Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-05-03
The Little White Angel.

door OF the village school.house one lovely
summer morning.
They were all talking pleasantly together,
from Kline, the son Of the rich and proud
Hoimester, to little blue-eyed Carl, the only
child Of the poor baker.
1t is very true that Kline wore velvet
Jacket richly embroidered, while Carl's 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
TIL children become grown people, for PHYS
sake, before you expect them to measure each
others worth by what they possess or wear.
"Thene schooImaster, Mcinheer Friedrich,
comes tomorrow" said Otto. 81 am so
gadi | am weary Of old Master Hoffman.
with his crooked problems and hard lessons" :"
So was |, truely," said Kline, who. al.
though a good merry boy, hated his books as
he did medicine"
All, thou didst always like to play better
than work, my Kline" said Max, " and so do
|. 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 scamper-
ed, laughing and shouting as only school-boys
can.
The following day the boys were standing
around the school-house, when the door open
ed, and Master Friedrich himself. appeared.
and cried, in a CHEEKY, hearty voice
Welcome, my children '
Welcome, master :" cried they.
And now they entered and took their seats,
and were quite still while the good master
read a short chapter in the Book of books,
and then reyerently 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
irown, and wish impatiently for the recess,
and wonder why Latin dictionaries were ever
when, as if by magic, they found
themselves listening to the pleasant voice of
Master Friedrich, and actually understanding
their lessons-so clear and simple were his
explanations; and the time for recess came
to their great astonishment, long before they
had expected.
When the studies were over, the master
drew from his desk box, and whilst the chill.
dren 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 children with
loving words.
But the most lovely thing of all was lit
tie porcelain statue Of an angel. She stood
so fair, so pure-with hersmall white hands
oded over her breast, and her eyes uplifted,
and the children gazed enchanted.
Oh, the dear angel the beautiful angel :"
cried they all "Wilt thou not give it to me,
Master Friedrich 2"
But the good master smiled and said
The little angel is too lovely to be given
% any boy who is not good and true of heart.
We shall presently see who shall deserve her.
He who brings me tomorrow the brightest
hing on earth, shall have the angel"
At this the children looked at each other.
rs If wondering what the good master might
mean. But he said no more, and they went
lome thoughtfully.
The next day, after the lessons (which had
low become 50 pleasantly were finished, the
children clustered around the master to show
lim what they had brought
Some Of the smaller ones had picked IN
sparkling stones on the road, and as they held |
hem in the sunlight, were sure they must be !.
bright and precious.
Some had polished up shilling till it shone
ike little crown one brought watch
'rystal which his father had given him, and
which he considered wonder Of transparent
brightness and Kline the rich Hofmeister's
on, had brought paste buckle, made to
initiate diamonds, than which, in his opinion,
'othing could be brighter.
All these things were placed on the mas.
er's desk, side by side. The shilling shone
way famously ; the pebbles and watch.crys-
al did their best but Klnes buckle was
he brayest of all.
All, mines the brightest" shouted Kline
tapping his hands
But where is little Carl 2" said Master
friedrich. He ran out just now now."
All eyes were turned to the door, when
resontly in rushed Carl, breathess. In his
ands, held up lovingly against his neck, was
poor little snow-white dove. Some crimson
rops upon the downy breast showed that it
as wounded.
Oh, MASTER" cried Carl, {" was look.
g for something bright when | came upon
lis poor little white dove. Some cruel boys
ere tormenting it, and caught it quickly
I'D ran here. Oh, fear it will die"
Even as he spoke the dove soft eyes grew I
my, it nestled closer in Carl's neck, then I
I'VE faint cry, drooped its little head and
ed,
Carl sank on his knees beside the masters .
,sk' and from his eyes there fell upon the i
bite doves poor broken wing two tears large y
ID bright. d
The master took the dead dove from his I
nds, and laid ii tenderly down on the desk 7
tn the bright things, then raising Carl, he b
ftly said, My children, there is no bright.
thing on hearth than tender, pitHag
art"
Tie boys were silent for Il moment, for b
ey felt that the master had decided that D
ri had rightly won the angel. Then Kline a
ID out s.