The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-13
DINING WITH GERMANS
0alutatioss that Surprised . NeWeoDeFs boe
He Repeated Theo.

Not far from the North German Lloyd Steam.
ship Companys pier in Hoboken is large
! hotel and restaurant. which Is patrontzed By
tourists from the Fatherland and BY the ON.
GERS OF the German steamships. Rarely 10 .
word OF English spoken within its walls, al.
though the walters have limited under.
standing Of it. About twenty Germans were
sitting down to dinner at q long table. which
extended half way down the room. whom the
reporter entered the restaurant at about
o'clock one evening" Only one woman was
present-a fair.haired German OF about 2h
1t was evident that most Of the diners were
strangers to one another. but they bowed for
mally before taking their seats. and each said
loudly. "Guten Abend" The writer had
never been In the restaurant before. but whom
he sat down the other diners In his vicinity
said with one voice. "Guten Abend!"
The unexpected politeness was almost over.
towering. but he recovered from his surprise
In time to reply In kind. Opposite to him sat
two young men Of distinctly German birth.
From their conversation 1t was apparent that
they had been visiting different sections OF the
country and expected to sail bnck to Germany
soon. They were discussing the places they
much the same way. probably. that educated
American travel lers comment on foreign coun.
o ss wIth the waiter IS to the chances q
being genuine. When It camo they examined
cacs ssa h Ths %qs to e to
1T is not SO Very good. the younger Of the
two said in German. hut have drank worse
f hSet,ng aIn saan !"S IN Dreen 10 Oe''1
The writer had become SO interested 10 Oh.
pptil Tie Gaien H5snd!" was SPRING upon
ce Ft dan and could only bow and humble s9me-
thing incoherent In recognition OF the SALUTE
The possibility OF other instances o. tins KIND.
n n fanr that hi liz would he O0Serv0d.
made him nervous: but. after trying to keep
ss sa:
would not do. and abandoned the effort.
He noticea That the waters WERE very ex,
stance, were turned sideways 70 the table.
away tho plates Two ethsrs followed t nH6
them away. imme diateiE ,aiterward. replacing
ss% VIA hot pts sd Ths ssse SrG 1Ss
tS each person. who helped him:siL Every.
" IL shs esss as!%ss naa Ds'a
GG 4e esst ssS sss seasd
esr.s sfteRt Most Of the subjects dseSsssd
began a to talk to each other. and conversation
became general. A handsome young man with
S99 So u 1 SsEsn Ha 70
insinuatinR Chances at the young woman. but
she paid no attention to them. slthouRh she III
tened to his remarks. Intended for ler, al.
though poured into the ears Of his neighbour.
She drank glass OF dark ThHringer beer. sip-
ping II occasionally. and making 1t last hrough
the meal All who drank beer drank SLOWLY.
and the wine drinkers were also moderate
Through an open doorway could DO seen
corner OF the saloon where . group Of ship's
officers sat at q. table covered with bottles Of
ahR E the aRd ioom
ryIng the favor Of the wine slong with, them.
rpnn who carried lot Of blank slips visit.
i'm tie number of. his room. and
the list Of extras which he had or.
d-red. In the cases Of outside customers.
aide their be- Plates. After the coffee the young
l Mni glance " y her sd@irer, The 70:
porter was settling down to q placid apprecia'
ton of a cigar when q curious-looIing msns
several chairs below. on the opposite side.
arose and said In q loud voice: " Mahlzeit"
'Mahlzeit." replied dozen voices in chorus.
Nobody smiled. looked pleased. or IN any way
showed any appreciation CT the Departing
mans existance. and he. too. seemed uncon-
scious OF everybody else after the salutation.
After that others arose and uttered the same
remark and were replied 70 In the same WAY ly:
The reporter found himself replyin along with
Ss ton saa AKA and
tho same response. from his peighboEe "
$50 the room IVES cleared