The Home in the Valley | Page 8

but to change the
subject, it is long since you have made any hunting excursions, dear
Fabian, to-morrow you must go."

As Mistress Ulrica was determined that her husband should become a
skillful sportsman, she gave him rest neither night nor day, unless he
devoted at least two days of the week to hunting or fishing excursions.
Not that Mr. H---- was a sportsman; but that it afforded his wife great
pleasure to inform her guests, that a certain moorcock was killed by her
dear Fabian, or that he had caught the pike which then graced their
table, for, she would add complacently, her Fabian was well aware that
she took great delight in eating the game taken by his skillful hand.
Therefore there were no means of escape for him, he must by force
become a sportsman, for a wife who is laboring for the emancipation of
womankind, never will permit her desires to remain ungratified. During
the conversation the vehicle approached the mansion. Mr. Fabian H----,
during the entire ride, had thought upon the pipe and sofa which
awaited him upon his return, for he smoked like a Turk, and loved the
ease of oriental life. There was one pursuit, however, which afforded
him still greater pleasure, and that was to ogle other men's wives, for he
was an unfortunate son of Adam, never being able to discover beauties
which his wife might have possessed.
* * * * *
"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