The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-08-12

my proposal comes rather late but
hope you will be so good as to take il
into consideration"
In the Jews manner there was the
dignity of a man in position to dictate
conditions. Ellen had recovered herself
As to Mr.. Muller, there had not been
time for his habitual phlegm to become
disturbed; but his wife could not restrain
smile at this dramatic complication,
whose denouement remained in suspense
Mr.. Y.," said she to me, somewhat
maliciously, "do you not feel the effect
of example :"
Perhaps l might have been unable
to resist" replied, had not Mr.. Nal
thus declared himsef before me-"
Ellen blushed, and the Jew pressed
my hand. Just then Werter re-entered
the room, pale and downcast, like man
who comes to hear sentence passed upon
him. There was profound silence which
lasted several minutes, or at least seemed
to me to do so. At last Mr.. Muller
broke it.
Gentlemen" be said, Il am much
fattered by the honor you have done
me"
He paused, and seemed to be recalling
past events to his mind. During this
short silence, Werter gazed at us with an
air of astonishment, and ! doubt not that
he included me in the number Of his RI
walls.
Il have something to tell you," con-
tinued Mr.. Muller, (which will perhaps
modify your present intentions. About
ten years ago / had to visit Berlin where
my father had just died. The winding up
of his affairs proved complicated and
troublesome, and l was obliged to place
my interest in the hands of lawyer who
had been recommended to me as ex-
tremely skillful. The entire business at
last settled, found myself entitled to
about forty thousand forms, which I
proposed to embark in trade. / was
happily married, and Ellen was seven
years old. Our little fortune had been
greatly impaired by succession Of losses,
for which this Inheritance would compen-
safe.
Zone day I went 10 my lawyers to
receive the money. He had disappeared,
taking it with him. Despair took pos
session of me; ] dared not impart the
fatal news to my wife, and, / confess it
with shame, | determind on suicide
All that day / rambled about the coun-
try, and at nightfall / approached the
banks of the Spree. Clinging upon the
parapet of high bridge, | gazed with
gloomy delight into the dark waters that
rolled beneath. On my knees upon the
stone, I offered up short but fervent
prayer to Him who wounds and heals
/ commended my wife and daughter to
His mercy, and precipitated myself from
the bridge. / was struggling instinct
lively against death, when | felt myself
seized by vigorous arm. A man swan
near me, and drew me toward the shore,
which we both reached.
+" 1t was so dark that l could not dis
tinguish the features Of my prcservcr.-
But the tones Of his voice made an inn
preston upon me which has not yet been
effaced, and | have met but one man
whose voice has reminded me of that of
the generous unknown. He compelled
me to go home with him, questioned me as
to my motives for SO desperate an act,
and, to my extreme astonishment, handed
me portfolio containing forty thousand
florins on the express condition that |
should take no steps to find him out. l
entreated him to accept my marriage
ring, at sight Of which promised to re-
pay the loan, as it should be possible for
me to do so. He took the ring, and !
left him my heart brimful of gratitude.
II will not attempt to describe to you
the joy with which ! once more embraced
my wife and daughter. God alone can
repay my benefactor all the good he did
for us. arranged my affairs, and we set
out for Vienna, where / formed this es-
of which / cannot consider
myself more than the temporary possess
sor. You perceive, gentlemen, that Ell
len has no dowry to expect, and that we
may at any moment be reduced to very
precarious position
Ellen's face was hidden by her hands.
When Mr.. Muller ceased speaking, we
still listened. Presently the Jew broke
silence.
II have little" he said, to add to
your narration; the man who was so for
innate as to render you a service, re-
NAMED cripple for. the rest of bis days.
When be plunged into the Spree, he
struck against stone, and since then
imped, as you perceive
We were all motionless with surprise. |
Then Nautilus drew ring from his fin
ger and handed it to Mr.. Muller. The
countenance of the latter, generally so
,old in its expression, was suddenly ex-
agitated; tears started to
lis eyes, and he threw himself into bis
preserver's arms,