Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

15 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

OUR SHORT STORY

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

OUR SHORT STORY }o_ -¿. A COMEDY OF EBEOBS. The golden rays of the July sun were beating 1 down mercilessly upon. the dusty pavement of the little faonlet of M but the oppresive I h,eat was somewhat relieved by a balmy breath of air stirring the leaves of the old chestnut trees \d1i.Cit i tied die principal thoroughfarc, fanning them with a deliciously cool b'eze, and enabling the portly host of the inn of the Blue Lion to take his after-dinner na.p in com- fort. But he was fated to suffer an unlocked for interruption, for just as the big town bell struck the hour of two, the letter carrier made his appearance, holding- a letter in his out- stretched hand, which he delivered to mine host's wife, uttering the word". "From America. Mother and daughter shcok their 1'eadls incredulously. Mine host rubbed his sleepy eyes. "Is it really from America ?" he queried. "Who could ?£a\? written to us from that far away country? Go, some of you, and find my glares!" The su-rpcise was now general. It was in the days when everybody was talking about Cali- fornia. For two year9 previous to the occurrence hero narrated, people from all parts of Europe had emigrated to the go-ldl mines in 'the Far West, wh-e-ii!—so ran the story—gold was actually laying about everywhere, and to be had for the packing up. At last the spectacles were found, and the old man read in a loud voice, while all present held their 'brsath in suspense: — "'Dear Cousins "Well I declare," he interrupted Ii/imself, "this letter is from Cousin Berner, who emigrated 30 years ago." Cousin Berner was immensely wealthy. Like all emigrants, he had to work very 'hard at first, and had learned the lesson which stern n3ce&sity teaches 3,11 newccmers in that ecvunsry. Ho had been, a street sweeper, a bootblack, a lamplighter, in face, he huu been compelled 'to do almost anything and every- thing to cam a. scant livelihood. Finally, he ~d .->ucceeded in saving a tew dollars <->«d -jcjrtvd a small stcr.?. I'ortune had favoured jMrn, an<i ha am».*«d a vast fortune, which he Intended to leave to his only son. it was now lis dearest wish to see his only son happily narried, and, having accidentally gathered xcm some Germans, who had arrived in San Francisco, that his cousin had a daughter, he had decided to send his boy on a visit to M-, hoping the young people would like eaeh other. His boy, Charles, was diligent and industrious, -and he 8aw no reason why his -the writer's—plans should not be carried out. The old man cast radiant looks around, him. "'A marriage of the two voung-ters ? Well, I should tliiii ijol Could there be greater luck 'in store for our Marie ? Just to think of it, my son-in-law an American! Vi orÙ the neighbours be jealous! But where is Marie '• II do not ses her r" "J daresay she is bu-y hi the garden, re- sponded hik wife, hesitatingly. "Call hc-c at once!" Marie, a. beautiful vivaoious girl, soon made I hsr appearaziue She sJowly perused tits con- tents of the letter. "Well, girl, what do you think of this piece of good fortune the father queried after shy had finished. ould you like your rich eousim from America f-cr your busbrtr.d •"Why not ?, she replied in thoughtful and measured tones, "provided 1 like hini. Charles Berner, of San Francisco, and Henry Decker, of Hamburg, two young m.?n who had 'become acquainted the day previous, upon ¡ leaving the Thames, stood on the d-cck of the Hamburg packet. The former was relating the object of h:s trip, adding frankly that -he would haw much preferred remaining in Cali- ¡ fornia, having as :"tt no desire to man" but had been urged by his father to bring home 1 a,a European wife. "And here I am, he con- cluded, "en route for a little out-of-the-way iplace caJbd At — toO have a look at my prospective bride." ( "This is a strange coincident- said' Decker. "I hava also to go to lYI slilrtly. "To M Are you also locking for a "Xo, indeed," smilingly. ''My father has an interest in some neighbouring mines, and busm-jdsa aJone takes me there. Likely we may aneet at the home of the future Mrs. B. ? "Hardly, as I intend remaining some weeks 5n Hamburg and Berlin. To tell the truth, I am not very anxious to make my cousin s acquaintance." Charles Berner m-ada the nvos „ of ms stav ■fe the beautiful Hansa town on the Elbe, and then proceeded to Berlin. One clay, ^promenading Unter den Linden, he pieKed. up a laying before him. or the sxle *-alk. It was made of tortoise shell, wit-n silver filigree work and mother-of-pearl lasten- ings, no doubt fhe property of same woman. Entering a cafe, he examined! ins lind- Uwi-cies £ oni £ > money, it contained a note, wmcn lie opened. It was a letter signed Clara, and addressed) to her di-ar Amalie, asking to excuse the dela.y in. her reply on account of the change of r°oidenoe of the writer's parents to 124 B street, first floor, and also telling the news that her father intended; her to marry the son of his old friend, the merchant Decker, of Ham- burg, a charming young fellow, icpieing m the swffet name of Henry., r, Here was a poser for our young Caufornian; for no doubt this paragon and his acquaintance on board the paoket were one and the same. Suddenly an idea struck h.m. He would return the pocket-book in-person. Getting into a droschke, he soon fo;™d himself in the B. Strafe. Arriving at 124. he read above the bell for the fcrso Lour the name L. Foster. He knew now the young ■woman's name, and resolutely rang the DCU. Stating the nature of his errand to tne servant ■who admitted him, he soon found himself m the presence of the object of his visit, whose foeautv and majestic bearing made such an im- pressed vpon him that he remr^.ned rivetted to the spot, gazing at h;r and forgetting the formality of introducing himseli, forgot all but the vigkm before him. -Lfter an awkward ipawe of a few moments the girl (her face turning crimson undsr hi" admiring g^nees) gaud in a somewhat displeased tone: \\1111 you kindiy inform me of the nature ci this <^11 The young man apologised for ;us seeming iradeness, and) hav.t'.ed her the r,o'k«-t-book, Vhioli she at or.ee recognised as belonging to ju-r friend. An alie. Explaining ail. the two ju-r friend. An alie. Explaining ail. the two jrere soon engrossed in an animated conver- sation, thogh she uid not at nrst seein dis- ¡ posed to overlook his indiscretion of read- frig the contents of the letter to her friend. But the young man pleaded so earnestly and looked so crestfallen that she smilingly held out her hand, which Charles gratefully I ffajasped and carried to his lips, perhaps a I ? "Aild the oM iran r?ad in s loud voice." j •rifle impulsively, for she quickly withdrew tt. To tell the truth, Miss Clara seemed to like the young foreigner, and before be left she w en passane mentioned the fact that ehe aad her friend Amalie would rnest that evening a.t the Court Theater, which would give her a chance to return the pocket book :oit3 owner. More than that, Charles, by a few adroitly put questions, knew the exact location of the seats to be occupied by the party. Of course he wa/s there—a good deal too early, too. The doors had hardly been opened, and he was for quite a while alone in the vast auditorium whiling away the elowly creeping time by a study of the curtain, the chandelier, the carvings on boxes and galleries, and by inspecting everything "within the reach of his eyes. When the two young women arrived, after having sorely tried Charlie's patience, they, or at ieast Clara—found to litr surprise (?) the young fellow seated .in tiie stall next to hers. and introduced him to her companion as Mr. Berner, of San Francisco," who had found her pocket book. The phlegm which usually characters rl every movement of the worthy landlord of the Blue Lion at M-- had ail at once ttis- appeared. Since the receipt of the letter from America he knew no rest. The best room was put in readme.ss for the expected guest, he inspected the house from top to bottom, he scolded the servants incessantly, and never before had his good wife known hifn to be such a tyrant and so hard to please. More than that, lie would go to the parson and school teacher and make them point out to him the map of America and tell him "Charles Berner and Henry Decker stood cn the deck of tiie Hamburg packet." about California, and in the evening he would impart this knowledge to his guests in the taproom, showing for the hundredth time the letter and talking about the rich young rela- tive from the Far West. His daughter Marie took things much more quietly. She was raised, as all German girls are, especially in the quaint old-fashioned places of the interior. She was a home body, thoroughly domestic by habit and in- clination, and besides the usual elementary training, her paj-ents had sent her to a board- ing school for girls, a neighbouring academy. In short, her pious and busy mother had spared no pains to form her character and to make her a God-tearing, obedient child. She possessed that depth of feeling, coupled with a love of nature, and serene, unruffled temper, which is the traditional attdibute of a true Teutonic maiden, and, therefore, the brilliant future in store for her had but little attrac- tions for her unrnereenary disposition. She did not bother her head much about Charles' coming. Time enough to consider the matter after his arrival. If she liked him she would be his wife, if not, she was iirmly resolved not to marry him, riches or no riches. In find one who loved her and whom she loved in return. due time, she said to herself, she would (To be continued.)

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