The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-05-14
A COMEDY OF ERRORS

The golden rays Of the July sun were
beating down mercilessly upon the dusty
pavement Of the little hamlet Of NJ,
but the oppressive heat was somewhat
relieved by balmy breath Of air stir
ring the leaves Of the old chestnut trees
which lined the principal thoroughfare,
tanning them with deliciously cool
breeze and enabling the portly host Of
the inn Of the Blue Lion to take his
after dinner nap in comfort.
But he was fated to suffer an un-
looked for interruption, for just as the
big town bell struck the hour Of 2 the
letter carrier made his appearance, hold
ing letter in his outstretched hand,
which he delivered to mine hosts wife,
uttering the words, From America
Mother and daughter shook their heads
incredulously. Mine host rubbed his
sleepy eyes, SIS it really from Amer
ica9" he queried. "Who could have
written to us from that faraway coun-
tryf Go, some Of you, and find my
glassesl'
The surprise was now general. It was
in the days when everybody was talk.
ing about California. For two years
previous to the occurrence here narrated
people from all parts Of Europe had
emigrated to the gold mines in the far
west, where-so ran the story-gold
was actually laying about everywhere
and to be had for the picking up.
At last the spectacles were found. and
the old man read in a loud voice, while
all present held their breath in suspense !:
Dear Cousins Well, declare, I"
he interrupted himself, "this letter is
from Cousin Berner, who emigrated 80
years ago."
Cousin Berner was immensely
wealthy. Like all emigrants, he had to
work very hard at first and had learned
the lesson which stern necessity teaches
all newcomers in that country. He had
been a street sweeper, a bootblack, a
lamplighter-in fact, he had been COM
PEELED to do almost anything and every
thing to earn scant livelihood. Final
ly he had succeeded in saving few dol
lars and started small store. Fortune
had favored him, and he amassed vast
fortune, which he intended to leave to
his son. It was now his dearest wish to
see this son happily married, and having
accidentally gathered from some Ger
mans who had arrived in San Francisco
that his cousin had daughter he had
decided to send his boy on visit to
M, hoping the young people would
like each other. His boy, Charles, was
diligent and industrious, and he saw
no reason why his (the writer's) plans
should not be carried out.
The old man cast radiant looks around
him. "a marriage of the two young
sters? Well, should think sol Could
there be greater luck in store for our
Marie? just to think Of it, my son-in-
law an Americani Won't the neighbors
be Jealous? But where is Marie? I dc
not see her?''
den, responded his wife hesitatingly.
"Call her at oncer'
Marie, a beautiful, vivacious girl,
soon made her appearance. She slowly
perused the contents Of the letter.
''Well, girl what do you think Of this
piece Of good fortune?" the father que
ried after she had finished. "Would you
like your rich cousin from America fol
your husband?''
"Why not" she replied in thoughtful
and measured tones, provided I like
him?'
Charles Berner Of San Francisco and
Henry Decker Of Hamburg, two young
men who had become acquainted the
day previous, upon leaving the Thames,
stood on the deck Of the Hamburg
packet The former was relating the OBJ
ject Of his trip, adding frankly that he
would have much preferred remaining
in California, having as yet no desire to
marry, but had been urged by his fathe,
to bring home European wife. "And
here I am" he concluded, zen route
for little out Of the way place called
M to have look at my prospective
bride"
''This ia a strange coincidence, said
Decker. IT also have to go to M
shortly"
"To M? Are you also looking fol
wife?''
"No indeed" smilingly. "My ia.
ther has an interest in some neighbor.
ing mines, and business alone takes me
there. Likely we may meet at the home
Of the future Mrs. B. ?"
Hardly, as intend remaining some
weeks in Hamburg and P'rlin. To tel
the truth I am not anxious te
make my Cousins acquaintance.
Charles Berner made the most Of hi
stay in the beautiful Hanse town or
the Elbe, and then proceeded to Berlin.
One day, while promenading Unter der
Linden he picked up pocketbook ly
ing before him ON the sidewalk It wa
made Of tortoise shell, with silver fiji
gree work and mother of pearl fasten
ings, no doubt the property Of some
woman. Entering q cafe he examined
his find Besides some money, it con
talned note. which he opened. It wal
letter signed Clara" +" and addressed
to her dear Amalie, asking to excuse
the delay in her reply ON account Of the
change Of residence Of the writer's par