The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-01-05
Stlttt Wiseellang
LOVE IN THE CLOUDS.

x And this Is the fellow that wants to marry
my daughterl A pretty fool 1 should be to
give Annie to coward ike himr So shouted
honest Master joss, the sacristan of the cathe-
dral of Vienna, as he stood in the public room
of the "Adam and Eve" inn, and looked after
the angry retreating figure of Master Ottkar,
the head-mason.
As he spoke an honest young gardenernaaned
Gabriel, entered and for moment the youth S
handsome face flushed high, as he thought the
sacristan's words were directed at him. For it
was the old, old story. Gabriel and Annie had
played together and loved each other before
they knew the meaning of the word love; and
when, a few months before, they had found it
out, and Gabriel proposed to make Annie his
wife, her father rejected him with scorn. The
young gardner had little to offer besides an
honest heart and a pair of Industrious hands,
while Master Ottkar, the mason, had both
houses and money. To him, then, sorely
against her will, was the pretty Annie promis-
ed; and poor Gabriel kept away from the sa-
cristan's pleasant cottage manfully endeavor-
ing to root out his love while discriminating
the weeds in his garden. But somehow it
happened that, although the docks and thistles
withered and died, that other pertinacious
plant clinging and twining like the wild con-
volvulus, grew and hourished, nurtured, per
| chance, by an occasional distant glimpse OF
|
So matters stood, when one day, as Gabriel
was passing through crowded street, neigh
Dor hailed him:
''Great news, my boy Our Leopold has
been chosen emperor at Frankfort. Long live
the House of Austria! He is to make his
triumphial entry here in day or two. Come
with me to the Adam and Eve, and we will
drink his health, and hear all about il"
In spite of his detection Gabriel would have
been no true son of Vienna if he had refused
this invitation and waving his cap in sympa-
thy with his comrades enthusiasm, he hasten
ed with him to the inn. We have already
seen how the unexpected appearance and more
unexpected words of Master Joss met him on
his entrance In the height of his Indignation
the sacristan did not observe Gabriel, and con-
tinued in the same tone:
"I declare, I'd give this moment full and
free permission to WOO and win my daug hter to
any honest young fellow who would wave the
! banner in my stead-ay, and think her well
| rid of that cowandly mason"
From time immemorial it had been the GUS
tom in Vienna, whenever the empere made .
triumphal entry, for the sacristan of the cathe-
dral to stand ON the very pinnacle of the high
est tower and wave banner while the process
sion passed. Bat Master joss was old, stiff and
rheumatic, and snch an exploit would have
been quite as much out of his line as dancing
on tight rope. 1t was therefore needful for
him to provide substitute; and it never oc-
Cured to him that bis intended son-in-law, who
professed such devotion to his interests, and
whose daily occupation obliged him to climb
the dizzy heights, and stand on slender scaffold-
ing, could possibly object to take his place.
What, then, was his chagrin and Indignation
when, on approaching the matter that afternoon
to Master Ottkar, he was met by fiat and not
overcourteous refusal! The old man made a
hasty retort; words ran high, and the parting
VOlley, leyeled at the retreating mason, we have
already reported.
"Would you, dear Master joss, would you
indeed do SO? Then, with the help of Provi-
dence, I'll wave the banner for you you
please from the top of ST Stephens tower"
: 'sYou, Gabriel?" said the old man, looking
at him as kindly as he was wont to do in for
mer days "My poor boy you never could
do it, you, gardener, who never has had any
practice in climbing" erE
"Ah now you want to draw back from your
wordF' exclaimed the youth, reddening. "My