The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-30
5HREV EPORT, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 80, 1885,

sore since receiving the mysterious bit of paper.
Hope was stronger within him than she had
been for many day, and on her wings he was
carried pleasantly along, SO that he reached
Berlin by night-fal.
The noise and hustle of the capital was new
to him, and he found some little difficulty in
making his way to the Gasthaus, to which he
had been recommended by the pastor of his par
ish. The pastor having been once in Berlin,
was considered, in his part of the world, an ora
Gle in all matters connected with town life.
The inn was, however, found at last; and after
frugal supper and a good nights rest, our
friend arose, ready to hope and believe every
thing from the mysterious note, which he start
ed forth to deliver Immediately after breakfast.
Obliged to ask his way to marshal Grumb
kow's, he was amused and surprised at the as
tonishment depicted on the countenances of
those persons of whom he made the inquiry, as
if they would say, "What business can you
have with marshal Grumbkow?'
The house was, however, at last gained; and
having delivered his missive to servant, Helm
rich awaited the result in the hall. In few
minutes the servant returned, and requested
him, in the most respectful manner, to follow
him to the marshal's presence. Arrived there,
he was received most courteously; and the mar
shal made many inquiries as to his past life and
future prospects; requested to be told the name
of the village or town in which he had been last
residing; the school in which he had been edu-
Gated; at what time he was living in Berlin, and
so forth. But still no allusion was made either
to the note or to the writer of it. The interview
lasted about twenty minutes, at the end of which
time the marshal dismissed him, desiring that
he would call again on that day fortnight.
Heinrich employed the interval in visiting the
lions the town. There was a grand review of
the military on the kings birthday, and like a
loyal subject, our friend went to have reyerent
stare at his majesty, whom he had never seen.
At one point of the review, the king stopped
almost opposite to Heinrich, and then was sug-
gested to him, as the reader probably suspects,
that, after ALL he must have seen that face some
where before. Was it the friend who hailed
in the muddy road? Impossible! How should
king be travelling at that time of day? At
any rate, it vexed him to think that he had not
treated the gentleman in the coach in a very
ceremonious manner. He had thrust tinder at
his nose, and cried to him, "Puff away!"
At last the time appointed for his second visit
to the marshal arrived. Hisreception was again
the most favorable. The marshal begged him
to be seated at the table at which he was writing,
and proceeded at the same time to business
Unlocking drawer and bringing forth a small
bundle of papers, he asked Heinrich, as he drew
them forth, one by one, if he knew in whose
handwriting the various superscrptions were.
Heinrich answered, that to the best of his be-
lief, one was that of Herr Mudel, his former
schoolmaster; another that of doctor Won Hum
mer, the principal of such college, and so on.
Quite right answered the marshal, 'and
perhaps it may not surprise you to hear that l
have written to these different gentlemen to in
quire your character, that | may know with
whom | have to deal, and not be working in
the dark AS he said these words, the mar
shall fixed his eyes upon Heinrich to see what
effect they had; but the young mans counte-
nance was unabashed-he evidently feared no
evil report 1 feel bound,' continued the mar
shall. ito tell you that all they say is most fa-
vorable, and l am equally bound to believe and
and act upon their opinions. [ have now to beg
of you to follow me to friends house,
The marshal descended private staircase
leading to the ourt-yard, crossing which he
passed through gate in the wall into narrow
till they arrived at private entrance to the pal
ace. Heinrich began to get exceedingly ner-
.ous; the conviction that his idea was not mere
trick of the imagination, became stronger and
stronger. Could he have had his own wish,
Heinrich Meyer would at that moment have
been forty miles from Berlin. At last, as he
found himself following Grumbkow even into
the palace, he could not refrain from exclaiming,
Indeed, Herr Marshal, there must be some
mistake!'
No answer was vouchsafed, as the marshal
continued to lead him through the various gal
leres and apartments, until at last they reach
ed the door of one situated in corner of a wing
of the palace, where the marshaPs knock was
answered by short "come in.' As the door
opened one glance suficed to convince Heinrich
that his friend in the mud, and his king, were
one and the same person. The poor cousin
seeker, greatly confused, knelt before Frederick
and began faltering out contrite apologies.
Rise, young man. said the king, you have
not committed treason. How on earth could
you guess who / was? should travel quietly
if meant to be everywhere recognized
After reassurng Heinrich the king told him
that he was prepared to do what he could to
push HIM forward IN the profession he had cho-
sen. But first he said, / must hear how you
preach. On Sunday next, therefore, you shall
breach before me, but mind, I shall choose the
text. You may retire.
By the time Heinrich Meyer reached his own
room in the inn, he had fixed in his mind the
fact that he was to preach to the king. The
fact was only too clear, and all he could do was
to set about his sermon as soon as he should
have been furnished with the text. For the re-
mainder of that day, he never stirred out; ev-
cry step on the stairs was to his ears that of
the bearer of the text.
Nevertheless, evening and night passed, and
the next day was far advanced, but still no text
What was to be done? There were only two
days before Sunday He must go and consult
the marshal, but the latter could give him no
information; all he could do was to promise that
if the king sent the text through him, it should
be forwarded with the utmost possible despatch.
That day and the next day passed, and yet
Heinrich heard nothing from either king or
marshal. Only an official intimation had been
sent, as was customary, that he had been select
ed as the preacher on the following Sunday at