The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-01-01
Aalisrelianenns.
THE BEAN.
II. 2sCIIoKKE.

/ WAS in despair-so began the young
banker Walter at an evening party -
for nine weeks l went everywhere in
Vienna, into all parties, under all pre-
tences, and at every policeofiice l de-
scribed the lady Ton 2drRou, her aunt,
and the maid-servant; no one could tell
whittier they had gone. Good advice
indeed was not wanting, for that is al
ways cheap. | was directed to all the
points of the compass to find my god
dess.
She was no longer in Vienna. But
although | was told so at the hotel
where she had lived, and although |
occupied the same room which had once
been hers, l still sought her l was "a /
all churches and masses, at all masque-
rados and balls, at all plays and places
Of amusement. Enough-lovc's labour
was lost. My angel had vanished.
Inconsolable, l left the capital, and in
the worst winter weather returned
home.
But to make the whole singularity OF
my fate clear to you, 1 must tell you
how became acquainted with the la
dy. You will find much in my story
that is wonderful, but in love every
thing is romance.
\
Three years before, l had visited
Vienna on business. Our house was
threatened with great loss. l succeed
ed in averting the misfortune, and then
availed myself Of the opportunity to
participate in the amusements of Wen
ma. Who knows, thought !, that | shall
ever again come to Vienna?
My acquaintances carried me into all
companies; | was introduced into
many family circles; the mothers re-
ceived me very kindly, and their fair
daughters not less so. | was known to
be unmarried, ,and the name of our house
was not unknown to the fathers. |
passed everywhere a5 the rich banker,
and was addressed by the title of Mr..
pOH Walter.
On account Of the peculiaritics of my
good old father l had never thought of
marrying. Or COURSE, entirely free,
fluttered from one fair one to another.
| loved them all, but no one in particu-
lar.
"rhe lady Won rarnau is every mo-
ment expected" lisped an elderly lady
near me, atan evening party to young
neighbor.
"She is dear good creature" replied
the young lady addressed; "she would
be thought perfectly beautiful, were it
not for that horrible defect"
"Ah !" said the elderly lady, "you
mean the mole she has on her breast, Just
below her neck? they say thatit is in the
form Of = mouse !"
"A mouse! Pardon, my dear lady, if
it were nothing worse than that it would
not be necessary for her to wrap her
self up so like a nun. No, it is just like
a camel, with two humps, four legs, ,and
a long neck"
Don't you believe that" said anoth-
or who joined in the conversation. 81
know all about it. 1t is mole of u
very peculiar kind, of a monstrous size,
and covers her wholenech. 1t is shock
ing Disagreement"
"Indeed, that is frightfulv exclaimed
the old lady.
"Nes, and if l were SO disfgured," >"
said one Of the young ladies, modestly
casting her eyes down upon the fine
gauzo which lay upon her fair neck like
a cloud on the snow, Il do believe it
would kill me-"
Others now joined in the converse
tion; every one confirmed the fact, and
all pitiod the young lady Won Tarnau
on account Of this great misfortune.
The door opened. The young lady
aud her aunt entered.
Had she not already awakened an in.
tercst in me through the preceding con-
she would have riveted my
attention by her uncommon beauty and
grace. An ideal, such rs we sometimes
admire in the pictures Of Angelica Kauf-
mann, a-no, smile nof, was not then
in love, and now | am married, so | ut
Ter nothing but truth.
Enough, the lovely Turnau won the
yes and hearts of all the gentlCmcn
hey al approached her with an cX-
preston of interest, frightened by the
endercst sympathy. But she was inn
vailed close up to her chin.
lhis popularity Of her dress, of course,
ncessantly reminded one Of the mouse,
md another OF the camel. All thought
very one, why was fate so cruel As to
lefurm the sweetest creature under the
un in this dreadful munncr!-and,
'annot deny ii, l thought so too.
am not by nature curious, but on
hat evening this sin plagued me as
never before. Ny eyes continually /.
over the folds OF the thick |.
'ail; | repeated my voyage Of discovery |
very quarter Of an hour. | always |
ound opportunity to stand next to the |
air unfortunate. But in vain.
There was dancing. Several couples |
lad already taken their places. Tie |
beautiful Tarnau remained unasked,- -
low powerful is Imagination ! | asked |
ler to dance ; she gave me her hand. | |
continued her partner the rest of the .
,vening.
She hoycred lightly around me, like
me OF Titania's elves, in all her .
notions, smiles, looks, words, full of
neXpressible sweetness-Ah! shame |
lpon the masterpiece of Nature, whQ,in |
ruel wantonness, had ruined her most |
beautiful work. 81,
The company separated late, The |
beautiful unfortunate had enraplured |
ne. She was SO innocent and sanity |
md unconstrained. All! happily she |
Snew not what every one else knew |
50 much the better for her. / was not |
omantic enough to fancy that l had
al Ion In lnNyn n Trs+ Gioht n1th,t1pt, n |