oval at his faithful steward; occasionally
he gazed across the meadow at the reapers and busy maidens, then there
came upon his venerable old countenance an expression of great interest.
And well he might be pleased with what he saw there; for that tall,
sturdy youth, standing in the wagon, waiting with outstretched arms to
catch the sheaves which are skilfully thrown him; that youth with the
bright rosy face, the sparkling eye, the full red lip, upon which
there is always a merry smile, the ivory white teeth--that youth is his
beloved son, Charles Henry. And yonder maiden, not far from the wagon,
binding up the corn, in whose tall, proud form, in spite of her
plain peasant-gown, there is something imposing; that maiden with the
youthful, blooming, lovely face, is his son's betrothed, whom all in
the village called the beautiful Anna Sophia, and for whose love Charles
Henry was envied by all the village boys. It is true she was a penniless
orphan, but in her busy, industrious hands there was a better and surer
treasure than in a purse of gold, and her ability and goodness would be
a much better dowry to her husband; for Anna Sophia Detzloff could do
almost every thing, and the villagers knew not whether to respect her
more for her great knowledge, or love her more for her kind, good heart.
Anna could read and write like a school-teacher. She wrote every letter
which the women of the village sent to their sons and husbands, now far
away with the King of Prussia's army, and read to them the answers;
and in so beautiful and winning a manner did she read them, that to the
happy women it almost seemed as if they were hearing the voices of their
loved ones. But, notwithstanding her learning, she was well versed in
every sort of work that beseemed a woman. None in the village could
prepare more delightful dishes than she; no one could equal her
beautiful, rapid sewing and knitting. Anna Sophia learned all these
things from her mother, who had lived and worked for many long years in
Brunen. Her father had been the village school-teacher, and it was owing
to his diligence and activity that the women could now receive letters
from their sons and husbands. He had taught the boys to read and write;
and though the girls did not learn, the example of his daughter showed
that it was not owing to inability, but for a want of time and desire.
From her mother, Anna had learned all her womanly duties. She had taught
her to be amiable, ready