Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-02-09

The jew, however. did pot limp disagree
ably5 bis left leg was well formed. and hi
Symmetrical figure showed the disturbanc,
its harmony to have been the result oI
an accident He had the appearance Of
having long become reconciled to his mfr
nifty, like soldier who considers his wounds
a glorious evidence of his devotion to bis
! country. a @ aa1 s1at
bad more Than once felt tempted to asl
Malthus the history Of his lameness; but b.
eludsd with so much care every approach
to the subjecI, that deemed myself oblig
/ ed TO respect his secret.
Two months passed thus, and l had op
portunity Of aPpreciating all the right-mind
edness. generosity, and enlightenment thai
dwelt in the accessible part of that extraor
dinary soul In presence of this daugerou;
rival, who t:iumphed without struggle
the baron became almost tender His self
love cruelty suffered to see preferred 10 him
lame merchant with a fine voice He
sometimes attempted to quiet him; but
Malthus confounded him so completely BY
the Aptness Of his retorts, that The daughters
were never on the side of The baron.
One night that the family party was as
sembled, Werter approached Mr.. Muller
with a suPpliant air, and delivered to him a
letter from his father. The poor young
mans agitation made me suspect that the
letter contained proposal Mr. Muller
read it with attention and handed it TO his
wife, who rapidly glanced over it and cast
a serulinizing glance at her daughter, to
make sure Whelher or NO she was forewar-
ned Of this step. A mothers pride is al
ways flattered under such circumstances
and the first impulse is generally favorable
10 the man who has singled out the object
lof her dearest affections; but the second
thought is one Of prudence; separation.
the many risks Of the future, soon check the
instructive satisfaction Of the maternal heart
and thousand motives concur 10 arrest the
desired consent.
at we're WELL" she said, "frst 10 know
what Ellen thinks"
"The words were like ray Of light 10
the poor girl, whose countenanee expressed
the utmost surprise.
"Besides, he is very young" added Mrs
Muller, loud enough for the baron TO hear.
Werter's position was painful; he stamer-
ed few words, became embarrassed, and
abruptly left the room.
"A mere child" said the baron, "who
should oe sent back to his books"
Nautilus, who had observed all that pas
sed, rested his two hands OF his stick, like
man disposed to argue the point and
warmly defend the student.
alt cannot be Denied" he said in conclu-
sion, "that the young mans choice pleads
in his favor; and his embarrassment, which
at that age is not unbecoming, proves in
my opinion, that, whilst aspiring to so great
happiness, he has sufficient mOdesty to
admit himself unworthy of it"
'If declaration were a sufficient proof
of merit" interrupted the councillor, II
know one man who would not hesitate"
"And who is that ?" inquired Mrs. Muller,
with ill.concealed curiosity.
"Myself, madam" replied the councillor
-"Baron Won Moth"
By the way in which this was spoken,
The dissyllable "mysey" appeared length
ened BY all the Importance Of the person
age. =
eat my age men do not change" con-
tinued the baron; "and the present is a
guarantee for the future"
Ellen was really to be pitied. When
Nautilus took Werter's part, saw thatshe
was on the point of fainiing. Her counte-
nance, naturally SO gentle, was oyershad;
owed by an expression of vexation and dis
pleasure She had taken the Jews benev-
oent defence of the student for mark of
indifference. Whilst still under the inhu-
ence of this painful impression, the Bsron's
declaration came to add to her agitation !;
she cas-: reproacbful glance at Malthus.
sank back in her chair, and swooned away,
The Jew sprang forward. took her in his
arms, laid her on sofa, and hnelt down
beside her.
"Yon have not understood me, then ?"
he exclaimed.
Ellen opened her eyes and beheld at her
fee! the man whom her heart had selected !;
and, absorbed in her passion, unconscious
of the presence of those who stood around,
she murmured, in feeble voice
"Yoursl Yours alOue!-ever yours!"
"Sir," said Malthus to Mr. Muller. "my
proposal comes rather late; but I hope you
will be SO good as to take it into considera-
ton"
In the Jews manner there was the dig
nifty of man in a position to dictate condi-
tions. Ellen had recovered herself As to
Mr. Muller, there had not been time for
his babitual phlegm to become distributed; i;
but his wife could not restrain a smile at
this dramatic complication, whose denoue-
ment remained in suspense.
"Mr Y" said she to me, somewhat ma
liciously. do you not feel the effect Of ex-
ample?"
"Perhaps l might have been unable to
resist" replied, chad not Mr.. Maltbus de-
clared himself before me-"
Ellen blushed, and the Jew pressed my
hand Just then Werter re-entered the
room, pale and downcast, like a man who
comes to hear sentence passed upon him.
There was profound silence which lasted
several minutes, or at least seemed to me
to do so. At last Mr. Muller broke it.
"Gentlemen," be said, al am much fat
tered by the honor you have done me."-
He paused, and seemed to be calling