The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-11

tons; at least, not the visit to the Professor.
will pay that with pleasure, and make myself
as agreeable as possible. But to ask him to
leave his old fsvorite room, which, as Ferdi-
nand informs me, he has already occupied for
more than twenty years-that, do not think
would exactly do; at least, not at the FIRST
visit," she added, as she observed her mothers
brow grow dark. This little bit of excusable
craft had the best possible effect on her lady
mothers humor.
You are really good, amiable child" said
she, somewhat relieved !" brave, sensible girl,
| who is always mindful Of and grateful for, the
care and anxiety of her fond mother; 80 leave
the whole affair in your hands with confidence,
and am sure you will do all you can to forward
matters as we wish. When will you 90 and see
the Professor, my child?"
"a few days before Christmas eve," replied
Rosa. We must not be over hasty''
"Wei, well, as you please so be it. Have
you thought about a Christmas present for the
old gentleman YETI"
"Oh, yes, dear mamma" replied Rosa, gaily,
rejoiced to be quit of the painful subject; ~
am working pair of slippers for the good Pro-
! fessor."
"SEppers, my dear child" said her mother,
with pleasant laugh, you had better give
them to your future husband slipper tactics
are not to be entirely despised, can tell you.
I'll give you a few lessons on that subject
soon.''
"Oh no, no, dear mamma" said Rosa, laugh
ing; 81 hope to be able to do without them"
"Aha, do not be too sure of that at least,
do not rely upon it" added her mother, who
had now got into most brilliant humor, "but
what may ask, have you for your future hus.
band?"
| at is not exactly anything for himself" re-
joined Rosa, but something, at any rate, that
he has often wished to have-a net for his pretty
horse; and really believe that it will turn out
quite splendid; the little girls are helping me
with it several hours daily"
"Not so bad" observed her mother, with a
peculiar smile. "Apropos, do you know what
| am sure"
"No, indeed willingly give it up"
"Now, my little Rosa, as you have thought
of the net, l was obliged to think of the horse.
l learned this morning, in confidence, during
one of my visits, that the poor Captain had
pledged his horse to the rich old dyer, Bremen,
for-what do you think, my child? In order
to raise money to make you betrothal present
That sort of thing will never do; and so in
tend to release the horse, and send it back to
him Christmas eve; before he comes here, of
course; for there are Christmas presents that
people can't lay up in lavender"
"Good heavens! poor Ferdinand, how sorry
l am for him." sighed Rosa, "that he should
have placed himself in such embarrassments
| by his hcedlessness. Oh, had he only treated
me with confidence, had he only let me know
his true condition, should have valued his
candor much more than all his presents; for
now cannot even look at them without pain
Oh, my good mamma, l am really very sorry
that Ferdinand did not give me credit enough
to treat me with his confidence"
All, my dear Rosa" replied her shrewd
mother, "you are really absurd now; how can
you even think of such thing? Do You sup
pose that he could have come, upon his betrothal
day, to his bride, like schoolboy, and con-
tessed that he was poor, too poor even to make
her the usual presents? No, my love, we real.
ly could not expect that. 1t would be a good
thing, indeed, if we women could always COM
mand an account of things when we have the
right to claim it; but, beforehand, it is utterly
out of the question"
Rosa found that her mother, in this respect,
understood her just as little as Ferdinand had
fs DONG and therefore r1"Sed. in '-~',i"sory
at is very possible, dearest mamma, that this
might be too much to desire, though many dis
agreeable things might be avoided thereby.
But how will you be able to manage this bust
ness? 1t is indeed not very easy to find a suit
able method. Could not papa arrange it all
best?"
"By no MEANS" said her mother; 4" he must
not know syllable about it, as it would never
answer for us to appear to NEEDLE in the poor
Captains affairs and yet it would be sin and
shame, if /, his future mother.in-law, know
ing his embarrassing position, were not to help
him besides, / have some pocket money, which
i cannot employ better than in saving his hon.
or and his horse at the same time; our mod
est little music master shall manage all that for
me. / begged him to come to me this evening
As soon as l have given him his instructions,
he shall 60 to old Bremen, and hear from
him what sum he has lent Ferdinand upon the
horse, and beg him to be silent about the whole
affair.""
Rosa, at these words, changed color, and va
rious feelings contended in her heart for the
mastery. True, she felt assured it would be
impossible to find man more fitting to man.
| age this affair but then it was very unpleasant
to ask such favor from Mannerstedt, and one,
too, which would necessarily show him the Cap
tain's affairs in point of view the explana-
ton of which would be both distressing to Rosa
and insulting to the Captain, should he ever be-
come aware who had negotiated the business.
any dear mamma" answered Rosa, in a
tone of persuasion, IL fear-yes, l really do
fear-that this cannot be so easily done. In
my opinion, Mannerstedt will not be at all q
proper person-indeed -
"But in mine, my love-" interrupted her
mother, decidedly, abe is exactly the person
he is such civil and obliging young man, this
Mannerstedt, one of my greatest favorites and
l should like to know, too, why he is unfit for
It."
"AssuredIy, he is quite fit for it, my dear
mamma--no question about that-and 1 have
no doubt would act with discretion but / think
we ought not to mix up any stranger in the
matter. If mamma will allow me till tomorrow
to think of some other way-only promise me
not to speak word about it to Mr.. Manner
stedt this evening""
81 really do not know, my dear cir" replied
her mother, half yielding. ~ do not know
whether you are right in this" And in reality
it did little vex the old lady, that Rosa should
oppose her in point where she expected her
to break out into both admiration and eulogy
upon her mothers magnanimity. ~ do not
myself see any want of delicacy in my plan
and Mannerstedt will manage the matter so
cleverly."
"My dear, good mamma" begged Rosa, ca
ressingly, and pressing her mothers hand to
her lips, "plesse, please do let the matter rest,
as have entreated you. If l cannot devise
any plan by tomorrow morning, which appears
to us more reconcilable with the delicacy which
! Ferdinand has q right to expect from us, then
, we will take Mannerstedt into council but not
, this evening, for we must think it over first"
| As Rosa entreated so humbly, her mother
felt excessively touched, and only inquired
"Well, then, my dear child, what will you
have me say to Mannerstedt when he comes,
since yopr little selfwill has overthrow my
capital plan9"
"Ah, my dear mother" returned Rosa, happy
l and relieved, ait will be no very difficult mat