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

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 stumbled and blundered.
And I thought, too, when each youthful mother had conned Her startling and touching narration, Of the dolls of which I in my childhood was fond, How with Dora and Arabelle they'd correspond, And how far dolls and children to-day are beyond Those we had in the last generation!

A TALE OF MANY TAILS.
BY KATHARINE B. FOOT.
Carry stood in the door-way with her dolly on one arm and her kitten hanging over the other. Kitty didn't look comfortable, but she bore up bravely, only