The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-14

once more-to be allowed to call you bride be-
fore the world, and to lead you home as my
wife. 1t is too much of happiness for one poor
| human heart"
de now walked through all the rooms, and
carefully inspected every article, while his
thoughts ran thus:
"Willit please her thus? Will she find it COM
Portable, and praise my taste for having, with
such small means, prepared so much? How
ever, when she comes, and has arranged all,
comfort and happiness will spring up in every
corner; and in my heart will dawn HOLIDAY,
which will endure through life''
Hls sensations became too powerful for him,
and he was obliged to leave the house. On
such occasions he took refuge in the quiet
church-yard by his mothers grave, over whose
remains he had erected a simple monument.
1t was sweet to him-the thought of being SO
near to her whose never-failing love was in
cessantly about his heart, and whose beloved
image reposed there upon the sacred blossoms
OF recollection. He leaned his head upon the
cold grave-stone, and tears of filial gratitude
and love fell down upon the dust of her who
had so well and perfectly fulfilled all a mothers
| duties.
aha, do find you here, my dear Manner
stedt?' said a friendly voice, as hand was
kindly laid upon the young Rector's shoulder
1t was Counsellor Liver, who reproached him
kindly for his solitary wanderings, the benef-
cial and soothing influence of which. on Franks
feelings. he was not capable of understanding.
You sorrow too deeply for your good mother
my boy; let the dead rest in peace. You are
now at gay and happy age, and you should
enjoy life. You have already experienced
enough of trouble and affection; now, come
| and eat quiet dinner with us, while we talk
| over some matters which will soon dispense all
your sad thoughts
Mannerstedt was quite willing to accompany
his old friend and the latter told him that he
had been to the Town Hall, to hear the decis
ION OF an important question in regard to his
increase of salary. 1t had been brought for
ward several times without success but to- day
had been carried.
1T was decided today by majority of
votes" added the old gentleman, greatly pleas
ed and so you will now be able to offer your
wife decent income"
Very thankful, and much affected, Manner
stedt pressed his old friends hand.
"Oh," said he, show would nv loved mother
have blessed you, had she yet lived, and seen how
much you have exerted yourself to secure the
prospects of her darling son."
Did l not promise your mother on her
death-bed that | would do so?'' returned the
old man "and / have ever felt bound to per-
form my promise, as you know, my boy. But
how is it? Have you already wife selected? or,
if not, | have little proposal to make on the
subject
sob, no, not for the world" entreated Man.
nerstedt; I" for me there is but one who can
ever be my wife, and if do not obtain herr
You won't 60 and hang yourself" said the
old gentleman, smiling "but look about you,
and find another, like a sensible man."
a certainly will not do the first" said Man
| Dprstpdt 81 for NV Dripniplac forbid ~ baoyu
and cherries as life would be to me without
her. L should, however, never marry =; she is
the only one that ever touched my heart-she
Is, and ever will be, the only one who can cause
| it to beat with the divine feeling-the only one
for whom it will ever beat till life expires"
"Why, my dear Frank, are you quite crazy?"
asked old Liver, astonished at Mannerstedt's
fervor, or do you not see we are in the public
street? Wait until you can rhapsodize under lock
and key. hope with all my heart you may OBJ
tain your prize-and if she is not too fine lady
to look upon my house as her home, will most
| gladly receive her as daughter"
"That will delight her." Mannerstedt assured
him. "She is so unsophisticated, true, and
good, that she wins all hearts, and will come
frequently, with my adored wife, to visit the only
remaining friend of my dear parents"
Well, we'll, my lad, you will always be well
come. When do you leave, to ask her of her pa
rents?"
"At Whitsuntide; and, if God will, will
bring her home early in August, should all go
well-perhaps at midsummer"
ado not be too hasty," said the old gentle
man, in tone of admonition. You will hard
ly have time to come and go by that-plenty of
time in autumn"
"Oh no, that would be the very latest" re-
piled Mannerstedt, laughing, "but we will ar
range matters when | arrive"
The same day on which this conversation took
place, Professor Ling was walking slowly across
the street to the house of his neighbor, the Mer-
chant Widen. He had grown old fast during
the last half year, and tottered perceptibly in
his walk, and every token announced that his
years here were nearly finished. He had scarce
ly got over half the distance, when Captain Fer
dinand came running after him
"Uncle, dearest uncle, why did you go alone2"
And with the kindest attention he offered the
old man his arm, which he accepted with be-
nevolent smile, and said
9 Is it you, my boy? l thought you were not
at home"
81 was just going out" replied Ferdinand
" but will wait with pleasure to be of assist
ance to you"
Mr.. Widens, and Rosa will accompany me
home. Go, Ferdinand, and remember me to
your future parents-in-law, and give Caroline a
kiss for me-"
l will not forget it, uncle" reoned the Cap
tain; and he was soon rolling away out of town
by the East gate
Meanwhile, we will relate what has been ia
king place at H, since our last visit.
After SIX months of roaming about Captain
Ferdinand returned, composed and cheerful in
mind, and healthy in body. From this time
forward, he lived with his uncle, who was grow
ing continually weaker as he grew older, and
every day more sensible how necessary both
Ferdinand's and Rosa's society was to him.
Ferdinand had greatly changed, and was now
the Professors pride and happiness, and no
son was ever more kind he loved the old man
with all his heart. He tried every possible
means of amusing and cheering his daily life,
and his uncle appeared fully sensible of his
efforts. When the news Of Hilda's engagement
to Wallinder arrived, his heart at first beat a
little more impetuously than usual but it soon
passed over, and was the last painful symptom
he ever displayed in reference to this matter.
He again became the polite and elegant man
of society, the favorite of all the ladies. but he
never fell into evil habits. The Professors
fatherly kindness, and Rosas ssterly affection.
worked benefcently upon his heart Thus had
year passed away, when, one evening, the
old man said to him
My dear Ferdinand, things are beginning
to draw near to an end with me; daily feel
more and more that my strength is departinp.
it would / confess, rejoice my old head, to see
you married before depart hence. / should
be glad to have another daughter about me.
now that Rosa is likely soon to leave u.s.
The Captain was acquainted with Manner
stedt's engagement with Rosa and therefore
understood his uncles allusion; he repl;ed