The Home in the Valley

ttic-

of the attic-rooms of the cottage, and for a long time it h

rite, but she also possessed strong perceptive qualities, and a heart susceptible of the tenderest emotions. She w

esembled, carried the old man's mind back to the time when his father had promised to wed his mother, and he sighed as he thought how different Na

an to acquire a refined education, and Carl could scarcely comprehend more than that which was necessary for the performance of family worship. Nanna, on the contrary, woul

resist from becoming gently interested in the characters described in her books. She sympathised with the unhappy and oppressed, and although she rejoiced with those hap

ose who had lived, she s

ay when she should lose her father, whom

er little head-should look into her eyes in search of a wife. Who shall that man be? she thought. Is it possible tha

ould be i

mpathise with her. No, she would be obliged to remain unmarried for ever. Perhaps not even a laborer would wed her! On St. John's eve, when she had ventured to attend

endeavored to assist her sister-in law, in the various domestic duties, with her usual activity; which however it must be confessed, was mingled with mu

apartment was sooth

ained a book shelf; three or four flower vases; a bureau, and a small work ta

assiduity than he had formerly. When at home, Carl generally performed the duties of a nursery maid. The children remained with him willingly, for he tenderly loved them; in fact every child in the neighborhood loved the "Wiseacre," for he would play with them, and upon all occasions take them under his special protection. When he saw his little nephews and nieces, subjected to the discipline of their mother, he would fly into a frenzy of passion, and then he was called, "Crazy

t of sight. None of the neighboring peasant women would leave their homes, to go to the market, to a wedding, or to a funeral, without requesting Carl to remain with

a like manner. In this chair Carl would rock backward and forward, for hours, and with half closed eyes would look as i

mitted a fragrant odor. After Carl had sufficiently regarded these objects, he slowly jerked his chair towards the table, and at each pause his mouth widened into a simple simper. At length he arrived so near the table that by bending forward he could have easily touched the flowers with his nostrils. To accomplish this

, a thought struck his mind-his face

nts ago he appeare

r before appeared so fresh and beautiful. So great was her abstraction that she di

m. His voice was lost in her recollection of the wor

Nanna," re

d. "What for

replied Carl, "wh

owe

imbecilely and gazing v

our room, I did not place

little Christine

e flowers were sent by one who is b

can i

, of c

wards the door. "Magde, yes,

you will know cer

flowers. I hope I will not brea

mself upon his chair and resumed his former occupation; but he did not profane them

a great deal to engage his attention at home, willingly promised to go to the woman's cottage and take care of her children until her return. In order that his arrival at the cottage might be joyfully welcomed, he

leisure hours? or perhaps she was proceeding over the path which conducted to the spring in the meadow. Neither. She

she saw a green coat emerge, which when it reached the plai

alled Nanna his little naiad, a term which he supposed she did not understand, cast

reshold of the door. Her inclinations drew her toward

walk on this particular occasion? She

seized her bonnet and