Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-03
NO. 235.
Gales and Sketehes.
GRETCHEN.
| CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. !
BY NM. CKMANN-CHATRIAN.

lcoNTINUED FROM Yesterday
Theodore sat down as though fascinated.
Then the idiot offered him bunch of
grapes. fenf
EAT that said he '.you have very of
ten given me bread, so now it is my turn
to make you present"
And Theodore took grape, out of
good nature; it was delicious. real Mark
drummer
Moss laughed; then joining his hands be-
lore his mouth. he uttered cultural sound
the cry OF the quail in the early morn
ing. 1t was SO natural that in the distant
helds quail was deceived by it, and, i'm
agining that he saw daylight in the mid
die of the night, he gave three calls.
What on earth are you doing?''
''I'm putting Oh the clock" said Moss
merrily; ''it is four O'Clock about the
brewery" Then he repeated the same cry
several times, at long intervals, and the
country round about seemed filled with
strange, confused murmurings.
leave me alone," said he to Theodore
''let me be; Gretchen will soon come"
And leaning once more over the paling,
Moss initiated the first crow of the cock,
slow. solemn. and thick, as it is when the
poor fellow is still hoarse with the night
air. 1ou could have fancied you saw
Chanticleer shaking his feathers and ouiy-
ering on his perch. Five or six hens came
down the ladder of the fowl house, and
looked at the moon through the roof
'"Why, you rogue :" said Theodore.
whoever taught you such tricks ?'' g'is y
kaspar Moss grinned, and answered
softly, Don't ask me any questions, I'm
only a poor fool"
The fowls, becoming aware of their
mistake, Wanted to 60 to roost again !; but
kaspar, whose spirits were up, drove them
back, and made them cackle. Then, sud-
denly, he broke into an imitation of the
song of the rising lark welcoming the
dawn. He threw so much feeling into
this performance that Theodore's eyes fill-
ed, and he exclaimed in his heart
"Oh, Gretchen. Come TO me, Gretchen,
my love, my joy, my life! Gretchen, it's
my heart that's singing to thee! 1t is thy
Theodore calling" a
He had returned to the yard, and, lean
ing against the wall with his head bent,
he was lost in delicious dreams, whilst
Moss was shaking forth his quivering
| notes. -
Now Gretchen, somewhat surprised, had
heard the quail whilst wrapped in slumber,
and could scarcely believe it. She had
heard the cock, and that also puzzled her;
then the fowls, and her eyes opened. As
there was no light shining through the
shutter, she went back to bed but when
she heard the lark-when the rich and
tender notes struck upon her heart, she
rose softly, saying s44'ci
Yes, it is morning now"
She began to dress, and went to open
the shutter. Theodore had heard her ris-
ing. He was trembling, and felt inclined
to seek safety in flight; but when the shut
ter opened all his fearfulness vanished
He leaned towards the window, and, in
spite OF little cry from the girl, seizing
her hand. he exclaimed M.
..Oh, Gretchen, Gretchen l love you"
Scarcely had these words escaped him
when his knees trembled beneath him.
Gretchen lluttering like dove startled in
her nest, her cheeks all suffused with
hadpy bushes, whispered softly,-
Theodore, dear Theodore y
She had no time to say more, for the
shutter of Nj. Reebstock, which was lust
above her window. burst open, and a ter
rible oath-a regular German oath--smote
the darkness, and was followed by these
words - sa@
''Who is there ?' wh
They were all filed with CONSERVATION
Theodore aud Gretchen separated in great
fear. Moss, with his arms aloft, fed as
fast as his legs could carry him. initiating
the cries OF a wild duck pursued through
the waterreeds by spaniel. his nasal
voice reechoing far in the remote distance.
1t was really most ludicrous; but Reeb-
stock didn't seem to think so; therefore
the artist, clapping his hat on again, vault.
ed over the palisade, and set off at a rapid
pace through the orchard, whilst Gretchen.
trembling. quickly closed her window and
replaced the shutter.
"Ah, scoundrel!n cried Reebstock; ex-
tending his arms, +" you shall answer for
this, can tell you that" and the great
house dog, reused by the scrimma ge, be-
gan to bark and rattle his chain.
Theodore went on running 1iither and
thither until daylight, repeating, as if in a
dream, Gretchen, Gretchen, l love you !"
Then he would add, Theodore. dear
Theodore ~ and imagined he was the
happiest fellow on earth. ~
About five O'Clock he went home, and
when he had laid himself down on his lit
tie bed, it occurred to him that old Reeb-
stock had recognized him, and might for
the future forbid him his house. This
thought depressed him very much.
Next morning his misery had increased
Gould any one be SO unhappy as lp'h he
; exclaimed "Oh, old Reebstock will be in
awful passion. Perhaps shall never
again see Gretchen. III could only see
her once more. But / shall never dare to
90 down the street again." a-.4 saa
And. still dwelling on these distressing
thoughts, he went down stairs and left the
house. not caring whittier he went. look
ing at the brewery in the distance, with
its weather-cock and signboard. 81
Nothing was changed; everything wore
its ordinary aspect. The herdsman was
passing through the village, playing on
his pipe, and followed by large flock of
goats and swine; the village lasses, with
their pitchers, were trooping round the
fountain, and Kaspar Moss lay sleeping
with his back to the sun on the bench be-
fore the town hall.
Attracted BY this pleasant picture. Theo-
dore, with his portfolio under his aam,
drew near. AS he was passing the brew
cry, not daring to turn his head, he heard
CONCLUDED ON FOURTH PAGE.l
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