Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-23
VOL. 72.-36S4. NO. 80.

But upon that particular night in June he
had made up his mind to speak TO Yeri, and
then IL was he found that, Judge and orator
as he was, he could not plead for himself,
"What ails the old Judge. tonight ?"
thought the forester. "He does not seem
himself"
lhe time went on, and when at last the
Judge decided that he would defer it until
the morning, the forester made the discovery
that 1t was dark and the moon would not be
| up for two hours so the good Judge was in
yited to stop for the night.
lie had no idea that his remaining put the
| primitive family to any inconvenience, no
more than at the moment he learned he took
Lotte's room from her.
| But, in fact, the young goatherdess was
carried off to her mothers room for the
| night, while the forester made himself up a
bed OF furs, etc, on the ground of the iiv-
| ing.room
He thought the girl looked pale and anx-
lous' put he could not detect that she was in
deep tribulation.
A little while and the forest hut was
quite quiet-not light TO be seen.
Now they have a habit in parts of Switz-
erland of cutting the high grass by moon
light, the belief being common that the
grass so cut makes better hay than that which
ialls beneath the scythe in sunlight.
lhe old judge, unable to sleep, was turn.
ing over in his mind what he should saw on
the following day to the forester, when he
heard the tinkle of the cow-bell the lumber
ing OF heavy wagons, and the rattle of talk
ing and singing voices, all of which gradu-
ally approached
Not ignorant of the custom of moonlight
hay-making, the old Judge found the rustic
sounds rather soothing than not, when he
thought he heard tapping at the window.
he listened, and the sound was repeated.
lie knew that the window was ten or
twelve feet from the ground, and that il
could only be reached either by ladder or
by climbing the vine which grew on the
wall about the lattice.
thief? What thief would tan at
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,
soft, pleasant voice called, as the tapping
was heard again, "Lotte I"
lie moved off the bed-for he had laid
1own In his clothes, too weary with think.
ing over the grand question even to undress
and drawing near the window, he saw by
the light of the moon, which had now lust
topped the trees, that black-haired and ex-
tremely handsome youth was cinging to the
vine, his bright eyes eagerly fixed upon the
window.
The old judge silently opened the lattice
there was a low, bright laugh, and the young
man leaped lightly and blithely into the
room.
And whom have we here ?" suddenly
cried ,i the Judge pouncing upon the intruder.
Inc youth uttered low cry, but offered
no resistance.
"What thief in the night are YOU p"
80 please your good worship" said
clear, pleasant voice, "I am no thief. but
Wilhelm, only son of the wood ranger at
husnach, and | came to see my Lottel"
"Thy Lotte !"
" SO please lou, she is my wifer"
"Your wifel"
Ay, messire; twas an Unterwalden wed
'hhg. is our custom here in this canton,
ana am but waiting for my appointment as
ranger, which hope to get bv the interest
OF one Messire Seller, an ex-iudge, who has
been second father to my Lotte, to tell INV
'ather and hers that we are betrothed. and
mat we are ready TO marry by sunlight"
son. then, the interest Yeris daughter
mas shown in the old judge comes out of the
nope that he will help thee to thy ranger
'hip?"
"'Tis exactly So messre. am no thief.
but an honest man, and Lotte's husband by
law 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. | think | NAV
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.
Nlessire Seller, thou are not WE'LL" cried
the forester.
Nay; better than yesterday. Bv the
way, | told thee last night should have
something TO say to thee. 1t is this-I want
thy consent TO a marriage between Lotte.
mere, and one Wilhelm, only son of the
ranger at kusnach."
Ihe forester beat his hand upon the table
S Lotte uttered cry, and the good wife
ilapped her hands.
/" said he; "'ts rare good-for-
naugh !"
NO" said the iudpe. "rn answer for
him."
"Thou, Judge ?"
Yes he will make her a good husband
But he has no post, he is nothing"
promise you he will have the under
rangership.'
Wen, now, messre, when thou pleadest
10 me, It's as thou didst when thou were
lawyer and if my girl says aye"
Lotte looked at the judge meaningly, and
said, " do not hate him, father"
Then It's 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 marveled that
her master gave up fishing.
Seller was quite happy, but never word
SAID he. Not even once again did he 90 to
the nut IN the forest, and he benefited by
the lesson he had learned-that youth is for
youth, aud that if it is thrown away in the
early summertime of life, it is not to be
picked up again in the autumn of existence.
For no man can retrace his life