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the knowledge of his mother, he filled a bag with the finest potatoes in the cellar, and started off to find his father.

At noon, on the first day of his journey, he came to a small village, went into the first inn he saw, and sat down on a bench to rest. There were many guests in the large room, and among them an old crippled soldier with a wooden leg.

"What do you wish, boy?" asked the soldier, rising, striding toward Fritz, and measuring him in astonishment from head to foot.

"I wish to go to the Rhine," was the answer. "My father has been promoted and is a sergeant, but he doesn't care for that, so long as he has no potatoes. So I wish to carry him some, and have picked out the best. Here they are in this sack."

"Why, you strange boy!" said the soldier, "tell that again, if you are in earnest, and so that you can be understood." Fritz did so, and all listened attentively. When he had done, tears stood in the eyes of the veteran, and all the rest were much affected.

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"You are a real soldier's child, and my old heart trembles with joy as I look at you." So saying the veteran caught Fritz and kissed him. Then the others did the same, and even the big landlord was moved to his inmost soul. Nor would they let him think of going farther that day. He had to stay at the inn, where he was waited on as if he were a real prince.

In the evening he told his story to the new guests, and was at last led to a chamber and put into a soft bed, where he slept a refreshing sleep.

And while he was sleeping, the old soldier told the guests it would be a shame to let so brave a boy go farther without a penny for his journey.

All gladly opened their purses and gave liberally for the good boy. The landlord kept the money till morning, when he awoke the boy, gave him a good breakfast, sewed the money into the lining of his jacket, and bade him good-by with hearty wishes for his welfare.

From this place he went on foot till evening, when he was again obliged to pass the night in a village. Here he told his story as before and was tenderly cared for.

At length, after journeying many days, he saw in the distance the first sentinel of the Prussian camp, and hastened toward him with flying feet. "Do you know where I can find my father?” he asked, out of breath.

"Stupid boy!" said the sentinel harshly; “do you suppose I know your father's name, and to what regiment he belongs?"

"Why he belongs to the Brandenburg regiment of grenadiers, and his name is Martin Bollermann, and he is a sergeant."

“Well, if that is true, then hunt him up! You may pass."

Fritz ran on; came to a second sentinel, and a third, and at last fell into the hands of an adjutant, who examined him closely. The more he heard, the more friendly he became, and finally patted the boy's cheek very kindly.

"Come with me," he said;

be able to find your father."

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I think we shall soon

He went on to a large, magnificent tent, from

the top of which waved a broad banner. Fritz trudged cheerfully along by his side, carrying his potato sack, and, at the officer's beckoning, followed fearlessly into the tent. Here he saw an elderly, magnificently dressed officer, sitting in a large armchair at a camp table, and apparently studying a map. He scarcely looked up, and merely nodded his head a very little as Fritz's attendant respectfully approached him.

"That is surely a general," Fritz thought, as he remained standing near the entrance. He was right. The adjutant spoke in a low tone to the general, who soon turned his eyes from the map, listened attentively to the adjutant's story, now and then casting a hasty look at Fritz. After giving the officer an order and dismissing him, he beckoned to Fritz, who at once obeyed, and with soldierly bearing stood before the general.

"What is your name?" the general asked.

"Fritz Bollermann, and I am called Soldier Fritz." The general smiled and asked again: "Where do you come from?"

"From Brandenburg."

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'Why have you come?”

“To bring potatoes to my father.”

"Is this really true?" said the general to himself. "Have you them actually there in your sack?" he added aloud.

"Yes, the best in our whole cellar," said Fritz, taking the sack from his shoulder and opening it. "Only see, sir! all of them round and smooth as pebbles."

"Well, well, my son, they are very fine and give one a first-rate appetite. But now go into the next

room and stay till I call you! Leave your sack here meanwhile!"

Fritz went as ordered, and seated himself in a large armchair. Wearied by the hard march of the day, and more perhaps by his emotions, he was soon nodding and at last fast asleep. So the general found him when, about half an hour after, he stepped into the room. He let the boy sleep on, and went out softly.

While Fritz was thus forgetful of everything, the general was busy in his behalf, and did not rest till he found the old sergeant, Martin Bollermann, of the Brandenburg regiment. He had him forthwith ordered to come to supper and at the same time invited some of his highest officers. Nor did he forget to give his cook certain necessary orders.

Notes and Questions.- Fritz is used as a familiar name for Frederic.

The river Rhine was formerly the boundary between France and Germany, of which Prussia forms a part. The desire for the possession of this river caused many wars.

Where is Brandenburg?

village, a town, and a city?

How do you distinguish between a

Elocution.-This lesson should be read in a conversational tone of voice. The words spoken by each one of the various speakers, should be rendered in such a manner as to represent the feelings of the speakers.

Language.—Explain the meaning of the following expres

sions

"My old heart trembles with joy."
"Was moved to his inmost soul."

"Flying feet."
"Hunt him up."

In the last paragraph, the general ordered the sergeant to come to supper and invited his officers. Explain the difference in meaning between the words. What would be the difference in meaning in case the words commanded and requested had been used?

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The guests assembled in good season, and took their seats at the table. Some were astonished to find at the general's table a mere sergeant, in sergeant's uniform. But most of all, was the sergeant himself astonished.

The most noticeable thing, next to the sergeant, was a large, covered dish, in which the guests supposed there was, without doubt, something very costly and delicious; and they cast many longing looks toward it. The general observed their curiosity, but gave not the slightest hint to satisfy it. He smiled when he looked at the dish, and exchanged occasionally a short, significant look with his adjutant. Curiosity became extreme.

At length, the general, with loud voice, ordered the sergeant to take off the cover, and the eyes of all were turned at once to the mysterious dish. What did they see? Potatoes in the skin, which, indeed, appeared wonderfully clean and inviting, but which disappointed not a little the pampered taste of the dainty guests, who had expected something quite different. The only one who heartily

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