Keeling by his side upon the meadow, Anna Sophia would first read to
him, and then talk over the events of the war, and prophesy many a
glorious victory. And then, Charles Henry, who worked on the same
farm with Anna, joined them, speaking enthusiastically of the great,
heroic king. In their inspired love for their great sovereign, their
hearts had first met, he seemed to her a hero, because he had six
brothers in Frederick's army, she saw laurels upon his brow, won by
his brothers upon the battle-field. She loved him for his brothers'
sake, and she was proud of being the bride of him of whom it was
said, when he passed, "It is the old man's dearest child--God
preserve him to his father, whose only prop he is!" The old shepherd
was thinking of all this, as he sat in the midst of his flock upon
the green meadow, gazing toward the corn-field in which Anna Sophia
and his son were at work.

"God be praised!" murmured the old man. "That is the last sheaf,
Anna will soon be with me."

At last, the happy moment had come. The old shepherd folded his
hands, and a silent prayer arose from his heart for his absent sons.
He then rose from his lowly seat, and whistled to his faithful
Phylax to follow. The flock arrived at the village, and were driven
by the dog into the sheep-pen, from which was heard the tremulous
bleating of the lambs, who were rejoicing over their dams' arrival.
Father Buschman waited impatiently until the last sheep had entered,
and then hastened toward the large farm house to the left of the
pen.

Anna Sophia was just leaving the house, paper in hand, and advanced,