Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-01-07
Thorwa!sden's First Love.

room of house in Copenhagen, weeping bit
terly. In her lap lay few small trinkets anc
other small articles, evidently keepsakcs which
she received from time to time. She took III
one after the other, and turned them over, but
she could scarcely distinguish them through
her binding tears Then she buried her face
in her hands, and rocked to and fro in agony
"Oh." she moaned, and is it come to thisl
All my dreams of happiness have vanished
all my hopes are dead lie will even go with
out bidding me farewell All, Himlenl that
hare lived to see this bitter day Love ware
Gudl
! At this moment hssty tap at the door was
followed by the entrance Of the object OF her
grief. lie was a young man about Is years OF
age, his person middlc-sized and strongly built,
his features massive, regular and attractive
his long hair flaxen, his eyes blue. This was
Bertel Thorwalsden--a name which has since
then sounded throughout the world as that OF
the most illustrious culptor Of modern times.
His step was firm and quick, his eye bright,
and his features glowing as be entered the
room but when he beheld tho attitude Of the
weeping female, shade passed over his coun-
tenance as he gently walked up to her, and
laying his hand on hor shoulder, murmured :
"Amalie T.
Bertel u answered a smothered voice.
The young Dane drew chair TO her side,
and silently took her tear-bedewed hands
"Amalie," said he, after pause broken only
By her quivcring sob,, f" am come to bid thee
farewell. go in the morning"
She ceased weeping, raised her face, and
releasing her hands, pushed back her dishev-
elled hsir. Then she wiped her eyes, and
gazed on him in way that made his own
droop "Bertel," said she in solemn tone,
but void Of reprosch, "Bertel, why did you
win my young heart : why did you lead me
TO hope that should become she wife Of your
| bosom7"
"I-I always meant It mean Il now"
She shook her head mournfully, and taking
4 up the trinkets, continued: "Do you remcm-
Der what you said when you gave me this
and this-snd this ?"
"Wbst would you have, Amalle7 ! said !
loved you; love you still-but -
But you love ambition, fame, the praise Of
men far better !" added she bitterly.
Thorwalsden started, and his features flush
ed for lie felt actually the truth Of her words.
Yes, you will leave gamie Denmark-you
will ioa,r your poor, fOnu old ritnvr srd nu-
ther, whose only hope and only earthly JOY is
in you-you will leave me, and all who love
the sound Of your footsteps, and go to a dis
taut land, and forget us all p
"Min Pige! you are cruel and unjust.
shall come back to my old father and mother
come back to thee, and we shall all be happy
again"
! "Nsver, Bertel, never When once you
have gone there is no more happines, for US
In heaven we may all meet again, on earth
never Oh no, never more will you see in
this life either your parents or poor broken.
hearted Amalie" and again her sobs brok,
forth.
Thorwalsden abruptly rose from his chail
and paced the room in agitation. He was much
distressed, and once or twice he glanced al
Amalie with evident hesitation. His past life
the pleasures Of his youth, the endearcd friends
and scenes Of his childhood, the affection o.
Am.lie, the anguish Of his parents at the ap-
preaching separation, all wildly passed in re-
view, and whispered him to stay and be happy
in the city Of his birth. But vision Of Romr
rose also and beckOned him thither to earn re-
nowu, wealth and immortality. The pride o
conscious genius swelled his soul, and he fell
that the die was cast forever
lie reseated himself by the side Of Amalio
and once more took her hand. She looked NJ
and in one glance read his inmost thoughts.
Go" " said she, and fulfill your destiny
Gods will be done You viii become grea
man-you will he the companion Of princes
and kings, and your name will extend the fam'
Of your country to the utmost parts Of th,
EARTH see it all and let my selfish low
perish Only promise this-when you ar
hereafter in the full blaze Of your triumph
sometimes turn aside from the high-born, lovel,
danes who are thronging around and drop on
tear to the memory Of the lowly Danish cir
who loved you better than herself Bertel
farewell !"
The next day Thorwalsden quilted Copcnha
gen for Rome, where be resided nearly tn
whole remainder of his long life, and nor
than realized his own wild aspirations for fame
But the prophecy of poor Amalia was literally
, fulflled-hc never more beheld his parents o.
his first true love.
Nearly half a century had elapsed, and tn
scene was Copenhagen. The streets were
dsnsely crowded with eager sorrowing specta
tors, and every window Of every house wa
; filed with sadly expectant faces. At lengtl
a CRY. "Thcy come" was echoed from groul
to group, and the crowd swaycd to and fro M
der the sympathetic swell of common emotion
A withered old woman was seated at the NJ
per window OF house, and when the cry wa
taken she raised her wrinkled countenance anC
passed her hand over her eyes, as If to clea
away the mist Of more than seventy winters