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."

"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

37

room and stay till I call you!

here meanwhile!"

Leave your sack

Fritz went as ordered, and seated himself in a large arm-chair. 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 every thing, the general was busy in his behalf, and did not rest till he found the old sergeant, Martin Bollermann, of the Brandenburg regiment. forthwith ordered to come to supper and at the He had him 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 Frederic.

for

The river Rhine was formerly the boundary between France and Prussia, and the desire for its possession caused many wars between the two countries.

Where is Brandenburg? village, a town, and a city?

How do you distinguish between a

Elocution.-This lesson should be read in

tone of voice. The words spoken by each one of the various a conversational 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

"Flying feet."
ordered the sergeant to
"Hunt him up."
Explain the difference in
What would be the difference in

"My old heart trembles with joy." "Was moved to his inmost soul." In the last paragraph, the general come to supper and invited his officers. meaning between the words.

meaning in case the words commanded and requested had been

used?

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

rejoiced was Sergeant Bollermann, and he could scarcely keep back an exclamation of the greatest surprise and delight.

"Till now," said the general, while a bright smile played about his lips-"till now you have been my guests; but if you wish to enjoy those splendid potatoes, you must turn to Sergeant Bollermann; they belong to him." The officers shrugged their shoulders scornfully. The general seemed to care

but little for their displeasure.

"If you knew in what way the potatoes came into our camp, you would deem it an honor to receive only one of them."

"How so? How did it happen?" they asked. "Tell us, if you please."

"I? O no! I have no skill in telling fine stories. But since I see that you, as well as our honest Bollermann, are somewhat tormented by curiosity, I will try to gratify you in another way. Adjutant! bring in my story-teller, please." The adjutant disappeared; all looked eagerly toward the entrance.

The heart of Bollermann beat as if it would burst, for a faint suspicion of the truth seemed to dawn in his mind. He grew white and red by turns and did not perceive how steadily and with what intense interest the eyes of the general were resting upon him. Soon the curtain was drawn, and in came, at the adjutant's side, happy and looking around with bright and fearless eyes, Soldier Fritz.

"Fritz!" cried the sergeant, forgetting all respect for his superiors, and springing forward with outspread arms. "Fritz! how came you here?" The

boy made no reply, but leaped with a loud cry to his father's breast, and the two held each other in a long and close embrace. The officers gazed with deep emotion at this wonderful spectacle, and in the eyes of the general-a dear, good man-glistened tears of joy.

"Tell us, my boy, why and how you came hither," he said; "but first be at ease and sit down at the table. You need not hesitate to do so-not if it were a king's table. Your true filial love has earned the honor."

The officers were all attention, as Fritz, holding his father's hand, related his story. Their stern bearing became more kindly, and their faces brighter. They could but be pleased with the boy who loved his father so heartily as to come a hundred miles and more to bring him a favorite dish. The old sergeant was wholly lost in joyful emotions, and alternately laughed and wept.

When the story was ended, he forgot by whom he was surrounded, and embraced his brave son again and again, pressed hundreds of kisses upon his lips, and asked him many questions, all of which Fritz answered frankly.

At a hint from the general, all present left the tent, and the enraptured father remained with his dear boy. An hour after, the general came back, and gave the brave old sergeant a great writing in one hand, and a large purse full of gold pieces in the other.

"Here is your discharge, friend, with a promise of your full pay as a life-long pension; and there is a small present for your worthy son, which we officers have collected. Keep it for him until he is