The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-09-06

fiom golden or . tin spoon; if he lives
on carpeted or unexpected floors; If he
has IN easy conscience he can live in
peace and comfort anywhere"
On hearing this reply, was 80 over
come that tho bundle Of picks fell from
my hand to the floor. / could not find
the key-hOle again TOR some time. Cath
crime laughed at me, which only added 70
my conservation. Finally / succeeded
In picking the lock, and q the lid few
open, there lay on . velvet cushion q
beautiful diamond ornament. It glittered
like dew in the sunlight.
Catherine called her master. He came,
but hardly more than glancing In the open
casket, he laid his hand heavily on my
shoulder and asked, "What means this
The diamond brooch il missing"
trembled a. an aspen leaf. The bun.
die of picks in my hand jingled-they
seemed to say-Ahai Man has tried thee
falsely, and now you are caught! wa
about to throw myself ON my knees, when
the voice of Catherine aroused me. She
inquired If he believed me guilty. He
interrupted her by saying that she wa
equally guilty-that we must not speak Of
stir.
Calling his wife he told her of his in.
tention Of giving her the diamonds which
had been his sainted mothers, but the
most important piece was missing, which
was worth many hundred thalcrs.
Then turning to me he said I could
either have the case given to Juaticc OF
allow myself to be searched there as
for Catherine, my wife will search her. -
As for myself, / cared nothing, but that
Catherine, who was so innocent, who had
even undertaken to defend me-that she
should be suspicioncd, was almost more
than could bear. bit my lips, but
stood there, preferring the ignominy of
being searched then.
1t is perfectly horrible even now, ~ !
think of i'll was as q slavc, as an animal
Il was no longer . man. l had commit
ted no sin, though l might have done a
much greater one than stolen the brooch.
l think I suffered the most anguish fol-
Catherine.
One of the maids suggested that the
brooch might be hidden in Catherine 8 hair.
Oh, how she exulted over GATHERINGS
downfall. cursed the entire world, great
and small, for all stood there ready to con-
denim the innocent. must hasten. We
were discharged, still suspicioned, though
nothing could be found.
As left the house, in my soul was dark
ness. On every side were lights and rejoic-
ing-in me utter darkness
told my cOmrade of my misfortune.
He improved the opportunity by calling
to my attention the heartlessness Of
wealthy people to poor Ones-jeered me
on my tender conscience and the mental
suffering had undergone during the past
year.
The ignominy which had had put upon
me did more to silence my conscience than
anything else.
Some days after the occurrence at tho
Finanzrath's, as I was saunte- ing along
the streets listening to the changing of the
church-bells, and cursing the men who
were happier than 1, I suddenly met Cath.
crime.
II cannot go to church, )" said she, "but
do you 60 for me, and pray for me; pray
that all hate and bitterness may be re.
moved from our hearts, and that God may
enable you to forgive our prosecutors, as
l do"
She left me hurriedly, and I concluded
to go to church, though should have
to lie about it to my comradc. 1 prayed
for Catherine, but I could not pray for
myself. Nevertheless my burden seemed
lighter.
I endeavored to meet Catherine aftcl
this, but she gave me to understand that it
would not be best for US to be seen togcth-
or, as it would awaken suspicion.
One Saturday morning as was busily
engaged working on large double lock
for the prison, Catherine came in bring
ing q paddock, the key of which had been
lost, telling me to bring it to her that even
I went to the house of the Rath.
Catherine was securing the steps. She
quickly wiped her hand, extended it to
me, saying, joyfully: "God be praised.
At last We are acquitted. A letter and
packet have arrived from the sister of the
master. In the letter she stated that she
had forgotten to send the brooch in the
casket."
"And will not the master come to us,
and beg pardon for accusing us SO un-
justly!"
ut would not be the right thing for
him to dO-oh, no; he has Commissioned
me to inform you of the arrival of the
brooch"
l saw this was only an evasion, and
she confessed as much to me; but prom
ished to cherish no hatred against the
Finanzrath. had committed wrong
once in my life, of which no one was
aware; it did not seem inappropriate,
therefore, that ! should do penance for ono
that had not done.
WANTED to Praise Catherine once more
for her wisdom, tut dared not, so I mere
ly replied that would consider what she
said. Catherine was rejOiced TO learn
this, and spoke to me of her dead moth
er, and many of her sayings, one of
which remember particularly: "When
one shames another in the presence of a
third person, his sins arc taken away"
What noble mother Catharine must
have had. No diamond ornaments had
been left her, but the most precious treas
Urea good heart and q wise understand
ing.
felt ashamed as listened to the cOun.
sells of the wise little maiden, and said
wished her parents were still living, that
l, too, might call them father and mother
On the steps Of the house where I had
once suffered untold anguish, now ex-
perienccd the most exquisite happiness.
The memory of my misdemcanor re.
manned, but ! had gained a treasure
which was far too good for me. / was not
worthy Of it.
l left the house rejoicing. When the
day of our innocence was to be made pub
lie it was upon the Finanzrath, and not
on us, rcproach would be thrown. He
had been too hasty in our condemnation.
II waS owing fO>nyr 1einO cOmnaninno II,
sorrow that owed the promise Of my wise
maiden to become my wife. She had
promised, on Fast Sunday, to go to q
dance with me.
Never was there more suspicious day
than Fast Sunday. I told my love that
some day she should ride in . handsome
coach, and she laughingly promised to
wait until that time. That my conscience
was not entirely dulled may be inferred
by the shuddcr that passed over me when
l thought of the means by which should
accomplish my design. But wine, love
and youth soon helped me to forget all
oavx, INV nroaouf hssns~1vnona