The Portland daily press., 1879-12-01

tasteful. The girls dress would not nave
brought many kreutZers, but every article
fitted her as well as if it had cost hundreds.
Her fair locks shaded a face frightened by
pair of ewes of heavenly blue. The spirit of
order modesty and cleanliness reigned in
everything around her. Her features were
delicate, like those of one nobly born; her
eyes betrayed sleeplinesS and anxiety, ana
ever and anon sigh rose from the maiden's
breast. Suddenly steps were heard ON the
staircase, and her face lighted up with JOY.
She listened, and doubt seemed TO SHADOW
her brow. Then came knock al the door
which made her tremble SO much that she
almost wanted the courage to say lone
in" A young man, shabbily dressed, en-
tered the room and made low and awk-
ward bow.
81 beg pardon, Miss said he, 'does Herr
Schmidt live here?"
eyes sir; what is your pleasure"
'.Are you hissdaughter Bertha?"
lam"
''Then it is you that | seek. ! am from
your father
"For heavens sake, where is he? Some
thing must have happened-he has stayed
away all night"
1.-The misfortune is not very great
''Oh, my poor, poor father! what shall
hear?''
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 lat
| night an old acquaintance, who invited him
| to a tavern. They had supper together, but
| when the landlord came for his bill your
fathers friend had decamped, 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 prison." ~
ITO prisonr' exclaimed the girl. 'Can
you tell me how much the bill comes to?''
''Three forms and half"
'Oh, Cod" sighed tie girl, ''all | have
| does not amount to one forins but l will go
to Madam Berg and beg of her to advance
me the money"
''Who is Madam Berg?
''The mlliner for whom work."
'But if Madam Berg does not advance the
money-what then?"
| The girl burst into tears.
81 am afraid she will refuse. | already
| owe her one form and she is very hard
''For what purpose did you borrow the
money you owe her?'
The girl hesitated to reply.
| you may trust me-
''Well, my father is very weak, and re-
| quires strengthening | borrowed the mon
ey to get quarter of a fowl for him."
Under these circumstances fear Madam
| Berg will not give you any. l possess moth
ing Have you any valuables more? Here
is one form, but that is all upon which we
could raise some money"
Bertha considered for a moment.
Il have nothing" she said 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 l hold
more sacred than her memory and the prom
Use gave her; but still, for my fathers
sake, must not hesitate" With trembling
hand she took the book down from the
shelf. ooh, SIR" she said, during many
a sleepless night / have been accustomed to
enter the secret thoughts of my heart on the
blank leaves at the end of the book. hope
no one will ever know whose writings they
are; you will promise me that?'
Certainly, Bertha. will take care that
your secrets are not profaned."
While she left the room to put on her bon
net and shawl Karl Trait flor 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 to-
gether, and she was walking beside him with
! dignity of which she seemed entirely I'M
| conscious, he cast upon her looks of respect
and admiration.
They went first 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 high
er than the money he had asked They
pawned the book, and the required sum was
made up. Bertha was overjoyed.
''But if you spend all that money to-day
remarked the young man, con what will you
| live tomorrow"
II do not know, but | trust in God
shall work the whole night through
When they went to the tavern, the young
man went first to prepare old Mr.. Schmidt
| for the part he wished him to act; then he
fetched Bertha. 1t is impossible to describe
the joy he felt when he saw the young girl
throw herself into her fathers arms and
press him to her heart.
She raid the bill and triumphantly led him
home, Traft accompanied them and said he
had few more kreutzers in his pocket; she
had better go and get something to eat. lit
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 ev-
cry evening, in order, as he said, to share
with them his scanty earnings.
About a fortnight after, as he was going
away one evening, he said to Bertha: "Will
you become my wife? 1 am only poor
clerk, but am honest and upright"
Bertha blushed and cast her eyes to the
ground.
A few days after the young couple, simply
but respectfully attred, and accompanied 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 standing 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 carriage, driving away at a
quick pace. The carriage stopped before a
splendid house in the best part of Frank
fort. They were received by a number of
domestics, who conducted them to apart
ments decorated for them in the most costly
style.
This is your MISTRESS" said Trait to the
servants, "and her commands you have
henceforth to obey. My darling wife," said
he then, turning to Bertha, Il am Karl
! Trait, one of The wealthiest men of is city,"