Year: 1863

the governess, conveying the shocking
intelligence that the dear little child had
died suddenly in a fit!


at will readily be believed that my
brotherin-law's portrait, beautiful as it
was, had now become an object of super
| stition, almost Of aversion, IN the family |;
it was therefore removed from the dining.
room, and carefully hung in large hall
filled with family pictures which we call
the gallery My husband had selected
place for it over the entrance door,
where it was partly hidden, as he wished
to spare his poor mother as much as pos
sible the painful "reminiscences which the
sight of the fatal picture Tas sure to
awaken.


MANY years elapsed-indeed, it is but
ten years ago since my much regretted
fathcrin law died. Ny poor husband
was, as you all know, deeply affected at
his loss; he tended his poor father
through his last illness with the most de-
voted affection and tenderness, and after
the last sad parting. when we women,
overcome with sorrow and fatigue, had
retired to our rooms, he still remained
sitting by his fathers corpse. After
some time he became uneasy, and could
no longer bear the dead silence of the
chamber Of death. He got up, and paced
to and fro, and almost tunconSc!ouSly bent
his steps toward the gallery. He en-.
deavored to enter, but some impediment
closed the way. He pushed the door
with force, and in 80 doing removed his
brothers picture, which had again fallen
to the floor


"Since that time no death in the fam
lily has occurred, but we are Of course all
convinced that the same thing will hap
pen when any one of US is called to his
or her last account"


This lady's story was told with so
much simplicity and good feeling that all
present were impressed with the csnvic-
tion OF it's truthfuness, the more so that
the narrator bears the highest character
for veracity and straightforwardness.


Another tale related on this occasion is
to be found in many old German books,
but except to readers we'll versed in the
lore of ancient German legend, it is pro-
| badly quite unknown. 1t was told me by
near and dear friend of mine, member
Of the family to whom this tradition be-
longs, and person in whose veracity
place the greatest possible confidence
Thus, then, runs the tale:


THE GOLD RING,


ain olden times there lived a most beau
tiful, piouS and amiable Frau Won Alven-
sleben, who was respected and beloved by
her friends and the high and mighty of
the land, and looked up to and adored by
her dependents and the poor, who for
many miles around felt the benefit of her
loving charities


" This favorite of fortune and nature
had, however, one drop of gall mixed in
her cup of happiness, which had well nigh
! imbittcred the whole Of her precious gifts.
She was 2hildless, and it was no small
| grief to her lord as well as to herself to be
| denied an heir to their noble name and
vast possessions. Frequently, when more
than usually oppressed by sad thoughts,
she would wander forth and seek, in as
suaging the sorrows Of others, relief to
her own painful reflections On one oc
casion, as in pensive mood she was return
ing from one of these chartible visits to
the sick and poor of her villages, her way
led through long avenue of we'll grown
trees, bordering the banks of the Elbe.-
Slowly she walked with eyes cast on the
ground, when her steps were suddenly ar
rested by a little dwarf, who stood re-
spectfully before her. She was startled at
first, but, seeing him look Smilingly at
her, she soon regained her composure, and
in u kind manner asked him what he
wanted.


"'Most gracious lady quoth the dwarf,
call wish is TO give you brighter hopes,
and to foretell that your future will be as
happy as YOU deserve. Within a year
from this time you will be blest with three
sons at birth [irillinge.] pray you to
accept this ring, continued he, handing
her very large gold ring most cuiously
wrought; have 1t divided into three equal
parts, and when your sons are of an age
to understand the trust, give one piece to
each of them to keep as taliSman against
evil. AS long as it remains in the family
the AlvenSlebens will prosper


with these words the kind little man
disappeared but his prophecy was re-
allied, and his injunctions were carefully
obeycd. The three sons lived to form the
source of three distinct lines Of the Alven-
sleben family, and are distinguished by
the names of the Black, the White, and
| the Red line.


Years nay, centuries-rolled by, but
the three pieces of the ring were carefully
preserved by the descendants n the three
| brothers.


"The age of superstition had net passed
away. Frederick the Great was mighty,
and he scotfed at all things Voltaire, his
friend and teacher, sneered at every Spe-
cies of belief, and the courtiers thought il
becoming to initiate their master and his
favorite.


"A gay party was seated on the bal
cony of the Castle Of Randau, which
overhangs the muddy, colored, shallow,
and vet sometimes treacherous, river
Elbe. Amongst the company were sew
eral gay young officers of the Royal Huz-
Ears, then stationed at Magdeburg, who
| had ridden over to pay their devoirs to
the fair lady Of the manor, the Frau Won
AlvenSleben of the Red line, famous
beauty at rederick's court. Although
the mother of three fine boys, her beauty
was at the zenith, and her sharp, ready
wit. and satirical, sceptical turn of mind
had won for her as many admirers as her
rare personal attractions. -


g. never believe in anything that
do not feel or See,' said the lady with a
bright laugh, continuing nm animated
conversation about second sight and ghosI
seers; nor do / care just now to believ'
ing in anything but that these strawber,
ries are delicious added she, holding up
a ruddy berry that the air is pure anc
balmy, my companions most agreeable
and life always charming and agreeable