The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-21

ed his steps toward the front room, from
whence came the noise of merry laughter
and shouts of fun. Softly he approached
behind the open door which concealed him
from his wife and children, leant himself
at his ease on the lower half and looked
smilingly down on the frolics of his little
ones. The mother, with the youngest girl
on her lap, sat on the doorstep, while
Fritz and Hans crawled about the floor.
They were playing hundred tricks with
the kitten, which had come into the world
only few weeks before. Fritz had got a
piece OF colored cloth for plaything, and
flung it across the room, but with a
thread cunningly fastened to it, so that he
might pull it back again. The kitten, ac-
cording to the manner of young cats,
leaped and seized the lure with comical
antics, but just as she fancied it was fast
between her paws there came a sudden
pull, and away flew the prize, while she
looked after it with ludicrous astonish-
ment Then arose bursts of merriment
and shouts of delight, and the mother,
glad in her children's pleasure, laughed
with them, and took care that the old cat
should not disturb their sport by any sud-
den outbreak of ill-temper.
Master Heinzelmann looked on for a
little while, and amused himself, without
being seen, with his children's diversions.
All at once, however, he made a grave
face, and said, Enough, little ones let
the kitten go, and come to supper. Come,
dear wife, it is all ready
As soon as the children heard their ia
theirs voice, they thought no more about
the kitten, but sprang up and ran toward
him with merry faces. But he did not hug
and kiss them as he was accustomed to do;
he gave them only short salute, and the
same to his wife, who came toward him
with her hand held out, and the youngest
child on her arm.
Baptist" she said, "dear husband, We
have had rare fun this afternoon. You
should see how cleverly Fritz can spring
about with the kitten! But what is the
matter? You look angry. Has anything
happened to vex you?"
'fNot exactly vexatious," " replied Helm
zelmann, "and yet, as I saw you sitting
there SO pleasantly, was little fretted to
think that l had promised Master Voll-
bracht to go into town this evening. l
would much rather stay at home with you. ="
$50 to town, Baptist, to-day?" asked
Frau Margaret, in astonishment. and
what have you to do there ?"
"Oh, it is about some town affairs, an
swered Baptist; Il don't myself know
rightly what they are When Master Voll-
bracht told me, did not altogether under
stand; but, at all events, l promised to 60
for short hour, so as to be quit of him.
You know well, Margaret, that, to speak
truly, the locksmith is no special friend of
mine-he is too fond of the public house.
Still, promise is promise, and l must
keep my word; so let us have supper
quickly, for the sooner there, the sooner
shall l be back again. -
Frau Margaret said nothing, although it
could be seen in her face that her hus-
bands going out in the evening was not at
all agreeable to her. She went and got
the supper ready. Master Heinzelmann
ate few mouthfuls hastily, and then rose
up and put on his coat.
Good-by, Margaret" he said; "good
night, children! l expect to be at home
$50, then," she answered with cheer
full look, land l will wait for you; but do
not stay too long"
Baptist promised, and went. Frau
Margaret felt uneasy as she looked after
him. 1t was the first evening since their
marriage that she had been left alone in
the house. When she heard the garden
gate shut behind her husband, she became
fearful, and pressed her hand over her
eyes, out of which few tears had forced
their way. Presently, however, she said
to herself" Timid heart! what matters
it if you are left alone for once! 1t will
not happen often, for he loves me; yes,
and the children too. How can be so
silly!"
So she thought, and then put on cheer
full face, and played and talked to the chill
dren, as though nothing had happened
But the pure gladness which leaps from
the care-free heart as a clear spring, was
wanting. She sent the youngsters to bed
earlier than usual, and placed herself at
the window, and looked silently forth into
the garden, which the moon, with its pale
light, seemed to have covered with veil
of silver. Thus she waited for her hus-
bands return. At ten o'clock she hoped
he would come by-and-by eleven struck,
he was still absent; another anxious half
hour passed-at last he came. She heard
his footsteps still far off, heard the garden
gate creak, and flew to meet him.
$50 late! you bad man," she cried
merrily, but with slight reproach in the
tone Of her voice.
g could not do otherwise, dear wife, :"
replied Baptist, who was visibly little
excited. :" You should only have been
there! They paid me great honor, and
when | was coming away at ten O'Clock,
they all cried out for me to stay, that my
opinion had great weight with them, and
SO, really could not leave. But you
should have gone to bed, Margaret"