The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-12-12

would repay me for every dlsappolnt-
ment. But I soon saw she wished to
make me her slave, and yoke all other
men beside to her triumphal chariot. I
broke the engagement, and selected a
poor but a charming girl-a sweet inno-
cent being, as I thought, who would be
my life's own angel. Alas I found her
one day bidding adieu, with tears and
kisses, to youth whom she loved. She
had accepted me for my wealth only;
My peace of mind vanished. I sought
diversion in travel. Everywhere found
the same hollowness, the same treachery,
the same misery. In short, / became
disguised with life, and resolved to put
an end this night to the pitiable farce"
ssUnfortunate young man" said the
other, with tears of sympathy; II pity
you. I confess have been more fortu-
nate than you. / possessed wife and
daughter, who came forth pure and i'm
maculate from the hand of the Creator.
The one has returned to Him in the
whiteness of her soul, and SO will the
other.a
"Give me your address, old man, and
permit me to visit your daughter to-mor-
row. Also give me your word of honor
that you will not inform her, or insinuate
in any manner, that I am rich man.
The old man held out his hand. 81
give you my word. am anxious to con-
vince you that have spoken the truth.
/ Ny name is William Schmidt, and there
is my address" giving him at the same
time bit of paper which he drew from
his pocket.
'sAnd my name is Karl Trait. am the
son of Anton Trait. Take these bank
notes, but only on condition that you do
not leave this house until I fetch you
from it. Waiter bedroom for this
Schmidt. Good night. Tomorrow You
will see me again"
In one of the narrow and ill-Ighted
streets of Sachsenhausen in an attic of a
lofty and unsightly house, sat a blonde,
about twenty years of age, busily en-
gagged with her needle. The furniture
of the room was clean and tasteful. The
girls whole dress would not have brought
many kreutzers, but every article fitted
her as we'll as if it had cost hundreds.
Her hair locks shaded a face frightened
| by pair of eyes of heavenly blue.
| The spirit of order, modesty and cleanli-
ness reigned in everything around her.
Her features were delicate, like those of
lessness and anxiety, and ever and anon
| sigh rose from the maiden's breast.
| Suddenly steps were heard on the stair
case, and her face lighted up with joy.
| She listened, and doubt seemed to
shadow her brow. Then came knock
at the door, which made her tremble SO
much that she almost wanted the courage
to say "Come in" A young man, shah
! billy dressed, entered the room and made
low and awkward bow.
ST beg pardon, Miss" said he; s'does
Herr Schmidt live here ?"
Eyes, sir; what is your pleasure ?"
'tAre you his daughter, Bertha? %
81 am
''Then it is you that seek. I am from
your father"
ssFor heavens sake, where is he? Some
thing must have happened-he has stayed
away all night"
'"rhe misfortune is not very great.
"Oh, my poor, poor father. What
shall I hear 2"
The young man seemed to observe
these visible marks of anxiety with great
interest. He said:
''Do not be frightened; it is nothing of
great Importance. Your father met last
night an old acquaintance, who invited
him to tavern. They had supper to-
gether, but when the landlord came for
his bill your fathers friend had de
camped, and left him to pay the score.
He had not sufficient money for this, and
now the host will not let him go until
he is paid, and declares that unless he
gets his money he will send him to
riSOn."
''To prison !" exclaimed the girl
tfCan you tell me how much the bill
comes to ?"
''Three forins and half"
"Oh, God !" sighed the girl. ''All I
have does not amount to more than one
forin, but will go to Madam Berg and
beg of her to advance me the money"
"Who is Madam Berg?"
ssThe milliner for whom I work y
"But if Madam Berg does not advance
the money-what then 2"
The girl burst into tears.
stI am afraid she will refuse already
owe her one form, and she is very hard y
"For what purpose did you borrow the
money you owe her?"
The girl hesitated to reply.
"You may trust me"
t'Well, my father is very weak and
requires strengthening. I borrowed the
money to get quarter of fowl for him. :"
OAucI bucCC ClICu1iobtAlCOo L ACdI
Madam Berg will not give you any.
possess nothing. Have you any valua-
bles more? Here is one forin, but that
is all upon which we could raise some
money"
Bertha considered for moment.
81 have nothing" she said, at length,
.'but my poor mothers prayer book. On
her death-bed she entreated nae not to
part with it, and there is nothing in the
world I hold more sacred than her men,
ory and the promise / gave her; but
still, for my fathers sake, I must not
hesitate With trembling hand she took
the book down from the shelf. "Oh,
sir" she said, ''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. I
hope no one will ever know whose
writings they are. You will promise me
that %
Certainly, Bertha; I will take care
that your secrets are not 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 hero)
glanced over the writing in the book, and
his eyes filled with tears of emotion and
delight as he read the outpourings of
pure and pious heart. And when they
had left the house together, and she was
walking beside him with n dignity of