National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-12-08

" Vi, you rascal said Theodore to him
sis Is the way you pass your nights 3
7 idiot turned his head carelessly
par shut his eyes with mocking air
and ithout taking his lips from the grapes
"a said he, D." it is you, is it, Theodore
Cor and taste of my grapes
Vho gave them 10 you ~
kasper stretched out his hand and said
''nown there. There's plenty Of them
there
What, there? You have stolen them
then from Reebstock's garden 7"
"Yes Theodore replied the other 2
simply.
And if tell of it ?"
You won't do that
"Why not ~
"fou would have to say what time oi
the night il was when you saw me-
As Kasper said this he winked in an odd
fashion, and laughed as the artist hastily
recrossing the yard, murmured, yes, yes
the tool Is right"
But as he passed, Moss seized bold of
his coat and cried, Stop thief, stop |
have caught you, you came to steal 9way
the heart of Gretchen ~
Theodore grew pale. Let me 60"
"No; sit down"
"Noss, | beg you, let me go"
I" Eat some of my grapes
Listen. ! will rouse the house"
"Lend me some tobacco, Theodore, and
| will make Gretchen come out" said Moss
in a strange tone full Of attention and con-
viction. She loves You. She thinks
only of you. There" said he, raising his
finger, "listen She dreams CT you in her
little chamber. She says, Theodore, my
Theodore, love thee -
The idiot had loosed his hold on Theo-
dore'. coat but be no longer thought of es-
Gaping. He listened to the words of Moss
with an infinite iov.
"Oh my good Kasper, are you sure OF
what you say"
"And why not 2" said Moss. "Are you
not the handsomest man in the village, and
the best one too z Don't you give me all
your old pipes and tobacco always, when |
ask for it ? Yes, yes; she dreams of you
every night. There, sit down, and l will
make her come out"
Theodore sat down like one fascinated
and the fool gave him a cluster of grapes,
" Eat that" said he, "you have given me
bread often enough for me to give YOU
something now"
Theodore to please him, took grape
from the bunch. 1t was delicious. They
were the real Markobruner
Moss laughed. Joining his hands before
his mouth he made sound like the waking
cry OF Quail. It was so true that far
away i'll the fields quail was deceived,
and thinking in the middle of the night
that il was morning, called three times.
What are you doing ~ said the young
man
Il am hurryine the hours, replied Moss,
ioyously. at Is four o'clock outside of
the brewery"
He repeated the same cry at long inter
walls, and tom the fields around there came
a thousand confused murmurs.
"Let me DO it," said he to Theodore,
8 let me do it. Gretchen will come out
and old Reebstock sleeps so soundy he'll
not wake up"
Then leaning over the fence he initiated
the first crow of the cock-slow and grave.
hoarse in the morning fog. You could
almost see the cock shake his feathers and
balance himself on the railing. Five or
SIX hens came down the steps OF the hen |
house, looking at the moon above the root. |
"You rogue" said Theodore, who
taught you these things ?"
But Kssper Ness laughed gently and
" Don't ask me. | am a fool"
The hens. surprised at their error, started |
up the steps again; but the idiot, full of
mischief, chased them and made them hut-
ter and cackle.
Then, turning suddenly, he initiated the
song of the lark aluting the morning. He
put in it so much OF tenderness that Theo-
lore, with tears in his eyes. stretched out
MS arms and murmurcd go Gretchen
Come, come, Gretchen; nay love my joy
nv life Gretchen, it is my heart which
ings for thee 1t is | who call thee I"
He leaned against the wall, his head bent
lown, dreaming OF Gretchen, while Moss
continued bis sweet, trembling notes.
Gretchen, in her light sleep had heard
he quail, and thought it dream; then
he Growing Of the cocks, and 1t seemed
till dream: then the noise of the hens,
md her eyes opened. No light came in at
he little window, and she turned again TO
lream of Theodore. But when she heard
he lark when the soft, trembling notes
cached her heart, she rose gently, saying,
yes, it is morning"
She slipped on her pretty dress and
urned to open the window.
Theodore had heard her move. He
started TO escape but the moment the
utter was thrown back, all his timidity
;anished He leaned in at the low win
low. ana notwithstanding low cry from
he young girl. seized her hand. 80 .
Gretchen. Gretchen" he said, love
fheen'
The moment he had pronounced the
words he trembled violently. Gretchen
moved like little dove surprised in her
nest, and with blushing checks stammered
.oftly, " Theodore dear Theodore -
She could add no more, fol tsther Reeb
stocks shutter opened suddenly above the
window, and out in the night air came a
terrible oath, a regular German oath, fol- u