You must never forget Him or me; my consolation in your absence will be that your prayers will ascend to heaven along with mine." "You may trust me, mother, indeed you may.

Good-bye, little mother! God bless you, mutterchen! Good-bye!" cried out the sailor lad from the carriage window; and then, the train moved off, puffing and panting out of the station, leaving Fritz and his mother standing on the platform, and waving their handkerchiefs in farewell to Eric, who was as busily engaged gesticulating, with his hat in one hand and in the other a newspaper that his brother had brought him, shouting out, `Lebewohl!'-- a sobbing farewell it was--for the last time, and still waving adieux when his voice failed him! "Never mind, my mother," said Fritz softly, giving his arm to the heart- stricken lady, and leading her away with tender care from the railway station to their now sadly bereaved home.

"Cheer up, and hope, mutterchen! You have a son still left you, who will never desert you or quit his post of looking after you, till Eric, the dear boy, comes back." "I know, my son, I know your love and affection," replied Madame Dort, pressing his arm to her side affectionately; "but, who can tell what the future may have in store for us?
Ah, it's a wise proverb that, dear son, which reminds us that `man proposes, but God disposes!'" "It is so," murmured Fritz, more to himself than to her; "still, I trust we'll all meet again beneath the old roof-tree." "And I the same, from the bottom of my heart!" said his mother, in cordial sympathy with his wish, as she began to ascend the steps leading up to her dwelling; while Fritz returned to the counting-house of his employer, Herr Grosschnapper, to finish those duties which had been interrupted by his having to see Eric off..