.

"'Those people must be helped,' said the Captain. 'The tricks of the
union do not amount to much. I know some one who will see to that. The
important thing is a contribution toward the expenses of the house and
the furniture. Let us give a benefit concert, admission fee _ad
libitum_!'

"The suggestion found hearty approval. Somebody picked up the salt-box
and said: 'We must have an historic introduction, with a description of
Herr Mozart's purchase, and an account of his philanthropic spirit; and
we will put this box on the table to receive the contributions and
arrange the rakes as decorations.' This did not happen, however, though
the concert came off; and what with the receipts of the concert and
outside contributions, the young couple had more than enough for their
housekeeping outfit, and also the other obstacles were quickly removed.

"The Duscheks, in Prague, dear friends of ours, with whom we are to
stay, heard the story, and Frau Duschek asked for some of the woodenware
as souvenirs. So I laid aside two which I thought were suitable, and was
taking them to her.

"But since we have made another artist friend by the way, one who is,
too, about to provide her wedding furnishings, and who will not despise
what Mozart has chosen, I will divide my gift, and you, Eugenie, may
choose between a lovely open-work rod for stirring chocolate and the
salt-box, which is decorated with a tasteful tulip. My advice is to take
the salt-box; salt, as I have heard, is a symbol of home and
hospitality, and with the gift go the best and most affectionate
wishes."

So ended Madame Mozart's story. How pleased and gratified her listeners
were is easily to be imagined. Their delight was redoubled when, in the
presence of the whole party, the interesting articles were brought out,
and the model of patriarchal simplicity was formally presented. This,
the Count vowed, should have in the silver-chest of its present owner
and all her posterity, as important a place as that of the Florentine
master's famous work.

It was, by this time, almost eight o'clock and tea-time, and soon our
master was pressingly reminded of his promise to show his friends _Don
Juan_, which lay under lock and key, but, happily, not too deep down in
his trunk. Mozart was ready and willing, and by the time he had told the
story of the plot and had brought the libretto, the lights were burning
at the piano.

We could wish that our readers could here realize a