Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-06-05
UNAWARES.

1 y
black human frogs awkwardly gambol-
ing therein. dislike being introduced
TO people at or in swimming tanks. but
AS Mrs. Richbody introduced her l had
to be civil Mrs Richbody has very
good cook-much better than the chef
at the hotel where l am staying)
So / found her chair and we sat
down.
Out of the corner Of my eye l saw
her hitch her chair little CLOSER to
mine us she adjusted her skirts, Like
all the girls this season, she wears
those abominable godets behind, that
stick out like the cowcatcher Of II loco
motive, and they need careful manage
ment.
Before she had spoken six words l
murmured to myself: "Ah, that ex-
plains it. You are German.
Explains whatP" she asked sharply
you arc German" / repeated
"Pray go on. am interested in your
remarks.
Most foreigners take me for French"
she said.
merely smiled and dropped the ashes
Of my cigar into the upturned eye of
my tailor in the tank below, who had
had the impertinence to forward me his
little account from the city.
Most foreigners" she repeated.
Excuse me-" said 1, "but where are
WEI"
In the swimming tank. "
mo; at the swimming tank. but in
the United States Of America. +"
just then tho band played "Der
Yacht am Rhein.
ITS true. all the same !" said as the
last strain died away. "We're in Amer
lea, though ! sometimes find 1t hard to
realize it. I"
Caroline frowned and made deli
cious little quicker in her white fore
head Il call her Caroline now All thia
was five days ago.
"The best blood you have is Ger
man, :" she said
"Ithink not, replied. my grand
mother was II Frenchwoman
$50 was mine" she said softly.
The silence was broken only by the
barking OF human seal In the tank
below-a poor imitation and much more
vulgar than the original.
At length Caroline said, I'm sorry
you dislike the Germans.
~ don't. AS individuals have many
friends among them, but as nation
l blew light Whit that vanished into
thin air.
You're not very entertaining OF
very complimentary. Indeed, you're
rather rude, and 1 think I'll go, she
said.
She rose and gave her pipe organ
plaits a preliminary shake.
Don't CO." said mildly. II said
nothing
II agree with you," she answered
cheerfully, and sat down again with a
satisfied smile.
Now, confess, that just for u mo-
ment felt foolish Never II man. never
child and seldom u woman has made
made me feel foolish--for moment. ]
was annoyed, and, l fear, showed 1t, for
gave little start Il was 80 surprised ut
her audacity, you know, and dropped
my lighted cigar into the swimming
tank 1t fell on the bald head Of my
tailor (Stultzwurzel), and made him
swear prodigiously. That was some sat.
isfaction.
81 think we'd better go and take
turn on the beach, said /, rising. "The
air seems warm and stuffy here"
mot at ALL" she replied, settling
back snugly and tapping the toe Of
very small tan slipper with tho parasol
ut seems very comfortable here to
me. But perhaps you suffer from head.
ache?"
mo-" saidI; "that's not the trouble
My nose is out Of Joint"
Poor Slawkenbergius, " she murmur.
ed.
Now, this was more extraordinary
than anything she had said before. That
q young girl brought up among the Ger.
mans-that strange people who drink
lager beer, love sauerkraut and write
volumes on such thrilling topics M AS
sonantal Rimes for Hors In the old Ger
man epic-that girl so educated should
show acquaintance with belle lettres
writer 30 essentially non-German az
Sterne-this was even more remarkable
than her impertinent remark about my
having said nothing.
Twas proceeding to light fresh cigar
when she interrupted coolly:
i don't like smoking, Mr.. Legend. "
looked at her in amazement
But you are a German, l said
surely all Germans
Have you ever been in Germany"
she asked.
Now, here she had me again No, J
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