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

Il
LII get my hooks, and seek to muse on them
He seated himself and began to turn over
the leaves of various books, but it would not
do.
Well, well, | still have my last friend in
need" said he; and again rising, he pushed
back the objects in which he had vainly tried
to forget his troubles.
My only friend, in good and evil fortune"
said he, taking down his violin, and extinguish.
ing the light as something superfluous No
sooner had his bow touched the strings. than
his whole being, as it were, harmonized with
the beautiful and powerful tones which he drew
from the instrument. Few were equal. or
bound SO completely, heart and soul, in the di.
vine art, as Frank Mannerstedt. In how many
a bitter hour had it led him to calm, to light,
and peace; and now, too, during one of his
most painful moments, it failed not to soothe
his spirit and his heart with its kindly influence
But while the soft melody is filing the room,
we Will cast casual glance at Franks earlier
life.
His father had been an official in l.,
and was tolerably wealthy. Frank was the
only son, and now the only child, for his sisters
were all dead. He had, as long as he could
remember, been brought up to become man
of learning and letters. In the studies which
had been selected for him, he had already. as
a boy, manifested great talents, and an ardent
desire for knowledge, which astonished his
teachers, and gained for him their appreciation
and esteem. He was always the most obliging
and good-natured youth in the whole school.
His comrades loved him, not only because he
was cheerful playmate, but because he was a
sort of living lexicon, to which great portion
of them were in the habit of constantly refer.
ring, in order to gain assistance in their differ
nytt u,
gress, but steadily pressed forward in his course.
When he had done with school, he went to the
academy, and, after an abode of three years
there, he departed for his home, to spend the
Christmas holydays.
In the spring he was to enter the university.
He was then seventeen, and the youth fully
answered to the promise of the boy. He was
received by his beloved parents with open
arms, for he was their only hope. With deep
and heartfelt JOY bis father read the testimoni.
ais he had brought home from the academy;
it was so satisfactory and tranquilizng to the
fathers heart, to see how the seed began to
ripen, and give promise of an abundant har-
vest.
His mother, whose son was her idol, could
not sufficiently gladden. her eyes in gazing at
the handsome, lively, and llbehaved lad;
and when others praised him. her heart beat
high with pride and pleasure. He played his
violin so cleverly, and sang so astonishingly,
that he was honored with numerous invitations,
and in every circle which he visited he was uni
versally beloved and admired.
The holydays passed in oil manner of amuse-
ments, like one long day of happiness, andkthe
remaining winter months also glided ovef an
even tenor of quiet enjoyment The ice soon
broke up, and the passenger-boats were soon
ready for sailing. On one of the largest, our
hero took his passage for Malmo, whence he
was to proceed to Lund. For long time pre-
vious to his departure, his mother was very
busily engaged in preparing necessaries for his
journey. Linen shirts, nightcaps, and collars,
in abundance, were prepared by seamstresses.
The tailor was busy with blue frock coat, as
we'll as a cloak and an overcoat, for which his
mother had spun the thread.
All this, however, was nothing in comparison
with the endless multitude of thin, we'll baked
biscuits, sausages, hams, butter cakes, her
rings, and thick loaves of bread, which we're
packed up for the dear boy.
"For," Mrs. Mannerstedt would say TO her
husband, "he must have his breakfast and sup
per at home"
His father had no objection to make to this
arrangement, as, at all events, it would be ex.
pensive enough; but 60 he must, to Liind !;
there was no help for it, for Upsala was too far
distant.
"And it is no cheaper there, either" sighed
Mr.. Mannerstedt, as he thought of the hard
times, and wished that he had been richer
At length the important day arrived, and
with it the farewell hour. The fathers emotion
was great; he however managed to control the
dark forebodings which whispered to his heart
that it was the last time he should embrace his
son. With calmness and resolution he gave
:.
piece of counsel for his future life and his new
position, while the mother sobbed on the neck
of her darling boy.
"May God bless thee, my own loved boy !
Never forget thy fathers instructions, and think
upon thy mother, on her entreaties and tears,
when tried by the temptations which may sur
round thee. Stand firm, my brave Frank, and
always bear in mind that we live not for this
world alone but that, in the one which is to
come hereafter we must yield an account,
and" added she, in lower tone, "should you
be very much straitened for money, look at the
bottom of the chest and you will find a little
savings bank, which have made up, but only
in case of need-mind Frank-and now, fare
thee well. May God take thee into His holy
keeping, and may His angels be about thy
path Forget not thy mother, and think upon
her last advice"
"Never" faltered Frank, "never, dearest
mother!" and he pressed her hand to his lips
and fearful eyes. "Never, never will L, l prom
Use most sacredly, prove unworthy of the affec
ton and goodness of my own dear parents.
This moment shall be impressed upon my soul
in bright and living characters, and the re-
membrance of it shall be to me a guardian
angel"
"Wel, then, the peace of God be with thee !"
said his father, as he dashed away tear which
was stealing down his manly cheek.
ave must have done with this. The wind
is fair, and all things are ready" He pushed
the youth before him. "There, go thou first.
and close the door myself"
This was a thing which the old man regard
ed of the highest importance for the good for
tune of the traveller, that he himself should
shut the door behind him. His parents fol-
lowed, and on the beach they once more babe
each other farewell. Young Mannerstedt sprang
on deck, and the numerous articles which his
kind mother had prepared for him were put
on board, the sails were hoisted, the wind was
fresh and fair the crew, busy in the rigging,
shouted and cried, the passengers arranged
their goods, and the boat glided away from the
landing. Frank stood on the bow, and with his
handkerchief waved last farewell, which his
parents returned from the shore.
Soon, however, the vessel and its precious
burden faded from their eyes, and their COM
mon prayers assembled to the throne of the
Eternal during those rapid and solemn mo-
ments. Who has not known and felt the bit
terness of a farewell hour, even when the hope
and faith of future happy reunion stand be-
side us as consoling angels. We might fill.
many page with the incidents of the voyage,
as well as ON his arrival at Malmo, his debut
at Lind his visits with recommendation letters,
waiting on the professors, his entrance into the
band of students, the letter from his dear moth