, 1897-03-01
THE APPRENTICE.

at Augsburg u lad named WIlllbald,a APP
prentice to a smith, whose industry OBJ
tanned him the regard Of his master,
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
limited that he was not displeased at
the young mans friendship with his
daughter.
Willibald, 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, a respectable widow,
with a granddaughter of uncom-
mon loneliness. 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 fair girl had inspired him.
For a long while Willibald sought
some. pretense to visit their dwelling,
but fortune ut length favored him. One
day, when the now 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 hus,"u-
ed to offer the assistance Of his arm and
conducted her home. She invited him
to enter, for she thought that only Il
very worthy young man would be SO at
tentSve to an aged dame
Who vas now happierthan Willjhald?
From this day he was Il of. Dame
Martha's 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 yea and could wish
Ellen no better husband. l believe she
loves you, too, but you have not yet
sufficient for the support of II wife.
Save from your wages II decent sum.
say 80 goldpieces, for Il 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 frugality, and he redoublcd his
industry. laying by carefully all he
made.
About this time Dame Martha became
indisposed with Il bad cough, and her
physician prescribed change Of air; so
.La took a little cottage in the suburbs,
about SA hours walk from the CITY.
One day, s~MiIlibali approached the
house, Ellen came to meet him, weep
ing. She sobhed bitterly rs he drew
neal and exclaimed, "Ah, Willibald,
what a misfortune
You know it then?' cried he with
faltering voice.
"What-know-what?" asked Ellen
quickly and eagerly.
"That / have been robbed of my box
of money! answered the youth in Il
one of anguish.
"Alas, +" replied Ellen, ''then misfor-
tunes never come singly. Yesterday u
rich gentleman came to our cottage and
demanded my hand in marriage. His
name is Werner. lie is "a rich merchant
from Ulm. Even now he is sitting in
the room yondcr 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: 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 girl was forced to
obey, and the old woman said to Wilt
bald: "YOung man. l came = to say to
you that l think it best that you should
come no mere to my cottage. A rich
man il q suitor for my Ellen, and it is
my duty to do what is for her good"
Very good-very good, Dame Mar
tina, " cried Willibald, half choking with
emotion. II say nothing of your con-
duct. II you choose to break an hoRe;t
fellows heart-and your W 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 q churchyard. "There is the
house where the people 20 to pray"
murmured the youth bitterly. Have I
not also prayed? Have l not kept my
soul from sinI Prayers will not give Ell
len back, else would I pray-aye, to the
bad fend himself and promise to be
his, 10 she would be mine"
Scarce had the distracted youth utter
cd these words when a sound Of .shrill
laughter nearly startled him. and, look
ing round, he saw q figure which he
had no difficulty in recognizing by the
well known horns and cloven foot. II
am here, " cried he in hoarse tones, lat
your service and ready to do your bid
dine, -askiDg only q small service in re-
turn"
"vvhat ia that.' Willibald mustered
ooukeGe to say, though he trembled all
orr.
va have q piece of work for you. l
W3ll1Ake you to u spot where lies bur.
SsAeae 1t my SUBJECTS. You must make
m1s9n iron railing round this grave.
ana n reward / will give you your
hsiak"
~ you have nothing more to ask. l
@Hentent," replied the young a
sAaElhis II all. but it is a harder task
nnJ4ou imagine. You have but one
hiMg - work. At IL you must begin
Jhe railing must be completed by