The Lambertville record., 1896-11-04
THE APPRENTICE

while his good nature caused him to be
a favorite with all who knew him. His
master so highly estimated his skill
that when the boy grew into a man he
offered to make him his partner and
hinted that he was not displeased at
the young mans friendship with his
daughter,
Willibuld, though favored by the
young lady. was quite free from any
feeling of love for her, and the reason
of his GOODNESS was apparent,
In the small house opposite lived
Dame Martha, respectable widow,
with granddaughter of uncom-
mon loyeliness Young Ellen had
quite captivated Willibald, and when
he saw her through the window or the
open door he thought there could be no
happiness so great as that of calling her
his own. But the old woman seldom
suffered her to stir from her sight; so
that there was no opportunity for the
young man TO declare the passion with
which the fairlgirl had inspired him.
For long while Willibald sought
some pretense to visit their dwelling,
but fortune at length favored him. One
day, when the snow made the ground
so slippery as to be dangerous to an in.
firm person, he saw Dame Martha COM
ing out of the church alone. He hasten
ed to offer the assistance of his arm and
conducted her home. She invited him
to enter, for she thought that only a
very worthy young man would be so at
tentive to an aged dame.
Who was now happier than Willibaldi
From this day he was one Of Dame
Marthais most frequent visitors and was
always received with a welcome. In
process of time he made bold to lay
open his heart to the old woman and
ask permission to make love to her
granddaughter. my dear young
friend" was her reply, II have the
highest esteem for you and could wish
Ellen no better husband. l believe she
loves you, too, but you have not yet
sufficient for the support Of wife.
Save from your wages a decent sum,
say 30 goldpieces, for a beginning, then
come and receive your bride with my
blessing. y
Willibald was almost beside himself
with joy. lie had now an object for la
Dor and frugality, and he redoubled his
industry. laying by carefully all he
made
About this time Dame Martha became
indisposed with bad cough, and her
physician prescribed change Of air; so
she took little cottage in the suburbs,
about an hours walk from the city.
One day, as Willibald approached tho
house, Ellen came to meet him, weep
ing. She sobbed bitterly as he drew
near and exclaimed, "Ah, Willibald,
what misfortune.
You know it then?' cried he with
faltering voice.
"What-know-wh what?" asked Ellen
quickly and eagerly.
"That / have been robbed of my box
of money!" answered the youth in a
tone of anguish.
"Alas, I" replied Ellen. "then misfor-
tunes never come singly. Yesterday
rich gentleman came to our cottage and
demanded my hand in marriage. His
name is Werner He Is rich merchant
from Ulm. Even now he Is sitting in
the room yonder with my grandma,
drinking wine and telling her of his
houses and lands, while his servant,
who stands by the chimney, confirms
everything he says But be comforted,
dear Willibald My grandma may say
what she will l will die rather than be
faithless to you.
Here Dame Martha came out of the
house and commanded Ellen to go in
directly. The poor girlwas forced to
obey, and the old woman said to Wilt
bald: young man. came to say to
you that / think it best that you should
come no more to my cottage. A rich
man is a suitor for my Ellen, and it is
my duty to do what is for her good. -
VERY good--very good, Dame Mar
tha, " cried Willibald, half choking with
emotion. 81 say nothing of your con-
duct. If you choose to break an honest
fellows heart--and your own word also
its all the same to me-"
And he hastened madly away.
Some hours must have passed un-
marked in the indulgence Of his grief,
for it was late when he rose and tried
to find his way homeward. After wan
dering about some time, without being
able to discover the road, he found that
he was in churchyard. 'tThere is the
house where the people go to pray," f"
murmured the youth bitterly. Have l
not also prayed9 Have not kept my
soul from sin2 Prayers will not give FL
len back, else would / Ipray-aye, to the
bad fiend himself and promise to be
his, so she would be mine"
Scarce had the distracted youth utter
ed these words when sound of shrill
laughter nearly Startled him, and. look
ing round, he saw figure which he
had no difficulty in recognizing by the
we'll known horns and cloven foot ~
am here" cried he in hoarse tones, "at
your service and ready to do your bid
ding, asking only small service in re-
turn.
"What is that?" Willibald mustered
courage to say, though he trembled all
over
"I have piece of work for you. 1
will take you to spot where lies bur-
led one of my subjects You must make
me an iron railing round this grave,
and in reward I will give you your
bride -
"If you have nothing more to ask
am content, " replied the young man.
"This is all. but it is harder task
than you imagine. You have but one
hour to work. At IL you must begin
and the railing must be completed by
the time the clock strikes 1. If 1T Is
done, you arc free; If not. you belong
to me forever.
Willibald pledged himself to the I'M
hallowed contract and followed the
fiend, who hobbled on till he stood by Q
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