The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-27
CHAP. V.
Frank Mannerstedt.

Frank, whose place during supper had been
assigned by Mrs. Widen at the corner of a
side-table, slipped out into the passage unob-
served, as soon as the guests had returned to
the parlors; and, seeking out his wel.worn
gray cloak, he cast it about him, and crushing
his cap down over his brown curls so as almost
to cover his eyes, for the night wind was sharp,
and Mannerstedt's sight had suffered from in
cessant night work, he cast one more halfsto-
len glance back towards the parlors, and then
rapidly descended the steps into the street
The severe cold of a December night somewhat
cooled his fevered cheek, his stormy heart
grew calm, and the impetuous excitement of
his feelings was anayed. He slackened his
pace, and walked slowly along the narrow
streets. At length he stopped before house
of tolerably respectable appearance. Entering
the door, he commenced ascending the flights
of stairs, finally climbing long, crooked
stairway leading to the garnet. After cropping
about while in the dark, he found the door,
put his key in the latch, and, after one or two
fruitless endeavors, succeeded in opening it.
Mannerstedt now stood in little, dark, cold
chamber. The few objects it contained were
hardly visible by the light of the moon, which
struggled through the small window. He laid
aside his cap and cloak, and approached an
old rickety table, which was placed near his
bed here he found a tinder-box and matches
and, having struck light, he lit a thin candle
and placed it in very defective tin candle
stick.
The aspect of Franks solitary apartment
was gloomy in the extreme. 1t was low, with
an arched roof, like cabin, and not much
larger; the furniture, aside from the bed con-
sisted of one writing-table; one small book
case, which was crowded inside and out with
books, paintings, and pieces of music large
travelling chest, and three chairs. OIL could
these dark gray walls speak, they might tell
many a strange story-of how noble but poor
youth had often nearly stupefed himself in its
narrow limits, by close and unbroken applica-
ton for whole days and nights together, taking
his food only when absolutely necessary to sus-
tain life and yet always submissive to his des-
tiny and grateful to his God when he could, after
paying all his weekly expenses, place aside a
poor solitary coin, the fruit of bitter struggle
and sore sef.denial, to aid the necessities of his
mother, and to form a little fund, upon which
he rested the hope of being able to continue
his academica studies. Mannerstedt's will was
strong in all that was right and good; his heart
pure his faith strong, and his fortitude in the
endurance of every privation strengthened by
q ubi had 10 loip
character was inwardly as well as outwardly
pattern of the most perfect harmony-calm,
strong, and full of selfcontrol
And might not these old walls, too, have told
of other hours, when Frank would sit before
his scanty fire in the long, still hours of twi-
light, and, with his hand before his eyes, con-
jure up bright, cheerful, glorious pictures, to
gladden. his mental vision? At such hours he
was, in idea, already the rector of the school at
B, inhabiting the large, handsome, and
spacious school house, with lovely wife, whose
features bore strong resemblance to Rosa
Widen's. But the splendid dreams were often
abruptly broken by the maid belonging to the
occupants of the second floor, who came in to
make his little bed, and who always simply
asked him why he sat there alone, dreaming so
much and then Mannerstedt would rouse him
self, and Jump up, with blushing cheeks, and
look as if he had been caught in some very
wicked act. Nevertheless, the next twilight
hour found him in the same state.
Let US, however, return to the present mo-
ment He had lighted his candle, set it straight
in the candlestick, and now approached the
table at the window, where lay his writing ma
terials and books. 81 must not indulge nv
fancy, and l cannot Sleep" said he, as he took
off his black coat, and laid it across the arm of
a chair, and drew on a very ancient-looking
garment, of voluminous dimensions, that served
him for morning, reading, and dressing gown,
and had been treasured as an heirloom from
his late father. ~ will not muse" said he, as
he wrapped the trusty old brown servant about
him. at is of no use, and my dreams, like all
dreams, would be but ignus .tatuus, to lead me
astray; true, true, it burns and glows warm
enough here, about my heart; but will not,
dare not, be weak. A continual struggle,
constant self-denial, has been ny lot for many
year; but repining is of no use. l will be
strong; never-no, never-shall my feelings be-
tray themselves. But what if they should have
done so already? but no !; and if they have, she
has not observed it, for they would be unworthy
of her attention. How could she, who stands
too high to even think of such audacity on nv
part, have been able to cast glance into nv
heart? No; and it is well it is so, for could
not bear even her compassion, in this point, at