Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1908-05-23
A S T r AT "A 6 E M .


Now, my dear Franz. let us talk az
man to man. You do not love her
but for the money she will bring you.
which would be $1,000. with which
you would set yourself up in the turn
ing business. Her father favors you,
for you are a decent sort Of fellow.
and dislikes me, for I am somewhat Of
a devil. Now. as money is the idea,
I will give you hard cash in hand
81, 800 to take yourself out of the way"
What! Pay it to me on the spot?"
eyes, on the spot
"All right, then; give me the money
and will leave the city"
Now. 1t happened, as is frequently
the case, that the fair Gretchen liked
the better looking man of the two
despite his spice Of gayety. Her father,
tobacconist, however, was so dead
set against him that it was impossible
for him to visit her openly. and so the
two had recourse to stratagem.
They met in the dead of night. and
she startled Carl by whispering in his
ear that she was sure that both she
and her father were to remove from
the city. as she had witnessed many
strange movements which could not
oe accounted for in any other way.
Hum. humv' thought that shrewd
young man. This will not do. Try
to bewail Franz for day or two, and
perhaps your father will tell you"
The little blue eyed mink actually
did this wicked thing and wept copi-
ously for hours together.
ted-ah-deserted! Oh, Franz,
Franz! Oh, the wickedness of wretch
ed manr
1t worked we'll. The father was at
first trifle suspicious, but, being final
ly convinced by his fair daughters
prolonged misery, whispered this in
her ear:
Don't be alarmed, my love. ! am
glad you are awaking to the merits Of
this estimable young man. He is not
far off. only 100 miles or so, and we
will go to him. 1t is necessary that he
should be hid for the present on ac-
count of the vengeance Of some rascals
whom he ruined, but he cannot get on
without you, and so tomorrow we will
meet him. and you may marry the dear
boy as soon as you choose, and, to tell
the truth, we have arranged to have
the ceremony performed at the third
station from this city by a friend OF
mine, who will get aboard the train at
that point"
All this was not long withheld from
the gaping ears of Carl, who stared at
this new evidence of the fallibility of
mankind.
''He tried to cheat me out of My
$500, did he? Well, then, We'll see if
we can't do some cheating on our own
account. Kiss me, Gretchen and hug
me, if you choose, but don't be afraid
Go on bewailing."
The time came. The goods and chat
tells of the tobacco merchant were
packed, and in the darkness of the
night he smoked his parting pipe. sit
ting ON corded box containing his
wardrobe, while Gretchen, pale and
shivering, sat beside him, holding her
satchel and looking anxiously at her
forefnger, on which as yet no ring ap-
peared. Meanwhile strange things were
going on few miles out of town. The
virtuous Franz walked out of his lodg-
ings and proceeded to the depot, chuc-
king. He was In his normal condition,
half intoxicated. ss. -
AT dark part of the way he was
jumped upon by strong fellow. who
took him up bodily and carried him to
a stable in the rear of some buildings,
preventing him from crying as he went.
He entered dark spot, and then, on
shutting a door, he turned up light.
OF course it was Carl He took some
leather straps from a harness and
bound up the fellow very tight and
bandaged his mouth.
'Now, my dear devil, we are likely
to be even. You shall stay where you
are until somebody finds you in the
morning, and l shall 60 and marry
your intended wife. It was all found
out, and have half a mind to thrash
you on the spot. 1t was a mean trick
you attempted to play-infernally
mean-but we shall be even, my lad"
An hour later train steamed into
the station, and man with Franz's
drunken gait his cloak and cap, stag
gered into the rear compartment where
were the honest tobacconist and his
daughter and the minister with divine
powers.
The tobacconist embraced the new
conner
"Ah, my beloved Franz. my son. my
jovial boy! No wonder you drank on
this joyful day.
Franz, however, seemed to prefer the
EN- braces of the sweet girl, who few
at him with all ardor 1t was neces-
sary that the work should be done
quickly, as the honorable minister
must get out at the next station to go !
to dinner party, so they stood I'D.