Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-31
A UsURER's HOUSE WARMING.
How German Officers Got Into Disgrace
Owing to Their ImpecuniOsity.

HOW herman OHcerS LOT INTO DAsyrtce
Owing to Their ImpecuniOsity.
Berlin special, March 20, says: The
kaiser and his military council have before
| them long list OF officers of high and low de-
gree who recently appeared in full uniform at
a ball given at the housewarming Of Insurer
named Abrahams. The latter's new palatial
residence has been built up on the ruined
careers of a host of young aristocrats and army
men, and Abrahams, who is a very smart man,
thought the time had arrived when his daugh-
ter might aspire to position in society among
ladies of rank.
To set the ball rolling Abrahams called upon
each of his debtors and under promise OF
greater leniency or further advances, as the
case might be, induced them to appear at his
ball in full uniform. which they are only
allowed to wear at great court receptions, when
infantry officers have to appear in white wooden
trousers and cayalrymen with the broad stripes
usually worn only by generals.
1t was, he said, for the purpose of meeting
some friends from the country who had never
seen such a spectacle and had to be obliged. as
they were the real bankers in money-lending
matters. When the officers arrived they found
the house lit up and swarming with hired wait
ers, many of whom they had met before at
popular restaurants. They also encountered,
to their surprise, number of comrades and.
in many cases, superiors, though each OF them
had been assured that he was the only invited
army man.
Abrahams received them with big diamond
on his unusually clean shirt front and a smile
two yards wide, assuring his friends that it was
only little joke after all.
At the dinner the highest in social rana
among the officers were placed next to Abra-
hams daughter, while mother Abrahams was
attended by a real live price-who holds an inn
portant command in the bodyguard of hussars
Aside from Abrahams' female relations there
were number OF young and pretty women,
made known only by their Christian names
Like the walters, they were, however, not total
strangers to their cavaliers, being habitual fire.
quenters of that part of Friedrich Strassc,
where they are tolerated by the police.
One or two of the elder officers went to the
host to demonstrate with him, but Abrahauns
assured them that they were mistaken. Most of
the ladies' he said, were personal acquaintances
of his daughter and only few stray ones had
been procured at the last moment at the in
stance of the headwaiter to take the place Of
those who were prevented from fulfilling their
engagements.
Besides" concluded the willy Abrahams.
with smile, "those gentlemen who object to
my hospitality are at liberty to withdraw, but
must beware Of the consequences"
The threat worked like charm. and the poor,
deluded victims had to bear their disgrace The
ordeal lasted for four hours and concluded with
bacchanalian scene after the officers had sue
ceeded in drowning their modification by
heavy potations. After the feast they were
packed into second-class cabs, provided by
Abrahams, and despatchedto their respective
homes.
The whole thing got abroad through the in
discretion of the hired walters as well as the
Boosting Of one of the Misses Abrahams, who
appeared at the kaiser's last gala night at the
royal opera and Familiarity greeted lieutenant
colonel in his majesty's suite.
About twenty-five officers are implicated in
the affair, some of them personal friends of the
emperor. others distinguished by birth or spe-
cial talent. The deliberations Of the military
council will probably result in saving these
gentlemen from being degraded by rearrang-
ing their financial affairs and at the same time
giving them a wholesome lesson. Abrahams
will be prosecuted for usury if that can be
done without damaging the reputation of his
victims.