Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-11

were pay Ing III TIE Sduu, anu lie ulO
not become aware of the presence OF
the judge until the latter stood near
him and greeted him.
God bless you, Heinrich!' he cried,
with jovial grace. Il am so glad you
have come here at last. Shall we re-
main here n this splendid air? 1t is
so dull in the house." He ordered a
servant standing near to bring a bottle
OF Hochheimer. Il have not been here
for a long time" he continued 1T
may be almost two years. How are
your collections? Have they grown
any?"
The old judge raised his hand en-
treatingly. Release me from that
question, dearest friend" he answered,
softly.
''Why?'' asked the count.
Nearly all are sold!" came the an
swer.
The count looked at him doubtingly
What! You have parted from them?
, How could your"
Il was obliged to-" answered Holl-
mer, ''to help my SON."
Has it come to this? Are they then
true, the rumors l have heard? Oh!
my poor friend! But can l not help
you?"
THAT is why I came here now" re-
piled the old judge. II would like to
sell my treasures, the goblets of Ben
venuto Cellini. Once you wished to
buy them, George; will you take them
now?"
WHAT cried the count, jumping
up, "yOu will sell those treasures? Are
you really in earnest"
81 am" answered the old man, land
/ if you do not want them, [ must offer
I them where l may not like to trust
them"
Certainly, L will take them" cried
the count. what is the price,"
"Price?-You know that those cups
are dearer to me than all else and l
do not really know how [ should sell
them. They cost me $4,000 marks"
Il will give you 25,O00." exclaimed
the count. when shall I have them? 2"
"As soon as possible" came the
answer.
Come with me-" said the count. 81
will give you the money, and you may
let me have the treasures tomorrow"
i In half an hour the judge left the
castle, but he seemed to grow weaker,
and tears sparkled in his eyes. On
the same day he gave $4,000 marks in
bank notes to his son, who received
them with a ''Thank you, father"
Then he turned to go.
"Stay!' called his father. 1T was
the last which l could give you; now
[ an a beggar, and you will soon be
one, for this money will not last long.
[ curse my unbounding love for you
for it has borne evil fruits. May God
never repay you for the sorrow you
have brought upon me. Now gOr'
The old man sank back in his chair
and his son hurried from the house.
Scarcely a week later illness came
upon the judge.
Without, the larks scared heaven
ward full of joy, the wild wind blew
, the odOr of lilacs into the room. The
breath of spring filled the world.
The old man saw and felt it not.
His eyes stared at the empty chest,
which had concealed his treasures, and
then rested on the portrait of his wife.
His lips became pale, his eyes dim.
He mumbled low, inaudible words. A
shudder passed through his frame, his
hands hung motionless, his eyes closed.
| Then sounded the soft melting tones
of the bells from the old gray church,
! opposite On the wings of the wind
{ the solemn notes fiOated through the
valley. Sunday had daWned.
| Il Gomez whispered the old man,
and an expression of joy came into
| his face. Then all was still-stili as
! death.
|
| When the old servant entered the
| room some time after, he found his
maSter-dead.
| Heinrich fell deeper and deeper into
sin. Despised by all, he went to Aus
| tralia. There he disappeared.
| TRANSLATED from the German by
Marie l.. Cooke.