The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-11-06

self bed of furs, etc., on the ground
of the living-room.
He thought the girl looked pale and
anxious but he could not detect that
she was in great tribulation.
A little while, and the forest hut was
quite quiet-not light to be seen.
Now they have habit in parts of
Switzerland of cutting the high grass
by moonlight, the belief being common
that grass SO cut makes better hay than
that which falls beneath the scythe in
sunlight.
The old Judge, unable to sleep, was
turning over in his mind what he
should say on the following day to the
forester, when he heard the tinkle of
cow-bells, the numbering of heavy wag-
ons, and the rattle of talking and sing
ing voices, all of which gradually ap-
preached.
Not ignorant of the custom of moon
light hay-making, the old Judge found
the rustic sounds rather soothing than
not, when he heard tapping at the
window.
He listened, and the sound was re-
peated.
He knew that the window was ten or
twelve feet from the ground, and that
it could only be reached either by a
ladder, or by climbing the vine which
grew on the wall about the lattice.
| A thief What thief would tap at a
window What could thief hope to
steal in that poor place, unless.
The old Judges heart began to beat
high.
And, as though in reply to his
thoughts, a soft, pleasant voice called,
as the tapping was heard again
| ''Lotte -
He moved off the bed (for he had lain
down in his clothes, too weary with
thinking over the grand question to un-
dress), and drawing near the window,
he saw by the light of the moon which
had now just topped the trees, that a
black-haired and extremely handsome
youth was clinging to the vine, his
bright eyes eagerly fixed upon the win
dow.
The old Judge silently opened the lat
tice there was low, bright laugh,
and the young man leaped lithely and
blithely into the room.
And whom have we here ?" sudden
ly cried the Judge, pouncing upon the
intruder.
The youth uttered low cry, but
offered no resistance.
What thief in the night are you ?''
$50 please your worship" said a
clear, pleasant voice, &c I am no thief,
4
ranger at Kusnach, and I am come to
see my Lotte p
"Thy Lotte p
$50 please you, she is my wife p
"Your wife %
cay, messire; twas an Unterwalden
wedding. 'Tis our custom here in this
canton; and I am but waiting for my
appointment as ranger, which / hope
to get by the interest of one AIessire
| I1e,
second father to my Lotte, to tell my
father and hers that we are betrothed,
and that we are ready to marry by sun
light !''
so, then, the interest Yeri's daugh-
ter has shown in the old Judge comes
out of the hope that he will help thee
to thy rangership ?"
Tis exactly SO, messire. I am no
thief, but an honest man, and Lotte's
husband by the laws of Unterwald -
How long since %
These fair SIX weeks -
The very time during which she had
looked at him so earnestly.
He understood the look then.
"Begone, young man I think may
promise thee thy wife and place.
Next morning he was very grave, but
there was that noble something in his
face we are pleased to call resignation.
Messire Seller, tho. art not well ''
cried the forester.
"Nay better than yesterday. By
the way, I told thee last night I should
have something to say to thee. It is
this-I want thy consent to marriage
between Lotte, here, and one Wilhem,
only son of the ranger, at Kusnach..'
The forester beat his hand upon the
table as Lotte uttered a cry, and the
good wife clapped her hands.
Never !" said he; sc tbs rare good
for-naught -
"No,' said the Judge; ''I'n answer
for him."
Thou, Judge ?''
eyes; he will make her good hus-
band"
s'But he has no post he is nothing. -
SI promise you he shall have the
under rangership.
"WeI, now, messire, when thou
pleadest to me, it's as thou didst when
thou vert lawyer, and if my girl says
aye"
Lotte looked at the Judge, meaningIy,
and said
s'I do not hate him, father
"Then tits settled said Yeri.
So the old Judge went home YEARLY,
sadder and wiser man. The forester,
Yeri, wondered why the old Judge never
came, while the presents were sent as
before and the melancholy housekeeper
maryeled that her master gave up fish
ing.
Seller was quite happy, but never a
word said he. Not even once again did
he go to the hut in the forest, and he
} benefited by the lesson he had learned
that youth is for youth, and that if it is
thrown away in the early summer time
of life, it is not to be picked up again
in the autumn of existence.
For no man can retrace his life.
The French Returning to Hard Money.