It was 1866, the year of the Prusso-Austrian War. A Prussian soldier, making his way through the battlefield, stopped for a moment. Lying close by on the ground was a man who was severely wounded. This was to be expected on a battlefield. Still, the tragic sight filled the brave man with pity, even though the injured soldier was an enemy.

The dying soldier looked up and saw the Prussian staring at him. Driven half-mad from the pain of his wounds, the Austrian begged the Prussian officer to put him out of his agony and shoot a bullet through his head.

The good soldier refused. Instead, he lifted the wounded man from the ground, and carried him to the nearest hospital, where his wounds were tended to. The Austrian was very moved by this act of kindness, especially from an enemy officer. As a token of his gratitude, he gave his gold watch to this Good Samaritan.

When the war was over, the Prussian no longer needed to be a soldier and wanted to work as a valet. The hostilities between the Prussians and Austrians had abated. So, when searching for work, he was not afraid to apply to a wealthy Austrian for a job. In fact, Divine Providence led him to the castle of Prince Anton Esterhazy, in Austria-Hungary.

He was brought before the prince to discuss the details and requirements for the potential job. But as soon as the prince saw him, he was nagged by the feeling that he had seen this man before.

The prince asked him if he had been in the last war. The Prussian replied that he had. The prince pressed on,

"And didn’t you save the life of an Austrian officer?"

A little suprised at such an odd question, the man admitted that he had. He pulled out the gold watch, which he had kept fondly all that time.

Prince Anton was overwhelmed.

"I shall certainly let you work for me!" he exclaimed, "For I owe you a debt of gratitude for having saved my life."

The soldier was just as astonished. What were the odds that two soldiers from opposing sides would meet again after the war? But God had brought them back together, in a most unexpected way.

Needless to say, the Prussian was very happy working in that household, for the grateful prince treated him as a dear friend.