The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-11-20

ubtilH- dOOuJ hlS AhpNONNtl. II
him that his daughter book hunger had
led her on to the field of science. Soon
Lida herself began to complain. Her
Shakespeare had disappeared. Christian
was sent for and ordered to look under the
couch in the billiard room, where the
young woman was wont to hold her siesta
on sulry summer days. But the vol
ume, handsomely bound in green with
gold, was not to be found. Old Marriott
was given hint by the count.
'sLet me know what you would like to
read, and | will help you, suggested
Count Minsterhaven The old servant
protested.
He would not dare to touch the smallest
of the count $ books, he declared. When
night came, he was much too tired to read
more than his prayers and say his beads
Christian, of whom he had expected so
much, was no help to him whatever, He
was a stupid, lazy lout and tried his good
nature beyond endurance
''You must be patient, Marlot, ad-
vised the count The poor fellow is
unused to his surroundings and cannot
shake off his embarrassment.
The old butler shook his head. He
could not understand the lad at all
That afternoon Countess Ida came
storming into the room of her father She
shrieked with laughter.
Papa, grandmamma, what do you
think | saw just now in the stable? Oh,
it is too funny | went there to treat
Oleander to lump of sugar. When
| called for Christian, there was no reply.
[ climbed the ladder to the hay loft
There he sat close to rift in the wall
through which the sunlight came like
narrow golden band In his clumsy
hands he held my Shakespeare, half read
ing, half spelling the words, and following
the lines with his fat, red fingers. 1t
was such comical sight =
The count and the dowager countess
were almost as much amused as Lida Min
sterhaven. The count sent for Christian
and ordered him to go to his study. There
the new groom confessed that he had
appropriated from time to time the missing
books-books on artificial irrigation, ma
tional economy, Greek sculpture and
French novels. He had read them all in
the hay loft over the stable.
''But you did not understand word OF
them 2 said his master.
esNo not word, admitted Christian.
The count became interested in the
rank, unsophisticated youth, who was far
from good looking.
"What did you think when you read
all this stuff
''That some day l might learn to un-
derstand it ALL
Eyes, it is possible, answered the
aristocrat loftily, somewhat impressed with
this young and stubborn giant before him,
who with eager, misguided hands reached
out for the treasures of education and cul
ture. 'sWhat good will all this under
standing do you p
The groom was silent, and the interview
came to an end.
One winter evening not long after this
occurrence the Rev. Mr.. Feinmann, wh'
presided over the village church. spoke Of
a strange new scholar, to whom he gave
private lessons in both German and Latin
Christian, the groom, was applying hr
Christmas gift, sum of money which
Count Minsterhaven was in the habit o
bestowing upon all his servants, to thu
payment for these lessons.
The aristocratic family Of the Minister
havens pointed out their groom as some
thing of freak to their visitors and ac
quaintances.
Old marriott was deeply distressed owe
this state of affairs, and it would hay'
Jared hard with Christian had not Coun
tess Ida taken his part with the old ser
want. She found the new groom an in
teresting personage-all but his hands
They were too red and unshapely
When Christian had been in the count
service for year, he asked for his dis
missal.
care you dissatisfied, Christian !?
asked Count Minsterhaven.
No, the lad had no complaint to make
He merely wanted to go to the city.
''City pleasures and city ways-ah,
see p laughed the count. "You young
fellows are all alike.
''I am going to college, count.
''To college What for?''
''To study
''My dear boy, remarked the eoun
affably, 'you have an erroneous impres
sion about studying What are you goini
to study ?''
Christian was deeply embarrassed. H
rubbed his clumsy hands up and down hi
leather breeches.
Il am going to be Il scientist.
sYoun have hard row to hoe
Christian. Better stay here, where yo
can earn your daily bread and a little more
You may succeed in reaching the strang
goal, but you may starve in doing it.
II have starved before. y
ssWhat plans have you made for you
future?'
Christian referred the count to the Rev
Mr.. Feinmann, who had conducted hi
pfeInlndTy SluuleS. rum hlih hi9 i1''SNN
learned that Christian had made wonder
full progress in his studies; that there wa
more in the lad than had appeared on tn
surface.
Surprised by this information, the coun
decided to help the young man along
He recommended him to friend, VIII
took lively interest in human curiosities
With the latter Christian took service an
devoted his evenings to earnest and labc
rious studies.
Countess Ida cried little when th
new groom bade them farewell.
:'When you are doctor, Christian
come back again, she said enthusiast
cally.
Christian held the rosy, soft hand
moment in his own clumsy, hard worke
palm.
Eyes, countess, | will, he stammere
and blushed ike schoolboy of 10.
Soon after Christian and his existen'
were forgotten in the house of Count Min
sterhaven.
x X !: !:
; The Countess Ida had been for sever
wears belle at court and in the aristoerat
circles in which she moved. Then thO'
) Younger than she took her place, thOue