The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-05-24
Translated by S. C. A.
A GlRL'S STRATAGEM.
From the German OF Emil Marriott.

~cAAC "eho % fACSCy1 SiCNCA SIil, duu
at the same time very unhappy. Why?
For the simplest reason, because every
opportunity was lacking for her to show
her preference for the male sex. She
lived amongst her parents and younger
brothers and sisters, the monotonous life
of all young girls who live in large
city and are not wealthy. Her daily
tasks were divided between homework
and disconnected thoughts-and in the
evening when she retired to rest she knew
that the coming day would bring but
the same as the day before. Her future
seemed to her like hot, dusty highway,
along which she must travel, one stretch
day, until she at last reached the end,
TO die. Her parents were poor; balls
and parties were not thought of, for
money and acquaintance were lacking.
they never even walked on the prone
made, for they had no toilettes.
SidOnie likes best to stay at home and
read a French novel. Then she could
often weep in earnest if an elegant bou-
dour or dress was described. Love scenes
she read with GOODNESS. The few ad-
mirers that she had possessed were treat
ed with unparalleled GOODNESS. "Of
what can these people be thinking" said
she, nearly beside herself. AS if one
could live on love, [ should hold myself
too highly for that meagre price. To me
my poor girlhood is horribly unpleas-
ant; but to be obliged to play the needy
wife; seems still more terrible, for there
is no changing it. Mol Rather will /
remain in my old prison. A second l
could not endured
She was often scolded for her discOn-
tentedness; they reproved her, but she
worked willingly, her thoughts always
busy.
"Of what use is my industry Whois
interested in a diligent girl? They are
only good for poor devils, that are COM
PEELED from sheer necessity, to found
home. Rich gentlemen do not need
diligent, but pretty, piquant wives. l
am both. Where shall | find the rich
young man?
Sidonie had young cousin, who had
placed his hopes a little on her, and one
Sunday when she had chosen to remain
AT home alone, instead of going in the
heat and dust with her parents and
the children on an excursion, he came
and brought her little book of freshly
published poems. Holding his cousin as
an unhappy and very poetical being he
thought to give her great pleasure.
Sidonie, who was lying in her old,
everyday dress, on leather sofa, as
nonchalent and piquant as countess on
her divan-far prettier and more peevish
than ever before-deigned to glance at
la nd lo j
"Spring," "Love's Presentiment,"
" Longing" then said 40! how insipidl"
"But listen to these" exclaimed her
cousin, as he read few aloud. "They
are as good as the productions of the
majority of poets, who, because they feel
poetical, believe themselves to be
poets" A bombast of beautiful senti-
ments; no new thoughts, no great addi-
tiOn, nothing Individual in the whole
book.
go be STILL" said she," and excuse
those ardent lines, those pretty little
poems no more. But perhaps you are
yourself the author.
. no" exclaimed he laughing. 81
have no time to write poetry; but | am
acquainted with the author"
Who is he, then"
The son of the lately deceased Gov
ernor T."
Sidonie raised herself little.
" Is that SO? Governor T., who left
such q large fortuneY'
Yes, certainly"
And the young poet is the only
child?'
eyes, the only son"
I" Already married, probably?"
:" No, he is only twenty-five"
Engaged, perhaps?"
think not; but why all these ques-
tions?'
Sidonie only laughed.
After her cousin had gone she read the
poems through hastily. Then sat down
and wrote long, heartfelt, enthusiastic
letter. at which she could not help laugh
ing. The letter cost her some trouble;
she brought it, however, to completion,
and hurried out to carry it TO the post
office.
What harm can it do" she thought.
And for many years she had not gone
to bed with such hopeful, happy heart.
There are very few authors who can
leave letter overfowing with praise
Snd enthusiasm unanswered, for mascu-
line vanity is great.
How natural that our young poet,
half beside himself with Joy at the first
letter of admiration, should sit down at
cnCo 90 answer ii.
He was a young man of poetical per-
ceptions who had found by closer knowl