Part 22 (2/2)
Gotzkowsky's countenance expressed great delight and relief at this report. Elise had not, then, buried herself in the solitude of her room in idle complaint, but had sought, like himself, comfort for her suffering in helping and sympathizing with others. In this moment he appreciated the infinity of his love. He yearned to take her to his heart, and pour out to her all his unappreciated, doubted love, and convince her that she, his daughter, the only child of his wife, was the true end and object of his life. But unhappy, oppressed Berlin left him no time to attend to the soft and gentle dictates of his father's heart. He had scarcely got into his house, when two messengers arrived from the town Council, bringing him six thousand dollars in cash, with the urgent request that he would take charge of this sum, which would be safe only with him. The town messengers had scarcely left him, when there arrived the rich manufacturers, Wegeli and Wuerst, with a wagon-load of gold and silver bars which Gotzkowsky had promised to keep in his fire-proof cellars.
His house had become the treasury of the whole of Berlin; and if it had been destroyed, with all these gold and silver ingots, these diamonds and silver ware, money and papers, all the Exchanges of Europe would have felt the disastrous consequences.
At last, all these treasures were stowed away, and Gotzkowsky addressed himself to rest, when the door of his room was suddenly opened, and General von Bachmann entered hastily.
”Gotzkowsky,” said he, ”I have come with important intelligence, and to redeem the promise I made to my friend Sievers.” Approaching more closely to Gotzkowsky, he said to him in an undertone: ”General von Tottleben has just received orders to destroy and burn all royal factories and mills.”
Gotzkowsky turned pale, and inquired with horror, ”Why this barbarous proceeding?”
General Bachmann shrugged his shoulders. ”It is the order of the commander-in-chief, Count von Fermore,” said he; ”and Tottleben will have to be all the more particular from the fact that, instead of the a.r.s.enal, fifty of our soldiers were blown into the air. Here, in the mean while, take this paper, and see whether, among the factories to be destroyed, one of yours has been included by mistake.”
Gotzkowsky looked over the list with dismay. ”Did not your excellency say that only royal factories were to be destroyed?”
”Yes, so runs the order.”
”But the factories that stand on this list are not royal inst.i.tutions.
The bra.s.s-works in Eberwalde, the gold and silver factories, and the warehouse in Berlin, do not belong to the king, and are they going to be so barbarous as to destroy them? That cannot be. I will hasten to General Tottleben, and entreat him to revoke this cruel order.”
General Bachmann shook his head sadly. ”I am afraid it will be in vain,” said he. ”Besides, you incur great risk in your undertaking.
The general is in a very angry, excited mood, and your intercession will only increase his bitterness and anger.”
”I fear not his anger,” cried Gotzkowsky boldly. ”If no one else dares to tell him the truth, I will do it; and with argument and entreaty compel him to be humane, and to respect the property of others. Come, sir, let us go to General Tottleben!”
”No, sir. I am not going with you,” said Bachmann, laughing. ”I am not a man to tremble on the eve of battle, and yet I fear to meet Tottleben's angry looks. In his wrath he is like a Jupiter Tonans, ready to launch his thunderbolts, and dash to pieces all who approach him.”
”I am not afraid of his thunder!” cried Gotzkowsky, fervently.
”The property and welfare of Berlin are in danger. I must go to the general!”
”Then go along,” said Bachmann, ”and may G.o.d give power to your words!
I have warned you, and that is all I can do.”
Gotzkowsky did not answer him. Trembling with eagerness and impatience, he dressed himself, and throwing his cloak around him, he once more left his house, with the alacrity of a young man.
General Bachmann looked after him, smiling thoughtfully. ”He is a n.o.ble fellow,” said he, ”and Berlin has good reason to be grateful to him, and to love him. But who knows? perhaps, for that very reason, she will one day hate him. n.o.ble-mindedness is so soon forgotten! It is the solid weight that sinks to the bottom, while light deeds float on top. Mankind is not fond of being grateful. I would like to know whether Berlin will ever show a due appreciation of this n.o.ble man?”
CHAPTER VII.
THE HORRORS OF WAR.
The Russians had at last allowed themselves to be carried away by the example set them by the Austrians and Saxons. Like them, they roamed through Berlin, robbing and plundering, unmindful of discipline, and forgetting the severe punishments which Tottleben inflicted on those whose misdeeds reached his ear.
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