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THE LILY-STALK.
“I was still hesitating to leave the spot, for I was irresolute as to what I should
do, when Frau Elizabeth came to the door and asked me to summon my mother
to her, and then to go about the neighborhood and obtain if possible some news
of the husband. ‘Mary begs you particularly to do this,’ said she.
“ ‘Can I not speak to her once more?’ answered I.
“ ‘That will not do,’ said Frau Elizabeth, and we parted.
“In a short time I reached our dwelling; my mother was ready to go down the
very same evening and assist the young stranger. I hurried down to the lower
district and hoped to obtain the most trustworthy news at the bailiff’s. But he
was himself still in uncertainty, and as he knew me he invited me to spend the
night with him. It seemed to me interminably long, and I constantly had the
beautiful form before my eyes, as she sat rocking to and fro on the animal, and
looked down at me with such a look of sorrowful friendliness. Every moment I
hoped for news. I did not grudge, but wished for the preservation of the good
husband, and yet could so gladly think of her as a widow. The flying detachment
by degrees came together again, and after a number of varying reports the truth
at last was made clear, that the carriage had been saved, but that the unfortunate
husband had died of his wounds in the neighboring village. I also heard, that
according to the previous arrangement some had gone to announce the sorrowful
news to Frau Elizabeth. I had accordingly nothing more to do, or aid in, there,
and yet a ceaseless impatience, a boundless longing, drove me back through
mountain and forest to her door. It was night; the house was shut up. I saw light
in the rooms, I saw shadows moving on the curtains, and so I sat down upon a
bench opposite, continually on the point of knocking, and continually held back
by various considerations.
“Yet why do I go on relating circumstantially what in point of fact has no
interest. Enough! Even the next morning they did not let me into the house. They
knew the sad occurrence, they did not want me any more; they sent me to my
father, to my work; they did not answer my questions; they wanted to get rid of
me.
“They had been treating me this way for a week, when at last Frau Elizabeth
called me in. ‘Tread gently, my friend,’ she said; ‘but come in with good
comfort!’ She led me into a cleanly apartment, where, in the corner, through the
half-opened bed-curtains, I saw my fair one sitting. Frau Elizabeth went to her as
if to announce me, lifted something from the bed and brought it towards me: a
most beautiful boy wrapped in the whitest of linen. Frau Elizabeth held him just
between me and his mother, and upon the spot there occurred to me the lily-stalk
in the picture, growing out of the earth between Mary and Joseph, in witness of a
pure relationship. From that instant my heart was relieved of all oppression; I
was sure of my aim and of my happiness. I could freely walk towards her, speak
to her; I could bear her heavenly look, take the boy in my arms, and press a
hearty kiss upon his brow.
“ ‘How I thank you for your affection for this orphan child!’ said the mother.
“I exclaimed, thoughtlessly, and passionately: ‘It is an orphan no longer, if
you are willing!’
“Frau Elizabeth, wiser than I, took the infant from me, and managed to send
me away.
“The recollection of that time still serves me constantly for my happiest
diversion when I am obliged to roam through our mountains and valleys. I am
still able to call to mind the smallest circumstance — which, however, it is but
fair that I should spare you.
“Weeks passed by: Mary had recovered and I could see her more frequently.
My intercourse with her was a series of services and attentions. Her family
circumstances allowed her to live where she liked. At first she stayed with Frau
Elizabeth; then she visited us, to thank my mother and me for so much friendly
help. She was happy with us, and I flattered myself that this came to pass partly
on my account. Yet, what I should have liked so much to say, and dared not say,
was finally mooted in a strange and charming fashion when I took her into the
chapel, which I had already transformed into a habitable hall. I showed and
explained to her the pictures one after the other, and in so doing I expatiated in
such a vivid heartfelt manner upon the duties of a foster-father, that tears came
into her eyes, and I could not get to the end of my description of the pictures. I
thought myself sure of her affection, although I was not presumptuous enough to
wish to blot out so soon the memory of her husband. The law compels widows to
one year of mourning; and certainly such a period, which comprehends within it
the change of all earthly things, is necessary to a sensitive heart, in order to
soothe the painful impressions of a great loss. One sees the flowers fade and the
leaves fall, but one also sees fruits ripen and fresh buds germinate. Life belongs
to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for a change.
“I now spoke to my mother about the matter which I had most at heart. She
thereupon revealed to me how painful the death of her husband had been to
Mary, and how she had recovered again only at the thought that she must live for
the sake of the child. My attachment had not remained unknown to the women,
and Mary had already familiarized herself with the notion of living with us. She
stayed some time longer in the neighborhood, then she came up here to us, and
we lived for a while longer in the godliest and happiest state of betrothal. At last
we were united. That first feeling which had brought us together did not
disappear. The duties and joys of foster-father and father were combined; and
thus our little family, as it increased, surpassed indeed its pattern in the number
of its individuals, but the virtues of that example, in truth and purity of mind,
were kept holy and practised by us. And hence also we maintain with kindly
habitude the outward appearance which we have accidentally acquired, and
which suits so well our inward disposition; for although we are all good walkers
and sturdy carriers, yet the beast of burden remains constantly in our company,
in order to carry one thing or another, when business or a visit obliges us to go
through these mountains and valleys. As you met us yesterday, so the whole
neighborhood knows us; and we are proud of the fact that our conduct is of a
kind not to shame those holy names and persons whom we profess to follow.”
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