Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-12-23

ran home in a tremor Of delight, carrying the
smile with me- 1t is fact Her smiling face was
before me all the way.
Of course told my linnet the news-how that
Louisa had accepted my work. and paid me with the
sweetest smile-and the bird tang gaily, and the
rhythm and the tenderness Of the song found an
echo in my heart. Up to this point the linnet was
| my only confidant. Not to soul did breathe nv
secret. None the less did l look upon myself as
Louisa Waguer's accepted lover. After what had
passed-which, 40 you see, had magn'fed into the
most ridiculous importauce-how could it be other.
wise That when l could find courage to speak
plainly to her she would place her hand in mine,
entertained not the slightest doubt.
was proud young fellow the following Sunday
when l saw her walking In the boots had repaired
for her, and which looked like new She wore a
| new cotton dress and bit of ribbon round her
pretty throat which settled in my mind were worn
| ior me- No man ever tasted greater happiness
than did on that day. But / could not vet fird
courage to speak to her-to tell her of the love
which filed my heart. walked by her side and
was contented. All! how 1t all comes back to me -
the meeting at the church door, the walk through
the churcbyard and the village till we came to her
| fathers cottage, the stupid little talk about her
boots
:" 1 never in my life felt so comfortable" she
said "they new, and yet they are as easy as if
had worn them for years. And they do not make
| my feet look large"
Her feet look large In my eyes they were the
| feet Of princess. Now, as she put out her foot,
and was gazing at it in admiration, who should
| come up to us and stop but nelghbor OF mine,
wheelwright, Karl Brand by name. can see the
picture as plainly if it put bodily before me
in this room. turn towards the fire, and see the
| picture there in the glowing Goals
"The prettiest foot in all the village" cried Karl
Brand. "And the pret,iest face and the prettiest
| mouth, and the lovelies: eyes!"
| His voice Jared upon me. 1t was like the voice
OF brawler calling out in church and interrupting
the service. No wonder, thought, that Louisa
should blush as he gazed boldly at her. His look
was sacrilege. To save the girl | loved from fur
| ther indignity 1 bade her goodby and left her.
Turning my head for moment as / walked away, it
pierced my heart like dagger to see that Karl
| Brand had followed her into her fathers cottage
l have called Karl Brand wheelwright Well, he
| might be that for two days in the week-for the
ether five an indolcnt sot. He bore bad character
in the village, and there much suspicious talk
concerning him. How could Louisa wagner's father
encourage such character? But could not forget
| that old Wagner and Karl Brand were by no means
| on unfriendy terms They were often seen to-
gether. W hen Louisa is mine," thought, "aud
have the right to protect her. she shall have moth
| ing to say to such a vagabond." When Louisa was
mine !! All, how full OF happiness the future l
mspped out ! resolved to speak to her soon-be.
fore the week was cut if could find an opportu.
| nifty.
Ca the Monday Karl Brand popped his head into
my tile shop where sat working
" What fine pair of soIes you put on Louisa
Brands boots - he cried. % Here-mend mine at
| the same price" And he flung down pair.
threw than back at him with some passionate
words. He picked them up, and walked away,
laughing. That evening saw him and Louisa wsg-
| ner together, and made tie acquaintance of that
tofurer, Jealousy. There was no sleep for me that
| night. When came upon them Louisa had not
seen me, but he, meeting my eye, gave me a ma
lie Gus triumphant smile to feed upon did feed
upon it for days and days till 1 could bear it no
longer, and determined TO put end to my torture
spoke to Louise; I declared my love for her.
told her that was able to support her and asked
her to be my vie. She answered me in a kind,
pityirg voiee, she had already promised to become
the wife cf Karl Brand. l stood for little white
transfixed. Ny life seemed most ter iby and sud.
denly 10 have come tc an end.
'' Do not hate me-" che said softly /" 1 am very,
very sorry"
. cannot hate you," replied my voice was so
strange In my thst l could scarcely believe il
was who was speaking
'' shall owe you ell my days"
'We are still frien;s' she said, holding out her
hand
"Yes, we are ST friends l sad mechanically
Loving ysu as do, it is rot possible should ever
be your enemy." took her hand, and held it in
mine. AS felt the pressure of her fingers the tears
fell from my eyes.
You will some other girl whom you will
love-" she said "you ars good man every one
speaks well o: you; your vile will be proud of
YOU"
81 shall never marry" 1 said sadly; "I love
only one"
Our conversation was interrupted by Karl Brand,
who stole abruptly upon u.
NO poaching p he exclaimed "Oae would
have supposed that honorable man like you
would respect the rights of property"
=" 1t is not in that way, Karl Brand" said ar d
at that moment confess / entertained deadly
| hatred toward him, al should speak Of the girl
was going to marry"
a" You choose your way, he retorted, "and will
choose mine. Not bad way, is it?" he asked as
he stood with his arm around Louisa wsgner's
waist; her eyes cast down; she never looked at
me- " And agaia say, 10 poaching"
"Words are wasted between U.s." said "Fsre.
wei, Louisa Wagner, msy you be happy"
He sent shout Of mocking laughter after me-
I bar, tt
ing have the advantage over you"
l suffered terribly, and for some time NY mind
was plunged into such darkness that could see no
gleam Of goodness in all the wide world. That is
the selfish view we take of things when sorrow
| comes to door. Why, l asked does Loui a
Brand marry that brute and gambler instead Of an
honest, hardworkipg youngster, who not only
loved, but respected her? Ii could have answered
that question might be able to tell you more of the
workings o; woman's heart. 1t is beyond me, and
beyond you, ard therefore have kept myself free
| from woman's power from that day to this. re.
covered my peace Of mind, and SO that it might not
again be disturbed by sight d the woman loved, /
left my native village with my knapsack my
shoulders and came here where set up in business
for myself as a matchmaker, and have logged along
ever since with ia share of happiness and con.
tent. There is condition Of life in which a man
has not good reason to be grateful have grown to
know this, and it has BEEN of value TO me in my
ideas Of lifes struggles and dissppontments have
my work, hare my connection, owe no one a
form. That is happiness enough.
III.
RELATES HOW NICOLAS BRAND BECOMES MAS
TER FINK's APPRENTICE.
Year after year passed peacefully and prosperorsy
over my head, until sixteen years had gone by 1
was fortunate in many ways in making friends, in
making myself respected, in forming connection
and in obtaining the services of old Anna who