Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-10-24
A Night on the Borders of the
Black Forrest.
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'bf''t b't'N 't''t 'tcth'
My story, Of story it can be called,
being an episode in my own early lite)
carries me back to the time when the
world and | were better friends than
we are likely, perhaps, eyerto be again.
| was young then. had good health,
good spirits, and tolerably good looks.
| had lately come into a snug little
patrimony-which | have long since
dissipated; and ! was in love, or fanci
ed myself in love, with a charming CO.
quettc, who afterwards threw me owe,
for a Wcst-country baronct with seven
thousand year
SO much for myself. The subject is
not one that | particularly care to
dwell upon but rs | hopron to be the
hero Of my own narrative, some self
introduction is, | suppose, Necessary,
To begin thcn--Time: seventeen
years ago.
Hom:-threc o'clock p. m, on a
broiling, cloudIess. September after
moon.
Scene "a long, straight, dusty road,
bordered with young trees;a far-stretch-
inc, undulaing plain, yellow for
the most part with corn-stubble; sin
gularly barren Of wood and water
sprinkled here add there with vine
yards, farmsteads, and hamlets; and
bounded in the extreme distance by a
low chain of purple hills.
Place "a certain dull, unfrequen-
ted district in the kingdom Of Wur-
temburg, about twelve miles nortn OF
lIiebronn, and six southeast Of the
Ncckar.
Dramatis Persona: myself, tall,
sun, burnt, dusty; in gray suit, straw
hat, knapsack and CATERS. In the dis
tanre, q broad-backed pedestrian WELD
ING a long stick like an English quar-
terstatf,
Now, not being sure that l too k
the right turning at the crossroads a
mile or two back, and having plodded
on alone all day with no one to speak
to, | resolved to ovcltake this same
pedestrian, and increased my pace ac
cordingly He, meanwhile, unconscious
of the vicinity of another traveller,
kept on at an easy ''slingtrot," his head
well up, his staff swinging idly in his
hand-a practiced pedestrian, eviden-
tly, and one not easily out-walked
through a long day.
gained upon him, however, at
every step, and could have passed
him easily, had he kept up his pace.
But as | drew near he suddenly came
to a halt, disencumbered himself of
his wallet, and stretched himselfat full
length under tree by the wayside.
saw now that he was a fine, fiorid,
handsome fellow Of about twenty-cight
Or thirty years of agc--a thorough
German to look att frank, smiling,
blue-eyed; dressed in light Holland
blouse and loose grey trousers, and
wearing on his head a little crimson
cap with a gold tassel, such as the
students wear at Heidelberg uniyers-
ity. He lifted it, with the customary
"Guten abend' as | came up, and
when | stopped to speak, sprang to his
feet with ready politeness, and re.
NAMED standing.
"Niedersdorf, mien HERR" said he,
in answer to my enquiry. "About
four miles farther on. You have but
to keep straight forward
"Many thanks,' said |. "You were
resting-;I am sorry to have disturbed
you"
He put up his hand with a little de-
preciating gesture.
"It is nothing he said have
walked far and the day is warm"
81 have only walked from Ileibronn,
and yet | am tired. Pray, don't let
me keep you standing"
"Will you also sit, mein HERR" he
asked with a pleasant smile. "There is
shade for both"
So | sat down and we fell into con-
versation. I began by offering him a
cigar; but he pulled out his pipe-a
great dangling German pipe, with a
flexible tube and a painted china bowl
like q small coffee cup.