Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-02-20

ed Dy the GI0lQeut bCnOihTs MAX IN uiicAs
who says of it ''that it came to him in
heap Of other papers. fly sheets. PAM
phlets and books but it shone like di-
almond in heap Of rubbish, and" Max
Muller adds, las the tale OF The Old
Woman Of Sleswick- Holstein' IL may
help TO give to many who have been
unjust to the inhabitants Of the duchies
some truer idea of the stuff there is in
that strong and stanch and sterling race
to which England owes its language. its
best blood and its honored name. u
THE TALE OF THE OLD WOMAN OF sLEswlcK-
HoLsTEIN.
When the war against Denmark be-
gan In the winter of 1868, offices were
opened in the principal towns Of Ger
many for collecting charitable contri-
buttons. AT Hamburg Messrs. l.. and
X. had set apart large room for re-
oeiving lint. linen and warm clothing
or small sums of money.
One day, about Christmas, poorly
clad woman from the country stepped
IN aud inquired in the pure Holstein di-
alect whether contributions were re-
ceived here for Sleswick- holstein. The
clerk showed her to table covered with
linen rags and such like articles. But
she turned away and pulled out an old
leather purse, and taking out pieces of
money began to count aloud on the
counter, Zone mark, two marks, three
marks" till she had finished her ten
marks. THAT makes ten marks, she
said and showed the little pile away.
The clerk, who had watched the poor
old woman while she was arranging
her small copper and silver coins. asked
her, From whom does the money
Gomez
From me-" she said and began
counting again, Zone mark, two marks,
three marks - Thus she went on emp
tying her purse till she had counted out
ten small heaps of coin of ten marks
each. Then. counting each heap over
once again. she said: 'sThese are my
hundred marks for Sleswick Holstein.
Be SO good as to send them to the SOL
diers
While the old peasant woman was
doing her sums several persons had
gathered around her, and as she was
leaving the shop she was asked again in
tone of surprise from whom the mon
ey came.
I. "From me, she said, and observing
that she was closely scanned she turned
back, and looking the man full in the
face she added. smiling: "It is all hon.
est money. 1t won't hurt the good
cause"
The clerk assured her that no one had
doubted her honesty, but that she her.
self had no doubt often known want,
and that il was hardly right to let her
contribute SO large sum, probably the
whole of her savings
The old woman remained silent for a
time, but after she had quietly scanned
the faces of all present she said: Sure
ly it concerns no one how got the mon
ey. Many a thought passed through my
heart while was counting that money.
You would not ask me to tell you all?
but you are kind gentlemen, and
you take much trouble for us poor peo-
pie. So III tell you whence the money
came. Yes, have known want. food
has been scarce with me many a day,
and it will be so again as / grow old
us. He has helped me to bear the trou-
bles which he sent. He will never for
sake me. My husband has been dead
this mary and many year. had one
only son, and my John was fine stout
fellow, and he worked hard, and no
would not leave his old mother. he
made my home snug and comfortable.
"Then came the war with the Danes.
All his friends Joined the army. but the
only SON of widow. You know. is free.
So he remained ut home, and no one
said to him, Come along with us. for
they knew that he was brave boy, and
that it broke his very heart to stay be-
hind. / knew IL all. / watched him
when the people talked of the war or
when the sohoolmaster brought the
newspaper. All, how he turned pale and
red, and how he looked away and
thought his old mother did not see it'll
But he said nothing to me. and / said
nothing to him. Gracious God. who
could have thought that it was so hard
to drive our oppressors ont Of the land?
''Then came the news from Frederical
That was a dreadful night We sat in
silence opposite each other. We knew
what was In our hearts. and we hardly
dared look at each other. Suddenly he
rose and took my hand and said, Moth
err God be praised. had strength in
that moment. John, said, our time
has come. Go, in Gods name. / know
how thou lowest me and what thou hast
suffered. God knows what will become
Of me IL am left alone, but our Lord
Jesus Christ will forsaks neither thee
nor me.
s'John enlisted as volunteer. The
| day Of parting came All. am making
| a long story Of 1t ALL John stood before
me In his new uniform. Mother, he
said. 'one request before we part--if it
is to be. '3ohn. said to him. 4 know
what thou meaneEt Oh, shall weep.
shall weep very much when am
alone. but my time wiz come, and we
shall meet again il The day Of eur Lord.
| john. anil the land shall be FREE. John:
| the land shall be freef
HorVr fnarr Sf0o7 II, fIn non old W.