The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-13

that dreadful night, as well as his struggle when
he infringed upon the purchase money, and his
anxiety and repentance on that terrible morn
ing, when he found himself helpless and unhap-
py, an object of his own scorn, and knowing
that he had forfeited entirely the good opinion
of his uncle. All this received from Rosa's lips
a vivid coloring of truth, which in a great
measure detracted from its culpabilty. She
thus concluded
"My kindest, dearest uncle, if you have the
very least affection or regard for me, oh, be not
deaf to my entreaties, or to Ferdinand's sincere
repentancel Forgive him! l should never
more have an hour of peace, should you meet
him with reproaches."
She ceased, and, with such a moaning, i'm
ploring look, fervently pressed the old mans
withered hand to her lips, while she watered it
with tears, that tiger must have compassion
ated her.
The Professor sat perfectly silent.
"Have done, child, /" he said, at length, with.
anger and sorrow. "Seven hundred dollars
banco of the purchase money! and all the ad-
monitions which l gave him on the way, disre-
garded, and scattered like chaff before the
wind! Great God, the boy win not only ruin
me, but is destroying, by his follies, all the
peace of my latter days! Nevertheless, nv
child, must be harder and more stern than
am, to resist you. WILL for your sake, forgive
him, and hope for better future as regards
him. He has grown about my heart, and must
not go to prison, though he has well deserved
it for his levity."
With grateful emotion, Rosa threw her arms
| around the old mans neck; and then succeeded
one of those sacred, all absorbing moments of
the heart, of which life has so few.
The door opened and Ferdinand entered, his
features pale, and bearing marks of the intoler-
able torments of suspense. He had just come
home, and finding no note from Rosa to inform
him Of her exertions on his account with the
Professor, he concluded she was unsuccessful,
and he resolved to go to him, and submit to his
forgiveness or contempt the decision of his fu-
ture life.
There he stood, few steps from the door.
A single glance told him all that Rosa had eff
fected. He rushed forward, and, without a sim
gle word, bent his knee, and with an emotion,
profound and never felt before, pressed his
uncle's hands to his lips and to his beating
| heart.
"Now, now, stand up, mad-cap!" said the
| Professor, while he struggled to conceal his
own deep feelings, which very nearly overcame
him. "Stand up, and thank God that you had
sense enough left to apply to your old uncle
| through this ANGEL
"My good, my dear and beloved uncle"
stammered Ferdinand, "youf tenderness, your
causes me to feel my own unworthiness far, far
deeper, than your Just anger could have done ;
and promise, solemnly and faithfully swear,
never to gamble again as long as l live"
"Well, well, we shall see if you keep your
promise like a man of honor, my boy" said his
| uncle, in kind and fatherly tone; "and you
will then be as near and dear to my heart as at
this moment. But one thing must tell you
you have lost all hope of Rosa; the Merchant
has changed his mind, and broken off the en-
gagement, in a letter to me and, besides, Rosa
has managed 10 discover that neither your ar
dent affection nor her own were very specially
engaged in it. Is that not the case, child?
Have ! not spoken the TRUTH"
"All quite true, dear uncle. Ferdinand must
see that himself. We may be good friends
however. You will always regard me as a
friend, will you not Ferdinand
"Oh, Rosa" rejoined the Captain, much
ashamed, I" can you forgive me? If you can,
and, after all that has passed, will make me
happy with your friendship, you are an angel
of goodness and l should be utterly unworthy
of all the happiness of this hour, if attempted
to feign feeling which has long since been
devoted to another"
"What! what" cried the Professor. "That
is what call going a little too far in your con-
fessions; just be content with platonic friend
ship, and think about restoring your rings.
Now, now, no ceremony-just lay them down
on my writing-desk there. / will keep Ferdi-
nand's, as pledge of his new engagements to
honesty and steadfastness of character. AS to
thinking of another bride for some time to
come, he is not worth it and I'll take care that
Rosas shall be returned to her father
Silently, and with deeper emotion than they
had felt on putting them on, they now Invested
their fingers of these tokens, and then joined
hands-free, unfettered hands-in a warm and
more heartfelt pressure than they had ever done
in days by-gone.
"It is getting late now, my children" said
the Professor. "Recollect am old, and can
not follow all the flights of your feelings any
longer. Good night my children. God bless
you both. You can accompany Rosa home,
Ferdinand; and you, Rosa look in now and
then upon your old uncle-you will ever be
welcome, my love-"
During this farewell speech, Rosa had put
on her cloak and furs. She was so accustomed
to the old mans peculiarites, that she never
took them ill.
Farewell now, dear uncle. May God bless
you for all your kindness. l will soon come
again"
The old man kissed her forehead as usual,
and gave Ferdinand hearty and cordial shake
of the hand, with an invitation to breakfast in
the morning.
Madame Brun, who had been summoned by
the bell, conducted the young people through
the little hall and when they were in the street,
the Captain offered Rosa his arm as heartily as
if they had that evening entered into an en-
gagement, instead of dissolution of partner
ship.
"Ah," said Ferdinand, as they passed by
Mrs. Borgenskold's window, which was still
dimly lighted by solitary candle, "ah, Rosa,
one more wish fulfilled, and l should be the
happiest man on earth"
"We must not desire too much at once"
said she; "be satisfied, for the present, with
what you have gained, and leave something for
the future"
They stopped at Rosa's door, and, with
slight shake of the hand, wished each other
"good night" and parted.
MOVEMENT OF GERMANS FROM TEXAS TO
MEXICO.
Private letters from Texas, upon which the
utmost reliance may be placed, inform us that
numbers OF the German settlers in the north
uasfern mart of fhot Stota oro