The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-04-26


He found vanity, passion, caprice and art,
/ But Truth l--no Truth was therev'
He should have come to Gertrude Mil |
lcr," said the forester, 4" for if there be truth
in the whole world, ii is in her little heart"
! The color in Gsrtrude's cheek grew very
deep; but Wilhelm Franz laid down the
instrument, and fell into a fit Of musing.
The day that followed was bright and sun
shiny one, and the Heilbronner, with the
old forester, went forth into the woods 10
superintend the work that was going on;
while Gertrude took her way up the steep
hill towards the castle, where she was sure
of n kind reception from many of tho old
servants who still dwelt therein. The truth
was, rumor had spread that the young
Count was coming down, aud her father
sent her to seek ,idngs. Gertrude ,ripped
away gaily enough; but when she was half
way up the hill, she paused in the wooded
path that she was pursuing, and walked
slowly on, fallen into deep thought. What
was the subject Of her meditations matters
not; they were apparently sad and moving,
for ere she reached the castle, she sa, down
upon one of the fragments Of gray stone
and wept. Remembering, however, that
tears would leave traces, and traces would
be remarked she wiped them quickly away,
and wandered about in the wood till she
: Judged that the marks of her saddcr EN-
ployment must be etlaced. She then climb
ed the steep ascent without farthur delay,
and, passing unquestioned through the gate
way with but n good morrow" from one
of the armed men who sat in the porch,
she proceeded TO seek the old soneschars
good dame. Learning in the outer hall,
however, that the tdings were true, and
that letters, announcing his speedy coming,
had been received from the young noble,
she crossed the court, assembled tho great
staircase, and, finding the door Of one Of
the chief saloons open, she went in, for she
lad not seen il since she was child.
There was wide antique easement in
niche, and through it was streaming the
sunshine and the sweet air of spring; and
Gertrude went and gazed out though,fully.
High up amidst the clouts Of heaven, the
y castle like an eagle on a rock, looked over
: the whole scene below and there, beueatl,
|, the fair girls eye, lay all the brown world
d of the Odenwald, an interninsbIe ocean Of
}. waving boughs, with the lights and shades
9 from the fitting clouds, resting like the
stains Of gold nnd blue upon the wings Of a
, butterfly, on the unduIating surface Of the
hills. Around her hung the monuments Of
fcudal state, banners and pennons, and cost
ly arms, and rich nrras, and ornaments Of
silver and of gold; but It was not on those
she looked, but upon the prospect and as
she looked, she sighed, not that the sight
was any thing but fair, or few loyeisr scenes
, ever met the human eye than that in its par
r tcular kind but here was about it that
vugue, boundless, indefinite uncertainty,
, which has something akin with the feelings
Of the youthful heart, when some doubt or
, some foar, some newborn apprehension,
: some warning suspicion that life is not all
|, so bright as we have dreamed it, causes us
10 pause and gaze over the misty future,
and endcavor to scan more accurately the
, true nature of the objects which lie grouped
/. together in the golden indistinctness Of dis
iancc.
She sighed rs she stood in that deep re-
, cess and gazcd forth from the open case
/; ment. There was sigh near her that an
/ swered hers, and, turning round with a
I slight exclamation of surprise, she bchcld
one who was certainly in her thoughts ut
, that moment. She blushed a good deal,
. ond then she turned pale but Wilhelm
. advanced towards her, and gliding his arm
round her waist, took her hand in his, and
gazed into the eyes that she raised implor-
ingly, almost fearfuIIy to his Gertrude J"
he said, :" Gertrude I" She answered moi !;
but ~ that old hall, and in that sun shiny
D hour, fair Gertrude Miller was wooed and
y won.
II
, There were tears in your eyes before j
: came, dear girl" he said, rs Inc let her
: back down the hill, his promised bride.
/" Why had my Gertrude been wccping?"
,. Because thought" she replied, that
G if it we're SO difficult for man to find truth
d as your song said, u woman could never
hope to meet with it at all"
a "Apd darcs my Gertrude then trust me r.
= demanded Wilhelm.
"It is our nature to trust !" replied Ger
a trude," q" and think you would mol deceive
j. me-"
II "Not for an empire J" answered the
r. youth, and lifting his eyes towards the sky
y his lips moved, US If registering the promise
J. on high.
- And il was Gertrude Muller's bridal day
and the sun had sbone upon The bride ant
bridegroom rs they went to, and came from
the little village church. The blessing hac
been spoken, the festivities had begun, anc
modesty and love woyc n swectcr garland
round The temples Of that fair bride, thar
the richest orange flower that ever dccora
ted the fayornc Of courts. wilhelm tros
proudly, and as he looked up to the lordl.
towers Of the castle, rising haughtiIy abov
his Gertrude's humble home, his glanc
seemed to say, envy not the lord of thos
high halls My heart has found happie
rcs,ng-place.
When they had entered tho cottose, how