mercantile community of this place entertain the same
sentiments, and feel themselves equally bound to all imaginable
reciprocity.

[SIGNED] "The Council of Leipsic.

"Leipsic, _February_ 26, 1761."

"This paper I will carry to my daughter, as a souvenir," said
Gotzkowsky, folding it up carefully, and then added thoughtfully: "Who
knows but what the time may come when it will be necessary to remind
the merchants of Leipsic of this document? The opinions and destinies
of men are very variable."

But Gotzkowsky himself was to have occasion to remind unthankful
Leipsic of her professions of gratitude--not to call on her to
perform reciprocal favors, but to protect himself against calumny
and unfriendly suspicions. For a day came, when Leipsic forgot the
affliction and grief she had suffered, and only remembered that John
Gotzkowsky was her creditor, and that she owed him large sums of
money. So, when at last, weary of long waiting, he pressed for
payment, they accused him of self-interest, and said that he had
unnecessarily mixed himself up in their affairs, and that it would
have been better if he had left them to their captivity; for although
they might have had much to suffer, they would have had but little to
pay.

Gotzkowsky answered these accusations in a manner characteristic of
his noble, proud self--he was silent about them. But hard times and
oppression came again upon the rich town of Leipsic.

The Prussian king exacted fresh contributions--and now they recalled
to mind the services of Gotzkowsky; again they sent him humble
letters, begging him to have pity on them; and now the cunning,
calculating magistracy of Leipsic saw fit to take notice of these
calumnies, which they had shortly before so industriously circulated
through the public newspapers, and solemnly to declare in all the
journals: "We hereby certify, in compliance with truth, through these
writings, that the worshipful Herr Gotzkowsky, as well in past years,
as at the late Leipsic fair, out of unchanged and innate love and
friendly kindness to us, this town, and its inhabitants, has given
just cause for gratitude."

Gotzkowsky forgot the insults, and was again of assistance to them. A
second time he persuaded the king to mitigate their contribution, and
guaranteed the new bonds issued by them. A second time the magistrates
and merchants thanked him in the most touching words for his noble
and disinterested assistance, and a second time we