The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-01
ROSA AND HER SUIT0RS.

SOTTOU - Joy.
On the day before Christmas, Frank Man
nerstedt. who had Just finished his frugal meal,
was standing before his wrting-tabe, carefully
rolling UP some vocal pieces, of which the
words and music were both his own. One
dav. when alone with Rosa, he had played to
her on his guitar, and accompanied it with his
rich tenor voice; the full tones streaming from
his soul had infinitely pleased her, and she re-
quested him to give her the music.
81 have it not" Mannerstedt had replied !;
g. il is only here and he laid his hand on his
heart.
THAT is a pity" said Rosa, " for should
Ike TO learn it very much"
IF we're only happy enough, dear Miss
Widen, to'-but Manncrstedt proceeded no
further: the conclusion of his speech was in
terrupted by the entrance Of some one yet he
had frequently recalled to his mind Rosa's wish,
aad had now written both music and words, in
order to offer them to Rosa on Christmas eve.
lie would venture it, for every word was so
pure, 50 holy, that not a trace of that language
which the wish might have spoken, breathed
on it, to suly its brightness. It's entire express
sion was that of that sadness which delights
wiho1; inhcting single pang. Mannerstedt
had folded mp his little packet, and was upon
the point of placing it in his pocket, when some
one knocked at the door.
Come in" cried he, cheerfully, for his soul
felt light; and bright visions alone were in his
heart, lie felt happy in having, for so long a
period, daily attained the summit of his wishes.
in seeing and speaking to Rosa to have de-
sired more would have been madness, and
Naaners:edt was person Of good sound sense
and principle, and he felt assured these bright.
kindly days would ever be remembered with
pleasure.
Come in," said Mannerstedt and immedi-
a,ely the wellknown little rough figure of the
postboy appeared in the doorway; he entered,
and gave Mannerstedt letter. Frank started
the strong young man shook like an aspen the
boy departed-he had sufficient instinct to be
aware that it was of no use to wait for fee
here
Mannerstedt seated himself upon his bed,
with the letter in his hand his glance was
dimmed-he scarcely saw the address-but the
rost-mark Of his native town, the black seal
and edges, those messengers of evil omen, he
recognised, alas ! too surely. Sorrow and agi-
tating sensations nearly deprived him Of the
power to breathe.
At length, summoning up the whole energy
OF his soul, he broke the seal The envelope
contained two letterS-one was in his mothers
writing. For second, Franks eye frightened
With an expression of happiness he unfolded
the letter, and, through the mist of gathering
tears he read
Z" w ora Frank, my ten9erly belored son:
Forgive thine old mother, that she would
:alnhaye spared thee as long as possible, the in
ieiIlgcnce Of her ever-faiing health. Ny child,
myCwn, good, dear son, who has been, through
my whole life, my pride, my hope, my Joy in
every trial, my comfort in every trouble. re-
cove my last, abundant blessing, which here
iace with feeble, trembling hand-my blessing
.|r all thine ineXpressible and fervent affection
Emch thou hast so devoted to thy old mother,
II all the JOY which thou hast caused her, by
ever walking in the paths Of virtue-never hav-
ING deSpSed her counsel, and for having con-
ualaIy sought TO sweeten her existence All
ms when | think thereon, makes my departure
hence lar from bitter, and fills my dying heart
win all peace and blessedness
20, to be reunited in heaven to nv long
and dearly regretted husband, to dwell with
E-4; and our prayers shall continually be for
lie prosperity and happiness of our darling,
t-@' IL may be blessed with strength and forti-
'--v 70 hear IN future, as he has hitherto done,
ue e'eT-cEanging days of brightness and
'O'u. .nb that he may never, never forget that
tAeie $ one aim, one bright and glorious aim,
lJf Which II is glorious to strive.
Va, my Frank if the prayer of loving
m0iler IS heard-and at this instant the kindly
angel OF faith and hope stands beside my
CouCh' and whispers that it is-then, them even
0" ta' side OF the grave, will ray of brillian-
9 Penetrate the misty veil which has over
snaGoWed the spring of youth, and the blossoms
oi my manly age will spring forth fresh and
vigorous IN the fruitful soil.
ct my beloved son, it is not always in the
imminent OF our temporal wishes that our hap
IAeS' IS assured. Full often must we learn
combat them, perchance to our great ulti-
p'oul Tor, without frequent struggles with
NJ We can never attain perfection.
~ Nn lave thought over that portion of thy
Nil >. "ilch Inc young and interrupted heart
va experience the first dawn of that passion
~1ica fall as often degenerates as ennobles II
"u ! must have deceived myself, if this has
'An ieel CAIN and easy about you. In such
SUI as thlne there is no room for aught but
ne tAhoohng feelings; and if those can only
maintained at the cost of honor and duty
- io@ce o; mind, because they awakened in
IFltless struggle after an aim too far
@L' 10 be attainable, then do | know full
' uh thou wouldst call up the entire ener-
s'S VI Thy soul and fly from the temptation,
- mus It would by degrees be more easy to
sHe; but rely not too blindly upon thine
- strength. There are moments when even
- tongest man may become a mere play
~ s 10 the hands of the all powerful feelings
,e,5 and, therefore, rather fly from all
r,n- nave written this, my dear son, with
d,Ir exemptions, and am growing weaker
wooi5 u could but see you once again, 1t
xor,5- sSoien my heart, and | know thou
ras VS.. !! to my sick bed, didst thou but know
s1prr. s-l 'ii but, my own Frank, l must
lera hls wlsh-lor what would await you
vor e., would distress you too much, and unfit
small, sSlr many duties. Thy means are too
Iss-. No-no, not here, thou idol of my
a ar NAY we meet again-but tbere~tbere
she, oolne few years here signify but little,
"7rlliy hereafter.
| 6elora5 now tarewell-farewell-m own
lyboI5 son my eyes are dim, and can scarce
| vii Or! pen. Our friend, Counsellor Liver,
5e dom himself with all that is needful to
nv pro,o Gnu VIII kindly sell the remnant of
bsssipF ~; :! ana convey it to you; with Gods
t1ue o. :. VIII suffice to enable thee to con-
gun; sna ~ mat course which thou hast be-
leen. cs Ii now, my dear boy, as thou hast ever
IS beco,,... eaSon to thy aid, and bear this blow
the il nes. a sincere disciple of our Lord. Ny
vii 81, PASSED, and l long to be at rest-all
earthly sv; "e overland soon, my Joy in this
before H. ss'ehce, shall we be united forever
Ia Ne lace of our Father in Heaven. MAY