Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-09

once il Berlin, was considered, in his part of
the world. an oracle in all matters connected
with town life.
The inn was, however, found at last and
| after frugal supper and good nights rest,
our friend arose, ready to hope and believe
everythin from the mysterious note, which
he started forth to deliver Immediately after
breakfast.
Obliged to ask his way TO Marshal Grumb-
kow'S, he was amused and surprised at the
| tonishment dep icted en- the countenances of
| those persons of whom he made the inquiry,
as if they would say, What business can you
have with Marshal GrumbkOwt'
The house was, however, at last gained
and having delivered his missive TO a servant,
Heinrich awaited the result in the hall. In
a few minutes the servant returned, and re-
quested him. in the most respectful manner
TO follow him to the Marshal's presence. Ar
rived there, he was received most courteousy;
and the Marshal made many inquiries 10
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 educated; at what inn he
was living in Berlin, and so forth. But still
no allusiOn was made either to the note or 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.
elplONeu the interval IN visiting
the lions of the town. There was n grand re-
view of the troops on the kings birth day
and, like loyal subject, our friend went to
have rcverent stare at his ma jesty, whom he
had never seen At one point Of the review,
the king stopped almost opposite to Heinrich;
and then Was suggested to him as the reader
probably suspects, that after all, he must
have seen that face somewhere before. Was
1T the friend who hailed him in the muddy
road? Impossible! How should a king be
travelling at that time Of the 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 tnder
at his nose, and cried to him puff away"
At last the time appointed for his second
visit TO the marshal rived. His reception
was again most favorable. The marshal
begged him to be seated at the table at which
ne writing, and proceeded at the same
time to business. Unlocking drawer, and
bringing forth small bundle of papers, he
asked Heinrich as he drew them forth one by
one, If he knew in whose handwriting the
various superscriptions were
Heinrich answered, that to the best of his
belief, one was that Of Herr Nudel, his former
schOOlmaster; another that of Doctor Won
Hummer, the principal of such a college, and
so on.
"Quite right answered the marshal, " and
perhaps IL may not surprise you TO hear that l
have written to these different gentlemen To
inquire your character, that l 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 on Heinrich To zee what eff
feet tn y had; but the young mans counter
ance was unabashed-he evidently feared no
evil report. .. feel bound" ." continued the
marshal, to tell you that all they say OF you
is most favorable; and am equally bound TO
believe and act upon their opinions. have
now to beg Of you to follow me 10 a friends
house.
The marshal descended private staircase
leading to the court yard, crossing which, he
passed throagh gate in the wall into a mar
row side street, down which he conducted
Heinrich, till they arrived at a private en-
trance TO the palace. Heinrich began to get
exceedingly nervous; 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 Ber-
lin. At last, as he found himself following
Grumbkow even into the palace, he could not
refrain from e1claiming, - indeed, Herr Mar
al, there must be some mistake?"
No answer was youchsafed, as the marshal
continued to lead him through the various
galleries and apartments, until at last they
reached the door of one situated in a corner OF
a wing of the palace, where the marshals
knock was answered by short - come in"
As the door opened, one glance suficed to con-
vince 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 William, and began
faltering out cOntrite apologies.
" Rise, young man, said the king, you
have not committed treason. How on earth
could you guess who L was | should not
travel quietly if l meant to be everywhere
recognized.
After re-assuring Heinrich, the king told
him that he was prepared to do what he could
to push him forward in the profession he had
chosen. " But, first, he said, - must he ar
how you preach. On Sunday next, therefore,
you shall preach before me; but, mind, L 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 he |
should have been furnished with the text. For |
the remainder of that day, he never stirred |
out; every 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 DO |
text.
What was to be done? There was only two |
days before Sunday. He must go and con- 4
suit the marshal, but the latter could give him
promise that if the king sent the text through /
him, it should be forwarded with the utmost |
possible dispat,h.
That day and the next 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 Sc
lected as the preacher on the following Sunday
at the chapel royal.
If it had not been that Heinrich knew him.
self to possess no mean powers Of oratOry, and
that he could even extemporise, in case of
emergency, he would have certainly run away
from Berlin, and abjured his discovered cousin.
As it was, he abided the course of events, and
fortified himself by prayer and philosophy for
the momentous hour. Sunday morning ar
rived, but no text.
Heinrich went to the church appointed, and
was conducted TO the seat always set apart for
the preacher Of the day. The king with the
royal family, occupied their accustomed places
The service commenced, but no text The
prayers were ended and whilst the organ |
pealed forth its solemn sounds, the preacher |
W as led the pulpit. The cOngrega alton were |