Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-03-29


life. If You will give rour pretty Mette,
to me, l promise I'll take the best care
of her.
Now. Jsns was the richest young man
IN Aalborg, end Knud knew it. But he
was also very free with his money, and
that was not in accordance with the old
mans views. Still, he hardly found it
IN his heart to turn his back upon such
wealthy son-in- law, so he said:
And If 1 say Yes, what provision
will you make for my daugher? For
one who is such a spendthrift as thou
art, will surely end his d.ys in the aims
house"
''So,' answered Jens, with unruffied
good humor, ''you wish to secure my
wife from going there with me? Well,
that is as it should be, and 1 will settle the
ApOthek belonging to me upon her. and
also snug sum OF money IN addition to
1t the very day We are married."
The Apothek Of which he spoke was
very large and handsome structure,
finished in the style of the Renaissance,
and had cost an enormous number of
rix dollars. 1t was the wonder as well
as the admiration of Jens' towns people,
and was the show building of the place
Knud had 1t in his mind when he made
his ungracious answer: for to him it
seemed the hsight of folly and extrava-
gance to waste so much money upon the
carrying out of an idea WHAT matttered
it, he thought, if the foundations were
firm, and the walls slightly, whether or
not one part was in the style of one CEN
tury. and the rest of another. 1t was
mere nonense, this talk about harmony
of detail aI,d of design.
Thus had he talked about the Apothek
all through the time of its erection, and
also had animadvertei with equal frank
ness about the owner. 1t almost took
his breath away from sheer surprise to
now hear this generous Offer of Jens' to
settle it upon his Mette-his little girl,
whom he had hardly thought capable
until very lately of managing his OVID
frugal household. and that too under
his sharp and constant scrutiny.
At last he said:
''If Mette proves TO be Oh the s-me
mind with regard to You as you declare
yourself to be about ner. will not say
nay to the marriage. But you will do
well to take heed to ray advice and hold
the purse strings trihe tighter.
$50 as not to reach the goal you so
kindly predicted" interpolated Jens.
''Thank you. I'll t:y hard to disap-
point you in that particular. When may
1 see Meter"
"Call tomorrow, say about this time,
and I'll arrange the interviews-unlessl
the child says nay TO your proposal"
Jen's face heightened visibly. He
had hoped tC have one more glimpse of
the sweet, shy face which had SO en-
chanted him on this very morning; but,
thankful at having gained Kinds con-
ditional promise, he wisely forbore to
tarry and press for sight of his lady
love sooner than the specified time-so
he went his way.
That night his dreams proved to be
strange compound of pleasure and of
pam. Mette's blooming face smiled at
him sor a moment, then was lost amid Q
crowd of older, pallid, sorrow marked
visages-clad in tine high-crowned caps,
and sad-hued garments which composed
the costume of those unfortunates who
had been forced by poverty to accept the
tardy and cold charity meted out to
their class by the city government. So
when he sought the presence of her he
loved upon the following day, it was
with strange undercurrent of sympa-
thy for Lis suffering fellowheings, which
was new element III his prosperous,
easy-going life.
Old Knud's words had opened up a
train of thought in his mind which was
destined to bear fruit at no distant day. |
But he was too wise to brOach it until
he had gained the treasure he coveted.
Then, when Mette was his wife-''to
have and to hold for richer or poorer
all the days of his mortal life--he said
70 her.
"Hast ever thought, my Mette, what
q sad thing it would be to have neither |
home nor friends, and to be poor and
dependent upon charity for the very |
bread which is to sustain life.
Mette's round eyes grew wide with |
surprise at hearing such words from the |
lips of her husband-he who was the
soul of gayety AMI fun-whose laugh |
ever rang out the merrlest among his |
and whose talk usually |
abounded in jests and witticlsms.
Jens drew her pretty face towards him
and kissed her rosy lips. 'Do not look |
SO startled, my own," he continued,
smilingly. Il am not about to say any |
thing to sadden You. But the truth is,
when 1 asked your father for gift of |
this little hand, he said something which |
put new ideas in my head. What do
YOU think it was? Why. that was fit ,
subject for an almshouse because OF my |
extrayagance. Can 1t be that all those
who are now reduced to
such penury as to depend npon others
for a living have been reared In affiu-
epce. and have been brought to their
present state by being free-handed and
liberal with their means?
Mette looked troubled, but said moth
ing. -.
sIf SO" he went ON, show sad life
If must be from luxury to stint! Mette,
darling. how would it please you to have
me erect a nice home for the poor, and
see that it is furnished comfortably and
stocked with good wholesome provl-
sions. We are so happy ourselves; let
us try to make others share 1t.
Mette, though wife, was In years
but a child; and she had not put aside
small things. So she clapped her hand
joyously.
THAT will be just lovelyl" she ex-
claimed sand 1 will visit the old people
flor such sort are always old, and pour
out their tea and coffee with my own
hands,"
"Yes." said Jens, delighted at her IN
nocent enthusiasm, "and twice IN the
wear we will make preparations tor a
Grand feast. and will have the best mu-
siclans in the city to play for us and the
of the homes we are to buiid
shall be our guests.
So Miser Knud's bitter words had an
influence of which he little dreamed
when he uttered them, for Jens earned