Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-18
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THURSDAY,

Inc Daroh pit hlo lips VstSer Was paio WIN
surprise. The warmest applause followed the
conclusion of this beautiful duet.
Nautilus had risen from his chair, and seemed
entirely under the spell Of harmony. He gave
some advice 10 Ellen. who listened to him with
avidity; he even made her repeat passage,
which she afterwards sang with admirable ex-
pressioa. He took her hand, almost with en-
thusiasm, and exclaimed, "I thank you!"
"Very odd indeed,2 said the baron. Poor
Werter said nothing, but went and sat himself
down, very pensive, at the further end of the
drawing room.
Mrs. Muller was radient at her danghter's g
success. As to Ellen, sho merely said, in low
voice:
If l had instruction, I should perhaps be
able to make something Of music"
"With your mothers permission (" rejoined
Malthus, ~ shall have pleasnrs,in ssinssao-
companying you"
Mrs. Muller cast a scrutinizing glance at the
Jew, whose countenance, which had resumed
its habitual calmness, showed nothing that could
excite her, suspicious. She judged that such a
man was not at all dangerous, and accepted his
offer. Malthns bowed with cold dgnity-doubt-
loss approaching the motive Of thiseon6dence-
and Ellen struck Il few notes, to divert attention
from her embarrassment.
The baron, who sought q vent for his i'll humor,
said to the young girl, pointing to the Jews
stick
eff anything should halt in the accompani-
ment, there is what will restore the measure"
Ellen rose, cast look at the baron, which
meant, "One meets psoplelike you everywhere" +"
and left the room. Malthus took up a newspa-
per, and read until we separated for the night.
The Jew led the regular life of a man who
knows the value of time He worked until
noon, paid or received few visits, went upon
Change about two o'clock. then shut himself up
in his apartment and was visible to nobody, and
at precisely four o'clocd entered Mr.. Muller's
room, where Ellen awaited him at the piano.
1t was easy to SEQ that he daily assumed q
greater ascendency over the mind Of his pu-
pill whose progress was rapid.
When Multhus smiled, Ellen charming coun-
tenance assumed an indiseribable expression Of
satisfaction, but as soon as he relapsed into his
habitual thoughtful mood, the poor girls soul
appeared suspendended in systematic medium;
sho saw nothing, answered nobody in word,
she instinctively assimilated herself to the mys-
terious being whose influence governed her.
When Malthus leaned ON his cane in walking,
Ellen seemed to say, "My arm would support
him so well!"
The Jew, however, did not limp disagrseably;
his left leg was we'll formed, and his sympathet-
ical figure showed this disturbance in its tarmo-
ny to have been the result Of an accident. He
had the appearance of having long become re-
concild to his in6rmi,y, like soldier who con-
siders his wounds glorious evidence of his de-
votion to his country.
had more than once felt tempted to ask
Malthus the history Of his lameness but he
eluded with so much care every approach to the
subject, that I deemed myself obliged to respect
bis secret.
Two months passed thus, and l had opportu-
nifty of appreciating oil the rightmindedness,
generosity and enlightment that dwelt in the ac-
cessible part of that extraordinary soul. In
presence of this dangerous rival, who triumph
ed without y struggle, the baron became almost
tender His self-love cruelty suffered to see
preferred to him lame merchant, with a fine
voice. He sometimes attempted 10 quiz him ;
but Malthus COMPOUNDED him 50 completely by
the aptness Of the retorts, that the laughers
were never on the side Of the baron.
One night that the family party were assem-
bled, Werter approached Mr.. Muller with a
suppliant air, and delivered to him letter from
his father. The poor young mans agitation
made me suspect that the letter contained
proponsal. Mr.. Muller read it with attention
and handed it to his wife, who rapidly glanced
over it and cast a scrutinizing glance at he'
daughter, to make sure whether or no she wal
ferewarned of this step. A mothers pride ii
always Aattered under such circumstances, ant
the first impulse is generally favorable to th'
man who has singled out the object Of her dear
est affections; but the second thought is one o
prudence; a separation, the many risks OF the
future, soon check the instructive satisfaction
Of the maternal heart, and Thousand motives
concur to arrest the desired consent
at were well," she said, FIRST to knew
what Ellen thinks"
The words were like ray Of light to th,
poor girl whose countenance expressed the ut
most surprise. +.
Besides, he is very young" added Mrs
Muller, loud enough for the baron to hear.
Werter's position was painful; he stammer
cd few words, became embarrassed, and OBJ
ruptly left the room.
"A mere child" queth tbs baron, "wh
should be sent back to his books"
NoAeh"o WAO uuu ouooIFcu OIL tu6t nhu pAbs
ed, rested his two hands on his stick, like
man disposed to argue the point, and warml
defended the student.
1t cannot be denied" he said, in conclu
sion, that the young mans choice pleads il
his favor; and his embarrassment, which, a
that age, is not unbecoming, proves, in m
opinion, that, whilst aspiring to SO great har
pness, he has sufficient modesty to admit him
self unworthy Of it."
"If declaration were sufficient proof q
merit" interrupted the councillor, ~ kno,
one man who would not hesitate -
"And who is that," inquired Mrs. Mule,
with i'll concealed curiosity.
myself, madam" replied the councillor
+" Baron Won Moth "