ve given up smoking, your good angel has deserted
you, after having so torn his hair at your stiff-neckedness that there
he is now sitting bewigged among the angel choir. As for you, your
punishment is to be the having your soul sewed up in a turnip-leaf, and
daily smoked by the smallest imps in the pit."

"Have you been a member of some pious fraternity in America, that you
are so well acquainted with the proceedings of the spiritual world?"
inquired Anton, looking up from his account-book.

"Silence!" said Fink; "formerly there were, at least, occasional hours
when you could trifle too, but now you are always carrying on your
everlasting book-keeping, and, by Tantalus, all for nothing--for nothing
at all!"

The servant entered, and summoned Anton to the baron.

As the latter left the room, Fink called out, "Apropos; I have offered
to rent the five hundred acres from the baron at two dollars and half
the acre--the land to be made over in five years' time on repayment of
the capital expended, either in money or by a mortgage. Off with you, my
boy!"

When Anton entered the baron's apartment, he found the baroness at her
husband's side, his hand in hers, while Lenore walked restlessly up and
down the room. "Have you heard of the offer that Herr von Fink has made
to my father?" asked she.

"He has this moment told me of it," replied Anton. The baron made a
face.

"And is it your opinion that my father ought to accept the offer?"

Anton was silent. "It is an advantageous one for the estate," said he,
at length, with considerable effort. "The outlay of capital is essential
to its improvement."

"I don't want to be told that," replied Lenore, impatiently, "but to
know whether you, as our friend, advise us to accept this offer?"

"I do not," said Anton.

"I knew that you would say so," cried Lenore, stepping behind her
father's chair.

"You do not; and wherefore, if you please?" inquired the baron.

"The present time, which makes all things uncertain, seems to me little
fitted for so bold a speculation; besides which, I believe Fink to be
influenced by motives which do him honor, but which would render it
painful to the baron to accept his offer."

"You will allow me to be the judge of what I ought or ought not to
accept," said the baron. "As a mere question of business, this measure
would be advantageous to both parties."

"That I must allow," said Anton.

"And as to the views that people may take of poli