corner of the
door-pillar, as if it were the leathern arm-chair in his _sanctum_. A
comfortable smile stole over his features.

"This time," said he, "at least, I have forestalled my rival, good
Mr. Krause. To-morrow the _Vossian Gazette_ will be the only one which
will be able to report, from actual observation, on the formal entry
of the Russian general. Oh, how vexed _Spener's_ will be! There is
seven o'clock striking. In an hour the ceremony will begin. _Spener's
Journal_ still sleeps, while the _Vossian Gazette_ wakes and works,
and is alert to satisfy the curiosity of Berlin."

Poor, benighted editor of the _Vossian_! You, indeed, could not
see him, but the veil of the dawning day, which spread over Berlin,
concealed your rival, as well as yourself, in its folds. His drawn-up
figure was not visible to your dimmed sight, as he sneaked along the
houses, and hid himself behind the pillar on the left of the gate.
While you were rejoicing over the long sleep of _Spener's Journal_,
its editor, Mr. Krause, was standing opposite to you, behind the
pillar, whither he had come, notwithstanding his sixty-eight years,
like you, to witness the entrance of the Russians. And happy was he
in spirit at this victory obtained over his rival, the editor of the
_Vossian Gazette_, and it made him very proud indeed to think that
this once he had forestalled Mr. Kretschmer, and consequently would
have the monopoly of describing in the morning's paper, to the people
of Berlin, the magnificent and pompous entrance of the Russians!

The editor of the _Vossian Gazette_ had no idea of the vicinity of his
rival. He continued to congratulate himself on the advantage he had
obtained, and proceeded cheerfully in his soliloquy. "It makes me
laugh to think of _Spener's Journal_. I, myself, advised Mr. Krause
to conceal himself, and the good man faithfully followed my advice.
Perhaps the little old gentleman dreams that I am at this moment
sitting by my fireside, while there is so much matter for my newspaper
here. Good matter, too, that can be moulded into an interesting
article, is not so common that it can be carelessly squandered. Sleep,
therefore, sleep, good _Spener_--the _Vossian_ wakes."

But _Spener_ did not sleep. He was at the opposite pillar, smirking
and saying to himself, "How lucky it is that I have anticipated the
_Vossian_!" He then was silent, but his thoughts were active, and in
the bottom of his heart he instituted some very