Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-10-04
HOW I WON MY WIFE.

TRANSLATED from the German by Rhoda
The opening of the Grand Industrial Ex-
position had brought me to the city in the
early part Of the spring of 1879. Tired from
long standing and walking around more
tired still by the shows and wonderful ex-
hibitions of the mighty progress of civil
ization a. home displayed at this exposi-
ton, I turned my steps homeward one
afternoon earlier than usual | had taken
leave of my friends, making an engagement
for reunion later on in the evening and
directed my course to one of the quiet
quarters of the city in which my hotel was
situated. The less frequent the bazaars and
,hopwindows became. SO much more in
significant became the number of foot pas
sengers on the streets. But it seemed to
me much more stylishing looking part OF
the city than the public drives of the cen
trail portion, because here the high, grave
looking houses were either Government
offices or were inhabited by city officials or
wealthy private citizens.
Before me walked for some distance u
Young and elegantly attired lady. At a
flectng glimpse Of her profile, and felt my
self thereby urged to observe carefully even
the knot of golden, blonde, sunshiny hair,
half covered by the dark English hat, as
well as the extremely delicate, graceful
figure q the still youthful girl
Suddenly her step laltered, she half
turned, fingered for moment, and then
walked hastily toward me, past me, and
back over the road by which she had just
come. Not far ahead of us came Saunter-
ing along an officer, with lady on his
arm, gayly chatting and laughing. Could
they have frightened my Unknown? A
sudden interest stirred within me wished
10 gain some insight into her strange con-
d;ict and therefore made Il hasty turn, fol-
lowing her and keeping only few PAGES
behind.
Then l saw how she pressed the little
elcnched hand passionatcly to her heart,
and with tears in her violet eyes and half
sad, half scornful expression, murmured
something to herself which my excited i'm
agination fancied to be: go, foolish heart,
why art thou not quiet; why mounts the
blood to my cheek and compels ME to turn
back lest | betray MYSELF"
This childish ebulition moved me uncon-
sciously, and feeling of jealousy stole over
me against that officer whom had involun-
tariiy thought of in connection with this
young girl. If | had only dared to address
her but that / could not bring myself to
do. She evidently belonged to the first
class of society, and nothing was further
from my thoughts than desire TO insult or
intrude upon her. But fortune favored me-
4 small packagc which she had hitherto
carried slipped from her arm without her
having remarked it. Quickly l picked it
up and gave it back to its fair owner, with
few polite words. She looked ut me with
surprised, somewhat naughty glance, as
[ remained standing before her rather
longer than was absolutely necessary Her
large, violet, childIike eyes were still filed
with tears and the delicate face was death
ly pale.
the package from my hand. But l did
not allow myself TO be dismissed thus
quickly.
You are NOT well, my dear young lady
said ], will you not command my ser
yices? Something i'll my voice, perhaps
also my quiet, respectful manner, seemed
to inspire her with confidence. She looked
AT me with wonder in her beautiful, fearful
eyes, and said, less CURLY than before:
on are very kind, sir. | would like to
have droschke'
| bowed, and while she stood at the win
dow OF flower store, / hurried down the
street and soon found an empty vehicle, in
which | joyfully, and with a gentle feeling
Interpretation Of what might happen next,
drove back to my little Unknown
Meanwhile she had regained her self
comand; only her hand yet trembled as
,hc in entering the carriage laid it lightly
in mine and it felt ice-cold through her
glove.
Your residence?7 | asked. She named
Is, u, ii, L
and as [ called the address to the coachmau
| knew how certain | would be not to for
get il myself. l closed the carriage door;
she then bowed her lovely head at the
open window and thanked me for my ser
vice: but she spoke confusedly, and in her
embarrassment her pale checks colored
with a rosy blush. 50 that she appeared
even more charming than before
May l call tomorrow and inquire after
your health ?' | ventured to ask; but she
seemed taken b. surprise at the question
and hesiiated to answer, while the blush
decpencd on her check.
HI cried the coIchman AZ this mo-
ment; the horses started off. and as |
stepped again on the sidewalk the vehicle
was already rafting away
As Il in dream | entered my hotel. |
could not refrain from laughing at myself;
this ardor, this interest about Il young lady
entirely unknown to ine-morc beautiful,
more dazzling visions than this childish,
shy girl had often during my life crossed
my path without having attracted me par
Ecularly. | was riddle 10 myself how
ever, made the firm resolve to find out by
tomorrow some particulars about this new
street acquaintance.
A few hours later sat with a number of
pleasant friends in one Of the best restau-
rants under the hniens. The conversation
was lively aud cheerful, and there were
many ladies' and gentlemen continually
going in and out.
In the neighhorhood Of the table al which
We sat and made ourselves merry was gath
cred q large party, joyous and say like
ours.
Some young girlish faces before Us hav-
ing attracted me | involunttrily looked
around for my Unknown. but there-yes,
certainly. there he was next to the little
blonde coqJiette. with the seductive little
snub nose and the snowy white felt hat
the officer of I.utzowcr street, the same be-
fore whom roy little friend had taken
flight, for although had no foundation for
the idea, since We had mct many other
men on that street. / could not help think
ing Of the large. SNOWY. handsome, but
utterly biase and insolent-iooking Iiegten-
ant Of infantry in connection with her
Who is that pale officer asked l Of my
friend Erich.
"Where?n
indicated the direction to him. The
one with the black beard, next to the little
blonde lady
Hep said Erich. and laughed sWhy.
he is the lately ~betrothcd, the handsome
Paumwolf. thought You surely must
know him"
NO, no; but what is the story about
him?'' inquired.
well, nothing more than that yonler
blonde has-with some trouble, it must be
admitted-captured him for life. after he
has caused nearly nincty-ninc others to
dream of TIE same happy fate. For myself,
] never could have attained such an elegiac
calm after breaking OFF love affair. But
he has been unfortunate. Young ladies
with and without pedigree, with and with
out money-bags, bow down to him after he
has devoted himself to them for half an
hour, entirely conquered by his irresistible
destinations. And it is just the same with
the old ones. Many, to be sure, alle3e,
indeed. that behind that titanic brow there
is nothing but a cornfeld, and that q
thrashed-out onei'
While Erich had been speaking my eyes
had wandered away from Paumwolf His
pale face, framed in by curling black beard