The union Democrat., 1869-04-03
Speaking German Under Difficulties

The Baden Baden correspondent. of an East
ern exchange has the following;
| Its highly important that those who con-
template taking European tour should ac-
qnire some knowledge of the French, and If
| possible German, also. \ person never feels
so completely lost as, when in a vast crowd
| OF people, there is no one with whom he is
I able 10 speak. But ennai is not the extent
of his misfortunes. A want of u knowledge
of these continental languages often causes
an extreme Inconvenience. Nor must the
knowledge be too Slight.
| "A little German is n dangerous thing, y
you know. 1t has also proved a very ludic-
erous thing upon an occasion that am about
to relate. An American and bis family ar
irving in Baden, had taken apartments in a
private house, and had arranged at neigh
boring restaurant TO have their meals brought
to their rooms. A very charming little wal
ter girl, speaking German only, had been as
sgred to the duty fserving the table. Now.
Amercanus had but slight knowledge of
the German language, but dire necessity
compelled that he should appear to under
stand, and try to talk, at all events, with the
waiter girl. as it was evident that nothing
could be served that was not ordered in Ger
man. Americanus FASTENED from pocket
dictionary, to learn the words representing
in German, beefstake, fried potatoes, coffee,
chicken tiicasee etc., aud the adiectives, ad-
verbs and the propositions required to make
suitable sentences to convey to u German un-
derssanding the preferences Of an American
stomach.
This interesting study having been pursued
diligently for several days, and with appa-
rent success, and many of the words having
become quite familiar to the tongue and ear
a gentle rap was heard at the door. Already
the shades of evening had settled upon the
face of nature, and objects were not as easily
discernable as might have been desired But
the door was opened, and in stepped fair
maiden, and began after very polite cour-
tesy, very rapid speech in Germen, the
most of which was worse than Greek to Amer
icanus. But he remained composed, perfectly
conscious that the large collection of German
words that he had so recently learned would
not fail him in this hour of trial and omer-
gency. lie therefore said. "Ja, ia, as if
all was perfectly understood.
Now, Amercanus supposed that his fair
visitor was the daughter of the restaurant
man, and that she had come to ask him what
he wanted for his breakfast. He heard sever
al words that sounded quite familiar, aud he
determined to guess at the rest. ''Yes, un-
derstand her she is the girl from the restau-
rant, I" said Americanus to his lady, who lis
tened, bnt knew nothing of what was said.
The supposed waiter-girl having finished,
Amer icanus summoned up his lately acquir-
ed German words, and began. in bad Ger
man ,.ot course: Yes, | am glad you have
come. want beefstake, hroiled, not too
rare; and potatoes also, fried, a cup of cof-
fee,' ETC., etc. bring them warm. Heat
your plates.
The fair (supposedl waiter looked confused
and began to nut in word, if rot exactly
| coincidins with the views of Americans in
reference to IA hot breakfast. But American
us pressed the point still further. and again
repeated, in more confident German accent,
the whole list of things desired for break
! fast for himself and family. The girl ap-
peared not to understand She ventured to
say, so as to be understood II do not under-
stand you. sir" That was perpl-xing. Amer
canus became impatient, and said to his
lady in English: ''EIow stupid the servants
are! She don't appear to understand Ger
man even. | will trv again So he pressed
the point and insisted on ''broilcd .beef>take,
fried potatoes, and a cup of coffee" The
emphatic manner in which this last was put
seemed to convince the fair waiter of some
thing, as she Immediately bowed herself out,
closing the door after her with some impa-
tience.
"Well," said Americanus to his lady, 81
think she understands me at last, | felt con-
Gdeut that | could command enough German
to order breakfast in that language" Next
morning the veritahle waiter-girl came with
the breakfast But how is this I? Veal cut
let for two Potatoes boiled Tea Oh, hor-
rors Who ever heard of such q thing? Tea
for a mans breakfast ! 1t is not fit for a
sick woman!" Americanus was amazed
that his order for breakfast should have been
so wofully misunderstood. or disregarded
He asked the waiter-girl if she did not under
stand him, when she came last night to take
his order. She was confused Said she had
not come to take bis order mot here last
night?" "Neia ~ 'Ah, here IS another
Comedy of Errors There are two Drom-
los ~
This one is indeed the waiter-girl from
the restaurant, but who is the other Miss
Dromio?' That was the question that caus-
ed Americanus increased anxiety and per-
plexity. But imag CINE his overwhelming cha
tgrin and modification, when he learned that
the fair visitor of the evening previous vas
the accomplished daughter of his host. She
had called to present her compliments to the
American gentleman and his lady, and to
inform them that there would be a mu-
steal entertainment at the Conversation
House that evening, and to offer, if they de-
sired to 60 to attend them thither, they
were strangers and might not know the way.
What could be more perplexing
more annoying? Add to all this the inabil-
ity of Americanus to offer an Apologize
could not speak German sufficiently to do so.
He therefore avoided the fair damsel. lie
never looked into her face again. So much
for not knowing well the language of TIE
country in which one is scjourning. Amer
icanus, in relating this incident to his male
friends, tells another in which the laugh was
ct the expense of his hostess, who, endeayor-
ing to speak English. SO as to be the better
understood, stumbled upon some expressions
that it would be improper to reproduce in the
columns of a newspaper. Suffice 1t to say,
that be could not have acceded to his host,
ess's suggestion without 6 wide departure
from that upright course of conduct which is
most becoming In a married man.
II say, Pat" said Yankee to an Irish
mao. who was digging in his garden. "are