Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-12
Her Dowry
By JEANETTE D. CARTER
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association

the ware that Is usually kept ON them
was In order, when the door opened.
and gentleman walked In ana asked
for cup OF chocolate.
you are too early" said the walter.
DO you suppose we can serve guests
till o'clock I'm the morning and be
up at 4 to begin another day. foun
get nothing here till o'clock. lie on
with YOU"
The stranger made no reply. but left
the shop. Walking across the street,
the walter watching him the wniie.
he entered another coffee shop ana
made the same request.
"SIt down. sir" said the landlord
cheerily. The chocolate Will be ready
In n moment"
While the guest was waiting for his
Chocolate he c6nversed with the land
lord. He did not take the pronereo
seat. but walked back and forth. he
asked many questions about what was
going on in the Deighborhood-7w
the people were satisfied with their
condition how the city government
suited them and IL the inspectors trou-
bled them much.
While they were talking the land
lords daughter. ROsina. very pretty
girl. came In with the chocolate Inc
stranger wished her good day ana
made some very pretty speeches TO
her. When she went out. pouring the
chocolate, the said TO her father:
"She is a nice girl. But warn you
that flowers are not always Ii bud
nor even In bloom. she should be
married before she fades
The landlord. who stood before BIS
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 because she loves young
man, and since | have no dowry to.
give her she cannot marry him."
"who is the young MANI" asked the
stranger
HE is an optician. maker or
glasses. a fine young man. He served
his term in the army ard was very
brave. He fought for the emperor at.
Sadowa and received a-medai 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
"He should pay for the lives Of bis
soldiers. Your daughter should re-
ceive u 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-
Piles together under. bis flag one would
think he would go crazy
How much dowry. does your daugh-
ter require to marry her soldier low
err"
"A thousand crowns"
BY this time the stranger had swal-
lowed his chocolate.
II would advise you," be 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 Won erazy?" asked the landlord
In establishment at such G proposition
Not at all. ! am perfectly sane"
/ why. she could not even get an
audience with the emperor. And II
she did IL would be sia Deful FOR her
to bother the good man with her Of
fairs .'.
Nonsense, The emperor would be
glad to listen t. petition from a
young girl who had saved lie for
him. Aud, as for securing an audi
ence. Will attend TO that foe yon-
Give me pen ana paper"
The landlord. wondering whether be
was awake or dreaming or on; OF bis
senses. brought writing materials. and
the stranger scribbled something on q
bit Of paper and handed il to tie laass-
lord. saying: =
Give that to sour daughter and seil
her TO so to The palace tomorrow OF
IL O'Clock uoon- And lie sn-e she
takes her soldier with. her. They wiz
he admitted to the emperor's presence
by presenting that paper. aud ! guar
antee that be VIII listen To them
kindly" - -'.-
Without waiting 70 make explsna
tons or 70 reply TO questions the man
left the shop. TIE landlord as soon
as be had gone rushed to the door and
watched him as be strOlied ietsureiy
down the street. The waiter Opposite
who had refused 10 serve the stranger
also went 20 the door. wondering what