The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-08-22
n, Carbon County, Penna., August 22 1891


they were out of sight.
Upon the whole, Gerda's seat was
very pleasant; the grass was fresh and
newly mown, and the edges Of the en-
banlment were fringed with gay
flowers. There was wide sl1y-view,
and not a sound to break the silence,
except the occasional rattle of pot or
pan in the house-yard, where her mother
was at work.
But it must be very pleasant pros
pect which does not grow distasteful
when seen day after day for many
years.
Did Gerda have no unhappy, weari-
some years? If so her face did not tell
their history.
She was quite content with the little
changes which her cheerful spirit
could detect in her monotonous life.
A new hymn tune, a book at fair-time.
OF fresh knitting pattern, we're her
only excitements, and she made up her
mind to be satisfied with them.
So she sat there knitting and singing
softly, until she concluded that her
young friends presentation at the
castle must be over, and began to long
for their return.
Presently, a small, low chaise, drawn
by white ponies, came along the
road
Tt held two ladies, one with gray
hair, while the other was still very
young, scarcely past early girlhood, yet
with pale, worn face, and large, sad
eyes.
The latter checked the reins she
saw Gerda, and whispered to her COM
panion, who said, aloud;
Little girl, why are you not with the
village lasses at the castle?"
81 cannot CO." answered Gorda; 81
am unable to walk"
"Have you been ill?"
mo, 1 am always we'll, thank you; but
l am cripple"
You we're singing the hymn they
have been singing there, remarked the
younger lady.
Oh, yes, said Gerda; like to do all
1 can; it is but little.
Are you not dull sometimes?" asked
the lady, kindly
No, answered Gerda. Just now am
expecting them back with all the news
of the castle.
The strangers. exchanged glances.
We have been there, too, one said.
What would you like to hear?
About the princess, said Gerda. Did
she look happy?
The young lady bent forward, and
spoke very gently.
The poor princess may well envy you,
little girl
But she needn't said Gerda, looking
up, brightly Heavens will is goodfor
the princess as well as for me.
Gerda almost fancied that tears
came into the great brown eyes; but a
beautiful smile broke over her pale
face.
Win you tell me your name? she
asked The princess will like to hear
the name of the girl who wishes her so
well, though she cannot come to see
her.
l am Gerda Hansler, said the girl.
And then the lady touched the little
ponies, and they whlrled away, but be-
fore they passed out of sight she turned
to leave parting smile with crippled
Gerda, and Gerda wondered who they
could be.
That evening the Princess Olga sat
in her dressing-room.
q Her diamond tiara was put aside, her
beautiful hair was unbound, and her
attendants had departed save one-the
gray-haired Fraulin Won Gutenberg
= who had been the early friend of the
> dead grand duchess, and who called the
:, princess 'My darling" instead of ''Youl
Highness."
"My darling" she said, 'the pleasant
- excitement of the day has done you
good. You look quite bright"
All, answered the princess, all thanks
:, to little Gerda Hansler, She did mo-
think that must be happy because o
;, my soul,like laden chains, but she re
minded me that they we're as much tn,
will of Heaven as her own bodily suffer
ing, If she can smile as she carries he
y" heavy cross, should not I smile thougl
thorn grow amid the roses Of m!
: crown? Heavens will is good for botI
- she said. That lesson is my best birth
day gift, and l must learn how mus
'u serve the giver.