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God does all aright, that that which He permits is the very best, which can support you from being overwhelmed by your affliction: forget not, therefore, the great and beautiful object of all our sufferings. The sufferings of time bear no comparison to the glory which shall be revealed to us. Through suffering is virtue perfected: the sufferings of time lead to Even Christ himself attained to his glory

everlasting joy. through suffering.

On this way Mary followed Him: nor is there for us any other way to Heaven."

Theodora listened to him greatly affected, and found great satisfaction in the beautiful picture. She could not sufficiently contemplate it. "I will follow," said she, "the example of the afflicted mother: I will look up to Heaven, pray, believe, and say from my very heart, as she did, Lord, thy will be done!'"

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"Good!" said the Pastor; "that is right; that pleases me." According to the opinion of that good man, nothing was too costly for the consolation of a sorrowing spirit. He took the beautiful picture from the wall, gave it to the poor fisherwoman, and said: "In order that you may not forget your beautiful resolution, and be able to adhere to it, take this picture home with you: I give it to you. When your heart begins afresh to bleed, and it feels as if a two-edged sword were within it, then cast your glance upon the picture, renew your resolution, and the wound will, with God's help, heal by degrees, and above, in Heaven, will a crown of glory also await you."

Theodora followed the advice of the good Pastor; and her grief became much milder: but still whenever she passed the tree under which she had last seen her boy, there always went

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a pang through her heart. On this the thought came into her mind to make a hollow in the tree, and to place within it the beautiful picture. "The tree," said she, causes me ever new sorrow; but then I should also here ever find new consolation. Ah!" sighed she, "other mothers place, for their dead children, a little memorial in the churchyard; the tree thus may become the memorial of my dear Augustus.'

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She mentioned her idea to the good old Pastor, and he had nothing against it. "So that it brings you consolation, do it, well and good."

She cut, therefore, with a deal of trouble, a round hollow, about the size of a window-pane, in the bark of the tree, placed the picture within it, and, when she now passed the tree, she looked upon that beautiful picture, and said: "I also will be a servant of the Lord, like Mary; to me also it happened according to His will!" and by degrees her heart became less sorrowful.

CHAPTER II.

MR. WAHL.

In the meantime, whilst the afflicted mother wept her beloved Augustus as dead, the little five-years-old boy had made a journey of more than three hundred miles; had arrived in the imperial city of Vienna; lived there, gay and full of health, in a magnificent house that resembled a palace; was as beautifully and richly dressed as if he were of noble birth; and, which was more than all this, he was educated in the most careful

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