Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-01

the lazy wind-mills and the calm. clear wa
ters of the canals, scarcely ruffled by the
passage of the public terckschuf* In de
plcting scenes of this nature
The slow canal, the yellow -blossomed vale.
The willow-tuffed bank, the gliding sail
| was srngularly fortunate. Ny master
never praised me by word or look but
when my father came up one day from
Schledam to visit me, he drew him aside
and told him, III a voice inaudible to the
rest, that 'Messer Franz would do credit
to the profession :" which 50 delighted the
good dIstlller that he straightway took me
out with him for the day, and having given
me fifteen gold pieces as testimony of his
satisfaction, took me to dine with his friend
the burgomaster, Won Gael 1t was an
eventful dinner to me. On that evening
first fell in love-
Few people, think, would at that time
have denied the personal attractions of Ger
trude Won Gael yet do not know that if
"as so much her features as her soft voice
and womanly grace that fascinated me-
Though so young, she performed the honors
OF her fathers princely table with self-pos-
session and good breeding. In the evening
she sang some sweet German songs of her
own simple accompaniment We talked of
books and of poetry. | found her well read
in English French and German literature
We spoke of art and she discovered both
Judgment and enthusiasm
AS we took our leave at night, the bur-
gomaster shook me warmly by the hand
and told me to come often | fanced that
Gertrnde'S blue eyes frightened when he
said it, and felt the color rush quickly to
my brow as | bowed and thanked him.
Franz" said my father, when we were
once more in the street, chow old are YOU ~
just twenty-five, sir" | replied, rather
surprised at the question
You will not be dependent on your
brush, my boy" continued my father, as he
leaned upon my arm and looked back at
the lofty mansion we had just left. "I
have been neither wasteful nor unsuccess-
ful; and it will be my pride to leave You
an income at my death"
inclined my head in silence and wonder
ed what would come next.
" Burgomaster Won Gael is one of nv
oldest friends" said my father.
q" have often heard you speak of him,
sir" | replied.
And he is rich"
d" So | should suppose"
"Gertrude will have fine fortune" said
my father. as if thinking aloud.
| bowed again, but this time rather nerv-
ously.
Marry her, Franz"
dropped his arm and started back.
Sir ~ faltered, ,"I-I-marrv the Frau
lein Won Gael?'
And pray, sir, why not p said my fa-
thor curtlv a., -, %,
leaning both hands upon the top of his
walking-stick.
"Why not, sir ?" repeated my father, very
energetically. What could you wish for
better? The young lady is handsome, good
tempered, educated, rich. Now, Franz, if
| thought you had been such a fool as to
form any other attachment without"
Oh, sir, you do me injustice l have
done nothing of the kind But do you think
that--that she would have me ?"
Try her, Franz" said my father, good
humoredly, as he resumed my arm "If
am not very much mistaken, the burgomas-
ter would be as well pleased as myself; and
as for the fraulen-women are easily won
We had by this time reached the door of
the inn where my father was to sleep for
the night As he left me his last words
were:
Try her, Franz-try her"
From this time | became frequent visi-
to at the house of the Burgomaster Won
Gael. 1t was large, old fashioned man
sion, built of red brick, and situated upon
the famous line of houses known as the
Boompjes. In front fay the broad river,
covered with merchant-vessels, from whose
mast tluttered the flags Of all the trading
nations of the world. Tall trees, thick with
foliage, lined the quay, and the sunlight
fiickered through the leaves upon the spac-
ious drawing rooms of Gertrude's home.
Here, night after night, when the studies
of the day were over | used to sit with her
beside the open window, watching the busy
crowd beneath, the ripping river, and the
rising moon that tipped the masts and city
spires with silver. Here we read together
from the pages of our favorite poets, and
counted the first pale stars that trembled
into light.
1t was happy time. Bnt there came at
last time still happier, when, one still
evening, as we sat alone, conversing in I'M
frequent whispers, and listening to the
beating of each others hearts, told Ger
trude that loved her and she, in answer,
laid her fair head upon my shoulder with a
sweet confidence as if content to rest for
ever. Just as my father had predicted, the
burgomaster readily sanctioned our betro-
thai, specifying but one condition, and this
was that our marriage should not take place
until had at aimed my twenty-fiith year.
1t was long time to wait but | should
by that time, perhaps, have made name
in my profession intended soon to send
a picture to the annual exhibition-and
who could tell what might not do in three
years to show Gertrude how dearly | loved
her .
And so our happy youth rolled Oh, and
the quaint old dial in Messcr Won GaePs tu-
lip-gardcn told the passage of our golden
hours. In the meantime | worked sedu-
lousy at my picture. | labored upon it
all the winter and when spring time came
| sent ii in, with no small anxiety as to it's
probable position upon the walls of the gal
lery. 1t was view in one of the streets
of Rotterdam There were the the high
old houses with their gable and carved
door-ways, and the red sunset glittering
on thel panes of the upper windows the
canal flowing down the centre Of the street,
the white draw-bridge, with a, barge just