The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-05-24
Cup Of
Chocolate
B, ESTHER VANDEVEER

FeCeutly ulcu.
A waiter In coffee shop in Vienna
was arranging the tables, seeing that
the ware that is usually kept on them
was In order, when the door opened
and gentleman walked in and asked
for cup of chocolate.
You are too early" said the waiter.
do you suppose We can serve guests
till 2 o'clock In the morning and be
up at to begin another day? You'll
get nothing here till 8 o'clock. Be of
with you"
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 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 neighborhood-wh
| the people We're 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, 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 be mar.
ried 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 because she loves q 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, fine young man. He served
his term In the army and was very
brave. He fought for the emperor at
Sadowa and received 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 a hospital. Ny daughter
was serving as nurse, and she took
care Of the young soldier. It 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 his SOL
diers. Your daughter should receive a
dowry from the government for saw
ing the brave young man."
"The emperor! The poor man is al
ready beset by the cares Of state with
out being troubled by poor coffee
house keepers daughter. What with
keeping SO many different peoples to-
gether under his flag one would think
he would go crazy"
How much dowry does your daugh-
ter require to marry her soldier lover p
"A thousand CROWNS
BY this time the stranger had swal-
lowed his chocolate
Il would advise y0u,'' he said, ''to
send your daughter with her lover to
the emperor, that she may tell how she
saved one of his soldiers, and perhaps
hA will Give hnr a 6onrv
Are you crazy?" asked the landlord
In establishment at such proposition
"Not at all. am perfectly sane
"Why, she could not even get an
audience with the emperor. And If she
did 1t would be shameful for her to
bother the good man with her affairs,
Nonsense! The emperor would be
glad to listen to petition from a
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 scrubbed something on a
L OAN ~ PoPCA oAu uAuOGO IL W Tic lduU-
lord, saying:
"Give that to your daughter and tell
her to go to the palace tomorrow at u
o'clock noon. And be sure she takes
her soldier with her. They will be
admitted to the emperor's presence BY
presenting that paper, and guaran-
tee that he will listen to them kindly
sWithout waiting to make explana-
lions or to reply to questions the man
left the shop. The landlord as soon
% 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 his neighbor in the
man. Together they examined the pa.
per he had left, but could make moth
ing out Of 1t except three letters-F.
]. and r.
AL 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 60. They were
admitted on the strangers pass. and