The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-01-01
THE APPRENTICE.

at Augsburg lad named Wllllbald, ap-
prentice to smith, whose industry OBJ
tanned him the regard of his master,
while his good nature caused him to be
favorite 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 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, 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 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 to be dangerous to an in.
firm person, he saw Dame Martha COM
ing out of the church alone. He hasten
ed to offer the assistance of his arm and
conducted her home She invited him
to enter, for she thought that only a
very worthy young man would be SO at
tentive to an aged dame.
Who was now happier than WillibaldP
From this day he was one of Dame
Martha's most frequent visitors and was
always received with 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 you and could wish
Ellen no better husband. / believe she
loves you, too, but you have not yet
sufficient for the support of wife.
Save from your wages a decent sum.
say 80 goldpieces, 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 frugality, 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, "Ah, Willibald,
what 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 a
tone Of anguish.
"Alas," replied Ellen, "then misfor-
tunes never come singly. Yesterday
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 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 grandma may say
what she will; Twill die rather than be
faithless to you. F"
Here Dame Martha came out of the
house and commanded Ellen to 60 in
directly. The poor girl was forced to
obey, and the old woman said to Wilt
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 sutton for my Ellen, and it is
my duty to do what is for her good.
Every good-very good, Dame Mar
tina, cried Willibald, half choking with
emotion. II say nothing of your con-
duct. If you choose to break an honest
fellows heart-and your own word also
tits all the same to me-.
And he fastened madly away.
Some hours must have passed I'M
marked in the indulgence of his grief,
for it was late when he rose and tried
to find his way honeward. After wan
dering about some time, without being
able to discover the road, he found that
he was in churohyard. "There is the
house where the people go to pray"
murmured the youth bitterly. "Have /
not also prayedP Have not kept my
soul from sinf Prayers will not give Ell
len back, else would pray-aye, to the
bad fiend himself and promise to be
his, so she would be mine'
Scarce had the distracted youth utter
ed these words when a sound of shrill
laughter nearly startled him, and, look
ing round, he saw figure which he
had no difficulty in recognizing by the
we'll known horns and cloven foot. 81
am here, cried he in hoarse tones, cat
your service and ready to do your bid
ding, asking only small service in re-
k,,r,,