Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-08
AN EXPEDIENT.

Many years ago there lived in a small
town in Holland, which we will call Zuy-
dam in order not to disclose its real name.
rich merchant who had amassed his great
fortune by selling goats hair. Herr Haar-
borg was a jealous Catholic, as were his
wife and slaves, although his neighbors be-
longed to what is now called the Lutheran
church. The people of this town were very
good: no one had ever been known to be
dishonest in dealings of any sort. Herr
Haarborg had no children to fill his large
house, and finding that his wife was out Of
health determined to leave his native town
for awhile and visit southern country,
where he hoped the warm climate would
benefit his WIFE
So he sold his stock of goats hair and
from 1t realized large sum in gold. This
ne was loath to take with him, as he feared
TO be molested in his journey-traveiing in
those days being not at all safe. He de-
clded to take his slaves with him and shut
up his house until his return. He didn't
like to leave his gold in ap empty house
and at last concluded to hide il. So he
placed separate parcels of the gold at the
bottom of five large earthen jars, which he
then filled to the brim with butter and sent
to the house Of ncighbor, Herr Zutdrecht,
lawyer much celebrated for his cunning,
telling him that the jars contained his stock
OF butter for winter consumption.
Herr Zutdrecht, however, suspected from
the unusual weight Of the jars that they
contained more than butter and his curos-
ity led him to open the jars. He removed
the butter carefully, and when the bags of
gold were exposed to view the temptation
was too much for him. He could not resist
taking the gold, so he distracted all of it
and replaced the butter carefully
Herr Haarborg on his return just as win
ter was approaching soon discovered that
trick had been practiced upon him, but the
jars being apparently in the same condition
as when he delivered them he could not
prosecute his neighbor. He therefore set
his wits to work to devise a way of punish
ing Herr Zutdrecht, and if possible to re-
cover his property. After long considera-
ton he decided on plan.
On visiting a neighboring town to sell
some of his stock of goats hair, he met a
troop OF gypsies who had with them a very
sagacious ape Herr Haarborg prevailed
upon the gypsies to sell him the animal
and conveyed it by night to his house,
where he kept it in a room into which no
one was admitted but himself.
Then he purchased long gown and cap
like those which were at the time worn
by the lawyers and these he put on when
ever he visited the ape. He let no one but
himself feed the animal, and it became
very much attached to him and would
jump upon him and cling round his neck in
a loving way.
Then the second move in his plan was
commenced. He watched the street until
he saw Herr Zutdrecht's only son, a small
lad, and by the promise of some sweet cakes
enticed him to enter his house, where he
shut the child up a close prisoner in one
room, so that he could alarm no one.
Herr Zutdrecht searched and searched
for his missing son in vain and had just
made up his mind that the boy had been
drowned in the river or kidnapped by the
gypsies when by chance he heard that the
lad had been seen in the company of Herr
Haarborg on the day of the child's disap-
pearance. He then caused Herr Haarborg
to be called before the justice and demand
ed the child Of him. ,.5.-
Herr Haarborg denied the charge at first,
but the witness positively declared that he
had seen the boy enter the merchants
house AT this Herr Haarborg confessed:
at is true. l saw the chile passing, and
for the sake of old friendship with his IA
Their | asked him in. The migrate repaid
my hospitality with rudeness and abuse.
Not only that, but he blasphemed cur pa
tron saint, when, to my surprise and horror,
he was suddenly changed into a monkey.
In that form l will produce him. As .
proof of the truth of my assertion, you will
see that he will Immediately recognize his
father"
He then dispatched servant for the ape,
and in few minutes it was brought before
the justice.
Seeing that Herr Zutdrecht was dressed
in the fashion to which he was accustomed,
the ape mistook him for it's master and
chung to his neck with expressions of fond
ness which child might have exhibited
for IA restored parent.
No more evidence was wanting. All
| cried. "A miracle! 1t is real miracle!'
| And Herr Zutdrecht was ordered to retire
with the monkey and pay the expenses of
| the court.
| A compromise was now the only resource,
| and as soon as it was dark Herr Zutdrecht
| repaired to the house of Herr Haarborg and
| offered, il he would liberate his son, to re-
| store all the money taken from the butter
| jars.
| The merchant having obtained his OBJ
| ject consented, but to keep up his credit he
| stipulated that the child should be removed
| by night and that the whole family should
Immediately leave the town.-katherin n.
| Birdsall in Philadelphia Press.