The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-11-27

mas happeheuf Sometntng must have hap
pened--this is the first time hs has STAYED
away all night"
"The misfortune is not very great"
"Oh. my poor, poor father, what shall
heari'
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
nothing Of great importance. Your father
met last night an old acquaintance, who in.
vited him to tavern. They had some
wine together; but when the landlord came
for his bill, your fathers friend had de.
camped, and left him to pay the score. He
had not sufficient money for this; and now
the man will not let him 90 until he is
paid, and declares that unless he gets his
money, he will send him to prison."
"To prison!--my father to prison!" ex.
claimed the girl. "Can you tell me how
much the bill comes to!"
"Three forms aud half"
80 God!" sighed the girl, "all I have
does not amount to more than one form;
but | will go at once to Madame Berg, and
beg of her to advance me the money"
"Who is Madame Bergi"
"The millner for whom work.
"But if Madame Berg does not advance
the money-what then!" The girl burst
into tears.
81 am much afraid she will refuse. l
already owe her one florin, and she is very
hard"
"For what purpose did you borrow the
money you owe herl"
The girl hesitated 10 reply.
"You may trust me. l take the deepest
interest in your mislor,unes, and sincerely
wish | could assist you, but am only a
poor clerk myself Tell me for what pur-
pose did you borrow that forini"
"Well, my father is very weak, and oc-
casionally requires Strengthening. I 5or-
rowed that money to get quarter Of a fowl
for him."
"Under these circumstances, I fear Mad
anne Berg will not give yon any more.
Here is one florin, but that is all possess.
Have YOU any valuables upon which we
could raise some money!" Bertha consid
cred for a moment.
al have nothing" said she, at length,
"but my poor mothers prayer-book. On
her death bed, she entreated me not to part
with 1t, and there is nothing in the world
hold more sacred than her memory, and
the promise gave her; but still, for my IA
theirs sake, must not hesitate" With a
trembling hand she took the book down
from the shelf. 10, sir" said she, "during
many sleepless night | have been accus.
toned 10 enter the secret thoughts of my
heart on the blank leaves at the end of the
book. hope no one will ever know
whose writing they are: will you promise
me that!"
Certainly, my dear Bertha. Do not
alarm yourself | will take care that your
secrets snail not be profaned. But now get
ready, that we may 60"
Whilst she left the room to put on her
bonnet and shawl, Karl r (for the rea-
der will have guessed that the young man
was no other than our hero) glanced over
the writing of the girl in the book, and his
eyes filled with tears of emotion aud delight
as he read the outpourings of a pure
and pious heart; and when they had left
the house together, and she was walking
beside him with dignity Of which she
seemed entirely unconscious he cast upon
her looks of respect and admiration.
They first went to Madame Berg, who
did not give the advance required, but as.
sured the young man that Bertha was an
angel Certainly this praise Mr.. T
valued higher than the money he had ask
ed for. They pawned the book, and the
required sum was made up. Bertha was
overjoyed.
"But if you spend all your money to day,
remarked the young man, on what will you
live tomorrow
81 do not know, but trust in God. /
shall work the whole night through"
"fes. trust in God firmly, and He will
help you," exclaimed Karl, with an en- hu.
siasm which almost betrayed the emotion
he felt.
When they came to the tavern, the
young man went in first to prepare old Mr.
Schmidt for the part he wished him to act;
then he fetched Bertha. 1t is impossible
to describe the JOY he felt when he saw the
young girl throw herself in her fathers
arms, and press him to her heart.
40 father" said she, "what a dreadful
night have | had!-how uneasy | have
been about you. But, thank God, have
you again." and her face frightened up
with a smile Of jov.
She paid the bill, and trumphautly led
him home. T accompanied them, and
said he had n few more kreuizeIs in his
pocket she had better 90 and get them
something to eat. And then you should
have seen this darling girl, how she busted
herself, and how gladly she set about it..
The young man felt as if he could fall at
her feet and worship her. 1t was late be.
fore T went home that night; but the
leap from the Main Brucke WAS no more
thought Of. lie came to the house every
evening, in order, as he said, to share with
them his scanty earnings.
About fortnight after, as he was going
away one evening, he said to Bertha: "Will
you become my wifel am only poor
clerk, but am honest and upright"
Bertha blushed, and cast her eyes TO the
ground.