e difference in their rank and told her of his love.
There on the terrace they plighted their troth, and vowed to remain true
to each other, whatever might befall. Werner now ventured to seek the
nobleman that he might acquaint him of the circumstances and beg for
his daughter's hand, but ere he could prefer his request the old man
proceeded to tell him that he had but just received a letter from an old
friend desiring that his son should marry Margaretha. As the young
man was of noble birth, he added, and eligible in every respect he was
disposed to agree to the arrangement, and he desired Werner to write to
him and invite him to Saeckingen. The unfortunate soldier now made his
belated announcement; but the old man shook his head and declared that
only a nobleman should wed with his daughter. It is true he was greatly
attached to the young musician, but his ideas were those of his times,
and so Werner was obliged to quit his service and fare once more into
the wide world.

Years passed by, and Margaretha, who had resolutely discouraged the
advances of her high-born lover, grew so pale and woebegone that her
father in despair sent her to Italy. When in Rome she went one Sunday
with her maid to St. Peter's Church, and there, leading the Papal
choir, was her lover! Margaretha promptly fainted, and Werner, who had
recognized his beloved, was only able with difficulty to perform the
remainder of his choral duties. Meanwhile the Pope had observed that the
young man was deeply affected, and believing this to be caused by the
lady's indisposition, he desired that the couple should be brought
before him at the conclusion of the service. With kindly questioning
he elicited the whole story, and was so touched by the romance that he
immediately created Werner Marquis of Santo Campo and arranged that
the marriage of the young people should take place at once. Immediately
after the ceremony, having received the Papal blessing, they returned
to Saeckingen, where the father of the bride greeted them cordially, for
Margaretha was restored to health and happiness, and his own condition
was satisfied, for had she not brought home a noble husband?

The Charcoal-Burner

In the woods of Zaehringen there dwelt a young charcoal-burner. His
parents before him had followed the same humble calling, and one might
have supposed that the youth would be well satisfied to emulate their
simple industry and contentment. But in truth it was not so.