The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-09-28
"Burgomaster vOn Gael is one of my old,

replied.
"And he is rich" ,.-....
$50 / should suppose" .t
"Gertrude will have fine fortune," said
ny father, as If thinking aloud.
l bowed again, but this time rather ner-
'ously.
"Marry her, Franz"
dropped his arm and started back.
"Sir |" | faltered: "I-I-marry the
FrauIein Won Gael !"
Sand prey, sir, why not 7" said my father
curtly, stopping short in his walk, and lean.
ing both hands upon the top Of his walking
stick.
made no reply. .-.a.
"Why not, sir 7" repeated my father very
energeticalIy. "What could you wish for
better! The young lady is handsome, good
tempered, educated, rich. Now, Franz, if |
thought you had been such fool as to form
any other attachment without
30, sir, you do me injustice !" cried.-
"Indeed, know no one--have seen no 9th.
er ludy. But-do you think that-that she
would have me, sir =
"Try her, Franz" said my father good.
humorediy, as he resumed my arm. "If |
am moi much mistaken, the burgomeister
would be Os pleased as myself, and as for the
frauein-women are ebsily won."
We had by this time reached the door Of
the inn where my father was to sleep for the
night. As he left me, his last words were
"Try her, Franz-try her."
From this time became frequent visitor
ot The house of the Burgomas,er Won Gael.
1t was lerge old-fashoned mansion, bull,
Of red brick, end situated upon the famou-
line of houses known ss the B9ompjes. Ir
front lay the broad shining river, crowded
with merchant vessels, from whose masts
| Auttered the flags OF all the trading nations
of the world. Tall trees, thick with foliage
lined the quays, and cast pleasant shade
through " hich the sunlicht fiickered brightly
upon the spacious drawing rooms Of Ger
trude's home.
Here, night after night, when the stude
of the day were past, used to sit with he
beside the open window, and watch the bus!
passing crowd beneath, the ripping river
and the rising moon that tipped the mast
and city spires with silver.
1t was happy time. But there came q
last time still happier, when, one still eve
hing as we sat alone, conversing in unfre
quent whispers, and listening to the beatin
OF each others hearts, | told Gertrude tha
loved her and she, in answer, laid he
fair head silently upon my shoulder with
sweet confidence, as if she we're content s
to rest forever. Just as my father had pre-
dcted, the Burgomaster showed every mar
of satisfaction, and readily sanctioned ou
betrothal, specifying but one condition, an
this was that our marriage should not tax
place until had attained my twenty. fit
year. 1t was long time to wait; but
should by that time, perhaps, have made
name in my profession. intended soon
send picture to the annual exhibition
who could tell what might not do in thre
wears to show Gertrude how dearly love
her
And so our happy youth rolled on, and ,h
quaint old dial in Messer Won GaePs tuli
garden told the passage of our golden hour
In the meantime, worked sedulousIy at IN
picture labored upon it all the winter
and, when spring. time came, | sent it il
with no small anxiety as to its probable p'
| sition upon the walls of the gallery. 1t WI
view in one of the streets of ROTTERDAM
| There were the high old houses, with the
gables and catven doorways, and the re
sunset glittering on the bright, winkir
, panes of the upper windows-the canal foV
4 ing down the centre otthe street, crossed
:, its white draw bridge, with barge just pas
e ing underneath-the green trees, spreadr
:. long evening shadow across the yelto
II paving OF the roadway, and the spire of Il
q Church Of st. Lawrence rising high beyon
:, aoainst the clear, warm sky. When it W
). quite finished and about to be sent ava
i even Hans Won Roos nodded cold encou
o agement, and scd that il deserved 60
position. He had himself prepared pair
d ing this year, OF more ambitious scale, a
. q larger canvas than usual. 1t was sac CT
it subject, and represented the Conversion
e St. Paul. His pupils admired it warm
,. and none more than myself. We oil pl
e nounced it to be his master piece, and
v artist was evidently Of cur opinion.
,. The day of exhibition came at last.
r. mad scarce slept the previous night and
t. early morning found me, with number
ID other students, waiting impatientIy bef'
r. the vet unopened door. When arrived
,e wanted an hour to the time but,halfthe
seemed to elapse before we heard the heu
o. bolts give way inside, and then forced
nd way struggling through the narrow barrie
II. had flown up the staircase. and found II
il, self in the first. room, amid the bright we
w of paintings and gilt frames. l had forg
4 ten to purchase catalogue at the entFan
re and had not patience to 60 back for 1t F;
:" I strobe round and round the apartme
er looking eagerly for my picture it was
where to be seen, 50 passed on to the ne
b, here my search was equally unsucces essful
ed at naust be in the third roOin," 1 sait
ty myself, "where all the best works are plac