CHAPTER XI.

The Great Clock plays its Melodies, and fresh ones are added

CHAPTER XII.

A good Escort, and Thoughts of the Future

CHAPTER XIII.

Lion, Fox, and Magpie

CHAPTER XIV.

Presses, and Eyes are opened

CHAPTER XV.

Young Hearts.--A Proposal

CHAPTER XVI.

A Heart is won

CHAPTER XVII.

A Friend's Opinion

CHAPTER XVIII.

A Rebuff, and a Betrothal

CHAPTER XIX.

First Visit to a New House

CHAPTER XX.

A First Drive

CHAPTER XXI.

A Gay Wedding,--and a Hard Nut to crack

CHAPTER XXII.

A Morning Gift

THE CLOCKMAKER
OF
THE BLACK FOREST.

There is a house on the declivity of a hill, on which the morning sun
long lingers, and the eyes of those who gaze on this house sparkle with
pleasure, for they augur from that glance that its inhabitants are
happy. They are so; but their happiness is of a peculiar nature, for
they have striven long and hard, before they at last acquired it. They
have stood on the very threshold of death, though eventually restored
to the living.

The wife appears at the door--her face is fair, pretty, and youthful,
but her hair is white as snow--she smiles at an old woman who is
working in the garden, and calls to the children to be less noisy; a
thriving young fir plantation forms a background to the house.

"Come in, Franzl, and you children also; 'Wilhelm is to set off to-day
on his travels," says the young woman with white hair.

The old woman comes up to her slowly; her figure is bent, and she is
already taking hold of her apron, in order to dry the tears that are
fast rising to her eyes. In a short time the husband comes out of the
house with a young lad, who has a knapsack on his shoulders.

"Wilhelm," says the father, "take leave of your mother here, and be
sure you conduct yourself so that whatever you do, you may be able to
think:--'My father and mother may know this;' and then, please God! you
will, one day, once more cross this threshold in peace."

The mother embraces the lad, and says,