The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-03

/ around the sch0Olh0use, when the door open
cd, and Master Friedrich himself appeared
and cried in CHEEKY, hearty voice:
Welcome, my children =
welcome, master = cried they.
And now they entered and took their seat,
and were quite still while the good master
read short chapter in the Book Of Books
and then reyerently knealing, prayed thai
the dear Savior would guide them in hi
teachings, and bless them, and send His no.
ly spirit to watch over them oil.
/ School began the thumb-worn book,
were brought out; the lazy boys began tc
sigh and irown, and wish impatiently for tht
recess, and wonder why Latin dictionaries
were ever invented when, as II by magic
they found themselves listening to the pleas
ant voice Of Master Friedrich, and actually
understanding their lessons-so clear and
simple were his explanations; and the time
for recess came, to their astonishment, long
before they had expected.
When the studies were over, the master
drew from his desk box, and whilst the
children gathered around he opened it, and
drew out charming little white and pink
sea.shells, pretty pictures. and many other
beautiful things, which he gave to the child.
rem, with loving words.
But the most lovely thing ofal was lit.
tic porcelain statuette Of an angel. She
stood-so fair, 80 pure = with her small
white hands folded over her breast, and her
eyes uplitted, and tho children gazed en-.
chanted.
oh, the dear angel, the beautiful angel?'
cried they all. wilt thou not give it to
me, Master Friedrich p
But the good master smiled and said
The little angel is too lovely to be given
to any boy who is not good and true OF
heart. Weshall presently SEQ who shall de-
serve her. He who brings me Tomorrow
the brightest thing on earth shall have the
angel
At this tho children looked at each other
as II wondering what the good master meant.
But he said no more, and they went home
thoughtfully.
The next day, after the lessons (Which had
now become 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 light, they were sure they
must be something bright and precious.
Some had polished up shilling, till 1t
shone like little crown; one had brought q
watch crystal which his father had given
transparent brightness; and Kline, the rich
hoflmeitcr's son, had brought paste buckle
made to initiate diamonds, than which, in
his opinion, nothing could be brighter.
All these things were placed on the mas
tcrs's desk, side by side. The shilling shono
away famously, the pebbles and watch crys.
tai did their best, but Klino's buckle was
the brayest of all.
All mines tho brightest = shouted
Kline, clapping his hands.
But where is little Carl p said Master
Friedrich; he ran out just now
All eyes were turned to the door, when
presently in rushed Carl; brcathless. In his
hands, held up lovingly against his neck,
was poor little snow white dove. Some
crimson drops upon the snowy breast showed
that'it was wounded.
'Oh MASTER cried Carl, .. was looking
for; something bright, when l camo upon
this poor little white dove. Some cruel boys
were tormcnting it, and | caught it quickly,
and came here. Oh, | fear 1t will die
Even as he spoke the doves soft eyes grew
filmy, it nestled closer in Carl's neck, then
gave a faint cry, dropped its little head and
died.
Carl sank on his knees beside the master s
desk, and from his eyes there fell upon the
white doves poor broken wing, two tears
large and bright. :.
The master took the dead dove from his
hands, and laid it tcnderly down on the desk
with the bright things then, raising Carl,
he softly said my children, there is no
brighter thing on earth than q tender, pity
ing, tear
The boys were silent for moment, for
they felt that the master had decided that
Carl had rightly won the angel; then Kline
cried out:
MY master, thou didst not fairly explain
to us. pray thee, give us another trial."
Yes, dear MASTER" said Max, give us
one more trial.
What sayest thou, Carl p said Master
Friedrich.
Yes, dear master, answered the gcner-
Gus boy.
The good master smiled thoughtfully, and
his eyes rested moment lovingly on Carl,
then glancing around, he said
:. He who brings me the lovliest thing on
earth, tomorrow, shall have the angel
The children clapped their hands and do
parted satisfied.
After school the next day, Kline was the
first to run up to Master Friedrich, and lay
upon his desk what he consideaed the love-
liest thing in the whole world, his new sol.
dier cap, with the long scarlet feather, and
bright golden tassal.
Max came next, and placed beside the cap
small silver watch, his last birthday gilt,
with bright steel watch chain attached ;
Otto brought great picture book, just sent
him by his god-mother; Rudolph o tiny mar
bic vase, richly sculpturcd; and so on, un-
til still more motley collection than before
lay upon Master Friedrich's desk.
Then poor little Carl stepped modestly up,
and placed in the masters hand pure
white lilly.
The rich perfume filed the room, and
bending over the flower, inhaling tho deli
ctous fragrance, the master softly said-"My
children, the blessed word of God says, Be
hold the lilies of the valley they toll not,
neither do they spin, yet Soloman, in all his
glory, was not arrayed as one OF these.
Carl has rightly chosen"
But murmers arose the children were
not satisfied; and again they asked for an
other trial.