Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-29
For TIE StGr.
SKETCHES FROM GERMAN LIFE.
across the Atlantic.

Some months ago we started for Germany,
l. and /, under the kind protection of
Fraulien A. We were going TO learn
language of which our knowledge, at that
time, did not extend beyond IA and MEN.
The matter, with all its bearings, had been
so long discussed that II seemed hard to
realize the journey fairly begun when one
warm July day we sailed out of New York
harbor. / recall a little feeling of desolation
as sudden turn OF the steamer swept away
from view the wharf and all who stood there,
and sense Of relief that We were at last Of.
The invigOrating breeZes which sprang up
almost Immediately, and the novel sensa-
tlon OF plOughing so energeticalIy through
the water had a very enlivening effect upon
our spirits for about an hour. At the end of
that time the energetic ploughing" was not
so agreeable. We descended TO dinner with
our faith considerably shaken in the theory
had been advancing, that 1t merely requires
little strength OF VIII to fight oil sea sick
ness. An unsavOry smell OF some strange
German soup greeted our nOstrils as we
entered the cabin door, awakening desper-
ate Impulse TO fee we knew not where. We
managed, however, TO stagger to the table,
painfully conscious that the eyes of all our
fellow passengers were watching our undig-
nihed movements have no definite recoi-
lection OF that miserable time. Every thing
on the table whirled around, the dishes
seemed 10 be performing an Indian war
clear, yellow soup with floating vermicelli
from the b aiming countenance Of the old
gentleman opposite. Some one was cruel
for deck again, There they goi" and IL raised
q general laugh How could they be SO
We must indeed nave presented a pitiable
spectacle, reclining In a row on one of the
deck benches. A uniformed Individual ap-
preached u.s. But even brass buttons had
lost their charms, and we scarcely heard his
words Of cheer and encouragement II was
the captain, q friend of Fraulein A. How
we wished he would leave us alone In our
misery! But he had no such idea We were
trotted up and down the rolling deck, talked
TO In style that fairly drove Us TO the depths
ne Tesdy ha r is ys5S spe
babe him goodnight, feeling we owed him
everlasting gratitude.
The CHATTER OF luncheon dishes was the
first sound heard the next day With our
desperate attempts 70 stand upright returned
the unhappiness OF the evening before. On,
poor, stupid little stewardess, whose knowl-
edge Of English was about as limited as our
German, assisted us through the trying Or
deal with patience which was more than
pratseworthy. To be sure she uOtld insist
upon dressing rs In other peoples things,
and putting them on wrong side before at
that; but these were tribes at such time.
She had her share Of the burden, too. We
terked her headloDg with Us on berth or sofa,
whenever the state OF our feelings would no
longer allow us 10 keep our feet. Occasion
ally, too, we fell forcibly into her arms, and
nearly upset her But nothing could disturb
her temper. She kept up monotone baoble
OF German sympathy and coincidence until
she had carried US above and settled US nice
ly on deck.
After aday or so out, with returning health
and spirits, every body seemed TO fall into a
happy sort of mood that was as placid and
suDshtny as the passage we were making.
We were In mood 70 enjoy everything, there
dark blue water which did not give US pleas.
ure. Terra fT1nG was forgotten when we
sang, with the nautical accompaniment OF
whistling winds and Tapping sails
-.'GiTe te me the roaring breeze,
And the white saves hssying hign.n
II Is wonderful what vocal talent an ocean
tr1p DEVELOPS In everybody. individuals,
who probably never sang on land, suddenly
discovered they could entertain the whole
ships company with their voices. So we
had solos In the cabin, quartettes in the
deckhouse, choruses on deck, and music all
over the steamer.
Our fellow passengers were In no way In
teresting or remarkable But they were So
ciable, and moreover several OF them afforded
us endless amusement A young Spaniard
In particular, who would pay startling COM
piiments on all occasions, added much 70
our merrimeDt aboard. He explored the
steamer, fore and aft; went below with the
captain, and bad all the complication OF ma.
10 rs. The bridge was favorite place OF at.
traction, especially In high seas, when the
bow was constantly being washed over, and
the spray dashed up as Tar as our place OF
outlook. From there, too, we could watch
the Storage passengers, whom we could not
help but pity, although they seemed happy
and well cared for. 1t was a molly crowd
indeed, when they all came on deck, as they
did occasionally when something was to be
seen. / call TO mind one day especially
when we watched them from the bridge. II
was bright aud warm, q glorious midsum
mer day, wheel sky and water were onedeet
blue. They were all on deck, watching tn
performance of an acrobat up In the rigging
lfewas Respondent In red cotton velvet and
TN sci, aud timed his movements to the
strains OF the eBlue DANUBE" which little
boy was Jerking out OF an asthmatic accor
deon. The audience sat In a circle; hard
stern looking men, women, young and old
with every variety OF kerchief for a head
concerning and little innocent children. Many
OF them returning 10 the fatherlant aftel
disappointment and failure N the new
world.
There was no lack OF amusement aboard
for we racked our brains and revived all on
childish games. The gentlemen playes
shuttle beard with an energy which seemeC
70 proclaim great interest Occasionally tn,
ladies' were favored with an invitation u
Join, but as their spasmodic pushings did no
seem 70 give much satisfaction, the invita-
tons grew less and less frequent II was IA
pleasanter to sit and idly watch the players
4 maryeling over the wonderful amount o
spirit with which they went over and owe
The same old ground. The excitement Of
SAL In sight would now and then Interrupt
= -