e of finely-polished wood, and,
with the aid of a soft brush and a bunch of feathers, succeeded in
producing wonderful effects. He even carried his brush and his
beautifying into the farm-yard, and teased Anton into consenting to a
general whitewashing of the mud walls. "They will dry in this weather
just as well as in summer," said he. "My only regret is, that I can't
wash the straw thatch." To make up for that, however, he was determined
to give the two new potato-carts and the best plow a coating of
beautiful blue oil-paint. "One must have something pleasant for the eye
to rest on here," said he, by way of apology. "And it will pay for
itself, for these Poles get on better with gayly-colored things."

The castle was temporarily arranged, and the arrival of the family
expected on a cold December day. The sky had carried out Karl's wishes,
most effectually covering the earth with a pure white mantle, and hiding
many an eyesore from the expected party. The snow lay thick on pasture
and sands, the summits of the pines wore white crowns, and the leafless
shrubs glittered with frost-crystals. The ugly straw thatches were
whitewashed to some purpose, the broken parapets of the bridge filled
up. Each projection of the castle walls, the top of the tower, the whole
roof, was capped with dazzling white, while the red-brown walls stood
out in bold relief below. Within, it was a busy and exciting day. Wagons
of furniture and stores were unpacked, and all arranged as well as the
haste allowed. The farmer's wife and the housekeeper wove great garlands
of fir-branches, and decorated the hall and the room doors. The sun set,
and the silver landscape turned to gold, till the rising moon suffused
it with a mysterious blue light. Several lamps were lit in the house, as
many candles as possible placed in the apartments, the stoves all burned
cheerily, and the fir-twigs filled the air with their fragrance. The gay
curtains were drawn, and the open suite of rooms looked so habitable,
that Anton asked himself in amazement how the labors of a few weeks
could have wrought such a change as this. Karl had placed pitch-pans on
both sides of the castle, and they shed a cheerful glow around.

Meanwhile all the dependents assembled in the hall--the forester in a
new green coat, the memorial of his battles on his breast, a deer-hound
at his side, stood in military attitude next to the German farmer and
the shepherd. The housekeeper and the farmer's