e
stone table, and even the floor, with their vegetation. As Dalton stood,
sad and sorrow-struck at this desolation, he perceived the figure of
Hans himself, as, half-hidden by the leaves, he sat in his accustomed
seat. His head was uncovered, but his hair fell in great masses on
either side, and with his long beard, now neglected and untrimmed, gave
him an unusually wild and savage look. A book lay open on his knees,
but his hands were crossed over it, and his eyes were upturned as if in
revery.

Dalton felt half ashamed at accosting him; there was something
ungracious in the way he had quitted the poor dwarfs dwelling; there
had been a degree of estrangement for weeks before between them, and
altogether he knew that he had ill-requited all the unselfish kindness
of the little toy-seller; so that he would gladly have retired without
being noticed, when Hans suddenly turned and saw him.

It was almost with a cry of surprise Hans called out his name.

"This is kind of you, Herr von Dalton. Is the Fraeulein--" He stopped
and looked eagerly around.

"No, Hanserl," said Dalton, answering to the half-expressed question,
"Nelly is n't with me; I came up alone. Indeed, to tell the truth, I
found myself here without well knowing why or how. Old habit, I suppose,
led me, for I was thinking of something else."

"They were kind thoughts that guided your steps," said the dwarf, in
accents of deep gratitude, "for I have been lonely of late."

"Why don't you come down and see us, Hanserl? It's not so far off, and
you know Nelly is always glad to see you."

"It is true," said the dwarf, mournfully.

"You were always a good friend to us, Hanserl," said Dalton, taking the
other's hand and pressing it cordially; "and faix! as the world goes,"
added he, sighing, "there 's many a thing easier found than a friend."

"The rich can have all,--even friendship," muttered Hans, slowly.

"I don't know that, Hans; I 'm not so sure you 're right there."

"They buy it," said the dwarf, with a fierce energy, "as they can buy
everything,--the pearl for which the diver hazards life, the gem that
the polisher has grown blind over, the fur for which the hunter has
shed his heart's blood. And yet when they 've got them they have not got
content."

"Ay, that's true," sighed Dalton. "I suppose nobody is satisfied in this
world."

"But they can be if they will but look upward," cried Hans,
enthusiastically; "if they will learn to think humbly