Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-02-09

misrtlIauruus.
THE JEW. @
A Tale from the Russian.

myself at hotel in the Judenstrasse, FIRE
quented by select society, Mr.. Muller
master Of this establishment, did its honor
with thorough German gravity. Perfec
order, extreme and conscientious cleanli
ness. reigned throughout the house. On,
might pass through the servants room, an,
even through the kitchens, without meet
ing with anything by which the sight wa
in the least offended. The cellar was a
well arranged as bookcase, and the reg
ulalions of the house, as regarded both th
service and the hours os meals, were a
punctually observed as they could hav,
been in seminary. II a guest came ii
late, though it were but ten minutes, ht
was served apart, in an adjoining room, tha
the comfort of all might no; be sacrificed &
the convenience of one.
In the conversation at this table d'hoi
there prevailed tone of good society which
excluded neither ease mol pleasantary; bu
a caustic or indelicate expression woulC
have Jared on the ear Ike a false note in
well-executed concert. The countenanct
Of Mrs Muller. in which dignity was blend
ed with benveolence, vas the barometer BY
which the young men regulated themselvc.
when the influence Of Rhine wine or Stet
tin beer might lead them little too far
Then Mrs. Muller assumed an air of re-
serve; By few words she adroitly broke of
the conversation, and turned it into another
channel; and she glanced gravely at her
daughter, who, without affectation or pout.
ing, kept her eyes fixed on her plate until
the end of the meal.
Ellen Muller was the type ofthose beau
tiful German faces that the French call cold
because they know not how to read them
she was happy mixture Of the Saxon and
Hanoverian characters. A pure and open
brow, eyes of inexpressible softness, lips
habitually closed with maidenly reserve, a
transparent complexion, whose charming
bushes each moment protested against the
immobility of her bearing, auburn hair
whose rich and silken curls admirably har-
monised with The serenity Of her features,
graceful and flexible form just expanding
into womanhood such was Ellen Muller.
A councillor of the Court, Hofrath Baron
Won Moth. who had resigned his functions
in consequence Of an injustice that had been
done him, several students, whose parents
had recommended them to the vigilance OF
Mr.. Muller, and few merchants, compos-
ed the majority of the habitual guests
The party was frequently increased by
travellers, literary men, and artists. After
dinner, philosophy, politics. or literature,
were the usual topics of conversation, in
which Mr.. Muller. man of extensive ac-
quirements and great good sense, took part.
with choice Of expressions and an elevs-
ton of views that would have -astonished me
in man Of his station in any country but
Germany.
Sometimes Ellen would sit down to the
piano. and sing some of those simple and
beautiful melodies in which the tenderness.
the gravity, and the piety of the German
national character seem 10 mingle. Then
conversation ceased; every countenance ex-
pressed profound attention; and each listen
er, as if he were assisting at a religious ser
vice, translated the accents Of that univer-
sal language according TO his sympathies,
his associations, and the habitual direction
of his ideas.
i was not long in perceiving that Barren
ven Moth and young student named War
ter were particularly sensible to Eilen's
charms and merit. In the baron, a middle
aged man, there was a mixture of dignity
and esrgerness which betrayed an almost
constant stuggle between pride and the en-
ergy of strong passion. It's between the
ages ofshirty and forty that the passions
have most empire over US. At that period
Of life the character is completely formed /;
und as we well know what we desire, so DO
we strive to attain our end with all the en-
ergy of perfect organization.
Werter was little more than nineteen
years old. He was tall. fair, and melan-
choly. l am persuaded that love had re-
Vealed itself to the young student by the
intermediation of the music. l had more
than once watched him when Ellen sang
A sort of fever sgitated him; he isolated
himself in corner of the room, and there,
in mute ecstacy, the poor boy inhaled the
poison of love. m
The pretensions Of Ellen's two admirers
manifested themselves by attentions Of ve-
ry different kinds, and in which we're dis
played their different natures. The baron
brought Mrs Miller tickets for concerts and
theatres. Often at the dessert, be would
send for delicious Hungarian wine, in which
he drank the health of the ladies' slightly
inclining Lis head to Ellen, as if he would
have said bow 10 you alone. Werter
wolld stealthily place upon the piano new
ballad, or volume Of poetry; and when
the young girl took it up. his face flushed
and frightened as if the blood were about
to burst from it. Ellen smiled modestly
at the baron, or gracefully thanked the
student: but she seemed not to suspect that
which neither of them dared to tel her,
An attentive observer of all that passed,
did my utmost 10 read Ellen's heart, and
to decide as to the future chances of the
baron's or the students loves. She was
passionately fond of narratives of adventure,
and, thanks to The wandering life had led,
was able 10 crafty this taste. ] noticed
that traits of generosity and noble devotion
produced an extraordinary effect upon her.
Her eyes sparkled as though she would fain
have distinguished, through time and
space, the hero Of a noble action then tears
moistened her beautiful lashes, as reflection
4 l.. Al l's,. zc1.