The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-08-12
OKOLONA, MISS, AUGUST IL, 1853.

and sonorous voices whose tones seem Il
reach the very soul, and which impart Y
words inhcxions not less varied than w.
forms of thought. He summed up tbt
discussion logically and lucidly; but il
was easy to see that, out of considera.
ton for his interlocutors, he abstained
from putting forth his whole strength.
The conversation was Intentionally led
to religious prejudices at the first words
spoken on this subject, the Jews counte-
nance assumed a sublime expression
He rose at once to the most elevated
considerations it was easy to see that
his Imagination found itself in familiar
sphere. He wound up with so pathetic
and powerful peroation, that Ellen,
yielding to sympathetic impulse, made
an abrubt movement towards him. The
two souls had met, and were destined
mutually to complete each other.
l said to myself, that Jew will be El-
lens husband. Then l applied myself
to observe him more attentively. When
Mr.. Nautilus was not strongly moved and
animated, he was but an ordinary man
nevertheless, by the expression of his
eyes, which seemed to look within him
SELF one could discern that he was inter-
nally preoccupied by some of those lofty
thoughts identified with superior minds.
Some celebrated authors were spoken OF !;
he remained silent Baron Won Moth
leant over toward me and said, in low
voice, 1T seems that our new acquain-
tance is not literary"
Il should be surprised at that" / re-
piled "and, what is more, ] would lay
wager that he is musical" The Baron
drew back, with a movement of vexa-
tion, and as if to test my sagacity, he
asked Ellen to sing something The
amiable girl begged him to excuse her.
but without putting forward any of those
small pretexts which most young ladies
would have invented on the Instant
Her mothers authority was needed to
vanquish her instructive resistance. Her
prelude testified to some unwonted agi-
tation; its first notes reused the jew
from his reverie; soon she recovered her
self, and her visible emotion did but add
fresh charm to the habitual expression
of her singing.
Suddenly she stopped short, declaring
that her memory failed her.
Then, to our great astonishment, a
rich and harmonious voice was heard,
and Ellen continued, accompanied by the
finest tenor | ever listened to in my life.
The Baron bit his lips Werter was
pale with surprise. The warmest ap-
plause followed the conclusion of the
beautiful duet.
Malthus had risen from his chair, and
seemed entirely under the spell of harmo-
ny. He gave some advice to Ellen, who
listened to him with avidity he even
made her repeat a passage, which she af-
terward sang with admirable expression.
He took her hand, almost with enthusi-
asm, and exclaimed, II thank YOU"
"Very odd, indeed" said the Baron.
Poor Werter said nothing, but went and
sat himself down, very pensive, at the
further end of the drawing groom.
Mrs. Muller was radiant at her daugh-
ter's success. As to Ellen, she merely
said, in low voice:
elf | had instruction, l should per-
haps be able to make something of mu-
SIC"
"With your mothers permission re-
joined Nautilus, II shall have pleasure
in sometimes accompanying you"
Mrs. Muller cast scrutiniZing glance
at the jew. whose countenance, which
had resumed its habitual calmness show
ed nothing that could excite her suspi-
cions. She judged that such man was
not at all dangerous, and accepted his
offer. Malthus bowed with cold dignity
doubtless appreciating the motive of
this confidence-and Ellen struck few
notes, to divert attention from her en-
barrassment. The Baron, who sought a
vent for his ill-humor, said to the young
girl, pointing to the jews stick:
elf anything should halt in the acS
compartment, there is what will restore
the measure
Ellen rose, cast look at the Baron,
which meant, "One meets people like
you everywhere" and left the room.-
Nautilus took up newspaper, and read
until we separated for the night.
The Jew led the regular life of man
who knows the value of time. He work
ed until noon, paid or received few Wis
it's, went upon Change about two o'clock.
then shut himself up in his apartment
and was visible to nobody, and at pre-
cisely four O'clock entered Mr.. Muller's
room, where Ellen awaited him at the pi- |
ano. 1t was easy to see that he daily
assumed greater ascendency over the
mind Of bis pupil whose progress was
rapid.
When Malthus smiled, Ellen's charm
ing countenance assumed an indescriba-
Bile expression Of satisfaction but as
soon as he relapsed into his habitual