Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-09-06
HANS.


How he contrived to meet her don't
know.
He was n poor student at Halle,
rather handsome young fellow OF
three and thirty, Hans Mintner, by
name. She was, according to his
accounts, the daughter of the richest
man in Leipzig. No wonder l was
astonished when, with many bushes,
he confided to me his affection for this
young lady.
"Now, Hans" said | persausively,
"the name of your geleibte."
"Oh, no, no,n he exclaimed, coloring
violently, Il cannot tell it. You must
not ask
"Well, where does she live, then,
this mysterious heiressP"
81 cannot tell you that, either, my
friend, when she has accepted or re-
fused my love, it will be right to tell
her name. But must not compromise
her. As to her being an heircss, she is
that; but poor as | am, l care no more
for it than-she does.n
felt rebuked. 1t was not often that
my friend assumed such a serious tone
towards me. But presently recovered,
and asked, half afraid of venturing
again on forbidden ground:
'Do you think-I mean would She
In short does she like you?"
Mintner smiled. "She may, and she
mayn't; but | think she would if her
father would let.n
''Mein Herr dosn't fancy youP'
''On the contrary, he hasn't the least
nlNinntinn n thaf I ,Nff -
"Then what stands in the way of
your happiness?'
Nothing except the little formality
of an introduction to him."
"Hansn' l cried in horror.
He shook his head despondingly.
'Too true. And he would never for
give me for it. There is no hope, even
if forget the impossible barrier of my
poverty"
"Now that is too bad I'm sincerely
sorry for you"
81 know it, Wis.,
Nothing more was said between us
on the subject. Hans purposely avoid
ing it when we met But l could see
. from day to day, by his desponding
look, so different from the, cheerful,
almost jaunty air he had been wont to
wear, that he had not found way out
of the difficulty. 1t touched me to the
heart, but / was powerless to help the
poor fellow. So things went on till
late in the spring, when | received a
letter from America. 1t was a strange
epistle.
"My dear nephew" (it RAM 81 have
considered the enclosed and highly ap-
prove of it. Ponder we'll the plan pro-
posed by your honored relative, (Which
may strike you unfavorable at first, }
and if you decide to accept the pro-
posal let me know Immediately. l will
see that provision is made for your
maintenance in a style suitable to the
position of your bride. cat this word
my heart gave a great thump.) You
will inform me as soon as possible of
your decision.
let the sheet fall in my complete
amazement Then l bethought me of
the enclosure, and was about to read it,
when Hans sauntered in, and threw
himself heavily upon my threadbare
lounge.
"All up, Wills" he remarked. "Mein
Herr has discovered everything, and is
Justly frantic. She told me to-day
first time I've seen her since the disas-
ter, which happened nearly a month
ago. And her father is going to marry
her to wretched nephew of his.n He
sighed, and broke short off.
was sorry for the young man, and
forgot my perpleXities in his. Dear
boy" | said at last, laying my hand on
his restless one, "you know now that
she cares for your
"POor childr' His head went down
on his hands, and man though he was,
! could see the tears trickle through his
closed fingers.
Poor fellow"
Hans" said 1, tenderly, sin my
country it is no sin for poor man to
love the daughter of a hundred earls.
We recognize no such barriers as here
exist between yourself and the woman
OF your love" Perhaps l was misrep-
resenting the state of society in my
glorious country, but went on. "If she
loves you, Hans, and you love her"
" Heaven knows do"
"Then nothing under heaven ought
to keep you apart! What cares she that
you are poorP Your talents and YOUR
learning would be fortune in America.
Hans, if she loves you, you ought not
to let her be married to another man.
1t would be wrong cruelr'
" Yes" he answered, slowly, hope |
lessly, sit would break her heart. But |
what can l do?''
| sprang up, half angry with his
dullness. Marry her yourself Take
her to Americar'
He rose slowly, his face crimson and
his eyes blazing. / was very uncom-
Portable, not knowing whether to ex-
"Wilsp'
Then he put on his hat and went out.
Would he do it, or would he notP |
could make nothing out of him. |
never saw anything ike it in my life.
Then | thought of my letter and a
new mystery met me. / opened the
other and was surprised TO see that IL
was dated at Leipzig. But the matter
Of it surprised me more.
n LEIPAG, May 8, 1872.
my DEAR BRoTHER.--I wish TO consult Won
ON matter Of considerable Importance. al
least 20 myself You are aware that have a
young daughter-the greatest trial of INV
otherwise peaceful life. To cut the matter
short, she has picked up, somewhere or other
4 worthless young scamp of lover, who has
been meeting her, at intervals for several
months before detected it--and what exas-
1erates me most OF all, their interviews were
neld under my very eye, so 10 speak. Need
iay sent him PACKING The child very oh
iiinately viii not promise TO despise him as
am sure, she secretly must, after having the
natter laid before her In its true eolors.
'sFe'sneiess' lest time hang heavy on her