Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-10-21
popular Tra0itio1l.
THE SENATOR OF BREMnN.

free imperial city of Bremen, were seated togeth-
er, willing away the hour between eight and
nine in conversation, and the Juniors amusing
themselves with various innocent games. The
apartment which they were in was spacious, pan
elled, according to the custom Of that time, with
carved wood work, and decorated with oil paint
ings Of some value, which Mr. Sebaldus had pick
ed up in his travels in Holland His aged grand
mother was seated at the window, in chair COW
cred with leather, embosse with flowers Of gold,
looking, as usual, at the steeples of the distant
churches, tinged with the radiance of sunset
She hummed at the same time to herself an old
hymn of Paul Gerherds, which treats of the re-
of those who have fought the good fight, and are
delivered from all the trials and tribulations of
this mortal life. She numbered full eighty years.
and so she had good reason to hum such hymn.
Catherine, the senator wife, still young and
comedy woman, of the most respectable family of
Ruhberg of Hildeshem sat not far from the win
dow at small table, playing game at lanscue-
net with her nephew Ruhberg, copying clerk to
the senate, an almost boysh-looking young man.
She mistook the cards in the twilight the youth
took advantage of this, and purposely cheated his
aunt, and she reproyed him with good humored
severity for his knavsh tricks. A group of chill
dren sitting together in the middle of the
room, and Sigusmunda, the eldest daughter,
twelve years old, was telling her brothers and
sisters, in low tone, long story, to which they
1,,to, -, ,L,1J A,1o
an old and faithful servant of the family, was
standing at the corner of the stove, calcu-
lating the last weeks receipts from little
shop which his wife kept and as he had reason
TO apprehend, not to the best account. Thus each
of the members of the family engaged his
own way, and not attending to what the others
were about
Mr.. Sebadus Beerlein himself was sitting on
the sofa, with hand in his wastcoat pocket
and his head propped by the other, he looked
straight before him, listening with pleasure to
the playful tones Of his wife, and the soft whis-
pering voice of his daughter, and now and then
casting glance at the dark form of his grand
mother, whose shaking head and sharply formed
noble features, were defined upon the evening
sky. Such moments of great value to the
father of family, He takes survey his past
life he thinks of all the comforts and blessings
that Providence has bestowed him, and he
forms plans for the further Improvement of his
circumstances, for the sake of those who are
dearest to his heart.
The clock of the neighboring church now
struck nine As the sound Of the last stroke
died away the senator rose, took his hat and cane,
and hastily left the room.
ssSebald," cried his wife, art thou going to
the counting house Shall a light be brought
down to thee -
The senator gave no answer. They heard him
going down the stairs, and presently the house
door shutting heavily after him
Where can he be going to'' asked the
grandmother.
i" Indeed don't know" replied his wife. "He
meant to spend the evening with US. Some
thing must have suddenly occurred to HIM"
The old lady shook her head. A light was
brought, and the family sat down at the round
table to their simple supper. place was lett Tor
the master ofthe house, as every body felt thor
oughy convinced that he would presently re-
turn. The quarter chmed, then the half-hour,
then three quarters, and at last the clock struck
ten and still he had not come back. Theobald
was sent to the vintners over the way, TO inquire
whether the senator might not have turned IN
there and met with friends who had detained him !;
but he came back saying that the winner assur-
ed him he had not seen his master. Catherine
joked about this sudden disappearance of her
husband, but nobody joined in her mirth, espec-
tally as the venerable grandmother assumed so
serious a look For some days past she had felt
unwell
j" 1t is not right for him TO go just now" said
she g am liable to be called from one moment
to another and il would grleye Inc much not to
see him once more"
Catherine scolded the grandmother for this ex-
preston, and told her that she ought not to talk
in that manner The old lady said her prayers,
and Catherine led her to her chamber.
The children were put to bed, too; young Rub
berg retired, and Catherine was left by herself
She took up some work, and seated herself near
the candle, resolving not to 60 to bed till her
husband came in.
1t struck eleven, it struck twelve, and not
football was heard out Of doors. The streets
were deserted and silent the watchmans horn
tanned back window of neighborng house
sounded the low mournful tones of women sing
ing while they watched with a corpse. The sky