r the purpose of illuminating its interior. The brightness of day was
diffused through the large room, which awaked the child upon her bosom,
and it smilingly stretched out its little hands toward the joyous
light.

'See how my little Johannes is delighted,' said the mother to the
gloomy man. 'Careless of the threatening future, he enjoys the present.
Does not our holy bible say, 'unless you become like little children
you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven!' Therefore leave the
portentous future to the wise guidance of God, and be happy with us
to-night, for once, like this harmless child. Above all, be silent in
my husband's presence, respecting your bad news. He has been very
anxious and dejected for some days, and I shall be much grieved if
anything occur to render us unhappy this evening, to which christians
of all denominations look with general joy as the anniversary of their
common origin.'

One of Fessel's apprentices now opened the door. 'My master directs me
to say to you,' cried he, 'that you may immediately commence the
distribution of the presents, before it is too late. He has yet much to
do in the counting-room. Two important letters have arrived. He will
come to you at the earliest moment possible.'

'That is not at all pleasant!' sighed Katharine, as the messenger
disappeared. 'There can be no true family festival where the master of
the house is missing. Nevertheless, my husband is right! If I delay
much longer, the supper will be spoiled and everything will be in
disorder.' She rang a bell which stood upon the table. A distant shout
of children answered the noisy summons. She rang a second time, when
the shouts came nearer, and a joyous tumult arose at the door of the
room. She now put down the bell, and looked pleasedly toward the door,
before which the whispering, laughing and tramping band awaited the
third call.

'They must wait a little,' said Katharine, smiling, to the clergyman.
'It seasons the pleasure, and is a wholesome lesson for youth, when
early taught.' The holy man nodded assent to the pedagogical artifice;
but meanwhile the mother's heart began to yield, and impelled
Katharine's hand toward the bell.

The third call now sounded, when the door burst open as if at the
explosion of a petard, and the four children of Fessel, two vigorous
boys and two lovely girls, stormed into the room, surrounding and
dragging their favorite, the book-keeper, along with them. After them
fo