The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-30
Our Sons anb Girls.
MoItke as a Child's Nurse.

In the Bavarian city of ROsenheim
there was great excitement one Sunday
in June, 1882. Emperor William l.,
accompanied by Prince Bismarck and
Count Moltke, alighted at the hotel
Kais err Bad.
Among the many who streamed
through the streets to the illuminated
hotel was a girl of about twenty one
years old, leading four-year-old boy
by the hand. She, too, wanted to see
the emperor, but was more anxious to
see the celebrat ed general, under whose
glorious command two of her brothers
had fought. In vain she looked about
for safe shelter for her little brother;
painfully she battled her way through
the crowd, In the vicinity of the hotel,
where it was shut off by the police, her
glance fell upon an old man. She was
puzz' ed about his uniform, whether he
was " Finan cier" or railway official.
She thought: 81 will leave the boy
with him." and the next moment she
made a neat bow to the old gentleman,
pressed a gold piece into his hand, and
said:
"Say, Financier, will you be kind
enough to keep this little boy with you?
| shall return in half an hour. | would
like to look at that Moltke."
Before the old gentleman could re-
ply the pretty girl was gone. Little
Franzel was terribly frightened. Finally
the little fellow held watch to his ear
and promised him honey cakes.
Meanwhile the Alpine girl battled her
way through the crowd. She bowed to
a rnG nd hra 10 e
able majesty, but the expected one,
Count Moltke, did not appear. With a
disappointed countenance she returned
to her little brothers. nurse.
"Thank God, that you are here with
my Franzel! Do you know, Financier,
the newspapers lie. They said Count
Moltke was coming, and he didn't
come"
do you know, girl, the newspapers
did not lie. Moltke is hi re in the city.
OF course, people do not know him, and
that is the reason he is not seen"
"He is here" the girl sighed, strok-
ing Franzei's blonde curls. "Oh, dear
the prettiest Alpine roses I would give
if l could see the general"
"Goodl" said the old gentleman,
che erfully, and he took card from his
pocket and on it wrote several words.
Here, with this note come to the hotel
tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. I'll
warrant you that with this you will
gain admittance to the field marshal.
But do not forget the Alpine rosesl"
"ls it really true?" asked the girl.
" Well, l shall try, but if you have
fibbed to me, Financier, will scratch
your eyes out when meet you. Here
is zwanzgerl. Buy yourself measure
of beer with it; but, listen, don't get
drunk! Now, God bless you! Good
night"
With pleasant smile he left with his
rich gift.
Punctually at nine O'Clock the next
morning the Alpine girl stood in the
doorway of the hotel equipped with an
immense bunch of flowers.
With Sinking countenance the ad-
jutant in waiting took the card, and
Veva followed him up the stairs to the
saloon where the general was quartered.
After short announcement by the
officer the door opened, but at that very
moment, as Vera entered, she dropped
her flowers and screamed "Holy
mother and st. Jo-" for she stood
before the man who had taken care of
naughty Franzel, and he was the COM
mander-in-c in full uniform, and
adorned with orders.
wont l be hanged?" asked Veva,
when she had recovered from her first
fright. "Sir general, is it really true?
| could not help that l did not know
you"
Moltke smiled and reached out his
hand to her.
Fear not, little one" he said. cit
is all right. Thanks for your flowers
and l will give you this dollar. Fran
eel played with il esterday."
With a gracious smile Veva was dis
missed. The dollar is still hallowed
token to her family. Count Moltke
often relate sa.t - - how oSri he
nurse.-Frv, VCsrman.