The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-06-05
From BIaCEwOOd's 1agaZihe.
THE JEw-A TALE FROM THE RUSSIAN.

From BaCkwOOds Magazine.
THE JEw-A TALE FROM THE RUSSIAN.
Twas at Vienna a few years ago. After
irving several tables'dhote, established
mvself at hotel in the Judentrase, fre-
auented by select society. Mr.. Muller
master of this establishment, did its hon.
ors with thorough German gravity. Per-
feet, extreme and conscientious cleanliness,
reigned throughout the house. One might
pass through the servants room, and even
through the kitchens, without meeting with
anything by which the sight was in the least
offended. The cellar was as well arranged
as a bookcase, and the regulation, Of the
house, as regarded both the service and the
hours of meals, were as punctually observ-
ed as they could have been in seminary
If guest came in late, though it we're but
ten minutes, he was served apart, in an ad-
joining room, that the comfort of all might
not be sacrificed to the convenience of one.
In the conversation at this tdblede'hote,
there prevailed tone of good society which
excluded neither ease nor pleasantly; but
caustic or indelicate expression would have
Jared on the ear like false note in we'll
executed concert. The countenance of Mrs.
Muller, in which dignity was blended with
benev olence, was the barometer by which
the young men reglated themselves when the
influence of Rhine wine or Stettin beer
might lead them little too far. Then Mrs.
Muller assumed an air of reserve; by few
words she adroitly broke off the cOnversa-
ton, and turned it into another channel; and
she glanced gravely at her daughter, who,
without affectation or pouting, kept her eyes
al hnr lott Sho Of fha onl
Ellen Muller was the type Of those beau
tiful German faces which the French call
cold, because they know not how to read
them; she was a happy mixture of the Sax
on and Hanoverian characters. A pure and
open brow, eyes Of inexpressible softncss,
lips habitualy closed with maidenly reserve,
transparent complexion, whose charming
bushes each moment protested against the
immobility of her bearing, auburn hair
whose rich and silken curls admirably har-
monised with the serenity of her features,
a graceful and flexible form Just expanding
into womanhood-such was Ellen Muller.
A councillor of the Court, Hofrath Baron
Won Moth, who had resigned his functions
in consequence of an injustice that had been
done him. several students, whose parents
had recommended them to the vigilance of
Mrs. Muller, and few merchants, compos-
ed the majority of the habitual guests. The
party was frequently increased by travellers,
| literary men, and artists. After dinner,
philosophy, politics, or literature, were the
usual topics Of conversation, in which Mr..
Muller, man of extensive requirements
and great good sense, took part, with a
choice Of expressions and an elevation of
| hot har ocfn .h hoI n
man Of his station in any country but Ger
many.
Sometimes Ellen would sit down to the
piano, and sing some of those simple and
beautiful melodies in which the tenderness,
the gravity, and the piety of the German
national character seem to mingle. Then
conversation ceased: every countenance ex-
pressed profound attention; and each listen
er, as if he were assisting at religious SER
vice, translated the accents of that univer-
sal language according to his sympathics,
his associations, and the habitual direction
of his ideas.
Twas not long in perceiving that Baron
Won Moth and young student named Wer-
ter were particularly sensible to Ellen's
charms and merit. In the baron, middle
aged man, there was mixture of dignity
and eagerness which betrayed an almost
constant struggle between pride and the en-
ergy of a strong passion. 1t is between the
ages of thirty and forty that the passions
have most empire over us. At that period
Of life the character is completely formed;
and as we well know what we desire, so do
We strive to attain our end with all the en-
ergy of perfect organization.
Werter was little more than nineteen
years old. He was tall, fair, and melan-
choly. am persuaded that love had reveal
ed itself to the young student by the inter-
mediation of the musical sense. | had more
than once watched him when Ellen sang. A
sort of fever agitated him; he isolated him
self in a corner of the room, and there, in a
mute ecstacy, the poor boy inhaled the poi
son of love.
The pretensions of Ellen's two admirers
manifested themselves by attentions Of very
different kinds, and in which were displayed
their different natures. The baron brought
Mrs. Muller tickets for concerts and thea
| tres. Often at the dessert, he would send
for delicious Hungarian wine, in which he
drank the health of the ladies, slightly in
clining his head to Ellen, as if he would
have said-I bow to you alone. Werter
would stealthily place upon the piano new
ballad, or volume of poetry; and when the
young girl took it up, his face flushed and
frightened as if the blood were about to
burst from it. Ellen smiled modestly at the
baron, or gracefully thanked the student;
but she seemed not to suspect that which
neither of them dared to tell her.
An attentive observer of all that passed,
l did my utmost to read Ellen's heart, and
decide as to the future chances Of the baron's
or the students loves. She was passion
ately fond of narratives and adventure, and,
thanks to the wandering life l had led,
was able to crafty this taste. noticed