Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-12-23
MASTER FINK EsDEAvoRs TO RESCUE KATRINE
rnrnrn 1,pnM raE EVII. INFIuFNCE OE

| X.
MASTER FINK EsDEAvoRs TO RESCUE KATRINE
| LoEBEG FROM THE EVIL INFLUENCE OF
| PREIZEL, THE MIsER.
did not quite lose sight OF Nicolas. 1t is not
easy, in town like this, for man to hide himself
and his doings from tie knowledge of his neghbors,
and it was very soon known to everybody that
| Nicolas Brand and l had parted company. The
| question was now, what he would do-how he in
tended to live. l devoutly hoped be would leave
the town, and seek his fortune elsewhere; but my
| hope was not fulfilled. Old Anna, woman like, was
more curious about him than l. aud she made it her
business to find out all she could about him. Thus,
for some time, all the information received OF his
| movements came through her. ol'one day it was ::
"Nicolas Brand called this morning upon Peters
sep, the tanner, to collect some monty he owes
Pretzel, the mser."
On another day, "They were seen walking to-
gether, Pretzel and Nicolas"
And at length, "Nicolas Brand has gone to live
in the Temple, in the garret of the house directly
opposite miser Pretzels.'
There have been great changes in the house these
last few years. The Temple has been pulled down
to make way for the railway station which is to
Steam, will no longer permit to live in peace and
quietness The young ray rejoice in these changes
to the old they are an sflliction
1t was certainly time the Temple was destroyed,
for it was disgrace. Once upon time, hundreds
Of years ago, it had been used refuge for monks
and priests, and it was then that it got 20 be called
the Temple The houses, have doubt,
grand places then, but now they were so old and
rickety that timid people we're afraid to live in
them. As for honest and virtuous folk, on no ac-
count would they reside there. 1t had dreadful
reputation, andwas given up almost entirely to vile
and desperate characters, jail-birds loose women,
desperadoes and adventures. Nevertheless, there
it that Nicolas Brand took up his quar-
tiers, at the top OF house four stories hgh the roof
of which nearly touched the skies. To it from
tumblng down a heavy beam had been fixed, high
up in the air. between it and the rotten old house
on the opposite side, in which mser Pretzel lived
These decrepit, worn-out tenements leaned towards
each other from sheer weakness ard could not stand
without support like human beings who in their old
age require prop to them from falling to the
earth. This cross beam between the houses was
fixed, on the Left just below the top window of
miser Pretzei's house, and on the right, mmedi-
ately below the window of the garret in which Nco-
las Brand slept. The lower portion Of this house
was occupied by people of bad character, the second
and third floors were empty, and only Nicolas lived
in the garrett. In nser Pretzes house no one lived
but himself. 1t was his own property and he would
not admit tenant. Dwelling for years amongst
awess people, and keeping always as was currently
reported, great sum of money in his room, it was
matter for wonder that he was not robbed. But he
-. II =
and he was able to carry his usurous practices
without check or hndrance. 1t was understood that
Pretzel had taken Nicolas into his employ, for the
young man now regularly engaged in collecting
debts owing to the miser by poor people who had
been drawn into his web.
Bu. if appearances went for anything, Nicolas
Brand did not thrive in his new vocation. Miser
Pretzel, who loved his money with closer love than
men have for their children, Wos not likely to pay
liberal wages to those who worked for him, and
Nicolas grew shabbier and poorer week by week.
had opportunities of observing this, for Nicolas
sometimes passed my shop, but between us not
word was exchanged.
'Misef Pretzel will get Nicolas Brand well into
his clutches, said Anna "aud the devil will take
the pair OF them
The autumn waned and winter came on-a bit
ter, cherries winter always remembered because
of its heavy snow-fals-the like OF which had never
been seen in the town IN the first week of De-
cember Anna burst in upon me with the words
"What do you think? What do you think
Katrine Lobeg has left her situation and has gone
to attend upon miser PretzeI~
''That is bad news, indeed" l said gravely.
''The child !" cried Anna. in deep dis tress. "The
foolish, foolish child She will come now quick to
ruin and sorrow. WIN no stretch out a helping
hand to her? VIII no one save herr
" How can it be done, Anna I" asked Heaven
knows would sacrifice. much to save the poor girl,
but you remember how she received US when we
spoke to her before. She is her own mistress, and
can do as she pleases; no one has any authority
over her. Were her grandfather, or her uncle, or
distant relative of her dead mother's 1
might have right to interfere, although it would
be useless, Anna, quite useless of that am sure
She does not see Nicolas Brand with our eyes and it
is he, doubt, who has been instrumental in get
ting her into miser Pretzel's house"
Master Fink" said Anna, "you have a solemn
duty before you, and you must not shrink from it.
You must save that sweet child from grief AID
shame. All the town will bless you for the deed"
don't want the town 20 bless me-" said, some.
what testify, must own. az am content to do what
is right for rights sake and for the sake of my con-
science. In heavens name, enlighton me how can
save 'katrne r.
Old Anna spoke very earnestly now There is
no one in the world who is so thoroughly acquainted
as yourself with the vile nature of that scorpion
Nicolas Brand. To stand tamely by and allow him
to drag the innocent soul Of Karine down to perdi
tion would be heavy sin. o. Master Fink, think
there is way. You have no wife-you have no
child"
All" l exclaimed, "a l see you wish me to adopt
hatEine as my child. Thank you, Anna, thank you
YOU have kind heart. 1t is noble idee / will
do it. Yes, Anna, l will do it if Katr1ne will con-
sent. will be father unto her, and as God is my
judge will deal tenderly and lovingly by her. It
VIII be beautiful thing to have fresh young
heart Ike hers in the house. It shall be done,
Anna; it shall be dore if only Katrine is willing"
l glowed with such pleasurable excitement that
could not keep my seat l walked up and down,
rubbing my hands.
"Magter Fink" said Anna, wiping s. me tears
away with the back of her hand, al bless the dav
first took service with you"
Never mind that, never mind that" cried
" it IS waste of time to talk o. such thir rs. We
She Is in danger-in positive danger How are we
to get to herr"
There is but way" said Anna, owe must
go to miser Pretzels horse, and speak to her
there
by spirits fell. "To miser Pretzei's house - 1
exclaimed. "He will not admit us. Old as he is.
he would walk hundred miles to do me an in
jury"
We 90 to see Katrine, not him, Master Fink. II
he viii not admit into his house, we will call Kat
rine out and speak to her in the street Because it
is unpleasant to do, you must not shrink from It,"
81 will not" said, firmly. "Come Anna, YOU
shall accompany ME. What is night to be done
should be done without delay"
In less than three minutes l had locked I'D nv
shop and Anna and were on our way to the Tenn
pie. In due time We passed before miser Pretzel's
door. 1t was years since last visited the Temple
and was struck by the ruined appearance OF the
habita:ions. Rottirg timbers, broken windows
stuffed with rags to keep out the wind, crumblinc
stones, met my eye whichever way turned. One
house had shrunk in its middle, just as il it had