The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-05-04

trembled for his safety when the glow.
ing sparks flew about him.
The moments slipped by. My broth
er surprised me in the midst of my
dreamy observation.
"Well, has the time seemed long to
you9" he asked jokingly.
| L shook my head smilingly and tried
to raise myself little, but was obliged
TO sink back exhausted upon my cush-
ions.
elm, HIM." he said, meditatively, 81
left the coachman at home, because /
thought l could lift you into the carriage
by myself, but the seat is high, and l
fear shall hardly be abb to accomplish
1t without hurting you. Crete" turn
ing to the little maid, who had quickly
put in an appearance upon the return
of the carriage, "run 10 the smith--the
| young one, you know-and ask him to
come and help me-"
lie threw copper on the ground,
which the little one, beaming with joy,
picked up before running away.
felt the blood mount holly to my
cheeks. l should see him again. He
would perform the part of a good Sa-
marian toward me. Pressing my hand
to my fluttering heart, l sat and waited
until-until-
Yes, that is he. How strong and
handsome he has grownl Clustering
fair hair waves around his smoke-black-
ened countenance, and soft down COW
ers his powerful chin. Thus must young
Siegfried have looked when he was APP
prentced to the wicked Mime.
He awkwardly lifts the little cap
which sits 30 saucily on the back Of his
head, but, smilingly, reach him my
hand and ask, "How are your"
"How should l be7 Very WE'LL" he
answers with an embarrassed laugh,
carefully wiping his sooty fingers upon
bis leathern apron before accepting my
preferred hand.
"Help me lift my sister into the car
riage," says my brother.
He wipes his hands again and seizes
me-not very gently-by the shoulders;
my brother lifts my feet and in mo.
ment l lie safely upon the carriage
cushions.
"Thank you, thank you," 1 cry, nod
ding at him smilingly.
He stands at the carriage door, turn.
ing his cap in his hands in confused
manner, and glancing first at me and
then at my brother.
''He has something on his mind"
say | to myself. "The sight of me has
recalled old memories-he wishes to
talk with me of the happy days when
we, in childish innocence, herded geese
together; but he does not dare in the
presence of my brother. 1 must help
him little"
"Well, of what are you thinking?" /
inquire, looking at him in a most
friendly and encouraging manner.
My brother, who has been attending
to the horses, turns around and chances
at him.
"Ah, 80 you want your pourboire,"
he says, reaching in his pocket.
/ felt as though 1 had been struck.
"For PHYS sake, Max" 1 stammer,
turning hot and cold.
My brother does not hear me, how
ever, and hands him-really, he darel
and hands him mark.
/ imagine see the friend of my
youth throwing the coin in my brothers
face. l struggle up and stretch out
my hands to prevent trouble-but
what do see?-No, it is not possible
and yet-with my own eyes 1 see him
take the money-he says, "Thank you
kindly,"-he bows-he is gone.
And l? / stare after him as though
he were an evil spirit and then, with
sigh, sink feebly back upon the cush-
ions.
Thus, my friend, took leave of my
childhood's dream Translated from
the German of Hermann Sudermann
by Isabelle Ogden Oakley, for the Liv-
ing Age.