20 THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER.

ing-room, flew away in the midst of a golden lustre to visit
other children who were expecting fim with the same.
impatience as themselves.

Immediately afterwards a bell rang—the door was thrown
violently open—and so strong a light burst into the apartment
that the children were dazzled, and uttered cries of surprise
and alarm.

-The judge and his wife then appeared at the door, and
took the hands of their children, saying, ‘‘ Come, little dears,
and see what the guardian angels have sent you.”

The children hastened to the drawing-room; and Miss
Trudchen, having placed her work upon a chair, followed
them.

CHAPTER II.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

MY acar children, you all know the beautiful toy-stalls in
the Soho Bazaar, the Pantheon, and the Lowther Arcade ;
and your parents have often taken you there, to permit you
to choose whatever you liked best. Then you have stopped
short, with longing eyes and open mouth; and you have
experienced a pleasure
which you will never
again know in your lives
. no, not even when you
,, become men and acquire
titles or fortunes. Well,
Hy that same joy was felt
me by Fritz and Mary when
they entered the draw-
\\ Ne ieee ing-room and saw the
A Yan Nt \ Se = v. great tree growin#fas it
were from the middle of the table, and covered with blqssoms