smile, the ivory white teeth--that youth is his beloved son, Charles
Henry. And yonder maiden, not far from the wagon, binding up the
corn, in whose tall, proud form, in spite of her plain peasant-gown,
there is something imposing; that maiden with the youthful,
blooming, lovely face, is his son's betrothed, whom all in the
village called the beautiful Anna Sophia, and for whose love Charles
Henry was envied by all the village boys. It is true she was a
penniless orphan, but in her busy, industrious hands there was a
better and surer treasure than in a purse of gold, and her ability
and goodness would be a much better dowry to her husband; for Anna
Sophia Detzloff could do almost every thing, and the villagers knew
not whether to respect her more for her great knowledge, or love her
more for her kind, good heart. Anna could read and write like a
school-teacher. She wrote every letter which the women of the
village sent to their sons and husbands, now far away with the King
of Prussia's army, and read to them the answers; and in so beautiful
and winning a manner did she read them, that to the happy women it
almost seemed as if they were hearing the voices of their loved
ones. But, notwithstanding her learning, she was well versed in
every sort of work that beseemed a woman. None in the village could
prepare more delightful dishes than she; no one could equal her
beautiful, rapid sewing and knitting. Anna Sophia learned all these
things from her mother, who had lived and worked for many long years
in Brunen. Her father had been the village school-teacher, and it
was owing to his diligence and activity that the women could now
receive letters from their sons and husbands. He had taught the boys
to read and write; and though the girls did not learn, the example
of his daughter showed that it was not owing to inability, but for a
want of time and desire. From her mother, Anna had learned all her
womanly duties. She had taught her to be amiable, ready with help