The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-12-24

The following letter was written by young
gentleman now studying in Germany, and was
not intended for publication But it is so sim.
ply and pleasantly written and is so interesting,
in its minute details, picture of village life
in Germany, that we have asked permission
(having accidentally seen iD to publish it.
EDS. CEN PRES
BERLIN, Oct. 18th, 1884.
Dear Sister,-You may be interested
in hearing of short journey recently
made. About week ago l went to see
the Won di DIS, and told the old lady
that 1 wanted to spend my last Sunday
evening in Berlin at her house. She
told me she would leave the city on the
following Saturday for Kolup, to visit
her son-in-law, the pastor of village
consisting of about 100 souls, and she
wanted S. and myself to go with her
there to spend the Sunday, as that day
was the birthday of her second daughter,
Marie. The eldest, who married the pas
tor, died about year ago, and Fraulein
Marie has been taking care of the three
lit lie children and keeping the house in
order. S. bought her set of scissors
and 1 half dozen fruit knives of new
kind which would not be affected by the
acid juices, also some little triffles for the
children. Armed with these, we met
the old lady and her daughter at the
depot, and we all got into non-smoker,
third class coach, and set out for G.,
the nearest railroad station. Our COM
partment was mostly filled with peasant
women, and we soon fell into general
conversation. 1t was very interesting to
listen to the Low German dialect as
spoken by the simple people. After get
ting to c., we had still to ride about
fifteen miles across the country in a stage,
so the old lady rushed forward with S.
to secure four places, while the Fraulein
and looked after the luggage. People
here very rarely travel about with trunks,
in our sense of the word but they buy
large aOicber baskets made like trunks,
which are very light and strong. All
baggage on the Continent being charged
by weight, this is considerable item on
long journey for poor people, SO they
economic In this direction. AZ there
were great many people going good
part OF the way, we were packed in like
herrings in box. On two poor, long,
old nags, were packed sixteen people
and mass of trunks, the driver had to
find seat away up on top, astradle one
of the boxes. 1t soon drew dark, and a
fine, drilling rain began to come down
and in, through the shaking old coach,
which made everything damp and I'M
comfortable. The rain, the fshy smells,
the one Pickering oil lamp in front, and
the bowling wind outside sweeping from
the German Ocean across the fat, sandy.
and marshy soil, unbroken by hill or
tree for miles, produced anything but
lively effect. The temperature outside
was down to 9.5 Reamur. This state Of
affairs held on for a solid hour, when at
last we came to the first village, where
we changed omnibuses. The old woman
opposite, with baby and numberless
bundles, gradually drew herself out with
her goods and chattels; the old smoked
herring by my side wobbled out into his
native Granddaughter more; some
took glass Of brandy; while we warmed
and dried by good fire, that is, we ar.
ranged ourselves along by the side Of an
immense porcelain stove which filed up
one end Of the Cast stube" PERCEPTION
ROOM. At the opposite end was the
m5in entrance, and sort of bar, behind
which stood two maidens (not) fair to
see, who kept the pot boiling, the bowl
Sowing, and dispensed good cheer at the
rate Of, one small glass Of brandy, labelled
cognac, ! cent; one glass brown beer Q
cents; cigars, highest price, cents; a
whole plate full Of meat and potatoes Is