Catoctin clarion., 1910-03-03
Her Dowry
By JEANETTE D. CARTER
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association


was In order, when the door opened,
and a gentleman walked In and asked
for q cup of chocolate.
You are too early" said the walter.
"Do you suppose we can serve guests
till 2 o'clock In the morning and he
up at 4 to begin another day? You'll
get nothing here till y o'clock. Be on
with your
The stranger made no reply. but left
the shop. Walking across the street,
the waiter watching him the while,
he entered another coffee shop and
made the same request.
"Sit down. sir" said the landlord
cheerily. "The chocolate will be ready
in a moment"
While the guest was waiting for his
chocolate he conversed with the land
lord. He did not take the proffered
seat. but walked back and forth. He
asked many questions about what was
going on in the Observation-Disclosures
the people were satisfied with their
condition, how the city government
suited them and If the inspectors trou-
bled them much.
While they were talking the land
lords daughter, Rosina, a very pretty
girl. came In with the chocolate. The
stranger wished her good day and
made some very pretty speeches to
her. When she went out, pouring the
chocolate. he said to her father:
"She Is nice girl. But warn you
that flowers are not always In bud
nor even in bloom. She should he
married before she fades"
The landlord, who stood before his
guest, with napkin on his arm.
shrugged his shoulders. spread out
his hands on either side and rolled up
his eyes.
"She is fading very fast" he said.
mot from age, for she Is only nine
teen. but Lecause she loves young
man, and since | have no dowry to
give her she cannot marry him.
"Who is the young man?" asked the
stranger.
"He is an optician. maker OF
glasses. a fine young man. lie served
his term in the army and was very
brave. He fought for the emperor ut
Salowa and received Il medal for saw
ing standard from falling into the
hands Of the enemy. He was badly
wounded and was brought home here
and put in hospital. My daughter
was serving .as nurse. and she took
care of the young soldier. 1t was
doubtless due to her care that he re-
covered"
"Why do you not represent the case
to the EMPEROR" asked the stranger.
"TIe should pay for the lives OF his
soldiers. Your daughter should re-
ceive a dowry from the government
for saving the brave young man."
"The emperor! The poor man Is al
ready beset by the cares OF state
without being troubled by poor cof-
fee house keepers daughter. What
with keeping so many different peo-
pies together under his flag one would
think he would go crazy"
How much dowry does your daugh-
ter require to marry her soldier low
er?"
"A thousand Crowns
BY this time the stranger had swal-
lowed his chocolate.
~ would advise you," he said, ITO
send your daughter with her lover to
the emperor that she may tell how she
saved one Of his soldiers. and perhaps
he will give her dOwry."
"Are you crazy?" asked the landlord
in astonishment at such proposition.
Not at all. am perfectly sane"
why, she could not even get an
audience with the emperor. And IL
she did II would be shameful for her
to bother the good man with her af-
fairs
Nonsense! The emperor would be
glad to listen to petition from Il
young girl who had saved life for
him. And, as for securing an audi
ence. will attend to that for you.
Give me pen and paper"
The landlord. wondering whether he
was awake or dreaming or out Of his
senses. brought writing materials. and
the stranger scribbled something on a
bit OF paper and handed 1t to the land
lord, saying:
"Givc that to your daughter and tell
her to 60 to the palace tomorrow Mt
II O'Clock noon. And be sure she
takes her soldier with her. They will
he admitted to the emperors presence
by presenting that paper, and l guar
antee that he will listen to them
kindly"
Without waiting to make explana-
tions or to reply to questions the man
left the shop. The landlord as soon
as he had gone rushed to the door and
watched him as he strolled leisurely
down the street. The waiter opposite
who had refused to serve the stranger
also went to the door. wondering what
had so interested Is neighbor in the
man. Togther they examined the pa
per he had left. but could make moth
Ing out of it except three letters-F.
]. and Il.
All that day and In the evening the
family of the landlord. with ROsina
and her soldier. discussed the matter
Of risking making fools Of themselves
by going to the palace.
The decision was to go. They were
admitted on the strangers pass. and
Tn entering room where the emperor
received petitions they saw that he
was the stranger who had drunk choc.
o.ate In their coffee house.
He received them with smile ant
without recurring them to state their