ality than myself; and I don't think I ever forgot a dream in my life. I once dreamt-I cannot remember how many years ago-my guardian angel stood at my bed-side, in the shape of a youth, with golden locks, and two silver wings at his shoulders. He spoke to me :'Berthold,' said he, treasure up the words I utter, that not one of them may be forgotten. A great treasure is destined to become yours, which you must dig up, and which shall make you comfortable all the rest of your life. Tomorrow evening, when the sun is descending, take a spade on your shoulder, cross the river, keep on the right-hand till you pass the cloister of St. John, then take your way through the court of the cathedral, and you will come to a garden that has this remarkable token, four stone steps leading from the street toits entrance. Stay there till the moon rises, then press with all your strength against the slightlyfastened door, and it will give way: enter boldly, and walk on to the vine. Behind it, on the left, a tall apple-tree rises above the low bushes beneath. Go to the root of this apple-tree, with your face turned towards the moon, and you will perceive, about three yards from you, two rose-bushes. There dig, three spans deep, till you come to a stone plate: beneath it the treasure lies buried in an iron chest. You will find it heavy and unwieldy, but do not despair of getting it up, for it will reward all your labour, if you find the key which is hidden under the chest."

Francis stared with astonishment. He knew from this minute description that the garden was one which formerly belonged to himself.

And did you not go there and dig?" asked he, while he strove to appear quite unconcerned.

Pooh!" exclaimed the old soldier"Why should I give myself unnecessary trouble? It was nothing but a dream. The night is no man's friend. I have no fancy for having any thing to do with ghosts and treasure-digging.

"Very true," replied Francis, and drew out his only remaining piece of silver coin. "There, old man," he continued, "take this, and drink my health with it. Do not fail to be upon this bridge every day: we shall meet again, I hope."

The gray-headed cripple, who had not

received such alms for many a month, invoked a thousand blessings upon the head of his benefactor, and limped away to a public-house where he made merry; while Francis, animated with new-born hopes, hurried back to his lodgings.

On the following day he got every thing in readiness that was necessary for his treasure-digging, and conveyed it to the proper place shortly before sunset. With an impatient longing he then waited for the rising of the moon. As soon as she shone with sufficient brightness to distinguish objects, he began his labour cheerily. All at once his spade struck against something hard, and in about a quarter of an hour a large chest became visible. With indescribable joy he continued to labour away till he got it out of the earth-opened it with the key which he found beneath it-and who shall describe his raptures as he perceived bag after bag standing together, not one of which contained less than a thousand gold pieces ?

His father, to guard against unforeseen reverses of fortune, had buried a portion of his wealth in this garden, where, in the latter part of his life, he passed much of his time. Probably it was his intention before his death to have apprized Francis of it, but he was called away so suddenly that he carried his secret with him to his grave.

Francis now began to consider how he might best convey this wealth to his lodging without being perceived. It was too much to carry all at once. He hid the greater part of it, therefore, in the hollow of an old tree, that stood upon a common. As much as he could take with him he did, and at the end of three days he had managed to remove the whole of it. He then hired a better house, clothed himself in suitable apparel, and ordered a thanksgiving to be offered up in the cathedral for a traveller returned to his native city after a prosperous arrangement of all his affairs.

He appeared again upon the exchange, and began a traffic, which in a few weeks so enlarged itself that he took spacious premises in the market-place, employed book-keepers and numerous agents, and attended unweariedly to business. His former flatterers and parasites began to gather round him; but he had grown wise by experience-not one of them could get footing in his house.

He remembered with heartfelt gratitude the old soldier, to whom he was solely indebted for his good fortune; and after some months went to the Weser bridge to find him. He too had not forgotten the generous stranger, and often were his eyes keenly directed in search of his benefactor among the passengers. At length he one day saw a richly-dressed man at a distance, who appeared to resemble the stranger; he approached him hesitatingly, but greeted him with a friendly welcome when he found he was not mistaken.

Francis returned the old man's greetings, and said, "Friend, can you walk with me as far as the new town, upon a business that concerns yourself? Your trouble shall not go unrewarded."

"Why not?" answered the soldier. "Though I have a wooden leg, I can get on with it as fast as the lame dwarf who has charge of the city cattle. But wait a moment till that man in the gray coat has passed; every day about this time he gives me a six-groat piece."

"Follow me now," said Francis, "you shall not miss the six-groat piece."

The old man obeyed, and hobbled after Francis, across the little Weser bridge, and over the dyke into Sortillenstreet, where the latter stopped opposite

a newly-built house, and knocked at the door. It was opened. Francis conducted the soldier in.

"Friend," said he, " you formerly procured me a delightful evening by means of what you related to me; it is but just I should make the evening of your life serene. This house, with all it contains, and the garden in which it stands, are yours. The kitchen and cellar are well stored; a servant is ready to wait upon you; and, moreover, you will find a six-groat piece every day, at noon, under your plate. The man in the gray coat was my servant, through whom I daily sent you that sum, until this place was ready for you."

The old man was so surprised with his good fortune that he could not comprehend it. A flood of grateful tears flowed down his cheeks: but he was unable to find words to thank and bless his benefactor.

Francis now made a better use of his wealth than before. He lived frugally, and carried on his affairs with equal industry and integrity. Thus he obliterated among his fellow-citizens all memory of the dishonour which his former prodigality had drawn upon him, and died, honoured and beloved, at a good old age.

HANS had served his master seven years, when he resolved to speak to him. "Sir, my time is out. I should now like to go home again to my mother; so pay me my wages."

"You have served me well and faithfully," replied his master. "Your reward shall correspond."

With these words he gave him a lump of gold as big as his head. Hans took out his pocket handkerchief, wrapped it round the lump which he placed upon his shoulder, and set forth for home.

As he was trudging along, putting one leg before the other with tolerable agility, he saw a horseman coming towards him, sitting at his ease upon an excellent steed.

"Ah!" quoth Hans, as the traveller trotted by, what a comfortable thing riding is! There sits one, as pleasantly

VOL. 11.

as if he were in a chair, stumbling against no stones, wearing out no shoes, and getting on, he hardly knows how."

"Well Hans," said the horseman, who overheard him, "and why do you tramp it then on foot ?"

"Ah!" quoth Hans, "I must get this lump home; it is gold to be sure; but I can hardly hold up my head for it, and it galls my shoulders confoundedly!"

"I'll tell you what," replied the traveller, "we'll exchange. I'll give you my horse, and you shall give me your lump."

"With all my heart," said Hans, "but I can tell you one thing; you will find it a hard job to carry it.'

The horseman alighted; took the lump of gold, and helped Hans in the saddle. He then gave him the bridle,

C

and said, "If he does not go fast enough, you must call out to him, hopp! hopp!"

Hans was delighted when he found himself on horseback, riding along so pleasantly. At the end of the first mile, he thought he might as well go a little faster; so hopp! hopp! quoth Hans, when the beast starting into a pretty round trot, Hans found himself safely landed in a ditch, before he knew where he was.

The horse would have escaped altogether had it not been stopped by a countryman, who was coming along and driving a cow before him. Hans picked himself up, and stood once more upon his legs. He was terribly out of humour, however, and said to the countryman, "Riding is bad sport, when one happens to get hold of such a vile jade as this, who stumbles and pitches one over her head, at the risk of breaking one's neck; I'll never mount her again, I know. Give me at any time a cow, in preference to a horse; one can walk behind a cow comfortably; and moreover, be certain every day of milk, butter, and cheese. What would I give now for such a cow as that!"

"Nay," said the countryman, "if it will be any satisfaction to you, I will exchange my cow for your horse."

Hans gladly consented, and the countryman mounting the horse rode off.

Hans drove his cow before him, congratulating himself all the way upon his lucky bargain." Let me only have a piece of bread," said he " (and I have never yet known the want of one), and I can now eat butter and cheese with it when I choose; or if I am thirsty, I have only to milk my cow, and have at once a delicious draught. What can the heart of man desire more?" Coming to a public-house, he halted; ate with great relish what he had with him; devoured at one meal both his dinner and supper; and paid for half a glass of beer with the last penny he had. Then he drove his cow on again, towards the village where his mother lived. The heat, however, became oppressive, as the day advanced, and Hans suffered so much from it, that his tongue cleaved to the roof of his mouth.

"This can soon be remedied," quoth Hans, “I will milk my cow, and refresh myself."

He fastened her to an old tree, and began to milk away; but he laboured in vain; not a drop of milk came. While, however, he continued to tug at the cow in the most awkward manner imaginable, she, impatient of such treatment, lifted up one of her hind legs and gave Hans a kick on the head, that laid him sprawling on the ground, without knowing, for some time, where he was. Fortunately, at that moment, a butcher happened to pass by, with a young porker in a wheelbarrow.

"What a thump that was!" cried he, and lifted up poor Hans.

Hans related what had happened, The butcher offered him his flask: and said, "Here, drink a little and recover yourself. But you will never get any milk from that cow, man; she is too old; the most she is fit for now is to draw, or for slaughter."

“The devil she is!" exclaimed Hans, stroking down his hair. "Who would have thought that? It is all very well, however, when one can kill such an animal at home-how fleshy she is! But for my part, I am not fond of cow-beef; it is not juicy enough for me. Now a fine young pig-that is quite another sort of thing-and then, the delicious chitterlings!"

“Hark'ee, Hans," said the butcher, "to oblige you, I have no objection to make an exchange, and give my pig for your cow."

"Heaven bless your kindness!" quoth Hans; delivered the cow to him; unloosened the pig from the barrow; took hold of the string which was tied to his leg, and jogged on, thinking how fortunately every thing had turned out just as he wished; for no sooner did any vexation happen, than it was immediately set to rights. As he was thus meditating upon his good luck, a fellow joined company with him, who was carrying a beautiful white goose under his arm. They bade good day to each other; after which Hans related how fortunate he had been in having every time made an exchange for the better. His companion remarked that he was carrying his goose to a christening feast. "Lift it," said he, holding it by the wings, "and feel how heavy it is; it has been fattening these eight weeks. They who eat of it when it is roasted, must take care and wipe the grease away from both sides of

their mouths." "Yes," answered Hans, weighing it in his hand," she has her weight, but my pig is none so bad, I think, for fat."

His companion looked cautiously round, and shook his head. "Mark me," said he at length, as to your pig, I suspect every thing is not as it should be; depend upon it, all is not right. In the village through which I have just passed, there has been a pig stolen out of the mayor's stye. I fear-very much I fear-you have now got that very pig by the leg; and it would be an awkward business, if it were found in your possession. The least that could happen to you would be to be sent to prison.'

Poor Hans was in a sad taking now. "For God's sake," quoth he, "help me out of this mishap. You are better known hereabouts, than I am; take the pig, and let me have your goose."

"I shall run some risk," answered the man," but I should not like to see you get into trouble."

So saying, he took hold of the string, drove the pig along a by-road, and was soon out of sight; the worthy Hans, meanwhile, with his goose under his arm, and his fright at an end, pursuing the road to his own home.

"If I am not very much mistaken," quoth he to himself," I am on the right side even in this exchange; for first, I shall have a beautiful roast; then a quantity of fat which will drip from it ; lastly, the fine white feathers: these, I can put into my pillow; and I shall sleep without rocking. How delighted my poor mother will be!"

As he passed through the last village he saw a knife-grinder with his wheel, singing at his noisy work:

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Hans stood still, and watched him. At length he spoke to him. Things go on well with you, friend, since you sing so merrily over your grinding."

Ay," answered the knife-grinder, "there is no trade so bad, but a man may live by it. A good knife-grinder never need put his hand into his pocket without finding some money there. But where did you buy that fine goose?"

"I did not buy it-I exchanged a pig for it," quoth Hans.

"And the pig?" said the knifegrinder.

"I got that for a cow," quoth Hans.

"I gave a lump of gold as big as my head, for the horse," quoth Hans. "And the lump of gold?" "Oh-that was my wages for seven years' service," quoth Hans.

"You know how to take care of yourself, I see," said the knife-grinder. "Could you but manage it now, that you should always hear money rattle in your pocket, your fortune would be made.'

"How am I to do that?" quoth Hans.

"You must become a knife-grinder, like myself; and for that purpose you want nothing but a whetstone; all the rest will come of itself. Here is one a little the worse for wear, and therefore if you have a mind, you shall give me nothing but your goose for it. What say you?"

"Need you ask me?" quoth Hans. "It would make me the happiest of men. Only let me feel money in my pocket whenever I put my hand there, and what have I to care for?"

With these words he gave the goose to the knife-grinder, who lifted up a huge heavy stone, that lay beside him, and cautioned Hans to take great care of it.

At

Hans took charge of the stone, and continued his journey with a joyful heart. His eyes sparkled with rapture as he exclaimed to himself, "Every thing I wish, happens just as if I had been born with a silver spoon in my mouth!" Meanwhile, as he had been upon the foot ever since daybreak, he began to grow weary and hungry, lamenting, at the same time, that he had eaten up all his provisions at a single meal, when he was so delighted at having got his cow. length he became so tired, he could not get on; and the stone punished him with its weight, severely. He began to reflect how convenient it would be just then if he were not obliged to carry it. Crawling like a snail, he reached a well. He resolved to rest, and refresh himself with a cool draught from the spring. Lest he should damage the stone, however, in sitting down, he laid it carefully on the brink, by his side. He then turned round to get some of the water;