Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-01-28
AN UNLUCKY GIFT,

All tle SnOo ldCIorles III CIlo to"u
of B, in one OF the small princi-
paIities of Germany, were closed.
1t was not St. Crispins day, but
Fritz Hoebber was going to marry
Catherine Vanburn-Frltz, the gay
est and most skillful journeymah
shoemaker in the town; Catherine,
the loveliest and brightest little seam
stress in the neighborhood.
When Fritz and Catherine re-
turned home after the wedding,
Catherine. opened an old fashioned
trunk, and pulling from the bottom
of 1t handsome new leather bag she
opened it and displayed to the eyes
of her astonished husband a purse
filed with bright gold ducats.
But how did you get such treas
ure2' exclaimed Fritz, Gazz.ed at the
sight of SO much gold.
What does 1t matter to youdear-
est?' she replied. Can you not ac
cept gift from Heaveni'
Their conversation was interrupted
by loud screaming and laughing in
the adjoining room.
Here are my friends said Fritz
impatiently. They come for us. ]
beg Of you, Catherine, tell me-
Not word today replied the
young bride. by and by if you are
very kind and affectionate husband
and not all suspicious or jealous, l
will see.'
Let US take the bride away, re-
Piled some one. i warrant he will
soon follow
He opened the purse, and his eyes
sparkled at such riches. The bright
metal was glittering in the sun and
seemed to promise a thousand un-
known joys.
While thus dreaming Fritzplun ged
his hand IN the bag, and among the
ducats be encountered 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, | send you this small sum
for the purpose which you men,
ioned to me. | wish, dear angel, l
could as easily crafty your least de
si-es. Will | ever be able to return
half the happiness you have given me
since we first loved?
'Adleu, dear Catherine! 1T is your
Iprince who kisses you, but your most
obedient and devoted servant
| And the billet was signed by the
prince regent, exactly as proclama-
ton or an ordinance would have
been.
| Seized with kind of a furious in
sanity, he rushed out of the room
bareheaded, the fatal purse IN his
hand, and painting and out of breadth
he entered the ballroom.
Here, miserable wretch' he ex
iclaimed. Here is your gold. KeeI
it to enjoy it with such as you are,
l will not take the price of infamy.
Fritz did not hear from his wife
for the two years following this ad
venture. After the violent scene b,
hurried out of the town and walked
at random until evening, when fatigue
compelled him to stop. Fritz coulc
never remember afterward how I
man came in and sat down at th,
/ same table with him, and how Ii,
could have been induced to relate hi
misfortune TO stranger. He coulC
not account for having signed a pa
per which his new companion ha'
presented to him, nor how, afte
copious libations, he fell asleep on tn
next morning in barrack.
Germany was then at war wit
France, and Fritz's regiment was or
dered to the frontier. His courag
was rewarded with cross of honor
and he was promoted to the grade Q
captain-another favor which he at
trlbuted to the i'll fated influence G
the prince, and which lay heavll
upon his heart.
Not feeling qualified to fill hi
lpost, he decided upon resigning hi
commission, and making a last effol
to restrain his feeling he wrote q re
|spectful petition to prince, praying I
have his resignation accepted. Frit
accordingly received the visit of on
of the princes aid de camp, who il
formed him that his demand wa
lgranted and that the prince begge