Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-11-07
He FEARED RIDECULE


During the Franco Prussian war .
young German officer named Fritz Won
Weber was in love with a girl named
Zalre, an Alsatian, whose father was
a general I'm the German army. Tho
general refused his consent TO the
union. He and Fritz both went TO the
war Zaire was sent 10 the country.
When Fritz reached his quarters, he
found a friend. one DR.. Max Won Blu
low. great joker. Fritz told the doc.
tor all about II.
Fritz" said the doctor, leave the
matter to me. Tomorrow old HON.
berg takes his usual ride along the
north road. He goes unattended. You
must be in the little wood by the
spring. He will be attacked by a
number of our fellows disguised as
the enemy. When he Is attacked, you
must rush forth and rescue him. In
his gratitude Zaire shall be yours"
The morrow came. Down the road
on his old horse came the general.
Suddenly from the wood rode squad
of the enemy-terrible fellows. The
general saw them and turned to fly.
The old horse was stubborn. He COM
menced to jump up and down, and the
result was that the general was cap
tured The enemy put a rope about
the generals neck. They were going
to hang him. The general shed tears.
81 am General Won Homberg," he
groaned.
The enemy grinned and threw one
end of the rope over the branch OF a
tree.
81 am father" sobbed the general.
The enemy gave a strong pull on the
rope.
IL am still in the prime Of life!
Don't hang me; please don't!' cried the
general.
The rope frightened.
A shout was heard-ringing shots,
fierce words, the tramping of hoofs
The enemy fed; the general was saved
His deliverer bowed before him.
1t was Fritz. The general would
have preferred hanging. The young
man bowed low.
"Your passr' Numbered the general.
IL have none" said Fritz.
You heard the orders. Return TO
camp and report yourself under ar
rest" snorted the general
That evening Fritz-poOr Fritz-sat
in his tent. A guard walked before the
door. But all the army rang with the
praises Of the general, who had that
day met n squad of the enemy and sim
gle handed had defeated them.
DR.. Max was furious. He initiated
the generals horse. He jumped up and
down and snorted.
I'll fix him. he cried. "I'll show
him upr'
Then he took his pen and sat down
and wrote the whole story out-the
true story.
Tomorrow" said DR.. Max, "Tll send
this to my paper unless he compro-
Misses
He stood before the general.
Good morning, general"
"Ah. DR.. Won Bulow. what do you
wish?"
Can | see you alone, generalT
The generals aid retired.
General, we have had enough"
Enough what"
Enough humbug."
"How?"
"ThoSe men were your own men.
have their account of the affair. 1t is
not complimentary to you. 1t is very
complimentary to Fritz. General, Fritz
muSt marry VOIIr daughter"
sir" Numbered the general, do you
presume
ooh, yes" smiled DR.. Max; ''yes, do
presume. | own newspaper, you
know. The whole account must go for
ward. LIN three days the whole world
will be in broad grin over you and
your horse unless
"Unless what|
"Unless Fritz marries Zalre."
The general hesitated. He had been
praised. honored-he dreaded ridicule.
"Come down. cried DR.. Max. Its
no use holding out, general. Come
down like a mani!
The general hesitated. turned. wrig
gled, fumed and offered money, but 1t
was OF no avail.
Come down. cried DR.. Max. Come
down! Shall Zaire marry Fritz"
Yes" growled the general.
"And you will introduce him as your
son-in-law at once and release him from
arrest:''
"No-that is, | mean yes
"And you will give him an appoint
ment-make him your secretary"
IL won'tw
"Ahw
"Wel. | will"