The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-12-09
The Leap GPen tho Main HrHcke !!
FROM THE GERHAS OF LUDWIG sroRcu.

claimed the girl. scan you tell me how
much the bill comes TOP"
ssThree forms and half"
go God" sighed the girl, call have
does not amount to more than ono form ; but
will 90 Ut once to Madame Berg, and beg
Of her 70 advance me the money"
..Who 10 Madame Berg?"
ssThe milliner 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. |
already owe her one form, and she is very
hard"
ssFor what purpose did you borrow the
money you owe her ?'
The girl hesitated to reply.
'sYou may trust me. | take the deepest 10.
terest in your inisfortunes, and ] sincerely
wish could assist you ; but am only poor
clerk myself. Tell me for what purpose did
you borrow that form ?"
"Well, my father is very weak, and occa-
sonally requires strengthening. borrow
ed that money to get quarter Of fowl for
him.
.'under these circumstances, l fear Ma
dame Berg will not give you any more. Here
is one form, but that is all possess. Have
you any valuables upon which We gould raise
some moneys Bertha considered FOR q
moment.
II have nothing" said she, at length, shut
my poor mothers prayer book. On her
death bed she entreated me not to part with
il, and there is nothing in the world 4 hold
more sacred than her memory, and the prom
Use gave her; but still, Tor my fathers
sake, must not hesitate With a trcm-
bling hand, she took the book down from the
shelf SO cir" said she, 'sduring many .
sleepless night have been accustomed TO
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?'
"Certainiy, my dear Bertha. Do not
alarm Yourself. will take care that your
secrets shall not be profaned But now get
ready, that we may CO."
Whilst she left the room to put on her
bonnet and shawl, Karl T. flor the
render will have guessed that the Young man
the writing OF the girl in the book, and his
eyes filled with tears of emotion and delight
as he read the outponrings of pure and pi-
Gus heart; and when they had left the house
together, and she was walking beside him
with a dignity Of which she seemed entirely
UNCONSCIOUS, he cast upon her looks Of re-
spect and admiration.
They frst went to Madame Berg, who did
not give the advance required, but assured
the young man that Bertha was an ANGEL
Certainly this praise Mr.. T valued
higher than the money be had asked for
They pswned the book, and the required
sum WAS made up. Bertha was overioyed.
'sBut il you spend nil your money to-day,"
remarked the young man, son what viii you
live Tomorrow 2"
~ do not know, but thrust in God. Ishall
work the whole night through"
eyes, trust in God firmly, and he will
help you,' exclaimed Karl, With an enthu-
siasm which almost betrayed the emotion he
felt.
When they came to the tavern, the young
man went in 6rst to prepare old Mr.. Schmidt
for tho 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 prsss
him to her heart.
go father" said she, "what dreadful
night have had how uneasy have been
about you. But, thank God, have YOU
again. and her face frightened up with
smile OF joy.
She paid the bill aud triumphantly led
him home. T. accompanied them and
said he had few moro kreutsers in his pock.
ct she had better 60 and get them some
thing TO eat. And then you should have
seen this daring girl, how she busted herself,
and how gladly she set about it. The youas
man felt ~ IL he could fall ct her feet and
worship her. II was late before T.
~sn. ao.ss iant night; but the leap iron
the Main Brncke was no more thought Of.
lie came 10 the bouse every evening, il or
der, he said, to share with them bis scansy
earnings.
About fortnight after, - he was going
away one evening, he said 10 Bertha: 6Wiil
you become my wifcs am only poor
clerk, but A hoaest and upright.''
BerthA blushed and cast her syss 10 The
ground.
..Can yos love me, Bertha 30 he asked
again, IN N overflow Of feeling.
She Was silent and did not raise her he'd
bat she held ous M hand. He seized il and /
kissed II fsrvently.
.'Bertha." said he, 81 love you immeasur- I
ably ron have saved ny ife.',
4 few days after. the young couple, Gin.
ply but respectfully sssirsd, and % onpanied
By Herr Schmidt, west 70 church, whers they
were married In quiet way. Whea shsy