Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-10-08
An Austrian Catechism.

"A suddenly opening door wakes me nm the
isnoI0rd oi the inn approaches, places a long.
Olnclai-looklng book on the table. and hands
@ ne pen ana INK. L inquire peevishly what
an wanted TO write at that time of night
when L am just digesting NV dinner Tho
landlord answers respectfully that am re-
CURED 10 give full, true, and particular ac-
count OF myself. approach the table. think
Ing this demand rather absurd, for INV na...
port is already in the hands Of the authorize.
however, as L am in despotic country. 4
keep my thoughts to myself, open a blank
page IN the official looking book, see that il
Is divided into columns with printed head
ings and lind that no more understand what
they mean than L understand an assessed tar
payer at home; to which, by the by, the blank
page bears striking resemblance. The
headings are technical official words, which I
now meet with as parts Of Italian speech for
tue hrst time. L am am obliged to appeal 20
tne poiite landlord, and by his assistance,
get 10 gradually understand what il Is tho
Austrian police wants Of me. They require
10 know, before they will let me 90 on peace
aoly tomorrow. what my name is in full.
MY name in full is Matthew ODonoghue
ID Phln Phlpson Dee, and let the Austrian au-
thorities read it if they can, now that thew
have got it) Second. What is my nation
SDritlsh and glad to cast it in the teeth of
continental pirates) Third. Where was I
born (At Merthyr Tydvil should be glai
ID near the Austrian authorities pronounce
that when they give up my name in despair
Fourth. Where do live? lin London; and L
wish was there now, for L would write to the
Times about this nuisance before / sleptD
Fifth How old am II my age is what it has
oeen Tor the last seven years, and what il will
remain till have married the lady whom L
saw Ia my magic glass-25 exactly } Married
did say! BY all that is inquisitivei here
are the police wanting to know (sixth) whether
l am married or single? Landlord, what is
tue Italian for bachelor? Write nubile.
Slgnor hubble! ?" That means mar.
riageable. There is an epithet to designate a
bachelor, which is sure to meet with tbe an
proval of the ladies at least Whist next,
G0! distrustful despots, what next p Seventh.
What is my condition First rate condition
to be sure; full Of rolled beef, toasted larks,
and efervescent wine. Condition, What do
they mean by that Profession, Is t7
have not got one. What shall write? sWrite
proprietor, Signor !" Very well but don't
know that am proprietor Of anything except
the clothes stand in, even my trunk was bor-
rowed Of friend Eighth. Where do come
from Ninth. Where am going to? Tenth
,n, Mhen did get my passport! Eleventh.
gave me my passport? Wa. there ever such
a monstrous string Of questions to address 70
harmless, idle man, who only wants to pot.
ter about Italy quietly in a postchaise Here,
Landlord, take the Travellers Book back 10
the police can write no better answers 70
their questions Take il away, and NAV the
Emperor of Austria feel all the safer on his
throne now that he knows that was born at
Merthyr Tydvil, and that L have not vet been
SO fortunate as to get any lady to marry me
Household Words.