The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-06
TRANSLATED BY EBERT PIERCE.
CHAP. XIV.

TIE Breakfast-4 Visit to Professor Ling's.
When Mr.. GARDEN arrived, at the time APP
pointed, he was received by the family in the
eating -room, where an excellent breakfast was
served up. With light heart he saw that no
stranger was expected, and that all promised
speedy settlement of the desired object.
The entire breakfast itself had business
Ike appearaEce-cold meats, and kind Of
previously arranged hasty attendance, as if
despatch was requisite.
ave viii dispense with everything else"
said Madame Widen, smiling, " in the hope Of
having all the better dinner" as she politely
pressed her guest to let her help him again !;
"bGt / could tell YOU, too, that nay husband is
no friend to slow measures, when business is in
hand. and so | wish to show our valued guest
how readily Swedish wives seek TO meet their
husbands wishes; and am sure You will, On
that account, excuse a somewhat hurried break
FAST
. | find it excellent, assure you" returned
MIR. GARDEN, and his behaviour showed that he
only said what he thought. " But" added he,
as to the kindly characteristics of Swedish
wives, / esteem it my duty to assure you, also,
that thoroughly as L feel convinced of their
amiable qualities, the Danish ladies, in this re-
spect, are no ways behind them; and as | shall
soon be married man myself, | feel all the
more bound to defend my assertions"
At this unexpected novelty, the lady let an
eggshell fall upon her new cashmere dress;
and her husband said -
ave have the honor to congratulate you :"
and in the same breath tossed or n bumper of
port gine, SIS if life and death depended upon
swallowing it.
Mrs. Widen had sufficiently collected her
self to say, in her very sweetest tone
All, how very agreesbie-such an interest
ing piece of news. We may venture to hope
that We shall have the pleasure of seeing Mr..
GARDEN and his wife at our house on their next
visit to Sweden"
As mamma concluded, Rosa, taking up her
glass, with graceful, pleasing air, said, with
an expression of unaffected pleasure as she
slightly bowed
Health and happiness to Mr. Gardens bride"
| thank you, with all my heart" replied
the Danish merchant, putting his glass to his lips.
=" My bride has the happiness of very much
resembling Miss Widen and for that reason
l have felt so much at home, and so gratifed
in being allowed the pleasure of associating
with one so like very dear friend.'
al am very much obliged" said Rosa, with
smile. Z" hardly believed Mr.. GARDEN could
have chosen so young bride"
swell, though / am already middle-aged
myself, yet i confess that have a great liking
for youth, especially in bride. My Rika is
not much nnre than nineteen vaarc oil -
:" Is everything prepared?" inquired Mr..
Widen, impatiently, OF his head book keeper,
whose whole energies were engrossed III get
ting through his breakfast.
"All, patron
The book-keeper spoke and ate with. equal
rapidity, for he saw the moment OF cessation
rapidly approaching.
p" How soon may expect the gentlemen
back AGAIN." asked Madame Widen quite I'M
concernedly pushing back her chair.
" AT three O'clock as usual, my dear" re-
piled her husband, looking at his watch how
ever, If Mr.. Garden finds it quite convenient,
II is now time to begin"
The person addressed gave an approving
nod; but at the very moment when Mr. Widen
was on the point of getting up, he seemed to
reel and tumble. Several violent quiverings,
as If produced by sudden and severe inward
pain, distorted his features, and he seemed
II.
rending tone
"Oh, Widen my dear, for Heavens sake,
what is the matter with you? 2"
The whole party now sprang up from the
table at once; the two book keepers ran to
support their patron, who rather dragged
To the sofa than able to walk thither. Then
he sank down, exhausted, with severe spasms
and suppressed cries of agony.
Rosa ran for water, his wife brought drops,
and all was noise and confusion. The head
book keeper was sent for the Doctor, and Mr..
GARDEN endeayorel to comfort the ladies. But
with Mrs. Widen, all attempts at consolation
were fruitless; she ran to aud fro. wringing
her hands in despair, which appeared excess
lively natural and affecting.
symptoms OF violent sickness now showed
itself, and Madame Widen became more tran
quil.
Dame Bora, Dame Bern" she cried. with
all her energy, " come here, and help; where
IS Larson, and Stinna, and Louise? We must
get my poor husband TO bed before the Doctor
comes"
With the greatest difficulty Mr.. Widen was
conveyed 10 his apartment when he Just arrived ;
for Rosa and Mr.. GARDEN, who stayed outside,
heard quite plainly that the threatened symp-
toms had by no means proved deceptive, there
was terrible CHATTER of crying and screaming ;
and as The Merchant now sunk powerless and
faint back again upon the pillows, his wife
sobbed aloud, knelt down by the side of the
bed, and softly whispered in his ear
Ny dear Widen, you so pale, YOU really
frighten me. Look up; shall die with terror
However, he did not look up, but remained
lying upon the bed, pale and with closed eyes
and another messenger was despatched for the
Doctor.
AT length the Doctor arrived, and stood b,
the sick mans bed. He declared that Mr.
Widen had violent cold, and had probabl,
eaten something indigcstible the previous day
and after prescribing sndorilics and quiet, h
pronounced the attack to be of no consequence
that Mr.. Widen would, in q few DAYS, be quit
well again, if no fever ensued. Mr. CARRIER
and Rosa heard every word.
I" Thank God!' said the Young girl, 4" tn
Doctor gives good hope and if Mr.. Garbe
could only remain until tomorrow, perhaps h
might be so far restored as to be able to ente
upon the business so unfortunately postponed.
Il am very sorry that il is impossible for IN
TO remain any longer Indeed, / must depar
this very day; for, as nothing can be done her
now, immediate departure viii at least hav
the effect Of bringing me back all the sooner
and then, with Gods help, trust to see you
father perfectly recovered
As the invalid was inclined to sleep, tn
Doctor and Madame Widen now came out G
his room, and entered the drawing-room.
I" All how very sad, my dear Mr.. Garden,
sighed Mrs. Widen, shaking her head, wit
great signs of affection; how little do W
poor mortals know one minute what the mex
may bring. / had calculated upon such a
agreeable evening, but now it is out Of tn
question. We hope, however, to have tn
pleasure of seeing Mr.. Garden again yer