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

he would make friendly visit to poor old prs,,.,,
| And handsome Anna, too, with her beautiful Whit.
teeth close shut over her malicious old tongue ~
has come to see the poor old man I! Katrine ~.
child" and Pretzel drew the girl who was lookir'.
at us angrily, close to him" how shall reeeivs
these worthy people, who take away young gins
character, and who lay plots to ensnare faithful
ard-working young maH whom they have robbed
Of his rights7 How shall we receive them, en-
And he patted the young girls hand, which he had
| placed on his arm, and smiled at us Indignantly.
sighed; the power the old villain exercised over
| the innocent child was apparent. Every word he
| spoke struck home and increased the dislike with
| which she viewed US. / was afraid that the MIS-
| chief had gone too far for me TO repair it, but
would not leave without making the attempt. had
some difficulty in preventing Anna from letting fly
| at him with her tongue she had not my prudence
| or sef-control.
| 81 have not come to you, Pretzel,"I said ::
| "my visit is to Katrine'
"Ah, sh" he rejoined, "you have not come to see
me- had notion that you wished to borrow an.
other three Thousand forms from for two years
without interest That is what did for this old feI
low once, Katrine, when he wac the point OF
from beggary, he has gone since speaking i'll
of me and maligang me behind my back, as he has
malgned his confiding, unfortunate apprentice. 1t
is how he serves every body. First he pretends to
be kind to them, then he bites them and blackens
their regulations. He is wolf in Sleeps clothing
His appearance is quite benevolent, is it not,
Katrine, my chiidf But would lay wager he has
some evil intention in his MUD as he stands there
looking at YOU Ask him what it is he wishes to
say to you"
"What do you want OF me g' asked katrine, in a
tone of resentment.
Bya great effort 1 controlled myself "Katrine
Loebeg," said, "this is no place for you none but
bad people live in this neighborhood."
Pretzel interrupted me. "What did tell You,
Ka.rine? And here stand l, Nicolas Brands best
FRIEND and in the opposite house lives Nicolas him
SELF What bad people live here-what bad, bad
people !"
81 am here with fatherly intention, Katrine, and
old Anna is with me-old Anna, who loves you and
wishes you nothing but good"
"Frst smile, and then a bite" interposed
Pretzel.
81 wish you to come and hive with me as my
daughter, Katrine. l will protect you as father
should 1 viii providefor you as father should.
Ask any person in the town about my character
"Yes, yes," said Pretzel, "ask Nicolas about his
character-ask Nicolas ask Nicolas
And you will learn that have never wronged
human being"
''Then Nicolas Brand is not human" said Pretzel,
and am an image of stone. Katrine, my child,
think hear door slamming down stairs. Run
down and shut it; and see that all the doors are
secure. We must protect ourselves against this
wrong doer.'
Katrine cbeyed, and the moment she was ont OF
sight Pretzsl came close to me and Anna.
a How many years ago was it, Master Fink, he
said that told you would be even with you?
Pretzel never forgets-never forgets and never for
gives You will fad that | shall be more than
even with you. 1 strike you through this simple
girl, and will ruin her-yes, VIII ruin her, be-
cause know it will cause you sorrow That will be
interest for the money you borrowed of me-good in
terest good Ttst. have Karine and her lover In
my hand Ike this and he opened his hand,
and bent his nngers into the shape Of talous-
and nothing that you can do shall them.
What do you say to that, you old hag?" And be
poked his face, ON which there really diaboli-
cal expression, so close to Annas that she jumped
seize her Katrine now reappeared, and Pretzel
put his arm around her waist to protect her. and con-
tinued ''You have heard this scoundrePs offer,
Katrine, and if you allowed him to continue he
would tell you being the best liar have ever met,
that ii you do not accept it. you will be ruined and
brought to sorrow. He is not at ali particular or
choice in his words. Remember how he has treated
Nicolas Brand and give him his answer, katrne."
Katrine looked me full in the face. " You are
.slanderer," she said. "You have wicked, wicked
heart. You cheat your workmen you set snares
for the innocent and you would separate me and
Nicolas Brand Go will have nothing to say TO
you"
''Heaven pity you," 1 said, and Anna and L
walked away, and did not speak single word till
we reached home Then Anna said:
DO not take it too much to heart, Master Fink.
You have done your duty"
But we were both Of us very sad for many days.