San Andreas independent., 1856-12-06

ana perhaps 1t may not surprise you to
hear that | have written to these different
gentlemen to inquire your character, that
| may know with whom I have to deal,
and not be working in the dark" As he
said these words the marshal fixed his
eyes on Heinrich to see what effect they
had, but the young mans countenance
was unbashed he evidently feared no evil
report. 81 feel bound,' continued the
marshal, :" to tell you, that all that 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 to friends house"
The marshal descended private stair
case leading to the court yard, crossing
which he passed through gate in the
wall into a narrow side street, down which
he conducted Heinrich, till they arrived
at private entrance to the palace. Helm
rich 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, follow
ing Grumbkow, even into the palace, he
could not refrain from exclaiming, SIn-
deed, Herr Marshal, there must be some
mistake p
No answer was vouchsafed, as the mar
shall continued to lead him through various
galleries and apartments until at last they
reached the door of one situated in cor
ner Of wing Of the palace, where the
marshals knock was answered by short
q come in" As the door opened, one
glance suficed to convince Heinrich that
his friend in the mud, and the king, were
one and the same person. The poor cousin
seeker greatly confused, knelt before Fred
erick-W 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 I was? I
should not travel quietly if 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 pro-
fession he had chosen. "But first" he
said, T" I must hear how you preach. On
Sunday next, therefore, you shall preach
before ne; 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 IL
his mind the fact that he was to preach tc
the king. The fact was only too clear, and
all he could do was to set about his ser
mon as soon as he should have been fur
nished with the text. For the remainder
Of that day, he never stirred out; every
step on the stair was to his ears that Of the
bearer Of the text.
Nevertheless, eveningand 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
90 and consult the 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, it should
be forwarded with the utmost possible de-
spatch.
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 selected as the preacher on the
following Sunday at the chapel royal.
If it had not been that Heinrich knew
himself to possess no mean powers Of ora
tory, and that he could even extemponse
in case of emergency, he would have GER
tainly 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 was led to the pulpit. The con-
gregation were astonished, not only at his
youthfulness, but at his being an utter
stranger.
The pulpit steps were gained, and the
thought flashed across Heinrich's mind
that possibly he should find the text placed
for him on the desk
But, as he was on the point of mount
ing the stairs, an officer Of the royal house
hold delivered to him a folded piece OF
paper, saying, His majesty sends you
the text"
After having, recited the preliminary
prayers, the preacher opened the paper,
and 10 lit was blank-not word was
written on it. What was to be done p
Heinrich deliberately examined the white
q u