Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-09-25

tyr exclaimed Berklinger, in voice of thun-
der. :. Now, indeed, do discover the secret
of thy passion for my art. Like serpent,
hast thou slipped into my home TO bring there
shame and despair. 1t is my life and my
happiness, not my art, that thou dost desire !"
At these words, he armed himself with
poignard, and threatened Traugott in so terri
BILE manner, that the unfortunate son-in-law
of Master Roos, stupefed with terror, made
two or three falls across the stairs, and, gain
ing the door by a sort of miracle, fled like one
insane towards his own house.
Shut I'D in his chamber, partaking of no
sustenance, and refusing the demands which
were made for an explanation OF this more
than eccentric conduct, he delivered his imagi-
nation to dreams and suggestions the most
whimsical.
"Felizata! Felizata!'' cried he, prey to
emotions which tore his soul with the force of
delirium, thou dost then live! I have met,
seen, and loved thee, but tyrant fate denies me
the privilege of pressing thee to my bosom,
and Of swearing to thine own ear thousand
times, love thee I know, too, that thou
lowest, feel it,, it speaks in each convusive
beat of my heart. will return to thy feet.
shall see thee again at any price, and will
triumph over the obstacles which keep US a.
part"
That night was, to Traugott, one of con-
slant delirium project after project, similar
only in extravaganza, foated across his brain
Reader! that gentle glance tells there are ma
ny who, like Traugott, in secret, have SORROW
ed. See the gladstone thing of youth and
beauty-the maiden with her soft black eyes,
and the young man with his prouder look---alike
on each has fallen its frozen hand What
though flowers bind thy marble brow, fair
girl, and gay jewels sparkle from thy night-iike
hair? Beneath TIT shining robe of thine there
beats a heart whose fountains now hidden, a
word may unloose. And the voice that can
charm with the souls hymn of Joy, hath known
too, in its own rich fullness, the accents of
sorrow.
When the first rays of the morning sun
stole through his lattice, the young artist be-
came more calm; rising all distracted, with
the effects of emotion and nervous fatigue, he
took the way to the house OF Berklinger, de-
termined to pierce the mystery which surroun-
ded his Spirit Love.
What was his surprise on reaching the well
known spot to discover the windows all open,
the chambers empty, and the whole house Of
fering all that aspect OF disorder which follows
or precedes a removal There is something
of strange awe about a house which the inhab-
itants have lately deserted. We scarcely ven
ture farther than the Threshold A feeling of
| indefnabe sadness comes over the soul as we
gaze around. Even the little boys start with
fear at the echos of their voices for the genius
of the spot, silent till now, seems to murmur
| at its dissertation.
A glance suffice1 to assure Traugott of the
fatal truth. Master Berklinger hal removed
that very night, with his daughter and all that
belonged to him. A coach, with two horses,
hal been seen carrying away case of paint
ings and two small boxes, containing the fur
niture and the little valuables of the painter.
No one could inform Traugott OF the route ia
ken by the fugitives. He questioned in vain
those from whom carriages were usually pro-
cured, and at the gates Of the town, but they
had not been remarked,
Berklinger and his daughter had disappear
ed, and been lost as effectualy as if the Meph-
istopheles of Gothic had been charged with
their departure The affianced of Christana
returned home in despair. They are gone
gone forever!" he exclaimed, rushing like a
mailman through the streets OF Dantzig.-
Never again will see them, have lost the
loved one of my soul ~ These words esca-
ped from his mouth as he appeared at the door
of Master Roos' store, with his long fair locks
floating in dishevellei tresses, his eyes start
ing from their spheres, and his face tortured
| by lines OF sorrow
Master Roos was smoking his morning
pipe, envelloped in a gown OF lowered work
"Heaven and earth - roared the honest
draper, "Christiana Christiana come hith'
er thou foolish coquette ~ At the unusual
voice OF the master, the clerks ran towards
him in surprise. The book keeper, of whom
we have already spoken, fixed, as usual, his
pen behind his ear " Master Roos, what il
the matter" he enquired, with anxiety depic.
ted upon his countenance. But Elias, witheu
answering, still cried aloud, 'Christiana
Christiana !" Roused at length by so many
repeated calls, the young lady at length ap-
peared in all the charming negligee of her NOR
ming robe. know, Fraulein," said the mer
chant to her in a tone of severity, g am ia
hgued with thy Alterations My friend
Traugott, through your fault, is struck by {
sadness which is killing him. My son-in-law
is jealous, and you do not cease to tormen
him. You shall keep your chamber, and fol
the future learn to receive him with more plea
sing manners-he is man with fifty thousand
thaers in my business, and you compel hin
to weep above there like Magdalen. 1t j.
no longer to be borne. Between you, yor
will drive me mad -
Christiana could not understand the exaspe
ration of her father. She cast furtive glance
upon the book-keeper, but he seemed to be al
little informed. In answer to her enquirine
look, he turned his gaze towards little cup
board erected back of the counter, in which
Master Elias kept his flask of Kirschenwasser
The maiden, without reply, re-enterel the
house, and after giving some orders, soon ar
ranged her toilette, and went among her neigh
bors to learn some news of her dear affiance1
upon whom she now began to count but lit
tie.
The unhappy Traugott, during all this time
had suffered all the different phases which &C.
company and follow strong excitement. Aftel
any violent grief, there usually succeeds sui
len apathy. His sadness by degrees softened
and his bruised spirit became calm. A few
days after the departure of Berklinger, reason
resumed her empire, he had no longer tears
nor agitation; peaceful melancholy spreaa
itself over all his thoughts. One night he re-
turned alone and musing to the heights O.
Karsberg, from whence his gaze went forth
anew, among the silvered SHOWS which deck
the submits of Hela. Again he gazed upor
the clouds that fioated midway between it an,
the earth, but no longer he sought, in thei
Wondrous shapes, a presage of his destiny, TO
dreams and hopes, with all their bright ilu
sions, had vanished from his soul. "Alas =
said he, weeping, "what evil genius has in
spired me with this fatal love of art, IL
dooms me this day to misery! Why f-To