conviviality so new and unexpected.

"Is this Christmas time, or Holy Monday, or the Three Kings' festival,
or what is it, that I see you all feasting?" cried Hans, shaking the
snow off his hat, and proceeding to remove a cloak which he had draped
over his shoulder in most artistic folds.

"We were drinking Frank's health, Master Hans," said Dalton, "before he
leaves us. Come over and pledge him too, and wish him all success, and
that he may live to be a good and valued soldier of the Emperor."

Hans had by this time taken off his cloak, which, by mounting on a
chair, he contrived to hang up, and now approached the table with great
solemnity, a pair of immense boots of Russian leather, that reached to
his hips, giving him a peculiarly cumbrous and heavy gait; but these,
as well as a long vest of rabbit skins that buttoned close to the neck,
made his invariable costume in the winter.

"I drink," said the dwarf, as, filling a bumper, he turned to each of
the company severally "I drink to the venerable father and the fair
maidens, and the promising youth of this good family, and I wish them
every blessing good Christians ought to ask for; but as for killing and
slaying, for burning villages and laying waste cities, I 've no sympathy
with these."

"But you are speaking of barbarous times, Master Hans," said Kate, whose
cheek mantled into scarlet as she spoke, "when to be strong was to be
cruel, and when ill-disciplined hordes tyrannized over good citizens."

[Illustration: 040]

"I am talking of soldiers, such as the world has ever seen them," cried
Hans, passionately; but of whose military experiences, it is but fair
to say, his own little toyshop supplied all the source. "What are they?"
cried he, "but toys that never last, whether he who plays with them be
child or kaiser! always getting smashed, heads knocked off here, arms
and legs astray there; ay, and strangest of all, thought most of when
most disabled! and then at last packed up in a box or a barrack, it
matters not which, to be forgotten and seen no more! Hadst thou thought
of something useful, boy some good craft, a Jager with a corkscrew
inside of him, a tailor that turns into a pair of snuffers, a Dutch lady
that makes a pin-cushion, these are toys people don't weary of but a
soldier! to stand ever thus" and Hans shouldered the fire-shovel, and
stood "at the present." "To wheel about so walk ten steps here ten back
there never so much as a glance at th