New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-20

once heler-skelter. on top OF another. and yet
in absolute harmony. Is it possible. asked my
self. and the time. 10 talk and to
listen TO thirty talking and listening persons? Be-
fore left the Fraus 1t seemed not only possible
but highly sociabe and proper to do so.
on either side of Us long line OF faces.
bearded with mustachios imperias, fierce and
SCARED. or rotund and youthful On either side
Of us. too long line OF bottles. taper-necked
or squat patrician or plebeian an array OF ciaref
beer Rhine wine and Tokay. which was steadily
mingled Unfortunately and without the slightest
effect To vary Coleridge's verse there was drink
all around. but not a drop Of water. Had there
been IT would have bushed into at least yin ord-
nairc to find itself so conspicuous.
Tho dinner was as long and pondcrous In its
uniform excellence an orthodox sermon The
soup seemed TO be composed principally OF eggs
There OF yellow pike ms strong az
sturgeon. Then came sliced tongue. piping hot
and smo,hered in dcep-red sauce Melting In the
mouth utterly fails to describe the facility with
which that highly spiced and port-besoaked comes
tible disappeared. Then followed such minor mat
,ers as s,ewed chicken and sweetbreads over
burdened with mushrooms capon with oysters.
ham permeated with champagne-not cider-and Il
long. black suspcious-looSing affair. vociferously
greeted. concerning which the Frau whispered;
"Chcrman hare from de EIartz Mountains: dake
some" We declined It then though in time Teddy
profusion OF vegetables. OF which Brussels
sprouts and eggplant seemed most in demand
With the dessert OF some polychromatic pudding
there came candies and coffee. Then cigars were
lighted. and every settled back as II inspired
by the family motto: Here am and here re-
maln.'
II was embarrassing: we quite envisd the COM
posure Of the Frau doing away with hands fo.d ID
across the schumacher. Through the din and smoke
| could rot distinguish voice or language or face
seemed in the presence OF some giant. with appe-
tie sharpenei. not glut,ed, whose only intei-
elblc words might prove 10 be Fee 70. rum.
What were we expected 10 DO. or. at least what
could ". do? Here once more Bings showed him.
self deity good enough for any contrivance by
rising with n wink to follow. 'Guten
abend." We said but this time there was no or
thodox response The guests snrang 10 their feet
wat. Herr Bings. you dis evening? they
cried '"Ven auf wcdcrsehen.' And then. with
flourish OF glasses. they carolled that sturdy Old
chorus. "Fahrwohl. Fahrwohl
How do you like i;?'' asked Binss. when We
repched the room.
'Dolcr-shor." | replied. rapping my head.
"Prize-nght" added Terry. making az II he were
in ohan'cry.
Have patience" advised Birgs. and in few
days you'll &c. used 10 the atmosphere and find
everything natural as it is Jolly.
re inclined to doubt this dictum when. about
II o'clock | heard ruc;ion from below Ike the
return Of Teutonic earthquake.
/ whats that?" asked OF Bings. who was just
taking his departure.
con nothing" he explained They've finished
dinner
Yes. In a very few days. ont from strange. for
cign atmosphere recognized the air Of home.
Tn. faces took on an individual kindly expression
the polygot separated and allowed us TO here and
there pick out some broken English. From the
Oldest Herr Professor. VINO. begrizzed and spec
racled n ii sat at the bottom OF that board FOR
twenty years. 10 me youngest cadet. but TWO days
of the steamer knew and liked them all.
Though Germany predominated In the household,
two Americans were not the only exceptions
There was a casslca-ooking Italian, with PEN
cilled mustachc a d ivory complexion and a very
prcty taste for v,rmouh learned In the silk trade.
who bu, lately had arrived from Hong Kong. and
mex. year would he in Cairo. And there was Il
spick-ponted rrcnchman. stranded from the wreck
OF the Panama Canal and waiting for home FUNDS
TO float him of So far from there being the slight
est contention between him and the hereditary
enemies Of his country. have reason TO know that
tn. latter kept him supplied until suocor came.
But Germany was the ruling spirit, hale and
hearty. eminentiy respectable Germany full or
talk about the export trade. jovial and muscular
Germany ready 10 start at moments notice 10
any part OF the globe or take its place In the
army OF It's Emperor. The elders. as representa-
tves OF branch banking or mercantile houses. re-
permanently
uraIized at least in spirit: others full OF Old World
prejIdices. All. however wer" cautious In the eX-
though woull arouse the choler OF the Faderand.
such Tor Instance rs the Mckinley bill. This was
a red nag TO the Tcutonic bull. at which he would
rear and stamp until It was 4 matter OF shreds.
The younger men were cadets. sent out by pater-
this aud In that foreign city serving with cor
respondents as volunteers without Pay Thls sys.
among great German merchants BY means OF
such a cosmopolitan education. a junior. when
,.li. l a "A Ike business
sponsibil.t.es OF his irm. brings 10 II a compre-
hensive knowledge OF the customs and tongues OF
/ recall young man bu; lately arrived from VAL
paradise. whittier he had gone three years before
from Paris lie was much at home the first day
rs Teddy and | after the expiration of n
month lie bore himself with the aplcmb and at,-
in which he showed the anticipation OF surprise
was in an eag'rness TO taste an American cork
Little by little Teddy and | acquired German
ways: little by little We unconsciousy assmilated
many German phrases. II Is undoubtedly true
that, without study or particular attention one who
cont inually hears foreign language gains an in
s,inctive insight into what Is being said | know Il
was so with W.. Again and again caught myself
breaking into some German conversation with my
English and finding That IN some way or another
was I'm touch with Its thread. Again and again ]
saw Teddy springing In just "a adroitly: and yet
neither of MS knew more than few disconnected
German words.
one word which We gradually came 70 compre-
bend was fayorite around that board 1t was
ship which ia in;erested and considerae: meeting
together OF spirit whereby men can be jovial even
silence This term represents characteristic Ger
man trait through It German Is happy when he is
natural and never has better time than when
seated with his pipe and glass In the bosom OF his
family.
have spoken OF The Frau's somno,snt state after
dinner This was TO an extent shared by all her
compairiOi guests There would settle quiet over
the board for awhile like the pail OF the tobacco
smoke Teddy and / were never able to endure II,
and our cary withdrawal | believe. did more
mark Us strangers than anything Else. | have
frequently pondered the philosophy OF this tor