The Somerset reporter., 1896-10-29
THE APPRENTICE.

Three hundred years ago there lived
at Augsburg a lad named Willibald, ap-
prentice to smith, whose industry OBJ
tanned him the regard of his master,
while his good nature caused him to be
a fayorite with all who knew him. His
master so highly estimated his skill
that when the boy grew into man he
offered to make him his partner and
limited that IL was not displeased at
the young mans friendship with his
daughter
Willibald, tough favored by the
young lady, vas quite free from any
feeling of love fer her, and the reason
of his GOODNESS vas apparent
In the small house opposite lived
Dame Martha, a respectable widow,
with a granddaughter of uncom-
mon loneliness. Young Ellen had
quite captiyated Willibald, and when
he saw her through the window or the
open door he thought there could be no
happiness so great rs that of calling her
his own. But he 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 fair girl 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 10 be dangerous TO an in
firm person, he saw Dame Martha com
ing out of the church alone. He hasten
ed 10 OFF, the assistance of his arm and
conducted her home She invited him
to enter, for she thought that only u
very worthy young man would be So at
tentivc to an aged dame.
Who VAS now happier than Willibald?
From this day he was one of Dame
Martha's most frequent visitors and was
always received with IA 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, Il have the
highest esteem for you and could wish
Ellen no better husband. | believe she
loves you, too, but you have not yet
sufficient for the support of Il wife.
Save from yonr wages Il decent sum,
say 30 goldrigc1s. for beginning, then
come and receive your bride with my
blessing
Willibald was almost beside himself
with Joy. He had now an object for la
Dor and frugaity, 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 the
house, Ellen came to meet him; weep
ing. She sobbed bitterly as he drew
near and exclaimed, All, Willibald,
what "A misfortune. -
You know it them cried he with
faltering voice.
"What-know-wh hat" asked Ellen
quickly and eagerly.
"That | have been robbed of my box
of money, g" answered the youth in "a
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 is rich merchant
from Ulm Even now he is sitting i'll
the room yonder with my grandma,
drinking wine aud telling her of his
houses and lands, while his servant,
who stands by the chimney, confirms
everything he SAYS But be comfOrted,
dear Wilibald My grandma may say
what she Will | viii die rather than be
faithlessso you.
Here Dame Martha eamo out of the
house aud commanded Ellen to 20 III
directly. The poor girl was forced TO
obey, and the old woman said to Will
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 IA sutton for my Ellen, and it is
my duty to do what is for her good -
VERY good-yery good, Dame Mar
tina, cried Wilibald, half choking with
emotion. Il 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 FASTENED 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. "There is the
house where the people go to pray, F"
murmured the youth bitterly. Have 1
not also prayed? Have l not kept my
soul from sin? PRAYERS will not give Ell