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Page 9
* * * * *
"Who can that be!" exclaimed Mistress Ulrica Eugenia as the gig entered
the court-yard, "who is that elegant young man descending the door
steps? is it possible that he is my nephew little Gottlieb?"
"Yes he is, my dear Aunt Ulrica, I was little Gottlieb, but I have grown
up to be big Gottlieb," answered a cheerful voice, and the next moment
the young man whose acquaintance we have before made, embraced the lady
warmly, and then heartily shook his uncle's extended hand. Uncle Fabian
however, was not overjoyed at his wife's determination of introducing
into his house a stripling who might perhaps become a spy upon his
actions and make reports that would call forth the entire vigor of his
wife's tongue.
After the first torrent of welcomings, questions and answers,--for Mr.
H---- did not dare do otherwise than to cordially welcome his guest--had
subsided, and the family had entered the dining room, and the hostess
had pressed the acceptance of a third cup of tea upon the young man, who
was already sufficiently heated without undergoing this ordeal; she thus
addressed him:--
"Now, my dear little Gottlieb, you look remarkably well, you little
rogue. Is it really true that you have made this long journey to see us
on foot?"
"It is indeed true; this green coat is my usual costume when I do not
wear a blouse, which is my favorite garment. My better apparel is
contained within my knapsack, and thus I have given you an invoice of my
wardrobe, which you see, my dear aunt, is not very extensive."
"But your under-clothes, my child?"
"What, under-clothes, do you think I could give my dear uncle so much
trouble as to bring linen clothes with me?"
"What a careless fellow you are!"
"'You have now,' said my mother, when I took my leave, 'you have now
four rare pieces of linen, styled shirts; but when you return, you must
travel by steam, for you will undoubtedly possess twenty-four!'"
"Ah!" replied his aunt, with a smile, "I understand you now."
"How do you understand me?" inquired Gottlieb.
"As belonging to that class of persons, sir, who never find themselves
at a loss," replied uncle Fabian, in a tone of voice which he intended
should be overwhelming.
Gottlieb, however, was not inclined to be thus easily driven from the
field. "You have hit the nail upon the head," said he, with an assumed
expression of respect for the decision of his uncle, "and it is by the
means of that very trait of character which you have mentioned, that I
hope to work myself through the world, although I am only the son of a
poor secretary in a government office, who is embarrassed by debt and a
large family, thus you perceive I cannot depend solely upon the whims of
fortune."
"What then are your prospects for the future?" inquired the lady
seriously.
"I have but one," replied Gottlieb.
"And what is that?"
"My plan is very simple, I have thoroughly studied financial matters,
and in the fall intend to help my father in his office, so that he can
spare the services of his two assistants. He will then have only one
salary to pay; but I think that I can do the work of three, and as I
intend to become a model of order, capability and energy, I hope to be
able to win the favor of the head of the treasury department, so that
when my father, who at present is in a very feeble state of health,
shall be obliged to resign, I may be appointed in his stead. This is my
plan."
"You are a shrewd young man," said Mistress Ulrica.
"It is not necessary to be shrewd when the high road is plain before
you."
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