Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-03-23
THE S0IHAK'S CATTLE.

half those eXtravagant stories that have
audacity for their basis and all Europe
for their narrators; the roaming ground
for unnumbered Gvpsies: the origin of
handsome women and good wine.
have just returned from the Pussta,
this great territory of which Buda-
Pesth is the commercial center. l went
there seeking novelty, and incidentally to
make a visit, and | return with admira-
ton of the shrewd and brilliant resources
of the quick witted and sharp people
who make prey of the world outside
their ownselves.
The visit | had in contemplation when
! left Vienna was interfered with by an
accident so remarkable that | believe it
stands unique among the queer happen
ings of the world.
Three years ago l visited Hungary for
the first time, and was entertained at my
uncle's castle, an enormous structure of
medieval build and impressive proper
tions, complete with everything to make
life comfortable; and the addition of my
three charming young lady cousins made
life agreeable.
My uncle, Baron Paul Won Rovac, is a
whole souled relation with a desire to do
the proper thing in the way of entertain
ing, and hospitality that makes his
salons the most popular in this rather
wild country. He cultivates his property
with the most studious and painstaking
care, his crops are reputed to be the most
prolific thereabout, his vaults are we'll
warmed with governments and consols,
while his wine cellar is tested to its
fullest capacity with casks of the richest
Hungarian clarets and the clearest Tokav.
The first day of my visit was marked
by the arrival of another guest-one of
the opposite sex, however-a vigorous,
healthy fellow with a fierce mustache
and loud voice-a fellow who enjoyed
the distinction of using two ''vons' in
his name-Von Glyenke and Won Boroth.
A natural leader in everything that per-
tanned to sports, he was the best fencer.
the most daring rider, the luckiest card
player. the heaviest drinker and the most
entertaining ''masher." He played well
and sang well. Whether or not he knew
of the $4,000 guldens each daughter
would receive directly on the death of
my uncle, am unable to say; vet true
it is that within one week of his coming
and engaged himself to Emma the eldest.
The etiquette of Hungary does not
permit too close an inquiry into the mon
etary affairs of another, yet my uncle
quite naturally desired to assure himself
of the future his daughter might expect
and the possibility of the same easy life
continuing that she was then accustomed
to. SO, with the delicacy and tact born
of gentle surroundings and an elevated
SOUL my uncle got around the question
and asked Carl where he lived. which,
being omitted in the note of introduction
that opened the castle gate to the gentle
man, gave an excuse for the query.
Il live in Castle Boroth, - Carl replied,
sat Pustza Gerelv, near Kassa. Nv
halls are spacious, and my salons show
the faces of twenty generations of mobiles,
my stables have accommodations for
forty horses, and he who joins my hunts
has sport unlimited and wealth of ex-
element. My mounts are the best in the
country thereabout, and nothing would
give me greater pleasure than to well
come you to my board and satisfy you by
the evidence of your own eyes that | can
provide worthy home for your lovely
daughter"
This fluent and fowery description
went far toward satisfying my uncle. and
he replied in that gracious and courtly
manner distinctively his own:
My dear Carl. know what you say
must be SO, and l sincerely believe my
child will be happy with you. Kassa is
some distance from here. but, as | must
journey that way shortly, will take adj
vantage of the trip and make a stop at
your castle"
With much noise and godspeed and
laughter Carl took his departure the day
I lowing this conversation, and turned
hi horses heads toward the east and his
own preserves. The following week my
uncle was ready to follow the same road,
while |, who had always been possessed
of the iveliest desire to see more of Hun
gary had arranged to accompany him.
Arriving at Kassa at dusk. we put up
at the Hotel de rEtoile du Nord, where
we enjoyed delicious supper and the
society of a loquacious landlord, with
whom my uncle labored long and earn
estly to learn something concerning the
Baron Carl. The garrulous old man told
of the castle. but was totally ignorant Of
its occupants, nor could any information
be had of others in the house. This Gre
ated some anxiety in my good unce's
mind, and, when the landlord had with
drawn. he asked me in startled and
mysterious voice:
do you think Carl can be Soihak?"
''And what is Soihak?" l reioined.
They are sons of impoverished baron
ial families who have no means of sup
port other than their wits, and carry on
the high sounding and equally highly dis
honorable career of the chevaliers de
Iindustrie. l hope Carl is none such. ="
And my uncle for some moments was
deep in thought.
The next morning we engaged guide
who knew the Castle Boroth well. and
agreed to conduct us thither. After a
ride of more than three hours we entered
the grounds of a vast estate, and our
guide, turning to us, said: "You are
now ON the property of the Baron
Boroth.
My uncle gazed about him upon every
side; he stood erect in the carriage. the
better to take in wide prospect, and