The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-03-27
THE GROCER's DAUGHTER.
By JOHN FOSTER.

had an only son of the name of Casimir
He was remarkable for very hand
some face and elegant manners, but
still more SO for the estimable qualities
{ of his heart. He was, besides, very in.
dustrious, knew many ancient and mod
ern languages, was something of poet,
aud had travelled with his father
through great part of Germany, Italy
and France. Although his allowance
for college expenses was handsome, no
eXtravagant dissipation wasted his time,
for his chief pleasure was in assisting
young students whose friends were toe
poor to pay for their education. The
elder Morn lived in fine house, and
kept great many servants. He was,
therefore, supposed to be very wealthy,
and was consequently much sought af-
ter, and visited by numerous persons
from the Court.
As in many other cities besides those
of Bohemia, we see the palace and the
hovel verv near neighbors, it so hap.
pened that there was an ancient house
I exactly opposite the fine mansiOn OF
the Morns. Almost in ruins, gloomy IN
appearance it had still its portion OF
life; for an old man named Herman re-
sided in it-a grocer by trade, with a
reputation for great wealth, but so mi
serly that he scarcely ever left the shop,
where from morn to night he was seen
weighing coffee, sugar, soap and cheese.
All the assistant he had was his pretty
daughter, Gertrude, who had played
with Casimir Morn when she was Il
child.
| ha fear
the children of all classes sport in the
village together. The elder Morn had
tried to suppress this familiarity, for he
wac ambitious and proud; and the gro
Ger also thought his daughter too tall to
be the companion of q young man like
Casimir. He, however, said nothing,
because 10th to Iisk the profitable Gus.
tom of his neighbor.
The consequence of all this was that
when Casimir arrived at the age ot23,
and when Gertrude was l6, the son of the
banker declared he would not marry
any one but the grocer's daughter; and
she vowed that she would be Casimir's,
or never give her hand at all. The
grocer smiled, but the banker sighed,
though he gave his consent out of con-
sideration for his son, and per
haps from remembrance of old
Herman's riches. 1t was decided that
when the young people were year
older the marriage should be celebra-
ted.
At the end of that time, Casimir
claimed his bride; but old Herman said
that he had changed his resolve; that he
had no faith in any other way Ofgetting
living but lis own; that learning was
useless; that soldier was II robber,
aud banker gambler; and that he
had determined that Casimir should not
have his daughter, unless he became a
grocer. ...
The bankers pride would not permit
him to acqniesce, and Casimir was much
embarrassed; but Gertrude, with the
spirit of a heroine, vowed she would
never allow her betrothed, for love of
her, to weigh pepper all his life. Time,
she thought, would alter her fathers res
olution.
1t was settled, therefore, that Casimir
should return to his University. and
await the course of events.
About six months afterwards ho re
ceived ~ remittance OF ElOOO, With the
following letter from his father:
"My Dear Child: The money you ie-
ceive with this is ali can send you. l
am bankrupt and fugitive, and have
gone to England to embark for the East
Indies. God bless you; we may never
meet again"
Casipir loved his father, and was
deeply grieved. On the following day
he went home, and found that all the
property had been taken possession of,
and that he had no place he could call
his swn. He went to the old shop and
offered to become a grocer; for Gertrude
was worthy of such sacrifice. Herman,
however, looked at him with scornful
smile, saying, "Have you brought the
thousands your father robbed me OFT"
Casimir said he had only the sum
! which had been sent him; on which the
grocer took off his wig, threw it up in
the air, called old Morn thief, said he
was reduced to poverty, and would be
compelled in the end to beg his bread
from door to door.
But" he added. 81 will never beg
for your wedding. Go! Never come TO
my door again. have not educated my
daughter to give her to beggar."
Gertrude could only bid her betrothed
adieu, with one look of love, and he left
the place, almost in despair. His father
was blamed on every side, and mostly
by those whom his hospitality had
| feasted. Therefore when, shortly after,
news of of his death arrived, it was al
most q consolation, for he was an hon
est, though a weak man; and when he
was gone even the calumnies of the un-
grateful ceased.
Casimir hired one room in small
hotel adjoining the mansion which had
once belonged to his family. After set
Ting himself there, he called on his
friends, and on one OF the ministers.
All expressed sympathy for him; and
they knew of no means to serve him at
present, but would think of him. Down
cast and disheartened, Casimir went
home, but he had one remaining pleas
ure, which was, when the old grocer
went ont, to 60 over and talk awhile
with Gertrude.
These opportunities, however, were
very rare, since Herman seldom left the
house. But Casimir had great deal
of courage, and Gertrude kept mp his
spirits by saying, "You are only twenty
five and eighteen" :.
Many persons offered her their hands.
but she was constant, and though obe-
dent to her father, guarded faithfully
her lsve for him her heart had chosen.
And for the kiss she often gave to CAST
mir, princes would have gladly laid
down a crown at her feet.
One day pompous servant brought
message to Casimir from Count Bit
tenblatt, the Minister of Finance, re-
questing a visit; and he Immediately
went, aud was politely received.
"The Grand Duke," said Bittenblatt,
dis going to send a commission into the
provinces to inquire into some revenue
abuses. The couusellors chosen are
two old men, who will do no work.
which have in vain represented to his
Highnoss, because he thinks it his du-
ty to reward these venerable and faith
fnl servants. Much against my will,
too, he has appointed my son as chan
cellor of the commission, and he being
rather delicate, you will much oblige
me by accommodating him as Secreta-
ry. You will be handsomely rewarded;
"a 80 ,.,x- con Nth ynur bpin fnlElls