Chronicles of the Schonberg-Cotta Family

s Chr

ach,

e piles of old books are much reduced, because we have been obliged to pawn many of them for food. Some even

sometimes. The boys eat so much and wear out their clothes so fast. Indeed, I cannot see tha

mber,

into the house, a little girl, called Eva v

ow it is not of the least use to come round her with soft speeches. She always sees what you are aiming at, and with her keen eye

d, quite suddenly,

are of her. I have desired them to send her to us. I could do no less. It was an act, not of charity, but of the plainest duty. And besides," he added, apologetically, "in the end it may make our fortunes. T

hoping thereby to make it clear to her that the act was one of th

ce for the orphan in thy heart, and

read it, is not about hearts, but about larders and wardrobes. And, certainly," she added, not

mother came

l repay us; and besides, you know, we may now ventur

r, "about Heaven repaying you; but there seems to me a

btful a sentiment on the children, she added

oon in one way or another. The old creep out at the churc

hout the family jewels. But the saints forbid I should gr

esting on her dimpled white hand, who could wish her away? And when I put out the lamp (as I must very soon) and lie down beside her, she will half awake, just to nestle

with older people, she has a quiet, considerate way, and a quaint, thoughtful g

m the beginning. She did not so immediately take to our grandmother, who was not very warm in her reception; but the second evening after her arrival, she deliber

l love you very much. You are

e been close friends. Indeed she commands us all, and there is not one in the house

h none of us ever dared to do. She perches herself on the window-sill, and watch

ne, her voice becomes soft and deep, like church music; and her face grave and beautiful, like one of the child-angels in the pictures; and her eyes as if they saw into heaven. I wish Fritz could hear her. I think she must be just what the saints were when they were little children, except for that strange, quiet way she has of makin

ch, De

r, also, is on the way to be quite a great man, Fritz says. It is difficult to imagine this; he looked so much like any one else, and we are all so completely at home with him, and he talks in such a simple, familiar way to us all-not in learned words, or about difficult, abstruse subjects, like the oth

en greater than these; as great, even, as the Elector's secretary, who came to see our father about his inventions. But

I think she is not even very much afraid of the judgment-day; and this is the reason why I think so:-The other night, when we were both awakened by an awful thunder-storm, I hid my face under the clothes, in order not to see the flashes, until I heard the children crying in the next room, and rose of course, to soothe them, because our mother had

I was once more safely in bed, with my arm around

not afraid of

n Elsè," she said; "and that was

voice! I always think every thunder-storm may be the beginning of t

a little, and

orts me. My father taught it me when I was a very little girl, in the prison, before he died. I could not remember it all, but this part I have never forgotten: 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.' There was more, which I forgot; but that b

ghty Father meant anything like our own father. I thought it meant only that he is very great, and

o, Cousin El

d we all know that God loves people who are good. That sentence says nothing, you see, about God loving people who are not goo

a minute, and

the rest of the sentenc

we might find it. Do you think God said it to your father fro

to find, when he was gone. But when I found the book, a priest took it from me, and said it was not a good book for lit

book. But perhaps, after all, it is not a right book; because (although Eva does not know it) I hear

me. Her large dark eyes were watchin

h the crucifix; because I always think of them together. You know the

go to matins and say prayers for me, that I m

to do us some good; but then they can only do good to those who please God, an

the confessional, and is always at church at the early mass, and many times besides. Often, also, I find her at her devotions before the c

ear their clothes in such incomprehensible ways, that I feel more and more how utterly hopeless it is for me ever to be like any of the saints-

arm he did to others, but lived a wild life, attacking and plundering all who came in his way. He only wished for one thing-to sell his services to the Mightiest;

chest, and his mighty fists, and he said, "If thou

er is not so easily promised; but as long as I am yo

eror was delighted with him. All the soldiers, in the combat as at t

mrades, "What is this? What jest is the Prince making now?" Then the emperor said, "Offerus, listen: I did it on account of the wicked fiend, who is said often to haunt this forest with great rage and fury." That seemed marvellous to Offerus, and he said, scornfully, to the emperor, "I have a fancy for wild boars and deer. Let us hunt in this forest." The emperor said softly, "Offerus, no! Let alone the

ly the path of faith, and told him he must fast and pray, as John the Baptist did of old in the wilderness. But he replied, "Locusts and wild honey, my lord, are quite contrary to my nature, and I do not know any prayers. I should lose my strength altogether, and had rather not go to heaven at all in that way." "Reckless man!" said the prior. "However, you may try another way: give yourself up heartily to achieve some good work." "Ah! let me hear," said Offerus; "I have strength for that." "See, there flows a mighty river, which hinders pilgrims on their way to Rome. It has neither ford nor bridge. Carry the faithful over on thy back." "If I can please the Saviour in that way, willingly will I carry the travellers to and fro," replied the giant. And thereupon he built a hut of reeds, and dwelt thenceforth among the water-rats and beavers on the borders of the river, carrying pilgrims over the river cheerfully, like a camel or an elephant. But if any one offered him ferry-money, he said, "I labour for eternal life." And when now, after many years, Offerus's hair had grown white, one stormy night a plaintive little voice called to him, "Dear, good, tall Offerus, carry me across." Offerus was tired and sleepy, but he thought faithfully of Jesus Christ, and with weary arms seizing the pine trunk which was his staff when the floods swelled high, he waded through the water and nearly reached the opposite bank; but he saw no pilgrim there, so he thought, "I was dreaming," and went back and lay down to sleep again. But scarcely had he fallen asleep when again came the little voice, this time very plaintive and touching, "Offerus, good, dear, great, tall Offerus, carry me across." Patiently the old giant crossed the river again, but neither man no

ast burden was borne, and the strength was failing, the holy child should appear to me and say, "Little Elsè, you have done the work I meant you to do-your sins are forgiven;" and then t

, and carry the burdens, and not know if we are doi

and pleasing the mightiest, the Saviour of the world! But if one could only know it whilst one was struggling through the flood

, Januar

s retainers to battle for some good cause,-against the Turks, for instance, who are now, they say, threatening the empire, and all Christendom. My little world at home is wide indeed, and full enough for me, but this burgher life seems narrow and poor for him. I should like him to have to do with men instead of books. Women can read, and learn, and think, if they have time (although, of course, not as well as men can); I have even heard of women writing books. St. Barbara and St. Catherine understood astronomy, and astrology, and philosophy, an

such gratuities. However, as I devoted it to Fritz I feel I have a right to spend it on him, which is a great comfort, because I can provi

ught we should begin again exactly where we left off. I pictured to myself the old daily life with him going on again as of old. I thought of our sitting in the lumber-room, and chatting

should I expect more? Indeed, I scarcely know what I did expect, or what I do want. Why should Fritz be more to me than to any one else? It is selfish to wish it, and it is childish to imagine that two years could bring no change. Could I have wished it? Do I not glory in his strength, and in his free and manly bearing! And could I wish a student at the great University of Erf

Chriemhild and Atlantis had crept close behind him with their sewing; little Thekla was on his knee, playing with his sword-girdle; and little Eva was perched in her favourite place on the window-sill, in front of him. At first she kept at a distance from him, and said nothing; not, I think, from shyness, for I do not believe that child is afraid of any one or any thing, but from a quaint way she has of observing people, as if she were learning them through like a new language, or, like a sovereign making sure of the character of a new subject before she admits him into her service. The idea of the little creature treating our Fritz in that grand style! But it is of no use resisting it. He has passed through his probation like the rest of us, and is as much flattered as the grandmother, o

ever once asked about our chronicle. Of that, however, I am glad, bec

rejoice that all the world should love him. Yet, it was so happy to be Fritz's only f

. But the saints seemed to find a kind of sacred pleasure in their punishments, and I do not; nor do I feel a

ch, Fe

ng twilight, two strong hands were laid ve

can you not show m

make n

ted," rejoined

ere that gulden came from? Let

choking me; but Fritz di

ges and cakes and wonderful holiday puddings every day of your life? Do you think the hungry delight in the eyes of those boys was occasioned by their every-day, ordinary fare? Do you think," he ad

shoulder and cry quietly. It was of no use denying a

her old devices, pretending she had no appetite,

, "I cannot help it

distinguished stranger of your brother again, and endeavour by all kinds of vain and

said; "I did not mean it deceitfully; but I am always ma

a know?" he aske

ul discovery; and he thinks the Elector would take it up at once, and we should probably have to leave Eisenach and live near the Electoral Court. Perhaps even the Emperor would require us to communicate the secret to him, and then we should have to l

ew a lon

ntime?"

t is of course, sometimes a

tle while, and

, I think, bring us a few guldens-until the proc

ant. And oh, Fritz! how well we shall understand how to help people who are poor. Do you thin

very difficult to understand how to please God, or how to make our praye

pair of the great invention succeeding one d

a great many people feel the same. It is very strange. If it had only pleased God

than before. But it is very strange that idolatry should seem to do me so much good. I seem to love all the world better for loving Fritz, and to find everything easier to bear, by having him to unburden everything on, so that I had never fewer little sins t

ed St. Catherine, who was so learned. And she says all the holy books, the prayers and the hymns, are in Latin, so tha

o other languages, the languages of the Greeks and the Jews, and that I had heard some o

ver it since, and I should

it? We should understand it all so much better in German; but of course if Latin is the language of the blessed saints and angels, that is a reason for it. If we do not always unders