with his
eye, however, who knows but he might act on them more or less! And, at
any rate, be suspected by distressed Arnolds, especially by a distressed
Frau Arnold, of doing so. The Frau Arnold had a strong suspicion that
way; and seems to have risen occasionally upon Schlecker, who did once
order the poor woman to be locked up for contempt of Court: "Only two
hours!" asseverates Schlecker afterwards; after which she came out cool
and respectful to Court.

Not the least account survives of those procedures in Schlecker's Court;
but by accident, after many readings, you light upon a little fact which
does shed a transient ray over them. Namely, that already in 1775, four
years before the Case became audible in Official circles, much more in
general society, Frau Arnold had seized an opportunity, Majesty being
at Crossen in those neighborhoods, and presented a Petition: "Oh,
just King, appoint a MILITARY COMMISSION to investigate our business;
impartial Officers will speedily find out the facts, and decide what
is just!" [Preuss, iii. 382.] Which denotes an irritating experience in
Schlecker's Court. Certain it is, Schlecker's Court did, in this tedious
harassing way, decide against Frau Arnold in every point. "Pay Herr Graf
von Schmettau, or else disappear; prosecute Von Gersdorf, if you like!"
And, in fine, as the Arnolds could not pay up, nor see any daylight
through prosecuting Baron von Gersdorf, the big gentleman in
Kay,--Schlecker, after some five years of this, decreed Sale of the
Mill:--and sold it was. In Zullichau, September 7th, 1778, there is
Auction of the Mill; Herr Landeinnehmer (CESS-COLLECTOR) Kuppisch bought
it; knocked down to him for the moderate sum of 600 thalers, or 90
pounds sterling, and the Arnolds are an ousted family. "September
7th,"--Potato-War just closing its sad Campaign; to-morrow, march for
Trautenau, thirty horses to a gun.--

The Arnolds did make various attempts and appeals to the Neumark
REGIERUNG (College of Judges); but it was without the least result.
"Schlecker right in every point; Gersdorf right," answered the College:
"go, will you!" A Mill forfeited by every Law, and fallen to the
highest bidder. Cess-Collector Kuppisch, it was soon known, had sold
his purchase to Von Gersdorf: "Hah!" said the rural public, smelling
something bad. Certain it is, Von Gersdorf is become proprietor both of
Pond and Mill; and it is not to the ruined Arnolds that Schlecker law
can seem an adm