entering upon the tenancy of
his late aunt's farm.

But Bertha at last yielded a consent; and the entire town, ever
bearing in mind its universal parentage of Bertha, determined to go
to great lengths of rejoicing on the wedding-day; and the burgomaster,
a fool and a good man, was certainly not indifferent.

I have said France and Prussia were at war at this time; and, indeed,
there were a score of young French prisoners at the fort,--or rather,
nineteen, for one got away the very day before that mentioned as
Bertha's wedding-day. Two hours after his escape he was kissing the
hand of Bertha herself, who had promised him her protection, and
hidden him in Frau Klass's own dark room.

Bertha had served the young Frenchman--who shall be called Max--with
his breakfast, and was sitting in her porch, wondering about a good
many things, when Herr Jodoque arrived. She was thinking how she
should get the prisoner away,--what would be said of her, if found
out,--how decidedly odious Jodoque was,--how handsome the Frenchman
was,--and how she thought he was better-looking even than Daniel,
the sailor who had been away three years.

So Herr Jodoque came up to the door of the little cottage, bringing
with him a basket. Jodoque believed in the burgomaster as a grand man,
and though nobody knew better than Jodoque that he was not very
clever, he rather tried in manner to imitate the important mayor.

It is, and was, the custom in Ruegen for the bridegroom to make a
present, in a fancy basket, to the bride; and that the town might
not talk, Jodoque brought _his_ bride a basket, though it was not
particularly large, nor was it particularly heavy.

Here is an inventory of its contents, which, with itself, Jodoque
laid down with considerable effect:--_Imprimis_,--one piece of cloth,
on the use of which Jodoque gave an essay. _Item_,--three cards of
knitting-wool, for mittens. _Item_ and _finis_,--one white rabbit,
the skin of which, Jodoque suggested, would make him a cap.

"Good!" said Bertha;--"Jodoque," she added.

"My angel!"

"You know Madame Kurrig's?"

"At the very other end of the town?"

"Go there!"

"Go there, angel?--why?"

"The silver teapot"--

"_My_ sil--my aunt's silver teapot?"

"Just so,--Madame Kurrig"--

"Has got it?--I go!--My aunt's silver teapot!"

He ran down the little road towards the silver teapot,--for, indeed,
Madame Kurrig did not bear a superior character,--but he had not
proceeded far w