The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-03-28
SELECT gtorg.
HOW I WON MY WIFE.

HOW I WON MY WIFE.
Translated from the German.
The opening of the Grand Industrial
Exposition 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 wonder
full exhibitions of the mighty progress of
civilization at home displayed at this expo
sition, 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 shop-windows became so much more
insignificant became the number of foot
passengers on the streets. But it seemed
to me much more stylishing looking part
of the city than the public drives of the
central portion, because here the high,
orave-looking houses were either Govern
ment offices or were inhabited by city Off
cials or wealthy private citizens.
Before me walked for some distance a
young and elegantly attired lady. At a
curve of the street | succeeded in getting
feeting glimpse of her profile, and felt
myself 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
i e - r AL etilI Youthful oirl
Suddenly her step faltered, 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 to gain
some insight into her strange conduct, and
therefore made hasty turn, following her
and keeping only few PAGES behind.
Then saw how she pressed the little
clenched hand passionately to her heart,
and with tears in her violet eyes and haf
sad, half scornful expression, murmured
something to herself which my excited
imagination faneied to be: 30, foolish
heart, why art thou not quiet; why mounts
the blood to my cheek and compels me to
turn back lest I betray myselfp'
This childish ebullition moved me un-
consciously, and a feeling of jealousy stole
over me against that officer whom | had
involuntarily thought of in connection with
this young girl. IF I had only dared to
address her; but that l 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- A small package which she
had hitherto carried slipped from her arm
without her having remarked it. Quickly
[ picked it up and gave it back to its fair
owner, with few polite words. She looked
at me with surprised, somewhat naughty
glance, as | remained standing before her
rather longer than was absolutely necessary.
Her large, violet, childlike eyes were still
filled with tears, and the delicate face was
deathly pale.
aI thank you" she said, briefly, taking
the package from my hand. But [ did
not allow myself to be dismissed thus
quickly.
"You are not well, my dear young lady, y
said I; "will you not command my ser
visces ?" Something in 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 curtly than before:
"You 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 gentle feeling
of expectation of what would happen next,
drove back to my little Unknown.
Meanwhile she had regained her self
command; only her hand yet trembled as
she in entering the carriage laid it lightly
in mine. and it felt ice-cold through her
glove.
''Your residence ?" asked She named
one of the elegant streets in the west end,
and as called the address to the coachman
[ knew how certain l would be not to for
get it myself. I closed the carriage door;
she then bowed her lovely head at the open
window and thanked me for my service;
but she spoke confusedly, and in her en-
barrassment her pale cheeks colored with a
rosy blush, so that she appeared even more
charming than before.
"May l call tomorrow and inquire after
your health p ventured to ask; but she
seemed taken by surprise at the question
and hesitated to answer, while the blush
deepened on her cheek.
eHi' cried the coachman at this mo-
ment; the horse started off, and as l stepped
again on the sidewalk the vehicle was al
ready rafting away.
As if in dream [ entered my hotel.
could not refrain from laughing at myself
this ardor, this interest about young lady
entirely unknown to me-more beautiful
more dazzling visions than this childish
shy girl had often during my life crossed
my path without having attracted me par
ticularly. / was a riddle to 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 number
of pleasant friends in one of the best res
taurants under the hndens. The conver-
sation was lively and cheerful, and there
were many ladies and gentlemen continual
ly going in and out
In the neighborhood of the table al
which we sat and made ourselves merry
was gathered a large party, joyous and gay
like ours.
Some young girlish faces before us hav
ing attracted me l involuntarily looked
around for my Unknown, but there yes
certainly, there he was next to the littl'
blonde coquette, with the seductive littl'
snub nose and the snowy white felt hat
the officer of Lutzower street, the same be
fore whom my little friend had taken fight