The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-12-15

oho AIM ana purpose In life. That was
the one aim and purpose Of Karl too.
But 1t was not easy in their several
lines OF business to save so large a sum.
NO. II was not easy Zeal and perse-
verance brought no especial result. Mo-
nopoly swallowed everything. He sought
to sell better and consequently higher
priced cigar. she to introduce to her Gus
TONERS new and more finished style of
writing paper.
But this double speculation failed and
threatened the overthrow of both the
stationery and cigar business entirely.
I'VE must not be overhasty," said she
to him one evening in her little shop.
"and engage in doubtful speculation.
What one has is known. what one may
acquire is not To lose the confidence
OF ones customers will be disastrous.
Let us wait. We will succeed in time"
And they waited.
Courage and hope never forsook them.
In the evening. seated behind the count
or. he contemplating her with eyes Of
love. they built castles and formed splen-
did plans for the future. Now it was a
mahogany bureau which that day he had
examined in a cabinetmaker's shop; then
again serious discussion CT the proper
management and bringing up of children.
One day bright idea came to Aunt Els
IA ticket in the lottery" said she to
him that evening; like voice from the
sky it came to me. We must each buy a
ticket in the lottery" and Karl impressed
by her words and manners did as she
babe him.
The eve of the great drawings the
couple passed in happy expectancy.
1.-TWO thousand gulden!" said she. with
Ginning eyes. I'VE will pray this night
TO the good God for 1900 gulden," and
Karl. as he kissed her, said he would
and promised in case either should have
drawn capital prize to dash up to her
door on the morrow in coach.
Long before the hour of the drawing
next day Aunt ,Es stood in anxious ex-
pectancy at her shop door. Every pass
ing wagon-happily but few went
through that narrow street-set her
heart to beating wildly. The sound of
carriage wheels in the distance turned
her faint, and more than once she caught
at the Intel of the door for support.
The clock marked the hour of noon
when into the narrow street turned u
fiacre, and oh, joy Of joys. drew up be
fore her humble little shop. Within sa,
Karl. and with a thousand visions OF
happiness before her eyes Aunt Els darted
up the cellar steps and threw open the
carriage door.
I'VE have won. we have won," she
cried exultantly, my Karl, my be
trothedr'
He gazed upon her sadly, his face very
white and pain drawn.
What hast thou?" she asked trem.
blingly. reading suffering in his eyes,
"Naughtw said he. making an effort
to rise, "naught, my liebchen. save a
broken leg"
Tenderly she cared for him, yielding
him her chest and mattress, herself re-
posing in wooden chair.
In time he fully recovered and re-
turned to his business again.
Thus the years went on, one hope after
another departing Still their courage
did not sink. Neither remarked their
whitened hairs. their strength fast di-
minishing.
She was past 60 and he 20 years of
age. Aunt Els was i'll, but she did not
mention it. She felt very feeble, but
overcame it that the business might not
suffer. Usually, too. she had little pain,
never complained and never thought to
consult a physician.
One day, however, this feeling of weak
ness so overcame her that she begged Of
Karl, who was on his way to fetch n
customer % cigars, not to leave her. She
talked much, and in spite of her illness
laid plans for the future. In the long
years they had succeeded in saving quite
sum of money. Of the 1000 gulden
there was lacking only the half.
The night came down. 1t was a mild
summer night, and Aunt Els declared
that she was quite well.
I'VE are growing old" she said pres
emily, land have been thinking, Karl,
we may as well be welded now. In all
probability we will have no children, and
for as two we have quite enough"
Karl found that idea very pleasing.
"Yes, yes" said he, taking her hand
within his, why should we wait knger
my liebcheng'
Aunt Els smiled.
Tomorrow, then,' said she, closing
her eyes, tomorrow we will
She never finished the sentence. On
the morrow the old chest returned to its
original uses, while for Aunt Els was
prepared narrower bed in neighbor-
ing churchyard. Adapted From the
French