The spirits flew away; but in another minute they returned, having executed their task. Thus, before the soldier could think of some new labour to be done, the old one was completed, and the demons were again at his side demanding more work. When he began to think what he should give them, they pressed round him, and threatened him with instant death if he did not give them something to do. The soldier was becoming exhausted, and there was yet no sign of his comrade's return. What course should he take? How deliver himself from the evil spirits? The soldier thought to himself,—

"While I was reading the book, not one of the demons came near me. Let me try to read it again; perhaps that will keep them off."

Again he began to read the book of magic, but he soon observed that as he read the number of phantoms increased, so that soon such a host of the spirit-world surrounded him that the very lamp was scarcely visible. When the soldier hesitated at a word, or paused to rest himself, the goblins became more restless and violent, demanding,—

"Give us work to do! Give us work!"

The soldier was almost worn out, and unhappily knew not how to help himself. Suddenly a thought occurred to him,

"The spirits appeared when I read the book from the

beginning; let me now read it from the end, perhaps this well send them way."

He turned the book round and began to read it from the end. After reading for some time he observed that the number of spirits decreased; the lamp began again to burn brightly, and there was an empty space around him.

The soldier was delighted, and continued his reading. He read and read until he had read them all away. And thus he saved himself from the demons. His comrade came in soon afterwards. The soldier told him what had happened.

"It is fortunate for you," said his comrade, "that you began to read the book backwards in time. Had you not thus read them away by midnight they would have devoured you."

THE WISE JUDGMENT.

(FROM THE BOHEMIAN.)

KING Hradibor was a wise and a clever man. He was wise because he would travel about the country, that he might see everything for himself; he was clever because he did so under an assumed name, in order that people might not prepare themselves for his visits. In this way he saw many remarkable things-things of which he had not the remotest idea before; and no wonder, for he would not only go into open towns and villages, but even into the poorest hut if it came in his way. In a miserable hovel he once saw what he had never seen before— a poor woman with twelve daughters.

"Are all these your daughters?" asked the king of the old woman, who was greatly surprised that a gentleman should deign to enter her poor hut.

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They are all mine," answered the old woman, sighing; "and I don't know what to do with them."

"As you are so poor," said the king, "I will take one of your daughters with me on my return."

Then the king gave the old woman a piece of gold money, and, wishing her heaven's blessing, departed.

The woman became a little easier in her mind on the receipt of this present; but not so her daughters. They were all well-conducted and obedient children; but when a fine gentleman comes and asks to take one of them away-for his wife, of course!-it is no trifling matter. They began to discuss the question together, and each claimed the strange gentleman for herself. At length, as after a long dispute they could not agree who was the most eligible, the eldest sister said,—

"I am the eldest, and according to custom I ought to be married first."

"That's of no consequence," cried the second sister; 'the gentleman may pay little respect for custom, and choose any one of us he likes best."

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Certainly," concurred the third sister, "such gentlemen don't care much for custom. What do you say, sisters ?"

"No, no; of course not!" they all cried, with the exception of the eldest-and the youngest, who was but five years old, and the most beautiful of them all.

Then the mother came among her daughters, and sent them to their work. The girls set to work, but some

how the work did not go on so well this time as usual; they were all deeply buried in thought; they would stop to arrange their dresses and smooth their hair, and they looked at each other with suspicion. Had not the king soon returned they would all have worried themselves to death, although he had promised to take only one of them. Fortunately the king soon made his appearance, and not wishing to keep the girls in suspense any longer, he took the youngest of them, called Libena, by the hand, saying to the old woman,

"I will take this one away with me."

"Why, what will you do with her?" cried the mother and sisters with one voice.

"What shall I do with her? I will adopt her as my own daughter, since I have none at home. Do you not agree to that?"

"With pleasure," answered the mother; the daughters were dumb with surprise. Then the king stepped into his carriage, placed Libena by his side, and having given the mother a purse full of gold pieces, drove away. The daughters surrounded the mother, and when she had shown them the money they recovered somewhat from their astonishment and were satisfied.

Meanwhile the king drove to his palace, where he had three sons, the youngest of whom was only ten years old.