|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 11
"As the old Norwegians, when they went to Iceland, threw their
high-seat pillars into the sea with the resolution to settle where
they should go ashore, so I send this out. My faith follows after;
and it is my conviction that where this alights, I shall one day
come, and salute you as my chosen, as my--." "Yes, now what more
shall I add?" he asked himself. "Ay, as my--'geb'--!" he added,
with an outburst of merry humor, that just completed the whole
sentimental outburst. He went to the window and threw the paper
out; it alighted with a slow quivering. He was already afraid that
it would go directly down into the ditch; but then a breeze came
lifting it almost up to himself again, then a new current carried
it away, lifting it higher and higher, whirling it, till at last
it disappeared from his sight in continual ascension, so he
thought.
"After all, I have become engaged to-day," he said to himself,
with a certain quiet humor, and yet impressed by a feeling that he
had really given himself to the unknown.
II.
Six years had passed, and Fritz Bagger had made his mark, although
not as a lover. He had become Counsellor, and was particularly
distinguished for the skill and energy with which he brought
criminals to confession. It is thus that a man of fine and poetic
feelings can satisfy himself in such a business, for a time at
least: with the half of his soul he can lead a life which to
himself and others seems entire only because it is busy, because
it keeps him at work, and fills him with a consciousness of
accomplishing something practical and good. There is a youthful
working power, which needs not to look sharply out into the future
for a particular aim of feeling or desire. This power itself, by
the mere effort to keep in a given place, is for such an
organization, every day, an aim, a relish; and one can for a
number of years drive business so energetically, that he, too,
slips over that difficult time which in every twenty-four hours
threatens to meet him, the time between work and sleep, twilight,
when the other half of the soul strives to awaken.
Be it because his professional duties gave him no time or
opportunity for courtship, or for some other reason, Fritz Bagger
remained a bachelor; and a bachelor with the income of his
profession is looked upon as a rich man. Counsellor Bagger would,
when business allowed, enter into social life, treating it in that
elegant, independent, almost poetic manner, which in most cases is
denied to married men, and which is one reason why they press the
hand of a bachelor with a sigh, a mixture of envy, admiration, and
compassion. If we add here that a bachelor with such a
professional income is the possible stepping-stone to an
advantageous marriage, it is easily seen that Fritz Bagger was
much sought for in company. He went, too, into it as often as
allowed by his legal duties, from which he would hasten in the
black "swallow-tail" to a dinner or soiree, and often amused
himself where most others were weary; because conversation about
anything whatever with the cultivated was to him a refreshment,
and because he brought with him a good appetite and good humor,
resting upon conscientious work. He could show interest in divers
trifles, because in their nothingness (quite contrary to the
trifles in which half an hour previous, with painful interest, he
had ferreted out crime), they appeared to him as belonging to an
innocent, childish world; and if conversation approached more
earnest things, he spoke freely, and evidently gave himself quite
up to the subject, letting the whole surface of his soul flow out.
And this procured him friendship and reputation.
In this way, then, six years had slipped by, when Counsellor
Bagger, or rather Fritz Bagger as we will call him, in remembrance
of his examination-day, and his notes by the flying mail, was
invited to a wedding-party on the shooting-ground. The company was
not very large,--only thirty couples,--but very elegant. Bagger
was a friend in the families of both bride and bridegroom, and
consequently being well known to nearly all present he felt
himself as among friends gathered by a mutual joy, and was more
than usually animated. A superb wine, which the bride's father had
himself brought, crowned their spirits with the last perfect
wreath. Although the toast to the bridal pair had been officially
proposed, Bagger took occasion to offer his congratulations in a
second encomium of love and matrimony; which gave a solid, prosaic
man opportunity for the witty remark and hearty wish that so
distinguished a practical office-holder as Counsellor Bagger would
carry his fine theories upon matrimony into practice. The toast
was drunk with enthusiasm, and just at that moment a strong wind
shook the windows, and burst open one of the doors, blowing so far
into the hall as to cause the lights to flicker much.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|