The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-10-17
Vol. 7. No. 12. Whole No. S24.

|
| know my child again, For am your mother,
Fritz, am notl But this is a miracle, that brings
me back my child whom thought dead %
''You thought me dead, my good Gertrudet''
"Listen. The day when your uncle, notwith-
standing my tears and my prayers, drove You from
this house, tainted when you gave me your fare
well Kiss. Scarcely had recovered my senses when
followed your footsteps bring you back, Fritz,
shame the man who refused to give you bread, be-
cause you could comply with his sordid views,
and become a aborer! l said to myself, have
strength yet. will work to nourish my child; he
shall continue devote himself to his faycrie occu
patton until the time when that occupation
shall become lucrative then, when am old
and feeble, he will be able to take care of me
in his turn. This is what said to myself rs
l endeavored to rejoin you. Alas you had
taken the road to the mountain. Here and there the
afffghted guides returning; for the hurricane
reared with fury, and from the mountain top, I saw
the avalanche descend which closed the passage of
the gorge du Vulais' that gorge where
you had just been encountered. thought that you
enguphed by the enormous mass of
oh do not know what happened to me then, but
came to myself in thia sad dwelling whittier they
had brought me, and my first word was to curse him
who had been the cause Of your loss. Every day
reproached him for his unworthy conduct towards
you, until at last he profted by an opportunity that
offered to get clear Of the villa, and to leave me ia
the service of the new proprietor
"Poor nurse!" said the young man, tenderIy, "you
are the only who testified affection for me in my
childhood and thank God who has preserved the
poor orphan that he may day prove his gratitude.
Indeed, Gertrude, was in great periI but was
fortunate to foresee il in time, and preserve that
same painter who had encouraged me the day before.
when he me .sketching the banks OF the lake.
met him my way; he had not discovered, as I
had, the premo nory cracking noise ofthe mountain.
and did not ma nifesi any uneasiness. But
forced him 10 take to fight; and were scarcely
out Of the gorge when the rond which we had Just
raversed disappeared under the avalanche. From
that moment this celebrated artist would not allow
me to lenve him. had told him my history, and
followed him to Rome, where my slight talents wers
improved under his tuition. Yes, nv good
Gertrude, il have not yet attained brilliant repula
ton in the career Of the fine arts, at least in
good way; of my pictures. received in Fra nee at
the exhibition OF the Louvre, purchased by tho
Duchess de Beri. Her royal highness has
been pleased to give me other orders.''
tected him. cried Gertrude, falling on her knees.
She and covered him with caresses, parting
his hair, and giving him thousand kisses on his
forehead, as in those days when he was a little
child
81 AN my way to Paris continued the young
artist but wished first revisit the scenes whence
have been so long time e1iled; wished to you,
my dear nurse-and am not afraid TO tell you'll de-
sired also TO embrace my uncle
''Dear, noble hearted Fritz said Gertrude wipu.
away tear that rolled down her check, edo you
love Mr. Beaute still he has shown himself so Sc
towards you, and who never had any real ten
derness for you l far from blaming you, my
child; but il you will confde in me, yon had bett.r
let sound the disposition of your uncle his
turn, for he is now absent, and Mr. Wicm does not
expect him until the day nlter tomorrow"
''Whnt, Gertrude, do you think :"
''That he will not Gail to give you an ungracious
reception, Lam certain! lie thought, did, THAI
YOU had been buried under the avalanche and never
did the least word Of regret escape his lips That is
enough to convince you that he will you ugain
with regret And besides, dear Fritz, want you TO
he near your old Gertrude. until the day of your de-
parture for France. Well, shall if your uncle
avoids p,e il he is able to recognize you. On that
score am not uneasy, because dlu not know you
who am almost your mother. Let it suffice you
this house his no longer; he has given it to Mr..
Willem, an excellent mnn, who ruined IN his
old age - ....s .
And as the countennnce Of Fritz expressed the
greatest nstonishment, the old woman continued
'But that which you might be led to suppose
good action, was but an unworthy on the Part Of
Mr. Beaute. It he that consummated the ruin Of
his friend, to get him into his power, to have claim
npon his gratitude-in word, to force him to give
him his daughter
s'CIertrudep' cried the young man, who trembIsd
invountnriy at these words, ''beware how you cal
uimninte INV uncle. 3 a4 .i "a
''AIas! the event may justify my forebodings; Cor
poor Clemence will survive this fatal marriage"
.'Is she named CIen,ence!" said Fritz.
Scarcely had he asked the question, when his face
became like scarlet. i'a
"Yes" replied Gertrude. elf you knew how
sweet s. good she is--shs j. an angel! All who know
her. so much admire her noble qualities, that she il
called the Pearl OF Geneva But, my Fritz, you
,L,U l,ro-y Lnr and iudoc for vpurseIf Tor I hpar