Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-09-25
,ited the stranger to inspect his new tableau

ulcnlOIy, anu dltct q nlOIucI'' o0A1 Ia ~ DS--N-
ed voice, Sc Pardon, dear young ST. my vlo-
lence. The old, you know well, have mo-
ments of forgetiulness." " Your new paint
ing,'' replied the youth, g is truly master
piece. What profound study, what medita-
tons and what patience it must have cost to
create such work! l am inspired by your
success, to devote myself to the same labors,
and will indeed be happy, my master, if you
would select me as your pupil"
Berklinger seemed touched by the praises
and the prayer OF the youth. He took him
with JOY in his arms, and promised that he
should act as his master as long as was neces-
sary TO full initiation. From that time forth,
there passed not day that did not find our
friend Traugott at the study of the old painter
The lessons of the master and the natural turn
of the disciple, soon produced the happiest eff
fects. But fast as our hero advanced in the
footsteps of Michael Angelo and Raphael, he
lost sight of the store of Elias Roos. At length
his negligence became so apparent, that the
merchant, unable to bear longer, felt compelled
to complain rather strongly. The answer OF
his future partner was very calm. Traugott
pleaded lassitude, which rendered insupport-
able the least cares, and informed his patron
that his total exemption from all labor had
been expressly commanded. He avowed, with
the appearance of the liveliest regret, that his
illness compelled him to postpone indefinitely
his marriage with Christiana.
One of his friends, speaking to Roos one
day, remarked, "Your clerk, Traugott, seems
under the influence of some secret illness He
seems to have at the bottom Of his heart some
lingering of the love dreams of his younger
years. One would say from his appearance,
that he was man to whom some sudden Ca
lamity had happened On the eve of marriage"
&C Truly" replied the draper, &c begin to fan
cy that my daughter has shewn him some
neglect For some time have observed that
he has greatly sighted her. 1t is because the
book-keeper, perhaps, has neglected his affairs
to COO around her. See what these young
people are. Notwithstanding all his eccentri.
cities, Traugott, / am sure, is fond Of my
daughter, and he is doubtless jealous. shall
soon contrive-" But with all his efforts
Master Elias could arrive at nothing satsfac-
tory, and some days later he said to the same
friend. "In truth, this Traugott is indeed a
singular man, but shall let him alone, for he
has fifty thousand thalers in my establishment
Were it not for this, my patience, long since
would have been exhausted. | should ther
have compelled him to account for these sin.
gular vagaries, and conduct himself different
ly."
The illness of Traugott was caused by his
strange love for that sweet Felizata, whose
features, cherished in the bottom of his heart
pursued him in all his dreams. One day, al
suddenly, the painting disappeared from the
gallery. Traugott would not dare to ask thu
might cause a rupture. In all other respects
Master Elias was daily more afectionate ant
confding He accepted, at various times, from
Traugott, little presents of articles, useful il
his profession. He even confided to him tina
the little he possessed had been considerably
injured Ivy Il deception that had been Practlcet
upon him, at the time of the sale of the prin
cipal part of his paintings; and that the notes
from which he had so narrowly escaped part
ing at less than their value, was the last tina
remained OF the profits of years OF labor
But with the exception of this mark of conf
dence with which Berklinger, unsought, thu
favored the young painter, Traugott foun'
that he would permit him few occasions o
speaking with the young page. The old pain
ter seemed to avoid leaving them alone, will
the greatest care, and if he, at any time, oh
served that they seemed disposed to enter
tain each other with intimate converse
ton, he FASTENED to separate them with som
severe reproof.
Traugott found this extreme surveillance o
great annoyance. The young page bore 81
striking resemblance to the portrait of Fell
zata, that he felt, at every moment, tempted Il
take him in his arms as he would the youn|
girl, whose sweet image never for momen
departed from his heart.
Thus winter passed away. Soon cam
spring, with her gentle hand, to lift tn
snowy veil that covered the fields. He
sweet breath terminated nature. The tree
once more put on their glorious robes of green
A thousand birds, with golden plumage, war
bled among their branches, where each dew,
leaf trembled with excess of joy. The broa'
meadows sparkled again with the tears of tn
morning Angel, while from birds and tree
and yellow flowers, outspoke in wondrou
tones the chorus peal of Natures praise.
Elias Roos, whose constant care of Trau
gott omitted nothing that could contribute t.
his comfort, busted himself in supplying hin
with remedies, and watched day by day TO
symptoms OF recovery. Christiana once NOR
applied herself to the development of he
charms, dreaming that the approach of tn
joyous season would bring health to her aft
anced, and that the marriage day would 500
be fixed. The poor child had not yet learne
that singular emotion retained Traugott iron
her presence more often than she should pei
nit, under the relations that subsisted betwee
them.
: It happened that one day business detaine
TrauOOff little later than ISual at the conn