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

My master, thou didst not fairly explain
to US. Ipray thee give us another trial.
Yes, dear master" said Max, give u'
ono more trial"
What sayost thou, Carl p said Master
Friedrich.
Yes, dear master" said the generous boy
The good man smiled thougtfully, and his
| eyes rested for a moment lovingly upon Carl
then glancing around, he said
lie who brings me the lovcliest thing on
earth tomorrow shall have the angel
The children clapped their hands and de-
parted satisfied
After school the noxt, day, Kline was the
first to run up to Master Friedrich and lay
upon his desk what he considered the loveliest
thing in the whole world-his new soldier
cap, with the long scarlet feather, and bright
gold tassel
Max came next and placed beside the cap
small silvcr-watch, his last birthday gift
with bright steel watch-chain attached
Otto brought a great picture-book, just sent
him by his godmother Rudolph, tiny mar
bic vase, richly sculptured and so on, until
still more motley collection than before lay
upon Master Friedrichs desk
Then poor little Carl stepped modesty up
and placed in the masters hand pure lily.
The rich perfume filled the room, and bend
ing over the flower, inbaling the delicious
fragrance, the master softly said My chill
dren, the blessed Word Of God says, Behold
The lilies Of the valley they toll not, neither
do they spin yet Solomon in all his glory,
was not arrayed like one Of these Carl has
rightly chosen"
But murmurs arose; the children were not
satisfied and again they asked for another
trial
And, as before, good Master Friedrich
inquired
What sayest thou. Carl ?" And he an.
swered as before, with generous haste, " Yes,
dear Master"
" Now, this is the last time, said the mas
ter, " and he who brings me the best thing on
earth shall have the angel"
d" The very best thing on earth is plum
cake cried Kline, on the third day, as he
walked up to the desk bearing large cake
richly frosted, with wreath of sugar roses
around the edge. This he placed triumph.
antly before the master, sure of the prize.
Nay, thou art wrong this time, Kline "
said Max. asked my father what was the
very best thing on earth, and he gave me this
golden guilder. The prize is mine"
4" All, but my father, said that the very
best thing was a good glass Of Rhenish wne "
cried Otto, and ! have brought bottle of
it, thirty years old. The prize is surely mine. "
So they went on till all had placed their
offerings before the master
q A. i ~
thou brought which thou thinkest the best on
earth ?"
A crimson flush rose to the little boys fore
head and coming softly forward, he took from
his breast small, ,rorn Testament, pressed
it to his lips, and then reyerently laid it down
with the rest, as he said, in a low, sweet voice
My mother, dear master, says that Gods
precious Testament is far beyond all earthly
possessions"
'ris thine, my Carl cried the master.
snatching the boy to his breast. " The white
angel is thine for there is nothing in the wide
world half so precious as the blessed words of
Christ" And he placed the angel in the
hands Of the trembling boy.
Kline knit his brows. and gazed with anger
and disappointment at little Carl and the
rest, seeing him do this. felt themselves az.
grieyed but suddenly the cloud cleared from
kline's face, and rushing forward, he caught
Carl in his arms, crying. " Forgive me,
dear Carl ; now am right glad thou hast
won the prize"
All, the blessed effect of bright example,
Quickly joining hands, the children danced
joyfully around the little Carl, who stood in
the midst the white angel pressed to his
heart-his hair falling in curs on his shoul.
ders, and his eyes full of tears
The good Master Friedrich also wept for
joy, and prayed from the depth of his pure
and simple heart that the Saviour would bless
this lesson to the children's everlasting good. |
lie then turned away that none might per-
ceiye his tears.
But One in heaven saw them, Master
Friedrich