Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-12-19

and doubt seemed to overshadow her
brow Then came a knock at the
door, which made her tremble so
much that she almost wanted the
courage to say, Come in A young
man, shabbily dressed, entered the
room, and made low but awkward
bow.
81 beg your pardon, Miss said
he, docs Herr Schmidt live here Z"
eyes, sir. What is your pleas
ure Z"
" Are you his daughter Bertha -
| am"
Then it is you that | seek. |
come from your father"
For Heavens sake, where is hei
What has huppencdl Something
must have happened-this is the first
time he has stayed away all night"
"The misfortune is not very great"
ooh, my poor, poor father, what
shall | hear"
The young man seemed to observe
the visible marks Of anxiety with
great interest; then looking round
the room, he said: Do not be
frightened, my dear girl it is moth
ing OF great importance. Your faith
er met last night an old acquaintance,
who invited him to a tavern. They
had some wine together; but when
the landlord came for his bill your
fathers friend had decamped, and
left him 10 pay the score. He had
not sufficient money for this; and
now the man will not let him go I'M
til he is paid. and declares that I'M
less he gets his money he WIN send
MN 10 prison"
4" To prison my father to pris-
on y exclaimed the girl. Can you
tell me how much the bill comes toi'
Three forms and a half"
40 God !" sighed the girl, call |
have does not amount to more than
one form; but will 90 at once TO
Madame Berg, and beg Of her TO adj
vance me the money
" Who is Malame Berg -
"The millner for whom | work"
But if Madame Berg does not adj
vance the money-what then :" The
slrl burst into tears.
d" am much afraid she will refuse.
| already owe her one form, aud she
is very hard"
" For what purpose did you bor-
row the money you owe heri'
The girl hesitatcd to reply.
You may trust me | take the
deepest interest in your misfortunes,
and sincerely wish / could assist
you; but | am only a poor clerk
myself Tell me for what purpose
did you borrow that form ?"
a. Well, my father is very weak,
and occasionally requires strengthen
ing | borrowed that money to set
quarter Of fowl for him"
Under these circumstances, | fear
Madame Berg will not give you any
more. Here is one form, but that
is all ! possess. Have you any val
tables upon which we could raise
some money y Bertha considered
for a moment.
d" have nothing" said she at
length, but my poor moiher's pray
or book. Ga her death-bed, she en-
treated me not 10 part with it, and
there IS nothing in the world | hold
more sacred than her memory aud
the promise | gave her; but sull, for
ny f-'I.s.'s 9ahO 1 .....-' ~et hcsi
tate" With trembling hand, she
took the book down from the shelf.
Oh, SIR" said She" during many a
slcepless night | have been accustom-
ed to enter the secret thoughts of my
heart On the blank leaves at the end
|of the book. | hope no one will ey-
er know whose writing they are
will you promise me that :"
" Certainly, my dear Bertha. Do
not alarm yourself; will take care
that your secrets shall not be prolon-
ed. But now get ready, that wc
may go"
While she left the room to put
on her bonnet and shawl. Karl T.
(for the reader will have guessed
that the young man was no Other
than our hero) glanced over the wri-
ting of the girl in the book, and hi,
eyes filled with tears of emotion and
delight as he read the ouipourings o
a pure and pious heart aud wher
they had left the house together, anC
, she was walking beside hun with a
{ dignity Of which she seemed entire
ly Unconscious, he cast upon he
looks Of respect and admiration.
= They first went to Madame Berg
who did not give the advance requir
4 ed, but assured the young man tina
. Bertha wasan angel Certainly thi
t praise Mr. = valued ,highe
= than the money be had asked for -
They pawned the book, and the re
>. CURED sum was made up, Berth
. was oyerjoyed.
D " But if you spend all your none
S to-day" remarked the young mar
e. on what will you live tomorrow 7
= 81 do not know, but trust i
God. shall work the whole nigh
through"
: " Yes, trust in God firmly, and b
= viii holp YOU" exclaimed K erl wit
i an enthusiasm which almost belraye
the emotion he felt.
When they came to the taverr