Year: 1878

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very hard"


"For what purpose did you borrow
the money you owe herl"


"The girl hesitated to reply.


You may trust me-"


Well, my father is very weak, and
requires strengthening. 1 borrowed that
money to get quarter Of a fowl for
him."


Under these circumstances, 1 fear
Madam Berg will not give you any more.
Here is one form, but that is all I pos
sess. Have you any valuables upon
which we could raise some money Y


Bertha considered for a moment.


81 have nothing" said she at length,
"but my poor mothers prayer book.
On her death bed she entreated me not
to part with it, and there is nothing in
the world I hold more sacred than her
memory, and the promise 1 gave her:
but still, for my fathers sake. must
not hesitate" With a trembling hand
she took the book down from the shelf.
go, sir, said she, "during many a
sleepless night have been accustomed
to enter the secret thoughts of my heart
on the blank leaves at the end of the
book. hope no one will ever know
whose writing they are; will you prom
ise me that p


Certainly, Bertha. 1 will take care
that your secrets shall not be profaned.
But now get ready that we may CO."


While she left the room to put on her
bonnet and shawl, Karl Trait, (for the
young man was no other than our hero).
glanced over the writing in the book,
and his eyes filed with tears of emotion
and delight as he read the outpourings
of pure and pious heart; and when
they had left the house together, and she
was walking beside him with dignity
Of which she seemed entirely uncon-
scious, he cast upon her looks Of respect
and admiration.


They first went to Madam Berg, who
did not give the advance required, but
assured the young man that Bertha was
an angel. Certainly this praise Mr..
Trait valued higher than the money he
had asked for. They pawned the book,
and the required sum was made mp.
Bertha was overioyed.


"But if you spend all your money to-
day." remarded the young man, "on
what will you live tomorrow"


81 do not know, but I trust in God.
/ shall work the whole night through"


When they came to the tavern, the
young man went in first to prepare old
Mr.. Schmidt for the part he wished him
to act then he fetched Bertha. 1t is
impossible to describe the Joy he felt
when he saw the young girl throw her
self in her fathers arms, and press him
to her heart.


She paid the bill and triumphantly
led him home. Trait accompanied them
and said he had few more kreutzers in
his pocket she had better go and get
something to eat. It was late before
Trait went home that night but the
leap from the Main bridge was no more
thought of. He came to the house every
evening, in order, as he said, to share
with them his scanty earnings.


About fortnight after, as he was go.
ing away one evening, he said to Bertha
"Will you become my wife 2. / am
only poor clerk, but I am honest and
upright"


Bertha blushed and cast her eyes to
the ground.


A few days after, the young couple,
simply but respectfully attired, and ac-
companied by Herr Schmidt, went to
church, where they were married in
quiet way. When they came out, man
and wife, an elegant carriage was stand
ing at the door, and footman in rich
livery let down the step.


"Come, said the happy husband to
his bewildered wife, who looked at him
with amazement.


Before she could utter word the
three were seated in the carriage, driving
away at a quick pace. The carriage
stopped before splendid house in the
best part of Frankfort. They were re-
ceived bya number of domestics, who
conducted them to apartments decorated
in the most costly style.


"This is your Mistress" said Trait
to the servants "and her commands
you have henceforth to obey. My
darling wife," said he then, turning to
Bertha, 81 am Karl Trait, one of the
wealthiest men of this city,"