hold of Balthazar's arm which he was about to
move again, and with a look of comical terror, exclaimed: "But, man,
don't you know that I have further use for my ears to-day? You deafen
me with your screaming. That's enough."

Balthazar struggled himself free from the strong grasp of his master,
and placed himself in a theatrical position opposite to him. He was
able this day to indulge in his passion for eloquence, for the workmen
had chosen him for their orator, and he had a right to speak. As
he spoke, it could be seen by his sparkling eyes, and by his fiery
enthusiasm, that his words had not been learned by rote, but proceeded
from his heart.

"Sir, allow me to speak and express my joy, for it is a joy to have a
noble master. Look at these children, dear master. Three days ago they
had fathers who could work and care for them. But the cannon-balls
deprived them of their fathers, and God sent them a father, and you
are he. You adopted these children when they were forsaken by all
else. You said: 'God forbid that the children of these brave men, who
had fallen in defence of the liberty of Berlin, should be orphans! I
will be their father.' Yes, sir, that is what you said, and all the
weeping mothers and all your workmen heard it and wrote it down in
their hearts. Ask these widows for whom they pray to God. Ask the poor
who were without bread and whom you fed. Ask the whole town who it is
whom they bless and praise. They will all name the name of Gotzkowsky;
with one voice they will all cry out: "Long live our friend and
father! Long live Gotzkowsky!"

Unanimously did all join in this cry, shouting out, "Long live
Gotzkowsky!"

Deeply moved, Gotzkowsky stretched out his hands to the workmen,
and accepted, with cordial gratification, the flowers offered by
the children. "Thank you, thank you," cried he, in a voice of deep
emotion. "You have richly recompensed me, for I perceive that you love
me, and nothing can be more beautiful than love."

"Diamonds!" cried out Ephraim, as he made his way through the crowd
with Itzig and a deputation of the Jews, toward the hero of the
day--"diamonds are more valuable than love, Gotzkowsky. Look at this
brilliant, which sparkles and shines more brightly than ever did a
look of love from any human eye."

He presented to Gotzkowsky a costly _solitaire_ diamond, and
continued: "Be so kind and grant us the favor of accepting this
present. It is a diamond of the first water."

"I