were not so-one could see a better sun;-a companion with whom one could enjoy books, nature-all that God has given us of good; whose hand, in the last heavy hour one could press, and to whom one could say, 'Good night! we meet again-to-morrow-with love itself— with God!

"But-but-the. foundling shall find no home upon earth!

"Now, he will soon find another home, and will say to the master there, 'Father, have mercy on my rose!' and to the habitation.of men will he say, 'Wearisome wast thou to me, O world, but yet receive my thanks for the good which thou hast given me!'"

When the sisters had ceased to read, several bright tears lay upon the paper, and shone in the light of the sun. Leonore dried her eyes, and turning herself to Petrea, inquired, "But Petrea, how came this paper into your hands.?"

"Did I not think you would ask!" said Pe. trea. "You should not ask such difficult questions, Leonore. Nay, now Eva's eyes are inquiring too and so grave. Do you think that Mr. Munter has put it into my hands? Nay, he must be freed from that suspicion even at my expense. You want to know how I came by this paper? Well then-I stole it-stole it on our journey-on the very morning after it was written."

"But Petrea ! but Petrea !"

"Yes, you good ones! it is too late now to cry, but, Petrea !' now you know the Assessor's secret; and you-may your consciences command you, mine is hardened-you may start before my act, and be horrified; I don't ask about it. The whole world may excommunicate meI don't trouble myself!-Eva! Leonore! Sis

ters!"

"Dearest Petrea," returned Eva, "this is after all no surprise to me: I have long been aware of these sentiments; I have reflected deeply and seriously on what will be best to do-and this shall be the end of all plots and surprises we will all of us join in making his future home happy; he shall never feel the weight of solitude, nor the greater weight of believing himself unbeloved."

Petrea laid an arm round the neck of each sister, kissed them, smiling with a tear in her eye, and vanished.

Somewhat later in the morning we find Eva and Gabriele on a visit at the beautiful parsonage-house immediately in the vicinity of the city, where Mrs. Louise is in full commotion with all her goods and chattles, whilst the little Jacobis rioted with father and grand-father over fields and meadows. The little four-years-old Alfred, an uncommonly lively and amiable child, is alone with the mother at home; he pays especial court to Gabriele, and believing that he must entertain her, he brings out his Noah's Ark to introduce to her, in his low, clear, young voice, Ham and Hamina, Shem and Shemina, Japhet and Japhetina.

After all how-do-ye-do's between the sisters had been answered, Gabriele loosened the paper from a basket which Ulla had brought in, and asked Louise to be pleased to accept some roast veal and patties. "We thought," said she, 41 that you would need something fresh, after the journey, before you get your store-room in order, Just taste a patty! they are filled with mince

meat, and I assure you are baked since the Flood."

"Really!" replied Louise laughing, "they are delicate too! See, there's one for you, my little manikin; but another time don't come and set yourself forward and look so hungry! Thanks! thanks, dear sister! Ah, how charming that we are come again into your neighbourhood! How fresh and happy you all look! And Petrea! how advantageously she has altered; she is come to have something quiet and sensible about her; she has outgrown her nose, and dresses herself neatly; she is just like other people now. And see-here I have a warm, wadded morning-dress for her, that will keep her warm up in her garret; is it not superb? And it cost only ten thalers courant.*

"O, extraordinary-out of the common way! Quite unheard of!" said they, "is it not so ?why it is a piece of clothing for a whole life!" "What a beautiful collar Eva has on! I really believe she is grown handsomer," said Louise. "You were, and are still the rose of the family, Eva;. you look quite young, and are grown stout. I, for my part, cannot boast of that; but how can anybody grow stout when they have eight children to work for! Do you know sisters, that in the last week before I left Stockholm, I. cut out a hundred and six shirts! I hope I can meet with a good seamstress here at home; look at my finger, it is quite hard and horny with sewing. God bless the children! one has one's trouble with them. But tell me how is it with our mother? They have always been writing to me that she was better-and yet I find her terribly gone off; it really grieves me to see her. What does Mr. Munter say?" "Oh," replied Gabriele warmly, 66 he says that she will recover. There is really no danger; she improves every day."

Eva did not look so hopeful as Gabriele, and her eyes were filled with tears as she said, "When autumn and winter are only over, hope that the spring

"And do you know," interrupted Louise with animation, “what I have been thinking of? In the spring she shall come to us and try the milk cure; she shall occupy this room, with the view towards the beautiful birch grove, and shall enjoy the country air, and all the good things which the country affords, and which I can obtain for her certainly this will do her good. Don't you thiuk that she will then recover? Don't you think that it is a bright idea of mine?" The sisters thought that really it was bright, and Louise continued:

"Now I must show you what I have brought for her. Do you see these two damask breakfast cloths, and these six breakfast napkins?— all spun in the house. I have had merely to pay for the weaving. Now, how do they please you?"

"O excellently! excellently!" said one sister. "How very handsome! How welcome they will be!" said the other.

"And you must see what I have bought for my father-ah, Jacobi has it in his carpet-bagone thing lies here and another there-but you will see it, you will see it."

"What an inundation of things!" said Gabriele, laughing. "One can see, however, that there is no shortness of money."

* About ten shillings English. But then ten shillings of English money have a very different amount of value in Sweden and England.-M. H.

1

"Thank God!" said Louise, "all is comfortable in that respect, though you may very well believe that it was difficult enough at first; but we began by regulating the mouths according to the dishes. Ever since I married I have had the management of the money. I am my husband's treasurer; he gives over to me whatever comes in, and he receives from me what he wants, and in this way all has gone right. Thank God, when people love one another all does go right! I am happier than I deserve to be, with such a good, excellent husband, and such welldisposed children. If our little girl, our little Louise, had but lived! Ah, it was a happiness when she was born, after the eight boys; and then for two years she was our greatest delight. Jacobi almost worshipped her; he would sit for whole hours beside her cradle, and was perfectly happy if he only had her on his knee. But she was inexpressibly amiable-so good, so clever, so quiet, an actual little angel! Ah! it was hard to lose her. Jacobi grieved as I have never seen a man grieve; but his happy temperament and his piety came to his help. She has now been dead above a year. Ah! never shall I forget my little girl!"

Louise's tears flowed abundantly; the sisters could not help weeping with her. But Louise soon collected herself again, and said, while she wiped her eyes, "Now we have also anxiety with little David's ankles: but there is no perfect happiness in this world, and we have no right to expect it. Pardon me that I have troubled you; and now let us speak of something else, while I get my things a little in order. Tell me something about our acquaintanceaunt Evelina is well ?"

"Yes, and sits as grandmother of five nephews at Axelholm, beloved and honoured by all. It is a very sweet family that she sees about her, and she has the happiest old age."

"That is pleasant to hear. But she really deserved to be loved and honoured. Is her Karie also married?"

(" Ah, no! Karie is dead! and this has been her greatest sorrow; they were so happy totogether."

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"Don't be alarmed," answered the sisters laughing, "the fence is sawn underneath, and stands only so firm that a few pushes will produce the effect-the thing is not difficult. Besides, we'll all run to the attack, if it be needful."

"O heaven help us! if it be only so, my young ones will soon manage the business-and à propos! I have a few bottles of select white sugarbeer* with me, which would certainly please my father, and which will be exactly the right thing if we as is customary on such occasions, have to drink healths."

During this conversation little Alfred had gone round ineffectually offering two kisses, and was just on the point of growing angry because his wares found no demand, when all at once, summoning resolution, he threw his arms round Gabriele's neck, and exclaimed, "Now I see really and thoroughly, that aunt Gabriele has need of a kiss!" And it was not aunt Gabriele's fault if the dear child was not convinced how wholly indispensable his gift was.

But Louise still turned over her things."Here," said she, "I have a waistcoat for Bergström, and here a neck-kerchief for Ulla, as well as this little brush with which to dust mirrors and tables. Is it not superb? And see, a little pair of bellows, and these trifles for Brigitta."

"Now the old woman," said the sisters, "will be happy! She is now and then out of humour, but a feast of coffee, and some little present, reconcile her with all the world; and to-day she will get both.'

"And see," continued Louise, "how capitally these bellows blow: they can make the very worst wood burn-see how the dust flies!"

"Uh! one can be blown away oneself;" said Gabriele laughing.

While the sisters were still occupied with cleaning and dusting, and Louise was admiring her own discoveries, the Judge came in, happy and warm.

"What a deal of business is going forward!" exclaimed he laughing. "I must congratulate you," said he, "Louise, your boys please me entirely. They are animated boys, with intellects all alive-but at the same time, obedient and polite. Little David is a regular hair-brain, and a magnificent lad-what a pity it is that he will be lame."

Louise crimsoned from heart-felt joy over the praise of her boys, and answered quickly to the lamentation over the little David, "You should hear father, what a talent he has for the violoncello; he will be a second Gehrman."

แ

Nay, that is good," returned the Judge, "such a talent as that is worth his two feet. But I have hardly had time to notice you properly yet, Louise. Heavens! its glorious that you are come again into our neighbourhood; now I think I shall be able to see you every day! and you can also enjoy here the fresh air of the country. You have got thin, but I really think you have grown!"

Louise said laughingly, that the time for that was over with her.

The sisters also, among themselves, made their observations on Louise. They were rejoiced to see her, among all her things, so exactly herself again.

Handsomer she certainly had not becomeAsort of effervescing beer, resembling our pop or ginger beer; sweet and bitter at the same time.-M. H.

but people cannot grow handsomer to all eternity. She looked well and she looked good, had no more of the cathedral about her; she was an excellent Provost's lady.

A

We place ourselves now in Sara's chamber. When a beloved and guiltless child returns, after sufferings overcome, to the bosom of parents into a beloved home, who can describe the sweet delight of its situation? The pure enjoyment of all the charms of home; the tenderness of the family; the resigning themselves to the heavenly feeling of being again at home? But the guilty

We have seen a picture of the prodigal son which we shall never forget! It is the moment of reconciliation; the father opens his arms to the son; the son falls into them and hides his face. Deep compunction of the heart bows down his head, and over his pale cheek-the only part of his countenance which is visible, runs a tear —a tear of penitence and pain, which says everything. The golden ring may be placed upon his hand the fatted calf may be killed and served up before him--he cannot feel gay or happyembittering tears gush forth from the fountains of memory.

Thus was it with Sara, and exactly to that degree in which her heart was really purified and ennobled. As she woke out of a refreshing sleep in her new home, and saw near her, her child sleeping on the soft snow-white bed; as she saw all, by the streaming-in light of the morning sun so festally pure and fresh; as she saw how the faithful memory of affection had treasured up all her youthful predilections; as she saw her favourite flowers, the asters, standing upon the stove, in an alabaster vase; and as she thought how all this had been-and how it now was-she wept bitterly.

Petrea, who was reading in the window of Sara's room waiting for her awaking, stood now with cordial and consoling words near her bed. "Oh, Petrea!" said Sara, taking her hand and pressing it to her breast, "let me speak with you. My heart is full. I feel as if I could tell you all, and you would understand me. I did not come here of my own will-your father brought me. He did not ask me he took me like a child, and I obeyed like a child. I was weak; I thought soon to die; but this night under this roof has given me strength. I feel now that I shall live. Listen to me, Petrea, and stand by me, for as soon as my feet will carry me I must go away from here. I will not be a burden to this house. Stained and despised by the world, as I am, I will not pollute this sanctuary! Already have I read aversion towards me in Gabriele's look. Oh, my abode here would be a pain to myself! Might my innocent little one only remain in this blessed house. I must away from here! These charms of life; this abundance, they are not for me-they would wake anguish in my soul! Poverty and labour beseem me! I will away hence. I must!-but I will trouble nobody: I will not appear ungrateful. Help me, Petrea-think for me; what I should do and where I should go!"

"I have already thought," replied Petrae. "Have you?" said Sara, joyfully surprised, and fixed upon her searchingly her large eyes. "Come and divide my solitude," continued Petrea, in a cordial voice. "You know that I, although in the house of my parents, yet live for myself alone, and have the most perfect

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Both of us have seen

into many depths of life; both of us now look Give me up humbly to the cheerful heaven. your hand; you were always dear to me, and now, even as in the years of childhood do I feel drawn to you. Let us go, let us try together the path of life. My heart longs after you; and does not yours say to you that we are fit for one another, and that we can be happy together?"

"Should I be a burden to you?" said Sara : "were I but stronger, I would wait upon you; could I only win my bread by my hands, as in the latter years I have done; but now-" "Now give yourself up to me blindly," said Petrae. I have enough for us both. In a while, when we are stronger, we will help one another."

"Will not my wasted life-my bitter remembrances make my temper gloomy and me a burden?" asked Sara, "and do not dark spirits master those who have been so long in their power ?"

can erect himself.

"Penitence," said Petrea, "is a goddessshe protects the erring. And if a heathen can say this, how much more a Christian !-O, Sara! annihilating repentance itself I know it can become a strength for him, by which he It can raise up to new life; it can arouse a will which can conquer all things it has raised me erect-it will do the same for you! You stand now in middle life—a long future is before you-you have an amiable child; have friends; have to live for eternal life! Live for these! and you will see how, by degrees, the night vanishes; the day ascends, and all arranges itself and becomes clear. Come, and let us two unitedly work at the most important business of life-improvement!"

"I

Sara, at these words raised herself in the bed, and new beams were kindled in her eyes. will," said she; "Petrea, an angel speaks through you; your words strengthen and calm me wonderfully-I will begin anew

Petrea pressed Sara to her breast, and spoke warm and heartfelt "thanks," and then added softly, "and now be a good child, Sara!-all weak and sick people are children. Now, submit, calmly and resignedly, to be treated and guided like such a one; gladden by so doing, those who are around you, and who all wish

bling of this earthly existence, everything which exalts the mind to a more intellectual life, is a battery directed against the commoner nature in man, and is a service done to humanity and one's native land."

"Bah,!" cried Jeremias, with vexation, "humanity and native land! You have always large words in the mouth-if a fence is thrown down a.bush planted, it is immediately called a benefit for one's native land. Plant your fields and throw down your fences, but let the native land rest in peace! for it troubles itself just as little about you, as you about it. For one's country and humanity!-that should sound very affecting-all mere talk!"

"No, now you are in fact too severe," said the Judge, smiling at the outbreak of his friend; and I, as far as regards myself," continued he, gravely, but cheerfully, "wish that a clearer idea of one's country accompanied every step of human activity. If there be a love which is natural and reasonable, it is the love of one's country. Have I not to thank my country for everything that I have? Are they not its laws, its institutions, its spiritual life, which have developed by whole being, as man and as a citizen? And are they not the deeds of my fathers which have fashioned these; which have given them their power and their individual life? In fact, love and gratitude towards one's parents, is no greater duty than love and gratitude towards one's native land; and there is no one, be he man or woman, high or low, but who, according to his own relationships, can and must pay this holy debt. And this is exactly the signification of a christianly constituted state, that every one shall occupy with his pound so as to benefit, at the same time, both the individual and the community at large."

"Thus," added Petrea, "do the raindrops swell the brook, which pours its water into the river, and may, even though it be nameless, communicate benefit in its course."

"So it is, my dear child," said her father, and extended to her his hand.

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"It is a gladdening thought," said Louise, with tearful eyes. Pay attention, Adam, to what grandfather and aunt say, and keep it in your mind; —but don't open your mouth so wide; a whole frigate could sail into it."

At these words little Alfred began to laugh so shrilly and so heartily that all the elderly folks irresistibly bore him company. Adam laughed too; and at the sound of this peal of laughter came bounding forward from all ends and corners Shem and Seth, Jacob and Solomon, Jonathan and David, just as a flock of sparrows comes flying down over a handful of scattered corn. They came laughing because they heard laughter, and wished to be present at the entertainment.

glittered over the grave of her brother, and the look of the moon made her involuntarily think on the pale, mild countenance of her mother. For the rest, the evening was so lovely, the blackbird sang among the alders by the brook, and the heaven lay clear and brightly blue over the earth, whilst the wind and every disturbing sound became more and more hushed.

Gabriele walked on, full of thought, and did not observe that Baron L. had approached her; they were almost walking together as he said, "I am very glad; it was very pleasant to me to see you all again so happy!" "Ah, yes," answered Gabriele, 66 now we can all be together again. It is a great happiness that Louise and her family are come here." "Perhaps," continued the Baron, "perhaps it might be audacity to disturb such a happily united life, and to wish to separate a daughter and sister from such a family-but if the truest"don't

"Ah!" hastily interrupted Gabriele, speak of disturbing anything, of changing anything-every thing is so good as it now is!"

He was silent, with an expression of sorrow. "Let us all be happy together," said Gabriele, bashfully and cordially; "you will stop some time with us. It is so charming to have friends and sisters-this united life is so agreeable with them."

H›

The Baron's countenance brightened. seized Gabriele's hand, and would have sal something, but she hastened from him to her father, whose arm she took.

Jacobi conducted Petrea; they were cheerful and confidential together, as happy brother and sister. She spoke of him, of her present happiness, and of the hope which made up her future. He took the liveliest interest in it, and spoke with her of his plans; of his domestic happiness; and with especial rapture of his boys; of their obedience to the slightest word of their parents; of their mutual affection to each other-and see-all this was Louise's work! And Louise's praise was sung forth in a harmonious duet-ever a sweet scent for "our eldest," who appeared however to listen to no one but her father.

They soon reached home. The mother stood with the silver ladle in her hand, and the most friendly smile on her lips, in the library, before a large steaming bowl of punch, and with look and voice bade the entering party welcome.

"My dear Elise," said the Judge embracing her, "you are become twenty years younger." "Happiness makes one young," answered she, looking on him affectionately. People seated themselves.

"Don't make so much noise children!" said Louise to her eight, seating herself with the little Elise on her knees; "can't you seat yourselves without so much noise and bustle."

Jeremias Munter had placed himself in a cor