Mrs. Winter was very anxious to travel to Paris by the way of Strasbourg, as she had always wished to see the cathedral with its wonderful clock.

Mr. Winter made inquiries and found that was decidedly the best way to go, which was a great delight to them all. Our party left Nuremberg early in the morning, sorry to see the last of the most interesting city they had seen thus far on their trip. Nellie, who was looking forward to meeting her father and mother in Paris, was quite happy to make a move in that direction.

The first part of the trip was not very interesting, but the latter was delightful, and as they had a compartment to themselves the girls could enjoy the view from both sides of the train. A change of cars was made at a place where there was hardly anything but the station and the railroad interests. Here they ate a cold lunch from the counter, though there were some hot dishes on a table; but they did not look very tempting.

The spire of the Strasbourg Cathedral could be seen some time before reaching the station, and well it might, being four hundred and sixty-six feet high, and by some authorities said to be the highest in the world.

The fortifications had been so fine at Mayence our party was surprised to find others much finer here, many of them being new, having been built at the time of the French and German war in 1870.

The engineering of some of them is particularly fine, as they are made to be opened, so that all the surrounding country can be flooded if necessary.

The train wound round the city, giving them a fine view of the fortifications and the soldiers being drilled in many of the enclosures.

Strasbourg was one of the most important cities during the last war, and a great portion of it was destroyed. One side of the cathedral was badly damaged, but is now thoroughly restored.

Mr. Winter took his family to a small hotel on the square near the station, having been recommended there by the manager of the hotel at Nuremberg. He found it very comfortable, and every possible attention was shown them.

Arriving about five o'clock, there was plenty of time to be driven around the city. Of course they started for the cathedral, but on the way the driver stopped the carriage to point out one of the highest chimneys on one of the tallest houses, where the storks had built a nest.

He also told them how the storks arrive every spring and build their nests, and then leave in the fall with their young, to return the next spring with their families no larger nor smaller than when they go away. What becomes of the surplus is a great question—whether they only increase sufficiently to fill the vacancies caused by death or old age, or that the young ones found colonies in other countries.

The storks are held in great reverence by mankind, and are never harmed. Indeed, it is considered good fortune to the inmates of a house when a nest is built on one of its chimneys.

The driver told a story of one man who gave up the use of his room an entire winter, rather than destroy a nest which two storks had built over the top of his chimney, and thus prevented his building a fire.

As they approached the cathedral Alice said, "Why, papa, where is the clock? I cannot see it at all."

"I do not know," said Mr. Winter; "but it certainly is there somewhere." The driver took them to the front of the building, where they were met by a guide, who showed them the beauties of the outside architecture and the many statues of the apostles and saints. He told them that the cathedral was commenced in 1015 and finished in 1601.

The guide showed them the plateau half-way up the height of the steeple, and told them that it is used by men who watch for fires all the time. The citizens are so proud of the cathedral that they have it dusted and washed inside very frequently.

"Where is the clock?" said Mrs. Winter, as soon as the guide stopped talking long enough for her to speak a word.

The man did not answer, but took them around to a side door, where, after receiving his tip, he left them and walked away.

At first they did not know what to do, but Mrs. Winter said, "I think we had better go inside if we can."

In they went, and right by the door was the clock. A fine-looking man dressed elegantly met them. He proved to be a finely educated Swiss, and he explained the various wonders of the clock.

He told them that the clock was built three hundred years ago, and was to run a certain number of years. It shows all fÊte days for all those years, tells the changes of the moon, eclipses—in fact, everything that one could imagine.

The apostles do not all come out and walk around except at noon, but as it was quarter before six our party saw three men move.

The clock stops at six at night and then commences again at six in the morning.

Mrs. Winter said the longer she looked at it, the more wonderful it seemed to her that any man could think of so many things.

The guide also told them that the man who first conceived the idea of the clock became totally blind when it was nearly completed. Of course he could work no more, and it was never thought the clock would be finished.

He lived thirty years, and after his death another man was found who thought he could complete it. He succeeded, and was paid by the government for his time and work.

Mrs. Winter said, "I think it is the most wonderful thing I ever saw, and I do not know which man I admire the most—the one who conceived such a work, or the man who could carry out such marvellous thoughts of a man whom he had never met."

After leaving the cathedral our party was driven around the city. The old part they found very quaint and picturesque, with its high and sloping roofs. The new part, built by the Germans, was very handsome, some of the buildings, like the palace, conservatory of music, and the post-office, being particularly fine.

The driver told them that one of the great interests there was the making of pÂtÉ de foie gras. It is made from the livers of geese which are fed in such a way that the liver grows abnormally large, often weighing three pounds.

He also told them that many of the French people are still very bitter against the Germans, even pulling down their shades to the windows if a regiment should march by the house. On their return to the hotel, the manager told Mr. Winter he would have a very quick and comfortable journey to Paris if he took the Orient express which runs between Constantinople and Paris. It would leave Strasbourg three hours later than the ordinary train, and would arrive in Paris some hours before it.

Mr. Winter engaged a compartment at once, and the next day had a very enjoyable trip, though it was a very long one. The first part of the route, over mountains and through ravines, was very delightful; but after getting into France it was flat and uninteresting.

They passed through EpÉrgny, which was interesting for its vines, which covered the fields for many miles. From these grapes champagne is made.

Paris was reached at six o'clock, and their hotel, which had been recommended by friends, was found to be very homelike.

The Fords were there waiting for them, and were as glad to see Nellie as she was glad to be with them again.