without his earnings for a time, as of course the goats must be given
up. Then, noticing the boy's delight and the mother's anxious, undecided
countenance, he added before she could reply:

"Perhaps, if Stephan is steady and careful enough, I can trust him here
alone every morning to sweep and dust the warehouses, for which I will
pay him thirty kreutzers a week (nearly a shilling). I suppose he gets
little more than that for tending the goats."

"Oh! thank you, sir," said the boy eagerly, anticipating his mother's
reply, "I will, indeed, be careful and steady."

"Gently, boy, your mother is to decide."

"I cannot thank you enough, sir," she quickly answered. "Your offer is
more than we had ever hoped for, and I trust my child's conduct will
prove how grateful we both feel. He would like to begin at once, I know,
but must, of course, wait a few days till another boy is found to take
his place as herd-boy."

Herr Dahn nodded approvingly, and told them to let him know as soon as a
substitute was found. How thankful they were that evening as they talked
over the happy termination of their troubles, and still more so when a
neighbor came in to tell them that Bridgetta and some others of the
village had voted against Stephan continuing his post as herd, alleging
that they feared to trust him any longer with their goats. This was, of
course, very unpleasant news, for it was a sort of disgrace to be thus
displaced, however undeserved. It also explained the cause of
Bridgetta's extreme coolness and indifference as to how they had
obtained the money. No wonder she was unfriendly after her action,