ecome so pleasant) were
finished, the children clustered around the master to show him what they
had brought.

"Some of the smaller ones had picked up sparkling stones on the road,
and as they held them in the sunlight, were sure they must be something
bright and precious.

"Some had polished up a shilling, until it shone like a little crown.
Heinrich brought a watch-crystal, which his father had given him, and
which he considered a wonder of transparent brightness; and Kline, the
rich Hoffmeister's son, had brought a paste buckle, made to imitate
diamonds, than which, in his opinion, nothing could be brighter.

"All these things were laid on the schoolmaster's desk, side by side.
The shillings shone away famously, the pebbles and watch-crystal did
their best, but Kline's buckle was the bravest of all.

"'Ah! mine's the brightest!' shouted Kline, clapping his hands.

"'But where is little Carl?' said Master Friedrich. 'He ran out just
now.'

"All eyes were turned to the door, when presently, in rushed Carl,
breathless. In his hands, held up lovingly against his neck, was a poor
little snow-white dove. Some crimson drops upon the downy breast, showed
that it was wounded.

"'Oh! master!' cried Carl, 'I was looking for something bright, when I
came upon this poor little white dove. A cruel hawk had wounded it, and
I caught it quickly, and ran here. Oh! I fear it will die!'

"Even as he spoke, the dove's soft eyes grew filmy; it nestled closer in
Carl's neck, gave a faint cry, and died.

"Carl sank on his knees beside the master's desk, and from his eyes
there fell upon the white dove's poor broken wing, two tears, large and
bright.

"The master took the poor dead dove from his hands, and laid it tenderly
down on the desk with the bright things; then raising Carl, he softly
said--

"'My children, there is no brighter gem on earth, than a _tender,
pitying tear_.'

"The boys were silent for a moment, for they felt that the master had
decided that Carl had rightly won the angel, and then Kline cried out--

"'Nay, master, thou didst not fairly explain to us. I pray thee give us
yet another trial.'

"'Yes, dear master,' said Max 'give us one more trial.'

"'What sayest thou Carl?' said Master Friedrich.

"'Yes, dear master,' answered the generous boy.

"The good master smiled thoughtfully, and his eyes rested for a moment,
lovingly, upon Carl; then glancing round, he said--'He who brings me the
loveliest t