St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, October 1878, No. 12 | Page 8

fathers.
Some time after, a letter came to the Post Inn for Stephan, causing
much curiosity in the village, as it was the first he had ever received. It
came from the Baron, who offered him an excellent situation on his
estate, under the forester, who, being childless and old, would not only
instruct Stephan in his duties, but would soon leave the management in
a great measure to him; moreover, he himself might hope to succeed as
Forester, if he found the life suited to his taste. A week was given him
for consideration. He did not at all like the idea of leaving his native
place, to which he was attached with that intensity of feeling said to be
peculiar to the mountaineers; but so good an offer was not to be refused,
especially as Herr Dahn and Brand both approved of his going. So the
letter was written to tell the Baron he would come in a few weeks, as

requested. Meantime his old master gave him an order for a zither of
the best quality, to be made of handsome wood, inlaid with
mother-of-pearl, and as the price was of no consequence, he was to
make it quite a specimen instrument, to show how well he could work.
Stephan was very much pleased with the commission, and when, at the
end of three weeks, it was finished, his delight was great when Herr
Dahn pronounced it "One of the very best he had ever had in his
warehouse, and quite fit for the king." The day came for Stephan's
departure, but it was not a sad one, as everything was arranged for him
to return in three months to fetch Gretchen, his old master's daughter,
who had promised to marry him, and Stephan's mother was to live with
them.
Stephan's letters were most satisfactory. He liked the new life and the
old Forester, and was sure Gretchen would admire the pretty houses,
the large balcony, along the rails of which he was growing some of the
beautiful dark carnations she was so fond of, and he knew she would
rejoice to see the glowing mountain-peaks rising from the dark pine
woods at sunset.
The wedding-day arrived at last, and in the course of the second
evening,--for the festivities lasted two days,--some strangers staying in
the village came up to see the dancing, which took place in a very large
room in the inn. Among them was the Baron Liszt, who, after dancing
the last waltz with Gretchen, requested the visitors would remain a few
minutes, as he had something to show them.
A box was then brought in by the hostess, dressed in her best costume
and fur cap. She placed it with much solemnity before the Baron, who
lifted the lid, took out the beautiful zither that Stephan had made with
such care, and handing it to the pretty, blushing Gretchen, he said he
could offer her nothing better as a wedding gift than this specimen of
her husband's talent, which he hoped she would always keep and use as
a token of his respect and admiration for Bavarian honesty and truth.
Then, shaking hands with them both, he took leave amidst loud
acclamations and waving of hats; and so ended the wedding of Stephan
and Gretchen.

TROUBLES IN HIGH LIFE.
BY MRS. J. G. BURNETT.
[Illustration]
Two miniature mothers at play on the floor Their wearisome cares were
debating, How Dora and Arabelle, children no more, Were twice as
much trouble as ever before, And the causes each had her own cares to
deplore Were, really, well worth my relating.
Said one little mother: "You really don't know What a burden my life is
with Bella! Her stravagant habits I hope she'll outgrow. She buys her
kid gloves by the dozen, you know, Sits for cartes de visites every
fortnight or so, And don't do a thing that I tell her!"
Those stylish young ladies (the dollies, you know) Had complexions
soft, pearly and waxen, With arms, neck and forehead, as white as the
snow, Golden hair sweeping down to the waist and below, Eyes blue as
the sky, cheeks with youth's ruddy glow,-- Of a beauty pure Grecian
and Saxon.
"Indeed!" said the other, "that's sad to be sure; But, ah," with a sigh,
"no one guesses The cares and anxieties mothers endure. For though
Dora appears so sedate and demure, She spends all the money that I can
secure On her cloaks and her bonnets and dresses."
Then followed such prattle of fashion and style I smiled as I listened
and wondered, And I thought, had I tried to repeat it erewhile, How
these fair little Israelites, without guile, Would mock at my lack of their
knowledge, and smile At the way I had