THE HISTORY OF A NUT. CRACKER. 19

therefore say beforehand what you want; because the angel
knows much better than you vihat will please you.”

“Oh!” cried Fritz; “and yet last year he sent me foot
soldiers, although, as I have just said, I should have been
better satisfied with a squadron of hussars.”

“For my part I have only to thank my good angel,”
said Mary; “ tr I did but ask for a doll last year; and I not
only, had the doll, but also a beautiful white dove, with red
feet and beak.”

In the meantime the night had altogether drawn in, and
the children, who by degrees spoke lower and lower, and
grew closer and closer together, fancied that they heard the
wings of their guardian angels fluttering near them, and a
sweet music in the distance, like that of an organ accompany-
ing the Hymn of the Nativity, beneath the gloomy as of
a cathedral. Presently a sudden light shone upon the wall
for a moment, and Fritz and Mary believed that it was their
guardian angel, who, after depositing the toys in the draw-

ane),

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