Family Column.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2343, 3 April 1866, Page 7

Family Column.

«. THE PRINCE AND THE WATCHMAN. AN ADVENTURE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. (A Humorous Tale, from the German.) 'Do so, by all means, Rose, I'm only too willing; but there is someijnisunderstanding here. Who brought you the money> and said it was my prize in the lottery ? The ticket is still in my box at home, and nobody has asked me for it.' • Philip, no nonsense 1 You told me so yourself, half an hour ago, and gave me the money.' ' Rose, bethink yourself I We saw each other this morning, coming out of the church, and arranged our meeting for tonight. Since then we have not seen each otner.' ' Except about half an hour ago, when I heard you blow your horn and called 3'ou into the entry of Steinman's house. But what bundle is that under your arm, Philip ? and. why are you going without a hat this cold night P Philip, Philip, take care of yourself; the sudden riches have made you light-headed. You have certainly been at the ale-house, and taken more than you ought. Tell me, what is that bundle under your arm ? Heavens ! 'tis women's clotliesJ —of silk ! Philip, Philip, where have you been ?' 'Certainly, not with you half an hour ago,' he replied. ' I believe you are making fun of me. Tell me, where did you get that money ?' 1 Answer me first, Philip ; Where did you get this silk dress ? Where have you been ?' As both were impatient for an answer, and neither gave one, they began to be distrustful and quarrelsome. CHAPTER XII. As it Usually happens where a loving couple fall out, so it happened between Philip and Rose. As soon as Rose turned her head aside, and took out her handkerchief to dry her eyes, heaving sigh after sigh from the bottom of her heart, she was evidently in the right and he was evidently , in the wrong. He began to comfort her, and acknowledged he was in the wrong, confessing he had been at a masked ball, and that what he had under his arm was no woman's dress, but his silk domino, j with the mask and plumed hat. ! After this repentant confession, however, Philip had to go through a severe examination. A masquerade is a" very dangerous field for defenceless hearts, as all the inhabitants of large towns know very well. There people are plunged into a sea of pleasant danger, in which all but the very ] good swimmers soon sink. Rose did not think Philip one of the very best of swimmers, though it would be hard to tell why ; so he must first declare if he had danced, and, on his denying, he must then say whether he had no affair or adventure with female masks, which he could not deny. He confessed to several such adventures, but invariably added that all these ladies were noble, and had taken him for another person. Rose was in great doubt, but repressed her suspicions. When, however, in answer to her questions — whom they had taken him for, and who had lent him his masking dress he always named Prince Julian, she shook her unbelieving little head. Still more improbable to her seemed Philip's story that the prince had done his watchman's duty while ho was at the ball. At last he succeeded in removing her doubts by the assurance that the prince — for so he held his substitute to be — would be there in a few minutes, by appointment, to exchange the watchman's mantle, horn, and baton for his silk mantle and plumed hat. The frightened Rose now got a new light thrown on her own adventure in the dark house-entry. It had even struck her at the time that there was something strange about the pretended Philip. Now it was her turn to confess everything, and she sought for words, and stammered to such an extent, that poor Philip was quite frightened. At last she managed to tell all that happened. When she came to the returned kiss, she hesitated very much ; but everything must come out. 'It is not true V cried Philip. ' I neither gave nor got a kiss from you !' ' Well, it was intended for you,' said Rose, in a very low soft voice. Philip was annoyed, and rubbed his hair to keep it from standing on end. • Listen Philip,' continued the troubled Rose. 'If it was not you, I believe all the unlikely things you have told me, and it must have been the prince in your clothes.' Philip had long ago guessed that. 'The rascal!' he cried. 'He has stolen my kisses from you. Now I understand. It was only for that he gave me his mask ; only for that he wanted to personate me for half an hour.' And now he remembered how the masked Dutchman had spoken to him about Rose at the ball; and he renewed the examination

'more severely than before. Had she ever I seen the prince before, and where ? Had ! she not remarked a man, a gentleman, 101 lowing her as she went to or came from church ? Or had he pretended business in i Milk Street ? Had a gentleman, or any one, "l come to her mother to assist her with money ! or presents in her widowhood P Hose's answers to all these questions were so satisfactory, and bore so entirely the stamp of the most touching innocence, that Philip's heart got lighter. He warned her against skulkers, and the pretended benevolence of nobles ; and she, in return, warned him against the dangers of masquerades, and adventures with ladies of rank, by which many young men have been made utterly wretched. They forgave each other, all that they had committed in ignorance, and Philip was at the point of demanding the kisses intended for him, but which he had not received, when just at this happy moment they were disturbed by a strange occurrence. Eunning in full career, a man came towards them, and s uddenly stood still, breathless. By the hat» mantle, and horn, Philip knew his man ; but Julian sought Philip without finding him, as he no longer wore the scarlet domino, and round plumed hat. ' Noble sir,' said Philip, handing him the bundle, 'here aro your things. We will never change parts in this world again. I should come off too badly.' ' Quick, quick !' shouted the prince, as he threw off his watchman's dreas, wrapped himself in his mantle, and put on his mask and hat. Bose sprung back, frightened. Philip put on his old cloak and hat, and took up his baton and horn. 1 1 promised you a present, comrade, said the prince, searching his pockets ; ' but as sure as I live I have not got my purse.' ' Here it is,' said Philip ; ' you gave it to my betrothed. But, noble sir, we don't accept such presents.' • Keep what you've got, comrade, and get off as fast as •'you can. You are not safe here !' cried the prince, hastily, and was going away, but Philip held him fast by the mantle. • Nolle sir, 1 said he, 'we have still something to settle.' • Fly, I tell you! fly, watchman! They are after you,' said the prince. ' I have no reason to fly, noble sir,' replied Philip ; ' but I have here your purse to " • Keep it, and run as fast as you can,' said the prince. ! 'And a cheque of Marshal Blankenschwerd's for five thousand florins to give you,' continued Philip. | ' Zounds ! how came you and the marshal together, watchman ?' demanded the prince. 'He said it was a debt of honor that he wished to pay before setting off to night with his lady for their estate in Poland,' replied Philip. ' Are you mad ?' said the prince. ' How do you know anything about that ? Where did he give you this message to me?' ' Gracious prince,' continued Philip, ' the Finance Minister, Bottomless, will pay all your debts to ILevi and Goldschmidfc, if you will take him into favor, and grant him your influence with the king, that he may retain his place in the ministry.'—' Watchman ! I are you possessed by the Evil Oc®?' i ' I have refused it, however, in your High - ness's name.' ' You ! refused the minister ? ' 'Yes, gracious prince,' replied Philip. 'On the other hand, I have completely reconciled the Countess Bonan with the Chamberlain Pilzow.' ' Which of us has lost his wits ?' exclaimed the prince. . • One thing more,' said Philip. ' lhe Duke Herman is frightfully enraged against you on account of the cellar affair. He wanted to complain of you to the king.' ' Who ! the duke ? How, then, did you learn all that ?' ' The duke himself told me, your Royal Highness. You are not safe. It is true he no longer threatens to complain to the king, because I frightened him with the bond he gave the baker- girl. But now he insists ou a mortal combat. Take care of yourself.' ' Tell me one thing, watchman P Do you know how the duke learned that I -' 'He learned everything from the wife of Marshal Blankenschwerd,' replied Philip. ' She has confessed everything to him—even that she played the witch in the cellar.' ' You are a merry wag,' said the prince, taking Philip by the arm, ' but no watchman." But turning his face towards a distant lamp, he started, and looked astonished at the entirely unknown man ;;then, suddenly sobered by the shock of surprise, he added, ' Aro you possessed by the Evil One, or who are you, then ?' ' I am the gardener, Philip Stark, son and successor of the watchman Gottlieb Stark,' replied Philip, quietly. CHAPTER XIII. 'We want liirn! We are just seeking him ! Stop fellow !' cried several voices ; aud Philip, the prince, and Eose found themselves suddenly surrounded by five or six stout servants of the worthy police. Philip seized the hand of the frightened girl, and said, ' Don't be afraid !' The prince clapped Philip on the shoulder, saying "It is a stupid business. You see I was right in advising you to take yourself off in time. However, don't be afraid ; nothing shall happen to you.' j^ ' That remains to be seen afterwards ; in the meantime he must go with us/ said one of the police. ' Where must Igo ? lam on my beat. I am the watchman,' said Philip. 'We have heard that already,' said the police ; ' and it is on that account you must come with us.' ' Let him go, you people !' said Julian, feeling in his pockets for money, but finding none ; then he whispered secretly to Philip to gire them some out of the purse. The police, however, soon pulled them, ! asuuder, saying, 'No laying of heads together hero ! The mask also is suspected, ■ and must come with us.' I ' Surely not,' said Philip. * You wanted the watchman. I am he. If you can answer for taking me off my beat, I am ready to go with you wherever you like. But let this gentleman go.' 'It is not your business to teach us who looks suspicious,' said one of tho police. ' March all of you with us !' 1 The girl too P — l hope not,' said Philip. ' Well, the young woman may go ; have no orders about her ; but her name, face, and residence we must know, in case of necessity.' • She is the daughter of Widow Bittner, of Milk Street,' said Philip, who felt not a little enraged as the fellows turned the face of the weeping Bose towards the distant lamp, and all stared at her. 'Go home,

Rose, 1 he said, ' go home, and don't be afraid on my account ; I have a good conscience.'Hose, however, sobbed aloud, so that even the police were sorry for her. The prince thought to take advantage of this circumstance to make his escape by a spring. But one of the police was to quick for him ; with I one leap he got before the prince, and cried, ' Holloa ! this one has certainly a bad conscience ! He must go with us. Forward ! march.' ' Where ?' asked the prince. ' Direct — the shortest wa.y to His Excellence the Minister of Police.' ' Listen, people !' said the prince, very seriously yet pleasantly, for he began to feel not at all at his ease in the affair, lest his pranks should come to light. * Listen, people ! I fell in with this watchman, this moment, quite accidentally. You have really nothing to do with me. I belong to the Court. If you venture to compel me to go with you, you will repent your error tomorrow, in prison, on bread and water.' ' For heaven's sake let the gentleman go, people ! cried Philip. - 'He is a noble gentleman, who could do you great harm in your office. He is ' ' Silence !' cried Julian ; ' nobody must know from your mouth who I am, if you really have guessed it. Do you hear P Nobody, nobody must know, I tell you, come what may. Do you hear P ' We are only doing our duty,' said one of the police,' and for that no one can put us in prison. But that may in. the end very likely befall the gentleman in the mask himself. We are well acquainted with speeches of this kind, and don't fear such threats. Forward ! march !' 'Consider what you are about,' said Philip* 'it is a very great nobleman of the Court.' 'If it were the king himself, he must come with us ; that is our duty ; he is suspected,' said one of the police. ' Oh, yes, great nobles of the Court have secrets to arrange with watchmen, and whisper with them in corners, as we saw you two doing a little time ago,' said another of the police. While this contention about the prince was going on, a carriage and eight, preceded by torch- bearers, drove towards the church, and as it was passing the group which surrounded the prince, a voice from the carriage called ' Halt ! ' The carriage stopped, and a gentleman in a great coat, with a sparkling star on his breast, sprang out, and went towards the group of people. , He pushed the officers aside, and .looked at the prince from top to toe. • Quite right,' said he. ' I knew the bird at a distance by his feathers. Mask, who arc you ?' Julian did not know where to turn in his confusion, for ho recognised Duke Herman. 'Answer me,' cried the duke, in a thundering voice. Julian shook his head, and made signs to him to go away ; but he only became the more eager to find out whom he had to do with at the ball. Getting no answer, he began to question the police-officers. They stood before the duke with bared heads, and told him they had orders to take the watchman direct to the Minister of Police. He had sung impudent verses, as they had heard with their own ears; ho had, however, at ' first escaped them through cross streets; but at last here, at the corner of the church, they had caught him in confidential talk with this mask, who appeared to them even more suspicious than himself. ' The mask wishes to give himself out as a i nobleman of the Court, only that is evidently empty boasting,' said oue of the police, ' and we hold it to be our duty to arrest him.' ' The fellow does not belong to the Court,' I said the duke, ' you may depend on that. I give you my word for it. He slipped into the masquerade in some illicit way, and made every one believe he was Prince Julian. He deceived me too, but at last was obliged to unmask himself to me, and escaped. He is an unknown person — an adventurer. I have announced it to the Master of the Household. Take him straight to the palace; you have made a lucky hit.' With these words the duke turned away and entered his carriage, calling out once more as he drove away, ' Don't let him escape.' The prince considered himself lost ; he did not think proper to show his face to the policeman ; they would soon have made his prank town-talk. He preferred unmasking before the Minister of Police or the Master of the Household. So he called out in a determined voice, 'It does not matter. Come, let us go.' So the prince and Philip went to the palace ; and liose, with tears in her eyes, looked after them. CHAPTER XIV. Philip could almost have believed in enchantment, or that he was dreaming, so eventful aud confused had been the night. Never before had he experienced anything like it. He had really no reproaches to make against himself, except changing clothes with the prince, and then playing his character at the masquerade, though against his will. Neither, probably, had the prince played his watchman's part exactly according to rule, else why should he find himself arrested as watchman? Philip hoped to be forgiven by him. ' As they reached the palace, poor Philip's heart beat faster. His mantle and horn were taken from him. The prince spoke a few words with a distinguished-looking gentleman, and the policemen were sent instantly away. The prince went up the steps, and Philip was obliged to follow. ' Don't bo afraid,' said Julian, as he left him. Philip was led into a little ante-room, where he remained a long time by himself. At last one of the royal servants appeared. 'Come with me,' said he; 'the king wishes to see you.' Philip was out of his senses with fear, and his knees shook. He was led into a magnificent room, where the old king sat at a little table, laughing. Near him stood Prince Julian unmasked ; nobody else was thero. The king looked at tho young man awhile, as it appeared, with a sort of pleasure. At last he said to him, * Tell me exactly what you hare done to-night.' At the pleasant address of tho worthy king, Philip regained his courage, and confessed what he had done and experienced from beginning to end. Yet he was discreet enough to keep silence on those points which ih«had heard from the courtiers in playing ' the character of tie priaoe, and which were

calculated to bring him into trouble. The king laughed heartily several times during the relation ; and afterwards asked Philip some questions about his origin and business ; then taking a couple of gold pieces from the table, gave them to him. 'Now, go my son,' said the king to Philip, ' and attend to your business ; nothing evil will happen to you. But tell nobody what you hare been about to-night : this I command. Now go,' • Philip fell afc the king's feet, kissed his j hand, and stammered some words of thanks. I Aa he stood up and was going away, Prince Julian said, ' I beg submissively that your Majesty will allow this young man to wait without. I owe him some reparation for the discomfort I have caused him to-night.' The king nodded, smiling, and Philip went out. ' Prince,' said the king, and warning him with uplifted finger, 'happy for you that you told me the truth; once more I pardon your wild foolish freaks, though you have deserved to be punished. Another such page-like prank, and I will be inexorable. Nothing will excuse you. I must hear more of the affair with Duke- Herman. It will be well if he takes his departure. I don't like him. I must have proofs of what you tell me about the Ministers of Police and Finance. Go now, and give the young gardener a present ; he has behaved with more sense in your mask than you have in his.' The prince left the king, went into an adjoining room, laid aside his ball dress, put on his coat, and ordered Philip to come to him ; then he took him away with him to his own palace. Here Philip had to relate, word for word, all that he had said, done, and heard in the character of the prince at the masquerade. When Philip had obeyed, the prince clapped him approvingly on the shoulder. ' Listen, Philip,' said he. 'I am very well pleased with you. You are a clever fellow, and I can make use of you. What you have said in my name to the Chamberlain Pilzow, the Countess Bonan, the Marshal and his wife, Colonel Kuld, the Finance Minister, and the others, I find very sensible, and I will consider it, and hold it as if I had said it myseJf. On the other hand, you must stand to the verses I sang in your name as watchman. You will, as a punishment, be dismissed the service. Never you mind that. Instead, you will be my gardener. I give you charge of the gardens of] both my castles, Heinleben and Quellenthal. i The money I gave to your betrothed is for her dowry, and the cheque of Marshal Blankenschwerd I will redeem directly with five thousand florins. Now go, serve me faithfully, and conduct yourself well.' CHAPTER XV., AND LAST. Who so happy as Philip ? He flew like lightning to Rose's house. She had not yet gone to bed, but sat at the table with her mother, and wept. He threw the heavy purse on the table. ' Rose,' he said, almost breathless, c that is your portion, and these five thousand florins are mine. On account of faults I have committed as watchman, I have lost the successorship to my father's post ; but the day after to-morrow I go to Heinleben as gardener to Prince Julian. Rose, you and your mother must come with me to Heinleben. My father and mother must also i come with me. I can very well support you all. Hurrah ! God give everyone such a | happy New Year !' Widow Bittner did not know whether to believe her ears at Philip's tale, or her eyes at the sight of so much money. But as Philip told hex how all had happened— at least as much as it was necessary for her to know — she stood up, sobbing for joy, embraced him, and put Rose into his arms. Intoxicated with joy, she ran and danced . around the room. At last she asked, *Do your father and mother know your good luck already?' And as Philip answered, ' No,' she cried, 'Rose, kiudlo a fire, put on water to boil, and make ready a good cup of coffee for us five.' And wrapping herself up j in her woollen mantle, she left the house. Eose, however, quite forgot both fire and water, and when Mother Bittner came back bringing the good old Gottlieb and Frnu Hate, they all gathored round their children with blessings. That Philip lost the watchman's postthat in a fortnight Rose was his wife— that they, together with both their parents, went to live at Heinleben— all that does not belong to the New Year's night adventure, which was not so unfortunate for anybody as for Bottomless, the Minister of Finance. If Prince Julian, since then, has taken any more such flights of genius, we have not heard of them. H. R.