Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-12

i appreciation of some delicious sweet, tn
seemed a sneer at her evident enjoymen
Charlie began to repent the sacrifice he ha
made, not on account of his own intern
cravings, but for the sake of his kind
hostess.
That worthy lady, however, did not trol
bic in the least about her husbands r,
marks, continuing thoroughly to apprecist
her dinner.
In the silence which ensued the youn
hopeful of sixteen volunteered remark
"PerLaps you don't like what we've got
sir. Germans always eat sausages an
drink beer, don't they?"
There was an awful pause. The parent
knew this was meant for an impertinence
but as the supposed Professor might reall
be fond of these dainties, they did no
know what to say.
Charlie replied with cheerful condescen
sion to the young gentleman that, in spit
of the fact that both sausages and bee
were highly appreciated in Germany, h
sisid MT like either
But though he came successful,
through these little episodes, Charlie fel
the dinner a very trying business indeed
1t was true that he had made very good
impression on the invalid father, but t.,
difficulty of supporting his assumed rol'
under the scrutiny of the younger member.
of the party was almost more than he coulc
endure. Would the time ever pass? HI
felt sure he could manage Mr.. Merryweath
or even better alone.
Beatrice felt equally anxious for the din.
ne- to come to an end. She sat on thorns,
eating little and saying less. At last Mrs.
Merryweather rose and led her young peo-
pie to the drawing-room; Charlie standing
by the door and contriving to exchange d
look of encouragement and tiny squeeze
Of the hand with Beatrice as she went by.
The young boy of sixteen had been dis
missed by his father and had gone with the
rest the to Charles unutterable relief Left
with his guest Mr.. Merryweather plunged
into the subject Of the lawsuit. 1t was to
him like the head of Charles I. was to Mr..
Dick; it came in everywhere. So in spite
of his hearer being, as he supposed, for
eigner and ignorant of the laws of this
country. the Honorable Horatio began the
long history of his grievances.
And in the face of all that, SIR" he
concluded, "the decision has twice been
given against me. You see the absurd
anomaly is that Scotch procedure is differ
ent to English. suppose you know moth
ing of the Scotch law of Hypothee."
Charlie could dconscientiously answered he
did not.
"Well-well it's long history and
slightly involved, and I won't enter into it
all now. I fear the ladies will be expect
ing us. But you quite see the case, Pm
sure.
Charlie had listened very patiently and
with great appearance of sympathy; he
could now declare with sincerity that if he
had the power Mr.. Merryweather should
fix his own boundary tomorrow.
Mr.. Meryweather was completely won.
s'My dear SIR" he said, button-holing his
guest as they rose from the table, ''for SO
young q man and stranger to this coun-
try you have most remarkable-yes, a
most remarkable-grasp of facts. Your
knowledge and command of our language
is also very astonishing-little accent you
will soon lose-and 1 feel persuaded land
let me tell you ! am very seldom deceived
in first impressions) that very fine career
lies before you. can always discover
talent, whether in .Englishman Or foreign
er."
Oppressed by these undeserved and pom.
pous eulogiums, Charlie preceded his host
into the drawing room. In order to escape
further conversation he asked Beatrice for
song. She chose duet, one they had
often sung together in Scotland, and asked
him to join.
Itwa German Volkslied, SO the selec.
tion seemed graceful and appropriate to
the visitor, and appropriate indeed it was
The little ballad with it's simple music is
we'll known:
"Ach! vie lists moglich damn
Dass lch dich lassen kanp!
Hab' dIch von Herzen germ
Das CLAUDE mir!
Da hast die Seele mein
So ganz genommen ein
Dass ch klein andre lieb'
Ais dich alleip!"
AS the young people were carolling this
with much fervor of expression an unex
cepted interruption occurred. The servant
suddenly. flung open the door, after the
manner of his kind, announcing in a loud
voice Professor Miller.
An explosion of dynamite could scarcely
have been more startling. Every one not
in the secret looked naturally bewildered.
Beatrice turned as white as a sheet, and
even Charlie lost color and assurance.
The newcomer was an enormous person,
tall and bulky. His hair, which was brush
ed straight back from his forehead, hung
about his shoulders like name; his beard,
which was long and untrimmed, covered
his ample chest; the soiled and crumpled
wristbands alone gave evidence of the ex.
istence OF shirt.
This was precisely the type of individual
which Mr.. r.<Merryweather most loathed. He
looked upon such people as utter bar.
barians; wild, unknown men of the woods,
to be relegated to their native forests. As
he rose slowly and confronted the new ar
rival, Landseer's picture of "High Life and
Low Life'' came involuntary to Charlie
mind
But the CHEEKY foreigner was not rebuff.
ed by the attitude and expression of the
Englishman.
81 come for to present my respect. Miss
Kitty she gif ze address of her fader and
moder and beg me to call and gif zis leedle
bagged," and the hurley German fumbled
in his pocket for the little packet in question
"What does this mean?" asked Mr.. Mer.
ryweather, turning to Charlie. His tone
was not angry or suspicious, but helpless