Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-11-18
in sympathy with.his comrades enthusiasm,

ed appearance and more unexpected worls
of Master Joss on his entrance. In the
height of his indignation, the sacristan did
not observe Gabriel and continued in the
same tone: l.
4 declare I'd give this moment full and
free permission to woo and winmy daugh-
ter to any honest young fellow who would
wave the banner In my stead--ay, and
think her well rid of that cowardly mason
| From time immemoral it had been the
custom in Vienna, Whenever the Emperor
| made triamphal entry, for the sacristsn
to stand on tbe' very pinnacle..o the highest
tower, and wave banner while the pro-
cession passed. But Master Joss was
old, stiff, and rheumatic, and such an ex-
ploit would have been quite as much out
of his line, as dancing on a tight rope. 1t
was therefore needful for him to provide a
substitute; it never occurred TO him that
his intended son-in-law, who professed
such devotion to his interest, and whose
daily occupation obliged him to climb to diz
zy heights, and stand on slender scaffold-
ing, could possibly object to lake his place.
What, then, was his chagrin and indig-
nation when, on broaching the matter that
afternoon to Master Ottkar, he was met by
fiat and not er-courteous refusall--
The old man made a hasty- retort, words
ran high, and the parting vlaey, ievelled
at the retreating mason, We have already
reported.
Would you, dear Master joss, would
you indeed do so? Then, with the help
of Providence will wave the banner for
you as long as you please from the top Of
St. Stephens tower --.---.-
'You, Gabriel?' said the old man. look
ing at him as kindly as he was wont to do
in former days. MY dear boy! you new
er could do it: you, gardener who has
never had any practice in climbing.
'Ah, now you want to draw back from
your word!' exclaimed the youth, redden-
ing. MY head is steady enough; and if
my heart is heavy, why, it is you who
made it so. Never mind, Master Joss
Only promise me on the word of an honest
man that you'll not interfere any more with
Annie's free choice, and you may depend
on seeing the banner of cur Emperor,
whom may Heaven long preserve! wave
gloriously on the old pinnacle
1t will, my brave lad; 1 do promise, in
the presence of all these honest folks, that
Annie shall be yours said the sacris-
tan, grasping Gabriel's hand with one Of
his, while he wiped his eyes with the back
of the other. ttta s
'One thing I have to ask you,' said the
young man, that You will keep this mat
ter secret. from Annie She'd never
consent; she'd say ! was tempting Provi.
dence; and who knows whether the tho't
of her displeasure might no. make my head
turn giddy. just when l want to be most
firm and self-collected.' ........-.. .s,a0
No fear of her knowing it, for have
sent her on a visit to her aunt two or three
miles out in the country s.sa s'.g1
'oa'And why did you send her from home,
Master Joss?' ..s. ''- 'T
Because the sight of her pale face and
and weeping eyes troubled me; because
was vexed with her; because, to tell you
the trath, l was vexed with myself. Ga
briel was hard hearted old fool, see il
now. And / was very near destroying the
happiness of my only remaining child; for
my poor boy Arnold. your old friend and
school fellow, Gabriel, has been for years
in foreign parts, we don't know what has
become OF him. But now, please God,
Annie at least will be happy, and You shal
marry her. my lad, AS soon after the day
of the procession as you and she please
There's my hand on it. ,-.., ~ :
There was not a happier man that-even-
ing within the precipc'S of Vienna, than
Gabriel. the gardener, although he wei
knew he was attempting perilous enter
prise, and one as likely as not to result il
his death. He made ali necessary arrange
!, ments. in ease Of that event, especially il
reference to thecomfort of an only sister
who lived with him, and whom he wa:
careful to keep in ignorance of his intend
ed. venture. This done, he esisnsd him
self to dream all night of stumbling from
terrific heights, and all day of his ap
preaching happiness. Meanwhile. ottka
swallowed his chargin as best he might
and kept aloof from Master Joss; but h,
might have been seen holding frequent ant
secret communications with Lawrence,
man who assisted the sacristan In the car,
of the church. t di ,aas ea
The day Of the young Emperor's trium