The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-28


perated
at is plot--a damnable plot, and will
not stand any such trihing. ! am too old an
officer to be humbugged in that way, and
particularly about the death of my father
l viii go at once and see Capt. Braun about
it, for somebody is going to get hurt if this
foolishness is kept up"
Leaving the old officer Schmidt No. to
take care of himself for the present, let us
see what his son Lieut. Schmidt No. 2 is
about. He stepped out Of his room dressed
in full uniform and in the best of humor.
A complacent smile was playing upon his
lips. As he sauntered down the street he
met Lieut.. Scholz, who looked like the
picture OF despair.
Good morning, Scholz, how are You COM
ing on, my boyl Have you got the tooth
ache or collie, CT has your sweetheart gone
back on you, or what is the matter with you,
anyhow What makes you look so sorrow
full this fine morning9"
Lieut. Scholz was almost paralyzei with
establishment at this extraordinary conduct
of his friend.
Look here, Schmidt do you know that ]
can't understand you, snyhowP
"What don't you understand? Are you
surprised that wonder at your owl-like APP
pearance-as a general thing you are not SO
solemn. Let's go AMI take breakfast to-
gether."
Lieut.. Scholz shook his head as if the be-
havior Of his friend was totally incompre-
hensible. Il did not suppose you could be
guilty of such utter heartlesSnesS."
"Heartlessness? What do you mean by
thatln
"Wel should think when mans father
is dead
Schmidt No. 2 became as solemn as a
judge, and in husky voice taking Scholz by
the hands, he said:
oh beg your pardon, did not know
your father was dead. But might have
guessed it from your sorrowful face. Dear
friend, forgive me, and allow me to express
my heartfelt grief at your affection"
This was little too much for Scholz.
Now, Schmidt" he said angrily, "you
quit your nonsense. You should be
ashamed of yourself to show such levity
Before your poor father in under the sod
you are joking his DEATH"
"Your grief, School, replied Schmidt,
''has caused you TO confound your father
with mine
"How is that"
my dear friend" replied Schmidt No.
2, your father is dead, not mine"
"Now this is too muchn exclaimed
Scholz, 1T is not enough that you dis
grace your fathers memory, buy you even
undertake to joke about mine. My father,
God be praised, is quite healthy. got a
letter from him yesterday, and if he was
dead my sisters would certainly telegraph
me-"
"Wel, them" said Schmidt, @if your father
is not dead what are you so sorrowful
aboutan
About the death of your father, of
course
"My father!" exclaimed Schmidt
"Of course. Didn't his horse fall on him
and break his neck.7
Schmidt became as pale as a ghost q
did not know anything about it." said
Schmidt, who told you thatl7
you told me so when saw you on the
parade ground half an hour ago"
Schmidt No. looked at Scholz with a
very anxious expression OF countenance.
"Do ysu know, Scholz, that l believe you
are not quite right in your upper story at
times
"On tae contrary it is you who hay lost
your senses You told Capt Braun the same
thing about your father being dead, less
than half an hour ago.
Capt, Braun Why ! have not seen him
to-day"
"But have seen him. | met him when
he came from the parade-ground, and his
whole beard was full of tears. He said be
saw you on the parade ground, and that you
told him about the accident that had hap
pened to your father"
1t was now Schmidt's turn TO get mad.
Il shall see Capt, Braun about that i'm
nediately," said Schmidt No. 3, and put
ting his saber unser his arm he strobe off
in the direction of Capt Braun's quar-
ers Old Capt Braun was sitting in his
room. He had not recovered from the ter
Tible shock produced by the news of the
death Of his friend His orderly entered and
said that Lieut.. Schmidt was outside
Tell him to come in," said Capt Braun.
The next moment Schmidt No. entered the
| room. The old soldier heaved a sigh and ad-
vanced TO meet him.
My poor young friend, he said, "this is a
sad blow to ms both 1t has completely
paTalyzed me-"
II seemed to have done the same thing for
Schmidt No. 2 but before he could open his
mouth the orderly on,e more entered the
room His face was red, and be seemed to
be lab1rlng under great excitement.
Captain, outside there-is-there is-n
then he looked at Schmidt No 2 and his
| face became re ider ana redder.
well, what is it!' calculated Capt Braun.
Right here! at the door stands-stands
~ repeated the orderly and once more be
looked ct Schmidt No . with scared ex-
preston of countenance.
"Can't you talk Who is outsider
"Lieut Schmidt He would like &c
| come in"
The captain and Lieut. Schmidt No. 2
looked at each other in n dazed sort of a way.
If Lieut.. Schmidt was outside he could not
possibly be dead.
Lieut.. Schmidt No. ~ said the orderly
looking at the young lieutenant with awe.
What do You mean! Lieut. Schmidt No
is in the room here'
"Ye-Yes," replied the or ierly, 'but be is
| outside there, too"
Are you crazy" 81 cuatei old Braun,
"or have you been drinking" And turning
to Schmidt No. ?, he said, you are here
| already. You can't web come a second time,
can you"
Sc1midt No. did not know what 70
| say.
Tel him to come in ordered Capt.
Braun.
The orderly drew up his shoulders and cast
a looh. towards heaven, as if he was going
to pray, and tumbling over his own feet, he
| opened the door.
Lieut.. Schmidt No ! entered The or
derby sneaked in also. He wanted to see
how this thing was going to end
why, heavens preserve uSi You are
also, Schmidt No. ~ said Braun. How
many OF you are there7'
Captain, you viii excuse me, but l am
Schmidt No. L.
Old Braun put both hands to his head tc
| steady his brain, then said-"But that is not
| possible. If you were Schmidt No you
would be your own father, and the father Of
| Schmidt Nc. . also and even if you are
| your own father, you are dead, and then you
could not be here. My poor brain needs q
reA.n
| In the meantime the two lieutenants looked
sharply at each other
"Father, " said the son, "where did you get
| all that black hair froms'
aRlark hairpp exriaimnI tho fatbar and