The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-04-04

for his habitual phlegm to become dis.
turbtd but his wife could not restrain
smile at this dramatic compilation,
whose dcnoument remained in sus-
pense.
"Mr. Y" said she TO me, somewhat ma
llciously, edo you not feel the effect of ex.
amplei"
"Perhaps might have been unable
to resist" | replied, had not Mr.. NAL
thus declared himself before me-"
Ellen blushed, and the Jew pressed my
hand. Just then Werter re-entcred the
room, pale and downcast, like man who
comes to hear sentence passed upon linn.
There was profound silence which lasted
several minutes, or at least seemed to me
to be so. At last Mr.. Muller broke
| it.
"Gentlemen," he said, 81 am much
hattered by the honor you have done
me-"
lie paused, and seemed to be recalling
past events to the mind. During this
short silence Wertcr gazed at us in .urn
with An air Of astonishment, and doubt
not that he included me in the number
of his rivals.
IL have something to tell you," contin-
ued Mr.. Muller, "whIch will perhaps mod
'fy your present intentions. About ten
years ago | had to visit Berlin, where
my father had just died. The winding
up of his affairs proved complicated and
Troublesome, and was obliged to place
NY interests in the hands Of a lawyer
who had been recommended to me as ex-
tremely skilful. The business at last set.
tied, found myself entitled to about for
ty thousand florins, which proposed to
embark in trade. 1t was happily married
and Ellen was seven years old. Our lit
lie fortune had been greatly impaired 10y
" succession of losses, for which this uher-
itance would compensate.
ohe day went TO my lawyer to re-
ceive the money. lie had disappeared
taking it with him. despair took pos.
session Of me; dared not impart the ia
tai news to my wife, and confess it with
shame, ] determined on suicide. All that
day | ramhled about the country, and at
nightfalI approached the banks of the
Spree. Climbing upon the parapet of a
bridge, | gazed with gloomy delight into
the dark waters that rolled beucath. On
my knees upon the stone, | offered up a
short but tervent prayer to Him who
wounds and heals; CONNIE nded NV
wife and daughte t" his mercy, and pre-
c'Ptated myself from the bridge. | WAS
struggling instinctive!v against death,
when felt myself seized by vigorous
arm. a man swan near me, and drew
me towards the shore, which we both
reached.
at was SD dark that | could not dis
nngul,h the features of my preserver.-
But the tones OF his voice made an i'm
preston upon me which has not yet been
etfaced, and | have met but one man
whose voice has reminded me Of that of
the generous unknown. He compelled
me to go home with him, questioned me
aS to my motives for so desperate nm act
and to my extreme astonishment, handed
me portfolio containing forty thousand
horins on the express condition that I
should take no steps to find him ont.
entreated him to accept my marriage
ring, at the sight Of which promised 10
repay the loan a. soon as it should b.,
possible for me to do so. He took the
ring, and | left him, my heart Lrimfu of
gratitude.
III will not attempt TO describe to you
the JOY with which once more embraced
my wife and daughter. God alone can
repay my benefactor all the COOL he dill
us. | arranged my affairs,and we set ou,
for Vienna, where | formed this establish.
ment, Of which cannot consider mvse,f
as more than the Temporary possessor.-
You perceive, gentlemen, that Ellen has
no dowry to expect and that we may at
any moment he reduced to very preca-
rions position"
Ellen's face was hidden by her hands.
When Mr.. Muller CEASED speaking, We
still listened. Presently the Jew broke
silence.
~ have but little" he said, ITO add TO
your narration; the man who was so for
tunate as 10 render you service remain
ed a cripple Tor the rest Of his days
Wen he plunged into the Spree, he
struc against stone, and since then he
limrs, as you perce We"
We were all motionless with surprise