Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-02-16

Il to play. HIS luck turned. ne nau
soon lost all his winnings, and the
money set apart for his bridal presents.
He had broke the package of bank
notes, the money he had received from
his father for the purchase of his COM
mission, and though he saw bill after
swept away before his eyes, he con-
tinued to play, in the desperate hope of
winning back his losses. At length his
last ducat was gone. He rose and left
the room, the last words ringing In his
ear being:
snake your game, gentlemen, while
the ball rolls.
Despairing aud heart stricken, the
young man sought his hotel and his
chamber. On the staircase he encount-
cred Madame Won Berlingen, but he
saw her not-his eyes were glazed-he
did not notice or return her salutation.
He threw himself upon his bed with
out undressing, and toward morning
fell into an unfreshing and dream-peo,
pied slumber.
When he arose late the next day he
looked at himself in the glass, bnt scar
cely recognized his own face, so changed
was he by the mental agonies he had
undergone. When he had paid some
little attention to his toilette he receiv-
ed a message from Madame Won Ber-
lingen, requesting the favor of an in
| terview in her apartments. He me-
chemically ObeYed the summons, though
| i'll fitted to sustain conversation with
lady.
The widow requested him to be seat
Ell.
'Mr. Walstein," said she, "with a
smile, you are growing very ungallant.
l met yOu last night upon the staircase,
but, though / spoke to you, you had
not word or a nod for me-"
"Last night, madam" answered the
unfortunate young man. 81 was be-
side myself. o, madam-if you knew
all"
81 do knew all, +" replied the lady.
"Whatl that l had been gambling
that had thrown away-yes. those are
the words-every ducat of the money
my poor father furnished me with
which to purchase my commission.
"Yes-I know all that. But the loss
is not irreparable.
pardon me, madam. My father,
though reputed wealthy, is unable to
furnish me with a similar sum, even If
L were base enough to accept it at his
hands.
But if some friends were to step
forward
"Alasl l know none.
"AIr. Walstein, I" said the lady, 81 am
rich; a loan of the requisite amount
would not affect me in the least.
"Oh, madam" cried the young man,
eff you would indeed save me by such
generosity, you would be an angel of
mercy"
What is the amount of your loss?"
inquired the lady calmly, as she unlock
ed her desk.
"Three thousand ducats, answered |
Ernest. "But 1 can give you no sec
urity for the payment"
"Your note OF hand is sufficient"
said the lady, handing the young man
a package of notes. please to count |
those, and see if the sum is correct
Here are writing materials.
Ernest did as he was bid-counted |
the money, and then sat down at the
desk.
write at my dictation," said the
lady.
Ernest took up a pen and commenc-
ed.
1.-The date, said the lady.
Ernest wrote it.
Received of Anna Won Berlingen
the sum of three thousand ducats.
Ernest wrote and repeated-"three
thousand ducats."
''In consideration, l promise to
marry the aforesaid Anna Won Berlin
gen."
$40 marry yonr' exclaimed Ernest
''Ay-to marry meP' said the lady.
''Am 1 deformed-am 1 ugly-am l
poor?"
ST cannot do it-you know not the
reason that induces me to refuse"
Then go home to your father and
confess your guilt"
Ernest reflected few moments. He
could not go home to his father with
the frightful tale. 1t was a question
between suicide and marriage; he sign
ed the paper.
"Now, then, baron" said the widow
to herself" as she carefully secured the
promise, lyon cannot say that you
broke the heart of Annie by your cruel
ty. Take the money; Ernest" she adj
ded aloud, ego and purchase your COM
mission"
Ernest obeyed. His dreams of yes
terday morning had all been dissipated
by his own act; he felt a degraded and
bTOken-spirited criminal. He had sold
himself for gold.
"Here comes Captain Ernest" cried
a youthful voice. And beautiful blue.
eyed girl of nineteen stood at the gar
den gate of pretty farm house, watch
ing the approach of horseman, who,
gaily attired in huzzar uniform, was
galloping mp the road. At her shout
of delight sturdy old gray haired man
came forth and stood beside her.
Captain Ernest" he repeated, "that
sounds well. When / was of his age,
only carried musket in the ranks.
never dreamed then that son of mine
could ever aspire to the epaulette.
Ernest, waving his hand to Meena
Altenberg and his father, rode past
them to the stable, where he left his
horse. He then rushed into the farm
house, where his father met him.
"What is the meaning of this, boy?"
he said. How wild and haggard you
look And you have avoided Meena
and this, too, upon your wedding
day."
my wedding day-O heaven! shall
diel" said the young man, sinking into
seat.
AS soon as he could collect himself,
he told his father that he could not
marry Meena, and the reason-that he
had pledged himself to another. The