New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1893-01-11
A STRANGE ADVENTURE,

The night was clear. and frosty, but
bitterly cold, as /, DIETRICH Stein,
dancing master, shrank back shiver-
ing into my corner of the railway car
rlage, and wished myself safely home.
1t had been q busy, firing day, and
no longer possessed the strength and
elasticity OF spirits so necessary to
carry me through my duties. There
was no denying the fact-mY health
was giving way; nothing but ruin re.
manned for me and my eight children
the eldest not yet ten years of age.
Glow much better for them could
they have now been lying beside their
dead mother, was my bitter reflection,
''for then I should have stood or
fallen alone, and not dragged others
with me-"
AS the train stopped at the last sta
ton before Kleinstadt, my destina-
ton, man jumped into the compart.
ment and proceeded to settle himself
in the corner facing me. At first
scarcely noticed him, being occupied
with my own Thoughts but as the
train movedon again he leant for
ward, and after looking at me keenly
for moment, said:-
Pardon me, sir, for addressing you
so abruptly, but time presses, and
have some important questions to
ask you, if you will permit my doing
So
bowed wonderingly.
on are, believe, Herr Stein-a
dancing master-universally respect
ed as an honest and upright MANI
This time my bow was depreca-
tory.
'You' have a family?"
eyes, sir, eight children"
ANY Of them six years old?'"
1.-TWO boys OF that age-twins"
Ozark or fsir?"
Karl is very fair-Otto' is, dark;
bat really, sir. if I may ask
"Patience, Herr Stein; will explain
myselfin ~. moment. Your profess
sion often calls you across the from
tier?"
~ have spent two days in NJ
every week for the last six years.
''Do.you' sometimes take one OF
your children wiph your"
professionally take one or two, Of
the. children on visit to their grand
mother, who lives at NJ.
"Hou' are well:known by the. officials
on the liner
Perfectly so.'''
"You' are, miserably, desperately
poor2'
This was going. too far, and I looked
across angrily at my companion, who,
however. never took his keen. eyes
from my face, and seemed quite sat-
lstied with my wrathful answering
nod.
~ know L must appear imperti-
nent," he went on. "but let this. BIZ
my excuse. I have it in my power
to put you in the.way of earning six
thousand marks. and merely ask you
in return: to.giue me some hours> OF
your time; swearing to keep absolute
silence as to- all that you may see,
hear. or becalled upon to perform,
and asking no questions. I ana some
thing OF; physiognomist, and your
face but confirms to me the high opin-
ion OF your character and manner of
life which someone lately expressed in
my hearing. have followed you to-
night in order to Judge at your: fitness
myself. and, if necessary, lay the
matter before'vou;: so'noW it remains
with you, alone to,deeide whether the
offer shall be accepted or not"
"You, must first tell me more,
stammered; for the thought OF the
money, and all that it would do for my
poor little children, fairly dazzled me
"You must swear to- me onyour hon
or that there is. nothing disgraceful or
unlawful:in what you, wish nae to do;:I
cannot act blindly."
At this the man rose. tohis feet, and
looking solemnly at me, swore by all
he held most sacred, that my part in
this business was strictly in accord
ance with,law and right: then he sat
down, and l having agreed to help
him to the best of my ability, we fell
to discussing matters in good earnest,
By the time the train stopped at
Klelnstadt knew exactly what Ihad
to do, although my friend-he gaveno
name-was- very careful to- let out
nothing more than was absolutely
necessary. 1t appeared that on the
following morning, my usual day for
going to- MI was to- meet this
man and little boy at summer
house in the wood above the town,
bringing with me-. in tho black bag
always carried when on my rounds, a
complete suit OF my Kar}s clothes;
the little boy was. to be dressed in
these, and he and were then to make
for the station in time to catch the
$40 train to NJ. During the
journey was to- pass off the child as
KARL and be very careful On the from
tier, where there might be people on
watch tostop him. At NJ should
meet on the platform q tail man in a
black cloak, who would hand me over
a packet of notes, and with whom I
was to leave the child.
It was all clear enough; but as I
walked ,briskly bomewards, felt that
for the first time in my life l had got
involved in q mystery, and should
have to play double part.
Friday came-a bright, frosty day
and at nine o'clock stood waiting in
the summer-house. My friend soon
appeared, rather athlessly, leading
little boy by the hand. He was q
nret tv child -ilat I he size IF NV Karl