The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-26

interest; he said-"Do not be frightened {;
1t is nothing of great importance. Your
father met last night an old acquaintance,
who invited him to tavern. Thew had
supper together; but when the landlord
came tor his bill, your fathers friend had
decamped, and left him to paw the score.
He had not sufficient money for this: and
now the host will not let him 90 until he
is paid, and declares that unless he Gets
MS money, he will send him to prison.:
ITO prison" exclaimed he girl. "Can
you tell me how much the DILL comes to-"
"Three forms and half.''
30 God!' sighed the girl, "all I have
does not amount to one form; but 1 will
60 at once to Madame Berg, and beg of
her to advance me the money"
'Who is Madame Berg?"
"The nlilliner for whom work"
"But If Madame Berg does not advance
the money-what thenY'
The girl burst into tears,
II am much afraid she will refuse.
already owe her one form, and she is very
hard :"
For what purpose did you borrow the
money you owe herr"
"The girl hesitated to reply.
"You may trust me-"
"Well, my father is very weak, and re-
quires strengthening. ! borrowed that
money to get a quarter of a fowl for
him"
Under these circumstances, I tear
Madam Berg will not give you any more.
Here is one forin, but that is all DOS
sess. Have you any valuables upon which
we could raise some money.
Bertha considered for moment.
" l have nothing" said she at length,
"but my poor mothers prayer book. On
her death bed she entreated me not to
part with it, and there is nothing in the
world hold more@acred than her memo
ry, and the promise gave her: but still,
tor my fathers sake, must not hesitate.''
With trembling hand she took the book
down from the shelf. "Oh, sir" said
she, 'during many sleepless night I
have been accustomed to enter the secret
thoughts of my heart on the blank leaves
at the end of the book. 1 hope no one
will ever know whose writing they are:
will you promise NE that2"
"Certainlg, Bertha. will take care
that your secrets shall not be profaned.
but now get ready that we may CO."
While she left the room to put on her
bonnet and shawl, Karl Trait, (for the
young man was no other than our he1o).
glanced over the writing in the book, and
his eyes filled with tears of emotion and
delight as he read the outpourings thew
had left the house together, and she was
walking beside him with a dignity of
which she seemed entirely unconscious,
he cast upon her LOOKS of respect and adj
miration.
They first went to Madam Berg. who
did not give the advance required, but
assured the young man that Bertha was
an angel. Certainly this praise Mr.. Trait
valued higher than the money he had
asked for. They pawned the book. and
the required sum was made up Bertha
was overioyed.
"But if you spend all your money to-
day." remarked the young man, son
what will you live to- morrowg"
Il dc not know, but trust in God. I
shall work the whole night through"
When they came to the tavern. the
young man went in first to prepare old
Mr.. Schmidt fer the part he wished him
to act; then he fetched Bertha. It is i'm
possible to describe the Joy he felt when
he saw the young girl throw herself in
her fathers arms, and press him to her
heart.
She paid the bill and triumphantly led
HIM home. Trait accompanied them and
said he had few more kreutzers in his
pocket; she had better 60 and get some
thing to eat. It was late before Trait
went home that night; but the leap from
the Main bridge was no more thought of.
He came to the house every evening, in
order as he said, 10 share with them his
scanty earnings.
About fortnight after, as he was 60
ing away one evening, he said to Berth:
"W:n you become my wife, I am only
poor clerk, but I am honest and up
right"
Bertha blushed and cast her eyes to
the ground.
A few days after, the young couple,
simply but respectfully attired, and &C.
companied by Herr Schmidt, went to
church, where they were married in a
quiet way. When they came out, man
and wife, an elegant carriage was stand
ing at the door, and a footman in rich
livery let down the step.
Come said the happy husband to
his bewildered wife, who looked at him
with amazement.
Before she could utter word the three
were seated in the carriage, driving away
at quick pace. The carriage stopped
before splendid house in the best part
of Frankfort. They we're received by a
number Of domestics, who conducted
them to appointments decorated in the
most costly style.
"This is your Mistress" said Trait to
the servants; 'ani her commands you
have henceforth to obey. Ny darling
wife. said he then, turning to Bertha, II
am Karl Trait, one of the wealthiest men
of this city.
The longer I live the more I become
satisfied that nothing is so good for peo-
pie who are in deep trouble as real hard
woodwork that not only occupies the
hands, but the brain work on which one
lavishes the best part of the heart