The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-04-28
Gretchen turned. The door had

figure, roughly dressed, with ha
slouched over its forshead. The ligh
did not fall upon its face, but she CAV
cry and rushed towards it.
"It's Tom," she cried ooh, moth
er, its Tom n and fell into his arm!
and sobbed upon his bosom. Mrs
Clausen, however, did not greet hin
in the same fashion. She stood stii
and stern, taking no step forward
and when Gretchen had drawn tn
newcomer to seat, spoke coldly:
''You come back again, then Ton
Draper"
"Back again." he answered. &c.
promised to return in two years, anC
| never broke a promise yet but my
heart stood still as tramped over the
frozen road. l didn't know how Gret
ty would receive me-"
Mrs. Clausen made no answer, but
stepped to the door of the store and
called to her husband in a voice by nc
means rejoicing one:
CLANS, come here is Tom Draper -
Hans came at once. The doors
were shut, aud the lamps lighted.
The four stood looking at each other
the two old people on one side of the
table, ready set for tea. the two young
people on the other. As his wife had
spoken. so spoke Hans Clausen:
$50 dou has cone back again, Dom
Draper"
And this time Tom answered:
II hox,a IoaI- 4.
en-"
"And how ?" asked Hans.
"On my feet, as l went," said Tom,
with pockets as empty; but have
hands to work for her, and heart to
give her, and will to keep her from
all hardship if can. And 1 mean to
settle down in this place and let you
see how happy [ can make her. Eth,
Gretty =? That was the compact af-
ter two years"
Hush dat is too fast" cried the
landlord. "Speak you of compacts ?
1 did promise, if you had money and
housen, not else. II you come as you
went, say goodbye to Gretchen, and
60"
Never" said Tom, resolutely,
"never. unless Gretchen says, Co
You know what 1 have to offer you
my heart, and little else. Will you
have it, darling?"
1T is all l care for" said Gretch-
en-. ''Oh J father, father!"
"All you care fer ? der dyvel p cried
Hans. Look, now; you are of age
cannot keep you, If you Will go nit
him: but dis 1 say: go once, and you
come back never more. You have
no penny of nay money. You are
not my daughter. I cast you off.
You hear dat. I swear it,
"But she will not CO." said the
mother. "No, no; Gretchen is no
FOOL"
"Let Gretchen answer" said the
over.
"Was it Tom Draper you waited
or, or the money he might earn ?''
''Mother, you kTow l love Tom.
You know l have waited all this while
or him." cried Gretchen. eff he
,ould not succeed, it was not his fault. |
lie has been true to me. That is all |
feared-that he would forget And |
shall / be less con slant because he |
S poor?"
Tom turned and kissed her. For
he first time he had taken off his hat,
nd now they saw that bandage was
,ound about his head, and that he was
cry pale, as though with loss of blood.
"You have been hurt ?" cried
Gretchen.
"Yes," said Tom, lightly; "a man
must fight now and then :"
ga brawler, too," cried the Ger
nan; "a brawler with empty pockets.
II mine time such a man would blush
Or shame. But so it is; the worse
hey grow. the bolder.'
at was not his fault; he is no
rawler. As he says, a man must
ght at times" said Gretchen. "Oh,
lther! you have often told me that
on hated coward"
.'Bah," cried the old man, 81 like
rave men-men such as he whose
ealt dey drink outside: he who saw
d the Chudge's wife and child; but
brawler-no Gretchen, tell him to
o."
Gretchen leaned against the mantel-
iece, sobbing. She only made an ap-
ealing gesture to her father.
eyes, yes" muttered the German,
'ho had been drinking more than
'as good for him; "let him come-de
rave fellow who fought dose dyvils,
e wolves he who is to have housen
nd kline, and tanks and praises-and
will give him Gretcnen. But you!
What said 1 when you were a boy !?
'ou will never come to good"
.'Father?" cried Gretchen, ooh,
ither !"
"Let any one come who is brave,
nd has monies," cried Hans "a
lrmer, drover, a shop-keeper ;but
live by your gun, and you
rawl Perhaps, who knows you are
wicked fellow at least, you have no
Ionies--in two years no moniesv'
"Only the silver in my pocket"
lid Tom. "But my wife should not
arve"
''Tell him to go, Gretchen" said
le old man. I
eff he goes, father, 1 must go with
im," said Gretchen.
The German started to his feet,
'eling little, and opened the door.
"Go," he said.
CLANS, Hans" cried his wife. /
$50, both of you," said the old
ap, 'tana go for ever"