orth, had not observed that the watchmen of the gate had one by
one fallen asleep. Just as she was about to describe new lines, a
friendly man came up to her, and seized her hand. "Look here, good
Maerchen," said he, as he pointed to the sleepers; "for these thy
varied creations are as nothing; slip nimbly through the door; they
will not suspect that thou art in the land, and thou canst quietly and
unobserved pursue thy way. I will lead thee unto my children; in my
house will give thee a peaceful, friendly home; there thou mayest
remain and live by thyself; whenever my sons and daughters shall have
learned their lessons well, they shall be permitted to run to thee
with their plays, and attend to thee. Dost thou agree?"

"Oh! how gladly will I follow thee unto thy dear children! how
diligently will I endeavor to make, at times, for them, a happy little
hour!"

The good man nodded to her cordially, and assisted her to step over
the feet of the sleeping men. Maerchen, when she had got safely across,
looked around smilingly, and then slipped quickly through the gate.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] Maerchen represents the fairy or legendary tales, of which the
Germans were at one time so fond.

[B] The German "Almanach" corresponds in a measure with the English
"Annual."

THE CARAVAN.

Once upon a time, there marched through the wilderness a large
Caravan. Upon the vast plain, where one sees nothing but sand and
heaven, were heard already, in the far distance, the little bells of
the camels, and the silver-toned ones of the horses; a thick cloud of
dust, which preceded them, announced their approach, and when a gale
of wind separated the clouds, glittering weapons and brilliant dresses
dazzled the eye. Such was the appearance of the Caravan to a man who
was riding up towards it in an oblique direction. He was mounted on a
fine Arabian courser, covered with a tiger-skin; silver bells were
suspended from the deep-red stripe work, and on the head of the horse
waved a plume of heron feathers. The rider was of majestic mien, and
his attire corresponded with the splendor of his horse: a white
turban, richly inwrought with gold, adorned his head, his habit and
wide pantaloons were of bright red, and a curved sword with a
magnificent handle hung by his side. He had arranged the turban far
down upon his forehead; this, together with the dark eyes which
gleamed forth from under his bushy brows, and the long beard which
hung down