The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-10-16
GAY GERMAN
WINS HIS BET
But Carries the Joke Most
Too Far
AND LANDS IN JAIL
English Vicar Is Arrested While Trav-
cling on the Continent-Is Mis-
taken for Man Who MUIR
dered His Sweetheart
AND LANDS IN JAIL

Berlin, October Notwithstanding
their repute for shrewdness, German Of
icials and the employees of royalty are
easily fooled. Fritz Eichbaun, the 49,
year-old son of wealthy parents, bet that
he would visit the Potsdam residence of
the crown prince in the guise Of lady.
| Having obtained the necessary attire
hired a carriage, not unlike a royal
coach, and engaged two footman and
two page boys, Eichbaun, styling HIM
self the Countess Arnim," drove, ac-
companied by a friend, to the residence
of the prince. where they were allowed
to enter and leave their cards unchal-
lenged.
After leaving the castle the "coun-
tess " friend appears to have thought
the Joke had gone far enough, and left
Eichbaun, who drove alone to q Pots
| dam jewelers. and selected some gems,
which he directed should be sent for the
crown princes Inspections but Eich-
baums masquerade was brought to a
| termination this moment by the appear
ance of a detective from the royal cas-
tie, who had suspected the bona fides OF
| the self-styled countess, and followed
''her'' carriage on bicycle. Eichbaum
confessed his real identity and was ar
rested, having to pass the night in gaol
The minister of finance will shortly
posals for raising f1,6OO,OO0 necessary for
old age pensions during half of 1911. The
proposals include a progressive increase
in certain registry duties an increase In
the succession duty when the property
passes to an only child, and the substi-
tuition of a graduated stamp duty in
place Of the present receipt stamp.
| Here is a story of a strange adventure
| that befell a London vicar while travel
| ing in this country. For some time
reward has been advertised for the cap
ture of a man who had murdered his
sweetheart. and escaped, II is supposed,
disguised as clergyman. The vicar
not only resembled the published por-
traits of the murderer and was wearing
clerical dress. but he also happened to
have a mark on his neck like one on
the murderers neck, and a peculiar mark
on the little finger also like similar
mark on the little finger of the MUIR
derer.
The vicar on his way back from Ober-
ammergau arrived at Aschaffenberg,
where he sat down in park. A police
man came along and, after bringing a
police inspector, the vicar was arrested
After delay the vicar cleared up his idsn-
tity and was released. The police have
been distinguishing themselves over this
particular crime making the widest ar
rests in all directions. Among others,
they arrested the Oberammergau peas
ant who plays the part of John the Bap-
fist in THE Passion Play"
sad double tragedy was enacted
few days ago in the suburb of Schoene-
berg. Here in the Fregrestrasse have
lived for years Baron Won Cramer and
wife, both of them in their sixty-second
year. Coming from an old family, they
enjoyed high position in society, and
during all the. long years since their
marriage took place they remained a de-
voted couple. Recently the baroness fell
Ill and her physicians relinquished all
hope of her recovery. The baron took
the matter much to heart, and dropped
and pinned, Notwithstanding the efforts of
his only daughter and friends to comfort
him. He said IL his wife died he had no
more wish to live.
Long and passionately he pleaded with
MS dying vile Tor her sanction OF deed
Of suicide and she gave way One even
ing recently occupants of a fiat in the
same building noticed a smell of gas. He
knocked at the door and rang the bell
without response. Becoming alarmed, he
sent for the police. All was quiet within
the fiat, but they located the leak as
coming from the kitchen. Here, when
they entered. they saw the baron and
baroness sitting together upon a bench,
clasped in each others arms and suffo-
Gated by the fumes of gas.
A letter to the daughter explained the
reason for the tragedy.