drinking, the pipe goes out, and the beer becomes stale."

"True," replied the king, and raising his glass he continued: "I
drink this to the health of him who first overcame his timid heart
and dared to enter my chamber. Who was it? I have forgotten."

"It was the privy councillor Von Eckert, sire," said Count Hacke,
with an ironical smile. Eckert bowed.

"He entered the chamber as if going to battle," exclaimed Von
Pollnitz, laughing. "In the spirit he took leave of all the fine
breweries, and artfully constructed never-smoking chimneys which he
had built; he also took leave of the city exchanges, which he had
not yet provided with royal commissioners, destined to despoil them
of their riches; he bade adieu to his decoration and to his money-
bags, and exclaiming, 'To the king I owe all that I am, it is
therefore but proper that my back as well as my life should be at
his service,' marched courageously into the royal presence."

"Did he really do that? Did he say that?" exclaimed the king.
"Eckert, I am pleased with you for that, and will reward you. It is
true that I have elevated you from a lowly position; that I have
made a gentleman of the chimney-sweep; but gratitude is a rare
virtue, men seldom remember the benefits they have received; your
doing so, is an evidence that you have a noble heart, one which I
know how to appreciate. The new house which I am building in Jager
Street shall be yours; and I will not present you with the naked
walls, but it shall be handsomely furnished and fitted up at my
expense."