Part 4

"No," he answered, "that cannot be it; her will is good, but her means are limited, and she could not afford to give a gold piece for a jug of water. The matter of the coins is at present a mystery. Be content to know that the upright and the honest will never be in want of friends."

A day or two afterwards, I was summoned to the captain's presence. He asked me whether I would be his servant. You must know that many of the private soldiers act as servants to the officers, and that the soldier who had been employed in this domestic capacity by the captain, had been drafted to another regiment, and the situation was therefore vacant.

"Your sister," said the captain, "is so faithful and honest towards my aunt, so active and obliging, that I think you will serve me with equal fidelity."

Of course, I gladly accepted the offer, and promised to serve him truly and well. He is an excellent man, and a kind master. The duties of the situation are light, and he pays me handsomely for them. Having a great deal of writing to do, he requested me to copy two sheets for him, and he was so well pleased, that he now occupies a considerable part of my time in that employment, and pays me specially for it. Many a rich farmer's son with full pay, and an allowance from home, is not half so comfortable as I am. The captain calls me Mr. Secretary. The changes that have recently occurred in the seat of war, will soon bring us into open conflict with the enemy. It is good and noble to fight for fatherland; how goes the song,—

"On in the van, Man to man, Whoe'er a falchion's hilt can span."

And it is a noble thing to die for fatherland, if it comes to that; but let us hope, dear sister, that God will save us from much bloodshed, and soon give peace to Germany. Meanwhile, believe me—

Your affectionate brother,

GEORGE KAURNER.

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LETTER VI.

MARGARET TO HER MOTHER.

DEAREST MOTHER:—God be praised, it is peace once more. Bonfires have been lighted in the square. Fireworks have been exhibited in the public places. The bells of all the churches have been ringing. I have been watching the crowds that throng the streets welcoming the soldiers on their return from the war. How many happy meetings there have been already. Husbands with their wives, fathers with their children, brothers with their sisters.

Oh, how that last sentence makes my heart leap up with joy! For only think, yesterday, George came here quite unexpectedly. I cannot express to you how delighted I was. At first I was not a little terrified when a tall stately soldier, with a moustache and a frightful sabre at his side, strode into the room, and hastened up to me. I screamed for terror.

But at this, he only laughed, and threw his arms about me, saying, "Margaret, don't you know me?"

Then it was I found out that it was George, and I was actually wild with joy—my heart beat quicker from joy now, than it had done from terror before.

You can readily imagine how affectionately George inquired for you, how he sent a thousand, thousand loves, and desired me to say that the first time he could, he would come himself to see you.

My mistress was very kind to George, and having cake brought out, made him sit down, and tell us his adventures: one part of them was very interesting. He rescued his gallant captain from the hands of the enemy and from certain death. The poor gentleman was wounded, and his fine black horse was shot under him; he had sunk upon his knees. One of the hussars had raised his sabre to cleave his skull. George came up at the moment and warded off the blow, while he struck down the fierce hussar. Several of the enemy came up, but George's comrades hastened to his assistance at the cry "To the rescue." The enemy was put to flight. The captain recovered from his wounds which are now perfectly healed.

The captain is now staying with his aunt, Madame Von Holme. He requested to see me, and as I entered, said, "I am delighted to know the sister of the man who has saved my life. I have a deep debt of gratitude to discharge both to him and to you. To your mother also I am deeply indebted; for how much do I owe to the careful education which she has bestowed upon her children."

Early on the following morning, the captain set out again, as he was anxious to see his father and mother. George accompanied him, and left for you all sorts of kind messages.

To-day Madame Von Holme said to me, "I have just been giving thanks to God for permitting me to see my dear Charles again.—What a world of blessing we owe to those kreuzers! Had you not forwarded them to your mother, your brother would not have been Charles's servant, and perhaps Charles would now be among the number of those for whom many a bitter tear is shed."

"I should much like to know," said the maid who accompanied her mistress, "how it was those copper coins turned into gold."

"Indeed, I should be equally glad to find out the real author of this novel bestowment," said Madame Von Holme; "whoever it is, God will graciously bless him."

So he will, dear mother, so he will. With a heart full of purest love, I remain,—

Your ever dutiful daughter,

MARGARET KAURNER.

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LETTER VII.

GEORGE TO HIS MOTHER.

DEAREST MOTHER:—How glad will it make my heart to see you once again, but at present it is not possible for me to leave my good master. However, very soon I hope to come to you and not to part any more. I have good news, and am anxious to let you know, so I take the readiest means of doing so, and write at once. It has now come to light who put the gold into my sister's letter.

It is only yesterday that I returned with my master to Madame Von Holme's. A dinner party was held in honor of the colonel of the regiment, who had just arrived. During dinner, Madame Von Holme related the story of the kreuzers. Everybody was anxious to know whether the mystery had been solved; and at last the colonel, who had been listening with peculiar attention, broke into a gay laugh and said, "I fancy that I can satisfy your curiosity. I will do so in a few words. During the war we had a sharp eye upon all letters. We needed all the intelligence we could get of the movements of the enemy. Among other letters which fell into our hands, was one addressed to—'My Dear Mother, the wheelwright's widow: with six kreuzers.' It was a very strange address; it attracted my marked attention.

"Doubtless, thought I, there is some great plot at work, for the spies often send their information under simple addresses, and to persons in a very humble grade in life. I opened it. It was to widow Kaurner. I knew her husband, the wheelwright, well. He was a good honest soul; he worthy of her, she worthy of him. I was gratified with the filial affection which the letter exhibited. Well, for old acquaintance sake," said he, "I took out the kreuzers and put gold pieces in their place, real, true, gold pieces. And how has heaven blessed my bounty! 'Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days thou shalt find it again.' I thought some reference might be made to-day to the story of the kreuzers, and I have brought them with me."

So out he took the shining copper coins, and gave one to Madame Von Holme, one to the captain, and reserved one for himself. "I am sure," said he, "we shall all prize them more than ducats of gold! As for the remaining kreuzers, one is for George, one for her mother, and one for honest little Margaret."

Madame Von Holme shed tears. "Ah," said she, "I shall ever preserve this as a memento of God's goodness; it will ever awaken in my mind old memories deep and tender, and enkindle fresh love to Him who guides and governs all."

The captain then made known that at his request his father and mother had resolved to provide for George's mother. "We have resolved to assist George with a sum of money, to enable him to settle at home; in less than a month all will be arranged."

My sister was sent for, and the colonel handed her the three kreuzers.—"Divide them with your mother and brother," he said, "and God bless and prosper you all!"

May the colonel's prayer be heard. Oh how grateful should we be, dearest mother, to that God who has so mercifully interposed on our behalf, and made us so happy and united, and looking at the past with all its troubles and anxieties, looking at the present with all its comfortable security, looking at the future bright with promise, should we not take up the words of the pious psalmist, and say, "Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us bless his holy name; bless the Lord, O our souls, and forget not all his benefits."

In token of our filial love, dear mother, we both subscribe our names. Your very affectionate children,

GEORGE AND MARGARET.

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