The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-02-09
MISCELLANY.
Voss.

A group of young men were standing one
morning last April on the banks of the River
Aar, which flows by the quaint old Swiss
town of Berne. There was johann Leid, the
bakers son. and Fritz Bund, the wood carver,
and half dozen others with their sisters and
sweetbearts.
Bund, as usual, was loud-mouthed and vo-
luble. He talked with Que eye on the girls TO
see the effect.
"What do you say to race, boysp There
is Johann Leid, with his big muscles. can
outrun or throw you in five minutes, Leid.''
Leid nodded, threw off his coat, and was
beaten, in both race and wrestle. He was
big, sheepish-looking fellow, and grew red
with anger.
=" II you want to look well in Jeannette's
eyes," he muttered, it is Nicholas Voss you
should throw-not me. She thinks more of
his finger than of your whole braggart body"
Bund was enraged. Everybody saw that
plainly. He looked at Jeannette standing
with the other girls, like modest little rose
among Haunting dahlias. Nicholas Voss was
playing with his dog on the other side Of the
field. He was quiet, understood fellow,
the son Of the schoolmaster.
"Throw Voss I could do It with one
hand. No credit in that. The fellow has no
more strength than a girl, porting over his
books. I'll PIT him to test that'll shame
him. Jeanette shall see the stuff the baby
is made of. Hey, Vossl" he shouted.
Nicholas came over, smiling. but colorng o
little as be passed the girls. He was diff
dent, awkward lad, and felt his arms and legs
heavy and In the way whenever a woman
looked at him.
Come, girls - cried Bund.
The girls drew nearer, shy, but curious.
Here's question of courage to be settled.
Leid wants me to try throw with Voss, but
it wouldn't be fair, for could fl ing him with
one finger, and blow him over for that mat
ter"
Voss changed color he played nervously
with the dogs collar. He knew 1t was true
that he could not compete with Bund in a
trial of strength, but 1t was hard to be told
it before little Jeanette, too"
+" But there's something Voss can do as well
as l"
What is it?" said Nicholas, eagerly.
"You can swim. Come, jump into the
river yonder with me, and see which of us
can reach the other shore y
The girls looked at the river. 1t was swollen
with the spring floods, and filed with great
Jumps of ice, which crunched and tore each
other as they went rushing by.
"Ah, that would be brave deed ! . they
said, looking admiringly at Bund. Jeanette
looked, and turned away with shudder.
"well done, Bund!" said the other lads.
'sThere's no cowardice in Bund, that's GER
tain -
Bund tore off his wooden jacket and boots,
Strengthening himself and clapping his hands.
He was not sorry that the girls should see his
broad chest and embroidered braces.
"Come, little one, of with your coat
You're famous swimmer--and Jeanette is
looking under his breath, with an angry
flash in his eye.
Nicholas looked at the lads waiting, and at
the excited silly girls, and then at the icy
river. He did not trust himself to look AT
Jeanette. In summer he had often swan
the Aar at this very point. But his lungs
were weak. He could not bear the slightest
exposure. To plunge into this food would
be certain illness-perhaps death. And fol
no purpose but to crafty the pride of a va
porting, idle fellow.
Come, come !" cried Bund. "Afraid,
eh?"
The lads and girls looked at Voss even
Jsannstte's eyes were fixed curiously on him
~ am not going TO swim" he said.
II be had bluffed Il out in strident, jocu-
lar voice, he might have carried the day. But
be was painfully conscious that they al
thought him coward. He was q sensitive
lad, and it cut him to the quick.
Afraid afraid /" laughed Bund, inso-
lently. swell, Voss, wanted to do you 1
good turn, and let the girls see that you hat
the making Of man in you. But no mat
ter" turning away contemptuously. "a
pity he could not wear gowns and bonnet,
be said to Jeanette, loud enough for voss t.
hear.