The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-07-27
CHAPTER I.
CriHoline,

CHAPTERI.
Crinoline.
An express train was just on the eve of leav-
ing the railway station in Munich. Two fash
ionably dressed gentlemen stood at the open
door Of . railway carriage, in conversation
with third, who sat within. These two
young men bore their features the marks of
youthful dissipation, Indicating that they had
carriage had a handsome, forid countenance,
two clear, expressive eyes, and thick locks of
hair, which he now aud then stroked back
from his fine forehead. He scarcely observed
the conversation of the two friends, who
spoke of balls, dogs, horses, theatres, and bal
let girls.
In the same carriage sat another traveller,
evidently the father of the young man. He
was reading the newspaper..thatf is the report
of tho money market-while his feshy left
hand dalIied with the heavy gold rings Of his
conversation till an observation of his son
brought him to a serious reflection.
BY the bye" said one Of the young men
quickly. ~ was nearly forgetting to tell you
Linden ID engaged Z"
"Engagedf To whom ?" said Richard care.
lessly.
this morning, and Immediately wrote O famous
letter of congratulation"
Richard looked down earnestly, and shook
81 oommiserate the genial baron" said he
" What could he be thinking of, to rush head
long INTO this misfortune "
The father looked in surprise at his son
the hand holding the paper sank on his knee.
Permit me, gentleman" said the conduo-
tor the doors were closed, the friends nodded
Goodbye and the train moved off.
Your observation about Lindens marriage
astonishes me, Richard But perhaps you were
only jesting."
"By no meaus" said Richard "Nevor
moro earnest in my life. expressed my con
viction, and my conviction il the result of
careful observation and mature reflection"
The fathers astonishment increased.
n-rehection-fudRe!" said the
father impatiently, as he folded the paper and
showed it into his pocket. " How can a young
man Of twenty-five talk ofexperienoe and OBJ
is . necessity of human life. And you will yet
submit to this necessity"
True, if marriage be a necessity, then
suppose must bow to the yoke of destiny.
But, father, this necessity does not exist.
There are intelligent men enough who do not
bind themselves to womans caprices."
sor. oh &c certainly. there are some strange
But certainly you do not wish to sbe one Of
them. You, who have such great expecta-
tions. You, the only son of q wealthy house.
speud." w
~, free and single, father"
Free and sngie-and enjoyed Zouuds! |
you ulmoet tempt me to think i'll of y GU. Hap.
ply, i know you we'll. know your strict
morality, your solidity, your moderate preteu-
Sione All these amiable qualities please me.
But ehts view of marriage did not expect
you must put away this sickly notion.n
Inc young man made no ans er, but leaned
back in his seat with a disdain full smile
nsIr fra9k gazed thoughtfully through the
window. He reflected on the determined char
acter of his son, whose disposition, even when
a child, shut him out from the world, and who
5eu an interior, meditativeslfe. Strict regu-
!arity ana exact employmeutSf time were ma
turat to him. At school, he held the first
place In ali branches. His ambition and effort .
were 70 excel ell others in knowledge His | ,
singular questions, which indicated q keen Oh
enrprlse of his father. And while the compan.
ions Of the youth hailed with delight the time
whioh released them from the be nohCs of tho
school and. from their studies, Richard cheer
fully bound himself to his accustomed task. to
appeaSe bis longing for kno wledge. Approach.
ng mAHhoOd had not changed him in this re- =
gard. lie was punctual to the hours of bnsi ,
,ess, ana l@6ored with zeal and interest, to :
he great JOY Of his father. He recreated him +
Ielf with music and painting, or by walk in I
he open country, for whose beauties he had a -
ieen Appreciation. The few shades of his u
nGrActer we're, proud haughtiness, an un. =
leiding perseverSaco in his determinations N
'no strength of conviction difficult to over y
ONE. But perhaps these shades were, after +
III great Qualities which were to brighten Il
p ana pohsh his maturity. This obstInacy v
i'm with great anxiety > N .
but, hiehard,' began Herr Frank again, /,
how dla you come To this singular concln n
by observation and redection-apd o,so ~
: experience, although you deny my wear, IN
lis right" 49,
What have you experience d and oLservod,,. =, :.
md that such a creature would only nnkr 49,
miserable. WHAT occupies their Inuds : ~
aeries, pleasures, and tTIhes. The pivot of II,
Ut existence Ia, ms on dress, ornaments, balls vi