4 passport for him
into all grades Of society. As is the case
with all people born with golden spoon
in their mouths, it was definitely arranged
beforehand exactly what young Alfred
should do with his spoon. lie was 4 way
ward young fellow, however, and would
not be led. Everything lie did was made
light of and cOndoned, until he boldly an
nounced to his princely father that he
was deeply in love with the daughter Of
common merchant at Bonn and, what was
more, intended to marry her ut once. lie
merely mentioned the matter to his father
to obtain his consent rs q matter of form.
Then there was trouble, indeed. The
Prince of Salm played the part of the
cruel father to the life. He not only re-
fused his consent, but was SO violent in
the doing Of it that the interview came
near winding up in personal encounter.
lie went further, for young Alfred's in
come was so placed that his father was
able to prevent his obtaining cent Of it
and he promptly proceeded in his scheme
to starvc the young man into submission.
Alfred met this play with perfect cool
ness and in the course of = few days was
suddenly missing. None of his student
or army friends had the least inkling us to
his intentions and for few days his dis
appearance was the common talk and Cos
sip of the upper tendon of the city Of
Bonn. At first the old Prince was con-
tent, hut in short time he began to fol-
low ont his part in the play. lie came to
the conclusion he must find his son and
that The boys otfcnsc was not so heinOus
after all. lie caused Il search to be made
throughout Germany and France, but the
fugitive could not be found and so much
time had elapsed that the detectives were
unable to trace him. Eight months passed
and the search WAS aboIt abandoned.
The next heir had come TO be regarded rs
the successor of the old Prince and all
was apparently settled. At that time the
mourning parent received badly written
letter, posted in Chicago, from one Charles
Schneider, who was formerly a private in
the Kings Hussars. This letter informed
his lIighness that young Alfred was in
this city with Schneider and both were
engaged us section hands OH 4 railroad.
The latter not only named the Count of
Salm, but gave such an excellent descrip-
at once. After some preliminary cores
pondcnce all the fathers love for the son
was aroused and, in the usual stage style,
he dispatched his factotum. Baron NAL
stein, to this city to bring the boy home
ut any cost. \ letter was sent to Schnci-
der, instructing him to meet the Baron
here on November ). The appointment
WAS faithfully kept by both parties.
Although Il man of mature years, the
Baron was all haste to see the recrcant son
of the head of his house and carry him
back to the Fatherland. Schneider was
all willingness to bring matters to 4 cul-
mination aud conducted the Baron TO
Grand Crossing. \ short walk from the
station brouShta gang of laborers to view,
and among .hcm old Walstein ut once rec
ognized yoang Alfred. The recognition
was mutual, but there was nothing dra-
matte about the meeting. 1t is said that
the runaway was still stubborn and sullen.
lie was called aside from his fcllOw-wOrk-
men, and the son and the fathers ennis
sary had long and prosy consultation
between a couple of freight cars that lay
upon adjoining tracks. There Is no know
ing what was said, but Schneider denies
that there were any tears or stacy profess
tations. Schneider evidently has no ro-
nance in his makeup, for his story makes
that consultation look -blooded indeed.
According to him, the Count plainly said
that he had left Germany because he could
not marry the shopkeeper's daughter and
that he would not return to that country
unless it was to wed her.
After trying some diplomatic lodges
the Baron of Walstein produced q letter
from the Prince to his son, guaranteeing
that he should marry the woman Of his
choice and be allowed sufficient income,
provided he abandoned his occupation and
returned to Germany. That letter settled
it as effectually as the stage letter does
just before the curtain goes down. 1t only
remained to leave this Western country
quietly and SO arrange matters that
Schneider should not make the matter
public, rs he was the only person fully
cOgnzant of the Counts proceedings in
this country. 1t was thought best to take
him back to Germany, for the double rea-
son that he could be watched there and at
the same time be in position that would
make him dependent upon the Count. He
WAS accordingly offered place in the
Counts service and readily accepted. All
the preparations were made to leave the
city and yet Schneidcr's inadvertency let
the story out before the party left. He
and the Count had been working together
for some time at Grand Crossing and had
never passed any great length Of time in
the city.
A little over month ago the weather