The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-14
has only now come into the country. Is nc

SOY" f.
six months ago. His son, Lieutenant.yAhl.
mark, and myself have been intimate AGO. amt
| ances for long time, and have become still
greater friends. And now, you know to- ,Shat
my sudden fancy for sporting was to be ascr bed !;
during these excursions, [ was frequent at
brantingfors, where | was always we'll rec. wed,
and at every visit felt it growing warmer aere,
under the left breast pocket"
@ should like to see the girl" said the Pro
lessor, before 1 give my opinion on thu sub
Ject; we must try and get her here"
Nothing easier" suggested Ferdi and !;
Rosa is acquainted with her, and like her
very much; we will soon arrange the ma ter"
And the Captain was across the street in
moment, in Mr.. Widen's house, and soon RI ;urn.
ed with Rosa. Now came regular CO neil.
as to the most appropriate way of introdi cling
Miss Ahlmark to the Professors house ar &C.
quaintance.
The coming Christmas held out prom lsing
opportunities for their wish; and the be- on
the second fete day was selected for the pnr-
pose, and this was to be the way Rosa was to
invite Caroline, in her parents name. to STAY
with them during her stay in town.
Whenever Rosa was going to ball. sheswss
in the habit of going over to the Professor irst.
to show her dress, and bid him good night
she would do so on this occasion, and reunest
Caroline to accompany her, which she w5uld
not refuse to do, if she had any affectiHaate
feelings for Ferdinand. ~.
The day came, and with it Caroline. swell
packed up in covered sledge, with Ferdi and
as driver, and her brother as a chaperon. The
party alighted at the Merchant Widen's house,
where hot coffee was awaiting them.
Shortly after, the two girls went to ,sa
room to talk over their toilette for the evep ing;
and when all was complete, and the miro re-
Elected their pretty persons in all the brill ncy
OF their becoming ball dress, Rosa said, quite
simply and innocently-
habit OF never going out to any amusement,
without first paying my old friend, Professor
Ling, short visit? Will you not 60 with me
1t is only just across the street."
on no, my dear; that cannot be really"
replied Caroline, blushing, but not much dis
pleased at Rosa's persuasions; and the later
played her part so happily, that Caroline at
length yielded; and, we'll wrapped in their cloaks.
they tripped together across the way. y
The Professor had so arranged it, ths$ he
was alone when they arrived, and that F lrdi-
nand should make his appearance in fe. mo-
ments. The two girls laid aside their cl AXIS
in the hall, and Rosa opened the door Of, the
yellow chamber, which, contrary to the tsual
O.
man was expecting them.
"Good evening, dear uncle.n said Tosa
allow me to present young friend of / inc.
Caroline Ahlmach. l brought her with me.
for know you love to see pretty young q Is"
Timid and agitated, the pretty Carolina ap
preached; her full, graceful figure was at ired
in simple white robe, and blue scarf lii btlv.
thrown over her shoulders. Her hair, of q ossy
black, was smoothly braided, and unornan eat-
ed, except by white rose, entwined in a WI cath
of immortees. Her style of dress was very
pleasing to our old friend; and he was still
more charmed with her lovely figure, which
bowed deep over his hand, and kissed it.
Welcome, Caroline" said he, kindly ea,u.
ting the young girls forehead
Caroline blushed deeply. She could NOT ex-
plain to herself the emotion which she fs,t at
this friendly and familiar greeting of TIE Old
man.
Rosa, however, with her usual tact. Soon,
succeeded IN restoring the embarrassed & ri to
composure. They sat down; and soon sitter.
the Captain in full ball costume, and r. diant
with life and spirits, made his appearance. {
The Professor attentively observed the effect
of Ferdinand's salutation upon Caroline, and
exchanged look of satisfaction with Rosa. as
much as to say, +" 1t is all right-it will do.',
1t was now time to go, and the young peoele
rose. On taking leave, the Professor said :
Pray do me the honor of a visit Tomorrow
morning, young ladies, and should be h..ppy
to have your company at breakfast"
The girls gladly promised to come; and,
once more saying good bye, were, with Ferdi-
nand's assistance, enveloped in their cloaks,
and drove to the grand ball at the town hall.
The following morning, somewhat earlier
than the hour at which they were to 90 to Pro
L Al
ries how the ladies were after the ball.
Rosa, thinking Ferdinand had another aim
in view, made some casual excuse and With
drew; and Ferdinand, willing to avail himself
of the opportunity, discovered his feelings, to
Caroline, and begged for her affection In re-
turn, to which he received a modest affirmative.
The breakfast at the old Professors this
morning, was quite festival, as he easily con-
oeived how fer matters had progressed since
the day before. He was, however, too cautious
to allow this to appear until Ferdinand should
have, according to regular form, made his APP
plication to the parents, for the young lady's
hand.
AS soon as Caroline had left them, he said
to his nephew
Now, my lad, you must make your own
way, and in proper mode, too, as becomes an
honest fellow who wishes to marry. You are
now free from debts. You have your pay clear
from all membranes, and my paternal con-
sent to this alliance. You shall live here with
me, till l die, and then you can make additions
to the house; but until then, it must remain
as it is. Well, well; time enough to think about
that. Let us talk of what most immediately
concerns us; and, to give your proposals more
effect, / will write few lines to Ahlmack my,
self. I
The next day, with the Professors letter in
his pocket, the Captain started for Branting-
fors, and, with an important smile, begged for
private interview with the Crown Bailff.
When they were alone, in the latter's apart
ment, he stated his wishes, with all the ease
and address which might be expected from a
man so much experienced in the affairs of the
heart. He concluded by delivering the letter,
which, in the eyes of his future father.in-lawA
was no small recommendation. His reply was
as favorable as could have been wished, and
Ahlmack desired his most friendly comp-
ments to the Professor. with the assurance that
both himself and his daughter felt highly fats
tered and honored by his proposal This point
being settled, mamma and Caroline were called
the young people exchanged the kiss of Alliance:
and never did betrothal take place in a more
orderly and romantic style than this. 1t was
late in the evening when the Captain returned
to town, and to his old uncle, who pressed ham
in his arms atfectionately, and solemnly prom,
Used that, if he lived till midsummer, he would,
at his own favorite festival, celebrate. at the
same time, Ferdinand's and Caroline's, Rosa's
and Mannerstedt's nuptials.
At his wish, Caroline spent Christmas at the
house of Rosa's parents and in the coursaof
the daily visits which, during this time. she
made to him, he learned to love and esteem
her highly, and she exerted herself to please.
the old man, and anticipate his every wish. |