How like her mother she was! and the father thought of the sunny days of his youth, when he had wandered on the banks of the Rhine with the fair German maiden, and wondered how he could forget that the young and ardent hearts of his children must be like the heart of his youth.
He kissed the innocent face upturned to his, and forgave them, saying, “I, too, have been to blame; and, in future, I will go with you to all places, my darlings, where it is proper, and right for you to go.”
Snowdrop and Rosebud were delighted, and willingly promised never again to deceive “the dear papa;” and from that day there was mutual confidence and love between the young girls and the father.
After a time, when two brave and gallant knights sought of the father the hands of the fair señoritas in marriage, he answered, “Let the hearts of my dear children decide for you. My only wish is to see them happy.”
There was a great feast made at their marriage; and the old Spanish house, so long wrapped in seclusion, resounded with joyous music and the merry laughter of light hearts. Again old Miguel stood behind the door, and rejoiced to see his darlings loved, admired, and happy.
LAZARUS AND BUMMER.
It was a dark rainy day in the land where the rain makes the winter, and the sunshine and blue sky the pleasant summer-time.
Through the Golden Gate, came the ship to the new city of hope, and all the people on board thought, “how happy and rich we shall become in the Gold Land. Though the city is now only a miserable place of tents and sand hills, one day how great it will be, and we shall live to see it. The fair Golden City.”