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RELICS OF POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 



did not blind the girl's prudence. She knew the keen blue eye 

 and rapid gestures of her sovereign ; and when his horse was out 

 of sight, delivered his pencilled billet and piece of silver to a de- 

 crepid old woman who assisted her labours in the flax-field. Hon- 

 est Gotha received them in great joy, and executed her task as 

 speedily as she could. Count Lieuwen's surprise, when he opened 

 the paper and looked on the portress, was extreme ; for the mes- 

 sage was, " marry the bearer of this to Hendrig of the 4th in- 

 stantly, and see the marriage performed yourself." Lieu wen was 

 colonel of the boasted regiment, and poor Hendrig obeyed his 

 summons without any apprehension of the lot prepared for him, 

 till the Count, with a smothered smile, enquired if Gotha had 

 any objection to the order, which he repeated to her. Her acqui- 

 escence, and the astonishment of his young subaltern, were too 

 ridiculous even for a Prussian officer's dignity ; but the good dame, 

 drawing Hendrig aside, whispered in his ear, Sign the mock con- 

 tract — it may save you from a worse." Lieuwen laughed hearti- 

 ly, offered Hendrig two rix-dollars and a marriage-dinner to 

 smooth the sacrifice which he knew his master's temper too well 

 to delay ; and when Frederick saw his favourite troop drawn out, 

 he enquired if the marriage had been duly celebrated. Lieuwen's 

 smile provoked his curiosity, and he ordered the new pair to stand 

 before him. Even Frederick could not resist the ridiculous con- 

 trast, but presently changing his mirth to anger, he ordered the 

 union to be instantly dissolved. Count Lieuwen was no less sur- 

 prised when Hendrig modestly, yet firmly, begged it might be 

 permitted to remain valid. Frederick was more enraged than be- 

 fore, and threatened him with an instant dismission from his col- 

 ours. " I am proud of them", said the young soldier, " but much 

 prouder of my wife." "Thou art a silly fellow," returned the 

 king,—" and thy wife will punish thee better than I." So saying, 

 and turning on his heel with his own sly smile, he left the bride- 

 groom to the ridicule of his comrades. No man understood the 

 use of that powerful weapon better than the captain of the 

 regiment, young Hermanwald ; and secretly envying his exquisite 

 symmetry and natural grace, he did not disdain to use it against 

 Hendrig. The bitter scoff which he levelled at him before they 

 quitted the parade, provoked the private soldier to reply, " If I was 

 an officer, and your equal, I would answer you." The regiment 

 returned to its barracks, and on the following morning Hendiig 



