The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-03-25
A MISFsr MARRIAGES.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
Frederick the Great was very pecu-
liar man. He was as full of eccentricities
as shad is Of bones Some writer's who
have studied his character very closely
maintain that most of the time he was
crazy. One of his peculiarities was to
stroll out with a demure sort Of look on
his face and rattan cane in his good
right hand. All at once he would bend
it, the cane, out of shape around the per-
sons of such OF his loving subjects az he
found lettering or loafing. All such were
positive that he was little out of his
mind, and should be locked up in an asy-
lum for the feeble minded
Frederick's great hobby was his regi-
ment of giants, of which he was proud as
if he was their parental ancestors. 1t was
the opinion of his majesty that marrying
his giant soldiers to women of similar
stature a race of giants would be the re-
suit. The wishes and feelings of the par
ties thus mated were never taken into
consideration, consequently many Of the
marriages entered into at the instigation
body except himself.
One day Frederick was taking a ride
on horseback in the vicinity of Potsdam
He was then quite an old man. Not lar
from the road was an object that at
tracted his attention. At first he thought
it was haystack, but he was not quite
sure of it, as haystacks We're not in the
habit of moving. The object moved.
Frederick rode up to it, when to his ut
into the biggest woman he ever saw.
She was bending over digging potatoes.
AS she stood up she shut out from the
view OF the king vast quantity Of blue
sky. In fact the king, who had dis
mounted, was almost frightened as he
looked up at this giantess.
She seemed to be about seven or eight
feet tall but we'll proportioned. She
held her apron with one hand, while she
allowed the potatoes, with which it was
filled, to drop into large basket by her
side With her left band she welded a
shovel with az much case as if it had been
a toas,ing fork. She had faxen hair, and
face as round as full moon, but there
wss merry twinkle in her blue eyes that
indicated much mother wit.
"What are you doing there - asked
the king.
"Can't you see for yourself! Pm dig
ging potatoes. Did you think I was
playing on the piano ?"
How old are you, sissy"
" | was seventeen years old on my last
birthday, hubby"
"Only seventeen! 1t hardly seems
possible that You should have grown all
that distance IN such short time"
"Well, | did, ard did most of it by
myself, too, although had good start.
You are polite gentleman, you are, to
ask lady her age. If was 20 Judge of
your age by your size I'd say that you
hadn't been weaned vet, although your
face shows that you were not born last
week"
The king, who was not accustomed to
this sort of talk, was angered, but recol-
lecting that this peasant girl had no idea
of his identity, he smiled, and regaining
his good humor continued the conversa-
ton.
"You amuse me, little one. You are
not married, suppose?
mo, and | don't expect that | will
have chance to get married for the next
hundred years, or, at least, until the old
king pegs out. The way that old sinner
holds ont is scandalous. He takes all the
men of any size aud puts them in his big
overgrown regiment at Potsdam. You
amt going to propose to me are Gou, now
that you are talking about marriage.
"No, not just yet, am too young"
"Jf you are matrimonially inclined was
going to recommend my grandmother.
She is q widow about your age. She was
103 last summer. She is just the kind of
frisky young thing you need to soothe
you in declining years. She is daisy at
frying pancakes"
A happy thought flashed through the
monarch's mind.
"Look here, little one, I want you to
take note tor me TO q gentleman in
Potsdam. Here is thaler for your
trouble" and taking his note book, Fred
erick tore out leaf, wrote few lines,
and handed the note with his ring to the
giantess You take this note aud ring
to the Colonel of the Guards at Potsdam.
and tell him that the gentleman who gave
it to you said to be sure and carry out the
instructions contained in the note"
"All right, sir" she said, taking the
money and the note, do you want me
70 liis You back into the saddle, old
man r.
No. thank you, little girl,'' replied
the king, mounting his horse. AS he
rode of she called atter him:
BE careful. hubby. that Yon don't
spill yourself of that big horse"
The king rode OF smilingly. He was
nuder the impression that he hal done
something very sAsewd.
The giAntess possibly suspecsed that
the old gentleman on horssback was play-
ine sDme trick On heH Il Is aIso possible
that ake opsosd ~ 1nfe asd rad q. Il
4 ~ alsosst Az iaapesb bls tAat ~ sl5