The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-11-19

strength and Whereabouts of the enemy
when, night approaching, they had been
compelled to seek shelter at the farm
house, in the outbildings of which we find
them. Their host was, as has already
been said, German, and this particular
evening, on which our story opens, ap
pears to have been a festive one with him.
At least so judged our friends, as, dis
mounting at the door, savory smell of
pies and puddings almost overpowered
their famished senses. If so, however,
the old German, with the natural reserve
of his race, was not going to have any in
truders in his festivities so, hastily fur
nishing them with plain but substantial
supper, he gave orders to his sole man
servant to establish them in part of the
out-buildings. where their presence would
not interfere with his frolic
There may have been another reason
for this churliShness on the part of the old
gentleman, for he had very pretty daugh
ter-the Fraulein Katrina, whose eigh
teenth birthnight he was about to cele,
brate
Now, Katrina was a sweet and Charm
ing creature-made up of real living flesh
and blood-none of your icy, sylh-li ma
lures or forms but unsophisticated,
warm hearted, and impulsive. So, per
haps the caution of the father, in not ad
mitting FIVE wild, but very good looking
fellows beneath his family-tree was just
as we'll.
Our young friends, however, did not
think so--as later, when established In
their comfortless, barn of place, they,
by reason of a window opposite, became
dissatisfied witnesses of their hosts fes-
tivities Beside, the fair Katrina had al
ready turned the heads of more than one
of the party, and each time as she fitted
by the open easement in search of some
deicacy for herself or to replenish her
fathers plate, but added to the fame al,
ready lit within their over-susceptible
hearts. Spurred on, then, by love and
appetite, they determined, by singing
popular song, to make one last effort TO
soften the heart of the obdurate parent.
The first verse Of their song had scarce
melted away in the balmy night air, when
form appeared at the window opposite.
1t was the charming Katrina; and lit
up as was her Rebe like form, by the
glowing lights within the room, with the
dark outlines of the open easement for a
frame she presented as pretty picture
as one would wish to gaze upon. Rem
brandt like in effect, the singers were for
the moment almost spell at the
sight, but determining to charm her CON-
pletely, they gave chorus in fine style
Just trilling the last line with a little
touch of feeling that quite delighted them
selves, even. They sang well-they were
sin2lng for their suppers; for we'll they
knew that he who can but will not sing
for his supper, does not deserve to have
any. So they sang we'll, these young fell
lows, inspired as they were by the saVory
sight of the apple tarts, and the graceful
contour of the charming Katrina.
This fair maiden, the while, was leaning
eagerly from the window, ber back to-
wards the singers, but her head turned
around 50 as to catch the sweet sounds
waiting towards ber.
90, papa!" she cried at last, as the e.
nal note of the chorus died away. 80,
papa, who can that be singing? How
delightful to have serenade, and on my
birth night, too y
"Ya." answered papa with the ut
most sangfrold, ard demolishing at the
same time the last of the pie; ''Ya. |
links as how it must be de screech owls '
ooh, no. papa, it's real nice singing
Why, surely you must hear it"
"Ya, va, now [ links [ does hear some
ting" answered the old Dutchman, roll
ing towards the window like perambu-
lating beer cask. "Ya, it's them fellows
over der, dat makes all dish noise," he
continued, as. having finished the last
mouthful of the pie, he found time to
think over the matter ''Ya dat's it.
It'r them soldiers as come tonight for a
nights lodgings"
But, papa" expostulated the maiden,
"what made you put them over there ?
Why, didn't you give them room in the
house 2"
"Ya! va! and have dem cut up de
debil in de house No, no. | knows
what desc soldiers are p
ooh, papa, I'm sure they are real nice
persons Now do have them over do. |
There's dear papa! They will make
such a nice company for my birth-night
l declare it will be quite party!
"Ya, ya!' exclaimed the old gentle
man "dat's just de way with desc wo
men, folks. Dey links of nothing but
parties and balls. Dat was just de way
with nv moor frnW. who Is an ANGEL now.