The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-08-04
&4HR{aS9p mexz<
RXkMHHAREMDRQR:
Copyright. 1905, by w. r. Hearst

Copyright, 1905, by w. r. Hearst.)
In a small village in the most moun
famous part of Thuringia lived, about
fifty years ago the Minister Gotthardt.
with his wife and children. He lived
a most frugal life, and no field work
was below his dignity, for the parish
was poor and his salary far from suf-
ficient to provide for the seven children
with which his marriage had been
blessed.
1t was then quite natural that he
was anxious to go to some more veal
thy parish, where his services could be
better appreciated and better paid. But
his prospects were, sad to relate, not
very bright. for in the revolutionary
year-1S4S-he had become imbued
with the spirit Of liberty, and in an in
spired m he had made a speech
for which the ruling prince could new
err forgive him, especially as his words
had been added to n garbled to such
an extent before they reached the
princely ears that he himself would
never have recognized them.
But the antipathy of the prince. who
was a great hunter, against the poor
minister had still another reason-in
no part OF the country was SO much
poaching m as just in this parish,
which was crowded with game, and
all efforts of the princely police n
game wardens to catch the thieves had
been in vain.
II would like to know why we pay
these people," the prince blurted out
when the loss of a magnificent elk was
reported to him, when they cannot
teach these peasants to respect my
property. Altogether that whole part
of the country is a fine community,
and those clod-hoppers think that
when they go to church once a week
nn6 icfan IN q Cnrpnnn than hnNa full
filled all their duties. n God knows
what kind Of mi they get from
that old anarchist of a minister. And
he wants a promotion, l hear. Well, he
can just wait for it. Not while l am
the ruler of this country will he get a
better parish!"
Now it happened that an old college
friend of Minister Gotthardt was made
prime minister. and the preacher again
began to hope. So when one of the
best parishes in the state was to have
a new pastor he went to the capital TO
try to induce his friend the prime min
lister to use his influence in favor of
him.
He was received with open arms, and
when they were enjoying cigars and
wine in the minister's private office
Gotthardt told his friend why he had
come. The minister knew perfectly
well that his friend was persona non
grata with his serene highness, so he
could not give him much hope, but he
promised to cave no stone unturned to
give him the church, and when the
dominic left for home he was in the
best of humor.
The next day, when the prime min
lister as usual went to see the prince,
he found him very much excited. His
chief game warden had just reported
to him that he a discovered new evil
dence Of wholesale poaching at Wal
tershausen. Like a Gagged lion the
prince kept pacing to and fro in his
room while he told his minister of the
new outrages. This gave the minister
of state the idea that he might use his
princes anger in favor of his college
friend.
Your serene highness,' he said, this
does not Loo like the work of common
poachers. l am sure hat your game
wardens are on the wrong rack. Your
highness knows, If l am not mistaken,
the Minister G~otthardt at Waltershau-
SEM"
AS stung by an adder the prince
jumped to his feet.
IF l know that ungodly revolution
list? Why. of course 1 do; but you do
mean to insinuate that
Il insinuate nothing, but one some
times gets curious ideas. The poor
devils salary is only $50 thalers a year,
and he has a large family, and the
temptation Is there always, and / hap
pen to know that the Rev. Gotthardt
Is an excellent shot. Really one could
not blame him very much If he"
why, Of course" the prince said, ''of
course he is the thief. / shall have him
arrested immediately"
But the prime minister interrupted
aim.
IF your serene highness permits, it
would be a very dangerous thing to do
that. We have absolutely no proof
against the man., and what a scandal
it would be If we had to let him go
again. l have, however, another pro-
posal to make-why not transfer him
to another parish?"
well, maybe you are right. AS you
say, we have no proof. But where will
we transfer him to: is there a vacancy
anywhere"
II happen to know replied the prime
minister, there there is a vacancy at
Gu~ntersdorf."
The prince shook his head.
AT Guntersdorf! Why, that is the
best position in the state! No, that is
far too good for that criminal. Do you
know of no other placer"
II am afraid there is no other va
cancy, your highness, and if you will
no transfer him to Guntersdorf l sup
pose we had better cave him where he
is, though it is too bad for the game.
But something may turn up later. If
your highness pleases, we will then
take up the business of the day."
mo, that affair must be settled right
now. Damn it! that miserable poacher
may spoil the whole hunting this year.
Let us transfer him to Guntersdorf, but
a him understand that under no
conditions will l see him. And now for
our business"
The same day an official letter an
nounced to the delighted minister that
it had pleased his serene highness to
transfer him to Guntersdorf, while at
the same time he received a letter from
his old friend:
Dear Friend: l am exceedingly
pleased to be able to tell you hat /
have succeeded in having you appointed
rector of the best church in the state,
that of Guntersdorf. How did must
forever remain my secret. So please
never ask me. The prince has COM
man1ed me tn tell Won tina up6ar tho