The Van Buren press., 1898-08-20
A YANKEE TRICK.
How nrnye Karl Hoffer Saved His
Town Dn the Rhine from
spanish Assault.

Among the good stories of historyis
that of how the Spaniards took Og
gersheim, the little walled town near
the Rhine. 1t was about the begin
ming of the sixteenth century during
which Spain became the most power
ful nation on earth, that this forced
occupation took place. The leader Of
the assault was no less parsonage
than Gen. Gonsalyo de Cordoya, "the
great Spanish captain"
The Spaniards! The Spaniards!"
was the cry of the terrified citizens as
they rushed to and fro after the ap-
proach of the dreaded enemy had been
announced to them by frightened
peasants who rushed in from the sur
rounding country. Ely for your
lives!" And the people fled as though
death pursued. But the reasons that
can always be quoted to his credit,
Karl Hotfer declined to join the hasty
exodus. He was the sturdy young
miller, and when the others were gone
he stood upon the steps of his pretty
cottage and planned the campaign. A
little later he appeared upon the ram
parts, an imposing figure in his hastily
donned regimentals as he leaned upon
his long sword and showed belt
bristling with pistols. That he was
the commandant was a conclusion
quickly reached by the Spanish leader
as he appeared before the walls, far
less formidable than they looked, and
the general Immediately sent an off
Ger to demand a surrender.
Hoffer demurred, answering that be
had not yet made up his mind to yield
the place, but if he did. the garrison
must be allowed to march out with
military honors; the lives and prop
erty of the inhabitants must be pro-
tected and they must be left to the
full exercise of their own religion.
The herald secuted at such terms,
declaring that the garrison was weak
and that nothing but unconditional
surrender would be accepted.
"You are mistaken" was the assur-
ance of the supposed commandant.
Tell your general that he must act
under my terms or he must take Og-
gersheim at the point of the sword, for
| swear to you by the faith of a Chris
tian that the garrison has lately re-
ceived reinforcement he little
dreams Of
Gonsalvo, impressed with this state
ment and not regarding the town
worth any considerable sacrifice of
men, accepted the terms of capitula-
tion and was admitted over the draw
bridge and through the gates. Sur
prised at the deserted streets through
which the Spanish soldiery rushed in
vain search for the enemy and even
the people of the town, the general
suspected treachery. He had Carl
Hoffcr seized, threatened to put bull
let into his heart if he betrayed them,
and ordered him to conduct them to
the garrison.
"Follow me-" answered the redoubt-
able miller land | swear by the faith
of a Christian that the garrison will
offer you little cottage where he had
planned his campaign. induced Con
salvo to enter, and, conducting him to
small room, said, pointing to his
sick wife; "Noble general, this is our
garrison, and this, lifting up her new
born baby boy, sis the reinforcement
of which sent you word"
In these days there was Spanish
chivalry. The great Castillian gazed
a moment in astonishment as he COM
pretended how he had been complete
ly outwitted, and burst out laughing.
Then he removed a splendid gold chain
he was wearing and threw it over the
reenforeement's neck, saying: "You
must let me present you with this, and
also with this purse of gold for the
use of the young recruit" STOPPING,
he kissed the mother and child bowed
his way from their presence and left
the village in charge of Karl till those
who had fled should return.
So there were Yankee tricks before
there were Yankees.-Detroit Free
Press.