第4章

"But，ifheknowsnothingofhisfather’scompact，ofwhatinterestisthis？"

"Oh，nothing！OnlyIthoughtitmightleadtosomething。"

Mrs。Rightbodysuspectedthat"something，"andaskedsharply，"AndprayhowdidYOUfinditout？Youdidnotspeakofitinthevalley。"

"Oh！Ididn’tfinditouttillto-day，"saidMissAlice，walkingtothewindow。"Hehappenedtobehere，and——toldme。"

PARTIV。

IfMrs。Rightbody’sfriendshadbeenastoundedbyhersingularandunexpectedpilgrimagetoCaliforniasosoonafterherhusband’sdecease，theywerestillmoreastoundedbytheinformation，ayearlater，thatshewasengagedtobemarriedtoaMr。Ryder，ofwhomonlythescanthistorywasknown，thathewasaCalifornian，andformercorrespondentofherhusband。Itwasundeniablethatthemanwaswealthy，andevidentlynomereadventurer;itwasrumoredthathewascourageousandmanly：buteventhosewhodelightedinhisoddhumorwereshockedathisgrammarandslang。

ItwassaidthatMr。Marvinhadbutoneinterviewwithhisfather-

in-lawelect，andreturnedsosupremelydisgusted，thatthematchwasbrokenoff。Thehorse-stealingstory，moreorlessgarbled，founditswaythroughlipsthatpretendedtodecryit，yeteagerlyrepeatedit。OnlyonememberoftheRightbodyfamily——andanewone——savedthemfromutterostracism。ItwasyoungMr。Ryder，theadoptedsonoftheprospectiveheadofthehousehold，whoseculture，manners，andgeneralelegance，fascinatedandthrilledBostonwithanewsensation。ItseemedtomanythatMissAliceshould，inthevicinityofthisrareexotic，forgetherformerenthusiasmforaprofessionallife;buttheyoungmanwaspitiedbysociety，andvariousplansfordivertinghimfromanymesalliancewiththeRightbodyfamilywereconcocted。

Itwasawintrynight，andthesecondanniversaryofMr。Rightbody’sdeath，thatalightwasburninginhislibrary。Butthedeadman’schairwasoccupiedbyyoungMr。Ryder，adoptedsonofthenewproprietorofthemansion;andbeforehimstoodAlice，withherdarkeyesfixedonthetable。

"Theremusthavebeensomethinginit，Joe，believeme。Didyouneverhearyourfatherspeakofmine？"

"Never。"

"Butyousayhewascollege-bred，andbornagentleman，andinhisyouthhemusthavehadmanyfriends。"

"Alice，"saidtheyoungmangravely，"whenIhavedonesomethingtoredeemmyname，andwearitagainbeforethesepeople，beforeYOU，itwouldbewelltorevivethepast。Buttillthen——"

ButAlicewasnottobeputdown。"Iremember，"shewenton，scarcelyheedinghim，"that，whenIcameinthatnight，papawasreadingaletter，andseemedtobedisconcerted。"

"Aletter？"

"Yes;but，"addedAlice，withasigh，"whenwefoundhimhereinsensible，therewasnoletteronhisperson。Hemusthavedestroyedit。"

"Didyoueverlookamonghispapers？Iffound，itmightbeaclew。"

Theyoungmanglancedtowardthecabinet。Alicereadhiseyes，andanswered，——

"Oh，dear，no！Thecabinetcontainedonlyhispapers，allperfectlyarranged，——youknowhowmethodicalwerehishabits，——andsomeoldbusinessandprivateletters，allcarefullyputaway。"

"Letusseethem，"saidtheyoungman，rising。

Theyopeneddrawerafterdrawer;filesuponfilesoflettersandbusinesspapers，accuratelyfoldedandfiled。SuddenlyAliceutteredalittlecry，andpickedupaquaintivorypaper-knifelyingatthebottomofadrawer。

"Itwasmissingthenextday，andnevercouldbefound：hemusthavemislaidithere。Thisisthedrawer，"saidAliceeagerly。

Herewasaclew。Butthelowerpartofthedrawerwasfilledwitholdletters，notlabelled，yetneatlyarrangedinfiles。Suddenlyhestopped，andsaid，"Putthemback，Alice，atonce。"

"Why？"

"Someoftheselettersareinmyfather’shandwriting。"

"ThemorereasonwhyIshouldseethem，"saidthegirlimperatively。

"Here，youtakepart，andI’lltakepart，andwe’llgetthroughquicker。"

Therewasacertaindecisionandindependenceinhermannerwhichhehadlearnedtorespect。Hetooktheletters，andinsilencereadthemwithher。Theywereoldcollegeletters，sofilledwithboyishdreams，ambitions，aspirations，andutopiantheories，thatI

fearneitheroftheseyoungpeopleevenrecognizedtheirparentsinthedeadashesofthepast。Theywerebothgrave，untilAliceutteredalittlehystericalcry，anddroppedherfaceinherhands。

Joewasinstantlybesideher。

"It’snothing，Joe，nothing。Don’treadit，please;please，don’t。

It’ssofunny！it’ssoveryqueer！"

ButJoehad，afteraslight，half-playfulstruggle，takentheletterfromthegirl。Thenhereadaloudthewordswrittenbyhisfatherthirtyyearsago。

"Ithankyou，dearfriend，forallyousayaboutmywifeandboy。

Ithankyouforremindingmeofourboyishcompact。Hewillbereadytofulfilit，Iknow，ifhelovesthosehisfatherloves，evenifyoushouldmarryyearslater。Iamgladforyoursake，forbothoursakes，thatitisaboy。Heavensendyouagoodwife，dearAdams，andadaughter，tomakemysonequallyhappy。"

JoeSilsbielookeddown，tookthehalf-laughing，half-tearfulfaceinhishands，kissedherforehead，and，withtearsinhisgraveeyes，said，"Amen！"……

IaminclinedtothinkthatthissentimentwasechoedheartilybyMrs。Rightbody’sformeracquaintances，when，ayearlater，MissAlicewasunitedtoaprofessionalgentlemanofhonorandrenown，yetwhowasknowntobethesonofaconvictedhorse-thief。AfewrememberedthepreviousCalifornianstory，andfoundcorroborationtherefor;butamajoritybelieveditajustrewardtoMissAliceforherconducttoMr。Marvin，and，asMissAlicecheerfullyaccepteditinthatlight，IdonotseewhyImaynotendmystorywithhappinesstoallconcerned。

ALEGENDOFSAMMTSTADT。

ItwasthesacredhourofnoonatSammtstadt。Everybodywasatdinner;andtheseriousKellnerof"DerWildemann"glancedinmildreproachatMr。JamesClinch，who，disregardingthatfactandtheinvitatorytabled’hote，steppedintothestreet。ForMr。ClinchhadeatenalatebreakfastatGladbach，wasdyspepticandAmerican，and，moveover，preoccupiedwithbusiness。Hewasconsequentlyindignant，onenteringthegarden-likecourtandcloister-likecounting-houseof"VonBecheret，Sons，Uncles，andCousins，"tofindthecomptoirdesertedevenbytheporter，andwasfuriousatthemaidservant，whoofferedthesacredshibboleth"Mittagsessen"

asareasonableexplanationofthesolitude。"Acountry，"saidMr。

Clinchtohimself，"thatstopsbusinessatmid-daytogotodinner，andemployswomen-servantstotalktobusiness-men，isplayedout。"

HesteppedfromthesilentbuildingintotheequallysilentKronprinzenStrasse。Notasoultobeseenanywhere。Rowsonrowsoftwo-storied，gray-stuccoedbuildingsthatmightbedwellings，ormightbeoffices，allshowingsometracesoffemininetasteandsupervisioninafloweroracurtainthatbeliedthelegended"Comptoir，"or"Direction，"overtheirportals。Mr。ClinchthoughtofBostonandStateStreet，ofNewYorkandWallStreet，andbecamecoldlycontemptuous。

YettherewasclearlynothingtodobuttowalkdowntheformalrowsofchestnutsthatlinedthebroadStrasse，andthenwalkbackagain。Atthecornerofthefirstcross-streethewasstruckwiththefactthattwomenwhowerestandinginfrontofadwelling-

houseappearedtobeasinconsistent，andoutofproportiontothesilenthouses，asweretheactorsonastagetothepaintedcanvasthoroughfaresbeforewhichtheystrutted。Mr。Clinchusuallyhadnofancies，hadnoeyeforquaintness;besides，thiswasnotaquaintnorromanticdistrict，onlyanentrepotforsilksandvelvets，andMr。Clinchwashere，notasatourist，butasapurchaser。TheguidebookshadignoredSammtstadt，andhewastoogoodanAmericantowastetimeinlookingupuncataloguedcuriosities。Besides，hehadbeenhereoncebefore，——anentireday！

Oneo’clock。Stillafullhourandahalfbeforehisfriendwouldreturntobusiness。Whatshouldhedo？TheVereinwherehehadoncebeenentertainedwasdesertedevenbyitswaiters;thegarden，withitsostentatiousout-of-doortables，lookedbleakandbare。

Mr。Clinchwasnotartisticinhistastes;butevenhewasquicktodetecttheaffrontputuponNaturebythiscontinental，theatricalgardening，andturneddisgustedlyaway。Bornneara"lake"largerthantheGermanOcean，heresentedapoolofwatertwenty-fivefeetindiameterunderthatalluringtitle;and，afrequenteroftheAdirondacks，hecouldscarcecontainhimselfoverabitofrock-

worktwelvefeethigh。"Acountry，"saidMr。Clinch，"that——"buthereherememberedthathehadonceseeninaparkinhisnativecityanimitationoftheDrachenfelsinplaster，onascaleoftwoinchestothefoot，andcheckedhisspeech。

Heturnedintotheprincipalalleeofthetown。Therewasalongwhitebuildingatoneend，——theBahnhof：attheotherendherememberedadye-house。Hehad，ayearago，metitshospitableproprietor：hewouldcalluponhimnow。

Butthesamesolitudeconfrontedhimashepassedtheporter’slodgebesidethegateway。Thecounting-house，halfvilla，halffactory，musthaveconvokeditshumanityinsomeout-of-the-wayrefectory，forthehallsandpassagesweretenantless。Forthefirsttimehebegantobeimpressedwithacertainforeignquaintnessinthesurroundings;hefoundhimselfalsorecallingsomethinghehadreadwhenaboy，aboutanenchantedpalacewhoseinhabitantsawokeonthearrivalofalong-predestinedPrince。Toassurehimselfoftheabsoluteridiculousnessofthisfancy，hetookfromhispocketthebusiness-cardofitsproprietor，asampleofdye，andrecalledhisownpersonalityinaletterofcredit。

Havingdismissedthisideafromhismind，heloungedonagainthrougharusticlanethatmighthaveledtoafarmhouse，yetwasstill，absurdlyenough，apartofthefactorygardens。Crossingaditchbyacauseway，hepresentlycametoanotherditchandanothercauseway，andthenfoundhimselfidlycontemplatingamassive，ivy-

clad，venerablebrickwall。Asamerewallitmightnothaveattractedhisattention;butitseemedtoenterandburyitselfatrightanglesintheside-wallofaquitemodern-lookingdwelling。

Aftersatisfyinghimselfofthisfact，hepassedonbeforethedwelling，butwasamazedtoseethewallreappearontheothersideexactlythesame——old，ivy-grown，sturdy，uncompromising，andridiculous。

Coulditactuallybeapartofthehouse？Heturnedback，andrepassedthefrontofthebuilding。Theentrancedoorwashospitablyopen。Therewasahallandastaircase，but——byallthatwaspreposterous！——theywerebuiltOVERandAROUNDthecentralbrickintrusion。Thewallactuallyranthroughthehouse！"A

country，"saidMr。Clinchtohimself，"wheretheybuildtheirhousesoverruinstoaccommodatethem，orsavethetroubleofremoval，is，——"butaverypleasantvoiceaddressinghimherestoppedhisusualhastyconclusion。

"GutenMorgen！"

Mr。Clinchlookedhastilyup。Leaningontheparapetofwhatappearedtobeagardenontheroofofthehousewasayounggirl，red-cheeked，bright-eyed，blond-haired。Thevoicewassoft，subdued，andmellow;itwaspartofthenewimpressionhewasreceiving，thatitseemedtobeinsomesortconnectedwiththeivy-cladwallbeforehim。Hishatwasinhishandasheanswered，——

"GutenMorgen！"

"WastheHerrseekinganything？"

"TheHerrwasonlywaitingalongtime-comingfriend，andhadstrayedheretospeakwiththebefore-knownproprietor。"

"So？But，thebefore-knownproprietorsleepingwellatpresentafterdinner，wouldtheHerrontheterracestillawhilelinger？"

TheHerrwould，butlookedaroundinvainforthemeanstodoit。

Hewasthinkingofascaling-ladder，whentheyoungwomanreappearedattheopendoor，andbadehimenter。

Followingtheyouthfulhostess，Mr。Clinchmountedthestaircase，but，passingthemysteriouswall，couldnotforbearanallusiontoit。"Itisold，veryold，"saidthegirl："itwasherewhenI

came。"

"Thatwasnotverylongago，"saidMr。Clinchgallantly。

"No;butmygrandfatherfounditheretoo。"

"Andbuiltoverit？"

"Whynot？Itisvery，veryhard，andSOthick。"

Mr。Clinchhereexplained，withmasculinesuperiority，theexistenceofsuchmodernagentsasnitro-glycerineanddynamite，persuasiveintheireffectsupontime-honoredobstructionsandencumbrances。

"Buttherewasnotthenwhatyoucall——this——ni——nitro-glycerine。"

"Butsincethen？"

Theyounggirlgazedathimintroubledsurprise。"Mygreat-

grandfatherdidnottakeitawaywhenhebuiltthehouse：whyshouldwe？"

"Oh！"

Theyhadpassedthroughahallanddining-room，andsuddenlysteppedoutofawindowuponagravelledterrace。Fromthisafewstonestepsdescendedtoanotherterrace，onwhichtreesandshrubsweregrowing;andyet，lookingovertheparapet，Mr。Clinchcouldseetheroadsometwentyfeetbelow。Itwasnearlyonalevelwith，andpartof，thesecondstoryofthehouse。Hadanearthquakeliftedtheadjacentground？orhadthehouseburrowedintoahill？Mr。Clinchturnedtohiscompanion，whowasstandingclosebesidehim，breathingquiteaudibly，andleavinganimpressiononhissensesasofagentleandfragrantheifer。

"Howwasallthisdone？"

Themaidendidnotknow。"Itwasalwayshere。"

Mr。Clinchreascendedthesteps。Hehadquiteforgottenhisimpatience。Possiblyitwasthegentle，equablecalmofthegirl，who，butforherreadycolor，didnotseemtobemovedbyanything;

perhapsitwasthepeacefulreposeofthismausoleumofthedeadandforgottenwallthatsubduedhim，buthewasquitewillingtotaketheold-fashionedchairontheterracewhichsheofferedhim，andfollowhermotionswithnotaltogethermechanicaleyesasshedrewoutcertainbottlesandglassesfromamysteriousclosetinthewall。Mr。Clinchhadtheweaknessofamajorityofhissexinbelievingthathewasagoodjudgeofwineandwomen。Thelatter，asshowninthespecimenbeforehim，hewouldhaveinvoicedasafairsampleofthemiddle-classGermanwoman，——healthy，comfort-

loving，home-abiding，theverygeniusofdomesticity。Eveninhervirginoutlinesthefuturewholesomematronwasalreadyforecast，fromthecurvesofherbroadhips，totheflatlinesofherbackandshoulders。Ofthewinehewastojudgelater。THATrequiredanevenmoresubtleandunimpassionedintellect。

Sheplacedtwobottlesbeforehimonthetable，——one，thetraditionallong-necked，amber-coloredRheinflasche;theother，anold，quaint，discolored，amphorax-patternedglassjug。Thefirstsheopened。

"This，"shesaid，pointingtotheother，"cannotbeopened。"

Mr。Clinchpaidhisrespectsfirsttotheopenedbottle，agoodqualityofNiersteiner。Withhisintellectthusclarified，heglancedattheother。

"Itisfrommygreat-grandfather。Itisoldasthewall。"

Mr。Clinchexaminedthebottleattentively。Itseemedtohavenocork。Formedofsomeobsolete，opaqueglass，itstwistedneckwasapparentlyhermeticallysealedbythesamematerial。Themaidensmiled，asshesaid，——

"Itcannotbeopenednowwithoutbreakingthebottle。Itisnotgoodlucktodoso。Mygrandfatherandmyfatherwouldnot。"

ButMr。Clinchwasstillexaminingthebottle。Itsneckwasflattenedtowardsthemouth;butacloseinspectionshoweditwasclosedbysomeequallyhardcement，butnotglass。

"IfIcanopenitwithoutbreakingthebottle，haveIyourpermission？"

AmischievousglancerestedonMr。Clinch，asthemaidenanswered，——

"Ishallnotobject;butforwhatwillyoudoit？"

"Totasteit，totryit。"

"Youarenotafraid？"

TherewasjustenoughobviousadmirationofMr。Clinch’saudacityinthemaiden’smannertoimpelhimtoanyrisk。Hisonlyanswerwastotakefromhispocketasmallsteelinstrument。Holdingtheneckofthebottlefirmlyinonehand，hepassedhisthumbandthesteeltwiceorthricearoundit。Afaintrasping，scratchingsoundwasallthewonderinggirlheard。Then，withasudden，dexteroustwistofhisthumbandfinger，toherutterastonishmenthelaidthetopoftheneck，neatlycutoff，inherhand。

"There’sabetterandmoremodernbottlethanyouhadbefore，"hesaid，pointingtothecleanly-dividedneck，"andanycorkwillfititnow。"

Butthegirlregardedhimwithanxiety。"Andyoustillwishtotastethewine？"

"Withyourpermission，yes！"

Helookedupinhereyes。Therewaspermission：therewassomethingmore，thatwasflatteringtohisvanity。Hetookthewine-glass，and，slowlyandinsilence，filleditfromthemysteriousflask。

Thewinefellintotheglassclearly，transparently，heavily，butstillandcoldasdeath。Therewasnosparkle，nocheapebullition，noevanescentbubble。Yetitwassoclear，that，butforafaintamber-tinting，theglassseemedempty。Therewasnoaroma，noetherealdiffusionfromitsequablesurface。Perhapsitwasfancy，perhapsitwasfromnervousexcitement;butaslightchillseemedtoradiatefromthestillgoblet，andbringdownthetemperatureoftheterrace。Mr。Clinchandhiscompanionbothinsensiblyshivered。

Butonlyforamoment。Mr。Clinchraisedtheglasstohislips。

Ashedidso，herememberedseeingdistinctly，asinapicturebeforehim，thesunlitterrace，theprettygirlintheforeground，——

anamusedspectatorofhissacrilegiousact，——theoutlyingivy-

crownedwall，thegrass-grownditch，thetallfactorychimneysrisingabovethechestnuts，andthedistantpoplarsthatmarkedtheRhine。

Thewinewasdelicious;perhapsaTRIFLE，onlyatrifle，heady。Hewasconsciousofaslightexaltation。Therewasalsoasmileuponthegirl’slipandaroguishtwinkleinhereyeasshelookedathim。

"Doyoufindthewinetoyourtaste？"sheasked。

"Fairenough，Iwarrant，"saidMr。Clinchwithponderousgallantry;

"butmethinks’tisnothingcomparedwiththenectarthatgrowsonthoserubylips。Nay，bySt。Ursula，Iswearit！"

Nosoonerhadthissolemnlyridiculousspeechpassedthelipsoftheunfortunatemanthanhewouldhavegivenworldstohaverecalledit。Heknewthathemustbeintoxicated;thatthesentimentandlanguagewereutterlyunlikehim，hewasmiserablyaware;thathedidnotevenknowexactlywhatitmeant，hewasalsohopelesslyconscious。Yetfeelingallthis，——feeling，too，theshameofappearingbeforeherasamanwhohadlosthissensesthroughasingleglassofwine，——neverthelessheroseawkwardly，seizedherhand，andbysheerforcedrewhertowardshim，andkissedher。Withanexclamationthatwashalfacryandhalfalaugh，shefledfromhim，leavinghimaloneandbewilderedontheterrace。

ForamomentMr。Clinchsupportedhimselfagainsttheopenwindow，leaninghisthrobbingheadonthecoldglass。Shame，mortification，anhystericalhalf-consciousnessofhisutterridiculousness，andyetanodd，undefinedterrorofsomething，byturnspossessedhim。

Washeeverbeforeguiltyofsuchperfectfolly？Hadheeverbeforemadesuchaspectacleofhimself？Wasitpossiblethathe，Mr。

JamesClinch，thecoolestheadatalatesupper，——he，theAmerican，whohadrepeatedlydrunkFrenchmenandEnglishmenunderthetable——couldbetransformedintoasentimental，stageyidiotbyasingleglassofwine？Hewasconscious，too，ofaskinghimselftheseveryquestionsinastiltedsortofrhetoric，andwitharisingbrutalityofangerthatwasnewtohim。Andtheneverythingswambeforehim，andheseemedtoloseallconsciousness。

Butonlyforaninstant。Withastrongeffortofhiswillheagainrecalledhimself，hissituation，hissurroundings，and，aboveall，hisappointment。Herosetohisfeet，hurriedlydescendedtheterrace-steps，and，beforehewellknewhow，foundhimselfagainontheroad。Oncethere，hisfacultiesreturnedinfullvigor;hewasagainhimself。Hestrodebrisklyforwardtowardtheditchhehadcrossedonlyafewmomentsbefore，butwassuddenlystopped。Itwasfilledwithwater。Helookedupanddown。Itwasclearlythesameditch;butaflowingstreamthirtyfeetwidenowseparatedhimfromtheotherbank。

Theappearanceofthisunlooked-forobstaclemadeMr。Clinchdoubtthefullrestorationofhisfaculties。Hesteppedtothebrinkofthefloodtobathehisheadinthestream，andwashawaythelastvestigesofhispotations。Butasheapproachedtheplaciddepths，andkneltdownheagainstartedback，andthistimewithafullconvictionofhisownmadness;forreflectedfromitsmirror-likesurfacewasafigurehecouldscarcelycallhisown，althoughhereandtheresometraceofhisformerselfremained。

Hisclose-croppedhair，trimmedalamode，hadgivenwaytolong，curlinglocksthatdroppeduponhisshoulders。Hisneatmustachewasfrightfullyprolonged，andcurledupattheendsstiffly。HisPiccadillycollarhadchangedshapeandtexture，andreached——amassoflace——toapointmidwayofhisbreast！Hisboots，——whyhadhenotnoticedhisbootsbefore？——thesetriumphsofhisParisianbootmaker，werelostinhideousleatherncasesthatreachedhalfwayuphisthighs。Inplaceofhisformerhighsilkhat，therelayuponthegroundbesidehimtheawfulthinghehadjusttakenoff，——

amassofthickenedfelt，flap，feather，andbucklethatweighedatleastastone。

Asingleterribleideanowtookpossessionofhim。Hehadbeen"sold，""takenin，""donefor。"Hesawitall。Inastateofintoxicationhehadlosthisway，hadbeendraggedintosomevileden，strippedofhisclothesandvaluables，andturnedadriftuponthequiettowninthisshamelessmasquerade。Howshouldhekeephisappointment？howinformthepoliceofthisoutrageuponastrangerandanAmericancitizen？howestablishhisidentity？Hadtheysparedhispapers？Hefeltfeverishlyinhisbreast。Ah！——

hiswatch？Yes，awatch——heavy，jewelled，enamelled——and，byallthatwasridiculous，FIVEOTHERS！Heranhishandsintohiscapacioustrunkhose。Whatwasthis？Brooches，chains，finger-

rings，——onelargeepiscopalone，——ear-rings，andahandfulofbatteredgoldandsilvercoins。Hispapers，hismemorandums，hispassport——allproofsofhisidentity——weregone！Intheirplacewastheunmistakableomniumgatherumofanaccomplishedknightoftheroad。Notonlywashispersonality，buthischaracter，goneforever。

ItwasapartofMr。Clinch’ssingularexperiencethatthislaststrokeofillfortuneseemedtoreviveinhimsomethingofthebrutalinstincthehadfeltamomentbefore。Heturnedeagerlyaboutwiththeintentionofcallingsomeone——thefirstpersonhemet——toaccount。Butthehousethathehadjustquittedwasgone。

Thewall！Ah，thereitwas，nolongerpurposeless，intrusive，andivy-clad，butpartofthebuttressofanothermassivewallthatroseintobattlementsabovehim。Mr。ClinchturnedagainhopelesslytowardSammtstadt。TherewasthefringeofpoplarsontheRhine，thereweretheoutlyingfieldslitbythesamemeridiansun;butthecharacteristicchimneysofSammtstadtweregone。Mr。

Clinchwashopelesslylost。

Thesoundofahornbreakingthestillnessrecalledhissenses。Henowforthefirsttimeperceivedthatalittledistancebelowhim，partlyhiddeninthetrees，wasaqueer，tower-shapedstructurewithchainsandpulleys，thatinsomestrangewayrecalledhisboyishreading。Adrawbridgeandportcullis！Andonthebattlementafigureinamasqueradingdressasabsurdashisown，flourishingabannerandtrumpet，andtryingtoattracthisattention。

"WaswollenSie？"

"Iwanttoseetheproprietor，"saidMr。Clinch，chokingbackhisrage。

Therewasapause，andthefigureturnedapparentlytoconsultwithsomeonebehindthebattlements。Afteramomenthereappeared，andinaperfunctorymonotone，withanoccasionalbreathingspellonthetrumpet，began，——

"Youdogivewarrantyasagoodknightandtrue，aswellasbythebonesoftheblessedSt。Ursula，thatyoubearnoillwill，secretenmity，wickedmispriseorconspiracy，againstthebodyofournoblelordandmasterVonKolnsche？Andyoubringwithyounoambush，siege，orsurpriseofretainers，neithersecretwarrantnorlettresdecachet，norcarryonyourknightlypersonpoisoneddagger，magicring，witch-powder，norenchantedbullet，andthatyouhaveenteredintonounhallowedalliancewiththePrinceofDarkness，gnomes，hexies，dragons，Undines，Loreleis，northelike？"

"Comedownoutofthat，youd————doldfool！"roaredMr。Clinch，nowperfectlybesidehimselfwithrage，——"comedown，andletmein！"

AsMr。Clinchshoutedoutthelastwords，confusedcriesofrecognitionandwelcome，notunmixedwithsomeconsternation，rosefromthebattlements："AchGott！""MutterGott——itishe！ItisJann，DerWanderer。Itishimself。"Thechainsrattled，theponderousdrawbridgecreakedanddropped;andacrossitamedleyofmotleyfiguresrushedpellmell。But，foremostamongthem，theverymaidenwhomhehadleftnottenminutesbeforeflewintohisarms，andwithacryofjoyfulgreetingsankuponhisbreast。Mr。Clinchlookeddownuponthefairheadandlongbraids。Itcertainlywasthesamemaiden，hiscruelenchantress;butwheredidshegetthoseabsurdgarments？

"Willkommen，"saidastoutfigure，advancingwithsomeauthority，andseizinghisdisengagedhand，"wherehastthoubeensolong？"

Mr。Clinch，bynomeansplacated，coldlydroppedtheextendedhand。

ItwasNOTtheproprietorhehadknown。ButtherewasasingularresemblanceinhisfacetosomeoneofMr。Clinch’sownkin;butwho，hecouldnotremember。"MayItakethelibertyofaskingyourname？"heaskedcoldly。

Thefiguregrinned。"Surely;but，ifthoustandestuponpunctilio，itisforMEtoaskthine，mostnobleFreiherr，"saidhe，winkinguponhisretainers。"WhomhaveIthehonorofentertaining？"

"MynameisClinch，——JamesClinchofChicago，Ill。"

Ashoutoflaughterfollowed。InthemidstofhisrageandmortificationMr。Clinchfanciedhesawashadeofpainandannoyanceflitacrossthefaceofthemaiden。Hewaspuzzled，butpressedherhand，inspiteofhislateexperiences，reassuringly。

Shemadeagestureofsilencetohim，andthenslippedawayinthecrowd。

"SchamesK’l’n’schevonSchekargo，"mimickedthefigure，totheunspeakabledelightofhisretainers。"So！THATisthelatestFrenchstyle。HolySt。Ursula！Harkye，nephew！Iamnotatravelledman。SincetheCrusadeswesimpleRhinegentlemenhavestaidathome。ButIcallmyselfKolnscheofKoln，atyourservice。"

"Verylikelyyouareright，"saidMr。Clinchhotly，disregardingthecautionofhisfaircompanion;"but，whoeverYOUare，Iamastrangerentitledtoprotection。Ihavebeenrobbed。"

IfMr。Clinchhadutteredanexquisitejokeinsteadofaveryangrystatement，itcouldnothavebeenmorehilariouslyreceived。Hepaused，grewconfused，andthenwentonhesitatingly，——

"InplaceofmypapersandcredentialsIfindonlythese。"Andheproducedthejewelryfromhispockets。

Anothershoutoflaughterandclappingofhandsfollowedthissecondspeech;andthebaron，withawinkathisretainers，prolongedthegeneralmirthbysaying，"Bytheway，nephew，thereislittledoubtbuttherehasbeenrobbery——somewhere。"

"Itwasdone，"continuedMr。Clinch，hurryingtomakeanendofhisexplanation，"whileIwasinadvertentlyovercomewithliquor，——

druggedliquor。"

Thelaughterherewassouproariousthatthebaron，albeitwithtearsoflaughterinhisowneyes，madeaperemptorygestureofsilence。Thegesturewaspeculiartothebaron，efficaciousandsimple。Itconsistedmerelyinknockingdownthenearestlaugher。

Havingthusrestoredtranquillity，hestrodeforward，andtookMr。

Clinchbythehand。"BySt。Adolph，Ididdoubttheeamomentago，nephew;butthislastfrankconfessionofthineshowsmeIdidtheewrong。WillkommenzuHause，Jann，drunkorsober，willcommenzuCracowen。"

Moreandmoremystified，butconvincedofthefollyofanyfurtherexplanation，Mr。Clinchtooktheextendedhandofhisallegeduncle，andpermittedhimselftobeledintothecastle。Theypassedintoalargebanqueting-halladornedwitharmorandimplementsofthechase。Mr。Clinchcouldnothelpnoticing，that，althoughtheappointmentswereliberalandpicturesque，theventilationwasbad，andthesmokefromthehugechimneymadetheairmurky。Theoakentables，massiveincarvingandrichincolor，wereunmistakablygreasy;andMr。Clinchslippedonapieceofmeatthatoneofthedozenhalf-wilddogswhowereoccupyingtheroomwastearingonthefloor。Thedog，yelping，ranbetweenthelegsofaretainer，precipitatinghimuponthebaron，whoinstantly，withthe"equalfoot"offate，kickedhimandthedogintoacorner。

"Andwhencecameyoulast？"askedthebaron，disregardingthelittlecontretemps，andthrowinghimselfheavilyonanoakensettle，whilehepushedaqueer，uncomfortable-lookingstool，withlegslikeaSiamese-twin-connecteddoubleX，towardshiscompanion。

Mr。Clinch，whohadquitegivenhimselfuptofate，answeredmechanically，——

"Paris。"

Thebaronwinkedhiseyewithunutterable，elderlywickedness。

"AchGott！itisnothingtowhatitwaswhenIwasyourage。Ah！

therewasManon，——SieurManonweusedtocallher。Isupposeshe’sgettingoldnow。Howgoesonthefeudbetweenthestudentsandthecitizens？Eh？DidyougotothebalinlaCite？"

Mr。ClinchstoppedtheflowofthoseJustice-Shallow-likereminiscencesbyanuneasyexclamation。Hewasthinkingofthemaidenwhohaddisappearedsosuddenly。Thebaronmisinterpretedhisnervousness。"Whatho，withinthere！——Max，Wolfgang，——lazyrascals！Bringsomewine。"

AtthebalefulwordMr。Clinchstartedtohisfeet。"Notforme！

Bringmenoneofyourbody-and-soul-destroyingpoison！I’veenoughofit！"

Thebaronstared。Theservitorsstaredalso。

"Ibegyourpardon，"saidMr。Clinch，recallinghimselfslowly;

"butIfearthatRhinewinedoesnotagreewithme。"

Thebarongrinned。Perceiving，however，thatthethreeservitorsgrinnedalso，hekickedtwoofthemintoobscurity，andfelledthethirdtothefloorwithhisfist。"Harkye，nephew，"hesaid，turningtotheastonishedClinch，"giveoverthisnonsense！BythemitreofBishopHatto，thouartasbigafoolashe！"

"Hatto，"repeatedClinchmechanically。"What！heoftheMouseTower？"

"Ay，oftheMouseTower！"sneeredthebaron。"Iseeyouknowthestory。"

"WhyamIlikehim？"askedMr。Clinchinamazement。

Thebarongrinned。"HEpunishedtheRhenishwineasthoudost，withoutjudgment。Hehad——"

"Thejim-jams，"saidMr。Clinchmechanicallyagain。

Thebaronfrowned。"Iknownotwhatgibberishthousayestby’jim-

jams’;buthehad，likethee，thewildestfantasiesandimaginings;

sawsnakes，toads，rats，inhisboots，butprincipallyrats;saidtheypursuedhim，cametohisroom，hisbed——achGott！"

"Oh！"saidMr。Clinch，withasuddenreturntohisfirmerselfandhisnativeinquiringhabits;"thenTHATisthefactaboutBishopHattoofthestory？"

"Hisenemiesmadeitthesubjectofavileslanderofanoldfriendofmine，"saidthebaron;"andthosecursedpoets，whobelieveeverything，andthenpersuadeotherstodoso，——maytheDevilflyawaywiththem！——keptitup。"

HerewerefactsquitetoMr。Clinch’sscepticalmind。Heforgothimselfandhissurroundings。

"AndthatstoryoftheDrachenfels？"heaskedinsinuatingly，——"thedragon，youknow。Washetoo——"

Thebarongrinned。"AboartransformedbythedrunkenbrainsoftheBauersoftheSiebengebirge。AchGott！Ottefriedhadmanyaheartylaughoverit;anditdidhim，asthouknowest，goodservicewiththenervousmotherofthesillymaiden。"

"AndthesevensistersofSchonberg？"askedMr。Clinchpersuasively。

"’Schonberg！Sevensisters！’Whatofthem？"demandedthebaronsharply。

"Why，youknow，——themaidenswhoweresocoytotheirsuitors，and——

don’tyouremember？——jumpedintotheRhinetoavoidthem。"

"’Coy？JumpedintotheRhinetoavoidsuitors’？"roaredthebaron，purplewithrage。"Harkye，nephew！Ilikenotthisjesting。

ThouknowestImarriedoneoftheSchonberggirls，asdidthyfather。How’coy’theywereisneitherherenorthere;butmayhapWEmighttellanotherstory。Thyfather，asweakafellowasthouartwhereapetticoatisconcerned，couldnotasagentlemandootherthanhedid。AndTHISishisreward？AchGott！’Coy！’AndTHIS，Iwarrant，isthewaythestoryisdeliveredinParis。"

Mr。Clinchwouldhaveansweredthatthiswasthewayhereaditinaguidebook，butcheckedhimselfatthehopelessnessoftheexplanation。Besides，hewasontheeveofhistoricinformation;

hewas，asitwere，interviewingthepast;and，whetherhewouldeverbeabletoprofitbytheopportunityornot，hecouldnotbeartoloseit。"AndhowabouttheLorelei——isshe，too，afiction？"

heaskedglibly。

"Itwassaid，"observedthebaronsardonically，"thatwhenthoudisappearedwiththegamekeeper’sdaughteratObercassel——Heavenknowswhere！——thouwastswallowedupinawhirlpoolwithsomecreature。AchGott！Ibelieveit！Butatrucetothisbalderdash。Andsothouwantesttoknowofthe’coy’sistersofSchoenberg？Harkye，Jann，thatcousinofthineisaSchonberg。

Callyouher’coy’？DidInotseethygreeting？Eh？BySt。

Adolph，knowingtheeasshedoestoberobberandthief，callyouhergreeting’coy’？"

FuriousasMr。Clinchinwardlybecameundertheseepithets，hefeltthathisexplanationwouldhardlyrelievethemaidenfromdeceit，orhimselffromweakness。Butoutofhisveryperplexityandturmoilabrightideawasborn。Heturnedtothebaron，——

"ThenyouhavenofaithintheRhinelegends？"

Thebarononlyrepliedwithacontemptuousshrugofhisshoulders。

"ButwhatifItoldyouanewone？"

"You？"

"Yes;apartofmyexperience？"

Thebaronwascurious。Itwasearlyintheafternoon，justafterdinner。Hemightbeworsebored。

"I’veonlyonecondition，"addedMr。Clinch："theyounglady——I

mean，ofcourse，mycousin——musthearittoo。"

"Oh，ay！Isee。Ofcourse——theoldtrick！Well，callthejade。

Butmarkye，SirNephew，noenchantedmaidensandknights。Keeptothyself。Beasthouart，vagabondJannKolnische，knightoftheroad。——Whathothere，scoundrels！CalltheLadyWilhemina。"

ItwasthefirsttimeMr。Clinchhadheardhisfairfriend’sname;

butitwasnot，evidently，thefirsttimeshehadseenhim，astheverydecidedwinkthegentlemaidendroppedhimtestified。

Nevertheless，withhandslightlyclaspedtogether，anddowncasteyes，shestoodbeforethem。

Mr。Clinchbegan。Withoutheedingthebaron’sscornfulgrin，hegraphicallydescribedhismeeting，twoyearsbefore，withaLorelei，herusualpressinginvitation，andhissubsequentplungeintotheRhine。

"Iamfreetoconfess，"addedMr。Clinch，withanaffectingglancetoWilhelmina，"thatIwasnotenamouredofthegracesofthelady，butwasactuatedbymydesiretotravel，andexplorehithertounknownregions。Iwishedtotravel，tovisit——"

"Paris，"interruptedthebaronsarcastically。

"America，"continuedMr。Clinch。

"What？"——"America。"

"’Tisagnome-likesoundingname，thisMeriker。Goon，nephew：

tellusofMeriker。"

Withthecharacteristicfluencyofhisnation，Mr。Clinchdescribedhislandingonthoseenchantedshores，viz，theRhineWhirlpoolandHellGate，EastRiver，NewYork。Hedescribedtherailways，tram-

ways，telegraphs，hotels，phonograph，andtelephone。Anoccasionaloathbrokefromthebaron，buthelistenedattentively;andinafewmomentsMr。Clinchhadtheraconteur’ssatisfactionofseeingthevasthallslowlyfillingwithopen-eyedandopen-mouthedretainershanginguponhiswords。Mr。Clinchwentontodescribehisastonishmentatmeetingontheseveryshoressomeofhisownbloodandkin。"Infact，"saidMr。Clinch，"herewerearacecallingthemselves’Clinch，’butallclaimingtohavedescendedfromKolnische。"

"Andhow？"sneeredthebaron。

"ThroughJamesKolnischeandWilhelminahiswife，"returnedMr。

Clinchboldly。"TheyemigratedfromKolnandCrefeldtoPhiladelphia，wherethereisaquarternamedCrefeld。"Mr。Clinchfelthimselfshakyastohischronology，butwiselyrememberedthatitwasachronologyofthefuturetohishearers，andtheycouldnotdetectananachronism。WithhiseyesfixeduponthoseofthegentleWilhelmina，Mr。Clinchnowproceededtodescribehisreturntohisfatherland，buthisastonishmentatfindingtheveryfaceofthecountrychanged，andacitystandingonthosefieldshehadplayedinasaboy;andhowhehadwanderedhopelesslyon，untilheatlastsatwearilydowninahumblecottagebuiltupontheruinsofalordlycastle。"Soutterlytravel-wornandweakhadI

become，"saidMr。Clinch，withadroitlysimulatedpathos，"thatasingleglassofwineofferedmebythesimplecottagemaidenaffectedmelikeaprolongeddebauch。"

Along-drawnsnorewasallthatfollowedthisaffectingclimax。

Thebaronwasasleep;theretainerswerealsoasleep。Onlyonepairofeyesremainedopen，——arch，luminous，blue，——Wilhelmina’s。

"ThereisasubterraneanpassagebelowustoLinn。Letusfly！"

shewhispered。

"Butwhy？"

"Theyalwaysdoitinthelegends，"shemurmuredmodestly。

"Butyourfather？"

"Hesleeps。Doyounothearhim？"

Certainlysomebodywassnoring。But，oddlyenough，itseemedtobeWilhelmina。Mr。Clinchsuggestedthistoher。

"Fool，itisyourself！"

Mr。Clinch，struckwiththeidea，stoppedtoconsider。Shewasright。ItcertainlyWAShimself。

Withastruggleheawoke。Thesunwasshining。Themaidenwaslookingathim。Butthecastle——thecastlewasgone！

"Youhavesleptwell，"saidthemaidenarchly。"EverybodydoesafterdinneratSammtstadt。Fatherhasjustawakened，andiscoming。"

Mr。Clinchstaredatthemaiden，attheterrace，atthesky，atthedistantchimneysofSammtstadt，atthemoredistantRhine，atthetablebeforehim，andfinallyattheemptyglass。Themaidensmiled。"Tellme，"saidMr。Clinch，lookinginhereyes，"isthereasecretpassageundergroundbetweenthisplaceandtheCastleofLinn？"

"Anundergroundpassage？"

"Ay——whencethedaughterofthehousefledwithastrangerknight。"

"Theysaythereis，"saidthemaiden，withagentleblush。

"Canyoushowittome？"

Shehesitated。"Papaiscoming：I’llaskhim。"

Ipresumeshedid。AtleasttheHerrConsulatSammtstadtinformsmeofamarriage-certificateissuedtooneClinchofChicago，andKolnischeofKoln;andthereisanamusingstoryextantintheVereinatSammtstadt，ofanAmericanconnoisseurofRhinewines，whomistookaflaskofCognacandrock-candy，usedfor"craftilyqualifying"lowergradesofwinetotheAmericanstandard，fortherarestRudesheimerberg。

VIEWSFROMAGERMANSPION

Outsideofmywindow，twonarrowperpendicularmirrors，parallelwiththecasement，projectintothestreet，yetwithacertainunobtrusivenessofanglethatenablesthemtoreflectthepeoplewhopass，withoutanyreciprocaldisclosureoftheirown。Themenandwomenhurryingbynotonlydonotknowtheyareobserved，but，whatisworse，donotevenseetheirownreflectioninthishypocriticalplane，andareconsequentlyunable，throughitsaid，tocorrectanycarelessnessofgarb，gait，ordemeanor。Atfirstthisseemstobetakinganunfairadvantageofthehumananimal，whoinvariablyassumesanattitudewhenheisconsciousofbeingunderhumanfocus。ButIobservethatmyneighbors’windows，rightandleft，haveasimilarapparatus，thatthiscustomisevidentlyalocalone，andthelocalityisGerman。BeinganAmericanstranger，Iamquitewillingtoleavethemoralityofthetransactionwiththelocality，andadaptmyselftothecustom：indeed，Ihadthoughtofofferingit，figuratively，asanexcuseforanyunfairnessofobservationImightmakeinthesepages。ButmyGermanmirrorsreflectwithoutprejudice，selection，orcomment;andtheAmericaneye，Ifear，isbutmortal，andlikeallmortaleyes，figurativelyaswellasinthatliteralfactnotedbyaneminentscientificauthority，infinitelyinferiortotheworkofthebestGermanopticians。

Andthisleadsmetomyfirstobservation，namely，thatamajorityofthosewhopassmymirrorhaveweakeyes，andhavealreadyinvokedtheaidoftheoptician。Whyarethesepeople，physicallyinallelsesomuchstrongerthanmycountrymen，deficientineyesight？Or，toomitthepassingtestimonyofmySpion，andtakemyownpersonalexperience，whydoesmyyoungfriendMax，brightestofallschoolboys，whoalreadywearsthecapthatdenotesthehighestclass，——whydoesheshockmebysuddenlydrawingforthapairofspectacles，thatuponhisfresh，rosyfacewouldbeanobviousmockingimitationoftheHerrPapa——ifGermanchildrencouldever，byanypossibility，beirreverent？OrwhydoestheFrauleinMarie，hissister，pinkasAurora，roundasHebe，suddenlyveilherblueeyeswithagoldenlorgnetteinthemidstofourpolyglotconversation？Isittoevadethedirect，admiringglanceoftheimpulsiveAmerican？DareIsayNO？DareIsaythatthatfrank，clear，honest，earnestreturnoftheeye，whichhasontheContinentmostunfairlybroughtmyfaircountrywomenundercriticism，isquiteascommontohermorecarefully-guarded，tradition-hedgedGermansisters？No，itisnotthat。Isitanythingintheseemeraldandopaltintedskies，whichseemsounrealtotheAmericaneye，andforthefirsttimeexplainwhatseemedtheunrealityofGermanart？inthesemysteriousyetrestfulRhinefogs，whichprolongthetwilight，andhangthecurtainofromanceevenovermid-day？Surelynot。Isitnotrather，OHerrProfessorprofoundinanalogyandphilosophy！——isitnotratherthisabominableblack-letter，thiselsewhere-discarded，uncouth，slowly-

decayingtextknownastheGermanAlphabet，thatplucksoutthebrighteyesofyouth，andbristlesthegatewaysofyourlanguagewithachevauxdefriseofsplinteredrubbish？WhymustIhesitatewhetheritisanaccidentoftheprinter’spress，orthepoorqualityofthepaper，thatmakesthislettera"k"ora"t"？WhymustIhaltinanemotionorathoughtbecause"s"and"f"aresonearlyalike？IsitnotenoughthatI，animpulsiveAmerican，accustomedtodoathingfirst，andreflectuponitafterwards，mustgropemywaythroughablindalleyofsubstantivesandadjectives，onlytofindtheverbofactioninanobscurecorner，withoutruiningmyeyesightinthegroping？

ButIdismisstheseabstractreflectionsforafreshandactiveresentment。ThisisthefifthorsixthdogthathaspassedmySpion，harnessedtoasmallbarrow-likecart，andtuggingpainfullyataburdensoludicrouslydisproportionatetohissize，thatitwouldseemaburlesque，butforthepoordog’ssadsincerity。

PerhapsitisbecauseIhavethebarbarian’sfondnessfordogs，andfortheirlawless，gentle，lovinguselessness，thatIrebelagainstthisunnaturalservitude。Itseemsasmonstrousasifachildwereputbetweentheshafts，andmadetocarryburdens;andIhavecometoregardthosemenandwomen，whointheweakestperfunctorywayaffecttoaidthepoorbrutebylayingidlehandsonthebarrowbehind，asIwouldunnaturalparents。PegasusharnessedtotheThracianherdsman’sploughwasnomoreofadesecration。Ifancythepoordogseemstofeelthemonstrosityoftheperformance，and，insheershameforhismaster，forgivinglytriestoassumeitisPLAY;andIhaveseenalittle"colley"runningalong，barking，andendeavoringtoleapandgambolintheshafts，beforealoadthatanyoneoutofthislocalitywouldhavethoughtthedirestcruelty。

Nordotheolderormorepowerfuldogsseemtobecomeaccustomedtoit。Whenhiscrueltaskmasterhaltswithhiswares，instantlythedog，eitherbysittingdowninhisharness，orcrawlingovertheshafts，orbysomeunmistakabledog-liketrick，utterlyscattersanysuchdelusionofeventhehabitofservitude。Thefewofhisracewhodonotworkinthisducalcityseemtohavelosttheirdemocraticcaninesympathies，andlookuponhimwithsomethingofthatindifferentcalmwithwhichyonderofficereyestheroad-

menderintheditchbelowhim。Heloseseventhecharacteristicsofspecies。Thecommoncurandmastifflookalikeinharness。Theburdenlevelsalldistinctions。Ihavesaidthathewasgenerallysincereinhisefforts。Irecallbutoneinstancetothecontrary。

Irememberayoungcolleywhofirstattractedmyattentionbyhispersistentbarking。Whetherhedidthis，astheplough-boywhistled，"forwantofthought，"orwhetheritwasarunningprotestagainsthisoccupation，Icouldnotdetermine，untilonedayInoticed，that，inbarking，heslightlythrewuphisneckandshoulders，andthatthetwo-wheeledbarrow-likevehiclebehindhim，havingitsweightevenlypoisedonthewheelsbythetrucksinthehandsofitsdriver，enabledhimbythismovementtocunninglythrowthecenterofgravityandthegreaterweightontheman，——afactwhichthatlesssagaciousbruteneverdiscerned。PerhapsIamusingastrongexpressionregardinghisdriver。Itmaybethatthepurelyanimalwantsofthedog，inthewayoffood，care，andshelter，aremorebountifullysuppliedinservitudethaninfreedom;becomingavaluableandusefulproperty，hemaybecaredforandprotectedassuch（anoddrecollectionthatthisargumenthadbeenusedforciblyinregardtohumanslaveryinmyowncountrystrikesmehere）;buthispicturesquenessandpoetryaregone，andIcannothelpthinkingthatthepeoplewhohavelostthisgentle，sympathetic，characteristicfigurefromtheirdomesticlifeandsurroundingshavenotacquiredanequalgainthroughhisharshlabors。

TotheAmericaneyethereis，throughoutthelengthandbreadthofthisforeigncity，nomorenotableandstrikingobjectthantheaverageGermanhouse-servant。ItisnotthatshehaspassedmySpionadozentimeswithinthelasthour，——forheresheismessenger，porter，andcommissionnaire，aswellashousemaidandcook，——butthatsheisalwaysaphenomenontotheAmericanstranger，accustomedtobeabusedinhisowncountrybyhisforeignIrishhandmaiden。Herpresenceisasrefreshingandgratefulasthemorninglight，andasinevitableandregular。WhenIaddthatwiththenoveltyofbeingwellservediscombinedthesatisfactionofknowingthatyouhaveinyourhouseholdanintelligentbeingwhoreadsandwriteswithfluency，andyetdoesnotabstractyourbooks，norcriticiseyourliterarycomposition;whoiscleanlyclad，andneatinherperson，withoutthesuspicionofhavingborrowedhermistress’sdresses;whomaybegood-lookingwithouttheleastimputationofcoquetryoradditiontoherfollowers;whoisobedientwithoutservility，politewithoutflattery，willingandrepletewithsupererogatoryperformance，withouttheexpectationofimmediatepecuniaryreturn，whatwonderthattheAmericanhouseholdertranslatedintoGermanlifefeelshimselfinanewEdenofdomesticpossibilitiesunrealizedinanyothercountry，andbeginstobelieveinapresentandfutureofdomestichappiness！

WhatwonderthattheAmericanbachelorlivinginGermanlodgingsfeelshalftheterrorsoftheconjugalfutureremoved，andrushesmadlyintolove——andhousekeeping！WhatwonderthatI，along-

sufferingandpatientmaster，whohavebeenservedbythereticentbuttooimitativeChinaman;whohavebeen"Massa"tothechildlikebutuntruthfulnegro;whohavebeentherecipientofthebrotherlybutuncertainministrationsoftheSouth-SeaIslander，andhavebeenproudlydisregardedbytheAmericanaborigine，onlyinduetimetomeetthefateofmycountrymenatthehandsofBridgettheCelt，——whatwonderthatIgladlyseizethisopportunitytosingthepraisesofmyGermanhandmaid！Honortothee，Lenchen，whereverthougoest！Heavenblesstheeinthywalksabroad！whetherwiththattightly-bootedcavalrymaninthySundaygownandbest，orinbluepolka-dottedapronandbareheadasthoutrottestnimblyonmineerrands，——errandswhichBridgeto’Flahertywouldscorntoundertake，or，undertaking，wouldhopelesslyblunderin。Heavenblessthee，child，inthyearlyrisingsandinthylatersittings，atthyfestiveboardoverflowingwithEssigandFett，inthemysteriesofthyKuchen，inthefulnessofthyBier，andinthynightlysuffocationsbeneathmountainousandmultitudinousfeathers！Good，honest，simple-minded，cheerful，duty-lovingLenchen！Havenotthybrothers，stronganddutifulasthou，lenttheirgravityandearnestnesstosweetenandstrengthenthefierceyouthoftheRepublicbeyondtheseas？andshallnotthychildreninheritthebroadprairiesthatstillwaitforthem，anddiscoverthefatnessthereof，andsendaportiontransmutedinglitteringshekelsbacktothee？

AlmostasnotablearethechildrenwhoseroundfaceshaveasfrequentlybeenreflectedinmySpion。WhetheritisonlyafancyofminethattheaverageGermanretainslongerthananyotherracehischildishsimplicityandunconsciousness，orwhetheritisbecauseIammoreaccustomedtotheextremeself-assertionandearlymaturityofAmericanchildren，Iknownot;butIaminclinedtobelievethatamongnootherpeopleischildhoodasperennial，andtobestudiedinsuchcharacteristicandquaintandsimplephasesashere。ThepicturesquenessofSpanishandItalianchildhoodhasafaintsuspicionofthepantomimeandtheconsciousattitudinizingoftheLatinraces。Germanchildrenarenotexuberantorvolatile：theyareserious，——aseriousness，however，nottobeconfoundedwiththegravereflectivenessofage，butonlytheabstractwondermentofchildhood;forallthosewhohavemadealovingstudyoftheyounghumananimalwill，Ithink，admitthatitsdominantexpressionisGRAVITY，andnotplayfulness，andwillbesatisfiedthatheerredpitifullywhofirstascribed"light-

heartedness"and"thoughtlessness"aspartofitsphenomena。TheselittlecreaturesImeetuponthestreet，——whetherinquaintwoodenshoesandshortwoollenpetticoats，orneatlybootedandfurred，withschoolknapsacksjauntilyborneuponlittlesquareshoulders，——

allcarrylikewiseintheirroundchubbyfacestheirprofoundwondermentandastonishmentatthebigbusyworldintowhichtheyhavesolatelystrayed。IfIstoptospeakwiththislittlemaidwhoscarcelyreachestothetop-bootsofyondercavalryofficer，thereislessofbashfulself-consciousnessinhersweetlittlefacethanofgravewonderattheforeignaccentandstrangewaysofthisnewfigureobtrudeduponherlimitedhorizon。Sheanswershonestly，frankly，prettily，butgravely。ThereisaremotepossibilitythatImightbite;and，withthissuspicionplainlyindicatedinherroundblueeyes，shequietlyslipsherlittleredhandfrommine，andmovessolemnlyaway。Irememberoncetohavestoppedinthestreetwithafaircountrywomanofminetointerrogatealittlefigureinsabots，——theonequaintobjectinthelong，formalperspectiveofnarrow，graybastard-ItalianfacadedhousesofaRhenishGermanStrasse。Thesweetlittlefigureworeadark-bluewoollenpetticoatthatcametoitsknees;

graywoollenstockingscoveredtheshapelylittlelimbsbelow;anditsveryblondehair，thecolorofabrightdandelion，wastiedinapatheticlittleknotatthebackofitsroundhead，andgarnishedwithanabsurdgreenribbon。Now，althoughthisgentlewoman’ssympathieswerecatholicanduniversal，unfortunatelytheirexpressionwaslimitedtoherownmother-tongue。Shecouldnothelppouringoutuponthechildthematernallovethatwasinherownwomanlybreast，norcouldshewithholdthe"baby-talk"throughwhichitwasexpressed。But，alas！itwasinEnglish。Henceensuedacolloquy，tenderandextravagantonthepartoftheelder，graveandwonderingonthepartofthechild。Buttheladyhadanaturalfemininedesireforreciprocity，particularlyinthepresenceofouremotion-scorningsex，andasalastresourcesheemptiedthesmallsilverofherpurseintothelapofthecoymaiden。Itwasadeclarationoflove，susceptibleoftranslationatthenearestcake-shop。Butthelittlemaid，whosedressandmannercertainlydidnotbetrayanhabitualdisregardofgiftsofthiskind，lookedatthecointhoughtfully，butnotregretfully。

Someinnatesenseofduty，equallystrongwiththatofbeingpolitetostrangers，filledherconsciousness。Withtheutterlyunexpectedremarkthatherfather’didnotallowhertotakemoney’，thequeerlittlefiguremovedaway，leavingthetwoAmericanscoveredwithmortification。TherareAmericanchildwhocouldhavedonethiswouldhavedoneitwithanattitude。ThislittleGermanbourgeoisediditnaturally。IdonotintendtorushtothedeductionthatGermanchildrenofthelowerclasseshabituallyrefusepecuniarygratuities：indeed，Iremembertohavewickedlysuggestedtomycompanion，that，toavoidimpoverishmentinaforeignland，sheshouldnotrepeatthestorynortheexperiment。

ButIsimplyofferitasafact，andtoanAmerican，athomeorabroad，anovelone。

Iowetotheselittlefiguresanotherexperiencequiteasstrange。

Itwasatthecloseofadullwinter’sday，——adayfromwhichallout-of-doorfestivityseemedtobenaturallyexcluded：therewasabalefulpromiseofsnowintheairandadismalreminiscenceofitunderfoot，whensuddenly，instrikingcontrastwiththedreadfulbleaknessofthestreet，ahalfdozenchildren，maskedandbedizenedwithcheapribbons，spangles，andembroidery，flashedacrossmySpion。Iwasquicktounderstandthephenomenon。ItwastheCarnivalseason。OnlythenightbeforeIhadbeentothegreatopeningmasquerade，——afamousaffair，forwhichthisart-lovingcityisnoted，andtowhichstrangersaredrawnfromallpartsoftheContinent。Iremembertohavewonderedifthepleasure-lovingGermaninAmericahadnotbrokensomeofhisconventionalshacklesinemigration;forcertainlyIhadfoundtheCarnivalballsofthe"LiederKranzSociety"inNewYork，althoughdecorousandfashionabletotheAmericantaste，tobewilddissipationscomparedwiththepracticalseriousnessofthisnativeperformance，andI

hailedthepresenceofthesechildrenintheopenstreetasapromiseofsomeextravagance，real，untrammelled，andcharacteristic。

Iseizedmyhatand——OVERCOAT，——adreadfulincongruitytothespanglesthathadwhiskedby，andfollowedthevanishingfiguresroundthecorner。Heretheywerere-enforcedbyadozenmenandwomen，fantastically，butnotexpensivelyarrayed，lookingnotunlikethesupernumerariesofsomeprovincialoperatroupe。

Followingthecrowd，whichalreadybegantopourinfromtheside-streets，inafewmomentsIwasinthebroad，grove-likeallee，andinthemidstofthemasqueraders。

Iremembertohavebeentoldthatthiswasacharacteristicannualcelebrationofthelowerclasses，anticipatedwitheagerness，andachievedwithdifficulty，indeed，oftenonlythroughthealternativeofpawningclothingandfurnituretoprovidethemeansforthisephemeraltransformation。Irememberbeingwarned，also，thatthebuffoonerywascoarse，andsomeoftheslanghardlyfitfor"earspolite。"ButIamafraidthatIwasnotshockedattheprodigalityofthesepoorpeople，whopurchasedaholidayonsuchhardconditions;and，astothecoarsenessoftheperformance，I

feltthatIcertainlymightgowherethesechildrencould。

Atfirstthemasqueradingfiguresappearedtobemainlycomposedofyounggirlsofagesvaryingfromninetoeighteen。Theircostumes——

ifwhatwasoftenonlytheadditionofabroad，bright-coloredstripetothehemofashortdresscouldbecalledaCOSTUME——wereplain，andseemedtoindicatenoparticularhistoricalepochorcharacter。Ageneralsuggestionofthepeasant’sholidayattirewasdominantinallthecostumes。Everybodywascloselymasked。

Allcarriedashort，gayly-stripedbatonofsplitwood，calledaPritsche，which，whenstrucksharplyonthebackorshouldersofsomespectatororsister-masker，emittedaclattering，raspingsound。Towanderhandinhanddownthisbroadallee，tostrikealmostmechanically，andoftenmonotonously，ateachotherwiththeirbatons，seemedtobetheextentofthatwilddissipation。

Thecrowdthickened。Youngmenwithfalsenoses，hideousmasks，cheapblackorredcottondominoes，soldiersinuniform，crowdedpasteachother，upanddownthepromenade，allcarryingaPritsche，andexchangingblowswitheachother，butalwayswiththesameslowseriousnessofdemeanor，which，withtheirsilence，gavetheperformancetheeffectofareligiousrite。Occasionallysomeoneshouted：perhapsadozenyoungfellowsbrokeoutinsong;buttheshoutwasprovocativeofnothing，thesongfalteredasifthesingerswerefrightenedattheirownvoices。Oneblithefellow，withabear’sheadonhisfur-cappedshoulders，begantodance;

but，onthecrowdstoppingtoobservehimseriously，heapparentlythoughtbetterofit，andslippedaway。Nevertheless，thesolemnbeatingofPritschenovereachother’sbackswenton。IrememberthatIwasfollowedthewholelengthofthealleebyalittlegirlscarcelytwelveyearsold，inabrightstripedskirtandblackmask，whofromtimetotimestruckmeovertheshoulderswitharegularityandsadpersistencythatwaspeculiarlyirresistibletome;themoreso，asIcouldnothelpthinkingthatitwasnothalfasamusingtoherself。OnceonlydidtheordinarybrusquegallantryoftheCarnivalspiritshowitself。Amanwithanenormouspairofhorns，likeahalf-civilizedsatyr，suddenlyseizedayounggirlandendeavoredtokissher。Aslightstruggleensued，inwhichIfanciedIdetectedinthegirl’sfaceandmannertheconfusionandembarrassmentofonewhowasobligedtooverlook，orseemtoaccept，afamiliaritythatwasdistasteful，ratherthanbelaughedatforprudishnessorignorance。Buttheincidentwasexceptional。Indeed，itwasparticularlynotabletomyAmericaneyestofindsuchdecorumwheretheremighteasilyhavebeenthegreatestlicense。IamafraidthatanAmericanmobofthisclasswouldhavescarcelybeenasorderlyandcivilunderthecircumstances。Theymighthaveshownmorehumor;buttherewouldhaveprobablybeenmoreeffrontery：theymighthavebeenmoreexuberant;theywouldcertainlyhavebeendrunker。Ididnotnoticeasinglemasqueraderundulyexcitedbyliquor：therewasnotawordormotionfromthelightersexthatcouldhavebeenconstruedintoanimpropriety。Therewassomethingalmostpathetictomeinthisattempttowrestgayetyandexcitementoutofthesedullmaterials;tofightagainsttheblacknessofthatwintrysky，andthestubbornhardnessofthefrozensoil，withthesepaintedsticksofwood;tomockthedrearinessoftheirpovertywiththeseflauntingraiments。Itdidnotseemlikethem，orrather，consistentwithmyideaofthem。Therewasincongruitydeeperthantheirbizarreexternals;ahalf-melancholy，half-crazyabsurdityintheiraction，thesubstitutionofagrimspasmodicfrenzyforlevity，thatrightlyorwronglyimpressedme。Whentheincreasinggloomoftheeveningmadetheirfiguresundistinguishable，Iturnedintothefirstcross-street。AsIliftedmyhattomypersistentyoungfriendwiththePritsche，Ifanciedshelookedasrelievedasmyself。If，however，Iwasmistaken;ifthatchild’spathwaythroughlifebestrewnwithrosyrecollectionsoftheunresistingbackofthestrangerAmerican;ifanyburden，OGretchen！laiduponthyyoungshoulders，belighterforthetriflingonethoudidstlayuponmine，——know，then，thatI，too，amcontent。

Andso，daybyday，hasmySpionreflectedthevariouschangingformsoflifebeforeit。Ithasseenthefirstflushofspringinthebroadallee，whentheshadowsoftinyleafletsoverheadwerebeginningtocheckerthecool，squareflagstones。Ithasseentheglareandfulnessofsummersunshineandshadow，theflyingofNovembergoldthroughtheair，thegauntlimbs，andstark，rigid，death-likewhitenessofwinter。Ithasseenchildrenintheirqueer，wickerbaby-carriages，oldmenandwomen，andoccasionallythatgrimusherofdeath，insablecloakandcockedhat，——abalefulfigureforthewanderinginvalidtouristtomeet，——whoactsasundertakerforthisducalcity，andmarshalsthelastmelancholyprocession。Iwellremembermyfirstmeetingwiththisominousfunctionary。Itwasanearlyautumnalmorning;soearly，thatthelongformalperspectiveoftheallee，andthedecorous，smoothvanishing-linesofcream-and-grayfrontedhouses，wereunrelievedbyasinglehumanfigure。Suddenlyatallblackspectre，astheatricalandasunrealasthepaintedscenicdistance，turnedthecornerfromacross-street，andmovedslowlytowardsme。Alongblackcloak，fallingfromitsshoulderstoitsfeet，floatedoutoneithersidelikesablewings;acockedhattrimmedwithcrape，andsurmountedbyahearse-likefeather，coveredapassionlessface;

anditseyes，lookingneitherleftnorright，werefixedfatefullyuponsomedistantgoal。StrangerasIwastothisContinentalceremonialfigure，therewasnomistakinghisfunctionsasthegrimmessenger，knocking"withequalfoot"oneverydoor;and，indeed，soperfectlydidheactandlookhisrole，thattherewasnothingludicrousintheextraordinaryspectacle。Facialexpressionanddignityofbearingwereperfect;thewholemanseemedsaturatedwiththeacceptedsentimentofhisoffice。Recallingthehalf-

confusedandhalf-consciousostentatioushypocrisyoftheAmericansexton，theshamelessabsurditiesoftheEnglishmutesandmourners，Icouldnothelpfeeling，that，ifitweredemandedthatGriefandFateshouldbepersonified，itwerebetterthatitshouldbewelldone。AnditisoneobservationofmySpion，thatthissincerityandbeliefisthecharacteristicofallContinentalfunctionaries。

ItispossiblethatmySpionhasshownmelittlethatisreallycharacteristicofthepeople，andthefewobservationsIhavemadeIofferonlyasanillustrationoftheimpressionsmadeupontwo-

thirdsofAmericanstrangersinthelargertownsofGermany。

Assimilationgoesonmorerapidlythanweareledtoimagine。AsI

haveseenmyfriendKarl，freshandawkwardinhisfirstuniform，lounginglaterdownthealleewiththeblaselistlessnessofafull-blownmilitaire，soIhaveseenAmericanandEnglishresidentsgraduallylosetheirpeculiarities，andmeltandmergeintothegeneralmass。ReturningtomySpionafteraflyingtripthroughBelgiumandFrance，asIlookdownthelongperspectiveoftheStrasse，IamconsciousofrecallingthesamestyleofarchitectureandhumanityatAachen，Brussels，Lille，andParis，andaminclinedtobelievethat，evenasIwouldhavemet，inajourneyofthesamedistancethroughaparallelofthesamelatitudeinAmerica，agreaterdiversityoftypeandcharacter，andamoredistinctflavoroflocality，evensowouldIhavemetamoreheterogeneousandpicturesquedisplayfromaclubwindowonFifthAvenue，NewYork，orMontgomeryStreet，SanFrancisco。