VA ‘THE HISTORY OF .A -NUT-CRACKER.

cand held by the hand a young man, who, although very
‘little, was very handsome. This young man wore .a.superb
frock-coat of ‘red
:velvet embroidered
with gold, white silk
~stockings, and shoes
ibrilliantly polished.
-He had a charming
mosegay on the
‘bosom of his shirt,
and was very dan-
dified with his curls
and hair-powder ;
moreover, long tres-
ses, neatly braided,
hung behind his
back. The little
sword that he wore
by his side was bril-
lant with precious
stones ; and the hat which he carried under his arm was of
the finest. silk. 3
The amiable manners of
this young man showed
who he was directly; for
scarcely had he entered
the room, -when he placed
2 at Mary’s feet a quantity
of magnificent toys and
nice confectionery —
chiefly sweet cake and sugar-plum, the finest she had. ever
tasted, save in the Kingdom es

of Toys. As for Fritz, the
doctor’s nephew seemed to
have guessed his martial taste,

for he brought him a sword witha blade of the finest