y about the room, that Alf
was compelled to turn away his blinded eyes.

'In this crown is placed all my earthly wealth,' said Tuiskoshirer,
pathetically. 'Ingeniously have I made it, during the stillness of the
night, as an offering for the Spirit, that he therewith might crown the
new king of Zion. Thee have I selected therefor, from among a thousand.
Do you but consent, and I will set this emblem of royalty upon your
head, and with God's help I will maintain it there.'

The youth looked at the beautiful crown for a moment, and its golden
lustre seemed to awaken his ambition; but his better self soon
conquered. 'Leave me, tempter!' cried he with vehemence, and forcibly
replacing the bauble under the prophet's mantle, he dexterously pushed
him out through the door.

'You will repent of this,' howled the little man as he disappeared.

CHAPTER VII.

'The duodecemvir, Dilbek, would speak with you,' announced an
apprentice to the industrious Alf an hour afterwards. Surprised at the
visit of a person whose name and office were alike unknown to him, he
repaired to the parlor, where, in respectable black judicial robes, his
comical fool's face peeping above a colossal white ruff, and his
diminutive form attached to a long thrusting sword, strutted before him
the aerial tailor.

'Knowing that you would feel an interest in my happiness, my good
fellow,' (snarled and lisped the new duodecemvir, in an incredibly
gentlemanlike manner,) 'I could not forbear informing you in person of
the good fortune which has come to me through the mercy of the Spirit.'

'What means this masquerade?' cried Alf, peevishly. 'Take off that
fool's jacket again; it does not become you, upon my word.'

'Have respect, my friend,' said Dilbek, earnestly. 'Every official
dress confers honor upon its wearer, and this it has become my duty to
wear, as one of the twelve judges over Israel.'

'You? you become a judge?' laughed Alf. 'Go and seek some other fool to
believe you.'

'You are and always will be an unbelieving Thomas,' cried Dilbek
angrily; 'and doubt every thing that you cannot feel with your hands. I
repeat to you that I have even now come from the market, where the
people have established the new tribunal.'

'And the mayor and aldermen, who governed until now?' asked Alf.

'Unseated, all unseated!' answered the tailor, who stalked about the
room examining himself. 'Your kinsman again slays his ca