Smyrna times., 1872-07-24

The idiot turned his head carelessly, partly
shutting his eyes with moeking air, and with
out taking his lips from the grapes.
"Who gave them to yOu?"
Down there. There's plenty Of them there"
"Whst, there? You have stolen theul, then, |
fiom Reehstock's garIen?"
y Yes. Theodore, replied the other simply.
"And if tell of it p
" You won't do that"
Why not?"
You would have to say what time of the |
night it was when you saw me.
As Kasper said this he wlnked in an odd !
fashion and laughed as the artist hastily re-
crossing the yard, murmured, " Yes, yes, the
fool is right"
But as he passed. Moss seized hold of his
coat and cried stop, thief, stop have
caught you; you came to steal away the heart
Of Gretchen !"
Theodore grew pale.
" Let me 60"
" No; sit down."
" Moss, l beg of you to let me CO."
=" Eat some of my grapes.
. listen. | will rouse the house"
Lend lie some tobacco, Theodore, and |
will make Gretchen come out, " said Moss, in a
strange tone, full Of attention and conviction.
She loves you. There said he, raising his
finger, listen! Size dreams of you in her
little chamber She says, Theodore, my
Theodore, love thee ="
The idiot had loosed his hold on Theodores
coat; but he no longer thought of escaping He
listened to the words Of Moss with an infinite
joy.
oh, my good Kaspcr, are you sure of what
you say ~
And why not p said Moss care you not
the handsomest man in the village, and the best
one. too? Don't you give me all your old pipes
and tobacco always, when [ ask for il? Yes,
yes she dreams of you every night. There,
sit down, | will make her come out"
Theodore sat down like one fascinated, and
the fool CAV him cluster Of grapes Eat
that" said he, you have given me bread
of en- enough for me to give you something
now"
Theodore, to please him. took grape from
the bunch. 1t was delicious. They were the
real NJ rkobruner.
Moss laughed. Joining his hands before his
mouth he made sound like the waking cry of
quail. Ii was so true that far away in the
fields quail was deceived, and thinking in the
middle of the night that it was morning, called
three times.
What are you doing2" said the young
: man.
, . am hurrying the bours," replied Moss,
; joyfully.
He repeated the same cry at intervals and
, from the fields around there came a thousand
4 confused nIurmurs.
8 "Let me do it," said he to Theodore, "le
; me do it. Gretchen will come out, and ole
t Reebstock sleeps so soundly he'll not wake
s up"
{: Then leaning over the fence he initiated the
t first crow slow and grave. hoarse in the morn
ing fog. You could almost see the cock shakt
s his feathers and balance himself on the rail
y ing. Five or six hens came down the step
y of the hen house, looking at the moon abov
e the roof.
r. "You rogue" said Theodore, "who taugh
If you these things :"
= But Kasper Moss laughed gently and whis
e pered, Don't ask me. lm fool.
IT The hens, surprised at their error, started u
J. the steps again; but tn IDIOT full of mischief
It chased them and made them futter and cackle
It Then, turning suddenly he initiated the SON
e of the lark sauling the morning. He put in
z so much tenderness that Theodore, with tear
l. in his eyes, stretched out his arms and muI
re INJURED, "Oh Gretchen? Come come. Gretchen
e my love my JOY my life Gretchen, it is NJ
Ie heart which sings for thee u
He leaned against the wall, his head ben
I. down, dreaming of Gretchen, and Moss Cor
d tinued his sweet, trembling notes.
ic Gretchen in her light sleep, had heard tn
OF quail, and thought it dream then the crow
ID ing OF the cocks, and it seemed still dream
pit then the noise of the hens, and her eyes opeT
re ed No light came in at the little window, an
she turned again to dream of Theodore. Bu
at when she heard the lark, when the soft, treu
W bling notes reached her heart, she rose gently
W saving, - Yes, IL is morning"
" She slipped on her pretty dress, and turne
:, TO open the window.
OF Theodore had heard her move. He starte
b. to escape; but the moment the shutter wa
thrown open all his timidity vanished. II
er leaned in at the low window, and notwithstanC
,h ing low cry from the young girl, seized he
n hand.
~ 90 Gretchen, Gretchen" he said, I loy
OF thee I"
Of The moment he had pronounced the word
a he trembled violently. Gretchen moved like
s. little dove surprised in her nest, and wit
blushine cheeks stsmmered softly:
i. "Theodore, dear Theodore !"
I'd She could add no more, for Father Reel
III stocks shutter opened suddenly above th
D, window, and out in the night air came terr