THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 21

made of sugar, and sugar-plums in-
stead of fruit—the whole glittering
by the light of a hundred Christmas
candles concealed amidst the leaves.
At that beautiful sight Fritz leapt
e for joy, and saneal about in a
manner which showed how well he
had attended to the lessons of his
dancing-master. On her side, Mary
s=== could not restrain two large tears of
joy which, like liquid pearls, rolled
== down her countenance, that was
open and smiling as a rose in June.
. But the children’s joy knew no
bounds when they came to examine
all the pretty things which covered
the table. There was a beautiful
doll, twice as large as Miss Rose ;
and there was also a charming silk
frock, hung on a stand in such a
manner that Mary could walk round
it. Fritz was also well pleased ;
for he found upon the table a squad-
ron of hussars, with red jackets and
gold lace, and mounted on white
horses; while on the carpet, near
the table, stood the famous horse
which he so much longed to see in
his stables. In a moment did this es
modern Alexander leap upon the back of that brilliant