Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-09-27
| IHE HOME CIRCLE |
CONFESSIONS OF A FAIR SAINT.
BY Goethe.
(ConhnueG.)

My father acted upon his convictions. He spoke little,
but frequently with upon the matter but his
being his could be opposed Indeed nothing
but the fullest consciousness of right to
dispute with him. But the changed compelled
appeal his by his reaonngs had
the pathetic peadng full scope to tongue and
my proved to him how much loved Narcissus l
showed him what had suffered for the last how
being in the right which ready to prove by
giving up beloved bridegroom and hope of happiness and
it necessary, by the loss of everything that possessed
assuring him that would rather forsake native land and all
relatives and friends and toll for daily bread amongst strangers
than act in opposition convictions He concealed his emo
time and length declared himself
openly in my favor
Nacssus had time discontinued to visit and
father ceased attend the club which the former
frequent The whole affair canvassed publicly
and in But sufficiently we'll acquainted with
the world that conduct often cenured by the
persons would acted similar way themselves and
moreover sufficiently composed be wholly indifferent
their passing observations.
did not however, stiAe my Narcissus
Though him heart had changed in the least
him. still loved him tenderly it and
much steadas than before he only satisfied not
my conscientious feelings then his but without this
condition would have rejected kingdom with him. These feelings
thoughts filled my mind for months finding
length that sufficiently calm and collected l him
polite note, nqung why he had ceased to visit
acquainted with his habit of avoiding
explanation whilst he still pursued his
silence therefore insisted receiving He
full of unmeanng phrases He said that until he had obtained his
promotion he could offer his hand that all the
vXaons he had hitherto endud that he feared continued init
macy might prove injurious my reputation he hoped
fore that would his absence for time assuring
however, that he should find himself in a condition
render happy he would redeem the pledges he had given
replied him upon the spot that, engagement
all the world somewhat think saving my
reputation and that for this conscience and
the guarantees but that unhetangy
him from his and trusted he would find happiness
received short which echoed the sentiments contained
his first letter He confined that obtaining an
appointment he would share his good fortune with
This equivalent saying nothing. thereupon informed
my friends and relations that the
truth Nine months afterwards he obtained the wished
appointment when he offered his hand with the
stipulation should consent to
alter the opinions which had expressed thanked him politely
and then took leave of the whole transaction does when
theatre short time
afterwards he formed rich and advantageous connection knew
completely restored
omit to that several times before he had
obtained his promotion and afterwards
favorable proposal, which, however, unhetatingy refused
although father and mother earnestly wished for compliance
And after stormy March and April enjoyed
lovely May weather had excellent health and felt
able tranquility mind and myself would seemed
in all respects be gamer Young and full of sensby
the world appeared thousand times beautiful
had seemed before when had thought society and dissipation
necessary dspe the tedum of And
ashamed of religious feelings took courage
for the and sciences drew painted read and
numbers of ready support In place of the great
world which had left rather which had abandoned formed
a society which richer more
interesting had love for social life and shall deny that
when foook acquaintance trembed the very
thought of solitude But was abundanty ecompensed My
circle of friends became only neigh
borhood amongst persons whose similar my own
but amongst strangers My had been very generally
spoken the maiden priced
her God than her lover Moreover at that time certain
religious observable in Germany In many noble
anxiety about spiritual things had been aroused
amongst the lower classes thoughts the very gene
lied