hing on earth to-morrow, shall have the angel.'

"The children clapped their hands, and departed satisfied.

"After school, the next day, Kline was the first to run up to Master
Friedrich, and lay upon his desk what he considered the loveliest thing
in the whole world--his new soldier cap, with the long scarlet feather,
and bright golden tassel. Max came next, and placed beside the cap a
small silver watch, his last birthday gift, with a bright steel chain
attached. Otto brought a great picture-book, just sent him by his
godmother; Rudolph a tiny marble vase, richly sculptured; and so on,
until a still more motley collection than before lay upon Master
Friedrich's desk.

"Then little Carl stepped modestly up, and placed in the master's hand
a pure white lily. The rich perfume filled the room; and bending over
the flower, and inhaling the delicious fragrance, the master softly
said--'My children, the blessed Word of God says--Consider the lilies of
the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I
say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these. Carl has rightly chosen.'

"But murmurs arose; the children were not satisfied; and again they
asked for another trial. And as before, good Master Friedrich inquired--

"'What sayest thou, Carl?' and he answered as before, with generous
haste, 'Yes, dear master.'

"'Now this is the last time,' said the master. 'He who brings me the
_best_ thing on earth shall have the angel.'

"'The very best thing on earth is plum cake!' cried Kline, on the third
day, as he walked up to the desk, bearing a large cake, richly frosted,
with a wreath of sugar roses round the edge. This he placed triumphantly
before the master, sure of the prize.

"'Nay, thou art wrong this time, Kline,' said Max. 'I asked my father
what was the very best thing on earth, and he laughed, and gave me this
golden guilder; the prize is mine.'

"'Ah! but _my_ father said that the very best was a good glass of
Rhenish wine,' cried Otto, 'and I have brought a bottle of it thirty
years old; the prize is surely mine.'

"So they went on till all had placed their offering before the master.

"'And thou, Carl?' said he. 'What hast thou brought which thou thinkest
the best on earth?'

"A crimson flush rose to the little boy's forehead, and coming softly
forward, he took from his breast a _small, worn Testament_, pressed it
to his lips, and then reverently la