e.
Strangely enough, in his old age Frederick came to love her; for he
discovered, after a prejudice of years, that she had a noble soul.

Frederick died in 1786. In his will he made a most liberal allowance
for his wife, and bore testimony to her excellent character, saying
that she never had caused him the least discontent, and her
incorruptible virtue was worthy of love and consideration.

She survived the king eleven years.

Willie Clifton related a true story.

THE UNNERVED HUSSAR.

A man once entered the vaults of a church by night, to rob a corpse
of a valuable ring. In replacing the lid he nailed the tail of his
coat to the coffin, and when he started up to leave, the coffin
clung to him and moved towards him.

Supposing the movement to be the work of invisible hands, his
nervous system received such a shock that he fell in a fit, and was
found where he fell, by the sexton, on the following morning.

Now, had the fellow been honestly engaged, it is not likely that the
blunder would have happened; and even had it occurred, he doubtless
would have discovered at once the cause.

But very worthy people are sometimes affected by superstitious fear,
and run counter to the dictates of good sense and sound judgment.

A magnificent banquet was once given by a lord, in a very ancient
castle, on the confines of Germany. Among the guests was an officer
of hussars, distinguished for great self-possession and bravery.

Many of the guests were to remain in the castle during the night;
and the gallant hussar was informed that one of them must occupy a
room reputed to be haunted, and was asked if he had any objections
to accepting the room for himself.

He declared that he had none whatever, and thanked his host for the
honor conferred upon him by the offer. He, however, expressed a wish
that no trick might be played upon him, saying that such an act
might be followed by very serious consequences, as he should use his
pistols against whatever disturbed the peace of the room.

He retired after midnight, leaving his lamp burning; and, wearied by
the festivities, soon fell asleep. He was presently awakened by the
sound of music, and, looking about the apartment, saw at the
opposite end, three phantom ladies, grotesquely attired, singing a
mournful dirge.

The music was artistic, rich, and soothing, and the hussar listened
for a time, hig