The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-09
GRETPY'S TRUST.

of him rose the eternal hills, the ice-clad peaks
at the present moment rosy-pink with the suns
parting rays, But up from green valleys gray
blue shadows were creeping and driving the pink
away.
Far beneath him were hills and valleys, vii
lage and a lake, and streamlet meandering
through a deep pine wood. Very beautiful, all
of it. But its beauty was entirely lost upon Won
Hansen as he sat there on his stone thinking
aloud after the manner of solitary men who are
well up in years. He cared no more for the
scenery than did any of those bats that, like
birds of evil omen, went sweeping past him, and
round and round his head
Virtue always triumphant he was saying
''Pahi Mere sentiment; mere moonshine."
The fact is, Won Hansen had been to the play
in the village down yonder only the evening be-
fore. He had spent no less a sum than twenty
batzen on those strolling actors Not for any
pleasure it was likely to give him had he gone,
but Gretty, the prettiest girl in the village had
asked him to take her. She could not go alone
she said and Rudolf would hardly return home
from chamois hunting for days to come.
Virtue always triumphant! Yes, that is
what she said Pah! Money is. Hal hal And
l have that. Oh! my worthy but poverty
struck friend, Rudolf, you may return when you
please Gretty will marry Won Hansen. Old3
Ehl Who calls me old?"
He took snuff as he spoke from an old horn,
sending the powder home with his fnger-point,
and it must be confessed he looked anything but
handsome as he did so, for he wrinkled his brows,
and twinkled his eyes, and leered like an aged
baboon.
"0ldl Let me see seventy last birthday.
Merely in my prime. Ten years more and I'll
be only eighty; twenty. and I'll be but ninety;
then may grow old. Eagles renew their ages.
Why shouldnt-aha" he screamed 'yonder is
an eaglep
He started up as he spoke, and, with eyes
turned skyward and finger pointing up, began
tottering forward step by step toward-de-
structon. A precipice fully 500 feet deep lay at
his feet; he was on the brink of 1.-THE next step
would have been his last.
But rough hand seized him by the coat col
lar, pulling it up till his head sank within, like
monks in cowl, but dragging the old man
back at the same time
Tired of your sinful life, old bird2" said the
new conner, a rough but good natured chamois-
hunter, with gun in hand and bag on back,
morsel of feather stuck jauntily in his hat Just
to show the village maidens, he used to say, that
Bernezell was still bachelor.
"Old birdw growled Van Hausen reseating
himself on his stone ''Who are you calling old
birdl You're as bad as anyone else Humphw
We'll, say, said Bernezell this is gratitude!
What are you going to give me for saving your
neck, eh4'
'Neckl What? Oh, yes, to be sure; we'll go
down to the village and I'll pay for a pot of
lager"
"a pot of lagerl" cried the other, laughing
is that all the value you put on your-ha!
hal hal"
Value put upon my ha-ha-ha! What dye
mean2 You're uncommonly like fool!'
well, well, perhaps l am; but say, friend
you're IN fine temper tonight Anyone been
vexing your
The old man grew all smiles and leers in
moment, His face lighted up like withered
melon with the afternoon sun on it.
mo" he chuckled, taking another pinch, and
digging his friend in the ribs. "On-the con
trary. Was at the play last night with Gretty.
Ha! hal no! hol She doesn't mourn long for her
hunter And look here she's going to marry
me-"
Marry you'll"
Gay, she promised-that is, she will promise
when l ask her. But now come along down and
have the lager. Keep your hands to yourself
Do you think want your assistance to get upp
II beg a thousand pardons, old bill mean
you merry young grouse, you! Here, say, hold
on don't leave me behind Why, you young
stag"
Young on legs, ehY"
II should think you are"
They were seated in the village tavern. They
hadn't taken long to go down hill.
And now" said Van Hansen, I'm going to
unfold my plans. But here, let US have another
pint.
What can the old heron mean" muttered
Burnezell to himself, "by such reckless liberal
ity? Something in the wind, know. The gray
hawk doesn't whistle till he is just going to
swoop."
well" said Won Hansen, land how is trade
ehl Got good bags lately9"
Hardly any luck at all" sighed the other
'Pm stiff with jumping and haven't bagged
buck for five days.
Wouldn't mind having a spell of pleasure, 1
dare say-couple of months in France, now2
Come, come you're not drinking. Well have
another pint Money was made to be spent
Drink and be marry, you young dog you, say"
When quite unfolded, Won Hausen's plans
were something as follows: Bernezell was to
meet Rudolf in the hills and prevent his return
for a couple Of months at least. He was on no
account to come near the village for that time
nor see Gretty, to whom he was betrothed The
''old bird" as Bernezell called him, was to pay
all expenses, but the young man must be kept
IN ~~-iH in the midst of gayety and must never
for moment be allowcsss. =" think OF home N"".r
must he write; or when he did his letters were to
be destroyed.
Suppose" said Bernezell, ''he misses his
foothold among the mountains and tumbles into
a crevasseF
The old man positively rubbed his hands and
cackled with delight.
Capital! capital! capital" was all he could
say TIA! ha! hal Capital! Virtue is always
triumphant in the end Hell he"
Bernezell smiled in his face as he said
'Of all the old sinners that ever lived
'Eh! Ell! WHAT'S thaIF' cfleo Won dausen,
who had not heard him
II said you were right merry old SOUL"
shouted Bernezell.
"Ha hal Yes, merry, but not 80 old, you
know"
That very night this misery Won Hansen
counted out to Bernezell one by one of the pieces
of gold, for the channels hunter to start early
next day.
II declare" said Won Hansen, at is like buy
ing a wife Precious expensive affair. But
can trust you"
Certainly; virtue, you know, is always"
go on! go onl" cried Won Hansen; good
night. Go home and sleep"
"Go home ind sleep, indeed" said Bernezell
to himself, as he trudged off with his gun on his
shoulder. Eyes; but not before I've seen
Gretty."
Once clear OF the village he took his way hill
IL 4ba oil oh in he mid If