with a cheerful smile, to meet him.

"Father," said she, "I have the paper, and we are the first to read
it. The good burgher and his wife are in the country, and the
overseer allowed me to take it. But, hear, father, he says he
glanced over it hastily, and saw something about a Prussian
victory."

The old shepherd's face sparkled with joy, and he sought to draw
Anna away with him. "Come, come, my child," said he, "to my house,
where it is still and quiet, there we will read of our king's
victories."

But Anna shook her beautiful head.

"No, father," said she, "it would not be right to read the paper
alone today. The king's victories belong to his people, to each one
of his subjects, and every heart will beat more proudly when it
hears of them, and thank God that He has blessed the weapons of
their king. It is not for us to keep this joy from our men and
women. Charles Henry, with the overseer's permission, had already
assembled the villagers upon the open space under the beech-trees.
See! all are hastening with their work. Come, father, we must read
to our neighbors and friends our king's victories. A victory belongs
to the whole village, but should there ever be news of a lost
battle, then, father, we will read it to ourselves."

"God forbid that this should come to pass!" said the old man,
following Anna to the place of general meeting.