Year: 1862

On the outskirts Of the little town of
Bernau, with a garden between it and the
road, stands the house of Master Baptist
Heinzellmann, respectable citizen and
cabinet-maker, or Itschlermeister, as the
Germans call it, so surrounded and over
shadOwed by tall trees and shrubs, that it
reminds you of true contentment, which is
always quiet and retiring where it reigns
in the heart. Nimble branches climb
up the walls and over the root, so thick
and shady, that birds build their nests
among them, and rest every night under
the sheltering leaves. Besides this there
is no other garnishment or decoration to
be seen about the dwelling, although Mas
ter Heintzelmann is in very comfortable
circumstances. Asst had come down from
his father and grandfather, so stood the
house at the time of our tale; one story,
compact and solid. From the garden you
entered the spacious outer room, the ordi-
nary play-place of the children, and from
that into the living-room, and from that
into the large workshop, where Master
Heinzelmann kept his ten or dozen jour
neymen OF work from one years end to
another, without reckoning the appren-
tees. His business hourished greatly, for
the townsfolk preferred to 60 to him when
ever they had orders to give or purchases
to make. His workshop was tasteful and
durable, and what was more than all, he
overcharged no one, which pleased people,
and on that account they did not mind the
walk to his house, although it was, as be-
fore said, little off the road, and out Of
the way


What the house wanted in grandeur and
ornament, was made up by the content
ment and the gentle and full-hearted hap
piness which had taken up their abode
within it. Free from cares of whatever
sort, Master Heintzelmann passed his days
in the circle of his family. Providence
had bestowed on him a good-looking, in
telligent wife, and three healthy and lively
children, on which his whole affections
hung, and when they assembled each even
ing, after the labors of the day, none looked
comelier and happier than they. At sew
en- O'Clock, Master Heinzelmann left off
work, and dismissed his men; the noise of
saws, hammers and planes ceased, and a
peaceful stiffness reigned in the house; and
he, having put on his comfortable indoors
jacket, filled pipe, and looked about for
his family. In summer he found them
nearly always in the garden, or in the OUT
er room, near the open door, from whence
there was pleasant view over the sweet
scented flower beds. His wife welcomed
his coming with friendly nod and cheer
full smile, and the children ran to meet him,
clung to his hands, and strove to climb up
for a kiss. Such was Baptist Heinzelmann's
daily pleasure, abounding in all that makes
life happy. After lifting up and embrac-
ing his children, he would sit and listen to
their lively prattle, or watch their simple
sports, in which he himself often took a
part, while their mother made ready the
evening meal. When this was over, they
went and sat in the pretty summer-house,
and talked about the little occurrences of
the day. There was always something to
relate, concerning the children, or the
housekeeping, or the garden, or of other
matters, nor was there any lack of simple
gossip, which, however insignificant it
might seem, yet had a meaning and an in
terest for family bound together by the
strongest ties of love. Father, mother,
children, enjoyed the quiet gladness of
household into which the noise of the great
world without seldom penetrated. And in
what else does happiness consist, than in
gladness and contentment? He who pos
sesses them needs to ask for nothing fur
ther. Had Master Heinzelmann always
remembered that, he would have saved
himself from much toll and vexation.


One fine summer evening the fischer
meister left his workshop as usual, put on
his lounging.jacket, lit his pipe, and turn