Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-12-03

young man would be so attentive to
an aged dame.
Who was now happier than Wilt
bald? From this day he was one of
Dame Martha's most frequent visitors
and was always received with a vel
come. 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, i 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 tho support of
wife. Save from your wages de-
cent sum, say 80 goldpieces, for be.
ginning, then come and receive your
bride with my blessing
Willibald was almost beside him.
self with joy. He had now an object
for labor and frugality, and he re-
doubled his industry, lying by care
fully all he made.
About this time Dame Martha be-
came indisdosed with a 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
the house, Ellen came to meet him,
weeping. She sobbed bitterly as he
drew near and exclaimed, 'Ah,
Willlbald, what a misfortune.
You know it then?' cried he with
faltering voice.
'What-know what2' asked Ellen
quickly and eagerly.
THAT I have been robbed Of my
box of money, answered the youth
in tone of anguish.
ALAS, replied Ellen, 'then misfor-
tunes never come singly. Yesterday
a rich gentleman came to our cottage
and demanded my hand In marriage.
His name is Werner. He ls rich
merchant from Uim 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 grand
ma may say what she will, will de
rather than be faithless to you.'
Here Dame Martha came out OF the
house and commanded Ellen to go IN
directly. The poor girl was forced 10
obey, and the old woman said 10
Willibald: Young man, came to
say to you that l think 1t best that
you should come no more to my cot.
tage. A rich man is suitor for my
Ellen, and it is my duty to do what is
for her good
Very good-very good, Dame
Martha, cried Willibald, half check
ing with emotion. 4 say nothing of
your conduct. If you choose to break
an honest fellows heart-and your
own word also tbs 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
wandering about some time, without
being able to discover the road, he
found that he was in churchyard.
There Is the house where the people
60 to pray murmured the youth bit.
terly. Have 1 not also prayed?
Have I not kept my soul from sin?
Prayers will not give Ellen back, else
would l pray-aye, to the. bad fiend
himself and promise to be his, so she
would be mine
Scarce had the distracted youth ut
tered these words when sound of
shrill laughter nearly startled him,
and, looking round, he saw a figure
which he had no difficulty in recog-
nizlng by the we'll known horns and
oloven foot. i am here, cried he in
hoarse tones, at your service and
ready to do your bidding, asking only
q small service in return
What is that?' Willibald muster