Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-10-01
Il do not understand sou. Why

l our father dead?" said he, with srem.
bling voice. ''My God! How did it
happen?'
ale fell from his horse and broke
his neck. -
The captain clasped his hands and
shook his head in horror. "Ob, oh,
OIL" said he, over and over. ooh,
you poor fellow, you poor fellown
Lieut.. Rosenberg the first looked at
him, wholly at loss to know what to
make of il.
In the meantime the recruits had
gathered and stood in line. A lower
officer stood before them, waiting far
the stroke of the bell Attention.
he called, rs the first elang trembled
in the church tower, To soldier
duty comes before all else, eating or
drinking, house or home, wife or child,
father or mother.
"Will you have the goodness to stay
with the recruits, dear RosenhergPn
said the old captain Thee cannot be
left without q head" He pressed the
lieutenant,s hands in deep agitation,
and then added "Adeul adieul dear
Rosenberg" while bright tears fell
=
bushy beard. "Auf wiedersehenl God
comfort you'll dear Rosenberg. God
comfort you'll" He turned and went
with faltering steps to his home, the
shock having weakened him so that he
needed to rest and collect himself be-
fore calling the sergeant to advise
with him in regard to further proceed
ings.
Lieut. Rosenberg watched the cap
tain disappear round the corner; then
he laughed, and exclaimed: "Well, |
never saw anything like it. There is
nothing like it in all the world"
Just then another officer came from
the same direction which the captain
had gone "Lindemannr' called
Rosenberg, as he was passing. Good
morning! Good morning! How goes
it with you? Come here moment
Lindemann did so. How can l
serve YOU, Rosenberg" ne asked.
Did you just meet our captain"
81 did. -
Ibid anything about him surprise
you?"
VERY much; he was in tears.
"Ah! Now, you see-I thought he
must have been too free with his
schnapps or eaten too much break
fast. -
What do you mean? He is not in
the habit of doing So
well, there IS certainly something
wrong with him.
What brought you to such aconclu-
sion?n
why, just think! When came up
to him he asked me how my father
vast
well, why should he not ask you?n
Rosenberg the first looked at him in
amazement.
why should he not ask me?" he
repeated.
Certainly; why notP"
Because he never did so before.
"What of that? Everything must
have beginning. What is there spec
tally to wonder at in that?"
"What is there to wander at? ! do
not see how you, Lindemann, sensi-
bic man, could inquire aftera man who
is dead. "
Dead Do you Jest? No one
should speak lightly of such things,
Il have no pleasure in joking about
such things; but l certainly can say
that my father is dead"
Lieut. Lindemann's face grew very
long, and he turned as pale as Capt.
Klohn had before him. "Can it be
true? Can it be possible?" he said.
But tell me, for Gods sake how it
happened. "
''Ie fell from his horse and broke
his neck ="
Lieut.. Lindemann's arms fell by his
side, and his breathing was heavy and
painful. Rosenberg the first looked
with wonder at Lindemann, who
grasped his hand and said: My poor,
poor friendr' He wiped manly tear
from his eyes, and turned away in the
direction he had come. God comfort
your he cried. "Heaven send you
strength to bear it,
ole must be crazy" thought Rosen-
berg the first, staring after him in ut
ter bewilderment, cor has he had too
hearty breakfast Only one Of the
two can be possible only one Of those
twou
But when fifteen minutes later the
sergeant came to look around and see
if all was in order, and took the liberty
of iuquiring for his fathers health,
Rosenberg became angry. rs it a
plotl' he exclaimed. "They are try
inr to play trick on me. But / am
too old to allow such a thing, especial
ly at the expense Of my father; that
win not pass-I certainly win not al
low it. As soon rs the training Of the
recruits is over | will 20 to the cap
tain and report, and if he is at the
head Of the conspiracy it is all the same
to me. l viii not be responsible fer
the result. "
Let as leave the old officer standing
on the mmket-place raging inwardly
and see what Rosenberg the second IS
doing. He came out of his rooms in
the best Of spirits, carefully picked q
specIz Of dust with his thumb and fore
finger from his left arm, and sauntered
down the street with a complacent
smile on his lips, not knowing exactly
where he wished to 90. He met Lieut.
Lindomann. Heavens. What