The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-03


likeness in this room, as proof Of his pedigree |
A short painful pause ensued, interrupted by |
the information 6 the Servant girl, that din |
ner was served up Baler gallantly offered his |
arm 10 conduct his mother to the adjoining |
little apartment where table was set for two |
nersoos As il was against his rule to dine at |
10 O'Clock. and he had taken a late breakfast, |
he sat down without an appetite. This want |
however. his excited feelings could explain, |
which pleased him. as his mother who intend |
ed to entertain him Hospitality, would not take
il amiss.
Though his palate, which was accustomed
TO the most piquant dainties and best wines,
and was obtuse for meal prepared in SIM
ple manner however savory continually re-
auired peculiar Utilization in order TO be- graft
fed. vet courtesy induced him TO respond to
his mothers invitation and he at least tasted
of all that she had plentifully provided
sDid'st thou when a boy, uniformly eat so
little ~ asked she. Thou shOuld's have seen
thy brothers, who did more honor to my cook
cry. Adrian could never be satisfied after
playing about for an hour or two. He was o
very sturdy boy, and is not quite the man.
Thou wilt soon know him. cannot tell thee
how | rejoice at the moment when ! shall
lead you to each others arms
Baler soaked his morsel in his mouth, the
remaining appetite was suddenly dissipated
and when Mrs. Muller took the glass and wish
ed them happy family life, founded on unity
and love, he joined in with her, drank the
glass half empty, but his hand trembled as he
brought it to his lips.
The dinner was cleared off, the coffee drunk,
| and Mrs Muller again seated herself with
Baler on the little black sofa
"Now, my beloved sou, recommended the
| lady "now let us consider how we shall most
favorably shape the future, so that all parties
may rest satisfied that ! may find compensa-
| ton for my long privation, and thou be in true
intimate friendship with thy brothers and sis
| ter
Before we devise this plan, my dear mother
replied Baler, "allow me to propose a weighty
question. Do my brothers and sister know Of
| my existence ?"
"Not as vet my son. wished first to know
| thee myself that my own eyes might assure me
| of thy reality and character. | wished first
to explore thy disposition, thy heart; in word,
to have thee to myself alone, before sharing
| my treasure with others II may be thought
| selfshness in me, ] confess, but thou wilt not
chide me ON that account as we now can so
much better contrive grand surprise"
II
during this speech of his mother; and when
she ceased in expectation that he should fix on
the day and hour Of the surprise, he was 80
reused from his stormy thoughts, though a
firm conclusion dawned from the chaos, that
he know not how to begin, how to fix on plan
most agreeable to his mother, who mistaking
the cause of his silence, gaily proceeded; 1T
happens so luckily, just now, that Adrian and
Edmund are both with me this has not been
the case for five years, and thought that you
three, if you think well Of it. might unitedly 70
to Rosenhof to bring Lucie home, and would
prepare her by letter. o how happy am, that
the mask will finally fall of, that shall have
nothing more to keep secret from my children,
that | may appear in their eyes frank and
honest,
Baler looked thoughtful 1t grieyed him to
dispel this illusion, but it must be done. be
had come irrevocably to the determination, and
began at first deliberately, then, carried away
by his prospects, became successfully louder
and more impressive at gives me pain, dear
mother, that !, who am but few hours known
to you, and can hardly appreciate your love
should feel 80 unable to communicate what
conceive of this measure and above all, tha
my wishes and plans do not coincide Will
yours This is owing to the education that
have received. and circumstances in which
have been brought up Listen patiently, deal
mother, interrupt me not by censure, till yor
know all Suffer me now, after you have un
locked to me your inmost to show you mine
also 1t appears perhaps less stormy than yours
but has ever been TO my advantage, bedef
cial equilibrium, a peaceful regulator of my
transactions and feelings and taught me not
to deviate from the path prescribed The cir.
cumstances relative to the main point OF your
proposition are not only calculated to divert
me altogether from my course but they place
me at the same time in circle, q connection
strange and unusual and in which shall not
be able to move to your satisfaction. know
that it is natural for you to wish your heart to
be satisfied your claims on me to be available;
and though am not capable of measuring the
depth Of your feelings yet know them, and
acknowledge them to be sacred and strictly
| agreeable to nature. But now your desires are
measurably realized, your longings in good
| degree satisfied, your conscience quoted, why
will you not acquiesce, why Cypress and pre-
scribe to my feelings and those of others why
! seek to rivet letters that will ever BECOME
| slackencd, why institute forced relationship,
in which all parties cannot act in freedom !"
Institute relationship asked Mrs Null
Ter with surprise. How can wish TO insti-
tute what in reality exists Will it not be
unnatural TO separate those who are appointed
| TO love each other 90
"And was not this Mr. Muller's desire ?"
asked Baler "Do you not reverence the will
of the deceased continued he by not bring
ing me into nearer contact with your children
Now at least, dear mother il is too late +; it,
| should have been done earlier, when we were
all yet tender and susceptible, not cooled and
hardened in public life when rs yet we were
not familiar with differences of rank and station.
1t should have been done then, or never
| hold place in the best society," 10 which be-
long once for all and TO which cannot in
vte my brothers and sister how excellent 80
ever they may be And they again move in
a sphere that is strange and foreign to me- We
| could therefore not be together at any tune,
without feeling awkward and burdened What
unites kindred 30 closely as similar education,
habits and interests, from childhood We have
never had anything in common; how were 1T
possible now, when we are independent TO be-
gin our life anew No, my dear mother, you
must be convinced that the right point Of time
| is past and that it is impossible to restore what
| is lost y
Mrs Muller became paler and paler, deep
sgh escaped from her breast and tears rolled
down her cheeks. Baler had spoken so coolly,
but ut the same time 10 convincingly yet often
syely, and with such delicacy and Ingenious
ness that she could not tax him with anything
mortifying, or any obstinacy yet she felt hurt
| in her nmost soul What could she say IN
reply to this Illustration Of her v'ews--what
could change his mind, since he was cold 70
| the enthusiasm Of mothers love After
monetary delay, she sadly asked
| 40 49,, .,;1t not see thy Kindred not know
them, even under ieigned name
Mrs Muller hoped that this innocent artIhce
might favor her wishes for, blinded by mater