Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-12-23
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RELATES How NICOLAS BRAND WAS SEEN I

RELATES HOW NICOLAS BRAND WAS SEEN BY
OLD ANNA PLAYING CARDS WITH THE DEVIL
He grew into tall, thin, sallow-f ced young
man, about as Ill-iavored as one Of Pharaohs lean
kline; with large s?lay feet; with sandy hair with
a nose which looked as though 1t had been broken
in the middle; with eyes dull the eyes OF a fish;
with a voice in which you never heard note of
natural gdiety. Such men are a istske IN the
world, aud how any Young woman can be drawn to
them is mystery which defy philosophers to sat,
i=factorily explain, mothers love for her ugly
bantug is easily understood but fine young wo-
mans, with bright eyes in her head. for such a
searecrow, is beyond ordinary comprehension. Yet
they draw prizes the illfavored ones, while better
men are LETT to sigh in vain.
You have already heard how Nicolas Brand passed
through his apprenticeship, and how l continued to
employ him as workman when his time was out
He was twenty-five years of age when, on a certain
evening, old Anne, who had been cut marketing,
burst in upon me with plump goose in her hand,
and cried in great heat:
Fine do:ngs, Master Fink ; fine doings woa-
der the world doesn't come to an end p
What in heavens name has put you in such
fever, Anna? Z" inquired, looking up from the news
paper in which was reading an account of won-
derful OK which had mans head growing out OF
one shoulder and turtle growing out of the other
" All !" cried in sudden fear, "That goose-you
have been taken in with it. It is not fresh goose
it ought to have been eaten days ago, and the
dealer will not change it. Give it to mel wi go
to him myself"
"No need to trouble, Master Fink" interrupted
Anna, in a slightly acid tone. "The goose is good
crOn md oh Il cha,, tie -
tie dealer who could take me in. Look at it,"
did more than look at it poked its ribs; felt
its fat breast; my eyes glistened
Already, Anna,' cried joyou.Iy "Already 1
smell the stufing?' don't deny it /; 1 am fond Of
good cooking It's nothing to be ashamed Of !;
wer, sent into the world to eat
It is not the goose that has put me into fever,
said Anna =" it is Nicolas Brand"
Ipricked up my ears "Has he behaved rude,y
to ycu, Anna|
What " she screi imed in a voice SO shrill as 20
cause me to jump in my chair He A lamp
post like him II he dared, I'd box his ears TIL
Get them on fire ~
laughed quietly l could not help 1t, her indig-
nation was SO comical. well, then,'' asked wip
ing my eyes, for had brought the ts ars into them
!" What has he done 2"
Fer reply was brief and startling. " Nicolas Brand
is courting"
"It is not possible" l cried. I" You must be
dreaming
al don't Dream" said Anna, " with my eyes wide
open. This very evening, not ten minutes ago, as
was coming home after buying the goose, 1 saw
him with his arm srouad her waist"
Round the goose's waist q exclaimed, for
really she speaking in enigmas
She looked at me soiemniy, reproachfully. "Pray
tonight Master Fink" she said, to be forgiven fer
making joke of my words" and she was about to
leave me.
"stiy, Anna" l said, and forgive me. With
his arm around whose waisty'
"Katrine Loebeg's," replied Anna, sorrowfully.
"The child the POOR, misguided child 1t was
only yesterday was nursing her on my knee and
tossing her in the air."
Auna was deeply moved, and scarcely less so, at
this discovery. 1t was hardly TO be believed that
fresh young heart like tha. which beat in the breast
Of pretty KatrDe Loebeg should have given itself up
to this scarcecrow. But it was true Nicholas
Brand had cast spell upon her, and she was as
securely In his wiles as trout on hook.
Sweet Katrine Loebegi Whom / looked upon
almost as child of my own; who could have chosen
from the best, and for whom many heart was ach.