frederick the great and his family-第41章

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request；　she　was　startled；　and　turned　her　glance　slowly　down　from　heaven　upon　the　joyful　crowd　that　surrounded　her。

〃What　do　you　wish；　father？〃　she　asked。

The　old　shepherd　arose；　and；　taking　his　cap　from　his　gray　head；　said　solemnly；　〃You　have　read　us　of　the　victory；　Anna　Sophia；　now　read　us　of　those　who　gave　their　lives　for　it。　Tell　us　of　the　dead。〃

〃Yes；　read　us　a　list　of　the　dead！〃　cried　the　others；　uncovering　their　heads　respectfully。

Anna　sought　for　the　list；　and　read　slowly　the　names　of　the　fallen。　Their　faces　brightened　more　and　more；　none　belonging　to　them　were　dead。　Suddenly　Anna　paused；　and　uttered　a　low　cry；　then　looked　at　Father　Buschman　with　a　terrified　expression。　Perhaps　the　old　man　understood　her；　for　he　trembled　a　little；　and　his　head　fell　upon　his　breast；　but　he　raised　it　proudly　again。　Looking　almost　commandingly　at　Anna；　he　said；

〃Read　on；　my　daughter。〃

But　Anna　could　not　read。　The　paper　trembled　in　her　hand；　and　her　face　was　pale　as　death。

〃Read　on；〃　repeated　the　old　man〃read　on；　I；　your　father；　command　you　to　read！〃

Anna　sighed　deeply。　〃I　will　obey；〃　she　said；　and　casting　a　glance　of　inexpressible　sorrow　at　the　old　man；　two　new　names　fell　from　her　lips　and　tears　to　consecrate　them。　〃Anton　Buschman；　Frederick　Buschman；〃　and　then　taking　advantage　of　the　breathless　stillness；　she　added；　〃The　two　brothers　were　the　first　to　attack　the　enemy　they　died　the　death　of　heroes！〃　She　ceased。　The　paper　dropped　from　her　trembling　hands　and　fell　at　the　old　man's　feet。

The　weeping　eyes　of　the　crowd　were　turned　upon　old　Buschman。　As　if　crushed　by　the　storm；　he　had　staggered　to　the　bench；　he　bowed　his　head　upon　his　breast　that　no　one　might　see　the　expression　of　his　face；　his　trembling　hands　clasped　on　his　knees；　made　a　touching　picture　of　silent　sorrow。

His　son　Henry；　who　had　been　standing　with　the　others；　stepped　softly　to　him；　and　kneeling　down；　put　his　arms　around　the　old　man's　neck　and　spoke　to　him　tenderly。

The　old　man　started　up　with　terrorhis　glance　turned　from　his　son　to　the　crowd；　and　met　everywhere　sympathizing　and　troubled　faces。　〃Well；〃　he　asked；　in　a　hard；　rough　voice；　〃why　do　you　weep？　Did　you　not　hear　that　my　sons　died　the　death　of　heroes？　Have　they　not　fallen　for　their　country　and　their　king？　It　would　become　us　to　weep　if　they　were　cowards　and　fled　in　battle。　But　Anna　Sophia　told　us　they　died　the　death　of　heroes。　Therefore；　let　us　think　of　them　with　love　and　pride。　'Blessed　are　the　dead；　for　they　see　God！'〃

He　sank　upon　his　knees　and　murmured　low　prayers　for　the　repose　of　the　dead；　and　now　he　wept　for　the　first　time。　At　his　side　knelt　his　son　and　Anna　Sophia；　and　the　crowd；　overcome　by　emotion　and　sympathy；　followed　their　example；　and　with　bended　knees　murmured　the　pious　prayers　of　the　Church　for　the　dead。

The　solemn　stillness　was　broken　by　the　beating　of　drums　and　the　tramping　of　horses。　A　company　of　infantry；　headed　by　the　drummer　and　fifer；　marched　up　the　street　and　approached　the　villagers；　who；　rising　from　their　knees；　gazed　anxiously　at　the　troops。

〃They　are　Prussians；〃　said　the　mayor；　who　was　amongst　the　crowd。

〃They　are　Prussians；〃　repeated　the　crowd；　with　brightening　faces。

Headed　by　the　mayor；　they　went　forward　to　meet　and　conduct　them　to　the　middle　of　the　square；　where　they　halted。　The　mayor　then　approached　the　officer　and　asked　him　what　he　desired。

The　officer；　after　making　the　drummer　a　sign；　who　beat　the　roll　powerfully；　drew　out　a　roll　of　paper　and　unfolded　it。　The　villagers　pushed　forward　and　waited　with　breathless　attention。　Close　to　the　officer　stood　the　old　shepherd；　next　to　him　his　son　and　Anna　Sophia；　who　was　staring；　pale　and　trembling；　at　the　officer；　who　now　began　to　read。

This　paper　commanded　the　unmarried　men　of　the　village　to　place　themselves　under　the　king's　flag；　and　to　take　their　places　in　the　ranks　of　those　who　fought　for　their　country。　Harvest　was　at　an　end；　and　the　king　could　now　demand　the　fighting　men　of　villages　and　cities　to　join　him　and　share　with　him　his　dangers　and　his　victories。　The　officer　then　commanded　the　mayor　to　give　him　early　the　next　morning　a　list　of　the　unmarried　men　in　the　village；　that　he　might　call　them　out　and　conduct　them　to　Cleve　for　further　orders。

A　hollow　murmur　ran　through　the　crowd　when　the　officer　had　finished。　The　joyful　and　inspired　emotion　they　had　just　felt　gave　way　to　discontent　and　gloom。　All　had　been　ready　to　celebrate　the　victory；　but　found　it　far　from　desirable　to　enter　the　ranks。

The　old　shepherd　looked　angrily　at　the　despairing　crowd；　and　an　expression　of　pious　peace　spread　over　his　venerable　countenance。　Turning　to　the　officer；　he　said；　in　a　loud　voice；

〃I　had　six　sons　in　the　army；　two　fell　in　the　battle　of　Losovitz；　and　my　poor　old　heart　still　weeps　for　the　dead；　but　it　is　also　content　that　the　king　calls　for　another　sacrifice。　I　have　one　other　son；　he　is　unmarried；　has　no　one　to　take　care　of；　neither　wife　nor　child　nor　his　old　father；　for；　thank　God；　I　still　have　strength　to　support　myself。　Go；　then；　my　son　Charles　Henry；　the　king　calls　you；　and　if　it　must　be　so；　lie　down　like　your　brothers　in　a　heroic　grave。〃

He　ceased　and　laid　his　hand；　as　if　with　a　blessing；　upon　his　son's　head；　but　Henry　did　not　partake　of　his　father's　enthusiasm。　His　face　was　pale　as　death；　and　his　powerful　frame　trembled　as　if　with　fever。

Anna　Sophia　saw　it；　her　beaming　face　paled；　and　her　eye　sank　down　with　shame。

The　officer；　who　had　noticed　the　dejection　of　the　people；　wished　to　give　them　time　to　recover。

〃Leave　every　thing　alone　until　tomorrow；〃　he　said。　〃Tomorrow；　sir　mayor；　you　will　hand　me　the　list；　and　I　am　sure　that　the　unmarried　boys　will　obey　their　king's　call　with　joy。　Now；　sir　mayor；　I　beg　you　to　conduct　me　to　the　courthouse；　where　I　will　pass　the　night；　and　see　that　my　soldiers　find　good　quarters　there；　and　in　the　village。〃

He　nodded　kindly　to　the　people；　and　accompanied　by　the　mayor；　moved　onward。　The　crowd　followed　them　silently；　and　the　gay　village　boys　danced　gleefully　around　the　fine　procession。




CHAPTER　III。

THE　CERTIFICATE　OF　ENLISTMENT。


Anna　Sophia　returned　to　her　solitary　home　in　deep　meditation；　and　not　even　in　the　stillness　of　her　room　could　she　regain　her　accustomed　serenity　and　cheerfulness。　Her　thoughts　were　far　away；　for　the　first　time　her　room　appeared　to　her　gloomy　and　deserted。　The　memories　of　the　past　did　not　now　speak　to　her；　and　when　she　threw　herself　upon　her　bed；　it　was　without　having　bid　her　parents　goodnight。

But　even　then　she　could　find　no　rest。　Strange　visions　were　wafted　before　her　waking　eyes；　wonderful　dreams　took　hold　of　her　senses。　She　saw　her　victorious　king　standing　before　her；　his　sparkling　eyes　beckoning　her　to　follow　him。　Then　she　saw　herself　in　the　front　of　an　army；　the　fluttering　banner　in　her　hand；　the　glittering　shield　on　her　breast；　followed　by　many　brave　warriors；　who　were　all　gazing　proudly　upon　her。　And　again　she　saw　herself。　But　now　she　was　all　alonealone　by　the　side　of　an　open　grave；　with　a　gaping　wound　in　her　breast；　raising　her　weary　eyes　upward　and　murmuring　with　pale　lips；　〃How　sweet　to　die　for　one's　country！〃　Then　the　brothers　of　her　betrothed　raised　themselves　slowly　from　among　the　dead；　and　signed　to　her　to　follow　them。　She　seemed　to　hear　them　saying；　〃Revenge　our　death；　our　brother　is　faint…hearted！〃

At　this　thought；　she　raised　herself　upon　her　couch。

〃He　is　a　coward；〃　murmured　she。　〃I　saw　him　turn　pale　and　tremble；　and　I　felt　as　if　a　sword　had　entered　my　heart　and　destroyed　all　my　love　for　him。　Yes；　he　is　a　coward；　and　instead　of　rejoicing　at　the　thought　of　a　battle；　he　trembles。〃

She　covered　her　face　with　her　hands；　as　if　to　hide　from　the　night　the　burning　blush　of　shame　that　mounted　to　her　brow。　Thus　she　sat　for　hours　motionless；　as　if　listening　to　the　voices　whispering　to　her　from　within；　until　the　first　gleam　of　morning；　the　first　ray　of　sun　entered　the　open　window　to　arouse　her　from　her　waking　dreams。

She　sprang　from　her　bed；　and　dressed　herself　with　trembling　eagerness。　The　sun　had　arisen；　and　Charles　Henry　was　no　doubt　already　in　the　woods；　at　the　place　she　had　appointed　to　meet　him　yesterday　morning。　When　bidding　him　good…by；　she　had　whispered　to　him　to　meet　her　there　in　the　morning　at　sunrise；　she　did　not　then　know　why　she　had　appointed　this　meeting。　She　well　knew　it　was　not　the　longing　to　pass　an　undisturbed　hour　with　her　lover　that　had　actuated　her。　Anna　had　no　such　wish；　her　heart　was　too　pure；　her　love　too　cold。　She　had　only　felt　that　she　would　have　something　to　say　to　him；　she　knew　not　what　herself。

But　now　she　well　knew　what　she　had　to　say；　it　was　all　clear；　and　therefore　she　was　happy　and　cheerful。　It　seemed　to　her　as　if　her　soul　had　taken　flight；　and　as　if　there　was　a　lark　within　her　singing　songs　of　joy；　and　with　these　feelings　she　hastened　down　the　road　into　the　woods。

At　the　appointed　place　stood　Charles　Henry；　and　as　his　betrothed　approached　him；　so　proud；　so　smiling；　sparkling　with　beauty　and　youth；　it　appeared　to　him　that　he　had　never　seen　her　so　exquisitely　beautiful；　to　her；　as　he　advanced　smilingly　to　meet　her；　he　had　never　seemed　so　small；　so　devoid　of　attractions。

When　they　met；　they　looked　at　each　other　in　amazementthere　was　a　change　in　both。

〃Anna　Sophia；〃　said　Charles　Henry　at　last；　sadly；　〃you　have　something　against　me。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　she；　〃I　have　something　against　you；　otherwise　I　would　not　have　appointed　this　meeting　here；　where　we　can　be　heard　by　no　one。　Were　this　that　I　have　to　tell　you　something　good；　something　pleasant；　all　the　world　might　stand　by　and　hear　it；　but　as　it　is　something　painful；　it　must　be　heard　by　you　alone。〃

She　seated　herself　silently　upon　the　ground；　signing　to　Charles　Henry　to　follow　her　example。

〃It　was　here；〃　said　Anna；　hastily；〃　that　you　first　told　me　of　your　love。〃

〃Yes；　it　was　here；　Anna；〃　repeated　he；　〃and　you　then　told　me　that　my　love　was　returned；　and　that　you　would　be　my　wife　when　we　had　saved　enough　to　commence　housekeeping。　But　still　I　have　always　felt　that　you　were　not　kind　to　me；　not　as　the　other　girls　in　the　village　are　to　their　lovers。　You　have　never　permitted　me　to　come　under　your　window　at　night；　I　have　never　been　allowed　to　take　you　in　my　arms　and　kiss　you　tenderly；　as　the　others　boys　do　their　sweethearts；　and　never；　no　never；　have　you　given　me　a　kiss　unasked；　and；　after　all　my　entreaties；　you　kissed　me　only　in　the　presence　of　my　old　father　and　his　dog。〃

〃It　is　not　in　my　nature　to　be　very　tender；〃　said　Anna；　shrugging　her　shoulders。　〃I　read　in　one　of　my　books　lately　a　fairy　tale；　in　which　there　was　a　young　girl；　of　whom　it　was　said　that　a　bad　fairy　had　bound　her　heart　in　iron；　to　prevent　its　full　play；　the　girl　was　constantly　bewailing　this　fatality；　saying；　'I　can　only　like；　but　never　love。'　Perhaps　it　is　thus　with　me；　but　I　do　not　weep　over　it；　like　the　foolish　girl　in　the　book。〃

〃And　was　this　what　you　had　to　tell　me？〃　asked　Charles　Henry；　mockingly。

She　gave　him　a　look　that　sent　the　jeering　smile　from　his　lip。

〃No；　Charles　Henry；〃　said　she；　〃this　is　not　what　I　have　to　tell　you。〃

〃Well；　what　is　it　then；　Anna；　for　this　wounds　me？〃　said　he　impatiently。

〃Perhaps　the　other　will　do　so　also；〃　said　she；　sadly。　〃But　it　must　come　out；　I　cannot　suppress　it。　Hear；　Charles　Henry；　what　I　have　to　say；　a