The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-07-18

lovely Mailie. And when heard there
was to be a new altar put In our minister
/ fastened here to make application, and
# am found worthy to do the work what
can your father have against me thenP'
Mailie shook her head doubtfully, but
Hans was full of joy.
"How the kasor's tree has grownr' he
cried in wonder. 1T seems to have taken
all the warm blood out of your checks, its
roses are so red. Give my loves roses back
TO her, he said playfully brushing her
cheek with u flower but they were pale
and white. THAT is not good paint Let
us try this" and he pressed kiss on her
cheek. AYE, that is botter," he laughed,
and laid her blushing face against his
breast "Bloom out, my little rose. The
spring is almost here"
The next morning the usher of the high
gabled town hall came into the council
chamber with hesitating steps.
"Your honorable body will be graciously
pleased to pardon, but there is one with
out who insists upon coming into your
presence"
"Who is itH" asked the burgomaster.
"It is Hans Liefrink, said the usher,
but so much changed hardly knew him.
He wants to compete for the new altar
and submit his plans"
"What should we have to do with such
scapegrace as he? Let him go back where
he came from, " was the decision. 1--WE
want no such bunglers as he.
The kindly old messenger left the room,
with a somewhat crestfallen air, but re-
turned almost Immediately, bringing n
paper of draftings with him. which he
presented with many bows and apologies.
"Liefrink begs you will examine these
your worships, and you can inquire of
Durer, in Nuremberg, as to his ability"
IF the fellow don't take himself off we
will have the jailer after him, cried Rup-
pacher, in rage.
"Softly, softly, Master Ruppacher; tho
draft represents the coming of the Mother
Of God in heaven and is right fancifully
thought out, it seems to me.
but to imagine a thing is much easier
than to do it. Liefrink never could do
such thing " said one of the councillors.
Besides, it was simply ridiculous to give
such work into the hands of Breisacher
child, whom some had even looked askance
upon So Hans was summarily dismissed.
The authorities finally decided to send
their plans to Albrocht Durer and to let
him be their judge. And at tho same
time with the letter from the council went
letter from Hans to his great teacher and
good friend
Weeks slipped by in alternate anxiety
and sweet stolen happiness for the lovers
They met as formerly at the kaiser's tree
for the struggles of 1924 drew Ruppacher' S
attention from his daughter and Mailie
grew bright and rosy in this springtime of
| love. At last Durer's answer came, but
who can describe the amaZement of the
council when it was found that the letter
contained Hans Liefrink's despised plan
and these words, II can recommend moth
ing more beautiful than this plan of my
friend and pupil, Hans Liefrink, whose
ability to execute it 1 fully guarantee
A half hour later a crowd of people
pressed up the narrow street and stopped
before Hans Liefrink's little house. He
came to the door, and to his establishment
saw a deputation from the council, one of
whom stepped up and told him with great
pomp that his plan had been approved by
Durer and he had been chosen by the
council to execute the high altar for the
minister.
Hans clapped his hands for joy. Was it
really true or only a beautiful dreamg
When the deputation had departed, he
FASTENED over to Ruppacher's, for this was
his time to speak.
Opclltu VIC tlOOT lOT ulll-d lON
cry of happy fright a quick kiss-and she
disappeared into her own room where, with
beating heart, she sank before her cruciflx
and implored the blessed Virgins help.
Hans stepped fearlcssly into Kuppacher'
presence, who cried, with flaming eyes;
"What do you wantY'
Herr Ruppacher, l know an honest
man who loves your daughter and who
would marry her, and l want to bring
him to you"
"So-and who may he bef"
Myself Herr Councillor.
"Youl Did any one ever hear such i'm
pudence The beggar dares'---
Herr Councillor" Hans cried out, u
never was beggar. My father was poor
but he supported us with his wood cary
ing, and after his death my mother tool
care of herself and me by tho honest labor
of her hands The only things l ever re
teived in my life were the knife and the
purse from Kaiser Max, and those die
not beg-he gave them to "a poor boy il
whom he recognized an aspiration fol
better things. l have worked hard witt
the knife and educated myself with the
money, and both have yielded me good in
Crest. / am no beggar, Herr Councillor
and for the next two years the commission
l have just received will enable me t.
abundantly provide for wife"
"Two years, and what them" sneeret
Ruppacher.
"Then new commissions will comet"
"Oh, you think you are something fine
no doubt but you belong to race of sta
gazers and loafers, who do nothing bu
spin dreams and are too lazy to work"
Hans was burning with indignation
but he controlled himself for Mailie's SAX
and only said;
"A kaiser held the ladder for Albrech
Dvirer-the ladder on which he painted
and a town councillor of Breisach, who's
dust will soon be scattered to the winds
insults his best loved pupil. There
tasted all the honor of my reputation
Here l must be insulted and Triangle
uponl"
"Then go back to your honorl VIII
, did you come here with your silly artP'
because l love your daughter so trul
, that no sacrifice is too great to be mad
for her, and because want her for IN
, wife"
, "Well, then I will tell you that you al
as likely to marry wife as far above yo
, as my daughter is as you are to build a
altar in the minister higher than the mil
ster itself. "