Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-01-30
MARRIAGE OF LUTHER.

MARRIAGE OF LUTHER.
Luther came TO Melanihon's house and re
quested to see CaIharine alone.
Margaret FASTENED to her aud gave her the
message She entreats her fIiend to return
With her.
That would not do" replied Margaret "he
said expressly alone; he undoubtedly has some
thing very particular to say. Now, CatLa-
Tihe, take courage and open yOar heart"
Poor Catharine went with trembling steps
10 the presence of Luther.
Il have sent for you my child, raid luther,
"tO converse on the subject of matrimOny. /
hope you are convinced that it is holy state
Yes, SIR said Catharine,
Are you prepared to embrace it?'
NO, sir" she replied.
Perhaps You have scraples on the score OF
} monastie VOWS if so, will mark some pas
sages / have written on the subject that may
> set your mind at rest"
GaIharfne Was SILENT
Il perceive do not make much progress in
my purpose ! am little used TO these matters,
and had better be direct. Do you mean to
abide by your monastic vows, or will you
marry, like a rational woman?"@
This direct appeal seemed to arouse her cour-
age.
Even Dr. Martin Luther has no right" said
she, ito ask tllat question without explaining
his motive"
We'll said, Kate" must tell you then
There is person who would GLADLY take you
for better or worse"
Calharine's color rose, and her eyes sparlfled
with additional brightness
i Now saw las lac auy chauce?"
You have not told me who he is" said she,
resoIutely
And you.have not told me whether you
have any scruples OF concience on the subject;
if you have, God forbid that / should urge
you"
when I left the convent" said she. in a
low voice, sit was because it would have been
hypocrisy in Be TO have remained there. |
took the VOWS ignorantly and almost by com
pusion; / embraced the reformed religion with
an inquiring and willing faith. God forgive ME,
that / so lotg offered him the worship Of my
lips While my heart was far from him"
And now?" said Luther after waiting for
her TO finish her sentence.
Snow she replied, Il need not ask his for
giveness for worshipiug him in spirit and in
truth. | ain no longer man.
We'll, )" said Luther, Il suppose This is as
direct an answer as ! must expect So to my
purpose.
But even Luthur stopped short, surprised
at CatLarine's emotion.
Perhaps, my dear" he said kindly, Il do
wrong in speaking to you myself bud bet
ter commission Margaret. l suppose women
converse on these matters better together; and
yet as have begun, will finish. The other
day Bodensin, the nephew of Carostadt
came 10 ne 10 solicit my Influence with you.
lie wishes you TO marry him. / told him
could have no particular influence with you
unless you hnve scruplcs of conscience about
marrying. He Is clever young man, and
see no objection. lie is very unlike his ianat-
ic uncle
He might have talked an hour without re-
ceiving a reply. Catharine's manner had
changed there was no longer the emotion
or the blush.
"W bat shall tell him %
Anything you please" said she, $50 that
never see him again"
why, this is strange" said Luthcr; ''you
did not seem 10 have scruples Of conscience
Just row, My dear Catharine you must not
forget that you have no natural relations here
and this young man can be protector TO
you"
Il wish you would not speak Of him." re-
piled she.
is there any one else that you like bet
ter?r
She made no reply.
NAY, speak; have every disposition to
serve you. Has any other person made the
same. proposition 10 you ?''
Yes said Catbarine, with little woman
ly pride; "Counsellor Baumgartner has made
the same proposals"
DO you prefer him ?"
"Yes,'' she replies, rising. "but ] am as hap
I py as l ever expect TO be. My friends assure
me that l am ne burden, but on the contra
ry help to them; and so l wish you good
morning"
Poor Catharine FASTENED to her room. Her
dream was over. Luther, the ausiere, the in-
sensible reCormer, had awakened her from it.
Margaret entered while her eyes were yet red
with weeping. She tendefly approached and
embraced her; but neither exchanged word.
There is no hope Of Bodensl slein,' thought
| Lulherj at IS evident Baumgartner is the OBJ
ject. Catharine is a child; if The Elector dies
she is without support except by the labor
vi HI AouuSy dBN tuCy uO HUI lOUh tic AHOuEu
they were made for labor. will write to
jerome BaumgartHery he is well known as a
young counsellor at Nuremberg"
/ Accordingly he wrote:
1884, Oct. r.
"If you would obtain Catharine on Borne,
hasten here before she has given to another
who proposes for her. She has not yet con
quered her love for you. shall rejoice to see
you united.
LUTHER"
The young counsellor received this letter
with surprise ard incredulity. The positive
refusal of Catharine, some mouths before, had
left no doubt on his mind, and he thought the
/ Wisest plan was to enclose the letter 10 her
and TO inquire whether il was written with
| her sanction.
| In the meantime, Luther's friends began to
urge him to marry. particularly Melunclhon.
You preach, said he, why do you not prac-
tice!7
He protested, however. that he would not
be caught in the snare that his time was now
fully occupied.
When Catharine received the letter from
her former lover, she was filled with astonish-
ment, ard requested Margaret to speak to Lu-
ther on the subject lie said he had done
what he thoGght was right and would be
agreeable to all parties; but be found there
Was one science he did not understandable