| Show THE TWO WIVES in a certain city there were two wives named gerda and hulda al AI though their homes adjoined these wives were in very different social stations for gerda was the wife of 0 a very proud and cry rich man while hulda was the wife of a humble artisan berdas house was lofty and spacious and was adorned with most costly and most beautiful things but buldas house was a scantily furnished little cottage the difference in their social stations did not however prevent gorda gerda and hulda from being very friendly in a proper fashion and the two frequently exchanged visits while their husbands were away from home one day hulda was at berdas house and gorda gerda said 1 I must show you the painting we have just received f from rom paris it is the most beautiful painting in the world and it cost a princely sum of money and gerda took hulda into an adjoining room and uncovered the pic tuie tue and aad tor for a long time hulda stood admiring it in silence it was indeed indeed a masterpiece of art such beauty of conception such elegance of design and such nicety in execution never before been seen it was a marvel of figure and color and effect Is it not the most beautiful picture la in all the world asked gerda it la is very beautiful replied hulda huida but it ft Is not the most beautiful picture in all the world then gerda tools hulda into another clamber chamber and showed her a jeweled music box which the most cu cunning artisans in all switzerland had labored tor for years to produce you shall hear bear it make music said gerda aud gerda touched the spring and the music box discoursed a harmony such as haldas listening ears had bad never heard before it seemed as it a mountain brook a summer zephyr and a wildwood wildwood wild wood wood bird were in the box vying with each other in sweet melodies Is it not the most beautiful music in a all 11 the world asked gerda it is very beautiful replied hulda huida but it Is not the most beautiful music in the world then gorda gerda was sorely vexed you said that of the picture said gorda gerda and you say it of the music now tell me hulda where is there to be found a more beautiful picture and where more beautiful music come with me gorda gerda said hulda huida and hulda led gerda from the stately mansion into her own humble little cottage see there upon the wall near the door said hulda 1 I see nothing but stains landmarks andi and marks of dirt said gerda where is the picture of which you apoka they are the prints of a baby hand said hulda you ark are a woman N and a wife and would you not exchange all the treasures of your palace for the finger marks ol of a little hand upon your tinted i and gerda made no reply then hulda went to a corner and drew forth a pair of quaint tiny shoes and showed them to gerda these are a babas shoes said hulda and male make a music no art can equal other may charm the ear car and delight the senses but the music of a babas shoe thrills the heart and brings the soul into communion with the angels then gerda cried T is true 0 huld heldal a I 1 t t is true and she bowed hex head and wept or she as e A ic a |
