Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-21
The Daily Story
ESTABLISHING FAMILY-BY ERNEST L. TUCKER.
Copyrighted. Literary

was purchased and repaired. and the
Slyders. assuming the original family
name of Shnyder. took possession of it.
Unfortunately the furniture. family
portraits. suits OF armor and all that
had long ago been scattered among
the members of the Shnyder family.
A hunt fer some of these articles was
instituted, but without success. How
ever. where there is a will there is
way. and 1t was not long before por-
trait of Katrina Shnyder. a prim
lady OF sixtS-fve. was hung up In the
room that had been used for the pic
ture gallery. Where the Katrina
came from only Mrs. Slyder knew.
Among the impoverished young men
OF Berlin who were shifting the air for
American fortunes was young Karl
Harsinger Learning Of the Slyders.
he procured an introduction, TO Father
Slyder. and ii did not take him long
to discover that II he would wed his
daughter he must have a family tree
whose branches grew high toward the
heavens. Mrs. Slyder had discovered
that no one in Berlin had been impos-
ed upon by the discovery of the family
tree. At any rate. the emperor did not
send for Slyder to welcome him back
| to the home OF his distinguished an
cestor, the last Baron Shnyder, who
| had been stabbed in the bowels by a
! traveller whom he was attempting to
rob. Still 1t is quite likely that had
the emperor, been convinced Of the in
/ heritance he would have dene so.
| Unfortunately for Mrs. Slyder's, or
Baroness Shnyder's, plan. she permit
! ted Katrina to go Off with a party of
Americans on a tour in Italy. The
| girl. who was to be reserved for a no.
bleman, fell in love with one of the
! party, Nathaniel Walker, and her love
/ was returned. Knowing her mothers
! plans for her. she resolved to keep her
love AFFAIR a secret and enjoined the
same on her lover.
One day Katrina and Walker, while
browsing about Berlin came upon a
curiosity shop filled with
Old armor prints. pictures. pipes. china
/ (all crack'd),
Old rickety tables and chairs broken
backed.
Suppose we go in. said Walker.
"Since manufacturing a family seems
to be necessary to secure your hand
perhaps may find the wherewithal to
eSta blish one myself"
Entering the shop, they examined the
treasures there and in corner found
a number of articles, consisting of
swords, srquebuses, pixies and several
old portraits, "all crack'd." Walker
took up a dirk knife and asked the
price. He was informed that the ar
ticles in that heap were sold. Miss
Slyder, whose eyes were especially
keen. noticed a paper lying on one of
them, a sixteenth century saddle, and.
stopping. read on 1t the name and ad-
dress of Karl Harsinger.
Bursting into a laugh. she called her
lovers attention to the find. remarking
that her mother had pieced out the
furniture OF their castle from that
shop. Her German sutton was about
to establish his family from the same
place, and she saw no reason why he
Nathaniel Walker should not build
from the same foundation. where
upon Mr.. Walker purchased a toma
hawk. that the shopkeeper assured
and showed him stains of blood on it
with which it Ind been recently be-
spattered during an Indian massacre
Of whites in the neighborhood of Phila-
delphia
Such is the knowledge of many per-
sons abroad concerning America
One day Walker received a note from
Katrina informing him that Herr Har
singer had suddenly discovered that
he was n count Come tomorrow and
bring your tOmahawk" she added
The next day at ~ Walker appeared
Mt the Syder abode. finding a carriage
emblazoned with coronet at the door,
the paint OF which appeared to be
very fresh. He found inside q family
gathering listening TO Count Harsin-
gers account Of the deeds Of his an
cestors-how they had fought in all
European wars since the time of
Charlemagne and had originally gain
ed their title of nobility for military
= service.
The speakers back was turned -
Walker as he entered. and so intent
was he on the splendid record he was
/ giving lHdL ne ulU NOT near the III
truder. Presently he turned and saw
his rival
Mr. Syder." asked the newcomer.
81 have called to ask you for the hand
Of your daughter ! bring with me a
weapon captured by myself just be-
fore | left America from an Indian
during a massacre in the environs OF
Philadelphia. You may see the blood
stains on the blade"
At this point Katrina took the mat
! ter out Of her parents hands. telling
the count that. while she felt highly
honOred by his offer. she must decline
It since she had already promised her
hand TO one who. though he had not
, descended from heroic ancestors. had
but recently shown his proweSS during
an American Indian fight with say.
ages
That ended Mrs Slyder's attemTt to
establish a family among the German
nobility.