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


it. In the Baron, a middle aged man. ther,
was mixture of dignity and eagreness which
betrayed an almost constant struggle between
pride and the energy of strong passion. 1t is
between the ages of thirty and forty that the
passions have most empire over US. Atthat Pc
riod of life the character is completely formed +;
and as we well know what we desire, 80 do we
strive to attain our end with oil the energy of q
perfect organization.
Werter wasa little more than nineteen years
old. He was tall, fair and melancholy. am
persuaded that love had revealed itself to the
young student by the intermediation Of the mu-
sicial sense. had more than once watched him
when Ellen sang. sort of fever agitated him.
he isolated himself in corner Of the room, and
there, in mute scstscy, the poor boy inhaled the
poison of love.
The pretensions Of Ellens two admirers man
ifessted themselves by attentions of very differ
ent kinds, and in which were displayed their diff
ferent natures. The Baron brought Mrs. Null
Ter tickets for concerts and theatres. Often at
the dessert, he would send for delicious Hun
garian wine, in which he drank the health
of the ladies, slightly inclinins his head to
Ellen, as if he would say bow to you
alone Wsrter would stealthily place upon the
piano new ballad, or volume of poetry and
when the ysuns girl took it up, his face flushed
and frightened as if the blood were about to
burst from it. Ellen smiled modestly at the
baron, or gracefully thanked the student; but
she seemed not to suspect that which neither of
them dared to tell her.
An attentive observer Of all that passed, did
my utmost to read Ellens heart, and to decide
as to the future chances of the baron's or the
students loves. She was passionately fond Of
narratives Of adventure, and thanks to the wan
dering life had led, was able to crafty this
taste. noticed that traits of generosity, and
noble devotion produced an extraordinary effect
upon her. Her eyes sparkled as if she would
fain have distinguished, through time and space
the hero Of noble action; then tears moisten-
ed her ashes, as reflection recalled her to the re-
alities Of life. understood that neither the
baron nor Werter were the men to win her
heart; they were neither Of them equal to her.
Had been ten years younger, | think l should
have been vain enough 10 enter the lists. But
another person, whom none would at first have
taken for man capable of feeling and inspiring
a strong passion, was destsned to carry of the
prize.
One night, that we were assembled in the
drawing room, one of the habitual visitors to
the house presented US to Jew, who had just
aorived from Lemberg, and whom business was
th dotain seme months at Vienna. In few
words. Mr.. Muller made the stranger acquaiat-
cd with the rules and customs Of the house.
The Jew replied by monosyllables, as il he dis
dainsd to expsnd more words and intelligence
upsn details SO entirely immaterial. He bowed po-
litely to the ladies, glanced smiingly at the fur
niture Of the room, round which he twice walk
ed, as if in token Of taking possession, and then
installed himself in an armchair. This panto-
mime might have been translated thus -"Here
l am look at me once for all, and then heed me
no more" Mr.. Malthus-that was the Jew 3
nane-had decided limp in his gait he was a
man Of the middle height, and of decent bear
ing; his hair vas neglected; but a phrsnolo-
gist would read a world of things in the mag
nifcent development Of his forehead.
The conversation became general. Mr.. NAL
spoke little, but as soon as he opened his mouth
everybody was silent This apparent Difference
proceeded perhaps as much from desire to dis
cover his weak points as from politeness towards
the new conner.
Tho Jew had enc Of those penetrating and So
norous voices whose tones seem to reach the very
soul, and which impart to words infections not
less varied than the forms Of thought He
summed up the discourse logically and lucdly
but it was easy to see that, out Of consideration
for his interloctors, he abstained frou putting
forth his whole strength
The conversation was intentionally led to re-
ligious prejudices; at the first words spoken OF
this subject, the Jews csuntsnance assumed 9
sublime expression. He rose at once to the mosi
elevated considerations; it was easy to ses thai
his Imagination found itself in familiar sphere
He wound up with so pathetic and powerful q
peroration that Ellen, yielding to sympathetic
impulse, made an abrupt movement sowardl
him. Their two ssuls had met, and were des
tined mutually to complete each other.
1 said to myself, that Jew will be Ellens hus
band.
Then ! applied myself to observe mere atten
nively. When Mr. Nautilus was not strongl,
moved and animated, he was but an ordnar,
man, nevertheless, by the expression Of his eyes
which seemed to look within himself, one coul
discern that he was internally preoccupied witt
some Of those lofty thoughts identified with su
perior minds. Some celebrated authors wer
spoken Of he remained silent. Baron Won Not
eant over towards me and said, in low ysics
at seems that eur new acquaintance is not lii
srary."
II should be surprised at that" replied
"and what is more. would lay wager that
is musical" The baron drew back, with
movement of vexAtion, and, as if to test my ga
gacity, he asked Ellen to sing something. Tn
} amiable girl begged him to excuse her, but with
out putting forth any of those small pretsxt
which most young ladies would have invente
on the instant. Her mothers authority wa
needed to vanquish her instructive resistance
Her prelude testified to some unwonted agitation
| its first notes reused the Jew from his rsveris
, she soon recovered herself, and her visible eno
ton did but add fresh charm to the habitua
, expression Of her singing.