Marietta

== THE BROKEN CUP ==
=== By Heikrich Zschokke ===
Originally published in Short Stories in 1883
 Author's note:There is extant, under this name, a short
 piece by the author of Little Kate of Heilbrona. Thu and the tale which here
 follows, originated in an incident which look place at Bern in the year i8oz,
 Henry Von Kleisl and Ludwig Wieland, the son of the poet, were both friends
 of the writer, in whose chamber bung an engraving called La Cruthe Cattie,
 the persons and contents of which resembled the scene set forth below, under
 the head of The Tribunal, The drawing, which was full of expression, gave
 great delight to those who saw it, and led to many conjectures as to its
 meaning. The three friends agreed, in sport, hat they would each one day
 commit to writing his peculiar interpretation of its design. Wieland promised
 a satire ; Von ICIeist threw of a comedy ; and the author of the following
 tale, what Is here given.
=== . ===
That Napoule is only a very little place on
the is true; yet it is pretty well
known through all .
It lies in the shade of lofty evergreen palms, and darker orange trees; but
that alone would not make it renowned. Still they say that there are grown the
most luscious grapes, the sweetest roses, and the handsomest girls. I don't
know but it is so; in the meantime I believe it most readily. 
Pity that Napoule is so small, and cannot
produce more luscious grapes, fragrant roses, and handsome maidens; especially,
as we might then have some of them transplanted to our own country. 
As, ever since the foundation of Napoule,
all the Napoulese women have been beauties, so the little Marietta was a wonder
of wonders, as the chronicles of the place declare. She was called the little ; yet she was not
smaller than a girl of seventeen or thereabouts ought to be, seeing that her
forehead just reached up to the lips of a grown man. 
The chronicles aforesaid had very good
ground for speaking of .
I, had I stood in the shoes of the chronicler, would have done the same. For , who until
lately had lived with her mother Manon at ,
when she came back to her birthplace, quite upset the whole village. Verily,
not the houses, but the people and their heads; and not the heads of all the
people, but of those particularly whose heads and hearts are always in danger when
in the neighborhood of two bright eyes. I know very well that such a position
is no joke. 
Mother Manon would have done much better if
she had remained at .
But she had been left a small inheritance, by which she received at Napoule an
estate consisting of some vine-hills, and a house that lay in the shadow of a
rock, between certain olive trees and African acacias. This is a kind of thing
which no unprovided widow ever rejects; and, accordingly, in her own
estimation, she was as rich and happy as though she were the Countess of
Provence or something like it. 
So much the worse was it for the good
people of Napoule. They never suspected their misfortune, not having read in
Homer, how a single pretty woman had filled all and Lesser Asia with discord
and war. . 
HOW THE MISFORTUNE CAME ABOUT. 
Marietta had scarcely been fourteen days in
the house, between the olive trees and the African acacias, before every young
man of Napoule knew that she lived there, and that there lived not, in all Provence,
a more charming girl than the one in that house. 
Went she through the village, sweeping
lightly along like a dressed-up angel, her frock, with its pale-green bodice,
and orange-leaves and rose-buds upon the bosom of it, fluttering in the breeze,
and flowers and ribbons waving about the straw bonnet, which shaded her
beautiful features, — yes, then the grave old men spoke out, and the young ones
were struck dumb. And everywhere, to the right and left, little windows and
doors were opened with “a good-morning," or "a good-evening. ," as it
might be, while she nodded to the right and left with a pleasant smile. 
If 
walked into church, all hearts ( that is, of the young people) forgot Heaven;
all eyes turned from the saints, and the worshiping finger wandered idly among
the pearls of the rosary. This must certainly have provoked much sorrow, at
least, among the more devout. 
The maidens of Napoule particularly, became
very pious about this time, for they, most of all, took the matter to heart.
And they were not to be blamed for it ; for since the advent of , more than one
prospective groom had become cold, and more than one worshiper of some beloved
one, quite inconstant. There were bickerings and reproaches on all sides, many
tears, pertinent lectures, and even rejections. The talk was no longer of
marriages, but of separations. They began to return their pledges of truth,
rings, ribbons, etc. The old persons took part with their children;
criminations and strife spread from house to house: it was most deplorable. 
is the cause of all, said the pious maidens, first ; then, the
mothers said it; next the fathers took it up; and finally, all — even the young
men. But ,
shielded by her modesty and innocence, like the petals of the rosebud in its
dark green calix, did not suspect the mischief of which she was the occasion,
and continued courteous to everybody. This touched the young men, who said,
“why condemn the pure and harmless child — she is not guilty!" Then the
fathers said the same thing; then the mothers took it up, and finally, all —
even the pious maidens. For, let who would talk with ^ she was sure to gain their esteem.
So before half a year had passed, every body had spoken to her, and every body
loved her. But she did not suspect that she was the object of such general
regard, as she had not before suspected that she was the object of dislike.
Does the violet, hidden in the downtrodden grass, think how sweet it is ? 
Now, everyone wished to make amends for the
injustice they had done .
Sympathy deepened the tenderness of their attachment found herself greeted everywhere in
a more friendly way than ever; she was more cordially welcomed; more heartily
invited to the rural sports and dances. 
=== ABOUT THE WICKED COLIN, ===
All men, however, are not endowed with
tender sympathy; some have hearts hardened like Pharaoh's. This arises, no
doubt, from that natural depravity which has come upon men in consequence of
the fall of Adam, or because, at their baptism, the devil is not brought
sufficiently under subjection. 
A remarkable example of this hardness of
heart was given by one Colin, the richest farmer and proprietor in Napoule,
whose vineyards and olive gardens, whose lemon and orange trees could hardly be
counted in a day. One thing particularly demonstrates the perverseness of his
disposition; he was twenty-seven years old, and had never yet asked for what
purpose girls had been created ! 
True, all the people, especially damsels of
a certain age, willingly forgave him this sin, and looked upon bim as one of
the best young men under the sun. His fine figure, his fresh, unembarrassed
manner, his look, his laugh, enabled him to gain the favorable opinion of the
aforesaid people, who would have forgiven him, had there been occasion, any one
of the deadly sins. But the decision of such judges is not always to be
trusted. 
While both old and young at Napoule had
become reconciled to the innocent ,
and proffered their sympathies to her, Colin was the only one who had no pity
upon the poor child. If 
was talked of, he became as dumb as a fish. If he met her in the street, he
would turn red and white with anger, and cast sidelong glances at her of the
most malicious kind. 
If at evening, the young people met upon
the seashore near the old castle ruins for sprightly pastimes, or rural dances,
or to sing catches, Colin was the merriest among them. But as soon as arrived the
rascally fellow was silent, and all the gold in the world couldn't make him
sing. What a pity, when he had such a fine voice! Everybody listened to it so
willingly, and its store of songs was endless. 
All the maidens looked kindly upon Colin,
and he was friendly with all of them. He had, as we have said, a roguish glance,
which the lasses feared and loved ; and it was so sweet they would like to have
had it painted. But, as might naturally be expected, the offended did not look
graciously upon him. And in that she was perfectly right. Whether he smiled or
not, it was all the same to her. As to his roguish glance, why she would never
hear it mentioned ; and therein too she was perfectly right. When he told a
tale (and he knew thousands) and everybody listened, she nudged her neighbor,
or perhaps threw tufts of grass at Peter or Paul, and laughed and chattered,
and did not listen to Colin at all. This behavior quite provoked the proud
fellow, so that he would break off in the middle of his story and stalk
sullenly away. 
Revenge is sweet. The daughter of Mother Manon
well knew how to triumph. Yet 
was a right good child and quite too tenderhearted. If Colin was silent, it
gave her pain. If he was downcast, she laughed no more. If he went away, she
did not stay long behind: but hurried to her home, and wept tears of
repentance, more beautiful than those of the Magdalen, although she had not
sinned like the Magdalen. 
THE CUP. 
Father Jerome, the pastor of Napoule, was
an old man of seventy, who possessed all the virtues of a saint, and only one
failing; which was, that by reason of his advanced years, he was hard of
hearing. But, on that very account, his homilies were more acceptable to the
children of his baptism and blessing. True, he preached only of two subjects,
as if they comprehended the whole of religion. It was either "Little
children, love one another," or it was "Mysterious are the ways of ." And
truly there is so much Faith, Love and Hope in these, that one might at a pinch
be saved by them. The little children loved one another most obediently, and
trusted in the ways of .
Only Colin, with his flinty heart, would know nothing of either: for even when
he professed to be friendly, he entertained the deepest malice. 
The Napoulese went to the annual market or
fair of the city of .
It was truly a joyful time, and though they had but little gold to buy with,
there were many goods to look at. Now 
and Mother Nanon went to the fair with the rest, and Colin was also there. He
bought a great many curiosities and trifles for his friends — ^but he would not
spend a farthing for .
And yet he was always at her elbow, though he did not speak to her, nor she to
him. It was easy to see that he was brooding over some scheme of wickedness. 
Mother Manon stood gazing before a shop,
when she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! ,
see that beautiful cup! A queen would not be ashamed to raise it to her lips.
Only see: the edge is of dazzling gold, and the flowers upon it could not bloom
more beautifully in the garden, although they are only painted. And in the
midst of this ! pray see. , how the apples
are smiling on the trees. They are verily tempting. And Adam cannot withstand
it, as the enohanting Eve offers him one for food! And do see, how prettily the
little frisking lamb skips around the old tiger, and the snow-white dove with
its golden throat stands there before the vulture, as if she would caress him !
" 
could not satisfy herself with looking. “ Had I such a cup,
mother!" said she, “it is far too beautiful to drink out of: I would place
my flowers in it and constantly peep into .
We are at the fair in Vence, but when I look on the picture I feel as if I were
in ." 
So spoke , and called her companion to the
spot, to share her admiration of the cup: but the young men soon joined the
maidens, until at length^ almost half the inhabitants of Napoule were assembled
before the wonderfully beautiful cup. But miraculously beautiful was it mainly
from its inestimable, translucent porcelain, with gilded handles and glowing
colors. They asked the merchant timidly: “ Sir, what is the price of it?"
And he answered: "Among friends, it is worth a hundred livres. " Then
they all became silently and went away in despair. When the Napoulese were all
gone from the front of the shop, Colin came there by stealth, threw the
merchant a hundred livres upon the counter, had the cup put in a box well
packed with cotton, and then carried it off. What evil plans he had in view no
one would have surmised. 
Near Napoule, on his way home, it being
already dusk, he met old Jacques, the Justice's servant, returning from the
fields. Jacques was a very good man, but excessively stupid. 
“ I will give thee money enough to get
something to drink, Jacques," said Colin, “if thou wilt bear this box to
Manon's house, and leave it there; and if any one should see thee, and inquire
from whom the box came, say * A stranger gave it to me. * But never disclose my
name, or I will always detest thee." ' 
Jacques promised this, took the drink money
and the box, and went with it toward the little dwelling, between the olive
trees and the African acacias. 
THE
CARRIER. 
Before he arrived there he encountered his
master. Justice Hautmartin, who asked, “ Jacques, what art thou carrying?
" 
“ A box for Mother Manon. But, sir, I
cannot say from whom it comes. " 
“ Why not?" 
"Because Colin would always detest
me." 
“ It is well that thou canst keep a secret.
But it is already late; give me the box, for I am going to-morrow to see Mother
Manon ; I will deliver it to her and not betray that it came from Colin. It
will save thee a walk, and furnish me a good excuse for calling on the old
lady. " 
Jacques gave the box to his master, whom he
was accustomed to obey implicitly in all things. The justice bore it into his
chamber, and examined it by the light with some curiosity. On the lid was
neatly written with red chalk: “ For the lovely and dear ." But Monsieur Hautmartin well
knew that this was some of Colin's mischief, and that some knavish trick lurked
under the whole. He therefore opened the box carefully for fear that a mouse or
rat should be concealed within. When he beheld the wondrous cup, which he had
seen at Vence, he was dreadfully shocked, for Monsieur Hautmartin was a skillful
casuist, and knew that the inventions and devices of the human heart are evil
from our youth upward. He saw at once that Colin designed this cup as a means
of bringing misfortune upon :
perhaps to give out, when it should be in her possession, that it was the
present of some successful lover in the town, or the like, so that all decent
people would thereafter keep aloof from .
Therefore Monsieur Hautmartin resolved, in order to prevent any evil reports,
to profess himself the giver. Moreover, he loved , and would gladly have seen her
observe more strictly towards himself the sayings of the gray-headed priest
Jerome, "Little children, love one another." In truth Monsieur
Hautmartin was a little child of hfty years old, and did not think the saying applied
particularly to him. Mother Manon, on the contrary, thought that the justice
was a clever little child, he had gold and a high reputation from one end of
Napoule to the other. And when the justice spoke of marriage, and ran away in
affright. Mother Manon remained sitting, and had no fear for the tall, staid
gentleman. It must also be confessed there were no faults in his person. And
although Colin might be the handsomest man in the village, yet the justice far
surpassed him in two things, namely, in the number of years, and in a very,
very big nose. Yes, this nose, which always went before the justice like a
herald to proclaim his approach, was a real elephant among human noses. 
With this proboscis, his good purpose, and
the cup, the justice went the following morning to the house between the olive
trees and the African acacias. 
"For the beautiful ," said he, "I hold nothing
too costly. Yesterday you admired the cup at Vence ; to-day allow me, lovely , to lay it and
my devoted heart at your feet." 
Manon and were transported beyond measure when
they beheld the cup. Manon's eyes glistened with delight, but turned and said, " I can
neither take your heart nor your cup. " 
Then Mother Manon was angry, and cried out
: " But I accept both heart and cup. O, thou little fool, how long wilt
thou despise thy good fortune! For whom dost thou tarry? Will a count of make thee his
bride, that thou scornest the Justice of Napoule? I know better how to look
after my interests. Monsieur Hautmartin, I deem it an honor to call thee my
son-in-law. " 
Then 
went out and wept bitterly, and hated the beautiful cup with all her heart. 
But the justice, drawing the palm of his
flabby hand over his nose, spoke thus judiciously : 
“ Mother Manon, hurry nothing. The dove
will at length, when it learns to know me better, give way. I am not impetuous.
I have some skill among women, and before a quarter of a year passes by I will
insinuate myself into 's
good graces." 
“ Thy nose is too large for that,”
whispered ,
who listened outside the door and laughed to herself. In fact, the quarter of a
year passed by and Monsieur Hautmartin had not yet pierced the heart even with
the tip of his nose. 
THE FLOWERS. 
During this quarter of a year had other
affairs to attend to. The cup gave her much vexation and trouble, and something
else besides. 
For a fortnight nothing else was talked of
in Napoule, and every one said, it is a present from the justice, and the
marriage is already agreed upon. 
solemnly declared to all her companions that she would rather plunge to the
bottom of the sea than marry the justice, but the maidens continued to banter
her all the more, saying, “ Oh, how blissful it must be to repose in the shadow
of his nose ! *' This was her first vexation. 
Then Mother Manon had the cruelty to force to rinse out the
cup every morning at the spring under the rock and to fill it with fresh
flowers. She hoped by this to accustom 
to the cup and heart of the giver. But 
continued to hate both the gift and giver, and her work at the spring became an
actual punishment. Second vexation. 
Then, when in the morning, she came to the
spring, twice every week she found on the rock, immediately over it, some most
beautiful flowers, handsomely arranged, all ready for the decoration of the
cup. And on the flower-stalks a strip of paper was always tied, on which was
written, "Dear Marietta, " Now no one need expect to impose upon
little Marietta, as if magicians and fairies were still in the world.
Consequently, she knew that both the flowers and papers must have come from
Monsieur Hautmartin. ,
indeed, would not smell them because the living breath from out of the
justice's nose had perfumed them. Nevertheless, she took the flowers, because
they were finer than wild flowers, and tore the slip of paper into a thousand
pieces, which she strewed upon the spot where the flowers usually lay. But this
did not vex Justice Hautmartin, whose love was unparalleled in its kind as his
nose was in its kind. Third vexation. 
At length it came out in conversation with
Monsieur Hautmartin, that he was not the giver of the beautiful flowers. Then,
who could it be ? 
was utterly astounded at the unexpected discovery. Thenceforth she took the
flowers from the rock more kindly; but further. was, — what maidens are not wont to
be, — very inquisitive. She conjectured first this and then that young man in
Napoule. Yet her conjectures were in vain. She looked and listened far into the
night ; she rose earlier than usual. fiut she looked and listened in vain. And
still twice a week in the morning, the miraculous flowers lay upon the rock,
and upon the strip of paper wound round them she always read the silent sigh,
" Dear Marietta!" Such an incident would have made even the most
indifferent inquisitive. But curiosity at length became a burning pain. Fourth
vexation. 
=== WICKEDNESS UPON WICKEDNESS. ===
Now Father Jerome, on Sunday, had again
preached from the text, "Mysterious are the dispensations of ," And
little 
thought, if 
would only dispense that I might at length find out who is the flower
dispenser. Father Jerome was never wrong. 
On a summer night, when it was far too warm
to rest, 
awoke very early, and could not resume her sleep. 
Therefore she sprang joyously from her
couch as the first streaks of dawn flashed against the window of her little
chamber, over the waves of the sea and the Lerinian Isles, dressed herself, and
went out to wash her forehead, breast and arms in the cool spring. She took her
hat with her, intending to take a walk by the seashore, as she knew of a
retired place for bathing. 
In order to reach this retired spot, it was
necessary to pass over the rocks behind the house, and thence down through the
orange and palm trees. On this occasion 
could not pass through them ; for, under the youngest and most slender of the
palms lay a tall young man in profound sleep — near him a nosegay of most
splendid flowers. A white paper lay thereon, from which probably a sigh was
again breathing. How could 
get by there ? 
She stood still, trembling with fright. She
would go home again. Hardly has she retreated a couple of steps, ere she looked
again at the sleeper, and remained motionless. Yet the distance prevented her
from recognizing his face. Now the mystery was to be solved, or never. She
tripped lightly nearer to the palms; but he seemed to stir — then she ran again
towards the cottage. His movements were but the fearful imaginings of . Now she
returned again on her way towards the palms; but his sleep might perhaps be
only dissembled — swiftly she ran towards the cottage — but who would flee for
a mere probability ? She trod more boldly the path towards the palms. 
With these fluctuations of her timid and
joyous spirit, between fright and curiosity, with these to-and-fro trippings
between the house and the palm-trees, she at length nearly approached the
sleeper; at the same time curiosity became more powerful than fear. 
"What is he to me ? My way leads me
directly past him. Whether he sleeps or wake, I will go straight on." So
thought Manon*s daughter. But she passed not by, but stood looking directly in
the face of the flower-giver, in order to be certain who it was. Besides, he
slept as if it were the first time in a month. And who was it ? Now, who else
should it be but the arch, wicked Colin. 
So it was he who had annoyed the gentle
maiden, and given her so much trouble with Monsieur Hautmartin, because he bore
a grudge against her; he had been the one who had teased her with flowers, in
order to torture her curiosity. Wherefore ? He hated . He behaved himself always most
shamefully toward the poor child. He avoided her when he could; and when he
could not, he grieved the goodnatured little one. With all the other maidens of
Napoule he was more chatty, friendly, courteous, than toward . Consider — he had never once asked
her to dance, and yet she danced bewitchingly. 
Now there he lay, surprised, taken in the
act. Revenge swelled in 's
bosom. What disgrace could she subject him to ? She took the nosegay,
unloosened it, strewed his present over the sleeper in scorn. But the paper, on
which appeared again the sigh “ Dear Marietta ! " she retained, and thrust
quickly into her bosom. She wished to preserve this proof of his handwriting. was sly. Now she
would go away. But her revenge was not yet satisfied. She could not leave the
place without returning Colin's ill-will. She took the violet-colored silken
ribbon from her hat, and threw it lightly around the sleeper's arm and around
the tree, and with three knots tied Colin fast. Now when he awoke, how
astonished he would be ! How his curiosity would torment him to ascertain who
had played him this trick ! — That he could not possibly discover. So much the
better ; it served him right. 
had only been too lenient towards him. She seemed to regret her
work when she had finished it. Her bosom throbbed impetuously. Indeed, I
believe that a little tear filled her eye, as she compassionately gazed upon
the guilty one. Slowly she retreated to the orange grove by the rocks — she
looked around often — slowly ascended the rocks, looking down among the palm
trees as she ascended. Then she hastened to Mother Manon, who was calling her. 
THE HAT BAND. 
That very day Colin practiced new mischief.
What did he? He wished to shame the poor 
publicly. Ah! she never thought that everyone in Napoule knew her violet
colored ribbon ! Colin remembered it but too well. Proudly he bound it around
his hat, and exhibited it to the gaze of all the world as a conquest. And male
and female cried out, “ he has received it from .'* — And all the maidens said
angrily “The reprobate!" And all the young men who liked to see , cried out, “The
reprobate !" 
"How! Mother Manon?" shrieked the
Justice Hautmartin when he came to her house, and he shrieked so loudly, that
it re-echoed wonderfully through his nose. “How! do you suffer this? my
betrothed presents the young proprietor Colin with her hat-band ! It is high
time that we celebrate our nuptials. When that is over, then I shall have a
right to speak. " 
“You have a right!" answered Mother
Manon, '*if things are so, the marriage must take place forthwith. When that is
done, all will go right." 
“But, Mother Manon, always refuses to give me her
consent." 
“ Prepare the marriage feast. " 
“But she will not even look kindly at me;
and when I seat myself at her side, the little savage jumps up and runs away.
" 
“ Justice, only prepare the marriage
feast." 
“But if resists — " 
“We will take her by surprise. We will go
to Father Jerome on Monday morning early, and he shall quietly celebrate the
marriage. This we can easily accomplish with him. I am her mother. You the
first judicial person in Napoule. He must obey. need know nothing about it. Early on
Monday morning I will send her to Father Jerome all alone, with a message so
thatshe will suspect nothing. Then the priest shall speak earnestly to her.
Half an hour afterwards we two will come. Then swiftly to the altar. And even
if 
should then say No, what consequence is. it? The old priest can hear nothing.
But till then, mum to 
and all Napoule." 
So the secret remained with the two. dreamed not of
the good luck which was in store for her. She thought only of Colin's
wickedness, which had made her the common talk of the whole place. Oh! how she
repented her heedlessness about the ribbon ; and yet in her heart she forgave
the reprobate his crime. 
was far too good. She told her mother, she told all her playmates, “ Colin has
found my lost band. I never gave it to him. He only wishes to vex me with it.
You all know that Colin was always ill-disposed towards me, and always sought
to mortify me ! " 
Ah ! the poor child ! she knew not what new
abomination the malicious fellow was again contriving. 
THE BROKEN CUP. 
Early in the morning went to the spring with the cup.
There were no flowers yet on the rock. It was still quite too early ; for the
sun had scarcely risen from the sea. Footsteps were heard. Colin came in sight,
the flowers in his hand. 
became very red. CoHn stammered out "Good-morning, ," but the greeting came not
from his heart, he could hardly bring it over his lips. 
"Why dost thou wear my ribbon so
publicly, Colin?" said ,
and placed the cup upon the rock. "I did not give it thee." 
"Thou didst not give it to me, dear ?" asked he,
and inward rage made him deadly pale. 
was ashamed of the falsehood, drooped her eyelids, and said after a
while, "Well, I did give it to thee, yet thou shouldst not have worn it so
openly. Give it me back again. " 
Slowly he untied it ; his anger was so
great that he could not prevent the tears from filling his eyes, nor the sighs
from escaping his breast. — 
" Dear , leave thy ribbon with me,"
said he softly. 
" No," answered she. 
Then his suppressed passion changed into
desperation. Sighing, he looked towards heaven, then sadly on , who, silent and abashed, stood by
the spring with downcast eyes. 
He wound the violet-colored ribbon around
the stalks of the flowers, said, "There, take them all," and threw
the flowers so spitefully against the magnificent cup upon the rock, that it
was thrown' down and dashed to pieces. Maliciously he fled away. 
Mother Manon lurking behind the window, had
seen and heard all. When the cup broke, hearing and sight left her. She was
scarcely able to speak for very horror. And as she pushed with all her strength
against the narrow window, to shout after the guilty one, it gave way, and with
one crash fell to earth and was shattered in pieces. 
So much ill-luck would have discomposed any
other woman. But Manon soon recovered herself. "How lucky that 
I was a witness to this roguery !"
exclaimed she; “ he must to the justice — he shall replace both cup and
window-sash with his gold. It will give a rich dowry to Marietta.*' But when
Marietta brought in the fragments of the shattered cup, when Manon saw the
Paradise lost, the good man Adam without a head, and of Eve not a solitary limb
remaining, the serpent unhurt, triumphing, the tiger safe, but the little lamb
gone even to the very tail, as if the tiger had swallowed it, then Mother Manon
screamed forth curses against Colin, and said, “One can easily see that this
fall came from the hand of the devil." 
THE TRIBUNAL. 
She took the cup, in one hand, in the other,
and went about 
to where Monsieur Hautmartin was wont to sit in judgment. She there made a
great outcry, and showed the broken cup and the 
lost. 
wept bitterly. 
The justice, when he saw the broken cup and
his beautiful bride in tears, flew into so violent a rage towards Colin, that
his nose was as violet-colored as 's
well-known hatband. He immediately despatched his bailiffs to bring the
criminal before him. 
Colin came overwhelmed with grief. Mother Manon
now repeated her complaint with great eloquence, before justice, bailiffs and
scribes. — But Colin listened not. He stepped to and whispered to her, " Forgive
me, dear ,
as I forgive thee. I broke thy cup unintentionally; but thou, thou hast broken
my heart!" 
“What whispering is that?" cried
Justice Hautmartin, with magisterial authority. “ Hearken to this accusation,
and defend yourself." 
“I have naught to defend. I broke the cup
against my will," said Colin. 
“That I verily believe," said , sobbing. “Iam
as guilty as he; for I offended and angered him, — then he threw the ribbon and
flowers to me. He could not help it. " 
“Well, I should like to know!" cried
Mother Manon. “Do you intend to defend him? Mr. Justice, pronounce his
sentence. He has broken the cup, and he does not deny it. Let us see." 
“ Since you cannot deny it, Mr.
Colin," said the justice, 
you must pay three
hundred livres for the cup, for it is worth that; and then for — " 
"No," interrupted Colin, “it is
not worth so much. I bought it at Vence for , for one hundred livres." 
*'You bought it, Sir brazen face?"
shrieked the justice, and his whole face became like 's hat-band. He could not and would
not say more, for he dreaded a disagreeable investigation of the matter. 
But Colin was vexed at the imputation, and
said, '^I sent this cup on the evening of the fair, by your own servant, to . There stands
Jaques in the door. Speak, Jaques, did I not give thee the box to carry to
Mother Manon?" 
Monsieur Hautmartin wished to interrupt
this conversation by speaking loudly. But the simple Jacques said, "Only
recollect, Justice, you took away Colin's box from me, and carried what was in
it to Mother Manon. The box lies even now, there under the papers. “ 
Then the bailiffs were ordered to remove
the simpleton ; and Colin was also directed to retire, until he should be sent
for again. 
"Very well, Mr. Justice,"
interposed Colin, "but this business shall be your last in Napoule. I know
this, that you would ingratiate yourself with Mother Manon and , by means of my property. When you
want me, you will have to ride to 
to the Governor's." With that, Colin departed. 
Monsieur Hautmartin was quite puzzled with
this affair, and in his confusion, knew not what he was about. Manon shook her
head. The affair was dark and mysterious to her. "Who will now pay me for
the broken cup?" she asked. 
"To me," said , with glowing, brightened
countenance, "to me it is already paid for." 
MYSTERIOUS DISPENSATIONS. 
Colin rode that same day to the governor at
, and
came back early the next morning. But Justice Hautmartin only laughed at him,
and removed all of Mother Manon's suspicions by swearing he would let his nose
be cut off if Colin did not pay three hundred livres for the broken cup. He
also went with Mother Manon to talk with Father Jerome about the marriage, and
impressed upon him the necessity of earnestly setting before her duty as an obedient daughter of
not opposing the will of her mother in her marriage. This the pious old man
promised, although he understood not the half of what they shouted in his ear. 
When Monday morning came Mother Manon said
to her daughter, *' Dress yourself handsomely, and carry this myrtle wreath to
Father Jerome; he wants it for a bride." dressed herself in her Sunday
clothes, took the myrtle wreath unsuspiciously, and carried it to Father
Jerome. 
On the way Colin met her, and greeted her
joyfully, though timidly ; and when she told him where she was taking the
wreath, Colin said, “ I am going the same way, for I am carrying the money for
the church's tenths to the priest." And as they went on he took her hand
silently, and both trembled as if they designed some crime against each other. 
“Hast thou forgiven me?" whispered
Colin, anxiously. “ Ah! ,
what have I done to thee, that thou art so cruel towards me ? " 
She could only say, “ Be quiet, Colin, you
shall have the ribbon again ; and I will preserve the cup since it came from you
! Did it really come from you ? " 
“ Ah! ,
canst thou doubt it? All I have I would gladly give thee. Wilt thou, hereafter,
be as kind to me as thou art to others ? " 
She replied not. But as she entered the
parsonage she looked aside at him, and when she saw his fine eyes filled with
tears, she whispered softly, “ Dear Colin!" Then he bent -down and kissed
her hand. With this the door of a chamber opened and Father Jerome, with
venerable aspect, stood before them. The young couple had' nearly fallen from
giddiness, and they held fast to each other. I know not whether this was the
effect of the hand-kissing, or the awe they felt for the sage. 
handed him the myrtle wreath. He laid it upon her head and said,
"Little children, love one another;" and then urged the good maiden,
in the most touching and pathetic manner, to love Colin. For the old gentleman,
from his hardness of hearing, had either mistaken the name of the bridegroom,
or from want of memory forgotten it, and thought Colin must be the bridegroom. 
Then 's
heart softened under the exhortation of the venerable Father, and with tears
and sobs she exclaimed, “ Ah! I have loved him for a long time, but he hates
me." 
I, hate thee, ," cried Colin. "My soul
has lived only in thee since thou earnest to Napoule. Oh! , how could I hope and believe that
thou didst love me? Does not all Napoule worship thee?" 
“Why, then, dost thou avoid me, Colin, and
prefer all my companions before me ? " 
" Oh ! , I feared and trembled with love and
anxiety when I beheld thee ; I had not the courage to approach thee ; and when
I was away from thee I was most miserable." 
As they talked thus with each other the
good father thought they were quarreling; and he threw his arms around them,
brought them together, and said imploringly, “ Little children; little
children, love one another." 
Then 
sank on Colin's breast, and Colin threw his arms around her, and both faces
beamed with rapture. They forgot the priest, the whole world. Colin's lips hung
upon 's
sweet mouth. It was indeed only a kiss, but a kiss of sweetest
self-forgetfulness. Each was sunk into the other. Both had so completely lost
their recollection that, unwittingly, they followed the delighted Father Jerome
into the church and before the altar. 
“ !"
sighed he. 
*Xolin!" sighed she. 
In the church there were many devout
worshipers; but they witnessed Colin's and 's marriage with amazement. Many ran
out before the close of the ceremony, to spread the news in every direction
throughout Napoule: “ Colin and 
are married." 
When the solemnization was over. Father
Jerome rejoiced that he had succeeded so well, and that such little opposition
had been made by the parties. He led them into the parsonage. 
END OF THIS MEMORABLE HISTORY. 
Then Mother Manon, arrived, breathless; she
had waited at home a long time for the bridegroom. He had not arrived. At the
last stroke of the clock she grew anxious and went to Monsieur Hautmartin's.
There a new surprise awaited her. She learned that the governor, together with
the officers of the Viguerie, had appeared and taken possession of the
accounts, chests, and papers of the justice, and at the same time arrested
Monsieur Hautmartin. 
"This, surely, is the work of that
wicked Colin," thought she, and hurried to the parsonage in order to
apologize to Father Jerome for delaying the marriage. The good grayheaded old
man advanced towards her, proud of his work, and leading by the hand the
newly-married pair. 
Now Mother Manon lost her wits and her
speech in good earnest when she learned what had happened. But Colin had more
thoughts and power of speech than in his whole previous life. He told of his
love and the broken cup, the falsehood of the justice, and how he had unmasked
this unjust magistrate in the Viguerie at .
Then he besought Mother Manon's blessing, since all this had happened without
any fault on the part of 
or himself. 
Father Jerome, who for a long while could
not make out what had happened, when he received a full explanation of the
marriage through mistake, piously folded his hands and exclaimed, with uplifted
eyes, "Wonderful are the dispensations of Providence! " Colin . and kissed his hands
; Mother Manon, through sheer veneration of heaven, gave the young couple her
blessing, but remarked incidentally that her head seemed turned round. 
Mother Manon herself was pleased with her
son-in-law when she came to know the full extent of his property, and
especially when she found that Monsieur Hautmartin and his nose had been taken
as prisoner to .
"But am I then really a wife?"
asked ;
"and really Colin's wife?" 
Mother Manon nodded her head, and hung upon
Colin's arm. Thus they went to Colin's farm, to his dwellinghouse, through the
garden. 
" Look at the flowers. ," said
Colin; " how carefully I cultivated them for your cup ! " 
Colin, who had not expected so pleasant an
event, now prepared a wedding feast on the spur of the occasion. Two days was
it continued. All Napoule was feasted. Who shall describe Colin's rapture and
extravagance? 
The broken cup is preserved in the family
to the present day as a memorial and sacred relic. 
==
Category:Zschokke
Category:ShortStories