The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-01

AFTER whie, as her mother CHANGED to pass
the NOISY, merry group, she patted her daugh
ter kindly on the shoulder, and said, He is
really a good-natured, amiable being, our Cap
tain"
"How SOP" asked Rosa, innocently.
How? Why, do you know that he jumped up
at once from his seat at the gentlemen's table,
and left his glass, and guess for what? Why, to
rouse up the battalion surgeon, who is his friend
and to take him with him to Mannerstedt; he
whispered his intentions to me, as he was lesv
ing the room. Is it not kind in him?"
"Oh, dear mamma Z" exclaimed Rosa, agree
ably surprised at this unexpected trait, did
he really? oh, that was very generous and
friendly, and raises him very much in my eeti-
nation"
And an hour after, when Ferdinand returned,
his face flushed and heated with exertion, Rosa
had never found him so attractive and anna
BILE. 1t was the first time her feelings spoke
| for him.
"And how is Mr. Mannerstedt, good. gener-
Gus Ferdinand?" she sad with unaffected
openness, and pressing the hand he extended
! to her.
Tomorrow, the Doctor says, when the fever
leaves him. he will be we'll again; it is the loss
of his mother, to whom he was ardently attach
ed, that has so shocked him. He received the
sad news this evening, and is at present mac
cessible to anything but his sorrow. he will
surely be better by tomorrow.
As soon as Ferdinand had made his repast,
and conversed for few moments with Rosa,
he sat down near the Merchant with the pur-
pose of pleasing him in every possible way. OF
Mannerstedt, he thought nothing more he had
done what he could for him, and for the pres
ent there was NO more to be said.
At length, the guests were assembled around
the long, richly-covered tables. The children,
highly delighted with the presents, were more
boisterous than ever, and their merriment
strongly contrasted with Rosa's grief.
Before her, upon the table, was a perfect
mountain of presents; the most costly were evil
IDENTITY from the Professor, though the address
es were not in his handwriting. There was
also one large packet for Mr.. Frank Manner
stedt, which could not have been furnished by
any one in the Merchants house, for all his
presents had been laid aside until he could
come for them. 1t was superscribed in strange
handwriting and excited much curiosity among
them ALL
~ will take it into my own especial keeping"
said Madame Widen, and know the poor lad
will receive it with the greatest pleasure from
my hands"
| Nobody either wished or dared to contest
this decision of the old lady The party broke
up almost immediately and all seemed happy
and satisfied with the evenings enjoyment, as
they returned thanks to their hostess
Madame Widen replied, "Ah, my dear friends,
there is nothing to be thankful to me for; you
have only been obliged to amuse yourselves
that is ALL"
The merchant extended couple of fingers
and bowed graciously, and, at last, all the young
people were wrapped up, and the whole party,
some in sledges and some on foot, were on
their way hOmewards.
n
drew long breath, and threw herself upon a
chair, thank God, that one can breathe freely
again, at last Oh, what shocking bores these
family reunions are 1t is lucky we have not
many OF them during the year, for l never could
endure them. However, my dear Ferdinand, it
was something new for you, for you have never
passed Christmas eve here in the family cir
Gle, in this way, before"
"No, no, not exactly here" replied the Cap
tain, with smile, " but uncle Borgenskold and
his family used to come to the Professors every
Christmas eve in former days, and those were
regular testal evenings; but they are all passed
away now, never to return" he added with
slight sigh.
"Surely, surely" said Madame Widen, as if
she thought it necessary or proper to say some
thing, Il do remember having heard that the
Professor had broken off all acquaintance with
his brother; and, though it is difficult to form
Judgment In such matters, believe he acted
rightly; but you must make yourself SO much
the more to him, my dear Ferdinand l an con-
WINGED your uncle has great degree of affec-
ton for you. What do you think yourself-is
it not so ~
"Oh, yes-I really do believe he has, in some
degree" replied Ferdinand; but, alas! not to
any such a very great extentl However, his
tenderness is devoted to worthier object, and
one which love myself too much to be envious
Of He assured me, only few days ago, with
degree of emotion quite unusual in him, that
he had the highest possible esteem for Rosa
that she perfect jewel in his eyes and
that as long as he had bit of bread, she should
share it with him."
While Captain Ferdinand was talking thus,
Madame Widen's countenance gradually bright
ened, and the Merchant himself laid his pipe
upon the stove, and listened with eager interest
"Ah, the noble, high minded old SOUL" ex-
claimed Madame Widep perfectly charmed
show beautiful and how simply expressed
that he should love our little Rosa so much
Well, she deserves it, and that is the truth-for
she is genteness and goodness itself-so modest
and so sensible! Oh, often think how we'll
suited she would be to tend the old man in his
precious latter days-for, as to women, affection
and selfdenial are parts Of our nature-and you
may rest assured that you will get a capital
wife"
"Ah, my dear mother, have never for an
instant doubted it," replied Ferdinand; sand
have but one wish-which is, that this happiness
may quickly be my lot"
"Ah, you rogue" said the lady, smiling gra-
ciously, and tapping his cheek with her en-
broidered handkerchief; "but seriously" add. |
ed she, 81 see no actual objection to the fulfil
ment of your wish. What think you, dear Wi |
den-could we not fix the wedding for your
birthday, the Goth of February"
Oh, yes, to be sure" said the Merchant;
" there would be nothing impossible in that |
But, first of all, we must know where we are. A /
wedding is quite different affair from be- |
trothal-and therefore | should wish, in the first
place, to see written testimony of the Profes- |
sor's good feelings and intentions in either Fer
dinand's or Rosa's hands-not because II
doubt them in the least-but because nv duty
as father demands that should first see this |
matter clearly and properly arranged, so as to |
meet every possible contingency. AS soon as all |
this is settled, am quite ready to have the |
banns published at once, my dear Ferdinand
and you may add, that the sooner it comes to |
pass, the better l shall be pleased"
And, so saying, the Merchant gave his hand |
to the Captain who felt himself obliged to re- |
spect the hint; and kissing the tips of his future
mother-in-law's fingers, he desired his cordial |
remembrance to Rosa and hurried home, his |
heart full of new troubles, aroused by the peril
nacity of Mr.. Widen, and his head giddy and |
confused with reflections of every shape and
form.
These, however, all took new and gloomy
turn, as he observed on the table small packet, |
directed in Hilda's wellknown hand. Dark fire |
1l11( L