The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-15
TRANSLATED BY EBERT PIERCE.
CHAP. NJ.
Nelr Years Morning.

Ncc eur 4nOfHtHy.
The great town bell bad just chimed the hour
Of nine, when the long black ranks Of the gen
tlemen of the council slowly assembled the
broad steps leading to the house Of the Burgo
master B.; at the same time might be seen
several groups of wcll-dressed gentlemen, in
blue cloaks. elegantly trimmed with red or
green: they were members of the Honorable
Trading Company, and were on their way to
the Merchant Widen's small palace, and never
halted their course until it brought them
under the portly shadow of the tall and radiant
person Of the Merchant himself.
somewhat later, the streets were thronged
with young court notaries, strolling along in
pleasing variety, arm in arm with the young
sors Of Mars, and visiting such houses as might
offer any just claim to such a distinction-that
IS to say, where there was young and charm.
ing wife, or a pretty daughter to pay their
court to, or good stores of Rhenish and cham
payne; at other places they merely left cards.
No; until after service did the other individuals,
consisting of young men in the meagre garb OF
ali Incts, or clerks, &C., commence bowling
aad scraping in the ante-rooms of their supe-
r;ors.
In the dining hall, ct Mr.. Widen's, stood a
long, richly-covered table, where all who might
be so disposed were at liberty, upon New Year s
morning, to satisfy both their eyes and their ap-
petites. 1t was grand levee day, and the
house was free, even to all the junior servants
Of the trade, overseers, ct cetera. The Mer-
chant himself, in marvellous morning cos
tune Of wadded green silk sat in state in a
large mahogany chair, at the end of the table,
and remained there from nine in the morning
until one in the afternoon, at which period the
poor wearied man was at last at liberty to
seek consolation for his tolls in a refreshing
nap upon his own especial and cosy sofa.
During this long interval, the mistress of the
house was necessarily busting backwards and
forwards, from ante-room to dining hall. In the
former was served up wine and cake and in
the latter collected all the YOUTH brilliancy,
taste, and beauty, which the town could Offer
Rosa stood at the window, (her ears and
eyes were in the street, while some mysterious
instinct directed the answers which she occa.
sionally gave to two or three young gentlemen,
who inflicted upon her their commonplace
quesions-Such as, why they had not the
pleasure Of seeing her at the ball, &c.
1t could not have been Captain Ferdinand
after whom Rosa was looking, for he had been
there couple of hours before, and had assur-
ed her, with a thousand tender expressions,
that he was positively engaged for the entire
morning and, then, after all the noise and con-
fusion, should be SO tired that she must not
expect him before the afternoon.
Rut Mannerstedt bod NOT vet 10 IN
pearance, nor had he been seen there since the
second festival day. Rosa's heart had, during
tins week, suffered the pangs of martyrdom !;
sue had felt obliged to follow her mother from
one amusement to another-to sing, play, and
dance. in private societies and balls, while she
was IN state of intolerable anxiety-for Man
nerstedt had again fallen i'll, not dangerously,
II Is true, but sufficiently so to prevent his
leaving his room for several days. He had
ventured out too soon, after the violent fever,
and the result was relapse, which was per
hapa worse than the first, though he was able
to walk about his apartment.
Larson, who went over in the morning to in
cure after him, brought back the intelligence
that he had talked Of going out. 1t was there
fore hardly to be wondered at, that Rosa's
eyes were continually fixed upon the street
She was, however, often obliged to turn and ad-
ali that passed there. At the very moment
when the gay buzz of conversation had reach
ed It's height, and When, amid the noise and
loud talking and laughing, knock at the door
could scarcely be heard, Rosa's quick ear, how
ever, detected one. Almost at the same mo-
m"nt the door was opened, and Mannerstedt
entered.
lie was dressed in his new black suit which
was o. fashionable cut, and became him re-
markably well. Hat in hand, he gracefully
bowed to the company, and then approached
Rosa, and, in a few simple but wellselected
expressions, wished her as much happiness in
The coming year as-as-could ever be col
iected into the lot of one poor m ortal.
ne assembled guests were extremely aston
lShea, AS well at Mannerstedt's new vestments
as at his behaviour and bearing, which had a
certain striking resemblance to that which it
had oeen during the famous waltz on the be-
trothal evening.
Whispers passed buzzing through the apart
ment
th, oh; what does that mean, eh ?"
Inc graces curled their sweet lips in the
rre'uest possible manner, and the gentlemen
forgot that they had still at least ten or dozen
visits to make
However Mannerstedt did not remain seat
cd more than three minutes when he arose.
and, with another bow, left the room. His re-
spects had to be paid to Mr.. Widen, and he
had several other visits of duty to make. Du-
ring the few minutes Frank had been sitting
there he had placed his hat and gloves upon
table beside him, and had, in the distraction
OF his thoughts, forgotten the latter, when he
made his bow, to pay his visit in the dining
hall. Here be felt obliged, at the gracious in
Ntation from the great man, to take his place
al the table for short time. Whilst this was
passing, the company in the drawing room had
gradually departed, and Rosa was left alone.
Che was just on the point of going out herself,
when Mannerstedt re-entered for his gloves. In
Ihe greatest possible hurry, hat, veil, and hand
bic.
is Miss Widen thinking of going to church,"
asked Frank, as he approached the table where
i'oSa mad quite innocently covered his gloves
under all her own things
les' beheve-yes, very probably" answer
"a Rosa, extremely embarrassed at finding her
SELL Tor the first time since the little scene at
me table, alone with him whom she felt was
every day becoming more dangerous to her
peace of mind.
Pray excuse me if am OBTAINING you,"
s'ammered Frank, as confused as herself, II
merely returned for my gloves"
-, And now they both began to search most
urgently; at last, Rosa found the lost proper
" ana offered it to the owner with timid, 60
really beg your pardon"
Mannerstedt could not help taking the hand
as 2: well as what it held, and ventured, for the
nro' time, to allow his lips to burn upon its
sGcCwy surfaces; but rapidly controlling the storm
~ leenng with the power of his will, he resumed
ms calmness, released her hand, and, in low
but hrm voice said
captain Ling visited me in that first and
most painful moment of sorrow, and rather will