The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-20
ROSA AND HER SUITORS.
A TALE OF SWEDISH DOMESTIC LIFE.
BY EMILE +. CARLEN,
author S One Year of Wedlockn Tie Bride of Onbrg
&C. DE.
TRANSLATED BY EBERT PIERCE
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Rosa
TRANSLATED BY Ebert PIERCE.
G II A p. ".
Rosa.
RY EMIIIE IL NAnIrN

agreeable apartment, containing everything
which splendor and good taste, united, can eff,
feet, to conduce to the enchantment of the
whole. In a charming little alcove stood the
bed enshrouded with white muslin curtains
and at its side stood small table, strewn with
handsomely bound books, in the midst of which
was planted pretty glass lamp, which cast
faint cleaning light upon the delicate and beau
tiful form of Rosa. She was seated on tabouret
before the table. Her ball dress had been
laid aside, and her figure was merely covered
by light morning robe. She had thrown a
shawl about her shoulders, and her hair, free
from all restraint, fell in graceful negligence over
her snowy neck. She presented a picture ex-
ceedingy charming, as, with her head resting
upon her hand she bowed over the table, in the
apparent act of reading the book which lay open
before her; but her thoughtful eyes, which ever
and anon were elevated from the book to the
flame of the lamp, evinced that her mind was
fixed on objects far distant. At length, appar
emily weary, she closed the book, and allowed
her hand to drop upon her lap. Her mead fell
over upon one shoulder, and, thus lost in silent
and profound meditation whole hour slipped
away. AT last she started violently, as if she
had just awakened from bright dream of bliss
to cold, prosaic reality. Slowly arising, she
trimmed the expiring lamp, and, going to
writing table, took thence PORTFOLIO which she
regarded with deep emotion. She resumed her
seat, and, holding the portfolio in her outstretch
ed hand, seemed irresolute whether to open it
or not. "Why not?" murmured she, half aloud
Yes, once more will | look upon them and
then let the flames consume their bright colors,
even as the fresh, bright life will soon wither in
the heart OF her who painted them. With them
Will be rent the first, last, and only page, which
agitated my being with feelings so holy, so in
comparable, and so little akin to earth" She
opened the little portfolio, and drew forth three
pictures, which represented as many scenes of
times gone by, and which she had sketched from
memory. She unroled one of them, and held
it towards the lamp. The picture represented
a chamber, in which two figures were visible
the one in the centre leaning in an attitude of
naughty nonchalance upon Spanish cane,
while he regarded with degree of condescension
the other, who stood short distance from the
door.
The latter figure, with its black costume and
beautiful features and the proud and noble air
which is so expressive even in its humble posi-
ton, we recognise at once as our acquaintance
of the ballroom. There can be no mistake, SO
true and to the life has the likeness of Frank
Mannerstedt been given.
The first of the figures is not quite so distinct
ly evident, perhaps Rosa has carefully
placed the light so as to leave it dim-but from
what we do see of the outline, and the some
what lofty air, we imagine that we seem once
more to bid our friend, the merchant good
night. In the background of the room appears
half concealed by the heavy drawn down cur
tains, youthful form, in whose charming fea-
lures may be read the purest compassion; and
this is evidently the artist herself, the modest
Rosa.
"Ah," sighed she, thus-iust thus-did he
stand yonder at the door; and my father had
the heart to let him stand there, while, in tone
which ! never can forget, he inquired whether
he wished a tutor or music master for his
children. Oh, even now my cheeks burn with
shame as | remember in what patronizing
msnner my father received his offer, and how
each of these intellectual features spoke of deep
ly wounded feelings, while the dire scourge of
necessity extorted from him silent bow of as
sent" She allowed the painting to sink down
upon her lap, and put her little white hands
over her eyes. What the subjects of the other
two pictures were, we know not. Our heroine
again resumed her forward STOPPING position,
and thus shaded the treasures she so highly
valued. With clear conscience, however, we
may venture to draw some one or two conclu-
sions from Rosa's expressions.
"The little monkeys" said she, and an affec-
tomato smile played over her beautiful lips,
chow awkward they do look, with their vioins
against their little red chins-ah and the
emile took another expression, as sweet as it
was pensive--" thus did | see him. his
high, white forehead furrowed with Impotence.
as the little fddlers numerically tortured his
ears-how he slightly raised his foot to mark
the time, and stretched out his hand with the
bow, to show the notes. Poor, poor Manner
siedt,' she murmured, in g lover tone, "hard
and thankless is thy lot. Oh, my God, if |
might venture to do something for him; but
no, mo- dare not Either should hurt his
pride, CT he would cast glance into the deep
est recess of my heart, and read its workings
no, it is impossible"
"And of what hour does this, too, remind
me?" began Rosa again, as, after short
pause her hand unrolled the last picture. AS
she bent over it, her tears fell down upon it in
streams, imperceptibly to herself, staining the
drawing, which was rendered indistinct to her
view BY the emotion which overmastered her
soul. Rosa's lips uttered no word as to the oc-
cason of the deep feelings which were reflect
ed in her eyes. However, as we should like
very much TO gam some little acquaintance
Herewith, we will look about, and see if we
cannot, some way, discover a clue to the mys-
terry.
In the open drawer Of her writing table, on
the top of other things, is little book in green
morocco bindingl Perhaps, if we were to open
it, it might betray the secret. We will read
page or two of Rosa's diary.
{" September 80, 1926, p. M-Oh, what
day-oh, WHIST {. world of sorrow and blessed
ness the human heart can contain; but to Thee,
oh, Heavenly Father, belongs of right the first
warm gratitude of my soul. Thine all-seeing
eye looked down with love, and sent deliver
er to rescue my young life in that terrible and
critical moment; and next to the Almighty dis
poser of our destinies, the grateful feelings of
my heart are due 10 him.
"Let me once more recall, in slow detail,
every circumstance of that hour, so rich in suf-
fering and in Joy. This morning, early,
would have gone out to our little country villa,
to inspect all the improvements and plans
which our new gardener has to execute. had
so often made the trip alone, with my father
horse, that / never dreamed Of danger. De-
lighted, packed up all my little wants for the |
day, mounted into the chaise, and drove OF,
nodding gsiy to mamma, who was standing at
the window, and called out, as / ratified Off
Take care of yourself, Rosa-hold the reins
frmer.'
i" passed through couple of streets splen-
didly but at the corner of the third perceived
Mannerstedt, who, with some books under his
arm, was returning home from one of his lee !
lures. l know not how it was that could not
meet him thus unawareS, without beino sensi-