The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-05-03

in the courthouse to-day has forgotten
the extraordinary curse by which he
bound himself, but the remembrance OF
it keeps me restless in spite of my Ia
tigue.
He said, raising his hand toward
heaven, "If | am not speaking Gods
truth, may my body never turn 10 dust
in the grave"
Poor Jacob hated by all but me, per
haps God of his mercy may yet lead you
TO repentance.
am safe enough in writing down
what he said, because no mortal eye
shall read the lines have now written
until Jacob and | shall have gone TO our
long account. ! shall leave the manu-.
script sealed and directed to my son
Franz; he will do with it what he
pleases.
Jacob Winterwerb has lived in the
house adjoining mine ever since his
marriage, thirty years ago. Our gardens
| lie side by side, separated only by low
rose. hedge. His eldest brother, Her
man, was the richest merchant in Got
tingen, which is saying something,
where all are wealthy.
The brothe:s lived together until
Herman's death, which took place two
months ago.
Their household consisted of the two
old men, and two lads, Peter, the only
son of Jacob, and Gustel, the son of
their poor sister, Meta, who died young,
leaving her little child to the care of
his uncles. Poor Meta Winterwerb !
All, well, well, have ever taken pecu.
liar interest in her boy
Ny Franz and the two youths next
door were school-fellows and play
fellows, just as Jacob, Herman, and |
used to be many years before. Nettas
son was good, honest lad, kindly and
generous but Jacobs boy inherited
his fathers mean and selfish qualities,
and these were but fostered by the edu-
cation he received.
The rich uncle was an invalid for
three years before his death. 1t was
Gustcl who tended him like the gentlest
nurse, who wheeled his chair about the
garden, who lighted his meerscham, or
brought him his coffee, or rubbed his
cramped limbs by the hour.
Walking in my garden on these occa-
sions, often heard the sick man say
Good boy, you do not get tired of me
you do not think me burden but you
shall be rewarded. shall leaveyou every
kreutzer | am worth in the world. You
shall be the richest man in Gottingen.n
And | used TO see the lads fine eyes
grow dim as he stammered forth
ooh, my dear uncle, do not want
your money. | take care of you because
| love YOU you are the only friend |
have on earth"
O. know all that, Gustel, but you are
to be my heir, remember that"
Then the father and son would enter
the garden, and, seeing this uncle and
nephew conversing so lovingly, used to
be distraught with anger. | then heard
Jacob say to the young man:
"See that sneaking hypocrite yonder
worming himself into your uncle's favor,
in hopes of inherlting his wealth. Go
you and rub his equity foot, and fetch
his coffee, and you may supplant Gustel
yet. Go, | say, and speak him fair.
No? you are a lazy fool You had
rather break lamps on the Anlage with
the students, or drink beer till you are
like brute than take little trouble
to make your fortune. If that detest-
able Gustel is your uncle's heir it will
be your fault"
And Jacob used to give his son an
angry push toward the couple in the
arbor.
Peter tried hard to please his uncle,
but he set about ii in such an awkward
manner, and got so soon tired, that he
never made any progress in supplanting
Gustel.
Half an hours conversation with the
poor invalid was more than he could
put up with, and he was glad to rush
away at the first opportunity TO the
bier kellers, where the students spent
their time in gambling and drinking.
knew the whole family history
how Gustel had been beaten and tyran-
nized over by Jacob and Peter when he
received sweetmeats and toys from his
uncle, in his childish days; and how,
now that he was too old to be beaten,
showed their hatred and jealousy quite
as plainly, though in different way.
saw more than liked to see out of my
window, or while walking in my garden;
and Herman was wont to complain OF
Peter, and praise Gustel TO me, always
ending with his intention of making
the latter his heir.
There was something very like MUIR
der in old Jacobs eyes when he saw his
brother and nephew together. At such
times trembled for my neighbors, so
rich, but so little at ease or content.
At length Herman died. He had not
been able to leave his room for some
months before his death, and there Gus
tel had attended him with the greatest
tenderness.
The funeral was over, and the will was
read. What was our surprise TO hear
that it was made in favor of Peter, not
of Gustel | shall not linger over what
is 80 we'll known to every townsman of
Gottingen. No need to tell how the
universal suspicious circumstances came
cropping up by degrees, until at last
Jacob Winterwerb stood his trial on the
charge of having erased the name of
Gustel, and inserted that of Peter, and
has been acquitted.
In the sight of man he is now virtually
spotless how stands he in the sight of
God? 1t is this question which troubles