I answered that I had; gave him the four letters, and laid down on the table the two gold pieces, which I had not yet changed. He read the letters carefully, with evident pleasure. "Your mother is a truly honorable woman," he said; "Your sister, an upright, virtuous girl, and you have always shown yourself an honest, brave lad. Your mother has brought you both up in honest principles. Always continue to love your mother as you do, and follow her good counsels. Your sister's kindness and civility to Madame Von Holme in offering to bring her the Spa water without fee or reward, particularly pleases me. Madame Von Holme is my aunt, and a more upright, excellent woman, does not exist." "Perhaps," said I, "this good lady put gold coins in place of the copper ones." "No," he answered, "that cannot be it; her will is good, but her means are limited, and she could not afford to give a gold piece for a jug of water. The matter of the coins is at present a mystery. Be content to know that the upright and the honest will never be in want of friends." A day or two afterwards, I was summoned to the captain's presence. He asked me whether I would be his servant. You must know that many of the private soldiers act as servants to the officers, and that the soldier who had been employed in this domestic capacity by the captain, had been drafted to another regiment, and the situation was therefore vacant. "Your sister," said the captain, "is so faithful and honest towards my aunt, so active and obliging, that I think you will serve me with equal fidelity." Of course, I gladly accepted the offer, and promised to serve him truly and well. He is an excellent man, and a kind master. The duties of the situation are light, and he pays me handsomely for them. Having a great deal of writing to do, he requested me to copy two sheets for him, and he was so well pleased, that he now occupies a considerable part of my time in that employment, and pays me specially for it. Many a rich farmer's son with full pay, and an allowance from home, is not half so comfortable as I am. The captain calls me Mr. Secretary. The changes that have recently occurred in the seat of war, will soon bring us into open conflict with the enemy. It is good and noble to fight for fatherland; how goes the song,— "On in the van, Man to man, Whoe'er a falchion's hilt can span." And it is a noble thing to die for fatherland, if it comes to that; but let us hope, dear sister, that God will save us from much bloodshed, and soon give peace to Germany. Meanwhile, believe me— Your affectionate brother, GEORGE KAURNER. [Illustration] [Illustration] LETTER VI. MARGARET TO HER MOTHER.