Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-21
the absolute equality of both parties in regard

! each put by some money, so as to begin house
keeping without improvidence,
They were very particular about the last
! point
Aunt Ess had formally announced that
they would not marry until they had been
able to accumulate between them the sum OF
thousand forms That was the least posi-
bic sum needed to rent a larger store-to
combine the confectionery business with the
tobacco and cigar trade-to secure better
! sleeping accommodation than an armoire,
where, in fact, two could not possibly sleep
and to bring up properly lot of babies who
would take up great deal, very greatdeal
of room.
So from the day she was betrothed to
Karel, Aunt Ess-whom the neighbors had
been won't to hear singing at the bottom of
her cellar as merrly as nightingale. on the
top of poplar tree-Aunt Ess, whom all
| the quarter had unanimously declared to be
inclined to gfddiness ESs became
tally metamorphoSed.
She suddenly became hard person to deal
with when it came to buying, and sharp
bargainer for money! Nothing
could equal her business zeal, except the zeal
and arlor Of Karel
But it was not so easy to make money after
all The larger dealers absorbed all the
trade. The combined efforts of the be-
trothed resulted in little or nothing. Then
ne tried to deal In higher-priced cigars,
while she ventured to speculate in the
famous Bath paper, just imported from
France. But this double commercial opera
don was doubly disastrous, and almost re-
suited in banlHupting the little underground
stationery store and the puny cigar business,
together with all the matrimonial hopes of
the lovers.
'tIet US not go so fast" they said to one
another, terrified at their audacity; "let us
leave speculations alone We know what we
have got, and we don't know what we might
get Wait! Wen pull through all right in
time anyhow"
And they waited. They continued to live
side by side, in that tender and discreet in
timacy which their betrothal permitted-rich
in love and richer in hope.
AS for hope, indeed, their hearts were full
to bursting with it. And they nursed ,illu-
sions which nothing was ever able to destroy
-and long. careSsed projects for the future,
eternal projects which they chatted about
every evening over and over again-she sit
ting behind her counter, and he beforeit, gaz-
ing at her with ecstacy. Sometimes 1T was
bureau they had caught glimpse of in
KalverStraat store, and which they would
buy for the bedroom the very day they
should begin housekeeping; sometimes, again,
they would discuss how the children should be
brought up-he would like daughter most,
to begin with; she would prefer a son.
One evening she expressed a new whim-
"Dost know" [they always thee'd-and-
thou'd each other]-''dost know what we
must do? Thou wilt doubtless say l am
foolish, yet | have my heart set upon it,
We must buy between US, lottery ticket"
The Dutch government maintains a lot
terry, and derives a considerable revenue
therefrom. The drawing is conducted by
series of numbers, and is prolonged for
several. weeks. The capital prize of 100000
forms is always drawn on the last day. Now
the ticket which Aunt EsS bought bore a
number which had not been drawn on the
previous days. and therefore had a chance
in the great and last chance.
Fancy for yourself how they must have
been building castles-in-the-air for a few
few days before the drawing!
'If you see me coming in q carriage TO-
morrow night" said Karel to Aunt EsS,
''then YOU may be sure our ticket has drawn
the capital prize"
And next day Aunt Ess was at her door
very early in the morning. How impatient
she was! Every time she saw carriage ap-
preaching her heart palpitated violently.
Luckily there were but few carriages that
day upon the Amsterdam quays. At last,
however, her brain suddenly reeled. She felt
that she had turned white as death. A vigil
lante cab had hailed right before her door.
She caught glimpse of karel's head in the
doorway. In one second all the projects
nursed for somany long years rushed through
her mind. Itwas hers at last, then-that
happiness SO earnestly prayed for. There
could be no question about it; they had won
in the lottery; for Karel was in a carriage.
Then she ran to the door of the cab, which
opened slowly. Karel's face was terribly
agitated.
'eWhat hast thou?' she asked all trembling.
'Is it the capital prize?'
mo" he replied; "but have broken my
leg"
She nursed him there, in her shop-gave up
her armoire to him, and contented herself
with sleeping on chair. When he was fully
restored again, he recommended his cigar
trade.
And thus it was that years and years
passed by, that disillusions succeeded to disii-
lusions, without ever breaking down their
faith in better future; and side by side they
grew old, never perceiving that their brows
were wrinkling-that she was 64-that he
was 70, and that even their health was grow
ing feebler and feebler.
Aunt Ess was very sick, but she said moth
ing about it to any one. She was dying with
consumption, but mastered herself sufficiently
to carry on her little business in some sort Of
fashion. After all, she suffered very little
pain, never murmured, and never even
dreamed of calling in doctor.
One day, feeling herself weaker than
usual, she retained her betrothed with her.
although he had an order for twenty-five
cigars to fill They talked a great deal
Their eternal hopes seemed nearer of realiza-
ton than ever. IndefatigabIe as ants, the
two lovers had finally been able to lay some
money by. They now needed only half the
surn-that would only be the work of few
years.
While they were talking together the night
came-a lukewarm autumn night. Aunt Ess
was feeling very well.
81 have anldeal" she said. ''Seei we are
old now after eIl It is very likely we shall