Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-02-04

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and handed the note with his ring, to the
giantess. "You take this note and 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 noten
"All right, sfr, she said, taking the
money and the note, ''do you want me to
lift you back into the saddle, old mans'
''No, thank you, 2 little girl, 4" replied
the king, mounting his horse. As he rode
off she called after him:
''Be careful, hubby, that you don't
spill yourself off that big horse
The king rode off smihngly. He was
under the impression that he had done
something very shrewd.
The giantess possibly suspected that
the old gentleman on horseback was play
ing some trick on her 1t is also possible
that she opened the note and read it. 1t
is not altogether impossible that the sly
PICCC huCN oil tIAC OitAO tudo olAC was Odlh
ing to his majesty, and her ignorance was
altogether assumed. Who can tell what
a woman knows or don't know?
At all events she made up her mind not
to deliver the note. AS it happened an
old woman, bent and wrinkled with age,
came down the road. The giantess mo-
toned to her to approach.
"Good-morning, Grandmother Shippel,
do you want to earn thaler2"
Did she want to earn thaler? That
was more money than the poor old creature
had seen at one time in years.
She took the ring and note and hobbled
off in the direction Of Potsdam at rate
of speed that was astonishing in one so
aged. The giantess looked after her and
then throwing back her head she laughed
so loud that peasant plowing in field
half mile distant paused in his work,
and looked to see what was the cause of
the atmospheric conclusions.
As for the old woman, it was not long
before she was ushered into the presence
Of the colonel Of King Frederick's regi-
ment of the guards. He was a man Of
immense size. After he had read the
note and examined the ring, he rubbed
his eyes, looked down at the shriveled up
little old woman. passed his hand over
his perplexed forehead, re-read the note,
and seemed to be more perplexed than
ever.
The kings note read as follows:
Have the bearer married at once to the
tallest man in your regiment. You are di-
rected to carry out this order without fail or
delay, and the slightest deviation will incur
my displeasure.
FREDERICK WILLIAM l., REX.
'This is something extraordinary, y
soliloquized the colonel. ssHow this
marriage is going to promote his
majesty's intentions in regard to the fu-
ture race of giants passes my comprehen-
sion, but that's none of my business. The
kings word is the law. Orderlyn
The orderly advanced, saluted, and
came to the position Of attention.
"Order Corporal Schmock to report to
me at once; also the chaplain of the regi-
mentn'
The corporal entered; he was the big
gest man in the regiment. When he was
informed Of the order of the king he
stamped his foot, that is inwardly, for no
outward signs of insurbordination were
allowed. As for the aged bride, at first
she seemed to hesitate, but finally she
chewed the border of her apron and ex-
pressed unwillingness to thwart the
wishes Of the king. She was extremely
willing to conciliate his majesty, no mat
ter to how much personal inconvenience
she might subject herself
The chaplain Of the regiment came in,
and in ten minutes corporal Schmock
and Anna Shippel were made one. After
denying himself the pleasure of saluting
the bride, corporal Schmock hastened to
the nearest saloon, and in an incredibly
short time he was in the guard house, as
drunk as lord
A few hours later Frederick rode into
the court yard of the barracks. He dis
mounted and was received with usua
honors by the colonel.
'sHow is Corporal Schmock coming on
as married man?''
''He is in the guard-house, may it
please your majesty"
''What has he been doing9"
''He got drunk as soon as the marriage
ceremony was over.
Release him. His young wife will
naturally feel lonesome.
sDid I understand your majesty to say
young wifeg"
"of course; she says she is only seven
teen.n
Il am afraid your majesty has been de-
ceived, but possibly she meant to say
seyenty-one She looks to be at least
that oldn
''Then she must have aged very much
during the last few hours. Bring her in. 4
The aged dame was led in. She was
very much embarrassed and was ready to
sink through the floor, particularly when
hereight feet of husband was also brought
in.
He hurled himself on the floor with a
mighty proneness and besought the king
to have him court-martialed and put him