Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-02-17
AN UNLUCKY GIFT.

B., in one of the small principalities o.
Germany, were closed
1t was not St. Crispin's day, but Fritz
Hoebber was going to marry Catherine
Vanburn-Fritz, the gayest and mos
skillful journeyman shoemaker In thu
town; Catherine, the loveliest and bright
est little seamstress in the neighborhood.
When Fritz and Catherine returned
home after the wedding, Catherine opened
an old fashioned trunk, and pulling from
the bottom of 1t a handsome new leather
bag she opened it and displayed to the
eyes Of her astonished husband a purse
filled with bright gold ducats.
But how did you get such treasurer
exclaimed Fritz, dazzled at the sight Of sc
much gold,
"What does it matter to you, dearestY'
she replied. 'Can you not accept gift
from heaven"
Their conversation was Interrupted by
loud screaming and laughing in the ad
joining room.
Here are my friends said Fritz i'm
patiently. "They come for us. beg Of
you, Catherine tell me-
mot word today" replied the young
bride by and by, If you are a very kind
and affectionate husband and not at all
suspicious or jealous, will see."
LET us take the bride away" replied
some one. ~ warrant he will soon fol.
low +"
He opened the purse and his eyes spar
killed. at the sight Of such riches. The
bright metal was glittering in the sun anC
seemed to promise a thousand unknown
joys.
While thus dreaming Fritz plunged biz
hand in the bag, and among the ducats he
encountered small piece of paper closely
rolled up.
''Dear and beloved Gathering Fritz
could not believe his own eyes. He reac
again: Dear and beloved Catherine,
send you this small sum for the purpose
which you mentioned to me. | wish deal
angel, could as easily crafty your least
desires. Will l ever be able TO return hall
the happiness you have given me since we
first loved?
"Adieu, dear Catherine! 1t is not youl
prince who kisses you, but your most obe
dent and devoted servant. -
And the billet was signed by the prince
regent, exactly as proclamation or al
ordinance would have been.
Seized with kind of furious insanity
he rushed out of the room bareheaded, the
fatal purse in his hand, and painting and
out of breath he entered the ballroom.
Here, miserable wretch!' he exclaim.
ed. Here isyour gold. Keep 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 adventure. After
the violent scene he hurried out Of the
town and walked at random until evening,
when fatigue compelled him to stop. A
tavern was in sight. Fritz could never re-
member afterward how it was that mar
came in and sat down at the same table
with him, and how he could have been In
duced to relate his misfortune to stranger
He could not, either, account for having
signed a paper which his new companion
had presented to him, nor how, after copi-
Gus libations, he fell asleep on the table
and woke up the next morning In 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 eaptain-apother favor
which he attributed to the Ill fated influ-
ence of the prince, and which lay heavily
upon his heart
Not feeling qualified to Gil bis post, be
decided upon resigning his commission,
and making last effort to restrain his
feelings he wrote respectful petition to the
prince, praying to have bis resignation &C.
cepted. Fritz accordingly received the visit
of one Of the princes aid-de.oaMp, who
informed him that his demand was grant,
ed and that the prince begged him to ac-
his esteem.
Then he started back to his native town,
after IN absence Of two years. Fritz OF
last found himself before GATHERINGS
house, and, while promising to himself at
the ti4ns 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 dxsef was DO
true and her Joy at seeing him once mose
10 great that Fritz felt his feelings deeply
moved.
eyes, madam, have returned. But to
love you still, should have forgotten a
certain purse.
ooh, yes that unfortunate purse! That
gold. l knew that must have been the
cause of your displeasure. But there 1t Is
all. have not touched IT,"
She quickly ran to the old trunk and
pulling out the purse threw ID 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
prodigality will explain the contents Of
the note
what notep' inquired Catherine.
"This letter from the prince regent"
II do not know the prince" replied
Catherine, with tears ~ never have seen
him. This gold was sent to me by my
aunt
"Whatl" interrupted Fritz, amazed.
"AlaI yesl' ssid Catherine. my aunt
was caflsh Catherine, liks myself. But
now she is the BareneSs Of p. My TO-
Their, on his deathbed, made me promise
never to see her, nor TO rsceive ally pres
snts from her. But that time, on account
of her marriage, / Thought might accept.
1t was all for you. If have committed
a fault, did deserve such q punishment"
Catherine had lost her work while run
ming after her husband, and since he had
been In the army Fritz was no longer 1T
for anything. The 500 duoats whioh 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 in
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
hg 10000 gold ducats has been found In