,
however, not a whit the more for their begging, till the judge not
only gave him his life, but paid him back the hundred crowns.

Then the countryman called the Jew, and said--

"Tell us now, you rogue, where you got that gold, or I shall play on
for your amusement only."

"I stole it," replied the Jew, before all the people. "I acknowledge
that I stole it, and that you earned it fairly."

Then the countryman stopped his fiddling, and left the Jew to take his
place at the gallows.

THE ELVES.

The happy day at length arrived on which Count Hermann von Rosenberg
was married to his beloved Catherine, a princess of the house of
Gonzaca. The event was celebrated by a magnificent banquet and
festival, and it was late before the Count and Countess could leave
their guests. The young Countess was already asleep, and Hermann was
sinking into a slumber, when he was aroused by hearing the sounds of
soft and gentle music, and, the door of his apartment flying open, a
joyous bridal procession entered the room. The figures engaged in this
extraordinary scene were not more than two or three spans high. The
bride and bridegroom were in the centre of the procession, and the
musicians preceded it.

Hermann rose up in bed, and demanded what brought them there, and why
they had aroused him, whereupon one of the company stepped up to him,
and said--

"We are attendant spirits of that peaceful class who dwell in the
earth. We have dwelt for many years beneath this thy birthplace, and
have ever watched over thy dwelling to preserve it from misfortune.
Already have we taken good care of the ashes of your forefathers that
they should not fall into the power of hostile and evil spirits, and
as faithful servants we watch over the welfare of your house. Since
thou hast this day been married for the continuance of thy name and
ancient race, we have represented to you this bridal ceremony, in
hopes that you will grant us full permission to keep and celebrate
this joyous festival, in return for which we promise to serve you and
your house with the greatest readiness."

"Very well," said Hermann, laughing; "make yourselves as merry in my
castle as you please."

They thanked him, and took their departure. Hermann could not,
however, banish from his mind this remarkable scene, and it was
daybreak before he fell asleep. In the morning his thoughts were still
occupied with it, yet he never mentioned one word of the occurrence to