t be half so pleasant as one against
the French; but then it must be so much the more beneficial in this
world and the next. The swords of the Turks are all set with diamonds.
JUST.
I would not walk a mile to have my head split with one of their
sabres. You will not be so mad as to leave your comfortable little
farm!
WER.
Oh! I take that with me. Do you see? The property is sold.
JUST.
Sold?
WER.
Hist! Here are a hundred ducats, which I received yesterday towards
the payment: I am bringing them for the Major.
JUST.
What is he to do with them?
WER.
What is he to do with them? Spend them; play them, or drink them away,
or whatever he pleases. He must have money, and it is bad enough that
they have made his own so troublesome to him. But I know what I would
do, were I in his place. I would say--"The deuce take you all here; I
will go with Paul Werner to Persia!" Hang it! Prince Heraclius must
have heard of Major von Tellheim, if he has not heard of Paul Werner,
his late sergeant. Our affair at Katzenhauser!!!!!
JUST.
Shall I give you an account of that?
WER.
You give me! I know well that a fine battle array is beyond your
comprehension. I am not going to throw my pearls before swine. Here,
take the hundred ducats; give them to the Major: tell him, he may keep
these for me too. I am going to the market now. I have sent in a
couple of loads of rye; what I get for them he can also have.
JUST.
Werner, you mean it well; but we don't want your money. Keep your
ducats; and your hundred pistoles you can also have back safe, as soon
as you please.
WER.
What, has the Major money still?
JUST.
No.
WER.
Has he borrowed any?
JUST.
No.
WER.
On what does he live, then?
JUST.
We have everything put down in the bill; and when they won't put
anything more down, and turn us out of the house, we pledge anything
we may happen to have, and go somewhere else. I say, Paul, we must
play this landlord here a trick.
WER.
If he has annoyed the Major, I am ready.
JUST.
What if we watch for him in the evening, when he comes from his club,
and give him a good thrashing?
WER.
In the dark! Watch for him! Two to one! No, that won't do.
JUST.
Or if we burn his house over his head?
WER.
Fire and burn! Why, Just, one hears that you have been baggage-boy and
not soldier. Sham
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