The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-01-03
ERNST AND ADOLPH.


and the hot tears were flowing, and
each begged a thousand pardons o
the other. 1t was happy hour they
spent in the forest, happy return
to their homes, and sweet sleep had
they that night. Each dreamed o
the other, and the sun of the morrow
seemed to shine brighter than evel
he had done before. Albert saw the
friends once more together, and il
was bitter sight to him. But they
paid no further attentions to him
They treated him politely. but never
associated with him again. II was
a sore punishment to him, but he
deserved it all.
Years passed on, and Ernst and
Adolph were men. After the inter
ruption Of their intimacy that have
mention, they never allowed anoth-
er difficulty to take place. Thus
manhood found them bosom COM
panions. But the time arrived when
Ernst had to lsave home and 60 to
Amsterdam, to become partner in
a large mercantile establishment.
1t was hard for them TO separate, but
AdoIph promised that after few
months, he would 60 and see the
new merchant. Then it was easier
for them to part; but there were ma
ny signs and bitter tears.
Separation seemed easier 10 Ernst
than Adolph, because the city was
full of charms to him, and after lit
tie while he did not often think of
the little country village or the peo-
pie who lived there. Poor Adolph
could not feel happy night or day
without his old friend. Every tree
al which they had sat together, eve
~ stone on which they had rested,
reminded him Of old times, and often
filled his heart with sadness. Still
he took courage land every day coun-
ted the months, and days, and hours
that must pass by before the time he
had appointed 10 visit Amsterdam.
Every night he would say, "One day
less," and at the end of every week
he was unspeakable happy. After
a while, the snow was all gone from
the mountains, and the green velvet
carpet was stretched over every bill.
and valley, and each bird seemed TO
vie with all its fellows in a continu-
Gus musical tournament. At last the
day came that Adolph had set to Wis
it his old friend. He slept but little
the night before, and early the next
morning, clad in his best clothes, he
started off on foot with his staff and
knapsack. Never did anything seen.
SO lovely as now. To him it was
a new world through which he was
passing. It is wonderful that he did
no: grow tired any time in his long
journey. And when he caugh, a
glimpse Of the towers and spires OF
that splendid city, he said to himself:
snow | shall soon be repaid for all
my trouble-soon | shall press the
hand of my old friend Ernst"
The city gate was entered, and he
then passed hastily along one Of the
principal streets. All at once he
halted and said: "There he is! That
is Ernst talking with those two
young menu He could not restrain
himself, bu, ran up 10 the one whom
he supposed was his old companion,
and threw his arms around his neck.
whats the matter with you,
peasant Don't you know its impu-
dent TO act thus in the public street,"
Ernst. my dear Ernst, have you
forgotten Adolph! 1t cannot be
possible. Not an hour has passed,
since saw you last, that ] have no,
thought Of you"
Ernst blushed and irowned with
anger. He was ashamed of AdoIph,
because of his rustic appearance and
brusque manner.
"Come, come on said Ernst's
friends. "surely you never saw that
country boor before" So Ernst
started off and left Adolph alone,
But he must return and whisper a
word to his afiieclionate old friend:
"Adolph, come and see me at nv
room this evening. l have not for
gotten you. Pardon me; but do
no: want TO be made light of BY
these new acquaintance from Ant
werp."
Adolph was stung to the quick.
He went off through the city gate,
and fully intended to get home as
soon as he could. But he could moi
90: ne must see Ernst again. "Per-
haps was rude; | know it was nv
fault that he acted as he did," reas-
,ning TO himself. By and by twi-
light came on, he returned to the
centre part Of Amsterdam, and went
up one street and down another,
until late hour of the night, not
moving what to do. Midnight