The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-12-26
The Little white Angel.

summer evening,
They were all talking pleasantly together,
from Kline, the son of the rich and proud
Hofmcister, to little blue-cyed Carl, the only
child ofthc poor baker. ~
y 1t is very trne that Kline wore velvet
jacket, richely embroidered, while Carts coat
was old, and his wooden shoes were rough
enough, in all conscience. But what of that
If they were good friends, what difference did
that make, should like to know! Wait
till children become grown people, for PHYS
sake, before you expect them to measure
each others worth, by what they possess or
wear.
"Thc new schoolmaster, Meinheer Fried
rich, comes tomorrow" said Otto. al am
so glad. was weary of that old Master
Hoffman, with his crookcd problems, and
hard lessons"
$50 was I, truly" cried Kline, who, al
though a good, merry boy, hated his books
as he did medicine. 's fs@~s 81 &
"Alrl thou didst always like play better
than work, my Kline" said Max; "and so
do I. Meinheer Friedrich will be wise if he
keeps thee and me apart during school hours.
But come-see which can get home first
one, two, three ~ and away they all scamp
cred, laughing and shouting as only school
boys can. ..a ,f .f. H..
The following day the boys were standing
around the school-housc, when the door
opened, and Master Friedrich himself appear
ed, and cried, in CHEEKY, hearty voice:
Welcome, my childrcn!''
Welcome, Masterr cried they.
And now they entered, and took their
seats, and were quite still while the good
master read short chapter in the Book Of
Books aud then, revercntly kneeling, prayed
that the dear Saviour would guide him in his
teachings, and bless them, and send His holy
spirit to watch over them all.
School began; the thumb-worn books
were brought out; the lazy boys began to
sigh and frown, and wish impatiently for the
recess, an wonder why Latin dictionaries
were ever invented; when, as if by magic,
they found themselves listening to the pleas
ant voice of Master Friedrich, and actually
understanding their lcssons-so clear and
simple were his explanations; and the time
for recess came, to their great astonishnen:,
long before they had expected.
When the studies were over, the master
drew from his desk a box, and whilst the
children gathered around, he opened it, and
drew out charming little white and puk sea-
shcels, pretty pictures, aud many other beau
tiful things, which he gave to the children,
with loving words.
But the most lovely thing Of all WAS lit
tie porcelain Statuettc of an angel. She stood
so fair, so pure-with her small white
hands folded over her breast, and her eyes
upIifted, that the children gazed enchanted.
"0h, the dear angel! the beautiful angelr'
cried they all. "Wit thou not give it to me,
Master FricdrichT' r. f
But the good man smiled, and said:
"Thc little angel is too lovely to be given
to any boy who is not good and true of
heart. We shall presently see who will de-
serve her. lie who brings me tomorrow the
brightest thing on earth shall have the an
gel"
At this the children looked at each other,
as IL wondering what the good master might |
mean. But he said no more, and they went
home thoughtful. t-
The next day, after the lessons (which had
now become SO pleasantly were finished, the
children clustered around the master, to
show him what they had brought. |
Some Of the smaller ones had picked up
sparkling stones on the road and as they
held them in the sunlight were sure they
must be something bright and precious.
Some had polished up shilling, till it
,hone like little crown; one brought
which hi, father had given him,
md which he considered a. wonder of trans
parent brightness; and Kline, the rich HofF-
neister's son, had brought a paste. buckle,
made to initiate diamonds, than which. in.
ais opinion. nothing could be brightei.
All these things were placed on thcschool-
masters desk, side by side. The shilling
,hone away famously, the pebbles and watch
:rystal did their best, but Klinc's buckle was
Inc bravcst Of all.
"Ahl mines the brightest !" shouted Kline,
.lappiug his hands. i-'
"But where ia little CarlF' said Master
Tridcrich; "he ran ont just now."
All eyes were turned to the door, when
presently in rushed Carl, brcathless. In bis
nands, held up lovingly against his neck,
vas a poor little snow-white dove. Some
'rirnsOn drops nPOn the dOwny breast showed
hat it was wounded. ss-~-- ..
"Oh. masterr' cried Carl, II was looking
or something bright, when came upon this
Door little white dove. Some cruel boys
we're tormenting it, and caught it tquickly,
md ran here. Oh, fear it will die"
Il - a i