The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-09-19


mirers Of Simon Holzkopf and Hans
Potts. Whether they demanded in.
slant audience of the governor, at the
time surrounded by his family, gazing
wistfully from the walls for expected
succor, or whether, contented with his
stern answer just rendered to the civic
authorities then in the garrison, they
held their peace, the archives of the
city give no note, Quitting the dis
contented, selfdubbed deputies, lot us
return to the hero of our story, Caspar
Brandt.
'And the good widow, Caspar? ask
ed the old man who had rebuked the
wit Of Hans Potts, and who, on the
flight of the crowd, walked slowly to.
wards the market place with the youth.
'These are sorry times for necessities
like hers; how fares she?'
Caspar answered not; strovc, with
manly strength, to suppress the emo
ton; but deep groan burst from his
lips: he paused, and quivered like q
struck reed.
'Caspar-Caspar Brandt!' cried the
old man, and caught the youth in his
arms. Blessed Virgin! what ails the
boy?'
Nothing nothing; sudden faint
ness, nothing more; and Caspar, with
a sickly smilc,, pressed the old mans
hand.
by all the saints! your hand burns
like heated stone. Comc-comc to nv
house; l have yet cup of wine, that
for the love of old times, for the CRATE
full thoughts l bear your mother, kind
in the days Of misery and death to me.
and mine, shall be spared you. Tell
me, how fares the wilow?'
Sick, Master Martin, sick almost to
DEATH. answered Caspar. 'For two
months she has kept her chamber-for
two months has been almost helpless.
Still her state brings this poor comfort
with it: she knows not the extreme mis-
cry of the town-knows not the bitter
suffering of her friends and ncighbors.'
And her wants, Caspar? Alas!' cried
the old man, 'affliction has made me
sclfish-steelcd my heart to old acuuain-
tance, else | had sought you long Since.
Now, Heaven help nae! I can do no
thing. Her wants-how arc they sup.
plicd?'
She needs but little of the simplest
kind, and that-Hcaven be thanked!-
| have obtained, may still obtain for her.
She will dic-shc cannot wrcstlc with
the sickness that consumes her; she will
dic!!' repeated the yonng man, in a
hallow, hopeless voice, and big tears
started from his eyes, 'but not not
with famine andas he spoke, the
youth clcnched his hand, and trod the
earth with new strength.
NAY, her years give everything to
hope said Martin. at little more
than scvcntccn--ah, me! it seems but
yestcrday-she was your mother. And
still she has kept her youthful face
still, III looks, has sccmcdno other than
Your eldest sister,
'Ay, Master Martin, ay. God par.
don me-! exclaimed the youth, and the
tears poured anew down his checks,
God pardon me, and make me humble
but now, now | cannot think of losing
her, and pray for mcekness.'
Hope, should be the young mans
staff, ms it is the old mans crutch, said
Martin. sYou will not lose her. trust
memo; the present troubles past, all
will become well again--in q half cup
of poor vino, said Martin, lowering his
voice as he passed a passenger, who
paused moment, and lecrcd with the
malice of keen want at the old man talk
ing too loudly of a priceless luxury; lct
us, good Caspar, drink to better times.
A half cup, boy, n poor half cup, and
the old man sighed as he paused at his
threshold. Drawing the key from his
pocket, he unlocked the door, and led
the way into q house, where once COM
fort and hcapcd plenty gave constant
welcome. sit down, Caspar: your ia
thcr has sat in that chair, when the
'ool quaheu WIN the iauShtcr OF nifty
throats; when Fortune herself served
at the hearth, and seemed my hand
maid. Well, well, the hearth is qucnch-
ed now: tho old, old faces, have passed
like morning shadows; the sweet, con.
stant voices, arc heard but in my
dreams; and | sit at my old iiresidc, an
old, grey-hcaded, solitary man. But
come, my boy; tho wine.' And Mar
tin took a small flash from SHELF
what starts you?, asked the old man,
seeing Caspar start.
Your pardon, Master; is not that
bread? and Caspar pointed to small
loaf by the flask on the shelf. At the
same moment a deep blush crimsoned
the young mans face, and he sat as