The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-04-06
TRIED THRICE.

A1Cu, CoHleS UDfIOrrOW, Sulu OJtO.
81 am so gladl / was weary of that old
master, Hoffman, with his crooked prob
LENS and hard lessons"
The following day the boys were stand
Ing around the schoolhouse, when the door
opened, and Biaster Friedrich himself ap-
peared and cried in n CHEEKY, hearty voice:
"Welcome, my children!"
"Welcome, master!" they cried.
And now they entered and took their
seats, and school began. The thumb worn
books were brought out, the lazy boys be-
gan to sigh and frown and wish impatient
ly for the recess and wonder why Latin
dictionaries were ever invented, when, IN
II by magic, they found themselves listen
ing to the pleasant voice of Master Freid.
Yich and actually understanding their les.
sons, so clear and simple were his e%xplana-
tons, and the time for recess Tame, to their
great astonishment, long before they had
expected.
When the studies were over, the master
drew from his desk 4 box, and while the
children gathered around he opened it and
drew out charming little white and pink
seashells and many other beautiful things,
which he gave to the children with loving
words.
But the most loving thing of all was a
little porcelain statuette of an angel. She
stood with her small white hands folded
over her breast and her eyes uplifted, and
the children gazed enchanted.
ooh, the beautiful ANGELO cried they
ell. "Wilt thou not give it to me, Master
Freidrich?"
"The little angel is too lovely to be Civ
en- to any little boy who is not good and
rue of heart. We shall see who will de-
serve her. He who brings me tomorrow
the brightest thing on earth shall have the
angel"
The next day after the lessons were ;n-
fshed the children clustered around the
master TO show him what they hai
brought. All these things were placed on
the schoolmaster's desk, side by SIDE. T."
shilling shone away famously, the rebiIts
and the watch crystal did their bess, BIZ.
Klne's buckle was the bravest of all.
"Ah, mines the brightest!' shouted
Kline, clappirg his bands.
"But where is little Carl?" said Master
Friedrich. ale ran out just now"
All eyes were turned to the door, when
presently in rushed Carl, breathless. IL his
hands, held up lovingly against his neck,
was n poor little n white dove. Some
crimson drops upon the downy breast
showed that it was wounded.
"Oh, MASTER" cried Carl, "I was look
ing for something bright, when came
upon this poor little white dove. Some
boys were tormenting it, and l caught 1t
quickly and ran here."
Even as he spoke the doves soft eyes
were filmy, it nestled closer in C~arl'sneck,
then gave II faint cry, dropped its little
head and died.
Carl sank on his knees beside the mas
ter's desk, and from his eyes there fell
upon the white doves poor broken wing
two tears, large aud bright.
The master took the dead dove from his
hands and laid it tenderly down on ths
desk with the bright things; then raising
Carl he softly said, "My children, there is
no brighter thing on earth than a plying
tear"
The boys were silent for a 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. Ipray thee give
us another trial"
"What sayest thou, Carl?" said Master
Friedrich.
ayes, give rs another trial" answered
the generous boy.
The good master smiled thoughtfully,
and his eyes rested for a moment lovingly
upon Carl. Then glancing round he said,
"He who brings me the loveliest thing on
earth tomorrow shall have the angel"
The children clapped their hands and
departed satisfied. After school the next
day Kline was the first to run up to Ma
ter 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 golden
tassel.
Max came next and placed beside the
cap a small silver watch, his last birthday
gift. Otto brought a great picture book,
just sent to him by his godmother; Ru-
dolph a tiny marble vase, richly sculp-
tured, and so On, until a still more motley
collection than before lay upon Master
Freidrich's desk.
Then poor little Carl stepped modestly
mp and placed in the masters hand a pure
white lily.
the word of God says: Behold the lilies OF
spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not
afoySo iihC oiS L ouOSS. SdTI udS fISuG-
~ chosen"
But murmurs arose. The children were
not satisfied, and again they asked for an
other trial.
"Now, this is the last time,'' said the
master. "He who brings me the best
thing on earth shall nave the angel"
"The very best thing on earth is plum
cake" cried Kline on the third day as he
walked up to the desk. bearing a large
cake richly frosted.
,"Nay, thou art wrong this time, Kline"
said Max. ~ asked my father what was
the very best thing on earth, and he
laughed and gave me this golden guilder.
The prize is mine!"
"Ah, but my father said that the very
best was a good glass of Rhenish wine"
cried Otto, land l have brought a bottle
Of it 80 years old. The prize is mine."
So they went on till they had placed
their offerings before their master.
"And thou, Carl?" said he. "What hast
thou brought which thou thinkest the
best N earth?"
j.. A crimson flush rose to the boys fore
head, and coming softly forward he took
from his breast a small, worn book and
then laid it down with the rest as he said
In a low, sweet voice, my mother, dear