New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-07
UORSE THIN PURSUING A PHANTOM
A GERMAN YOUTH WHO BORE A CARD OF d..
REcTIOS. BuT DID NOT FIND WHAT
HE SOUGHT.

|
| There was at least one youth to whom the great
naval review celebration brought disappointment. lie
Is employed on a NEWCOMERS country place Long
Island. From the time OF his arrival in this country
to the day OF the big celebration he had remained on
the Long Island place. He Is good boy. but he Is
| not bright Besides, he speaks no English. He
wanted 10 the naval display. and he was en-
couraged I'm this laudabe desire by the New Workers.
wife. But while she thought that the youth was
likely get the review all right by following the
tide OF humanity which would flow to IT, she feared
that he might not be able 10 get back TO Long Island.
So Of her cards she wrote Please direct this
boy to the Long Island Railroad ferry"
Explaining to him In his native tongue the pur-
pose Of the card her German Is not so fluent as the
Emperor Willlams) she sent him forth his journey.
He dressed In his best clothes there sufficient
money In his pocket to insure him an enjoyable time.
and he set out with his broad, red, German face
wreathed I'm smiles and O CLEAN OF pleasure In MS
blue eye.
That was early In the day. In the evening he re-
turned. looking tired and footsore. There were no
smiles in his eye and his face was like clay masN'
The kindhcarted wife OF his employer was Interested
70 know he had had good time ana she sent icr "
Standing before her, rolling his hat In his 'mcK
fingers. his eyes cast down the floor his face soid
he told about his day Of pleasure-seehng. Ira'S'
lated 1t something like this
"When I got of the train followed the people TO
the ferryboat and came to New-lork After loi-
lowing a great crowd remembered the caro- winch
the Kind lady had given me, which was TO Iead me
the right way and showed 1t to man. He took me
by the shoulder turned around at corner
pointed down street and held up nine fingers to show
me | was TO 60 nine blocks. Then he pointed III
another way and held up seven fingers; 'heh Jour
fingers then eleven. and then pushed me ahead
the nine this way. the seven that way the lour
and the eleven and then l was at the boat WHICH
brought me. He had told me wrong.
"After that / again followed the great crowd many
miles till got tired. seemed TO be going the
same way. got on. 1t was very crowded. soon
IL turned and got or. There seemed 10 DE many
crowds going in many ways. / showed the lady 5
card and | was directed; 1 showed 1t again ana
[ was directed; often had 10 show 1t ana
often / was directed. At last saw the water, and
/ felt good knowing / should soon see the German
ships and the German flag. Again / showed the
card wishing to get to the ships soon, as it was
getting late / walked a great deal and then l
was nj the ferry which brought me.
"Acan / walked away from the ferryboat going
a LONG way At corner where there a great
crowd | showed the card and was directed. / met
German. with whom talked lie. wished me TO go
I'm an opposite direction, but followed that which
he said the lady's card directed; several times
set me going straight for Il long way. When IL was
getting late came once more 10 inc Jerry N wnlch
New York IS a very large city, but as many times rs
got lost, some way always came back to The Terry
which brought me.
not am sure the kind lady's card would have taken
me the right way But do not care TO 20 10 New
come 10 nothing in the end, and am very gra'ei"
to the lady for her very great kindness" ns oor.
science smites her every time that she looks upon
that placid German face.