Page:The German Novelists (Volume 3).djvu/114

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104
Popular Tales.

this house and all its contents! they are thine, with the little garden beyond. There will be a person to take care of you, and you will find the silver groat every day upon your dining-table. Fear not the evil one on the score of thy silver groat, old fellow, for he in the grey jacket was no other than an agent of mine. He appeared only to bring you the money, until this thy new dwelling was provided. For as your good angel did not please you, I have undertaken to fill his place.”

Frank then showed the old soldier his abode: the table stood ready covered, and there was every thing necessary for his comfort and convenience. Old Cripple was so astonished at his good luck, that he doubted its reality; he imagined it could be no other than a dream, that a rich man should thus pay such attention to the poor. Frank soon convinced him, and the tears of gratitude started into his eyes. His benefactor was more than rewarded at the sight; and, to preserve his adopted character of a good angel, he suddenly vanished, leaving him to explain the affair as he could.

Next morning, the abode of the fair betrothed most resembled a fair; such was the throng of milliners, jewellers, lace-merchants, tailors, shoemakers, and sempstresses, all vieing with each other in laying their treasures at her feet. Mela spent the whole of that day in selecting from the fashion-