The mountain Democrat., 1864-08-27

been q VeTy important line, for the face of
the doctor frightened with q heartfelt
laugh, as he busted himself to lay more
papers upon the desk. The merchant mo-
toned him away, saying
"No matter. 1t is a pleasure to me
when my signature can be of use to a
meritorious and learned man, even il, per-
sonally, I derive no profit from his tai
ents. Your theory and my practice arc
very different; an interchange of ideas that
are so directly opposed, leads only to end
less confusion. Farewell! |"
The doctor retired and made room for a
man, who pressed close up, and, without
further ceremony, began:
"Mr. Mohrfeld, your Fortuna is quite
ready, and can be launched at any mo-
ment. l wish to know what time you
will appoint?"
Monday morning, Mr.. Reich, answer
ed the merchant. 81 am well pleased
with your prompt and efficient mode Of
business. Nova young beginners shoull
be encouraged, you may lay the keel of a
new vessel on my account. Try yourself
at that. passed your yard yesterday,
and observed the order and industry with
which it is conducted. Persevere in that
manner. Well remember Monday morn
ing. Farewell. Who are you?"
This was addressed to a poorly clad
woman, who now stood before him, and
whose palid cheeks and suffused eyes be-
trayed deep grief. At this nearly harsh
address of the merchant she looked anx-
iously up, and answered:
I" am the wife of Bodmer, the man
who was so unfortunate as to fall from the
loft and break his leg"
Shocking very shocking! | am very
sorry for Bodmer he was steady man,
and ever cheerfully performed his duties.
But my surgeon visited him; what did he
say?"
" lie gives the best hope of saving my
husbands life, but it will be tedious
sickness; and who knows if the poor man
will ever again be able to work? What,
then, shall we, with our five POOR chill
dren, do :"
"Have confidence in the man in whose
service you have met the misfortune" an
swered the merchant. "What the patient
needs of wine and strengthening food,
snail be furnished from my kitchen. The
weekly wages yo1 will receive regularly
on Saturday. Now 60 home, and remem
Der inc to your husband whom will soon
visit"
The woman through her tears rendered
speechless thanks, and the merchant be
gan reading my letter.
Your letter has rather an old date, "
said he, suddenly; have long expected
it. Your circumscribed time has proba-
bly, prevented an earlier call ?"
stammered out lie, something about
my indispoSition to disturb. so active a
business man, but that at the moment |
was in great necessity. He did not let
me finish, but went on.
"You are here highly recommended to
me. If can do anything for you, speak
freely. Persons away from home fire.
quently stand in need of aid."
This was the moment to speak of the
deep ebb of my purse but oh ! the false
shame-the words would not leave my
lips.
Nothing?" he proceeded. "Well, on
another occasion, perhaps. Come, how
ever, on Sunday to my cottage before the
Damn Door, and take spoonful of soup
with me. Men of business have on week
days but small leisure TO bestow on mere
conversation"
Here was my dismissal but without
money, however, could not 60. | was
completely cleaned out, and must travel
At this moment there came to my rescue
q clerk, who handed between the desk and
myself a letter brought by an express,
addressed to Mr.. Mohrftld. 1t was in.
stantly opened and read, and was proba-
bly, of favorable nature, as a pleasing
smile played round the lips of the mer-
chant; but suddenly, as if betraying a
weakness, it again vanished, and he laid
the letter with accustomed unconcern on
one side. AS he did so, his glance again
fell on me.
Anything further to command, sir?"
Now must speak, cost what it will. |
stepped close to his chair, bowed my lips
to his ear, and poured forth multitude
of words, among which the most emphatic
were, want Of money" To an elegant
construction Of sentences at such g. mos
ment. would even Demosthenes have Civ
en- no thought. The merchant stared at
me with wondering eyes, then took my
letter in hand and again read it through
with close attention; after which he wrote
a line under it and handed it to me, say
ing:
"Here, sir, have the goodness to hand
this to my cashier. shall depend on Sec
ing you at my table on Sunday; for the
present you will excuse me-"
l bowed silently, and soon stood before
the man surrounded with iron chests
He took the letter and said:
" You have to receive one hundred
marks courrant. Will you please give a
receipt? Here is the money"
"And here, sir, is your receipt" cried
| with lightened heart, as thrust the
fiftyo thalers, nineteen and o.thirds
shillings into my pocket, hurried out of
the office into the free air Of heaven, and
turned toward the Alster Hall, in the ele
gantly decorated rooms of which l speedi-
ly enjoyed a substantial breakfast.
mi
A MIDDLE.AGED farmer and his wife were
enjoying an evening cozily together, when
tha ooDporcof;oD fnrpod nnon roli0ioue