The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-25

And now, the pipe there-no, not that, the one
with the gold mountings-good and the to-
acco-bag-there, that will do-and the key of
the desk there! Now l am in order; and now
be as quick as you can with the coffee"
The housekeeper went out of one door, while
the Professor hobbled through another; and,
after casting searching glance around, to see
that no keys had been left in the locks, where
they had no business, and that all was safe, he
entered the room where Rosa was awaiting
him.
"Once more, kindly welcome, my dear child, y
said he, as he seated himself on the sofa, and
tried in vain to find resting place for his foot
which, in its stiff leather boot, was tormenting
him exceedingly. Rosa had observed at once
the distinguished politeness which he had shown
her by his change of dress, and she also no
ticed at the same time that his feet were giving
him much pain and uneasiness so, with kind
ly solicitude, she said
any good, kind uncle, you really must moi
stand on ceremony with me. Indeed, shall
not allow it )" and, without further explanation
or waiting for reply, she tripped lightly into
his study, and returned with the old slippers In
her hand. He allowed Rosa to liberate his fee
from their purgatory, and, with a hearty feeling
of relief, plunged them into the huge slippers
He also permitted her to put couple of cush
ions underneath them, and, when all was ar
ranged, he found himself so comfortable and
; kindly disposed, that he patted Rosa's cheek
and said, pleasantly
"And now, my girl, you have some little
business with me?"
"Only friendly entreaty from my parents
in which cordially unite, that Uncle Ling viii
make one of our family circle on Christmas
eve."
ooh dear, oh DEAR" replied the Professor
"you see, my child that can't be; the govt has
taken obstinate possession of my poor feet, since
l was last at your house. No, no more going
out of evenings for old Ling; he must stay a
home, if he wishes to maintain friendly rela
tons with his old enemy"
ooh, | am so very sorry" said Rosa, " anG
l am sure my parents and Ferdinand will be
much grieved."
"Bah !" said the Professor, and the old sar
castle smile curled his lips. "Bah that's al
nonsense. | would not give much for the grief
but would not willingly refuse a request from
you; and so try if you cannot ask something
else; | will not refuse that"
"Oh, uncle, pray promise no more than you
are willing to perform" said Rosa, smiling, fol
l will take you at your word. rely upon it."
ado so, my child, but quick, and no hesita
ton, for / hate such thngs-speak without
fear, if you have anything to ask for YOURSELF
that is, that you will arrange little business
for me-"
Business said the old man, and his eve
brows almost imperceptibly contracted. 81
am not fond of hearing that, and from young
girls lips; but all the same-let's hear my
child, what you have to say"
"Well then, uncle, the short of the matter i:
this Ferdinand has given me credit for weak
ness which is very common to our sex-I near
desire for presents and ornaments for my
toilet; and he has been so generous in his wish
to CRAFTY me, as he supposed, that he was com
PEELED to make great sacrifice, which has Civ
ell me much pain, both on account of his loss
and because he has not had more confidence in
me. His wishes and his means of gratifying
them were so little accorded with each other
that he had the generosity to pledge his beau
tful horse to the rich dyer, Bremen, and it is
still in his hands; have learned this from re
liable authority, and it is my earnest wish, with
sum of money which my mother has given
me for that purpose, to release the horse, and
restore it to him without his knowledge"
The Professor had listened attentively tC
Rosa. For some moments he sat in silence
} he then took her hand, and said, in a gentle
tone
"Your generosity and delicacy do you equal
honor; and | esteem my nephew-the block
head-most fortunate in securing wife who
is ten times too good for him. To pawn the
horse which presented to him as colt, and
to Bremen, the dyer, an old rascal, whom he
knows | cannot bear. No, no; he is really toe
thoughtless and idle, the boyl However, as ]
neglected to give him the money for the pres
ents, which ought to have done, it is but rea
sonable that should take the matter upon my
self now-and, after all, that will be the best
way"
eyes, but my dear uncle" urged Rosa, "that
was not just what wished, and now you de.
prive me of pleasure
"Indeed do not, if you consider the matter
rightly" said the Professor Z" / do not believe
your Intentions arose from vanity and if that
is not the case, you must admit that should
Ferdinand, In spite of all our precautions, be-
come aware of the business, the idea that YOU
have been obliged to pay for your own bridal
presents would be painful to his pride. No, no ;
just leave the business to me /; that is the best
PLAN"
Rosa's sound judgment and delicacy of feel
ing told her that the Professor was right. She
therefore gratefully pressed his hand, and re-
piled
"Well, then, will leave the settlement OF
the whole affair to my kind uncle; only prom.
Use not to reproach Ferdinand with it."
81 will promise that" said the old man 81
will not mention syllable of it to him. And
now let US drop the subject; but you must
promise to praise my old housekeeper's excel
| lent coffee"
Madame Brun now brought in an elegant
equipage, which she placed upon large old
fashioned table, with a proud and gratiied
smile, as she eagerly listened TO the praises
which were lavishly bestowed upon her coffee
The Professor was agreeable host, and
two hours passed away very pleasantly to Rosa.
! When she took her departure, she received a
cordial invitation to repeat her visit as as often
as she chose, with the assurance that she would
always be a welcome guest. The following
morning, before the Captain had left his bed,
his servant entered his room, and gave him
small, thin letter, sealed with a wafer. After a
hasty glance, he broke the seal, and found, to
his great establishment and no little delight, his
note to Bremen, formally receipted and can
celled
Where the deuce did you get this from"
he asked the servant.
From boy, sir, who brought the horse; it
IS now in the stable"
captain Ferdinand arose in fine spirits, and
ureSSeu nlnSet with great haste. Most fortu-
na1eiy, IL never entered his head that he had to
tnank any member OF merchant Widen's family
TOR this pleasure-as little did he think that he
was indebted to the Professor. No. II must. of
course, have been some of his comrades who
had dubbed together to relieve him ont of his
unpleasant position. However, after passino
the whole morning, visiting and inouirinS
among them, he came to the conclusion he nusi
have been mistaken, and that the aid came from
another quarter. He therefore went to Bremen
the dyer, and was enabled to ascertain that hi
uncle's old domestic had been the negotiator.
Ashamed, but also affected, for the Captain was