The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-04-12

tie llJE1o WIuQOW, ana she turned
again to dream of Theodore. But
when she heard the latk, when the
soft, trembling notes reached her
heart, she arose, gently saying.
eyes, it is morning"
|. She slipped on her pretty dress
and turned to open the window.
Theodore had heard her move.
He started to escape; but the mo-
ment the shutter was thrown back,
all his timidity vanished. He lean
ed in at the low window, and not
withstanding a low cry from the
young girl, seized her hand. go
Gretchen, Gretchen" he said "I
love theel"
The moment he had pronounced
the words he trembled violently.
Gretchen moved like a little dove
surprised in her nest, and with
blushing checks stammered softly,
Theodore, dear Theodore!"
She could add no more, for father
Reebstock's shutter opened sudden
ly above the window, and out in the
night air came a terrible oath, fol-
lowed by the words-"What do I
see here ?"
Everybody was instantly conster-
mated. Theodore and Gretchen fell
into each others arms, and then
separated, frightened at what they
had done. Moss, his armsin the air,
ran swiftly away, making the cry of
a duck escaping In the reeds from
dog. His harsh, nasal voice sound
ed farther and farther away. He had
something to laugh about; but
Reebstock did not laugh, and the
artist, crushing his hat in his hand,
leaped over the fence and ran to-
wards the orchard, while Gretchen,
trembling, closed her window quick
II. A neighbours great dog, walked
by the noise, barked and shoke his
chain.
Theodore walked the fields until
morning, repeating as in a dream,
"Gretchen, Gretchen, I love thee! !"
Then, remembering Gretchen's
words, Theodore, dear Theodore !"
he thought himself the happiest of
mortals.
About 5 O'Clock he entered his
own house, and vainly tried to sleep
as he remembered that Reebstock
had perhaps recognized him, and
might in future shut his door to him.
This thought gave him great un-
easiness. The next day his sadness
had much increased. 81 am the
most unhappy person In the world"
he said. ''Old Reebstock will GER
tainly do something terrible. It
may be I shall never see Gretchen.
IF I could see her but once more
But I shall never dare even to pass
the house" !"
Descending the steps With his sad
thoughts for company, he walked
slowly along the street, hiseyes fixed
on the vane and the sign of the
brewery, which he could see
in the distance. Nothing seemed
to be changed. Everything went on
as usual. The herdsmen were pass
ing through the village, playing on
their bagpipes, and followed by a
long line of goats and pigs; the
young girls were going to the
fountain, their pitchers in their
hands, and Kasper Moss, stretched
out on a bench, before the public
house, slept quietly in the sunshine.
Theodore gradually approached
the brewery, his canvass on his arm.
He was passing the door without
daring to turn his head, when he
heard loud voices calling.
"They are calling me" he said.
The windows of the large room
were open, and already a good num-
Der were at the tables the burgo-
master Weinland, with his great
red face, his large hat on the back
of his head, his heavy cane between
his legs; the tailor thinner, in his
gray jacket, his nose besmeared with
tobacco, his green cap pulled over
his ears the little barber Spitz, his
pewter plate by the side of his bot
tie, his hair brushed up IN a pyramid
in the old French fashion, his loud
voice sounding through the room
these and many others. Old Berbel
was placing pans of curdled milk
behind the stove, and great sheets
of sunshine, filed with notes, cover
ed the tables and seats.
Theodore entered, much agitated.
Father Reebstock, In his brown
coat with great steel buttons, was
sitting near the clock, facing the
door +; Gretchen, who was looking
out the window, dropped her eyes.
The men were talking together.
All seemed as usual But the mo-
ment the artist stepped over the
door sill Reebstock, raising his arm
towards him, cried out, Monsieur
Theodore, do you love my daughter
Gretchen ?"
The young man felt himself turn
pale. He opened his mouth to re-
ply, but could not speak a word.
Reebstock repeated, 'Do you love
my daughter Gretchen ?"
Everybody was aghast. Each
one, his glass in his hand, remained
motlonless, looking first at Theodore
aad then at Gretchen, and then at
the brewer. Finally Theodore, his
voice half choked by the beating of
his heart, cried, eff I love her!'S
He turned to Gretchen with
look so tender and pleading that
the young girl ran towards him,
and throwing herself into his arms,
melted into tears.
The old brewer burst into a great
laugh, 4oved each other" he said.
st wasn't me who," Hal ha hall
knew very well that they needed to
be told of it. !"