The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-06-04
From the South Carolinlsn.
The Widow and her Wooden Spouse.
FREELY RENDERED. FROM TUE GERMAS.
IN TUE gERMAN.
ny ytsPER BRACKErT, rsa.

Sanu VINO DlOOmeu III tlc SlreelS Vi
the good German city of Gedan-
kenthall. Every one loved Dorina,
because she loved every body, and
her smiles were like bright rays ir-
radiating her cherry cheeks and lips.
1t was curious thing-it must have
been natural-but all the beauX o.
Gedankenthall were the adorners OF
Dorina. She had train at every
ball and dance, which was longer
than the band Of conscript youth who
annually marched for the good Kai-
ser's army, and they were sad set,
too, those same worshipers Of Dori-
ma. She could not love them all
oh, yes, she might have done that,
for she had a good heart-some said
angelic--but she chose rather to love
one alone. 1t was like all lovers.
Dorina married a youthful spouse,
whom she loved as herself, and bet
ter too. Don't sneer, good reader,
when we say "better." Suppress
your scornful smile--or, do as you
likc-smile away! See the end.
1t was true, however strange.
Dorina was happy in Stephens
boundless love.-He was an open
hearted, expansive fellow, burly in
his youth, and threatening to become
monstrous in old age. To this stall
wart burgher was the gentle Dorina
united. He, the mountain of her
pride, she the lily cup of his afec.
ton. He, to breast the storms Of
life she, TO bloom on in the valley
of contentment, scattering the sweet
perfumes of love around the peace
full serenity Of his home forever OF
FIR life.
But Death stepped in one day, and
laid his cold heshless fingers upon
Stephen, and he died. Yes, he was
snatched from Dorina's arms-he
was summoned to depart-him, who
was the best of husbands and the
best of men. My pen, even if il
were dipped in the briny waves Of
the vexed ocean, could scarcely por-
tray the grief Of Dorina, or ali she
JeH. She threw herself beside the
couch of her loved lord, and as she
knelt and clasped the hand, anc
kissed the cheek Of clay, she vowec
to love the dead Stephen forerer =
! The whole city came, with ohicou,
friendship, to sooth Dirona-but il
vain. They tore her sobbing form
from the side Of the dead one, and
as the door closed forever between
them in this world, she cried out
piteousy "alas!" Days, weeks,
months passed, and still she wept
and still her mourning soul found
utterance in the heart desolating
words, "alas poor Stephen" She
wept; grief was unceasing, and she
grew pale and shadowless with des-
pair.
Across the street lived skillfuI
carver Of wooden images. He had
loved lis neighbor Stephen in life
and after his death, he fashioned an
exact image of his friend, partly tc
relieve the melancholy mood of Do
rina, and partly to show his revcr-
ence for the blessed, and to save his
memory from oblivion. His cunning
hand, always successful, finished the
work with amazing speed, and there
stood Stephen as large as life. II
was masterpiece Of carving, and
the whole city congratulated the ar.
list on his genius, and Dorina OF
the restoration Of Stephen to the
world. "Ah, Heavens! there he is
Yes, yes, It's he! o, happy artist
happier wife p elbow beautiful,
he opens his mouth" says one. 81
; will speak Never in my life before
have i seen SUch nature.-So h,
looked last week, as he stood god.
father" Well, the artist, after th,
public curiosity was stated, sent tn,
'c0oden spouse to the widow Dorina
and placed it in the bridal room
r where together they had slept il
5 happiness. There, in her chamber
she shut herself in with him, anc
sought relief, and found comfort il
the track of bitter grief. And Do
rina held herself bound to weep ava,
e the remnant Of her life, and to b,
, forever worthy of his memory. VIVA
other devotion could the names o
the departed desire of a wife
She was heart broken. SO The
, world said, Alas! poor sad Dorina
thy sun is not bright now. Week,
of woe, black and desolating tears o
sorrow, washing away the lovenines.
of youth Dorina spake to no living
creature, but to her solitary mai,
and her dead Stephens house dog
She uttered wild, loving language t
the image, and strained her embra
ces around its unyielding form. Sh,
kissed its hard vermillion painted
, lips, until she seriously considered
whether they did not require nea
painting to make them street again
Dorina, thine was q hard lot. Tn,