me very much the same as it always had getting hold of the cane again without by daylight; the large waiting-room was being seen." For, whenever uncle sat just as unclean, and tables and benches down, he generally put the cane down by stood about in as great a disorder, as they his side. If I were to succeed, I intended generally did through the day. I sat me to run straightway home, and when uncle down a few moments, and saw some of returned from his journey, — which would the passengers approaching the tables to evidently be but a short trip, he having no order a cup of coffee or tea. "How funny baggage with him, and found his cane it must be to take coffee at so early an on the same spot where he put it last hour!" I thought; "suppose I try it?" night, why, that would be a capital joke! My porte-monnaie was out in a twinkling, He would hardly know himself what to and I, being still in the first half of the think of it, and take his cane to be bemonth, found enough in it to defray this witched, going off and coming back at most unforeseen expense. A cup of coffee, will. therefore, I did order, and took a seat upon the balcony like a gentleman. I must be candid in confessing that Aunt Elizabeth made better coffee than they gave me at the station; but never mind that. I was an independent being here, and as such, one can easily stand a cup of bad coffee. The bitter draught was soon despatched, and I on the point of carrying it back to the counter, when suddenly, -how could this have happened? where was my cane? - Uncle Zachary's favorite cane? I must have left it on a table in the waitingroom. I must be quick, lest it might be taken. I rushed in, andmercy upon me!what should I see there, but a man holding my cane in hand, and looking at it in blank astonishment? And this man I ran out of the room, down the platform, and into the most thickly grown arbor in the station-inspector's garden, that man looking at the cane, incredible as it may appear, was - Uncle Zachary in propria persona! For a while I sat perfectly speechless. Uncle Zachary at the station at a quarter of six in the morning? What could this mean? He had not said the least word about it on the evening before. Where could he be going? Why was he going at all? and what was to become of me, now that he had recognized his cane? Gracious me! wouldn't there be another terrible scene at home, if they found out that I had been loitering about town at five o'clock in the morning? As I said before, I was speechless for some time. Suddenly, however, a bril I fear me, reader, you will, on reading these lines, join Aunt Louisa's party and vote me to be the "biggest rogue," indeed. But, I told you before, the "old" Leo had once more awakened in me, and this very morning I was up to all sorts of antics; there was a certain something in the atmosphere itself. I stole lightly from the arbor, wanting to go back on the platform; but I quickly crept back to my hiding-place. Uncle Zachary, with his-my cane in his right and the one which he had brought himself in his left hand, was gravely pacing up and down the platform, casting glances around him in all directions. What to do in this dilemma I did not know! My gloriously ingenious plan was frustrated, and it occurred to me that the best thing for me to do would certainly be to steal away very quietly, and to make for home as fast as my legs would carry me. But that was not practicable either. Uncle Zachary had but to turn round, and, in that case, would surely perceive me. I resolved to wait until after the departure of the train, and to go quietly home afterwards. I had scarcely been seated five minutes, when the ringing of the bell, and a shrill whistle following it, indicated the approach of another train. It came to a stop soon. I could not overcome my curiosity, stepped from out the arbor, in order to see Uncle Zachary depart, did actually see him step up to a car, the door of which opened, and — out jumped my Cousin Albert, cordially shaking my uncle by the hand. Both conversed for a moment. Albert, liant idea suggested itself to me, at which of course, did not get in again; strangely I could not help smiling to myself. "Per- enough, neither did uncle. Why not? haps," I thought, "I might succeed in Another whistle was heard; the train moved off, and both walked down from on his brow disappeared and in a kindly the platform in the direction of the in-tone he said, — spector's garden. Although nearly petrified with astonishment, I yet had presence of mind enough to retire forthwith into my arbor. But what were my feelings, when I saw them both entering the garden, standing still a moment, then looking about them, and suddenly marching right towards me, Uncle Zachary saying, in a stentorian tone of voice, "Let us go into that arbor, yonder, my boy; we shall be undisturbed there! The inspector, an old friend of mine, will not take it amiss. Come! I want to tell you a story about my cane,-a most remarkable story!" Reader, you who have followed me in my morning excursion with, maybe, a shake of the head, have pity upon a poor, miserable rogue caught in flagranti! There was Uncle Zachary coming towards me. Oh, what will become of me? Only a few steps more and he will be here, and 66 - Should "Nonsense again, as usual. very nearly have been minus my good old cane." "That, then," asked Albert, "is the famous story of the cane?" "The very one. But, now, my brave young rover, tell me, pray, can you keep a secret?" "I do not quite take your meaning." "Will you promise me not to say anything at home about Albert's coming here?" "And why not?" I asked, greatly astonished. "Simply because I don't want you to. Comprehend?" By Jove! here's this youngster, Leo! all this meant. What are you doing here?" "Let me tell you once more," repeated Uncle Zachary, "that not a soul is to know that Albert has been here, and that I have conversed with him for nearly an hour." I looked at my cousin, who shrugged his shoulders, as if he meant to say that he did not see through all this himself. "Forward march!" came the command from Uncle Zachary. "Mum is the word, "I-I don't exactly know, uncle." Albert burst into a loud laugh. "Un--d'ye hear?" cle, look at the youngster!" he said; "doesn't he look as though he had been stealing apples?" My deeply offended pride gave me back my speech. A scholar, on the point of entering the upper class, stealing apples! I cast a withering glance at my cousin, and looking firmly into my uncle's face, I chose the most prudent part, that of telling the whole truth.in as few words as possible. He heard me out, not once interrupting me; but I could plainly see that he was undecided what to do, and that I should, doubtless, have to alleviate his embarrassment by listening to a severe lecture from him. In this I was mistaken. The cloud I shook hands with Albert, and was on the point of leaving, when uncle suddenly seemed to reconsider his decision and sent an imperious "Halt!" after me. I turned round and went back to him. "You may stay," he said; "I have confidence in that scamp; he may listen to what we have to say to each other; it is nothing very wonderful or mysterious, but I will not-d'ye hear?—I will not, that any.living soul, at our house, shall ever hear of this interview! Comprehend? And now, will you both promise me, faithfully, to preserve silence?" "My word upon it, uncle!" we exclaimed. "Well, then, be seated, you rascals! 66 You, Leo, open your ears wide, but keep glanced at Albert; it seemed to me that your lips tightly closed. You, Albert, will he looked exccedingly pale. answer me categorically, if you please. There is something else I want to say Now, then, have you been very much to you," Uncle Zachary spoke up again. frightened — h-m-at the receipt of my "I know that you silly boys vie with yesterday's letter, calling you hither so each other in the largest possible consecretly?" sumption of beer, thereby ruining not only your health, but also muddling your brains. You may tell your carousing friends that Uncle Zachary knows a man - whom not one of them can imitate in that respect who can shame them all, and drink every one of them under the table. And if they ask you who this "I must confess, a good many suppositions suggested themselves to me; but I never believed that anything very disagreeable could have happened." "Nor has there; but what says your conscience? Has that not trembled at the idea that the old growler of an uncle had got wind of the pranks of his neph-great unknown is, whom they, the sons ew?" "What pranks do you refer to, uncle?" asked Albert; and it seemed to me he looked somewhat abashed. "Don't know,” replied Uncle Zachary; "but I feel it in my bones that you have done something out of the way, -just as I used to when I was in the service. Had a number of young folks round me; could always tell by their looks; don't exactly know how it happened, but I did; and in your case it appears to me very much the same. An old huntsman can easily find the track." “I assure you, uncle —” of decent and respectable parents, try to outdo with all their might and main, just tell them it is the swine-herd of Baltzum, who can empty an eighth-cask of beer in the forenoon, and gulp down a quart of bad liquor in the afternoon. Understand? A glass of beer is a very good thing in its way; but your carousals are not, most decidedly not. Thunder and Mars! you might know that yourselves, — I am sure you do, too, — and yet you keep it up all the time." Albert did not say a word in reply, and it seemed to me as though uncle had touched another sore point. "But here I am babbling, as if I were my sister. Now to the point! Will you do me a favor, Albert?" With all my heart, uncle!" "Don't promise too hastily; we shall see! Have you, accidentally," - Uncle Zachary fixed his eyes upon me, -"heard anything about a family in the city by the name of Bernitz?" "Indeed I have; they are quite well known." 66 "Never mind, now, I may be mistaken; certainly have no positive knowledge yet. But let me tell you one thing: I can pardon much, with one single exception, which is, when a son distresses and grieves his mother. Understand? Therefore, if there is anything, anywhere—may be wellyou know-whatever it be, you will immediately report to Uncle Zachary, comprehend? without allowing even a breath thereof to come to your mother's ears. That uncle will, of course, give you a thundering blowing-up, that'll make you shake and quake; but he'll be on hand -understand?-and spare the poor woman, who is troubled and annoyed enough at her brother, without additional grief and sorrow over her son! There, that will do! "So he is; at the same time, however, And mind, what I have just said is also he looks after the interests of our society." meant for that young sprig there, who "Highly important interests they must takes canes out for an airing at early be, I warrant! But that is only a seconddawn! Comprehend? But this is not ex-ary consideration. Are you well acquaintactly what I had on my mind. I shall ed with him?" now inform you why I had you come here." 'What can you tell me about them?" "The son is studying law, like myself, and is the senior of our society." "H-m!" said Uncle Zachary; "the senior, I suppose, is he who arranges and presides at your drinking-bouts?" "Intimately, sir.” "H-m! And go to see him, some Uncle Zachary stopped a moment. I times?" 66 Certainly, uncle! we do occasionally traction, that the father came here with take a gl- a cup of tea in his den-in rather a small fortune, and that, owing to his room, I inean." lucky speculations, he has made himself "So, so! Do you know any of the very rich, and gained a good standing in family besides?" "I cannot say that I am well acquainted with the family; but Hans Bernitz has introduced me to his parents, and I have dined with them twice; the second time only the day before yesterday." society. At the present time, his is the very first house in the city; he has given his daughter a dowry of one hundred thousand thalers, and married her off to a Hamburg Croesus. People say that the boys, at their father's death, are likely to "So!-and how many children are inherit twice that sum each." there?" 'Three, "And, Albert, are those people really two sons and one daughter; so much and so universally respected in the latter is married." the city?" "H-m! And have been received very pleasantly by them? Tell me something more about them." "Well, sir, I hardly know much about them; they asked me some questions about papa, how long ago he died, and several other questions." "As far as I know, uncle, they are. And how could it be otherwise? Where there is much money, there also mankind will bestow their favors and adulations." "H-m! that sounds very wise, and yet is most confoundedly silly! But all this is not what I want to ask of you. Will "Have they also asked you your moth-you do me the favor to cultivate the ac er's maiden name?" "No, sir." "Did they inquire about me?" 66 quaintance of your senior as much as possible?" "Why, certainly, sir, if that is all you I hardly believe, uncle, they know of want." your existence even." "Yes; but in such a manner, that you "So much the better, by Jove! So will receive frequent invitations, not to much the better!" a cup of tea, as you before remarked, - "But mind, they are never to know — mind you, never· - that you have the honor of descending, be it only on the maternal side, from the Aumanns, and that you have a cousin, a nice young fellow, who – well, who accidentally bears the same name by which the estate which that Mr. Bernitz owns in Silesia is called. Do you "Have you, in any way, intimated to them that you have a cousin whose name is Leo von Oberg? "No, sir. I hardly know why not, I take it all in?" never thought of it." "Uncle Zachary," Albert went on to say, I can only repeat that I know but Albert remained silent; our uncle's very little about the Bernitz family. commission was, evidently, no agreeable Everybody knows, and I suppose you do one to him; he blushed, bit his lips, and likewise, that they are of Bohemian ex-looked very dejected. The poor fellow was visibly embarrassed, and I resolved | mother, you, are all ruined! And to-day, to divert uncle's attention from him for a when, after a fruitless strife during all moment, in order to give him time to com- these years, an opportunity is at last prepose himself. senting itself of catching your arch-fiend 66 “I should not like such a commission in in a snare, of recovering the fortune the least," I ventured to remark. "And why not, Master Pert?" “Pray, uncle, do not be angry. I do not think it right to cultivate anybody's acquaintance for the purpose of making public his family secrets." In saying this, I did what most likely has happened to the reader many a time. I tried to give a form to an impulse of feeling, without thinking much what I did; and this form, as I noticed, to my sincere regret, only after I had finished, hurt Uncle Zachary's feelings deeply. I therefore added, quickly, "I do by no means wish to imply that you have done wrong, uncle. Oh! I never thought of such a thing, even; I do not be angry at me—pray don't!" Much to my surprise, however, I saw that my mother's brother had turned very red in the face while I spoke, which was with him, always, the first and unmistakable sign of a violent burst of passion. Quite unexpectedly, however, he got up from his chair, and went towards the entrance of the arbor, looked fiercely about him for a few moments, - turning his cane like a mill-wheel in his convulsively twitching fingers, — and then, turning to me, who was half-dead with fright, he showed me a face, on which a terrible emotion was depicted. - which he has taken from you, by the most villanous fraud, to-day, — ha! —” "To-day, uncle," I exclaimed, passionately, "God has put the same words into my mouth, which he then did into my father's! You are my guardian, and, as such, you are not to lessen my inheritance. I have inherited nothing from my father, save his unsullied honor, and the noble maxim which you but just repeated: 'Do no wrong! use honest weapons even against scoundrels, and put your trust in the Lord's own judgment!' This inheritance you have no right to touch. I shall claim it from you some day. Do- act as you please; but commit no wrong in my behalf!" Uncle The reader will be greatly astonished at seeing such conscious energy so suddenly developed in a boy of fifteen, who has been guilty of so many boyish tricks. I believe I should have been most astonished myself, had not my heart throbbed in my breast almost to bursting. Zachary stared at me in amazement; while Albert, roused from his apathetic embarrassment, had jumped up and seized both my hands. It is inexplicable to me to this day whence I took the courage to speak as I did. I trembled violently, and tears ran down my cheeks, when I approached my uncle. "Uncle Zachary, pardon me! You, who are so kind, so generous towards us, forgive me!" But the old man refused to take my hand; he turned his face aside, and his voice sounded cold and sarcastic, when he replied, "The noble blood cannot deny itself! You are evidently in the best way of resembling your father, as you grow up, my nephew. He was a man of honor, in “Boy!" he said, with trembling voice, "who has taught you those words which you have just heaped upon my heart like so many rocks? Who has told you that your unhappy father said the very same to me when I wanted to save him, while it was yet possible to save him? Speak! Are you aware that the estate of Oberg, in Silesia, has been the heirloom in your family for centuries, until that scoundrel of a Bernitz wrenched it from your father's hands by the most infamous intrigues? the strictest sense of the word, and exAre you aware that it might have been possible, even then, to save all, had he followed my advice, instead of telling me, • Do no wrong! let us use honest weapons even against scoundrels, and put our trust in the Lord's own judgment'? has been the consequence? posed his family to want and misery. Hold fast to your views of right and wrong, my young fellow; we shall take good care that your mother does not starve in her old age. You, Albert, may now And what take the return train; forget what I told He, your you about the Bernitz family. Baron von |