The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-04-11

Gretchen should come out for an
instant II I could see her now /
would have the courage to say to
her, "Gretchen, | love tho"
He had dreamed in this way for
I'M hour, not being able to decide to
go away, when he head singu ar
noise outside the building. Tneo-
dore listened. 1t $ unded like Il
smacking of lips, such as any one
would make if he was drinking the
best Johannisberg in the world. 1t
was soft, rich, oily.
what is that?' said tho artist,
and he stepped cautiously into the
yard. Theodore looked everywhere
but saw nothing, Finally he push
ed aside the branches of u tree
loaded with red fruit, and saw at
the foot Of the wall the idiot Kas-
per Moss. He Was sitting on the
grass, bis legs stretched out, and
his ragged hat between his knees,
full OF excellent grapes, which he
had doubtless stolen from some
where in the neighborhood. The
poor fellow seemed as happy as a
brush; Lis head bent down, hls great
cheeks moving as he ate, and his
iilotic face shining with satisfaction.
1t was he who was smacking his
lips. He raise the laI ge punches Of
fruit aud held them over his mouth
which was stretched wide open.
His fat throat swailed contentedly
"Ha! h,!' said he, chucking to hlm-
self. Tall weeds bent over towards
him in the shadow of the wall, and
suodry dry thistlcs kept watch at
his feet.
"Ah, you rascal" said Theodore
to him, "is this the way you pass
your n'ghts?"
The idiot turned his head care
lessly, partly shutting his eyes with
a mocking air and without taking
his lips from the grapes. "Ah,"
said he, ait is you, Theodore? Come
and taste of my grapes. "
"Who gave them to your
Kasper stretched out his hand
and said, "dcwn there. There's
plenty Of them there"
"What, there? You have stolen
them then form Roebstock's gar
den?'
eyes, Theodore" replied the
other, simply.
"And if l tell Of it?'
"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 winked in
an old fashion and laughed as an
artist, hastily recrossing the yard,
murmurel eyes yes; the fool is
right"
But rs he passed Moss seized hold
Of his coat and cried, Stop thief,
stop | havo caught you, you came
to steal away the heart Of Gretcaen!'
Theodore grew pale.
"Lct me 60" ~"
"No; its doSn.
"Noss, I beg you let me 60"
Tnt some Of my grapes,
Listen. I will rouse the house"
"Leud me some tobacco, Theo-
dore, and / will make Gretchen
come out" said Moss in % range
tone, foil Of attention and convie-
lion, She loves you. There said
he, raising his finger, "listen. She
dreams of you in her little chamber.
She says, Theodore; my Theodore,
| love tneep
The idiot loosod his hold on Theo-
dore's coat bat he no.longer thought
of escaping He listened to the
words of Moss with an infinite joy.
ooh, my good Kasper, are you
sure Of what you s,yp
"And why not?' said Moss. care
you not the handaomest man in the
village, and the best one too? Don't t
You give me all your old pipes and
tobacco always when l ask for it?
Yes, yes; she dreams of you every
night. There, sit down, and l will
make her come ont.
Theodore sat down like one ftci-
mated, and the fool gave Inn Il clus-
ter of grapes. EAT that" said he,
you have given me bread often
enough for me to give you some
thing now"
Theodore, to please him, took a
grape from the bunch. 1t was de-
licious. They were the real Marko-
brUner.
Moss Laughed Joining his hands
before his mouth he made n sound
like waking cry of a quail. 1t WAS
so true that far away in the fields II
quail was de ceived, and thinking in
the middle of the night that it was
morning, called three times.
"What are you doing?' said the
young man.
Il am hurrying the hours" re-
piled Moss, joyously. 1T is 4 o'c.ock
outside of the brewery"
He repeated the same cry at long
intervals and from the fields around
there came u thousands confused
murmurs.
"Lot me do it," said be to Theo-
doro, .'et me do it, Gretchen will
come out, and old Reebstock sleeps
so soundly he'll net wake up"
Then leaning over the fence he
initiated the first crow, 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 roof.
"You rogue" said Theodore,
| ssu,bo tau1bt Won fhece fhinps ."