The Washington times., 1931-11-25
2.
~ the ~
A Story Of the Aftermath
+ Or the World War

Just ready IN tlme-an0 go 10
call on the parson. This is
matter of bravery. We are
quite we'll received, though with
q certain reserve; our insubor-
dination at college has won for
us a rather doubtful reputa-
ton in respectable circles. In
the evening we propose to
visit the mayor, that also be-
ing part of our duties. We en-
counter him, however. in the
village pub which does service
also as poStoffice.
The Old Farmer
He is a shrewd.looking old
farmer with a wrinkled face,
who at once invites us to a
round of double schnapps. We
accept. Then two or three
more farmers come in, wink at
one another. greet us, and also
invite us to a glass. They are
winking and mouthing at each
other behind their hands, the
poor fools. We realize at once
what they would be at-they
mean to try and get us tight,
by way of having a little joke
among themselves. They have
worked it often before, so it
would seem, for with a knowing
smirk they now begin to tell
us of certain other young
teachers who have been here.
There are three reasons why
they think they should soon get
the better of us: First, because,
so they imagine, no townsman
could possibly carry so much
liquor as they; second, because
Schoolmasters are educated and
therefore must a priori be
weaker than they; and third,
because lads so young as our
selves cannot really have had
any practice. And that may
we'll have been so with the
other probationers who have
been here, but in our case they
are reckoning without one
thing, namely, that we have
been soldiers for a few years
and so understand very we'll
how to drink schnapps by the
meSstin-full.
We accept the challenge. The
farmers merely want to make
us look a little bit foolish-but
we, on the other hand, are un-
dertaking to uphold a threefold
honor, which, of course, multi
plies our strength.
The mayor, the village clerk
and couple more tough-looking
farmers sit down over against
us. These are apparently their
most confirmed topers. With a
family sly farmers grin they
touch glasses with us. Willy is
already acting as If he were a
bit merry. The grin broadens. =,
Willy and I stand a round Of
observation-disclosures. That draws
a broadside of seven more rounds
from the others. They count on
that to see US under. A little
astoniShed, they watch us empty
our glasses. A certain mild ap-
probation is diScernible in the
way that they eye us. Willy
imperturbably orders a new
round. But no beer this
time. mind you; only double
schnapps!" he calls to the bar
man.
Good Old Schnapps!
"'Struth! Neat schnapps?"
says the Mayor.
why, sure" says willy
calmly. "else we'll be sitting
here till early morning. Beer
only makes a man sober"
The aStonishment in the eyes
of the Mayor is waxing visibly.
One of the farmers admits in
an unsteady voice that we Ger.
tainly can swill pretty we'll.
Two others rise up silently and
go off. Already one or two of
our antagonists are trying to
empty out their glasses fur
lively under the table. But
Willy watches that none gets
away with it. Hands above the
tablet" he insists, forcing the
glasses to their lips. The smile
has vanished. We are gaining
ground.
Within an hour most Of them
are lying about the room with
cheeselike faces or else have
staggered out, Inundated. The
group about the table has dwin-
died to the Mayor and the vii
lage clerk. Now begins a duel
between these two and our
selves. Already we are seeing
double, but the others have been
lisping for some time now, and
that renews our heart.
After another half an hour,
when we are all as red as tur-
keys, Willy delivers the coup
de grace.
-Four beer mugs Of cognac!"
he booms across the counter.
The Mayor starts back in his
chair. The glasses come. Willy
pushes two into their hands.
"Cheeriow
They stare at us. Nov, all
in one go!" cries Willy, his face
glowing. The village clerk
tries to back out, but Willy is
inflexible.
In four gulps!" pleads the
mayor, much humbled.
In one gulp!" insists Willy,
peffinn IN and knlfnhinn ola ssas