Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-09-17


''Dear Marshal l-Ifyou can forward the views
of the bearer, Heinrich Meyer, you will oblge
your friend Let me know the result of the in
terview with him."
'sTime will prove this, rs IL does all other
things" thought Heinrich, as he proceeded on
his way. Somehow or other the road appeared
less wearisome, and he felt less tired and foot
sore since receiving the paper. Hope was strong
er within him than she had been for many day;
and quickening his pace he reached Berlin by
nightfall.
The noise and hustle of the capital was new
to him, and he had some little difficulty in max
ing his way to an inn. He found one at last,
and after frugal supper he retired to rest. Al
ter breakfast he spent some time IN searching
for the residence of Grumkow. The house was,
however, ut last gained, and having delivered his
missive to q servant Heinrich awaited the re-
suit in the hall. In few minutes the servant
returned, and requested him, in most respect
Iful manner, to follow him to the marshals pres
ence. Arrived there he was received most
courteously; and the marshal made many IN
Iouirics as to his past life and future prospects
requested to be told the name OF the village or
town in which he had been educated; at what
linn he was living in Berlin, etc. But still no
allusion was made either to the note or to the
writer of it. The interview lasted about twenty
minutes and at the end of which time the mar
shall dismissed him, desiring that he would call
on that day fortnight y
AT last the time appointed for his second visit
to the marshal arrived. His reception was a.
Gain most favorable The marshal begged him
to be seated at the table at which he was writ
ing, and proceeded at the same time to business
Unlocking drawer and bringing forth small
bundle of papers, he asked Heinrich, as ne are"
them forth one by one, if he knew IN whose
handwriting the various superscriptioIs were.
Heinrich answered that, to the best of his be.
lief one was that of Herr Mudel, his former
ecboomaster; another that of Doctor Won Hum
mer. the principal of such college, and so on.
"Ouite right" remarked the marshall "and
perhaps it may not surprise you to hear that
have written to these different gentlemen, to in
ouire YOUR character, that | may know with
whom have to deal, and not be working in the
dorln AS he said these words the marshal nix
ed his ewes on Heinrich to see what effect they
, had but the Young mans countenance was un
Iabashed he evidently feared no evil report VI
foo, bound,n continued the marshal, ITO tell YOU
tbot ol] they say of you is most favorable, and
am eoua,ly bound to believe and act upon theii
oninion. i have now to beg Of you to follow me
to friends house"
The marshal descended private staircase
leadinp TO the courtyard which he passed thro
cate in the wall into narrow side-street, ,dowl
! which he conducted Heinrich, till they arrived
at q nrivate entrance to the palace. Heinrich
bagan 70 be exceedingly nervous; the conviction
, tbet tbis idea was not mere trick OF the mag
;notion became stronger and stronger. Cou!c
, he have had his own wish, Heinrich Meyer woulc
q ot moment have been forty miles from Berlin
$ At last he found himself following Grumkow e.
| ven into the palace; he could not reirain Iroil
exclaiming, 'Indeed Herr marshal, there mus
7 be some mistake !!
continued to lead him through various gallerie!
and apartments, until at last they reached the
door of one situated in corner of wing OF the
noIace where the marshals knock was answer
ed Inv short "come in" As the door openee
ono Glance sufficed to convince Heinrich that hi:
, friend in the mud and the king were one ane
tbe same person. The poor cousin-seeker, great
, Ijv confused knet before Frederic William, ant
began faltering out many contrite apologies,
, SRise. Young man," said the king, you have
not committed treason. How on earth coulC
Won ruess who was l should not travel quiet
. Iiv if I meant everywhere to be recognized"
After re-assuring Heinrich, the king told him
that he was prepared to do what ne could TO pusl
, him forward in the profession he had chosen.
"But first" he said, 81 must hear you preach
> On Sunday next, therefore, you shall preach oe
, fore me but mind, shall choose the text. 1ot
may retire"
| Bv the time Heinrich Meyer reached his room
lin the inn, he had fixed in his mind the TACT ina
he was to preach to the king. Ihe 1act was OH
Iv too clear. and all he could do was to set aoou'
~
ra;1e the text For the remainder OF the day
he never stirred out; every step on the stair "a'
TO his eur the bearer OF the text
Nevertheless, evening and night passed, and
tbe next day was advanced, and still no text.
What was to be done? There was only two
davs before Sunday he must 90 and consult tht
marshal. but the latter could give him no further
information. All he could do was to promise
that if the king sent the text through him., u
ebould he forwarded with the utmost possible
, dispatch. H.,
That day and the next passed, and yet Hem
r;ch heard nothing from either the king or mar
sbal Only an official intimation had been sehl
os was customary, that he had been selected o.
tbo nrea cher on the following Sunday at th'
Chapel Royal. .,.
If;t had not been that Heinrich knew himself
70 nossess no mean powers of oratory, ana ina
no conld even extemporize in case OF emergehce
be wonld certainly have run away ana a9Juree
lie discovered cousin. AS it was, he aolded Dy
the course of events, ard fortified himself DI
; nraver and philosophy for the momentous houf
Sunday morning arrived, but no text HEN
rich went to the church appointed and was con
Swotod to the seat always set apart for the preach
! er of the day. The king with the royal family
occupied their accustomary seat.
The service commenced, but no text. I'M
= nravers were ended, and while the organ peale(
forth its solemn sounds, the preacher was lea tt
= the nulpit The congregation were astonished
not only at his youthfulness, but at his beng
: stranger.
The pulpit steps were gained, and the though
flashed across Heinrich's mind that possibly M
} should find the text placed for him on the desk
: But, as he was on the point of mounting thl
stairs an officer of the royal household delivered
to him folded piece of paper, saying, I'LL
Majesty sends you the text!"
, After having recited the preliminary prayers
the preacher opened the paper,a 1t was plank
not a word was written on it. What was 10 D'
idone9 Heinrich deliberately examined the wnol'
paper and, after short pause, held IL up oeior'
, the congregation, saying: =,
"H;s majesty has furnished the text for the
, sermon. But YOU may perceive that nothing
> whatever is upon the Sheet of paper. Out o
nothing God created the world | shall, there
fore, take the creation for the subject of my dis
course this morning"
Q In accordance with this decision, the preache
went through the whole of the first chapter o.
4 Genesis in a masterly way, his style being for
chile and clear, and fiuency of language remark
, able. His audience, accustomed to the kings
eccentricities, were far more astonished at the
) dexterity with which the preacher had extrica
ted himself from the difficulty, than at the dilem