Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-08
A NOBLE CANDY MAKER.
dow a Dfsgraced German Count is
Making Rapid Fortune.
.ette- to the New York Tribune.

Berlin Letter TO the New York Tribune
Few names are read oftener on the shop
windows of Berlin than the aristocratic one of
Carl Maria Won Donau. In the passage, along
the Linden. on the Erie drichstrasse, il stands
cut with the nobiliary particle in bright-red
letters. which cannot escapezthe eyes Of the
passer-by. Below it, in each case, are the
words ''candy and caramels." which are now
the favOrite sweetmeats of the young ladies of
Berlin. Carl Maria Won Donau. their manu-
fscturer, contrary TO the traditions of his
family, has entered upon the mercantile career
with history which is a strange mixture of
brilliancy, downfall and ultimate success.
Ten years ago the young nobleman. cadet of
one of the most potentand distinguished houses
in the empire. was an officer of the guards in
the university city of Breslau. Like most of
his kind. he lived a fast life, and contracted
debts for which there was but one solutidA-a
wealthy bride. The hearts Of many fair maidens
were made TO beat faster by the attentions of
the handsome nobleman, but when the fathers
bank accounts were examined. before making
the final offer, they were found too small, and
the courtesies ceased. Despair and the threats
of exaeting creditors drove him to the daugh-
ter of wealthy Hebrew. Large sums were
promised by the old banker, the height of
whose ambition was the union of his daughter
with the scion of this ancient house. Visions
OF presentation at court. and possible appoint
the debts of his prospective sOn-in-law de-
creased. The engagement was published pre-
paratiOns were made for the wedding But
Won DOnau was selling himself. He made no
secret of the fact to his companions who con-
tnually chaffed him with his engagement to a
Jewess. and il irritated him.
One morning he sat in his room to answer
the letter of friend who had begged him to
renOunce the girl. He was not a brave man
and spoke IN scathing terms of the woman he
was soon to marry. calling her disgraceful and
cutting names, and declaring that dire neces-
sity alone forced him to take a wife so dis
tasteful to himself. family and comrades. At
the same time he wrote a billet-dOux to his
hancee, filled with words of endearment. hope
and cheer. and longing for the approach of the
nuptial day. But fate dealt rightly with his
falsehOOd. The envelopes we're Interchanged.
and the friend received the declaration of
love, while the bride read the words which de-
nOunced her. With fearful eyes and heavy
heart she handed the letter to her old father
who determined to prosecute his intended SON.
in-law. The letter was read TO his commander
and bis villainy was exposed. Explanations
and entreaties were in vain. He was dismissed
in disgrace for conduct unbecOming an Off
cer," and the engagement was broken.
Abased. i'll debt. out of employment. his
utter ruin seemed imminent. But as an anna
teur, he had gained reputation for making
candy which pleased the palates of his fair
friends He determined to bring his talent to
account. and opened little shop in Bresau
The ancient name attracted buyers. Parvenues
liked the distinction of having a nobeman as
their COnfectiOner. and his trade increased. He
enlarged his shop and soon established
branches in other cities. Success attended
every venture. His factory removed to
Berlin ana his fortune assured He is long
since out of debt and almost as wealthy as the
man who published his pertidy to the world.