Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-05-02

Ill lu6 COURTHOUSE lO-udy Has lOi SOeeOA
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, 'sIf l am not speaking Gods
truth, may my body never turn to dust
in the grave"
Poor Jacob! hated by all but me, per-
haps God of his mercy may yet lead you
to repentance.
l am safe enough in writing down
what he said, because no mortal eye
shall read the lines / have now written
until Jacob and l 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 brothers 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 bow
My Franz and the two youths next
door were school-fellows and play
fellows, just as Jacob, Herman, and |
used to be many years before. Netta's
son was a 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 recaived.
The rich uncle was an invalid for
three years before his death. It was
Gustel 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 berewarded. Ishall leaveyou every
kreutzer am worth in the world. You
shall be the richest man in Gottingen.n
And l 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 l
have on earth"
81 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. l then heard
Jacob say to the young man:
"See that sneaking hypocrite yonder,
worming himselfinto your uncle's favor,
in hopes of inheriting his wealth. Go
you and rub his equity foot, and fetch
his coffee, and you may supplant Gustel
yet. Go, l 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 Guste( 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 it in such an awkward
manner, and got Sc soon tired, that he
never made any progress in supplanting
Gustel.
Half an hours conversation with the
poor invalid WAS more than he coulc
put up with, and he was glad to rusl
away at the first opportunity to the
bier kellers, where the students spen
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 b,
received sweetmeats and toys from hi
, uncle, in his childish days; and how
now that he was too old to be beaten
showed their hatred and jealousy quit.
as plainly, though in different way.
, saw more than | liked to see out of m,
window, or while walking in my garden
{ and Herman was wont to complain o
Peter, and praise Gustel to me, Away
ending with his intention of making
, the latter his heir.
} There was something very like mul
, der in old Jacobs eyes when he saw hi
! brother and nephew together. At sucl
, times trembled for my neighbors, s
r rich, but SO little at ease or content.
| At length Herman died. He had no
| been able to leave his room for som
a months before his death, and there GU
v tel had attended him with the creates
|. tenderness.
The funeral was over, and the will wa
S read. What was our surprise to hes
r that it was made in favor of Peter, nc
: of Gustel. l shall not linger over whs
/. is so well known to every townsman {
v Gottingen. No need to tell how tn
< universal suspicious circumstances cam
v cropping up by degrees, until at las
Jacob Winterwerb stood his trial on til
e charge of having erased the name
+ Gustel, and inserted that of Peter, an
J, has been acquitted.
It In the sight of man he is now virtual
is spotless; how stands he in the sight
3. God? 1t is this question which troubl,
q me, for l cannot believe him innocen
n knowing all know; yet, if guilty, no
n came Matthews and Folkshausen to swe.