The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-23
AN UNLUCKY GIFT.

Vanburn-Fritz, the gayest and most
skiilful iourneymnn shoemaker in the
town; Catherine, the loveliest and bright
ssb little seamstress in the neigh boFhood.
When Fritz and Catherine returned
home after the wedding Catherine opened
an old fashioned trunk. and pulling from
the bottom of it a handsome new leather
bag she opened it and displayed TO the
eyes of her astonished husband a purse
filed with bright gold duoats.
50 But how did you get such treasuEef'
exclaimed Fritz, dazzled at the sight OF SO
much gold.
g What does it matter to you, -dearssa2''
she replied. Can you not accept q gift
from heaYen?''
Their conversation was interrupted BY
loud screaming and laughing in the ad-
joining room.
Here are my friends, - said Fritz inn
patiently. f'They come for US. I beg of
you, Catherine, tell me-
Not q word today, replied the young
bride. s. By and by, if you are a very kind
and affeotionate husband and not at OH
suspicious or jealous, I viii see"
Let US take the bride away" replied
some one. 81 warrant he win soon fol-
low.
He opened the purse, and his eyes spar
kled at the sight of such riches The
bright metal was glittering in the sun and
seemed to promise a thousand unknown
joys
While thus dreaming Fritz plunged bis
hand in the bag, and among the dueats he
encountered a small piece Of paper closely
rolled up.
Dear and beloved Catherine Fritz
could not believe his own eyes He read
again: "Dear and beloved Catherine, I
send you this small sum for the purpose
which you mentioned to me. I wish, dear
angel, could as easily crafty your least
I 1n nn tn Wnfr rlef
the happiness you have given me since we
first loved?
''Adieu dear Catherinel 1t is not your
prince who kisses you, but your most obe-
dent and devoted servant
And the billet was signed by the prince
regent, exactly as a proclamation or an
ordinance would have been.
Seized with kind of furious insanity,
he rushed out Of the room bareheaded, tha
fatal purse in his hand, and painting and
out of breath he entered the ballroom
Here, miserable wretohr' he exolaim-
ed. Here is your gold. Keep it to enjoy
It with such as you are. Win not take
the price of infamy."
Fritz did not hear from his wife for the
two years following this adventure. After
the violent scene he hurried oub Of the
town and walked at random until evening,
when fatigue compelled him TO stop. A
tavern was in sight. Fritz could never re-
came in and sat down at the same table
with him, and how he could have been In
duced to relate his misfortune to a strang ger.
He could not, either, account for having
signed paper which his new companion
had presented to him, nor how, after eopi-
Gus libations he fell asleep on the table
and woke up the next morning IN a bar
rack.
Germany was then at war with France.
and Fritz's regiment was ordered to the
frontier. His courage was rewarded with
the cross of honor, and he was promoted
TO the grade of captain-another favor
which he attributed to the III fated infiu-
ence Of the prince, and which lay heavily
upon his heart.
Not feeling qualified TO fal his post, he
decided upon resigning his commission,
and making last effort to restrain his
feelings he wrote respectful petition 70 tbs
prince, praying to have his resignation ac-
cepted. Fritz accordingly received the visit
of one of the prince aid-de-Ca1np Who
informed him that his demand was grant
ed and that the prince begged him to ao-
cept present of 500 ducats as a token Of
his esteem.
Then he started back to his native town,
after an absence OF two years. Fritz az
last found himself before Catherine
house, and while promising to himself at
the time that he would never enter it
again, he found that he had been knocking
at the door.
How changed she wasl Her eyes were
sUnken, her cheeks were pale. and yet how
handsome she was still Her grief was so
true and her JOY at seeing him once more
SO great that Fritz felt his feelings deeply
moved.
Eyes, madam, 1 have returned But to
love you still, L should have forgotten
certain purse
''Oh, yes, that unfortunate pursel That
gold. I knew that must have been the
cause of your displeasure. But there it is
all I have not touched it. "
She quickly ran to the old trunk and
pulling out the purse threw 10 out of the
open window into the river, which flowed
directly back Of the house.
I see that you have thrown your money
into the river, but do not see how this
prodigaIity viii explain the contents OF
the note
What noteg'' inquired Catherine
This letter from the prince regent =
II do not know the prince, " replied
Catherine, with tears. Il never have seen
him. This gold was sent to me by my
aunt
Wha6P' interrupted Fritz amazed
''Alas, yesl'' said Catherine. Ny aunt
was called Catherine, like myself But
now she is the Baroness of B.. My IA
Their, on his deathbsd, made 1ue promise
never to see her, nor to receive any pres
ents from her. But that time on account
Of her marriage, I thought might accept
It was all for you. If have committed
a fault, did I deserve such punishmeutP"
Catherine had lost her work while run
ming after her husband, and since he had
been IN the army Fritz was no longer 81
for anything. The 500 ducats " hich he
had received from the prince was soon ex-
hausted, and one morning, when there
was neither fire, bread nor money in the
house, be thought of throwing himself ia
the river
just as he reached the shore large bill,
posted up on the other side of the shore,
met his eyes. These words could be read.
An Owner Wanted. "A purse contain