Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-08-20

What is iti's
"a person who has been dear to you lives
in Egra-'
Enough, enough, William inte errupted
the major, hastily; 'Dorothea must have
told you what / confded to her in this re.
spect. 1t is unnecessary to dis :urb the
ashes of buried affections. Never speak t,
me again'on this subject, William. / be,
you, as friend; and as father,I comman,
it,
William bo we'd sadly, ,and Loffen went out
The person who lived in Egra, and Il
whom William had alluded, was no othe
than the mother of Dorothea. Married very
young to the major, whom she loved, sh'
had at first felt great happiness in this union
but gradually Lofen's temper had changes
this happiness. Charlotte, proud and sus
ceptible, could not bear his fits of passion
Far from soothing her husband, she hat
irritated him by resistance, reproaches ant
discomfort; the alienation daily increased
until coldness took the place of affection
Then each of them kept silence, pressing
back their sufferings into their own hearts
At last the excess of grief brought on vic
lent rupture. Charlotte went to Egra, where
her parents lived. and Loffen came to dwell
in Hoff with his daughter.
But the separation did not seem to soften
his irritation. Either the remembrance o
Charlotte recalled the wrongs for which he
blushed, or he preserved his res eminent
against her, and he Stunned everything
which could recall the remembrance of
Dorothea's mother. Her portrait had been
covered with cloth, and banished to a dark
closet; ner piano, carefully closed, was hal
concealed in a corner of an uninhabited
room; he had even required that Dorothea
should study the harp, as if he feared re.
miniscence of the past. All his daughters
attempts to overcome this aversion had been
hitherto useless; but here was one of those
hearts to which love gives courage, and
which is never weary in trying to do good
The day fixed upon for the marriage al
last arrived. The nuptial benediction was
to take place at midnight in the Protestant
chapel; but the friends and neighbors of the
major had been invited to assemble sooner
for the wedding supper. When they were
all assembled, Loffen wished to leave them
to make sure that all orders had been given.
Dorothea opposed it.
"a thousand pardons my father,' she said,
embracing him; 'buI forbid you to leave
u.s.
sWhyr asked the major, smiling.
Because you have not any right to COM
mand here'
Howl
q am alone mistress
She is right!' exclaimed Councillor Hot
man, smiling.
But do, not understand
sIt is St. Sylvester's Day.
by heaven! had forgotten it, exclaimed
Loffen- --=a- = = . = 2 q - :
1T is ST. Sylvester's Day. repeated all
the voices; you are not master here, major
st Sylvester's Day. which is, throughout
Bavaria, period of rejoicing, Is, in truth,
celebrated at Hoff in particular manner.
By an ancient custom, the order established
in families is reversed, and the authority
exercised BY parents passes entirely into
the hands of the children. 1t is a sort of
Christian transformation OF those saturnalias
of Rome,- in which the slaves recovered
their liberties for few hours,and were
served in their turn by the masters.
The major, who had always scrupulously
conformed to the cid custom, replied smiling
ly to his daughter, THAT he left to her and
William thedirection of everything
Them said Dorothea, 'it is understood
that you submit yourself to the laws of St.
Sylvesteri'
Undoubtedly replied Loffen.
'And you prom Use on your honor to accept
during the whole day your children as mas
tetsr'
Il promise on my honor; but we will see
how you will use the power
Our guests shall be Judges said Doro-
thea, turning towards the guests. | shall
have, at least aoconnsellor.'
'Who, then!' ---
"A lady whose ACQUAINTANCE | made on
my last voyage at the house of the Presi-
dent
'You have not spoken to me of her.
mo; but she arrived this morning at Hof.
l met her by chance as was returning from
the temple, and | invited her.
Without informing me!' said the major,
'It is St. Sylvester, my father objected
Dorothea.
Loffen could not restrain a gesture of
dissatisfaction.
'And shall know the name of this un-
known personp he said. =
Here she is,' interrupted William.
Dorothea and he went out hastily TO rect
her. The major, who was seated near a
window. rose quietly, leaned over the bal
cony-and recognized Charlotte.
1t would be difficult to express what pas
sed in the mind of Loffen at this sight 1t
was at first mixture of surprise, of trouble,
ard of anger; but this last feeling gained
the mastery. 1t was evident that every
thing had been arranged between Dorothea
and her mother. They undoubtedly wished
reconciliation ;and, to impose it upon him,
they had calculated upon his astonIshment,
his embarrassment, perhaps his weakness.
This last idea revolted-him. Age had not
so calmed his soul that vexation might not
be easily turned into Indignation. His first
impulse was to rePu!se the mother and
daughter, and shut himself up in his apart
ment; but the presence of the guests re-
strained him.
He was standing in the. same place, con-
siderlng what he would do, when Charlotte
appeared, led by William and Dorothea
Her gaze met that of the majors, on enter
ing, and she retreated.
Il present to you Madame Nugel, my
father said Dorothea, without daring to
raise her eyes.
Loffen started.
Pardon for having dared-to come stam-
mered Charlotte; Il should have informed
you
monsieur Loffen does not require to be
informed to receive his guests WE'LL OBJ
served William, pointedly.
Besides, it was | who wished it, replied