The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-12-09
CARRIED BY STORM,
BY F. A. mitchell.
copyright, 1909. by American Press Assc
citation 1


|tCopyrlght, 1902 by American Press Asso.
ciation.I
lie Won Puttkamers were one of the
most respectable families in Germany.
Ihelr customs, their manners, their
0alls occupations, were the same as
they had been several hundred years
before, when the first Puttkamer was
permitted to prefix Won to his name.
They lived on the family estate at
Reinfeld, arose in the morning at a
certain hour, attended to their duties,
household and social, during the day
and went to bed and to sleep at the
same hour every night Nothing had
ever occurred to disturb the serenity
OF their lives. and it did not occur to
any one of them, especially to Herr
Won Puttkamer and his good wife, that
any disconcerting episode would ever
occur to them.
But where young women are grow
ing up destined to become wives there
is always skeleton in the family
closet. The mother may realize that
pretty daughter will mate and leave
the family nest but the father, if such
thought comes into his head, either
banishes 1t or considers it likely only
to happen in the far future. The time
came, as it must inevitably come,
when the whole Puttkamer family
was startled as If by the shock of an
earthquake
An application arrived from a young
officer In the Prussian army for per-
mission to pay his addresses to Johan.
ma Puttkamer. This was equivalent
to asking for her hand. At first only
the horrible proposition to take away
one of the lambs was considered. Then
note was taken of the wolf who had
broken into the fold. Who was he?
A Won. an officer, a member Of an ex-
cellent family. But with this the list
of recommendations ended. At the
university where he had studied his
wild ways had fastened upon him the
sobriquet of Mad" A big man. with
long legs, he strobe through German
customs. trampling them at every step.
He never did anything as any one else
| w ouiA wv Al Liz udu III Lev CiChNSs AO
fear. He smoked big black cigars and
drank casks of beer. Terrible as it
was to give up the maiden. it was ex-
circulating to risk her happiness with
such man.
A family conclave was called-that
is, conclave among the older mem
bers. The applicants position, talents,
| ho hi nj toe
regarding them taken. On the one
hand was the young officers family
and social status, on the other his mad
FRANKS. his contempt for established
forms. 1t was not deemed wise to posi-
lively decline what might prove
good match nor to accept what might
prove a very bad one. Better tempo
rize until an acquaintance with the
sutton could be gained. The final deci-
sion was to invite him to the family
domain and look him over. If he were
much in love. he would wait: If not
well. perhaps they would be we'll rid of
him. So Herr Won Puttkamer wrote
the young man permission to pay the
family a visit of inspection, just as a
church congregation permits candi-
date to preach them sample sermon
Word having reached the Puttkamer
home of the hour at which the sutton
would arrive, preparation was made
to receive him according to the sacred
traditions Of the first families of Ger
many-aunts and uncles were invited
to be present during the visit that the
benefit Of their observations might be
obtained. He was to be permitted to
remain till some estimate of his PROM
Use as a husband had been secured.
then to be sent away for further de-
liberation. perhaps other visits and
final decision, which would be COM
municated to him in due form.
Meanwhile the girl applied for de-
murely waited for the result OF all
this Investigation.
When the day came round and the
hour approached for the suitor's arriv-
al the Puttkamer family and the old
est and most trusted relations were
lined up to receive him to protect the
lamb from any sudden dash Of the
wolf Johanna was stationed in the
center of the group between her IA
Their and mother. while the others ex-
tended as wings on either side. A
clatter Of horses hoofs was heard
coming up the driveway ut gallop
and a moment later tall. lank young
man threw himself to the ground
There stood. the father and mother
glazing solemnly. between them the
blushing Johanna. with her eyes cast
on the ground Without a moments
hesitation the lover ran forward, flung
bis arms around her, drew her tight
ly to his breast and covered her face
with kisses. Meanwhile the scandal
lied parents stood flashing lightning
from their eyes at this humiliation Of
all their plans. all their precaution.
But the victory was with the young
man. who had carried the position by
storm. 1t was not long before the IA
Their and mother realized that the mat
ter was settled. What. Prevent their