Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-29
a BEGGAR'S WEDDING GIFT

Otto Won D, after an absence of
several years, two Of which he had spent
in the luxurious capital Of France, was re-
called to his native Germany by the unex.
pscted death Of his father. He foGnd the
family estate il difficulties, chiefly occa-
stoned by extravaganza and mismanage-
ment.
1t was not until bic mind was relieved of
this first care, ana ne could unInterruptedly
form his plans for the fntuTe, that Otto
thought of choosing companion who
might share with blm the sweets OF life,
and assist him III combating its tolls. be
had left Adelaide, the youngest daughter
of his neiehbor Won Z. an interesting
girl Of Il; on MS return he found her
blooming IN all the charms of youthful IN
noceuce. He therefore embraced an early
opportunity to declare mis- sentiments
aud, after the prehminaries usual on such
occasions, the happy day was fixed, ar
rived and observed with all those ceremo-
MES which the country people Ia some parts
Of Germany still rehgIously keep uD.
The lamps were hgated up, and fiddle
and pipe were sounding merrlly under the
sweet.scented linden trees, when foreign
livery servant, whose coat was rather the
worse for wear, made ms appearance on the
dancing place. BIS singular tones and
strange gesticalations coon collected around
him . troop OF laughing villagers; but 1t
vas not without considerable difficulty
gathered from the broken German Of the
orator ~ hose hands and feet were equally
eloquent with his tOnguel that his masters
carriage mad been overturned IN the neigh
bo4hood, and that wheel was broken 70
pisces, which he was suxious TO have put
10 rights, In order that ne might prosecute
his journey.
Who talks of menimg wheels OF going
further TO day hiccupped the brides
father, whose satisfaction az his daughters
good fortune mad displayed itself az table
IN copious libations. d" To-day" added be,
patting his ample sides, Z" let all wheels
20 in shiysrs no man shall pass this house
to-day you may tel your master so; but
stav, gu may as well take me to him.
The invitation was accepted with many
thanks; and the stranger, having caused
his Sancho to wipe the dust from oil hls
hat and boots, pus his collar to rights and
opened his suTtout, uudet which SOFT OF
uniform modestly pesped ous. Ihus pre-
pared, he set himself III motion, by the
help of stout cFutch-stIck and 1t then
further appeared that bis LETT loot was also
disabled, though there was something not
ungract ful in It's hObble. On reaching the
Linden place ne requested to be introduced
To the young couple. and after wishing the
bridegroom Joy, he kissed the brides
hand, with the cir Of an old beau, and
whispered many hatteging things TO her IN
his own language.
On supper being announced, the stranger
accompanied the rest TO the eating apsrt-
Lient, where he planted himself, with con-
siderable adToitness, between two Of the
rosiest and plumPes5 lasses IN the room,
TO the no small modification OF 8 Young
Lieutenant who had fixed on this place for
himself. RiIarity and mirth now presided
over the happy party the good humOred
Joke was banded about, and the hearty
laugh echoed round the room when one
Of the servants entered with a packet,
which messenger had Just delivered, with
directions that 1t should be given into the
bridegroom's own hands. Ire curiosity
Of all was excited, and Otto wAs induced
by their solicitations TO open the packet
Immediately and after removing almost
innumerable covers, he at length produced
u plain wooden dFinking-cup, with silver
rim, or which was engraved, " Present de
noces du Gueux."
Jacques % cried Otto, kissing the cup
with emotion. Adelaide cast an inquiripg
eve at her lover, and lifted up the cup to
examine 1t more nearly but she had scarce
ly raised it from the table when its unex-
pected weight occasicning her to replace it
rather smartly, the bottom fell out, and
discovered rose-colored case, containing a
pair of bracelets, set IN brillisnts of the
purest water and newestfashion the words,
- 10 belle epouse de mon ami, were en-
broidered on the satin.
The surprise and curiosity Oh all sides
may be easily conceived. All the guests
rose from their seats, except the stranger,
who remained sitting with the most per-
feet Indifference, and an expression Of
countensnce that almost appeared to indi-
cate contempt for what was going forward.
Otto, whose growing dislike 10 the stranger
was not lessened by this conduct, measured
him with an eye Of Indignation, and allow
ed himself the more readily TO be persuaded,
by his bride and the other guests, to satisfy
their injuries.
Eyes /" he began, fine glow suffusing
his manly cheeks yes l am not ashamed
to own it beggar-Jsques is the worthy
mans narne-is my dearest friend is, to
express all to you IN a few words, the pre-.
server OF my life and honor. However
painful it may be TO me. on an occasion
Like the present, to accuse myself of a
youthful indiscretion, yet ! shall not hest
tate to do so, az / cannot otherwise, per-
haps, do justice to the undetermined Jacques,
whose marriage present shall always be
70 "A h. rrafs,al
nament of my Adelaide.
Daring my residence in Paris / WIS al
most daily in the habit Of passing along
the POnt Neuf. At one end Of the bridge,
and generally about the same spot, there
sat beggar, who, though he seemed
scarcely more than so, had frequented the
place upwards of thirty years, and was
commonly known by the name of f0id
Jaques.' He always wished me every
possible good-chatted with me, when
had leisure, about the news of the day
even warned me now and then against the
dangers of the town.
Ny time IN Paris was spent very agree
ably, and, l may hat.er myself, not alto
gether without advantage. / lived 90 de.
Gently as my means permitted, but never
extraysgsntly, till. short time before my
departure, my EVIL sEaFs brought me ac-
quainted with some young men who were
addicted to gambling, and who, by little
and little, led me on to stake, first small,
and then large sums at play.
81 Immediately formed the resolution 10
pause ere it was too late, and quit the cap.
ital forever, after discharging the debt
which | had contracted. therefore wrote
to my father, requesting such remittance
as might be necessary for this purpose ;
but that letter, and several which ] sent
subsequently, remained unanswered. My
bills meanwhile became due. I was forced
to have recourse to the assistance of
usurers, and ruin stared me in the face.
"Dishesrtened, gloomy and silent now
passed Jacques without noticing him /; his
Fixed, earnest gaze became intolerable, and
I avoided the place where he stood. Al
length received the longlooked for letters
from home but instead of the remittances
with which l had hoped to silence the mos;
clamorous of my creditors, they brought
me the intelligence of my fathers death,
efter = short illness. and announced the i'm