Agnes, our prospective daughter-in-law, is quite inconsolable, and
Franz is hardly less depressed. Agnes is in fear for her dowry. For
a long time past she has been industriously saving up, and more
especially so since her acquaintance with Franz. Her industry was
such that she would scarce allow herself time for her meals, and the
sums which her companions spent in finery, in pleasures, or in short
excursions, she devoted to the increase of her little capital. By these
means she had no less a sum than two thousand marks in the savings
bank at the time of her becoming engaged. It was with no little pride
and complacency that Franz told me all this on the evening of the
engagement day. The young people began to devise schemes as to how
they could lay out this large sum of money to the best advantage.
But now it seems that all her industry and economy are to prove quite
futile. Rendered uneasy by all sorts of reports that reached her, Agnes
determined to go to the bank and give notice of withdrawal. Arrived
in the neighbourhood of the bank, she found the street filled with
excited groups. Old men and women, and numerous girls who had been
servants during the old order of things, complained piteously of being
cheated, as they said, out of their hard-earned savings. The officials,
it appears, had stated that along with all other values which, by the
operation of the new decrees had been confiscated, the funds of the
savings bank were also void.
The mere rumour of such a thing nearly made poor Agnes faint.
Summoning courage, however, to enter the bank, she there soon received
confirmation of this incredible news. Hastening to us, she heard it
rumoured that deputations of bank creditors were on their way to the
palace to seek an interview with the Chancellor. On hearing this I
started off at once, and Franz went with me.
We found an immense crowd gathered in front of the palace. Across
Lassalle Bridge (the old King William’s Bridge), streams of people kept
surging up towards the palace. It is clear this savings bank question
is deeply stirring the public mind. All the entrances to the courts
of the palace were securely fastened. The crowd in front made various
efforts to obtain forcible entrance, but in vain. Suddenly several
gun-barrels from inside bristled through loopholes in the doors, which
loopholes I had somehow never noticed before.
Who can say what might have been the end of all this if, at this
critical moment, the Chancellor had not appeared on the scene and thus
restored order? He stepped out upon the balcony of the middle portal,
and in a clear and sonorous voice, declared that the savings bank
question should receive the immediate consideration of the Committee of
Government. He begged all true patriots and consistent Socialists to
confide fully in the justice and wisdom of the representatives of the
people. Loud hurrahs greeted our Chancellor as he withdrew.
Just at this moment several fire brigades came tearing along at a
gallop from different directions towards the palace. There being
now no police to summon, the authorities had in their consternation
telegraphed from the palace, reporting a great fire there. The arrival
of the gallant fellows was greeted with much laughter. By and by the
crowd dispersed in a more good-humoured and pliant mood. It is only to
be hoped that the Government will do the right thing in this business.