BERTHA. -M 



claimed kindred, were among the earliest settlers of Pennsyl- 

 vania ; but the reminiscences of their distant land were handed 

 down as traditions to another generation, and the tender home 

 affections, which form almost a national trait in Germany, were 

 not chilled by the atmosphere of freedom and repose. There 

 are perhaps no people in the world who devote so much thought 

 to the daily happiness of children as do our Teutonic brethren ; 

 and the consequeuce is, that the impatience to escape from the 

 limits of childhood, which is so strongly marked a trait of 

 American youth, is rarely seen among the descendants of those 

 who have early learned to respect the claims of " little people." 

 Among such hearts, Bertha was allowed to remain a child as 

 long as she would. Sure of meeting with kindliness and affee- 

 tion on every side, sure of finding her whims tolerated, her 

 fancies considered, and even her follies forgiven, Bertha led a 

 gay and happy life. She had no motive for self-examination — 

 no innate perception of the heart's hidden things. 



The only point which seemed really a decided one in Bertha's 

 character, was her love for flowers. Never was there a creature 

 so wild in her fondness for these beautiful creations. She was 

 never without a bud or blossom, entwined in her hair, or repos- 

 ing upon her bosom. Like the enchantress, Namouna, she 

 seemed to live upon their fragrance, and it would not have been 

 difficult to believe that her delicate beauty was nurtured by no 

 more material food. 



From her earliest childhood Bertha was accustomed to range 

 the woods and wilds. Many a gay nutting party, many a search 



