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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/33573-8.txt b/33573-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d986b1c --- /dev/null +++ b/33573-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13861 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Progressionists, and Angela., by Conrad von Bolanden + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Progressionists, and Angela. + +Author: Conrad von Bolanden + +Release Date: August 29, 2010 [EBook #33573] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PROGRESSIONISTS, AND ANGELA. *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + +Transcriber's notes: + 1. Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/progressionists00bolagoog + + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + + + + + + THE + + + + PROGRESSIONISTS, + + + + AND + + + + ANGELA. + + + + _TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF CONRAD VON BOLANDEN_. + + + * * * * * + + + New York: + THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY, + 9 WARREN STREET. + 1873. + + + + + + + * * * * * + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by + THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. + + * * * * * + + + + + + THE PROGRESSIONISTS. + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + THE WAGER + + +The balcony of the _palais_ Greifmann contains three persons who +together represent four million florins. It is not often that one sees +a group of this kind. The youthful landholder, Seraphin Gerlach, is +possessor of two millions. His is a quiet disposition; very calm, and +habitually thoughtful; innocence looks from his clear eye upon the +world; physically, he is a man of twenty-three; morally, he is a child +in purity; a profusion of rich brown hair clusters about his head; his +cheeks are ruddy, and an attractive sweetness plays round his mouth. + +The third million belongs to Carl Greifmann, the oldest member of the +group, head _pro tem_. of the banking-house of the same name. This +gentlemen is tall, slender, animated; his cheeks wear no bloom; they +are pale. His carriage is easy and smooth. Some levity is visible in +his features, which are delicate, but his keen, glancing eye is +disagreeable beside Seraphin's pure soul-mirror. Greifmann's sister +Louise, not an ordinary beauty, owns the fourth million. She is seated +between the young gentlemen; the folds of her costly dress lie heaped +around her; her hands are engaged with a fan, and her eyes are sending +electric glances into Gerlach's quick depths. But these flashing beams +fail to kindle; they expire before they penetrate far into those +depths. His eyes are bright, but they refuse to gleam with intenser +fire. Strange, too, for a twofold reason; first, because glances from +the eyes of beautiful women seldom suffer young men to remain cool; +secondly, because a paternal scheme designs that Louise shall be +engaged and married to the fire-proof hero. + +Millions of money are rare; and should millions strive to form an +alliance, it is in conformity with the genius of every solid banking +establishment to view this as quite a natural tendency. + +For eight days Mr. Seraphin has been on a visit at the _palais_ +Greifmann, but as yet he has yielded no positive evidence of intending +to join his own couple of millions with the million of Miss Louise. + +Whilst Seraphin converses with the beautiful young lady, Carl Greifmann +cursorily examines a newspaper which a servant has just brought him on +a silver salver. + +"Every age has its folly," suddenly exclaims the banker. "In the +seventeenth century people were busy during thirty years cutting one +another's throats for religion's sake--or rather, in deference to the +pious hero of the faith from Sweden and his fugleman Oxenstiern. In the +eighteenth century, they decorated their heads with periwigs and +pigtails, making it a matter of conjecture whether both ladies and +gentlemen were not in the act of developing themselves from monkeydom +into manhood. + +"Elections are the folly of our century. See here, my good fellow, look +what is written here: In three days the municipal elections will come +off throughout the country--in eighteen days the election of delegates. +For eighteen days the whole country is to labor in election throes. +Every man twenty-one years of age, having a wife and a homestead, is to +be employed in rooting from out the soil of party councilmen, mayors, +and deputies. + +"And during the period these rooters not unfrequently get at +loggerheads. Some are in favor of Streichein the miller, because +Streichein has lavishly greased their palms; others insist upon +re-electing Leimer the manufacturer, because Leimer threatens a +reduction of wages if they refuse to keep him in the honorable +position. In the heat of dispute, quite a storm of oaths and ugly +epithets, yes, and of blows too, rages, and many is the voter who +retires from the scene of action with a bloody head. The beer-shops are +the chief battle-fields for this sort of skirmishing. Here, zealous +voters swill down hogsheads of beer: brewers drive a brisk trade during +elections. But you must not think, Seraphin, that these absurd election +scenes are confined to cities. In rural districts the game is conducted +with no less interest and fury. There is a village not far away, where +a corpulent ploughman set his mind on becoming mayor. What does he, to +get the reins of village government into his great fat fist? Two days +previous to the election he butchers three fatted hogs, has several +hundred ringlets of sausage made, gets ready his pots, and pans for +cooking and roasting, and then advertises: eating and drinking _ad +libitum_ and _gratis_ for every voter willing to aid him to ascend the +mayor's throne. He obtained his object. + +"Now, I put the question to you, Seraphin, is not this sort of election +jugglery far more ridiculous and disgusting than the most preposterous +periwigs of the last century?" + +"Ignorance and passion may occasion the abuse of the best +institutions," answered the double millionaire. "However, if beer and +pork determine the choice of councilmen and mayors, voters have no +right to complain of misrule. It would be most disastrous to the state, +I should think, were such corrupt means to decide also the election of +the deputies of our legislative assembly." + +The banker smiled. + +"The self-same man[oe]uvring, only on a larger scale," replied he. Of +course, in this instance, petty jealousies disappear. Streichein the +miller and Leimer the manufacturer make concessions in the interest of +the common party. All stand shoulder to shoulder in the cause of +_progress_ against Ultramontanes and democrats, who in these days have +begun to be troublesome. + +"Whilst at municipal elections office-seekers employed money and +position for furthering their personal aims, at deputy elections +_progress_ men cast their means into a common cauldron, from which the +mob are fed and made to drink in order to stimulate them with the +spirit of _progress_ for the coming election. At bottom it amounts to +the same--the stupefaction of the multitude, the rule of a minority, in +which, however, all consider themselves as having part, the folly of +the nineteenth century." + +"This is an unhealthy condition of things, which gives reason to fear +the corruption of the whole body politic," remarked the landholder with +seriousness. "The seats of the legislative chamber should be filled not +through bribery and deception of the masses, nor through party passion, +but through a right appreciation of the qualifications that fit a man +for the office of deputy." + +"I ask your pardon, my dear friend," interposed the banker with a +laugh. "Being reared by a mother having a rigorous faith has prompted +you to speak thus, not acquaintance with the spirit of the age. Right +appreciation! Heavens, what _naïveté_! Are you not aware that +_progress_, the autocrat of our times, follows a fixed, unchanging +programme? It matters not whether Tom or Dick occupies the cushions of +the legislative hall; the main point is to wear the color of +_progress_, and for this no special qualifications are needed. I will +give you an illustration of the way in which these things work. Let us +suppose that every member is provided with a trumpet which he takes +with him to the assembly. To blow this trumpet neither skill, nor quick +perception, nor experience, nor knowledge--neither of these +qualifications is necessary. Now, we will suppose these gentlemen +assembled in the great hall where the destinies of the country are +decided; should abuses need correction, should legislation for church +or state be required, they have only to blow the trumpet of _progress_. +The trumpet's tone invariably accords with the spirit of progress, for +it has been attuned to it. Should it happen that at a final vote upon a +measure the trumpets bray loudly enough to drown the opposition of +democrats and Ultramontanes, the matter is settled, the law is passed, +the question is decided." + +"Evidently you exaggerate!" said Seraphin with a shake of the head. +"Your illustration beats the enchanted horn of the fable. Do not you +think so. Miss Louise?" + +"Brother's trumpet story is rather odd, 'tis true, yet I believe that +at bottom such is really the state of things." + +"The instrument in question is objectionable in your opinion, my +friend, only because you still bear about you the narrow conscience of +an age long since buried. As you never spend more than two short winter +months in the city, where alone the life-pulse of our century can be +felt beating, you remain unacquainted with the present and its spirit. +The rest of the year you pass in riding about on your lands, suffering +yourself to be impressed by the stern rigor of nature's laws, and +concluding that human society harmonizes in the same manner with the +behests of fixed principles. I shall have to brush you up a little. I +shall have to let you into the mysteries of progress, so that you may +cease groping like a blind man in the noonday of enlightenment. Above +all, let us have no narrow-mindedness, no scrupulosity, I beg of you. +Whosoever nowadays walks the grass-grown paths of rigorism is a doomed +man." + +Whilst he was saying this, a smile was on the banker's countenance. +Seraph in mused in silence on the meaning and purpose of his +extraordinary language. + +"Look down the street, if you please," continued Carl Greifmann. "Do +you observe yon dark mass just passing under the gas-lamp?" + +"I notice a pretty corpulent gentleman," answered Seraphin. + +"The corpulent gentleman is Mr. Hans Shund, formerly treasurer of this +city," explained Greifmann. "Many years ago, Mr. Shund put his hand +into the public treasury, was detected, removed for dishonesty, and +imprisoned for five years. When set at liberty, the ex-treasurer made +the loaning of money on interest a source of revenue. He conducted this +business with shrewdness, ruined many a family that needed money and in +its necessity applied to him, and became rich. Shund the usurer is +known to all the town, despised and hated by everybody. Even the dogs +cannot endure the odor of usury that hangs about him; just see--all the +dogs bark at him. Shund is moreover an extravagant admirer of the +gentler sex. All the town is aware that this Jack Falstaff contributes +largely to the scandal that is afloat. The pious go so far as to +declare that the gallant Shund will be burned and roasted in hell for +all eternity for not respecting the sixth commandment. Considered in +the light of the time honored morality of Old Franconia, Shund, the +thief, the usurer and adulterer, is a low, good-for-nothing scoundrel, +no question about it. But in the light of the indulgent spirit of the +times, no more can be said than that he has his foibles. He is about to +pass by on the other side, and, as a well-bred man, will salute us." + +Seraphin had attentively observed the man thus characterized, but with +the feelings with which one views an ugly blotch, a dirty page in the +record of humanity. + +Mr. Shund lowered his hat, his neck and back, with oriental +ceremoniousness in presence of the millions on the balcony. Carl +acknowledged the salute, and even Louise returned it with a friendly +inclination of the head. + +The landholder, on the contrary, was cold, and felt hurt at Greifmann's +bowing to a fellow whom he had just described as a scoundrel. That +Louise, too, should condescend to smile to a thief, swindler, usurer, +and immoral wretch! In his opinion, Louise should have followed the +dictates of a noble womanhood, and have looked with honest pity on the +scapegrace. She, on the contrary, greeted the bad man as though he were +respectable, and this conduct wounded the young man's feelings. + +"Apropos of Hans Shund, I will take occasion to convince you of the +correctness of my statements," said Carl Greifmann. "Three days hence, +the municipal election is to come off. Mr. Shund is to be elected +mayor. And when the election of deputies takes place, this same Shund +will command enough of the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens +to be elected to the legislative assembly, thief and usurer though he +be. You will then, I trust, learn to understand that the might of +progress is far removed from the bigotry that would subject a man's +qualifications to a microscopic examination. The enlarged and liberal +principles prevailing in secular concerns are opposed to the +intolerance that would insist on knowing something of an able man's +antecedents before consenting to make use of him. All that Shund will +have to do will be to fall in under the glorious banner of the spirit +of the age; his voting trumpet will be given him; and forthwith he will +turn out a finished mayor and deputy. Do you not admire the power and +stretch of _liberalism_?" + +"I certainly do admire your faculty for making up plausible stories," +answered Seraphin. + +"Plausible stories? Not at all! Downright earnest, every word of it. +Hans Shund, take my word for it, will be elected mayor and member of +the assembly." + +"In that event," replied the landholder, "Shund's disreputable +antecedents and disgusting conduct at present must be altogether a +secret to his constituents." + +"Again you are mistaken, my dear friend. This remark proceeds from your +want of acquaintance with the genius of our times. This city has thirty +thousand inhabitants. Every adult among them has heard of Hans Shund +the thief, usurer, and companion of harlots. And I assure you that not +a voter, not a progressive member of our community, thinks himself +doing what is at all reprehensible by conferring dignity and trust on +Hans Shund. You have no idea how comprehensive is the soul of +liberalism." + +"Let us quit a subject that appears to me impossible, nay, even +unnatural," said Gerlach. + +"No, no; for this very reason you need to be convinced," insisted the +banker with earnestness. "My prospective--but hold--I was almost guilty +of a want of delicacy. No matter, my _actual_ friend, landholder and +millionaire, must be made see with his eyes and touch with his fingers +what marvels _progress_ can effect. Let us make a bet: Eighteen days +from now Hans Shund will be mayor and member for this city. I shall +stake ten thousand florins. You may put in the pair of bays that won +the best prizes at the last races." + +Seraphin hesitated. + +"Come on!" urged the banker. "Since you refuse to believe my +assertions, let us make a bet. May be you consider my stakes too small +against yours? Very well, I will say twenty thousand florins." + +"You will be the loser, Greifmann! Your statements are too +unreasonable." + +"Never mind; if I lose, you will be the winner. Do you take me up?" + +"Pshaw, Carl! you are too sure," said Louise reproachfully. + +"My feeling so sure is what makes me eager to win the finest pair of +horses I ever saw. Is it possible that you are a coward?" + +The landholder's face reddened. He put his right hand in the banker's. +"My dear fellow," exclaimed he jubilantly, "I have just driven a +splendid bargain. To convince you of the entire fairness of the +transaction, you are to be present at the manipulation that is to +decide. Even though you lose the horses, your gain is incalculable, for +it consists in nothing less than being convinced of the wonderful +nature and of the omnipotence of progress. I repeat, then, that, +wherever progress reigns, the elections are the supreme folly of the +nineteenth century; for in reality there is no electing; but what +progress decrees, that is fulfilled." + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + THE LEADERS. + + +The banker was seated at his office table working for his chance in the +wager with the industry of a thorough business man. Whilst he was +engaged in writing notes, a smile indicative of certainty of success +lit up his countenance; for he was thoroughly familiar with the figures +that entered into his calculations, and, withal, Hans Shund invested +with offices and dignity could not but strike him as a comical anomaly. +"Happy thought! My father travels half of the globe; many wonderful +things come under his observation, no doubt, but the greatest of all +prodigies is to be witnessed right here: Hans Shund, the thief, +swindler, usurer, wanton--mayor and law-maker! And it is the venerable +sire _Progress_ that alone could have begotten the prodigy of a Hans +Shund invested with honors. My Lord Progress is therefore himself a +prodigy--a very extraordinary offspring of the human mind, the +culminating point of enlightenment. Admitting humanity to be ten +thousand million years old, or even more, as the most learned of +scientific men have accurately calculated it, during this rather long +series of years nature never produced a marvel that might presume to +claim rank with progress. Progress is the acme of human culture--about +this there can be no question. Yes, indeed, _the acme_." And he +finished the last word in the last note. "Humanity will therefore have +to face about and begin again at the beginning; for after progress +nothing else is possible." He rang his bell. + +"Take these three notes to their respective addresses immediately," +said he to the servant who had answered the ring. Greifmann stepped +into the front office, and gave an order to the cashier. Returning to +his own cabinet, he locked the door that opened into the front office. +He then examined several iron safes, the modest and smooth polish of +which suggested neither the hardness of their iron nature nor the +splendor of their treasures. + +"Gold or paper?" said the banker to himself. After some indecision, he +opened the second of the safes. This he effected by touching several +concealed springs, using various keys, and finally shoving back a huge +bolt by means of a very small blade. He drew out twenty packages of +paper, and laid them in two rows on the table. He undid the tape +encircling the packages, and then it appeared that every leaf of both +rows was a five-hundred florin banknote. The banker had exposed a +considerable sum on the table. A sudden thought caused him to smile, +and he shoved the banknotes where they came more prominently into view. + +The blooming double millionaire entered. + +"Sit down a moment, friend Seraphin, and listen to a short account of +my scheme. I have said before that our city is prospering and growing +under the benign sceptre of progress. The powers and honors of the +sceptre are portioned among three leaders. Everything is directed and +conducted by them--of course, in harmony with the spirit of the times. +I have summoned the aforesaid magnates to appear. That the business may +be despatched with a comfortable degree of expedition, the time when +the visit is expected has been designated in each note; and those +gentlemen are punctual in all matters connected with money and the +bank. You can enter this little apartment, next to us, and by leaving +the door open hear the conversation. The mightiest of the corypheuses +is Schwefel, the straw-hat manufacturer. This potentate resides at a +three-minutes walk from here, and can put in an appearance at any +time." + +"I am on tiptoe!" said Gerlach. "You promise what is so utterly +incredible, that the things you are preparing to reveal appear to me +like adventures belonging to another world." + +"To another world!--quite right, my dear fellow! I am indeed about to +display to your astounded eyes some wonders of the world of progress +that hitherto have been entirely unknown to you. Within eighteen days +you shall, under my tutorship, receive useful and thorough instruction. +This promise I can make you, as we are just in face of the elections, a +time when minds put aside their disguises, when they not unfrequently +shock one another, and when many secrets come to light!" + +"You put me under many obligations!" + +"Only doing my duty, my most esteemed! We are both aware that, +according to the wishes of parents and the desired inclinations of +parties known, our respective millions are to approach each other in +closer relationship. To do a relative of mine _in spe_ a favor, gives +me unspeakable satisfaction. I shall proceed with my course of +instruction. See here! Every one of these twenty packages contains +twenty five-hundred florin banknotes. Consequently, both rows contain +just two hundred thousand florins--an imposing sum assuredly, and, for +the purpose of being imposing, the two hundred thousand have been laid +upon this table. Explanation: the mightiest of the spirits of progress +is--Money. + +"All forces, all sympathies, revolve about money as the heavenly bodies +revolve about the sun. For this reason the mere proximity of a +considerable sum of money acts upon every man of progress like a +current of electricity: it carries him away, it intoxicates his senses. +The leaders whom I have invited will at once notice the collection of +five-hundred florin notes: in the rapidity of calculating, they will +overestimate the amount, and obtain impressions in proportion, somewhat +like the Jews that prostrated themselves in the dust in adoration of +the golden calf. As for me, my dear fellow, I shall carry on my +operations in the auspicious presence of this power of two hundred +thousands. Such a display of power will produce in the leaders a frame +of mind made up of veneration, worship, and unconditional +submissiveness. Every word of mine will proceed authoritatively from +the golden mouth of the two hundred thousands, and my proposals it will +be impossible for them to reject. But listen! The door of the ante-room +is being opened. The mightiest is approaching. Go in quick." He pressed +the spring of a concealed door, and Seraphin disappeared. + +When the straw-hat manufacturer entered, the banker was sitting before +the banknotes apparently absorbed in intricate calculations. + +"Ah Mr. Schwefel! pardon the liberty I have taken of sending for you. +The pressure of business," motioning significantly towards the +banknotes, "has made it impossible for me to call upon you." + +"No trouble, Mr. Greifmann, no trouble whatever!" rejoined the +manufacturer with profound bows. + +"Have the goodness to take a seat!" And he drew an arm-chair quite +near to where the money lay displayed. Schwefel perceived they were +five-hundreds, estimated the amount of the pile in a few rapid glances, +and felt secret shudderings of awe passing through his person. + +"The cause of my asking you in is a business matter of some magnitude," +began the banker. "There is a house in Vienna with which we stand in +friendly relations, and which has very extensive connections in +Hungary. The gentlemen of this house have contracts for furnishing +large orders of straw hats destined mostly for Hungary, and they wish +to know whether they can obtain favorable terms of purchase at the +manufactories of this country. It is a business matter involving a +great deal of money. Their confidence in the friendly interest of our +firm, and in our thorough acquaintance with local circumstances, has +encouraged them to apply to us for an accurate report upon this +subject. They intimate, moreover, that they desire to enter into +negotiations with none but solid establishments, and for this reason +are supposed to be guided by our judgment. As you are aware, this +country has a goodly number of straw-hat manufactories. I would feel +inclined, however, as far as it may be in my power, to give your +establishment the advantage of our recommendation, and would therefore +like to get from you a written list of fixed prices of all the various +sorts." + +"I am, indeed, under many obligations to you, Mr. Greifmann, for your +kind consideration," said the manufacturer, nodding repeatedly. "Your +own experience can testify to the durability of my work, and I shall +give the most favorable rates possible." + +"No doubt," rejoined the banker with haughty reserve. "You must not +forget that the straw-hat business is out of our line. It is incumbent +on us, however, to oblige a friendly house. I shall therefore make a +similar proposal to two other large manufactories, and, after +consulting with men of experience in this branch, shall give the house +in Vienna the advice we consider most to its interest, that is, shall +recommend the establishment most worthy of recommendation." + +Mr. Schwefel's excited countenance became somewhat lengthy. + +"You should not fail of an acceptable acknowledgment from me, were you +to do me the favor of recommending my goods," explained the +manufacturer. + +The banker's coldness was not in the slightest degree altered by the +implied bribe. He appeared not even to have noticed it. "It is also my +desire to be able to recommend you," said he curtly, carelessly taking +up a package of the banknotes and playing with ten thousand florins as +if they were so many valueless scraps of paper. "Well, we are on the +eve of the election," remarked he ingenuously. "Have you fixed upon a +magistrate and mayor?" + +"All in order, thank you, Mr. Greifmann!" + +"And are you quite sure of the order?" + +"Yes; for we are well organized, Mr. Greifmann. If it interests you, I +will consider it as an honor to be allowed to send you a list of the +candidates." + +"I hope you have not passed over ex-treasurer Shund?" + +This question took Mr. Schwefel by surprise, and a peculiar smile +played on his features. + +"The world is and ever will be ungrateful," continued the banker, as +though he did not notice the astonishment of the manufacturer. "I could +hardly think of an abler and more sterling character for the office of +mayor of the city than Mr. Shund. Our corporation is considerably in +debt. Mr. Shund is known to be an accurate financier, and an economical +householder. We just now need for the administration of our city +household a mayor that understands reckoning closely, and that will +curtail unnecessary expenses, so as to do away with the yearly +increasing deficit in the budget. Moreover, Mr. Shund is a noble +character; for he is always ready to aid those who are in want of +money--on interest, of course. Then, again, he knows law, and we very +much want a lawyer at the head of our city government. In short, the +interests of this corporation require that Mr. Shund be chosen chief +magistrate. It is a subject of wonder to me that progress, usually so +clear-sighted, has heretofore passed Mr. Shund by, despite his numerous +qualifications. Abilities should be called into requisition for the +public weal. To be candid, Mr. Schwefel, nothing disgusts me so much as +the slighting of great ability," concluded the banker contemptuously. + +"Are you acquainted with Shund's past career?" asked the leader +diffidently. + +"Why, yes! Mr. Shund once put his hand in the wrong drawer, but that +was a long time ago. Whosoever amongst you is innocent, let him cast +the first stone at him. Besides, Shund has made good his fault by +restoring what he filched. He has even atoned for the momentary +weakness by five years of imprisonment." + +"'Tis true; but Shund's theft and imprisonment are still very fresh in +people's memory," said Schwefel. "Shund is notorious, moreover, as a +hard-hearted usurer. He has gotten rich through shrewd money +speculations, but he has also brought several families to utter ruin. +The indignation of the whole city is excited against the usurer; and, +finally, Shund indulges a certain filthy passion with such effrontery +and barefacedness that every respectable female cannot but blush at +being near him. These characteristics were unknown to you, Mr. +Greifmann; for you too will not hesitate an instant to admit that a man +of such low practices must never fill a public office." + +"I do not understand you, and I am surprised!" said the millionaire. +"You call Shund a usurer, and you say that the indignation of the whole +town is upon him. Might I request from you the definition of a usurer?" + +"They are commonly called usurers who put out money at exorbitant, +illegal interest." + +"You forget, my dear Mr. Schwefel, that speculation is no longer +confined to the five per cent. rate. A correct insight into the +circumstances of the times has induced our legislature to leave the +rate of interest altogether free. Consequently, a usurer has gotten to +be an impossibility. Were Shund to ask fifty per cent, and more, he +would be entitled to it." + +"That is so; for the moment I had overlooked the existence of the law," +said the manufacturer, somewhat humiliated. "Yet I have not told you +all concerning the usurer. Beasts of prey and vampires inspire an +involuntary disgust or fear. Nobody could find pleasure in meeting a +hungry wolf, or in having his blood sucked by a vampire. The usurer is +both vampire and wolf. He hankers to suck the very marrow from the +bones of those who in financial straits have recourse to him. When an +embarrassed person borrows from him, that person is obliged to mortgage +twice the amount that he actually receives. The usurer is a heartless +strangler, an insatiable glutton. He is perpetually goaded on by +covetousness to work the material ruin of others, only so that the ruin +of his neighbor may benefit himself. In short, the usurer is a monster +so frightful, a brute so devoid of conscience, that the very sight of +him excites horror and disgust. Just such a monster is Shund in the +eyes of all who know him--and the whole city knows him. Hence the man +is the object of general aversion." + +"Why, this is still worse, still more astonishing!" rejoined the +millionaire with animation. "I thought our city enlightened. I should +have expected from the intelligence and judgment of our citizens +that they would have deferred neither to the sickly sentimentalism +of a bigoted morality nor to the absurdity of obsolete dogmas. If +your description of the usurer, which might at least be styled +poetico-religious, is an expression of the prevailing spirit of this +city, I shall certainly have to lower my estimate of its intelligence +and culture." + +The leader hastened to correct the misunderstanding. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Greifmann! You may rest assured that we +can boast all the various conquests made by modern advancement. +Religious enthusiasm and foolish credulity are poisonous plants that +superannuated devotees are perhaps still continuing to cultivate here +and there in pots, but which the soil will no longer produce in the +open air. The sort of education prevailing hereabout is that which has +freed itself from hereditary religious prejudices. Our town is blessed +with all the benefits of progress, with liberty of thought, and freedom +from the thraldom of a dark, designing priesthood." + +"How comes it, then, that a man is an object of contempt for acting in +accordance with the principles of this much lauded progress?" asked the +millionaire, with unexpected sarcasm. "We are indebted to progress for +the abolition of a legal rate of interest. Shund takes advantage of +this conquest, and for doing so citizens who boast of being progressive +look upon him with aversion. A further triumph secured by progress is +freedom from the tyranny of dogmas and the tortures of a conscience +created by a contracted morality. This beautiful fruit of the tree of +enlightened knowledge Shund partakes of and enjoys; and for this he has +the distinction of passing for a vampire. And because he displays the +spirit of an energetic business man, because his capacity for +speculating occasionally overwhelms blockheads and dunces, he is +decried as a ravenous wolf. It is sad! If your statements are correct, +Mr. Schwefel, our city ought not to boast of being progressive. Its +citizens are still groping in the midnight darkness of religious +superstition, scarcely even united with modern intellectual +advancement. And to me the consciousness is most uncomfortable of +breathing an atmosphere poisoned by the decaying remnants of an age +long since buried." + +"My own personal views accord with yours," protested Schwefel candidly. +"The subversion of the antiquated, absurd articles of faith and moral +precept necessarily entails the abrogation of the consequences that +flow from them for public life. For centuries the cross was a symbol of +dignity, and the doctrine of the Crucified resulted in holiness. +Paganism, on the contrary, looked upon the gospel as foolishness, as a +hallucination, and upon the cross as a sign of shame. I belong to the +classic ranks, and so do millions like myself--among them Mr. Shund. +Viewed in the light of progress, Shund is neither a vampire nor a wolf; +at the worst, he is merely an ill used business man. They who suffer +themselves to be humbugged and fleeced by him have their own stupidity +to thank for it. This exposition will convince you that I stand on a +level with yourself in the matter of advanced enlightenment. +Nevertheless, you overlook, Mr. Greifmann, that, so far as the masses +of the people are concerned, reverence for the cross and the holiness +of its doctrines continue to prevail. The acquisitions of progress are +not yet generally diffused. The mines of modern intellectual culture +are being provisionally worked by a select number of independent, bold +natures. The multitude, on the other hand, still continue folding about +them the winding-sheet of Christianity. The views, customs, principles, +and judgments of men are as yet widely controlled by Christian +elements. Our city does homage to progress, pretty nearly, however, in +the manner of a blind man that discourses of colors." + +"I do not catch the drift of your simile of the blind man and colors," +interrupted Greifmann. + +"I wanted to intimate that thousands swear allegiance to progress +without comprehending its nature. Very many imagine progress to be a +struggle in behalf of Germany against the enfeebling system of +innumerable small states, or a battling against religious rigorism and +priest-rule in secular concerns. In unpretending guises like these, the +spirit of the age circulates among the crowd travestied in the +fashionable epithet _progressive_. Were you, however, to remove the +shell from around the kernel of progress, were you to exhibit it to the +multitude undisguised as the nullification of religion, as the denial +of the God of Christians, as the rejection of immortality, and of an +essential difference between man and the beast--were you to venture +thus far, you would see the millions flying in consternation before the +monster Progress. Now, just because the multitude, although +progressive-minded, everywhere judges men by Christian standards, very +often, too, unconsciously, therefore Shund has to pass, not for an able +speculator, but for a miserable usurer and an unconscionable +scoundrel." + +"For this very cause, the liberal leaders of this city should stand up +for Shund," opposed the banker. "Just appreciation and respect should +not be denied a deserving man. To speak candidly, Mr. Schwefel, what +first accidentally arrested my attention, now excites my most lively +interest. I wish to see justice done Mr. Shund, to see his uncommon +abilities recognized. You must set his light upon a candlestick. You +must have him elected mayor and member of the legislature; in both +capacities he will fill his position with distinction. I repeat, our +deeply indebted city stands in want of a mayor that will reckon closely +and economize. And in the legislative assembly Shund's fluency will +talk down all opposition, his readiness of speech will do wonders. Were +it only to spite the stupid mob, you must put Shund in nomination." + +"It will not do, Mr. Greifmann! it is impracticable! We have to proceed +cautiously and by degrees. Our policy lies in conducting the +unsophisticated masses from darkness into light, quite gradually, inch +by inch, and with the utmost caution. A sudden unveiling of the inmost +significance of the spirit of the age would scare the people, and drive +them back heels over head into the clerical camp." + +"I do not at all share your apprehensions," contended the millionaire. +"Our people are further advanced than you think. Make the trial. Your +vast influence will easily manage to have Shund returned mayor and +delegate." + +"Undoubtedly, but my standing would be jeopardized," rejoined Schwefel. + +"That is a mistake, sir! You employ four hundred families." + +"Four hundred and seventy now," said the manufacturer, correcting him +blandly. + +"Four hundred and seventy families, therefore, are getting a living +through you, consequently you have four hundred and seventy voters at +your command. Add to these a considerable force of mechanics who earn +wages in your employ. You have, moreover, a number of warm friends who +also command a host of laborers and mechanics. Hence you risk neither +standing nor influence, that is," added he with a smile, "unless +perhaps you dread the anathemas of Ultramontanes and impostors." + +"The pious wrath of believers has no terrors deserving notice," +observed the leader with indifference. + +"And yet all this time Shund's remarkable abilities have not been able +to win the slightest notice on the part of progressive men--it is +revolting!" cried the banker. "Mr. Schwefel, I will speak plainly, +trusting to your being discreet; I will recommend your factory at +Vienna, but only on condition that you have Hans Shund elected mayor +and member of the legislature." + +"This is asking a great deal--quite flattering for Shund and very +tempting to me," said the leader with a bright face and a thrice +repeated nod to the banker. "Since, however, what you ask is neither +incompatible with the spirit of the times nor dishonorable to the sense +of a liberal man, I accept your offer, for it is no small advantage for +me from a business point of view." + +"Capital, Mr. Schwefel! Capital, because very sensible!" spoke Carl +Greifmann approvingly. A short groan, resembling the violent bursting +forth of suppressed indignation, resounded from the adjoining +apartment. The banker shuffled on the floor and drowned the groan by +loudly rasping his throat. + +"One condition, however, I must insist upon," continued the +manufacturer of straw hats. "My arm might prove unequal to a task that +will create no ordinary sensation. But if you succeeded in winning over +Erdblatt and Sand to the scheme, it would prosper without fail and +without much noise." + +"I shall do so with pleasure, Mr. Schwefel! Both those gentlemen will, +in all probability, call on me today in relation to matters of +business. It will be for me a pleasing consciousness to have aided in +obtaining merited recognition for Hans Shund." + +"Our agreement is, however, to be kept strictly secret from the +public." + +"Of course, of course!" + +"You will not forget, at the same time, Mr. Greifmann, that our very +extraordinary undertaking will necessitate greater than ordinary +outlay. It is a custom among laborers not to work on the day before +election, and the same on election day itself. Yet, in order to keep +them in good humor, they must get wages the same as if they had worked. +This is for the manufacturer no insignificant disadvantage. Moreover, +workingmen and doubtful voters, require to be stimulated with beer +gratis--another tax on our purses." + +"How high do these expenses run?" asked the millionaire. + +"For Sand, Erdblatt, and myself, they never fall short of twelve +hundred florins." + +"That would make each one's share of the costs four hundred florins." + +Taking a five-hundred florin banknote between his thumb and forefinger, +the banker reached it carelessly to the somewhat puzzled leader. + +"My contribution to the promotion of the interests of progress! I shall +give as much to Messrs. Sand and Erdblatt." + +"Many thanks, Mr. Greifmann!" said Schwefel, pocketing the money with +satisfaction. + +The millionaire drew himself up. "I have no doubt," said he, in his +former cold and haughty tone, "that my recommendation will secure your +establishment the custom already alluded to." + +"I entertain a similar confidence in your influence, and will take the +liberty of commending myself most respectfully to your favor." Bowing +frequently, Schwefel retreated backwards towards the door, and +disappeared. Greifmann stepped to the open entrance of the side +apartment. There sat the youthful landholder, his head resting heavily +on his hand. He looked up, and Carl's smiling face was met by a pair of +stern, almost fierce eyes. + +"Have you heard, friend Seraphin?" asked he triumphantly. + +"Yes--and what I have heard surpasses everything. You have bargained +with a member of that vile class who recognize no difference between +honor and disgrace, between good and evil, between self-respect and +infamy, who know only one god--which is money." + +"Do not show yourself so implacable against these _vile_ beings, my +dearest! There is much that is useful in them, at any rate they are +helping me to the finest horses belonging to the aristocracy." + +A stealthy step was heard at the door of the cabinet. + +"Do you hear that timid rap?" asked the banker. "The rapper's heart is +at this moment in his knuckles. It is curious how men betray in trifles +what at the time has possession of their feelings. The mere rapping +gives a keen observer an insight into the heart of a person whom he +does not as yet see. Listen--" Rapping again, still more stealthily and +imploringly. "I must go and relieve the poor devil, whom nobody would +suspect for a mighty leader. Now, Mr. Seraphin, Act the Second. Come +in!" + +The man who entered, attired in a dress coat and kids, was Erdblatt, a +tobacco merchant, spare in person, and with restless, spering eyes. The +millionaire greeted him coldly, then pointed him to the chair that had +been occupied by Schwefel. The impression produced by the two hundred +thousands on the man of tobacco was far more decided than in the case +of the manufacturer of straw hats. Erdblatt was restless in his chair, +and as the needle is attracted by the pole, so did Erdblatt's whole +being turn towards the money. His eyes glanced constantly over the +paper treasures, and a spasmodic jerking seized upon his fingers. But +he soon sat motionless and stiff, as if thunderstruck at Greifmann's +terrible words. + +"Your substantial firm," began the mighty man of money, after some few +formalities, "has awaked in me a degree of attention which the ordinary +course of business does not require. I have to-day received notice from +an English banking-house that in a few days several bills first of +exchange, amounting to sixty thousand florins, will be presented to be +paid by you." + +Erdblatt was dumfounded and turned pale. + +"The amount is not precisely what can be called insignificant," +continued Greifmann coolly, "and I did not wish to omit notifying you +concerning the bills, because, as you are aware, the banking business +is regulated by rigorous and indiscriminating forms." + +Erdblatt took the hint, turned still more pale, and uttered not a word. + +"This accumulation of bills of exchange is something abnormal," +proceeded Greifmann with indifference. "As they are all made payable on +sight, you are no doubt ready to meet this sudden rush with proud +composure," concluded the banker, with a smile of cold politeness. + +But the dumfounded Erdblatt was far from enjoying proud composure. His +manner rather indicated inability to pay and panic terror. "Not only is +the accumulation of bills of exchange to the amount of sixty thousand +florins something abnormal, but it also argues carelessness," said he +tersely. "Were it attributable to accident, I should not complain; but +it has been occasioned by jealous rivalry. Besides, they are bills +first of exchange--it is something never heard of before--it is +revolting--there is a plot to ruin me! And I have no plea to allege for +putting off these bills, and I am, moreover, unable to pay them." + +The banker shrugged his shoulders coldly, and his countenance became +grave. + +"Might I not beg you to aid me, Mr. Greifmann?" said he anxiously. "Of +course, I shall allow you a high rate of interest." + +"That is not practicable with bills of exchange," rejoined the banker +relentlessly. + +"When will the bills be presented?" asked the leader, with increasing +anxiety. + +"Perhaps as early as to-morrow," answered Greifmann, still more +relentless. + +The manufacturer of tobacco was near fainting. + +"I cannot conceive of your being embarrassed," said the banker coldly. +"Your popularity and influence will get you assistance from friends, in +case your exchequer happens not to be in a favorable condition." + +"The amount is too great; I should have to borrow in several quarters. +This would give rise to reports, and endanger the credit of my firm." + +"You are not wrong in your view," answered the banker coldly. +"Accidents may shake the credit of the most solid firm, and other +accidents may often change trifling difficulties into fatal +catastrophes. How often does it not occur that houses of the best +standing, which take in money at different places, are brought to the +verge of bankruptcy through public distrust?" + +The words of the money prince were nowise calculated to reassure Mr. +Erdblatt. + +"Be kind enough to accept the bills, and grant me time," pleaded he +piteously. + +"That, sir, would be contrary to all precedents in business," rejoined +Greifmann, with an icy smile. "Our house never deviates from the paths +of hereditary custom." + +"I could pay in ten thousand florins at once," said Erdblatt once more. +"Within eight weeks I could place fifty thousand more in your hands." + +"I am very sorry, but, as I said, this plan is impracticable," opposed +Greifmann. "Yet I have half a mind to accept those bills, but only on a +certain condition." + +"I am willing to indemnify you in any way possible," assured the +tobacco merchant, with a feeling of relief! + +"Hear the condition stated in a few words. As you know, I live +exclusively for business, never meddle in city or state affairs. +Moreover, labor devoted by me to political matters would be +superfluous, in view of the undisputed sway of liberalism. +Nevertheless, I am forced to learn, to my astonishment, that progress +itself neglects to take talent and ability into account, and exhibits +the most aristocratic nepotism. The remarkable abilities of Mr. Shund +are lost, both to the city and state, merely because Mr. Shund's +fellow-citizens will not elect him to offices of trust. This is unjust; +to speak plainly, it is revolting, when one considers that there is +many a brainless fellow in the City Council who has no better +recommendation than to have descended from an old family, and whose +sole ability lies in chinking ducats which he inherited but never +earned. Shund is a genius compared with such boobies; but genius does +not pass current here, whilst incapacity does. Now, if you will use +your influence to have Shund nominated for mayor of this city, and for +delegate to the legislature, and guarantee his election, you may +consider the bills of exchange as covered." + +Not even the critical financial trouble by which he was beset could +prevent an expression of overwhelming surprise in the tobacco man's +face. + +"I certainly cannot have misunderstood you. You surely mean to speak of +Ex-Treasurer Shund, of this place?" + +"The same--the very same." + +"But, Mr. Greifmann, perhaps you are not aware--" + +"I am aware of everything," interrupted the banker. "I know that many +years ago Mr. Shund awkwardly put his hand into the city treasury, that +he was sent to the penitentiary, that people imagine they still see him +in the penitentiary garb, and, finally, that in the stern judgment of +the same people he is a low usurer. But usury has been abrogated by +law. The theft Shund has not only made good by restoring what he stole, +but also atoned for by years of imprisonment. Now, why is a man to be +despised who has indeed done wrong, but not worse than others whose +sins have long since been forgotten? Why condemn to obscurity a man +that possesses the most brilliant kind of talent for public offices? +The contempt felt for Shund on the part of a population who boast of +their progress is unaccountable--may be it would not be far from the +truth to believe that some influential persons are jealous of the +gifted man," concluded the banker reproachfully. + +"Pardon me, please! The _thief_ and _usurer_ it might perhaps be +possible to elect," conceded Erdblatt. "But Shund's disgusting and +shameless amours could not possibly find grace with the moral sense of +the public." + +"Yes, and the origin of this _moral sense_ is the sixth commandment of +the Jew Moses," said the millionaire scornfully. "I cannot understand' +how you, a man of advanced views; can talk in this manner." + +"You misinterpret my words," rejoined the leader deprecatingly. "To me, +personally, Shund exists neither as a usurer nor as a debauchee. +Christian modes of judging are, of course, relegated among absurdities +that we have triumphed over. In this instance, however, there is no +question of my own personal conviction, but of the conviction of the +great multitude. And in the estimation of the multitude unbridled +liberty is just as disgraceful as the free enjoyment of what, +_morally_, is forbidden." + +"You are altogether in the same rut as Schwefel." + +"Have you spoken with Schwefel on this subject?" asked Erdblatt +eagerly. + +"Only a moment ago. Mr. Schwefel puts greater trust in his power than +you do in yours, for he agreed to have Shund elected mayor and +delegate. Mr. Schwefel only wishes you and Sand would lend your aid." + +"With pleasure! If Schwefel and Sand are won over, then all is right." + +"From a hint of Schwefel's," said Greifmann, taking up a +five-hundred-florin banknote from the table, "I infer that the election +canvass is accompanied with some expense. Accept this small +contribution. As for the bills of exchange, the matter is to rest by +our agreement." + +Erdblatt also backed out of the cabinet, bowing repeatedly as he +retreated. + +Seraphin rushed from his hiding-place in great excitement. + +"Why, Greifmann, this is terrible! Do you call that advanced education? +Do you call that progress? Those are demoralized, infernal beings. I +spit upon them! And are these the rabble that are trying to arrogate to +themselves the leadership of the German people?--rabble who ignore the +Deity, the human soul, and morality generally! But what completely +unsettles me is your connivance--at least, your connection with these +infernal spirits." + +"But be easy, my good fellow, be easy! _I_ connected with tobacco and +straw?" + +"At all events, you have been ridiculing the ten commandments and +Christian morals and faith." + +"Was I not obliged to do so in order to show how well the thief, +usurer, and filthy dog Shund harmonizes with the spirit of progress? +Can he who wishes to make use of the devil confer with the devil in the +costume of light? Not at all; he must clothe himself in the mantle of +darkness. And you must not object to my using the demon Progress for +the purpose of winning your span of horses and saving my stakes. Let us +not have a disgraceful altercation. Consider me as a stage actor, +whilst you are a spectator that is being initiated into the latest +style of popular education. Ah, do you hear? The last one is drawing +near. Be pleased to vanish." + +The third leader, house-builder Sand, appeared. The greater portion of +his face is hidden by a heavy black beard; in one hand he carries a +stout bamboo cane; and it is only after having fully entered, that he +deliberately removes his hat. + +"I wish you a pleasant morning, Mr. Greifmann. You have sent for me: +what do you want?" + +The banker slowly raised his eyes from the latest exchange list to the +rough features of the builder, and remembering that the man had risen +up from the mortarboard to his present position, and had gained wealth +and influence through personal energy, he returned the short greeting +with a friendly inclination of the head. + +"Will you have the goodness to be seated, Mr. Sand?" + +The man of the black beard took a seat, and, having noticed the +handsome collection of banknotes, his coarse face settled itself into a +not very attractive grin. + +"I want to impart to you my intention of erecting a villa on the +Sauerberg, near the middle of our estate at Wilheim," continued the +millionaire. + +"Ah, that is a capital idea!" And the man of the beard became very +deeply interested. "The site is charming, no view equal to it; healthy +location, vineyards round about, your own vineyards moreover. I could +put you up a gem there." + +"That is what I think, Mr. Sand! My father, who has been abroad for the +last three months, is quite satisfied with the plan; in fact, he is the +original projector of it." + +"I know, I know! your father has a taste for what is grand. We shall +try and give him satisfaction, which, by the bye, is not so very easy. +But you have the money, and fine fortunes can command fine houses." + +"What I want principally is to get you to draw a plan, consulting your +own taste and experience in doing so. You will show it to me when +ready, and I will tell you whether I like it or not." + +"Very well, Mr. Greifmann, very well! But I must know beforehand what +amount of money you are willing to spend upon the house; for all +depends upon the cost." + +"Well," said the millionaire, after some deliberation, "I am willing to +spend eighty thousand florins on it, and something over, perhaps." + +"Ah, well, for that amount of money something can be put up--something +small but elegant. Are you in a hurry with the building?" + +"To be sure! As soon as the matter is determined upon, there is to be +no delay in carrying it out." + +"I am altogether of your opinion, Mr. Greifmann--I agree with you +entirely!" assented the builder, with an increase of animation. "I +shall draw up a plan for a magnificent house. If it pleases you, all +hands shall at once be set at work, and by next autumn you shall behold +the villa under roof." + +"Of course you are yourself to furnish all the materials," added the +banker shrewdly. "When once the plan will have been settled upon, you +can reach me an estimate of the costs, and I will pay over the money." + +"To be sure, Mr. Greifmann--that is the way in which it should be done, +Mr. Greifmann!" responded the man of the black beard with a satisfied +air. "You are not to have the slightest bother. I shall take all the +bother upon myself." + +"That, then is agreed upon! Well, now, have you learned yet who is to +be the next mayor?" + +"Why, yes, the old one is to be reelected!" + +"Not at all! We must have an economical and intelligent man for next +mayor. Of this I am convinced, because the annual deficit in the +treasury is constantly on the increase." + +"Alas, 'tis true! And who is the man of economy and intelligence to +be?" + +"Mr. Hans Shund." + +"Who--what? Hans Shund? The thief, the usurer, the convict, the +debauchee? Who has been making a fool of you?" + +"Pardon me, sir! I never suffer people to make a fool of me!" rejoined +the banker with much dignity. + +"Yes, yes--somebody has dished up a canard for you. What, that +good-for-nothing scoundrel to be elected mayor! Never in his life! Hans +Shund mayor--really that is good now--ha, ha!" + +"Mr. Sand, you lead me to suspect that you belong to the party of +Ultramontanes." + +"Who--_I_ an Ultramontane? That is ridiculous! Sir, I am at the head of +the men of progress--I am the most liberal of the liberals--that, sir, +is placarded on every wall." + +"How come you, then, to call Mr. Sand a good-for-nothing scoundrel?" + +"Simply for this reason, because, he is a usurer and a dissipated +wretch." + +"Then I am in the right, after all! Mr. Sand belongs to the ranks of +the _pious_," jeered the banker. + +"Mr. Greifmann, you are insulting!" + +"Nothing is further from my intention than to wound your feelings, my +dear Mr. Sand! Be cool and reasonable. Reflect, if you please. Shund, +you say, puts out money at thirty per cent. and higher, and therefore +he is a usurer. Is it not thus that you reason?" + +"Why, yes! The scoundrel has brought many a poor devil to ruin by means +of his Jewish speculations!" + +"Your pious indignation," commended the millionaire, "is praiseworthy, +because it is directed against what you mistake for a piece of +scoundrelism. Meanwhile, please to calm down your feelings, and let +your reason resume her seat of honor so that you may reflect upon my +words. You know that in consequence of recent legislation every +capitalist is free to put out money at what rate soever he pleases. +Were Shund to ask _fifty_ per cent., he would not be stepping outside +of the law. He would then be, as he now is, an honest man. Would he +not?" + +"It is as you say, so far as the law is concerned!" + +"Furthermore, if after prudently weighing, after wisely calculating, +the _pros_ and _cons_, Shund concludes to draw in his money, and in +consequence many a poor devil is ruined, as you say, surely no +reasonable man will on that account condemn legally authorized +speculation!" + +"Don't talk to me of legally authorized speculation. The law must not +legalize scoundrelism; but whosoever by cunning usury brings such to +ruin is and ever will be a scoundrel." + +"Why a scoundrel, Mr. Sand? Why, pray?" + +"Surely it is clear enough--because he has ruined men!" + +"Ruined! How? Evidently through means legally permitted. Therefore, +according to your notion the law _does_ legalize scoundrelism; at least +it allows free scope to scoundrels. Mr. Sand, no offence intended: I am +forced, however, once more to suspect that you do, perhaps without +knowing it, belong to the _pious_. For they think and feel just as you +do, that is, in accordance with so-called laws of morality, religious +views and principles. That, judged by such standards, Shund is a +scoundrel who hereafter will be burned eternally in hell, I do not +pretend to dispute." + +"At bottom, I believe you are in the right, after all--yes, it is as +you say," conceded the leader reluctantly. "Ahem--and yet I am surprised +at your being in the right. I would rather, however that you were in +the right, because I really do not wish to blame anybody or judge him +by the standard of the Ultramontanes." + +"That tone sounds genuinely progressive, and it does honor to +your judgment!" lauded the banker. "Again, you called Shund a +good-for-nothing scoundrel because he loves the company of women. Mr. +Sand, do you mean to vindicate the sacred nature of the sixth +commandment in an age that has emancipated itself from the thrall of +symbols and has liberated natural inclinations from the servitude of a +bigoted priesthood?--you, who profess to stand at the head and front of +the party of progress?" + +"It is really odd--you are in the right again! Viewed from the +standpoint of the times, contemplated in the light of modern +intellectual culture, Shund must not really be called good-for-nothing +for being a usurer and an admirer of women. + +"Shund's qualifications consequently fit him admirably for the office +of mayor. He will be economical, he will make the expenditures balance +with the revenue. Even in the legislature, Shund's principles and +experience will be of considerable service to the country and to the +cause of progress. I am so much in favor of the man that I shall award +you the building of my villa only on condition that you will use all +your influence for the election of Shund to the office of mayor and to +the legislature." + +"Mayor--assemblyman, too--ahem! that will be hard to do." + +"By no means! Messrs. Schwefel and Erdblatt will do their best for the +same end." + +"Is that so, really? In that case there is no difficulty! Mr. +Greifmann, consider me the man that will build your villa." + +"The canvass will cost you some money--here, take this, my contribution +to the noble cause," and he gave him a five-hundred-florin banknote. + +"That will suffice, Mr. Greifmann, that will suffice. The plan you +cannot have until after the election, for Shund will give us enough to +do." + +"Everything is possible to you, Mr. Sand! Whatever Cæsar, Lepidus, and +Antony wish at Rome, that same must be." + +"Very true, very true." And the last of the leaders disappeared. + +"I would never have imagined the like to be possible," spoke the +landholder, entering. "They all regard Shund as a low, abandoned +wretch, and yet material interest determines every one of them to +espouse the cause of the unworthy, contemptible fellow. It is +extraordinary! It is monstrous!" + +"You cannot deny that progress is eminently liberal," replied the +banker, laughing. + +"Nor will I deny that it possesses neither uprightness nor conscience, +nor, especially, morals," rejoined the young man with seriousness. + +Carl saw with astonishment Seraphin's crimsoned cheeks and flaming +eyes. + +"My dear fellow, times and men must be taken as they are, not as they +should be," said the banker. "Interest controls both men and things. At +bottom, it has ever been thus. In the believing times of the middle +ages, men's interest lay in heaven. All their acts were done for +heaven; they considered no sacrifice as too costly. Thousands quit +their homes and families to have their skulls cloven by the Turks, or +to be broiled by the glowing heats of Palestine. For the interests of +heaven, thousands abandoned the world, fed on roots in deserts, +gave up all the pleasures of life. At present, the interest lies in +this world, in material possessions, in money. Do not therefore get +angry at progress if it refuses to starve itself or to be cut down by +Moorish scimitars, but, on the other hand, has strength of mind and +self-renunciation enough to promote Hans Shund to honors and offices." + +Seraphin contemplated Greifmann, who smiled, and hardly knew how to +take him. + +"An inborn longing for happiness has possession of all men," said he +with reserve. "The days of faith were ruled by moral influences; the +spirit of this age is ruled by base matter. Between the moral struggles +of the past strong in faith, and the base matter of the present, there +is, say what you will, a notable difference." + +"Doubtless!" conceded Greifmann. "The middle ages were incontestably +the grandest epoch of history. I am actuated by the honest intention of +acquainting you with the active principles of the present." + +"Yes, and you have been not immaterially aided by luck. But for the +order from Vienna for straw hats, the bills of exchange, and that +villa, you would hardly have attained your aim." + +Greifmann smiled. + +"The straw-hat story is merely a mystification, my dear friend. When +the end will have been reached, when Hans Shund will have been elected +mayor and assemblyman, a few lines will be sufficient to inform Mr. +Schwefel that the house in Vienna has countermanded its order. Nor is +any villa to be constructed. I shall pay Sand for his drawings, and +this will be the end of the project. The matter of the bills of +exchange is not a hoax, and I am still free to proceed against Erdblatt +in the manner required by the interests of my business." + +Seraphin stood before the ingenuous banker, and looked at him aghast. + +"It is true," said Greifmann gaily, "I have laid out fifteen hundred +florins, but I have done so against one hundred per cent.; for they are +to secure me victory in our wager." + +"Your professional routine is truly admirable," said Gerlach. + +"Not exactly that, but practical, and not at all sentimental, my +friend." + +"I shall take a walk through the garden to get over my astonishment," +concluded Gerlach; and he walked away from the astute man of money. + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + SERAPHIN AND LOUISE. + + +Sombre spirits flitted about the head of the young man with the +blooming cheeks and light eyes. He was unable to rid himself of a +feeling of depression; for he had taken a step into the domain of +progress, and had there witnessed things which, like slimy reptiles, +drew a cold trail over his warm heart. Trained up on Christian +principles, schooled by enlightened professors of the faith, and +watched over with affectionate vigilance by a pious mother, Seraphin +had had no conception of the state of modern society. For this reason, +both Greifmann _Senior_ and Gerlach _Senior_ committed a blunder in +wishing to unite by marriage three millions of florins, the owners of +which not merely differed, but were the direct opposites of each other +in disposition and education. + +Louise belonged to the class of emancipated females who have in vain +attempted to enhance the worth of noble womanhood by impressing on +their own sex the sterner type of the masculine gender. In Louise's +opinion, the beauty of woman does not consist in graceful gentleness, +amiable concession and purity, but in proudly overstepping the bounds +set for woman by the innate modesty of her sex. The beautiful young +lady had no idea of the repulsiveness of a woman who strives to make a +man of herself, but she was sure that the cause and origin of woman's +degradation is religion. For it was to Eve that God had said: "Thou +shalt be under thy husband's power, and he shall have dominion over +thee." Louise considered this decree as revolting, and she detested the +book whose authority among men gives effect to its meaning. On the +other hand, she failed to observe that woman's sway is powerful and +acknowledged wherever it exerts itself over weak man through affection +and grace. Quite as little did Miss Louise observe that men assume the +stature of giants so soon as women presume to appear in relation to +them strong and manlike. Least of all did she discover anything +gigantic in the kind-hearted Seraphin. In the consciousness of her +fancied superiority of education, she smiled at the simplicity of his +faith, and, as the handsome young gentleman appeared by no means an +ineligible _parti_, she believed it to be her special task to train her +prospective husband according to her own notions. She imagined this +course of training would prove an easy undertaking for a lady whose +charms had been uniformly triumphant over the hearts of gentlemen. But +one circumstance appeared to her unaccountable--that was Seraphin's +cold-bloodedness and unshaken independence. For eight days she had +plied her arts in vain, the most exquisite coquetry had been wasted to +no purpose, even the irresistible fire of her most lovely eyes had +produced no perceptible impression on the impregnable citadel of the +landholder's heart. + +"He is a mere child as yet, the most spotless innocence," she would +muse hopefully. "He has been sheltered under a mother's wings like a +pullet, and for this I am beholden to Madame Gerlach, for she has +trained up an obedient husband for me." + +Seraphin sauntered through the walks of the garden, absorbed in gloomy +reflections on the leaders of progress. Their utter disregard of honor +and unparalleled baseness were disgusting to him as an honorable man, +whilst their corruption and readiness for deeds of meanness were +offensive to him as a Christian. Regarding Greifmann, also, he +entertained misgivings. Upon closer examination, however, the +unsuspecting youth thought he discovered in the banker's manner of +treating the leaders and their principles a strong infusion of ridicule +and irony. Hence, imposed upon by his own good nature, he concluded +that Greifmann ought not in justice to be ranked among the hideous +monstrosities of progress. + +With head sunk and rapt in thought, Gerlach strayed indefinitely amid +the flowers and shrubbery. All at once he stood before Louise. The +young lady was seated under a vine-covered arbor; in one hand she held +a book, but she had allowed both hand and book to sink with graceful +carelessness upon her lap. For some time back she had been observing +the thoughtful young man. She had been struck by his manly carriage and +vigorous step, and had come to the conclusion that his profusion of +curling auburn hair was the most becoming set-off to his handsome +countenance. She now welcomed the surprised youth with a smile so +winning, and with a play of eyes and features so exquisite, that +Seraphin, dazzled by the beauty of the apparition, felt constrained to +lower his eyes like a bashful girl. What probably contributed much to +this effect was the circumstance of his being at the time in a rather +vacant and cheerless state of mind, so that, coming suddenly into the +presence of this brilliant being, he experienced the power of the +contrast. She appeared to him indescribably beautiful, and he wondered +that this discovery had not forced itself upon him before. +Unfortunately, the young gentleman possessed but little of the +philosophy which will not suffer itself to be deceived by seductive +appearances, and refuses to recognize the beautiful anywhere but in its +agreement with the true and good. + +Louise perceived in an instant that now was at hand the long-looked-for +fulfilment of her wishes. The certainty which she felt that the +conquest was achieved diffused a bewitching loveliness over her person. +Seraphin, on the other hand, stood leaning against the arbor, and +became conscious with fear and surprise of a turmoil in his soul that +he had never before experienced. + +"I have been keeping myself quiet in this shady retreat," said she +sweetly, "not wishing to disturb your meditations. Carl's wager is a +strange one, but it is a peculiarity of my brother's occasionally to +manifest a relish for what is strange." + +"You are right--strange, very strange!" replied Seraphin, evidently in +allusion to his actual state of mind. The beautiful young lady, +perceiving the allusion, became still more dazzling. + +"I should regret very much that the wager were lost by a guest of ours, +and still more that you were deprived of your splendid race-horses. I +will prevail on Carl not to take advantage of his victory." + +"Many thanks, miss; but I would much rather you would not do so. If I +lose the wager, honor and duty compel me to give up the stakes to the +winner. Moreover, in the event of my losing, there would be another +loss far more severe for me than the loss of my racers." + +"What would that be?" inquired she with some amazement. + +"The loss of my good opinion of men," answered he sadly. "What I have +heard, miss, is base and vile beyond description." And he recounted for +her in detail what had taken place. + +"Such things are new to you, Mr. Seraphin; hence your astonishment and +indignation." + +The youth felt his soul pierced because she uttered not a word of +disapproval against the villainy. + +"Carl's object was good," continued she, "in so far as his man[oe]uvre +has procured you an insight into the principles by which the world is +just now ruled." + +"I would be satisfied to lose the wager a thousand times, and even +more, did I know that the world is not under such rule." + +"It is wrong to risk one's property for the sake of a delusion," said +she reprovingly. "And it would be a gross delusion not to estimate men +according to their real worth. A proprietor of fields and woodland, +who, faithful to his calling, leads an existence pure and in accord +with nature's laws, must not permit himself to be so far misled by the +harmlessness of his own career as to idealize the human species. For +were you at some future day to become more intimately acquainted with +city life and society, you would then find yourself forced to smile at +the views which you once held concerning the present." + +"Smile at, my dear miss? Hardly. I should rather have to mourn the +destruction of my belief. Moreover, it is questionable whether I could +breathe in an atmosphere which is unhealthy and destructive of all the +genuine enjoyments of life!" + +"And what do you look upon as the genuine enjoyments of life?" asked +she with evident curiosity. + +He hesitated, and his childlike embarrassment appeared to her most +lovely. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Seraphin! I have been indiscreet, for such a +question is allowable to those only who are on terms of intimacy." And +the beauty exhibited a masterly semblance of modesty and amiability. +The artifice proved successful, the young man's diffidence fled, and +his heart opened. + +"You possess my utmost confidence, most esteemed Miss Greifmann! +Intercourse with good, or at least honorable, persons appears to me to +be the first condition for enjoying life. How could any one's existence +be cheerful in the society of people whose character is naught and +whose moral sense expired with the rejection of every religious +principle?" + +"Yet perhaps it might, Mr. Seraphin!" rejoined she, with a smile of +imagined superiority. "Refinement, the polished manners of society, may +be substituted for the rigor of religious conviction." + +"Polished manners without moral earnestness are mere hypocrisy," +answered he decidedly. "A wolf, though enveloped in a thousand +lambskins, still retains his nature." + +"How stern you are!" exclaimed she, laughing. "And what is the second +condition for the true enjoyment of life, Mr. Seraphin?" + +"It is evidently the accord of moral consciousness with the behests of +a supreme authority; or to use the ordinary expression, a good +conscience," answered the millionaire earnestly. + +A sneering expression spontaneously glided over her countenance. She +felt the hateful handwriting of her soul in her features, turned +crimson, and cast down her eyes in confusion. The young man had not +observed the expression of mockery, and could not account for her +confusion. He thought he had perhaps awkwardly wounded her +sensitiveness. + +"I merely meant to express my private conviction," said Mr. Seraphin +apologetically. + +"Which is grand and admirable," lauded she. + +Her approbation pleased him, for his simplicity failed to detect the +concealed ridicule. After a walk outside of the city which Gerlach took +towards evening, in the company of the brother and sister, Carl +Greifmann made his appearance in Louise's apartment. + +"You have at last succeeded in capturing him," began he with a chuckle +of satisfaction. "I was almost beginning to lose confidence in your +well-tried powers. This time you seemed unable to keep the field, to +the astonishment of all your acquaintances. They never knew you to be +baffled where the heart of a weak male was to be won." + +"What are you talking about?" + +"About the fat codfish of two million weight whom you have been +successful in angling." + +"I do not understand you, most mysterious brother!" + +"You do not understand me, and yet you blush like the skies before a +rainstorm! What means the vermilion of those cheeks, if you do not +understand?" + +"I blush, first, on account of my limited understanding, which cannot +grasp your philosophy; and, secondly, because I am amazed at the +monstrous figures of your language." + +"Then I shall have to speak without figures and similes upon a subject +which loses a great deal in the light of bare reality, which, I might +indeed say, loses all, dissolves into vapor, like will-o'-the-wisps and +cloud phantoms before the rising sun. I hardly know how to mention +the subject without figures, I can hardly handle it except with +poetic figures," exclaimed he gaily, seating himself in Louise's +rocking--chair, rocking himself. "Speaking in the commonest prose, my +remarks refer to the last victim immolated to your highness--to the +last brand kindled by the fire of your eyes. To talk quite broadly, I +mean the millionaire and landholder Seraphin Gerlach, who is head and +ears in love with you. Considered from a business and solid point of +view, it is exceedingly flattering for the banker's brother to see his +sister adored by so considerable a sum of money." + +"Madman, you profane the noblest feelings of the heart," she chidingly +said, with a smile. + +"I am a man of business, my dear child, and am acquainted with no +sanctuary but the exchange. Relations of a tender nature, noble +feelings of the heart, lying as they do without the domain of +speculation, are to me something incomprehensible and not at all +desirable. On the other hand, I entertain for two millions of money a +most prodigious sympathy, and a love that casts the flames of all your +heroes and heroines of romance into the shade. Meanwhile, my sweet +little sister, there are two aspects to everything. An alliance between +our house and two millions of florins claims admiration, 'tis true; yet +it is accompanied with difficulties which require serious reflection." +The banker actually ceased rocking and grew serious. + +"Might I ask a solution of your enigma?" + +"All jesting aside, Louise, this alliance is not altogether free from +risks," answered he. "Just consider the contrast between yourself and +Seraphin Gerlach's good nature is touching, and his credulous +simplicity is calculated to excite apprehension. Guided, imposed upon, +entirely bewitched by religious phantasms, he gropes about in the +darkness of superstition. You, on the contrary, sneer at what Seraphin +cherishes as holy, and despise such religious nonsense. Reflect now +upon the enormous contrast between yourself and the gentleman whom fate +and your father's shrewdness have selected for your husband. Honestly, +I am in dread. I am already beginning to dream of divorce and every +possible tale of scandal, which would not be precisely propitious for +our firm." + +"What contradictions!" exclaimed the beauty with self-reliance. "You +just a moment ago announced my triumph over Seraphin, and now you +proclaim my defeat." + +"Your defeat! Not at all! But I apprehend wrangling and discord in your +married life." + +"Wrangling and discord because Seraphin loves me?" + +"No--not exactly--but because he is a believer and you are an +unbeliever; in short, because he does not share your aims and views." + +"How short-sighted you are! As you conceive of it, love is not a +passion; at most, only, a cool mood which cannot be modified by the +lovers themselves. Your apprehension would be well grounded concerning +that kind of love. But suppose love were something quite different? +Suppose it were a passion, a glowing, dazzling, omnipotent passion, and +that Seraphin really loved me, do you think that I would not skilfully +and prudently take advantage of this passion? Cannot a woman exert a +decisive and directing influence over the husband who loves her +tenderly? I have no fears because I do not view love with the eyes of a +trader. I hope and trust with the adjurations of love to expel from +Seraphin all superstitious spirits." + +"How sly! Surely nothing can surpass a daughter of Eve in the matter of +seductive arts!" exclaimed he, laughing. "Hem--yes, indeed, after what +I have seen to-day, it is plain that the Adam Seraphin will taste of +the forbidden fruit of ripened knowledge, persuaded by this tenderly +beloved Eve. Look at him: there he wanders in the shade of the garden, +sighing to the rose-bushes, dreaming, of your majesty, and little +suspecting that he is threatened with conversion and redemption from +the kingdom of darkness." + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + HANS SHUND. + + +Hans Shund returned home from business in high feather. Something +unusual must have happened him, for his behavior was exceptional. +Standing before his desk, he mechanically drew various papers from his +pockets, and laid them in different drawers and pigeon-holes. The +mechanical manner of his behavior was what was exceptional, for usually +Hans Shund bestowed particular attention upon certain papers; his +soul's life was in those papers. Moreover, on the present occasion, he +kept shaking his head as if astonishment would not suffer him to remain +quiet. Yet habitually Hans Shund never shook his head, for that +proceeding betrays interior emotion, and Shund's neck was as hardened +and stiff as his usurer's soul. The other exceptional feature of his +behavior was a continuous growing, which at length waxed into a genuine +soliloquy. But Hans Shund was never known to talk to himself, for +talking to one's self indicates a kindly disposition, whilst Shund had +no disposition whatever, as they maintain who knew him; or, if he had +ever had one, it had smouldered into a hard, impenetrable crust of +slag. + +"Strange--remarkably strange!" said he. "Hem! what can it mean? How am +I to account for it? Has the usurer undergone a transformation during +the night?" And a hideous grin distorted his face. "Am I metamorphosed, +am I enchanted, or am I myself an enchanter? Unaccountable, marvellous, +unheard of!" + +The papers had been locked up in the desk. A secret power urged him up +and down the room, and finally into the adjoining sitting-room, where +Mrs. Shund, a pale, careworn lady, sat near a sewing-stand, intent on +her lonely occupation. + +"Wife, queer things have befallen me. Only think, all the city notables +have raised their hats to your humble servant, and have saluted me in a +friendly, almost an obsequious manner. And this has happened to me +to-day--to me, the hated and despised usurer! Isn't that quite amazing? +Even the city regent, Schwefel's son, took off his hat, and bowed as if +I were some live grandee. How do you explain that prodigy?" + +The careworn woman kept on sewing without raising her head. + +"Why don't you answer me, wife? Don't you find that most astonishing?" + +"I am incapable of being astonished, since grief and care have so +filled my heart that no room is left in it for feelings of any other +kind." + +"Well, well! what is up again?" asked he, with curiosity. + +She drew a letter written in a female hand from one of the drawers of +the sewing-stand. + +"Read this, villain!" + +Hastily snatching the letter, he began to read. + +"Hem," growled he indifferently. "The drab complains of being +neglected, of not getting any money from me. That should not be a cause +of rage for you, I should think. The drab is brazen enough to write to +you to reveal my weaknesses, all with the amicable intention of getting +up a thundergust in our matrimonial heaven. Do learn sense, wife, and +stop noticing my secret enjoyments." + +"Fie, villain. Fie upon you, shameless wretch!" cried she, trembling in +every limb. + +"Listen to me, wife! Above all things, let us not have a scene, an +unnecessary row," interrupted he. "You know how fruitless are your +censures. Don't pester me with your stale lectures on morals." + +"Nearly every month I get a letter of that sort written in the most +disreputable purlieus of the town, and addressed to my husband. It is +revolting! Am I to keep silent, shameless man--_I_ your wedded wife? Am +I to be silent in presence of such infamous deeds?" + +"Rather too pathetic, wife! Save your breath. Don't grieve at the +liberties which I take. Try and accustom yourself to pay as little +attention to my conduct as I bestow upon yours. When years ago I +entered the contract with you vulgarly denominated marriage, I did it +with the understanding that I was uniting myself to a subject that was +willing to share with me a life free from restraints; I mean, a life +free from the odor of so-called hereditary moral considerations and of +religious restrictions. Accustom yourself to this view of the matter, +rise to my level, enjoy an emancipated existence." + +He spoke and left the room. In his office he read the letter over. + +"This creature is insatiable!" murmured he to himself. "I shall have to +turn her off and enter into less expensive connections. I am talking +with myself to-day--queer, very queer!" + +A heavy knock was heard at the door. + +"Come in!" + +A man and woman scantily clad entered the room. The sight of the +wretched couple brought a fierce passion into the usurer's countenance. +He seemed suddenly transformed into a tiger, bloodthirstily crouching +to seize his prey. + +"What is the matter. Holt?" + +"Mr. Shund," began the man in a dejected tone, "the officer of the law +has served the writ upon us: it is to take effect in ten days." + +"That is, unless you make payment," interrupted Shund. + +"We are not able to pay just now, Mr. Shund, it is impossible. I wished +therefore to entreat you very earnestly to have patience with us poor +people." + +The woman seconded her husband's petition by weeping bitterly, wringing +her hands piteously. The usurer shook his head relentlessly. + +"Patience, patience, you say. For eight years I have been using +patience with you; my patience is exhausted now. There must be limits +to everything. There is a limit to patience also. I insist upon your +paying." + +"Consider, Mr. Shund, I am the father of eight children. If you insist +on payment now and permit the law to take its course, you will ruin a +family of ten persons. Surely your conscience will not permit you to do +this?" + +"Conscience! What do you mean? Do not trouble me with your nonsense. +For me, conscience means to have; for you, it means you must. +Therefore, pay." + +"Mr. Shund, you know it is yourself that have reduced us to this +wretched condition!" + +"You don't say I did! How so?" + +"May I remind you, Mr. Shund, may I remind you of all the circumstances +by which this was brought about? How it happened that from a man of +means I have been brought to poverty?" + +"Go on, dearest Holt--go on; it will be interesting to me!" The usurer +settled himself comfortably to hear the summary of his successful +villanies from the mouth of the unfortunate man with the same +satisfaction with which a tiger regales itself on the tortures of its +victim. + +"Nine years ago, Mr. Shund, I was not in debt, as you know. I labored +and supported my family honestly, without any extraordinary exertion. A +field was for sale next to my field at the Rothenbush. You came at the +time--it is now upwards of eight years, and said in a friendly way, +'Holt, my good man, buy that field. It lies next to yours, and you +ought not to let the chance slip.' I wanted the field, but had no +money. This I told you. You encouraged me, saying, 'Holt, my good man, +I will let you have the money--on interest, of course; for I am a man +doing business, and I make my living off my money. I will never push +you for the amount. You may pay it whenever and in what way you wish. +Suit yourself.' You gave me this encouragement at the time. You loaned +me nine hundred and fifty florins--in the note, however, you wrote one +thousand and fifty, and, besides, at five per cent. For three years I +paid interest on one thousand and fifty, although you had loaned me +only nine hundred and fifty. All of a sudden--I was just in trouble at +the time, for one of my draught-cattle had been crippled, and the +harvest had turned out poorly, you came and demanded your money. I had +none. 'I am sorry,' said you, 'I need my money, and could put it out at +much higher interest.' I begged and begged. You threatened to sue me. +Finally, after much begging, you proposed that I should sell you the +field, for which three years previous I had paid nine hundred and fifty +florins, for seven hundred florins, alleging that land was no longer as +valuable as it had been. You were willing to rent me the field at a +high rate. And to enable me to get along, you offered to lend me +another thousand, but drew up a note for eleven hundred florins at ten +per cent., because, as you pretended, money was now bringing ten per +cent. since the law regulating interest had been abrogated. For a long +while I objected to the proposal, but found myself forced at last to +yield because you threatened to attach my effects. From this time I +began to go downhill, I could no longer meet expenses, my family was +large, and I had to work for you to pay up the interest and rent. But +for some time back I had been unable to do as I wished. I could not +even sell any of my own property; for you were holding me fast, +and I was obliged to mortgage everything to you for a merely nominal +price. My cottage, my barn, my garden, and the field in front of my +house--worth at least two thousand florins--I had to give you a +mortgage upon for one thousand. The rest of my immovable property, +fields and meadows, you took. Nothing was left to me but the little hut +and what adjoined it. With respects, Mr. Shund, you had long since +sucked the very marrow from my bones, next you put the rope about my +neck, and now you are about to hang me." + +"Hang you? Ha--ha! That's good, Holt! You are in fine humor," cried the +usurer, after hearing with a relish the simple account of his atrocious +deeds. "I have no hankering for your neck. Pay up, Holt, pay up, that +is all I want. Pay me over the trifle of a thousand florins and the +interest, and the house with everything pertaining to it shall be +yours. But if you cannot pay up, it will have to be sold at auction, so +that I may get my money." + +"For heaven's sake, Mr. Shund, be merciful," entreated the wife. "We +have saved up the interest with much trouble; every farthing of it you +are to receive. For God's sake, do not drive us from our home, Mr. +Shund, we will gladly toil for you day and night. Take pity, Mr. Shund, +do take pity on my poor children!" + +"Stop your whining. Pay up, money alone has any value in my +estimation--pay, all the rest is fudge. Pay up!" + +"God knows, Mr. Shund," sobbed the woman, wringing her hands, "I would +give my heart's blood to keep my poor children out of misery--with my +life I would be willing to pay you. Oh! do have some commiseration, do +be merciful! Almighty God will requite you for it." + +"Almighty God, nonsense! Don't mention such stuff to me. Stupid palaver +like that might go down with some bigoted fool, but it will not affect +a man of enlightenment. Pay up, and there's an end of it!" + +"Is it your determination then, Mr. Shund, to cast us out mercilessly +under the open sky?" inquired the countryman with deep earnestness. + +"I only want what belongs to me. Pay over the thousand florins with the +interest, and we shall be quits. That's my position, you may go." + +In feeling words the woman once more appealed to Hans Shund. He +remained indifferent to her pleading, and smiled scornfully whenever +she adduced religious considerations to support her petition. Suddenly +Holt took her by the arm and drew her towards the door. + +"Say no more, wife, say no more, but come away. You could more easily +soften stones than a man who has no conscience and does not believe in +God." + +"There you have spoken the truth," sneered Shund. + +"You sneer, Mr. Shund," and the man's eyes glared. "Do you know to whom +you owe it that your head is not broken?" + +"What sort of language is that?" + +"It is the language of a father driven to despair. I tell you"--and the +countryman raised his clenched fists--"it is to the good God that you +are indebted for your life; for, if I believed as little in an almighty +and just God as you, with this pair of strong hands I would wring your +neck. Yes, stare at me! With these hands I would strangle Shund, who +has brought want upon my children and misery upon me. Come away, wife, +come away. He is resolved to reduce us to beggary as he has done to so +many others. Do your worst, Mr. Shund, but there above we shall have a +reckoning with each other." + +He dragged his wife out of the room, and went away without saluting, +but casting a terrible scowl back upon Hans Shund. + +For a long while the usurer sat thoughtfully, impressed by the ominous +scowl and threat, which were not empty ones, for rage and despair swept +like a rack over the man's countenance. Mr. Shund felt distinctly that +but for the God of Christians he would have been murdered by the +infuriated man. He discovered, moreover, that religious belief is to be +recommended as a safeguard against the fury of the mob. On the other +hand, he found this belief repugnant to a usurer's conscience and a +hindrance to the free enjoyment of life. Hans Shund thus sat making +reflections on religion, and endeavoring to drown the echo which Holt's +summons before the supreme tribunal had awakened in a secret recess of +his soul, when hasty steps resounded from the front yard and the door +was suddenly burst open. Hans' agent rushed in breathless, sank upon +the nearest chair, and, opening his mouth widely, gasped for breath. + +"What is the matter, Braun?" inquired Shund in surprise. "What has +happened?" + +Braun flung his arms about, rolled his eyes wildly, and labored to get +breath, like a person that is being smothered. + +"Get your breath, you fool!" growled the usurer. "What business had you +running like a maniac? Something very extraordinary must be the matter, +is it not?" + +Braun assented with violent nodding. + +"Anything terrible?" asked he further. + +More nodding from Braun. The usurer began to feel uneasy. Many a +nefarious deed stuck to his hands, but not one that had not been +committed with all possible caution and secured against any afterclaps +of the law. Yet might he not for once have been off his guard? "What +has been detected? Speak!" urged the conscience-stricken villain +anxiously. + +"Mr. Shund, you are to be--in this place--" + +"Arrested?" suggested the other, appalled, as the agent's breath failed +him again. + +"No--mayor!" + +Shund straightened himself, and raised his hands to feel his ears. + +"I am surely in possession of my hearing! Are you gone mad, fellow?" + +"Mr. Shund, you are to be mayor and member of the legislature. It is a +settled fact!" + +"Indeed, 'tis quite a settled fact that you have lost your wits. It is +a pity, poor devil! You once were useful, now you are insane; quite a +loss for me! Where am I to get another bloodhound as good as you? Your +scent was keen, you drove many a nice bit of game into my nets. Hem--so +many instances of insanity in these enlightened times of ours are +really something peculiar. Braun, dearest Braun, have you really lost +your mind entirely? Completely deranged?" + +"I am not insane, Mr. Shund. I have been assured from various sources +that you are to be elected mayor and delegate to the legislative +assembly." + +"Well, then, various persons have been running a rig upon you." + +"Running a rig upon me, Mr. Shund? Bamboozle me--me who understand and +have practised bamboozling others for so long?" + +"Still, I maintain that people have been playing off a hoax on you--and +what an outrageous hoax it is, too! + +"I believe a hoax? Just listen to me. I have never been more +clearheaded than I am to-day. Acquaintances and strangers in different +quarters of the town have assured me that it is a fixed fact that you +are to be mayor of this city and member of the legislative assembly. +Now, were it a hoax, would you not have to presuppose that both +acquaintances and strangers conspired to make a fool of me? Yet such a +supposition is most improbable." + +"Your reasoning is correct, Braun. Still, such a conspiracy must really +have been gotten up. _I_ mayor of this city? _I_? Reflect for an +instant, Braun. You know what an enviable reputation I bear throughout +the city. Many persons would go a hundred paces out of their direction +to avoid me, specially they who owe or have owed me anything. Moreover, +who appoints the mayor? The men who give the keynote, the leaders of +the town. Now, these men would consider themselves defiled by the +slightest contact with the outlawed usurer--which, of course, is very +unjust and inconsistent on the part of those gentlemen--for my views +are the same as theirs." + +"Spite of all that, I put faith in the report, Mr. Shund. Schwefel's +bookkeeper also, when I met him, smiled significantly, and even raised +his hat." + +"Hold on, Braun, hold! The deuce--it just now occurs to me--you might +not be so much mistaken after all. Strange things have happened to me +also. Gentlemen who are intimate with our city magnates have saluted me +and nodded to me quite confidentially; I was unable to solve this +riddle, now it's clear. Braun, you are right, your information is +perfectly true." And Mr. Shund rubbed his hands. + +"Don't forget, Mr. Shund, that I first brought you the astounding +intelligence, the joyful tidings, the information on which the very +best sort of speculations may be based." + +"You shall be recompensed, Braun! Go over to the sign of the Bear, and +drink a bottle of the best, and I will pay for it." + +"At a thaler a bottle?" + +"That quality isn't good for the health, my dear fellow! You may drink +a bottle at forty-eight kreutzers on my credit. But no--I don't wish to +occasion you an injury, nor do I wish to see you disgraced. You shall +not acquire the name of a toper in my employ. You may therefore call +for a pint glass at twelve kreutzers a glass. Go, now, and leave me to +myself." + +When the agent was gone, Hans Shund rushed about the room as if out of +his mind. + +"Don't tell me that miracles no longer occur!" cried he. "_I_, the +discharged treasurer--_I_, the thief, usurer, and profligate, at the +mere sight of whom every young miss and respectable lady turn up their +noses a thousand paces off--_I_ am chosen to be mayor and assemblyman! +How has this come to pass? Where lie the secret springs of this +astonishing event?" And he laid his finger against his nose in a brown +study. "Here it is--yes, here! The thinkers of progress have at length +discovered that a man who from small beginnings has risen to an +independent fortune, whose shrewdness and energy have amassed enormous +sums, ought to be placed at the head of the city administration in +order to convert the tide of public debt into a tide of prosperity. +Yes, herein lies the secret. Nor are the gentlemen entirely mistaken. +There are ways and means of making plus out of minus, of converting +stones into money. But the gentlemen have taken the liberty of +disposing of me without my previous knowledge and consent. I have not +even been asked. Quite natural, of course. Who asks a dog for +permission to stroke him? This is, I own, an unpleasant aftertaste. +Hem, suppose I were too proud to accept, suppose I wanted to bestow my +abilities and energies on my own personal interests. Come, now, old +Hans, don't be sensitive! Pride, self-respect, character, sense of +honor, and such things are valuable only when they bring emolument. +Now, the mayor of a great city has it in his power to direct many a +measure eminently to his own interest." + +Another knock was heard at the door, and the usurer, taken by surprise, +saw before him the leader Erdblatt. + +"Have you been informed of a fact that is very flattering to you?" +began the tobacco manufacturer. + +"Not the slightest intimation of a fact of that nature has reached me," +answered Shund with reserve. + +"Then I am very happy to be the first to give you the news," assured +Erdblatt. "It has been decided to promote you at the next election to +the office of mayor and of delegate to the legislative assembly." + +A malignant smile flitted athwart Shund's face. He shook his sandy head +in feigned astonishment, and fixed upon the other a look that was the +next thing to a sneer. + +"There are almost as many marvels in your announcement as words. You +speak of a decision and of a fact which, however, without my humble +co-operation, are hardly practicable. I thought all along that the +disposition of my person belonged to myself. How could anything be +resolved upon or become a fact in which I myself happen to have the +casting vote?" + +"Your cordial correspondence with the flattering intention of your +fellow-citizens was presumed upon; moreover, you were to be agreeably +surprised," explained the progressionist leader. + +"That, sir, was a very violent presumption! I am a free citizen, and am +at liberty to dispose of my time and faculties as I please. In the +capacity of mayor, I should find myself trammelled and no longer +independent on account of the office. Moreover, a weighty +responsibility would then rest upon my shoulders, especially in the +present deplorable circumstances of the administration. Could I prevail +on my myself to accept the proffered situation, it would become my duty +to attempt a thorough reform in the thoughtless and extravagant +management of city affairs. You certainly cannot fail to perceive that +a reformer in this department would be the aim of dangerous +machinations. And lastly, sir, why is it that I individually have been +selected for appointments which are universally regarded as honorable +distinctions in public life? I repeat, why are they to be conferred, +upon me in particular who cannot flatter myself with enjoying very high +favor among the people of this city?" And there glistened something +like revengeful triumph in Shund's feline, eyes. "When you will have +given a satisfactory solution to these reflections and questions, it +may become possible for me to think of assenting to your proposal." + +Erdblatt had not anticipated a reception of this nature, and for a +moment he sat nonplussed. + +"I ask your pardon, Mr. Shund, you have taken the words fact and +decision in too positive a sense. What is a decided fact is that the +leaders of progress assign the honorable positions mentioned to you. Of +course it rests with you to accept or decline them. The motive of our +decision was, if you will pardon my candor, your distinguished talent +for economizing. It is plain to us that a man of your abilities and +thorough knowledge of local circumstances could by prudent management +and, by eliminating unnecessary expenditure, do much towards relieving +the deplorable condition of the city budget. We thought, moreover, that +your well-known philanthropy would not refuse the sacrifices of +personal exertion and unremitting activity for the public good. +Finally, as regards the disrespect to which you have alluded, I assure +you I knew nothing of it. The stupid and mad rabble may perhaps have +cast stones at you, but can or will you hold respectable men +responsible for their deeds? Progress has ever proudly counted you in +its ranks. We have always found you living according to the principles +of progress, despising the impotent yelping of a religiously besotted +mob. Be pleased to consider the tendered honors as amends for the +insults of intolerant fanatics in this city." + +"Your explanation, sir, is satisfactory. I shall accept. I am +particularly pleased to know that my conduct and principles are in +perfect accord with the spirit of progress. I am touched by the +flattering recognition of my greatly misconstrued position." + +The leader bowed graciously. + +"There now remains for me the pleasant duty," said he, "of requesting +you to honor with your presence a meeting of influential men who are to +assemble this evening in Mr. Schwefel's drawing-room. Particulars are +to be discussed there. The ultramontanes and democrats are turbulent +beyond all anticipation. We shall have to proceed with the greatest +caution about the delegate elections." + +"I shall be there without fail, sir! Now that I have made up my mind to +devote my experience to the interests of city and state, I cheerfully +enter into every measure which it lies in my power to further." + +"As you are out for the first time as candidate for the assembly," said +Erdblatt, "a declaration of your political creed addressed to a meeting +of the constituents would not fail of a good effect." + +"Agreed, sir! I shall take pleasure in making known my views in a +public speech." + +Erdblatt rose, and Mr. Hans Shund was condescending enough to reach the +mighty chieftain his hand as the latter took his leave. + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + ELECTIONEERING. + + +The four millions of the balcony are at present standing before two +suits of male apparel of the kind worn by the working class, +contemplating them with an interest one would scarcely expect from +millionaires in materials of so ordinary a quality. Spread out on the +elegant and costly table cover are two blouses of striped gray at +fifteen kreutzers a yard. There are, besides, two pairs of trowsers of +a texture well adapted to the temperature of the month of July. There +are also two neckties, sold at fairs for six kreutzers apiece. And, +lastly, two cheap caps with long broad peaks. These suits were intended +to serve as disguises for Seraphin and Carl on this evening, for the +banker did not consider it becoming gentlemen to visit electioneering +meetings, dressed in a costume in which they might be recognized. As +Greifmann's face was familiar to every street-boy, he had provided +himself with a false beard of sandy hue to complete his _incognito_. +For Seraphin this last adjunct was unnecessary, for he was a stranger, +was thus left free to exhibit his innocent countenance unmasked for the +gratification of curious starers. + +"This will be a pleasant change from the monotony of a banking house +existence," said the banker gleefully. "I enjoy this masquerade: it +enables me to mingle without constraint among the unconstrained. You +are going to see marvellous things to-night, friend Seraphin. If your +organs of hearing are not very sound, I advise you to provide yourself +with some cotton, so that the drums of your ears may not be endangered +from the noise of the election skirmish." + +"Your caution is far from inspiring confidence," said Louise with some +humor. "I charge it upon your soul that you bring back Mr. Gerlach safe +and sound, for I too am responsible for our guest." + +"And I, it seems, am less near to you than the guest, for you feel no +anxiety about me," said the brother archly. + +"Eight o'clock--it is our time." + +He pulled the bell. A servant carried off the suits to the gentlemen's +rooms. + +"May I beseech the men in blouses for the honor of a visit before they +go?" + +"You shall have an opportunity to admire us," said Carl. The +transformation of the young men was more rapidly effected than the +self-satisfied mustering of Louise before the large mirror which +reflected her elegant form entire. She laughingly welcomed her brother +in his sandy beard, and fixed a look of surprise upon Seraphin, whose +innocent person appeared to great advantage in the simple costume. + +"Impossible to recognize you," decided the young lady. "You, brother +Redbeard, look for all the world like a cattle dealer." + +"The gracious lady has hit it exactly," said the banker with an assumed +voice. "I am a horse jockey, bent on euchreing this young gentleman out +of a splendid pair of horses." + +"Friend Seraphin is most lovely," said she in an undertone. "How well +the country costume becomes him!" And her sparkling eyes darted +expressive glances at the subject of her compliments. + +For the first time she had called him friend, and the word friend made +him more happy than titles and honors that a prince might have +bestowed. He felt his soul kindle at the sight of the lovely being +whose delicate and bewitching coquetry the inexperienced youth failed +to detect, but the influence of which he was surely undergoing. His +cheeks glowed still more highly, and he became uneasy and embarrassed. + +"Your indulgent criticism is encouraging, Miss Louise," replied he. + +"I have merely told the truth," replied she. + +"But our hands--what are we to do with our hands?" interposed Carl. +"Soft white hands like these do not belong to drovers. First of all, +away with diamonds and rubies. Gold rings and precious stones are not +in keeping with blouses. Nor will it do, in hot weather like this, to +bring gloves to our aid--that's too bad! What _are_ we to do?" + +"Nobody will notice our hands," thought Seraphin. + +"My good fellow, you do not understand the situation. We are on the eve +of the election. Everybody is out electioneering. Whoever to-day visits +a public place must expect to be hailed by a thousand eyes, stared at, +criticised, estimated, appraised, and weighed. The deuce take these +hands! Good advice would really be worth something in this instance." + +"To a powerful imagination like your own," added Louise playfully. She +disappeared for a moment and then returned with a washbowl. Pouring the +contents of her inkstand into the water, she laughingly pointed them to +the dark mass. + +"Dip your precious hands in here, and you will make them correspond +with your blouses in color and appearance." + +"How ingenious she is!" cried Carl, following her direction. + +"Most assuredly nothing comes up to the ingenuity of women. We are +beautifully tattooed, our hands are horrible! We must give the stuff +time to dry. Had I only thought of it sooner, Louise, you should have +accompanied us disguised as a drover's daughter, and have drunk a +bumper of wine with us. The adventure might have proved useful to you, +and served as an addition to the sum of your experiences in life." + +"I will content myself with looking on from a distance," answered she +gaily. "The extraordinary progressionist movement that is going on +to-day might make it a difficult task even for a drover's daughter to +keep her footing." + +The two millionaires sallied forth, Carl making tremendous strides. +Seraphin followed mechanically, the potent charm of her parting glances +hovering around him. + +"We shall first steer for the sign of the 'Green Hat,'" said Greifmann. +"There you will hear a full orchestra of progressionist music, +especially trumpets and drums, playing flourishes on Hans Shund. 'The +Green Hat' is the largest beer cellar in the town, and the proprietor +ranks among the leaders next after housebuilder Sand. All the +representatives of the city _régime_ gather to-day at the establishment +of Mr. Belladonna--that's the name of the gentleman of the 'Green Hat.' +Besides the leaders, there will be upward of a thousand citizens, big +and small, to hold a preliminary celebration of election day. There +will also be 'wild men' on hand," proceeded Carl, explaining. "These +are citizens who in a manner float about like atoms in the bright +atmosphere of the times without being incorporated in any brilliant +body of progress. The main object of the leaders this evening is to +secure these so-called 'wild men' in favor of their ticket for the city +council. Glib-tongued agents will be employed to spread their nets to +catch the floating atoms--to tame these savages by means of smart +witticisms. When, at length, a prize is captured and the tide of +favorable votes runs high, it is towed into the safe haven of agreement +with the majority. Resistance would turn out a serious matter for a +mechanic, trader, shopkeeper, or any man whose position condemns him to +obtain his livelihood from others. Opposition to progress dooms every +man that is in a dependent condition to certain ruin. For these reasons +I have no misgivings about being able to convince you that elections +are a folly wherever the banner of progress waves triumphant." + +"The conviction with which you threaten me would be anything but +gratifying, for I abhor every form of terrorism," rejoined Seraphin. + +"Very well, my good fellow! But we must accustom ourselves to take +things as they are and not as they ought to be. Therefore, my youthful +Telemachus, you are under everlasting obligations to me, your +experienced Mentor, for procuring you an opportunity of becoming +acquainted with the world, and constraining you to think less well of +men than your generous heart would incline you to do." + +They had reached the outskirts of the city. A distant roaring, +resembling the sound of shallow waters falling, struck upon the ears of +the maskers. The noise grew more distinct as they advanced, and finally +swelled into the brawling and hum of many voices. Passing through a +wide gate-way, the millionaires entered a square ornamented with +maple-trees. Under the trees, stretching away into the distance, were +long rows of tables lit up by gaslights, and densely crowded with men +drinking beer and talking noisily. The middle of the square was +occupied by a rotunda elevated on columns, with a zinc roof, and +bestuck in the barbarous taste of the age with a profusion of tin +figures and plaster-of-paris ornaments. Beneath the rotunda, around a +circular table, sat the leaders and chieftains of progress, conspicuous +to all, and with a flood of light from numerous large gas-burners +streaming upon them. Between Sand and Schwefel was throned Hans Shund, +extravagantly dressed, and proving by his manner that he was quite at +his ease. Nothing in his deportment indicated that he had so suddenly +risen from general contempt to universal homage. Mr. Shund frequently +monopolized the conversation, and, when this was the case, the company +listened to his sententious words with breathless attention and many +marks of approbation. + +Mentor Greifmann conducted his ward to a retired corner, into which the +rays of light, intercepted by low branches, penetrated but faintly, and +from which a good view of the whole scene could be enjoyed. + +"Do you observe Hans there under the baldachin surrounded by his +vassals?" rouned Carl into his companion's ear. "Even you will be made +to feel that progress can lay claim to a touching spirit of magnanimity +and forgiveness. It is disposed to raise the degraded from the dust. +The man who only yesterday was engaged in shoving a car, sweeping +streets, or even worse, to-day may preside over the great council, +provided only he has the luck to secure the good graces of the princes +of progress. Hans Shund, thief, usurer, and nightwalker, is a most +striking illustration of my assertion." + +"What particularly disgusts and incenses me," replied the double +millionaire gravely, "is that, under the _régime_ of progress, they who +are degraded, immoral, and criminal, may rise to power without any +reformation of conduct and principles." + +"What you say is so much philosophy, my dear fellow, and philosophy is +an antique, obsolete kind of thing that has no weight in times when +continents are being cut asunder and threads of iron laid around the +globe. Moreover, such has ever been the state of things. In the dark +ages, also, criminals attained to power. Just think of those bloody +monarchs who trifled with human heads, and whose ministers, for the +sake of a patch of territory, stirred up horrible wars. Compared with +such monsters, Hans Shund is spotless innocence." + +"Quite right, sir," rejoined the landholder, with a smile. "Those +bloody kings and their satanic ministers were monsters--but only--and I +beg you to mark this well--only when judged by principles which modern +progress sneers at as stupid morality and senseless dogma. I even find +that those princely monsters and their conscienceless ministers shared +the species of enlightenment that prides itself on repudiating all +positive religion and moral obligations." + +"Thunder and lightning, Seraphin! were not you sitting bodily before +me, I should believe I was actually listening to a Jesuit. But be +quiet! It will not do to attract notice. Ah! splendid. There you see +some of the 'wild men,'" continued he, pointing to a table opposite. +"The fellow with the bald head and fox's face is an agent, a salaried +bellwether, a polished electioneer. He has the 'wild men' already +half-tamed. Watch how cleverly he will decoy them into the +progressionist camp. Let us listen to what he has to say; it will amuse +you, and add to your knowledge of the developments of progress." + +"We want men for the city council," spoke he of the bald head, "that +are accurately and thoroughly informed upon the condition and +circumstances of the city. Of what use would blockheads be but to fuss +and grope about blindly? What need have we of fellows whose stupidity +would compromise the public welfare? The men we want in our city +council must understand what measures the social, commercial, and +industrial interests of a city of thirty thousand inhabitants require +in order that the greatest good of the largest portion of the community +may be secured. Nor is this enough," proceeded he with increasing +enthusiasm. "Besides knowledge, experience, and judgment, they must +also be gifted with the necessary amount of energy to carry out +whatever orders the council has thought fit to pass. They must be +resolute enough to break down every obstacle that stands in the way of +the public good. Now, who are the men to render these services? None +but independent men who by their position need have no regard to others +placed above them--free-spirited and sensible men, who have a heart for +the people. Now, gentlemen, have you any objections to urge against my +views?" + +"None, Mr. Spitzkopf! Your views are perfectly sound," lauded a +semi-barbarian. "We have read exactly what you have been telling us in +the evening paper." + +"Of course, of course!" cried Mr. Spitzkopf. "My views are so evidently +correct that a thinking man cannot help stumbling upon them. None but +the slaves of priests, the wily brood of Jesuits, refuse to accept +these views," thundered the orator with the bald head. "And why do they +refuse to accept them? Because they are hostile to enlightenment, +opposed to the common good, opposed to the prosperity of mankind, in a +word, because they are the bitter enemies of progress. But take my word +for it, gentlemen, our city contains but a small number of these +creatures of darkness, and those few are spotted," emphasized he +threateningly. "Therefore, gentlemen," proceeded he insinuatingly, "I +am convinced, and every man of intelligence shares my conviction, that +Mr. Shund is eminently fitted for the city council--eminently! He would +be a splendid acquisition in behalf of the public interests! He +understands our local concerns thoroughly, possesses the experience of +many years, is conversant with business, knows what industrial pursuits +and social life require, and, what is better still, he maintains an +independent standing to which he unites a rare degree of activity. Were +it possible to prevail on Mr. Shund to take upon himself the cares of +the mayoralty, the deficit of the city treasury would soon be wiped +out. We would all have reason to consider ourselves fortunate in seeing +the interests of our city confided to such a man." + +The "wild men" looked perplexed. + +"Right enough, Mr. Spitzkopf," explained a timid coppersmith. "Shund is +a clever, well-informed man. Nobody denies this. But do you know that +it is a question whether, besides his clever head, he also possesses a +conscience in behalf of the commonwealth?" + +"The most enlarged sort of a conscience, gentlemen--the warmest kind of +a heart!" exclaimed the bald man in a convincing tone. "Don't listen to +stories that circulate concerning Shund. There is not a word of truth +in them. They are sheer misconstructions--inventions of the priests and +of their helots." + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Spitzkopf, they are not all inventions," +opposed the coppersmith. "In the street where I live, Shund keeps up a +certain connection that would not be proper for any decent person, not +to say for a married man." + +"And does that scandalize you?" exclaimed the bald-headed agent +merrily. "Mr. Shund is a jovial fellow, he enjoys life, and is rich. +Mr. Shund will not permit religious rigorism to put restraints upon his +enjoyments. His liberal and independent spirit scorns to lead a +miserable existence under the rod of priestly bigotry. And, mark ye, +gentlemen, this is just what recommends him to all who are not +priest-ridden or leagued with the hirelings of Rome," concluded the +electioneer, casting a sharp look upon the coppersmith. + +"But I am a Lutheran, Mr. Spitzkopf," protested the coppersmith. + +"There are hypocrites among the Lutherans who are even worse than the +Romish Jesuits," retorted the man with the bald head. "Consider, +gentlemen, that the leading men of our city have, in consideration of +his abilities, concluded to place Mr. Shund in the position which he +ought to occupy. Are you going, on to-morrow, to vote against the +decision of the leading men? Are you actually going to make yourselves +guilty of such an absurdity? You may, of course, if you wish, for every +citizen is free to do as he pleases. But the men of influence are also +at liberty to do as they please. I will explain my meaning more fully. +You, gentlemen, are, all of you, mechanics--shoemakers, tailors, +blacksmiths, carpenters, etc. From whom do you get your living? Do you +get it from the handful of hypocrites and men of darkness? No; you get +your living from the liberals, for they are the moneyed men, the men of +power and authority. It is they who scatter money among the people. You +obtain employment, you get bread and meat, from the liberals. And now +to whom, do you think, will the liberals give employment? They will +give it to such as hold their views, and not--mark my word--to such as +are opposed to them. The man, therefore, that is prepared recklessly to +ruin his business has only to vote against Mr. Shund." + +"That will do the business, that will fetch them," said Greifmann. +"Just look how dumfounded the poor savages appear!" + +"It is brutal terrorism!" protested Seraphin indignantly. + +"But don't misunderstand me. Mr. Spitzkopf! I am neither a hypocritical +devotee nor a Jesuit!" exclaimed the coppersmith deprecatingly. "If +Shund is good enough for them," pointing to the leaders under the +rotunda, "he is good enough for me." + +"For me, too!" exclaimed a tailor. + +"There isn't a worthier man than Shund," declared a shopkeeper. + +"And not a cleverer," said a carpenter. + +"And none more demoralized," lauded a joiner, unconscious of the import +of his encomium. + +"That's so, and therefore I am satisfied with him," assured a +shoemaker. + +"So am I--so am I," chorussed the others eagerly. + +"That is sensible, gentlemen," approved the bald man. "Just keep in +harmony with liberalism and progress, and you will never be the worse +for it, gentlemen. Above all, beware of reaction--do not fall back into +the immoral morasses of the middle ages. Let us guard the light and +liberty of our beautiful age. Vote for these men," and he produced a +package of printed tickets, "and you will enjoy the delightful +consciousness of having disposed of your vote in the interests of the +common good." + +Spitzkopf distributed the tickets on which were the names of the +councilmen elect. At the head of the list appeared in large characters +the name of Mr. Hans Shund. + +"The curtain falls, the farce is ended," said Greifmann. "What you have +here heard and seen has been repeated at every table where 'wild men' +chanced to make their appearance. Everywhere the same arguments, the +same grounds of conviction." + +Seraphin had become quite grave, and cast his eyes to the ground in +silence. + +"By Jove, the rogue is going to try his hand on us!" said Carl, nudging +the thoughtful young man. "The bald-headed fellow has spied us, and is +getting ready to bag a couple of what he takes to be 'wild men.' Come, +let us be off." + +They left the beer cellar and took the direction of the city. + +"Now let us descend a little lower, to what I might call the amphibia +of society," said Greifmann. "We are going to visit a place where +masons, sawyers, cobblers, laborers, and other small fry are in the +habit of slaking their thirst. You will there find going on the same +sort of electioneering, or, as you call it, the same sort of terrorism, +only in a rougher style. There beer-jugs occasionally go flying about, +and bloody heads and rough-and-tumble, fights may be witnessed." + +"I have no stomach for fisticuffs and whizzing beer-mugs," said +Gerlach. + +"Never mind, come along. I have undertaken to initiate you into the +mysteries of elections, and you are to get a correct idea of the life +action of a cultivated state." + +They entered an obscure alley where a fetid, sultry atmosphere assailed +them. Greifmann stopped before a lofty house, and pointed to a +transparency on which a brimming beer-tankard was represented. A wild +tumult was audible through the windows, through which the cry of +"Shund!" rose at times like the swell of a great wave from the midst of +corrupted waters. As they were passing the doorway a dense fog of +tobacco smoke mingled with divers filthy odors assailed their nostrils. +Seraphin, who was accustomed to inhaling the pure atmosphere of the +country, showed an inclination to retreat, and had already half-way +faced about when his companion seized and held him. "Courage, my +friend! wade into the slough boldly," cried he into the struggling +youth's ear. "Hereafter, when you will be riding through woodland and +meadows, the recollection of this subterranean den will enable you to +appreciate the pure atmosphere of the country twice as well. Look at +those sodden faces and swollen heads. Those fellows are literally +wallowing and seething in beer, and they feel as comfortable as ten +thousand cannibals. It is really a joy to be among men who are +natural." + +The millionaires, having with no little difficulty succeeded in finding +seats, were accosted by a female waiter. + +"Do the gentlemen wish to have election beer?" + +"No," replied Gerlach. + +His abrupt tone in declining excited the surprise of the fellows who +sat next to them. Several of them stared at the landholder. + +"So you don't want any election beer?" cried a fellow who was pretty +well fired. + +"Why not? May be it isn't good enough for you?" + +"Oh, yes! oh, yes!" replied the banker hastily. "You see, Mr. Shund"-- + +"That's good! You call me Shund," interrupted the fellow with a coarse +laugh. "My name isn't Shund--my name is Koenig--yes, Koenig--with all +due respect to you." + +"Well, Mr. Koenig--you see, Mr. Koenig, we decline drinking election +beer because we are not entitled to it--we do not belong to this +place." + +"Ah, yes--well, that's honest!" lauded Koenig. "Being that you are a +couple of honest fellows, you must partake of some of the good things +of our feast. I say, Kate," cried he to the female waiter, "bring these +gentlemen some of the election sausages." + +Greifmann, perceiving that Seraphin was about putting in a protest, +nudged him. + +"What feast are you celebrating to-day?" inquired the banker. + +"That I will explain to you. We are to have an election here to-morrow; +these men on the ticket, you see, are to be elected." And he drew forth +one of Spitzkopf's tickets. "Every one of us has received a ticket like +this, and we are all going to vote according to the ticket--of course, +you know, we don't do it for nothing. To-day and to-morrow, what we eat +and drink is free of charge. And if Satan's own grandmother were on the +ticket, I would vote for her." + +"The first one on the list is Mr. Hans Shund. What sort of a man is +he?" asked Seraphin. "No doubt he is the most honorable and most +respectable man in the place!" + +"Ha! ha! that's funny! The most honorable man in the place! Really you +make me laugh. Never mind, however, I don't mean to be impolite. You +are a stranger hereabout, and cannot, of course, be expected to know +anything of it. Shund, you see, was formerly--that, is a couple of days +ago--Shund was a man of whom nobody knew any good. For my part, I +wouldn't just like to be sticking in Shund's hide. Well, that's the way +things are: you know it won't do to babble it all just as it is. But +you understand me. To make a long story short, since day before +yesterday Shund is the honestest man in the world. Our men of money +have made him that, you know," giving a sly wink. "What the men of +money do, is well done, of course, for the proverb says, 'Whose bread I +eat, his song I sing.'" + +"Shut your mouth, Koenig! What stuff is that you are talking there?" +said another fellow roughly. "Hans Shund is a free-spirited, clever, +first-class, distinguished man. Taken altogether, he is a liberal man. +For this reason he will be elected councilman to-morrow, then mayor of +the city, and finally member of the assembly." + +"That's so, that's so, my partner is right," confirmed Koenig. "But +listen, Flachsen, you will agree that formerly--you know, formerly--he +was an arrant scoundrel." + +"Why was he? Why?" inquired Flachsen. + +"Why? Ha, ha! I say, Flachsen, go to Shund's wife, she can tell you +best. Go to those whom he has reduced to beggary, for instance, to Holt +over there. They all can tell you what Shund is, or rather what he has +been. But don't get mad, brother Flachsen! Spite of all that, I shall +vote for Shund. That's settled." And he poured the contents of his +beer-pot down his throat. + +"As you gentlemen are strangers, I will undertake to explain this +business for you," said Flachsen, who evidently was an agent for the +lower classes, and who did his best to put on an appearance of learning +by affecting high-sounding words of foreign origin. + +"Shund is quite a rational man, learned and full of intelligence. But +the priests have calumniated him horribly because he will not howl with +them. For this reason we intend to elect him, not for the sake of the +free beer. When Shund will have been elected, a system of economy will +be inaugurated, taxes will be removed, and the encyclical letter with +which the Pope has tried to stultify the people, together with the +syllabus, will be sent to the dogs. And in the legislative assembly the +liberal-minded Shund will manage to have the priests excluded from the +schools, and we will have none but secular schools. In short, the +dismal rule of the priesthood that would like to keep the people in +leading-strings will be put an end to, and liberal views will control +our affairs. As for Shund's doings outside of legitimate wedlock, that +is one of the boons of liberty--it is a right of humanity; and when +Koenig lets loose against Shund's money speculations, he is only +talking so much bigoted nonsense." + +Flachsen's apologetic discourse was interrupted by a row that took +place at the next table. There sat a victim of Shund's usury, the +land-cultivator Holt. He drank no beer, but wine, to dispel gloomy +thoughts and the temptations of desperation. It had cost him no +ordinary struggle to listen quietly to eulogies passed on Shund. He had +maintained silence, and had at times smiled a very peculiar smile. His +bruised heart must have suffered a fearful contraction as he heard men +sounding the praises of a wretch whom he knew to be wicked and devoid +of conscience. For a long time he succeeded in restraining himself. But +the wine he had drunk at last fanned his smouldering passion into a hot +flame of rage, and, clenching his fist, he struck the table violently. + +"The fellow whom you extol is a scoundrel!" cried he. + +"Who is a scoundrel?" roared several voices. + +"Your man, your councilman, your mayor, is a scoundrel! Shund is a +scoundrel!" cried the ruined countryman passionately. + +"And you, Holt, are a fool!" + +"You are drunk, Holt!" + +"Holt is an ass," maintained Flachsen. "He cannot read, otherwise he +would have seen in the _Evening Gazette_ that Shund is a man of honor, +a friend of the people, a progressive man, a liberal man, a brilliant +genius, a despiser of religion, a death-dealer to superstition, +a--a--I don't remember what all besides. Had you read all that in the +evening paper, you fool, you wouldn't presume to open your foul mouth +against a man of honor like Hans Shund. Yes, stare; if you had read the +evening paper, you would have seen the enumeration of the great +qualities and deeds of Hans Shund in black and white." + +"The evening paper, indeed!" cried Holt contemptuously. "Does the +evening paper also mention how Shund brought about the ruin of the +father of a family of eight children?" + +"What's that you say, you dog?" yelled a furious fellow. "That's a lie +against Shund!" + +"Easy, Graeulich, easy," replied Holt to the last speaker, who was +about to set upon him. "It is not a lie, for I am the man whom Shund +has strangled with his usurer's clutches. He has reduced me to +beggary--me and my wife and my children." + +Graeulich lowered his fists, for Holt spoke so convincingly, and the +anguish in his face appealed so touchingly, that the man's fury was in +an instant changed to sympathy. Holt had stood up. He related at length +the wily and unscrupulous proceedings through which he had been brought +to ruin. The company listened to his story, many nodded in token of +sympathy, for everybody was acquainted with the ways of the hero of the +day. + +"That's the way Shund has made a beggar of me," concluded Holt. "And I +am not the only one, you know it well. If, then, I call Shund a usurer, +a scoundrel, a villain, you cannot help agreeing with me." + +Flachsen noticed with alarm that the feeling of the company was +becoming hostile to his cause. He approached the table, where he was +met by perplexed looks from his aids. + +"Don't you perceive," cried he, "that Holt is a hireling of the +priests? Will you permit yourselves to be imposed upon by this salaried +slave? Hear me, you scapegrace, you rascal, you ass, listen to what I +have to tell you! Hans Shund is the lion of the day--the greatest man +of this century! Hans Shund is greater than Bismarck, sharper than +Napoleon. Out of nothing God made the universe: from nothing Hans Shund +has got to be a rich man. Shund has a mouthpiece that moves like a +mill-wheel on which entire streams fall. In the assembly Shund will +talk down all opposition. He will talk even better than that fellow +Voelk, over in Bavaria, who is merely a lawyer, but talks upon +everything, even things he knows nothing about. And do you, lousy +beggar, presume to malign a man of this kind? If you open that filthy +mouth of yours once more, I will stop it for you with paving-stones." + +"Hold, Flachsen, hold! _I_ am not the man that is paid; you are the one +that is paid," retorted the countryman indignantly. "My mouth has not +been honey-fed like yours. Nor do I drink your election beer or eat +your election sausages. But with my last breath I will maintain that +Shund is a scoundrel, a usurer, a villain." + +"Out with the fellow!" cried Flachsen. "He has insulted us all, for we +have all been drinking election beer. Out with the helot of the +priests!" + +The progressionist mob fell upon the unhappy man, throttled him, beat +him, and drove him into the street. + +"Let us leave this den of cutthroats," said Gerlach, rising. + +Outside they found Holt leaning against a wall, wiping the blood from +his face. Seraphin approached him. "Are you badly hurt, my good man?" +asked he kindly. The wounded man, looking up, saw a noble countenance +before him, and, whilst he continued to gaze hard at Seraphin's fine +features, tears began to roll from his eyes. + +"O God! O God!" sighed he, and then relapsed into silence. But in the +tone of his words could be noticed the terrible agony he was suffering. + +"Is the wound deep--is it dangerous?" asked the young man. + +"No, sir, no! The wound on my forehead is nothing--signifies nothing; +but in here," pointing to his breast--"in here are care, anxiety, +despair. I am thankful, sir, for your sympathy; it is soothing. But you +may go your way; the blows signify nothing." + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + +Gerlach whispered something to the banker. Holt pressed his +pocket-handkerchief to the wound. + +"Please yourself!" said the banker loudly, in a business tone. Seraphin +again approached the beaten man. + +"Will you please, my good man, to accompany us?" + +"What for, sir?" + +"Because I would like to do something towards healing up your wound; I +mean the wound in there." + +Holt stood motionless before the stranger, and looked at him. + +"I thank you, sir; there is no remedy for me; I am doomed!" + +"Still, I will assist you. Follow me." + +"Who are you, sir, if I may ask the question?" + +"I am a man whom Providence seems to have chosen to rescue the prey +from the jaws of a usurer. Come along with us, and fear nothing." + +"Very well, I will go in the name of God! I do not precisely know your +object, and you are a stranger to me. But your countenance looks +innocent and kind, therefore I will go with you." + +They passed through alleys and streets. + +"Do you often visit that tavern?" inquired Seraphin. + +"Not six times in a year," answered Holt. "Sometimes of a Sunday I +drink half a glass of wine, that's all. I am poor, and have to be +saving. I would not have gone to the tavern to-day but that I wanted to +get rid of my feelings of misery." + +"I overheard your story," rejoined Seraphin. "Shund's treatment of you +was inhuman. He behaved towards you like a trickish devil." + +"That he did! And I am ruined together with my family," replied the +poor man dejectedly. + +"Take my advice, and never abuse Shund. You know how respectable he has +suddenly got to be, how many influential friends he has. You can easily +perceive that one cannot say anything unfavorable of such a man without +great risk, no matter were it true ten times over." + +"I am not given to disputing," replied Holt. "But it stirred the bile +within me to hear him extolled, and it broke out. Oh! I have learned to +suffer in silence. I haven't time to think of other matters. After God, +my business and my family were my only care. I attended to my +occupation faithfully and quietly as long as I had any to attend to, +but now I haven't any to take care of. O God! it is hard. It will bring +me to the grave." + +"You are a land cultivator?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Shund intends to have you sold out?" + +"Yes; immediately after the election he intends to complete my ruin." + +"How much money would you need in order with industry to get along?" + +"A great deal of money, a great deal--at least a thousand florins. I +have given him a mortgage for a thousand florins on my house and what +was left to me. A thousand florins would suffice to help me out of +trouble. I might save my little cottage, my two cows, and a field. I +might then plough and sow for other people. I could get along and +subsist honestly. But as I told you, nothing less than a thousand +florins would do; and where am I to get so much money? You see there is +no hope for me, no help for me. I am doomed!" + +"The mortgaged property is considerable," said Gerlach. "A house, even +though a small one, moreover, a field, a barn, a garden, all these +together are surely worth a much higher price. Could you not borrow a +thousand florins on it and pay off the usurer?" + +"No, sir. Nobody would be willing to lend me that amount of money upon +property mortgaged to a man like Shund. Besides, my little property is +out of town, and who wants to go there? I, for my part, of course, like +no spot as much, for it is the house my father built, and I was born +and brought up there." + +The man lapsed into silence, and walked at Seraphin's side like one +weighed down by a heavy load. The delicate sympathy of the young man +enabled him to guess what was passing in the breast of the man under +the load. He knew that Holt was recalling his childhood passed under +the paternal roof; that little spot of home was hallowed for him by +events connected with his mother, his father, his brothers and sisters, +or with other objects more trifling, which, however, remained fresh and +bright in memory, like balmy days of spring. + +From this consecrated spot he was to be exiled, driven out with wife +and children, through the inhumanity and despicable cunning of an +usurer. The man heaved a deep sigh, and Gerlach, watching him sidewise, +noticed his lips were compressed, and that large tears rolled down his +weather-browned cheeks. The tender heart of the young man was deeply +affected at this sight, and the millionaire for once rejoiced in the +consciousness of possessing the might of money. + +They halted before the Palais Greifmann. Holt noticed with surprise how +the man in blouse drew from his waistcoat pocket a small instrument +resembling a toothpick, and with it opened a door near the carriage +gate. Had not every shadow of suspicion been driven from Holt's mind by +Seraphin's appearance, he would surely have believed that he had fallen +into the company of burglars, who entrapped him to aid in breaking into +this palace. + +Reluctantly, after repeated encouragement from Gerlach, he crossed the +threshold of the stately mansion. He had not quite passed the door when +he took off his cap, stared at the costly furniture of the hall through +which they were passing, and was reminded of St. Peter's thought as the +angel was rescuing him from the clutches of Herod. Holt imagined he saw +a vision. The man who had unlocked the door disappeared. Seraphin +entered an apartment followed by Shund's victim. + +"Do you know where you are?" inquired the millionaire. + +"Yes, sir, in the house of Mr. Greifmann the banker." + +"And you are somewhat surprised, are you not?" + +"I am so much astonished, sir, that I have several times pinched my +arms and legs, for it all seems to me like a dream." + +Seraphin smiled and laid aside his cap. Holt scanned the noble features +of the young man more minutely, his handsome face, his stately bearing, +and concluded the man in the blouse must be some distinguished +gentleman. + +"Take courage," said the noble looking young man in a kindly tone. "You +shall be assisted. I am convinced that you are an honest, industrious +man, brought to the verge of ruin through no fault of your own. Nor do +I blame you for inadvertently falling into the nets of the usurer, for +I believe your honest nature never suspected that there could exist so +fiendish a monster as the one that lives in the soul of an usurer." + +"You may rely upon it, sir. If I had had the slightest suspicion of +such a thing, Shund never would have got me into his clutches." + +"I am convinced of it. You are partially the victim of your own good +nature, and partially the prey of the wild beast Shund. Now listen to +me: Suppose somebody were to give you a thousand florins, and to say: +'Holt, take this money, 'tis yours. Be industrious, get along, be a +prudent housekeeper, serve God to the end of your days, and in future +beware of usurers'--suppose somebody were to address you in this way, +what would you do?" + +"Supposing the case, sir, although it is not possible, but supposing +the case, what would I do? I would do precisely what that person would +have told me, and a great deal more. I would work day and night. Every +day, at evening prayer, I would get on my knees with my wife and +children, and invoke God's protection on that person. I would do that, +sir; but, as I said, the case is impossible." + +"Nevertheless, suppose it did happen," explained Seraphin in a +preliminary way. "Give me your hand that you will fulfil the promise +you have just given." + +For a moment Seraphin's hand lay in a callous, iron palm, which pressed +his soft fingers in an uncomfortable but well-meant grasp. + +"Well, now follow me," said Gerlach. + +He led the way; Holt followed with an unsteady step like a drunken man. +They presented themselves before the banker's counter. The latter was +standing behind the trellis of his desk, and on a table lay ten rolls +of money. + +"You have just now by word and hand confirmed a promise," said Gerlach, +turning to the countryman, "which cannot be appreciated in money, for +that promise comprises almost all the duties of the father of a family. +But to make the fulfilment of the promise possible, a thousand florins +are needed. Here lies the money. Accept it from me as a gift, and be +happy." + +Holt did not stir. He looked from the money at Gerlach, was motionless +and rigid, until, at last, the paralyzing surprise began to resolve +itself into a spasmodic quivering of the lips, and then into a mighty +flood of tears. Seizing Seraphin's hands, he kissed them with an +emotion that convulsed his whole being. + +"That will do now," said the millionaire, "take the money, and go +home." + +"My God! I cannot find utterance," said Holt, stammering forth the +words with difficulty. "Good heaven! is it possible? Is it true? I am +still thinking 'tis only a dream." + +"Downright reality, my man!" said the banker. "Stop crying; save your +tears for a more fitting occasion. Put the rolls in your pocket, and go +home." + +Greifmann's coldness was effective in sobering down the man intoxicated +with joy. + +"May I ask, sir, what your name is, that I may at least know to whom I +owe my rescue?" + +"Seraphin is my name." + +"Your name sounds like an angel's, and you are an angel to me. I am not +acquainted with you, but God knows you, and he will requite you +according to your deeds." + +Gerlach nodded gravely. The banker was impatient and murmured +discontentedly. Holt carefully pocketed the rolls of money, made an +inclination of gratitude to Gerlach, and went out. He passed slowly +through the hall. The porter opened the door. Holt stood still before +him. + +"I ask your pardon, but do you know Mr. Seraphin?" asked he. + +"Why shouldn't I know a gentleman that has been our guest for the last +two weeks?" + +"You must pardon my presumption, Mr. Porter. Will Mr. Seraphin remain +here much longer?" + +"He will remain another week for certain." + +"I am very much obliged to you," said Holt, passing into the street and +hurrying away. + +"Your intended has a queer way of applying his money," said the banker +to his sister the next morning. And he reported to her the story of +Seraphin's munificence. "I do not exactly like this sort of kindness, +for it oversteps all bounds, and undoubtedly results from religious +enthusiasm." + +"That, too, can be cured," replied Louise confidently. "I will make him +understand that eternity restores nothing, that consequently it is +safer and more prudent to exact interest from the present." + +"'Tis true, the situation of that fellow Holt was a pitiable one, and +Hans Shund's treatment of him was a masterpiece of speculation. He had +stripped the fellow completely. The stupid Holt had for years been +laboring for the cunning Shund, who continued drawing his meshes more +and more tightly about him. Like a huge spider, he leisurely sucked out +the life of the fly he had entrapped." + +"Your hostler says there was light in Seraphin's room long after +midnight. I wonder what hindered him from sleeping?" + +"That is not hard to divine. In all probability he was composing a +sentimental ditty to his much adored," answered Carl teasingly. +"Midnight is said to be a propitious time for occupations of that +sort." + +"Do be quiet, you tease! But I too was thinking that he must have been +engaged in writing. May be he was making a memorandum of yesterday's +experience in his journal." + +"May be he was. At all events, the impressions made on him were very +strong." + +"But I do not like your venture; it may turn out disastrous," + +"How can it, my most learned sister?" + +"You know Seraphin's position," explained she. "He has been reared in +the rigor of sectarian credulity. The spirit of modern civilization +being thus abruptly placed before his one-sided judgment without +previous preparation may alarm, nay, may even disgust him. And when +once he will have perceived that the brother is a partisan of the +horrible monster, is it probable that he will feel favorably disposed +towards the sister whose views harmonize with those of her brother?" + +"I have done nothing to justify him in setting me down for a partisan. +I maintain strict neutrality. My purpose is to accustom the weakling to +the atmosphere of enlightenment which is fatal to all religious +phantasms. Have no fear of his growing cold towards you," proceeded he +in his customary tone of irony. "Your ever victorious power holds +him spell-bound in the magic circle of your enchantment. Besides, +Louise," continued he frowning, "I do not think I could tolerate a +brother-in-law steeped over head and ears in prejudices. You yourself +might find it highly uncomfortable to live with a husband of this +kind." + +"Uncomfortable! No, I would not. I would find it exciting, for it would +become my task to train and cultivate an abnormal specimen of the male +gender." + +"Very praiseworthy, sister! And if I now endeavor by means of living +illustrations to familiarize your intended with the nature of modern +intellectual enlightenment, I am merely preparing the way for your +future labors." + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + MASTERS AND SLAVES. + + +Under the much despised discipline of religious requirements, the child +Seraphin had grown up to boyhood spotless in morals, and then had +developed himself into a young man of great firmness of character, +whose faith was as unshaken as the correctness of his behavior was +constant. + +The bloom of his cheeks, the innocent brightness of his eye, the +suavity of his disposition, were the natural results of the training +which his heart had received. No foul passion had ever disturbed the +serenity of his soul. When under the smiling sky of a spring morning he +took his ride over the extensive possessions of his father, his +interior accorded perfectly with the peace and loveliness of the sights +and sounds of blooming nature around him. On earth, however, no spring, +be it ever so beautiful, is entirely safe from storms. Evil spirits lie +in waiting in the air, dark powers threaten destruction to all blossoms +and all incipient life. And the more inevitable is the dread might of +those lurking spirits, that in every blossom of living plant lies +concealed a germ of ruin, sleeps a treacherous passion--even in the +heart of the innocent Seraphin. + +The strategic arts of the beautiful young lady received no small degree +of additional power from the genuine effort made by her to please the +stately double millionaire. In a short time she was to such an extent +successful that one day Carl rallied her in the following humorous +strain: "Your intended is sitting in the arbor singing a most dismal +song! You will have to allow him a little more line, Louise, else you +run the risk of unsettling his brain. Moreover, I cannot be expected to +instruct a man in the mysteries of progress, if he sees, feels, and +thinks nothing but Louise." + +The banker had not uttered an exaggeration. It sometimes happens that a +first love bursts forth with an impetuosity so uncontrollable, that, +for a time, every other domain of the intellectual and moral nature of +a young man is, as it were, submerged under a mighty flood. This +temporary inundation of passion cannot, of course, maintain its high +tide in presence of calm experience, and the sunshine of more ripened +knowledge soon dries up its waters. But Seraphin possessed only the +scanty experience of a young man, and his knowledge of the world was +also very limited. Hence, in his case, the stream rose alarmingly high, +but it did not reach an overflow, for the hand of a pious mother had +thrown up in the heart of the child a living dike strong enough to +resist the greatest violence of the swell. The height and solidity of +the dike increased with the growth of the child; it was a bulwark of +defence for the man, who stood secure against humiliating defeats +behind the adamantine wall of religious principles--yet only so long as +life sought protection behind this bulwark. Faith uttered a serious +warning against an unconditional surrender of himself to the object of +his attachment. For he could not put to rest some misgivings raised in +his mind by the strange and, to him, inexplicable attitude which Louise +assumed upon the highest questions of human existence. The uninitiated +youth had no suspicion of the existence of that most disgusting product +of modern enlightenment, the _emancipated_ female. Had he discovered in +Louise the emancipated woman in all the ugliness of her real nature, he +would have conceived unutterable loathing for such a monstrosity. And +yet he could not but feel that between himself and Louise there yawned +an abyss, there existed an essential repulsion, which, at times, gave +rise within him to considerable uneasiness. + +To obtain a solution of the enigma of this antipathy, the young +gentleman concluded to trust entirely to the results of his +observations, which, however, were far from being definitive; for his +reason was imposed upon by his feelings, and, from day to day, the +charms of the beautiful woman were steadily progressing in throwing a +seductive spell over his judgment. The banker's daughter possessed a +high degree of culture; she was a perfect mistress of the tactics +employed on the field of coquetry; her tact was exquisite; and she +understood thoroughly how to take advantage of a kindly disposition and +of the tenderness inspired by passion. How was the eye of Seraphin, +strengthened neither by knowledge nor by experience, to detect the true +worth of what lay hidden beneath this fascinating delusion? + +Here again his religious training came to the rescue of the +inexperienced youth, by furnishing him with standards safe and +unfalsified, by which to weigh and come to a conclusion. + +Louise's indifference to practices of piety annoyed him. She never +attended divine service, not even on Sundays. He never saw her with a +prayer-book, nor was a single picture illustrative of a moral subject +to be found hung up in her apartment. Her conversation, at all times, +ran upon commonplaces of everyday concern, such as the toilet, theatre, +society. He noticed that whenever he ventured to launch matter of a +more serious import upon the current of conversation, it immediately +became constrained and soon ceased to flow. Louise appeared to his +heart at the same time so fascinating and yet so peculiar, so seductive +and yet so repulsive, that the contradictions of her being caused him +to feel quite unhappy. + +He was again sitting in his room thinking about her. In the interview +he had just had with her, the young lady had exerted such admirable +powers of womanly charms that the poor young man had had a great deal +of trouble to maintain his self-possession. Her ringing, mischievous +laugh was still sounding in his ears, and the brightness of her +sparkling, eyes was still lighting up his memory. And the unsuspecting +youth had no Solomon at his side to repeat to him: "My son, can a man +hide fire in his bosom, and his garments not burn? Or can he walk upon +hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?... She entangleth him with many +words, and she draweth him away with the flattery of her lips. +Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb +playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to +bonds, till the arrow pierce his liver. As if a bird should make haste +to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger. Now, +therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let +not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with +her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have +been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, reaching even to the +inner chambers of death."[1] + +For Seraphin, however, no Solomon was at hand who might give him +counsel. Sustained by his virtue and by his faith alone, he struggled +against the temptress, not precisely of the kind referred to by +Solomon, but still a dangerous one from the ranks of progress. + +Greifmann had notified him that the general assembly election was to be +held that day, that Mayor Hans Shund would certainly be returned as a +delegate, and that he intended to call for Gerlach, and go out to watch +the progress of the election. + +Seraphin felt rather indifferent respecting the election; but he would +have considered himself under weighty obligation to the brother for an +explanation of the peculiar behavior of the sister at which he was so +greatly perplexed. + +Carl himself he had for a while regarded as an enigma. Now, however, he +believed that he had reached a correct conclusion concerning the +brother. It appeared to him that the principal characteristic of Carl's +disposition was to treat every subject, except what strictly pertained +to business, in a spirit of levity. To the faults of others Carl was +always ready to accord a praiseworthy degree of indulgence, he never +uttered harsh words in a tone of bitterness, and when he pronounced +censure, his reproof was invariably clothed in some form of pleasantry. +In general, he behaved like a man not having time to occupy himself +seriously with any subject that did not lie within the particular +sphere of his occupation. Even their wager he managed like a matter of +business, although the landowner could not but take umbrage at the +banker's ready and natural way of dealing with men whose want of +principle he himself abominated. Greifmann seemed good-natured, minute, +and cautious in business, and in all other things exceedingly liberal +and full of levity. Such was the judgment arrived at by Seraphin, +inexperienced and little inclined to fault-finding as he was, +respecting a gentleman who stood at the summit of modern culture, who +had skill in elegantly cloaking great faults and foibles, and whose +sole religion consisted in the accumulation of papers and coins of +arbitrary value. + +Gerlach's servant entered, and disturbed his meditation. + +"There is a man here with a family who begs hard to be allowed to speak +with you." + +"A man with a family!" repeated the millionaire, astonished. "I know +nobody round here, and have no desire to form acquaintances." + +"The man will not be denied. He says his name is Holt, and that he has +something to say to you." + +"Ah, yes!" exclaimed Seraphin, with a smile that revealed a pleasant +surprise. "Send the man and those who are with him in to me." + +Closing a diary, in which he was recording circumstantially the +experiences of his present visit, he awaited the visitors. A loud knock +from a weighty fist reminded him of a pair of callous hands, then Holt, +followed by his wife and children, presented himself before his +benefactor. They all made a small courtesy, even the flaxen-headed +little children, and the bright, healthy babe in the arms of the mother +met his gaze with the smile of an angel. The dark spirits that were +hovering around him, torturing and tempting, instantly vanished, and he +became serene and unconstrained whilst conversing with these simple +people. + +"You must excuse us, Mr. Seraphin," began Holt. "This is my wife, and +these are seven of my children. There is one more; her name is +Mechtild. She had to stay at home and mind the house. She will pay you +an extra visit, and present her thanks. We have called that you might +become acquainted with the family whom you have rescued, and that we +might thank you with all our hearts." + +After this speech, the father gave a signal, whereupon the little ones +gathered around the amiable young man, made their courtesies, and +kissed his hands. + +"May God bless you, Mr. Seraphin!" first spoke a half-grown girl. + +"We greet you, dear Seraphin!" said another, five years old. + +"We pray for you every day, Mr. Seraphin," said the next in succession. + +"We are thankful to you from our hearts, Mr. Seraphin," spoke a small +lad, in a tone of deep earnestness. + +And thus did every child deliver its little address. It was touching to +witness the noble dignity of the children, which may, at times, be +found beautifully investing their innocence. Gerlach was moved. He +looked down upon the little ones around him with an expression of +affectionate thankfulness. Holt's lips also quivered, and bright tears +of happiness streamed from the eyes of the mother. + +"I am obliged to you, my little friends, for your greetings and for +your prayers," spoke the millionaire. "You are well brought up. +Continue always to be good children, such as you now are; have the fear +of God, and honor your parents." + +"Mr. Seraphin," said Holt, drawing a paper from his pocket, "here is +the note that I have redeemed with the money you gave me. I wanted to +show it to you, so that you might know for certain that the money had +been applied to the proper purpose." + +Gerlach affected to take an interest in the paper, and read over the +receipt. + +"But there is one thing, Mr. Seraphin," continued Holt, "that grieves +me. And that is, that there is not anything better than mere words with +which I can testify my gratitude to you. I would like ever so much to +do something for you--to do something for you worth speaking of. Do you +know, Mr. Seraphin, I would be willing to shed the last drop of my +blood for you?" + +"Never mind that, Holt! It is ample recompense for me to know that I +have helped a worthy man out of trouble. You can now, Mrs. Holt, set to +work with renewed courage. But," added he archly, "you will have to +watch your husband that he may not again fall into the clutches of +beasts of prey like Shund." + +"He has had to pay dearly for his experience, Mr. Seraphin. I used +often to say to him: 'Michael, don't trust Shund. Shund talks too much, +he is too sweet altogether, he has some wicked design upon us--don't +trust him.' But, you see, Mr. Seraphin, my husband thinks that all +people are as upright as he is himself, and he believed that Shund +really meant to deal fairly as he pretended. But Michael's wits are +sharpened now, and he will not in future be so ready to believe every +man upon his word. Nor will he, hereafter, borrow one single penny, and +he will never again undertake to buy anything unless he has the money +in hand to pay for it." + +"In what street do you live?" inquired Gerlach. + +"Near the turnpike road, Mr. Seraphin. Do you see that knoll?" He +pointed through the window in a direction unobstructed by the trees of +the garden. "Do you see that dense shade-tree, and yon whitewashed wall +behind the tree? That is our walnut-tree--my grandfather planted it. +And the white wall is the wall of our house." + +"I have passed there twice--the road leads to the beech grove," said +the millionaire. "I remarked the little cottage, and was much pleased +with its air of neatness. It struck me, too, that the barn is larger +than the dwelling, which is a creditable sign for a farmer. Near the +front entrance there is a carefully cultivated flower garden, in which +I particularly admired the roses, and further off from the road lies an +apple orchard." + +"All that belongs to us. That is what you have rescued and made a +present of to us," replied the land cultivator joyfully. "Everybody +stops to view the roses; they belong to our daughter Mechtild." + +"The soil is good and deep, and must bring splendid crops of wheat. I, +too, am a farmer, and understand something about such matters. But it +appeared to me as though the soil were of a cold nature. You should use +lime upon it pretty freely." + +In this manner he spent some time conversing with these good and simple +people. Before dismissing them, he made a present to every one of the +children of a shining dollar, having previously overcome Holt's protest +against this new instance generosity. + +Old and young then courtesied once more, and Gerlach was left to +himself in a mood differing greatly from that in which the visitors had +found him. + +He had been conversing with good and happy people, and revelled in the +consciousness of having been the originator of their happiness. + +Suddenly Greifmann's appearance in the room put to flight the bright +spirits that hovered about him, and the sunshine that had been lighting +up the apartment was obscured by dark shadows as of a heavy mass of +clouds. + +"What sort of a horde was that?" asked he. + +"They were Holt and his family. The gratitude of these simple people +was touching. The innocent little ones gave me an ovation of which a +prince might be envious, for the courts of princes are never graced by +a naturalness at once so sincere and so beautiful. It is an intense +happiness for me to have assured the livelihood of ten human beings +with so paltry a gift." + +"A mere matter of taste, my most sympathetic friend!" rejoined the +banker with indifference. "You are not made of the proper stuff to be a +business man. Your feelings would easily tempt you into very +unbusinesslike transactions. But you must come with me! The hubbub of +the election is astir through all the streets and thoroughfares. I am +going out to discharge my duties as a citizen, and I want you to +accompany me." + +"I have no inclination to see any of this disgusting turmoil," replied +Gerlach. + +"Inclination or disinclination is out of the question when interest +demands it," insisted the banker. "You must profit by the opportunity +which you now have of enriching your knowledge of men and things, or +rather of correcting it; for heretofore your manner of viewing things +has been mere ideal enthusiasm. Come with me, my good fellow!" + +Seraphin followed with interior reluctance. Greifmann went on to impart +to him the following information: + +"During the past night, there have sprung up, as if out of the earth, a +most formidable host, ready to do battle against the uniformly +victorious army of progress--men thoroughly armed and accoutred, real +crusaders. A bloody struggle is imminent. Try and make of your heart a +sort of monitor covered with plates of iron, so that you may not be +overpowered by the horrifying spectacle of the election affray. I am +not joking at all! True as gospel, what I tell you! If you do not want +to be stifled by indignation at sight of the fiercest kind of +terrorism, of the most revolting tyranny, you will have to lay aside, +at least for to-day, every feeling of humanity." + +Gerlach perceived a degree of seriousness in the bubbling current of +Greifmann's levity. + +"Who is the enemy that presumes to stand in the way of progress?" +enquired he. + +"The ultramontanes! Listen to what I have to tell you. This morning +Schwefel came in to get a check cashed. With surprise I observed that +the manufacturer's soul was not in business? 'How are things going?' +asked I when we had got through. + +"'I feel like a man,' exclaimed he, 'that has just seen a horrible +monster! Would you believe it, those accursed ultramontanes have been +secretly meddling in the election. They have mustered a number of +votes, and have even gone so far as to have a yellow ticket printed. +Their yellow placards were to be seen this morning stuck up at every +street corner--of course they were immediately torn down.' + +"'And are you provoked at that, Mr. Schwefel! You certainly are not +going to deny the poor ultramontanes the liberty of existing, or, at +least, the liberty of voting for whom they please?' + +"'Yes, I am, I am! That must not be tolerated,' cried he wildly. 'The +black brood are hatching dark schemes, they are conspiring against +civilization, and would fain wrest from us the trophies won by +progress. It is high time to apply the axe to the root of the +upas-tree. Our duty is to disinfect thoroughly, to banish the +absurdities of religious dogma from our schools. The black spawn will +have to be rendered harmless: we must kill them politically.' + +"'Very well,' said I. 'Just make negroes of them. Now that in America +the slaves are emancipated, Europe would perhaps do well to take her +turn at the slave-trade.' But the fellow would not take my joke. He +made threatening gesticulations, his eyes gleamed like hot coals, and +he muttered words of a belligerent import. + +"'The ultramontane rabble are to hold a meeting at the "Key of +Heaven,"' reported he. 'There the stupid victims of credulity are to be +harangued by several of their best talkers. The black tide is +afterwards to diffuse itself through the various wards where the voting +is to take place. But let the priest-ridden slaves come, they will have +other memoranda to carry home with them beside their yellow rags of +tickets.' + +"You perceive, friend Seraphin, that the progress men mean mischief. We +may expect to witness scenes of violence." + +"That is unjustifiable brutality on the part of the progressionists," +declared Gerlach indignantly. "Are not the ultramontanes entitled to +vote and to receive votes? Are they not free citizens? Do they not +enjoy the same privileges as others? It is a disgrace and an outrage +thus to tyrannize over men who are their brothers, sons of Germania, +their common mother." + +"Granted! Violence is disgraceful. The intention of progress, however, +is not quite as bad as you think it. Being convinced of its own +infallibility, it cannot help feeling indignant at the unbelief of +ultramontanism, which continues deaf to the saving truths of the +progressionist gospel. Hence a holy zeal for making converts urges +progress so irresistibly that it would fain force wanderers into the +path of salvation by violence. This is simply human, and should not be +regarded as unpardonable. In the self-same spirit did my namesake +Charles the Great butcher the Saxons because the besotted heathens +presumed to entertain convictions differing from his own. And those who +were not butchered had to see their sacred groves cut down, their +altars demolished, their time-honored laws changed, and had to resign +themselves to following the ways which he thought fit to have opened +through the land of the Saxons. You cannot fail to perceive that +Charles the Great was a member of the school progress." + +"But your comparison is defective," opposed the millionaire. "Charles +subdued a wild and bloodthirsty horde who made it a practice to set +upon and butcher peaceful neighbors. Charles was the protector of the +realm, and the Saxons were forced to bend under the weight of his +powerful arm. If Charles, however, did violence to the consciences of +his vanquished enemies, and converted them to Christianity with the +sword and mace, then Charles himself is not to be excused, for moral +freedom is expressly proclaimed by the spirit of Christianity." + +"There is no doubt but that the Saxons were blundering fools for +rousing the lion by making inroads into Charles' domain. The +ultramontanes, are, however, in a similar situation. They have attacked +the giant Progress, and have themselves to blame for the consequences." + +"The ultramontanes have attacked nobody," maintained Gerlach. "They are +merely asserting their own rights, and are not putting restrictions on +the rights of other people. But progress will concede neither rights +nor freedom to others. It is a disgusting egotist, an unscrupulous +tyrant, that tries to build up his own brutal authority on the ruins of +the rights of others." + +"Still, it would have been far more prudent on the part of the +ultramontanes to keep quiet, seeing that their inferiority of numbers +cannot alter the situation. The indisputable rights of the ascendency +are in our days with the sceptre and crown of progress." + +"A brave man never counts the foe," cried Gerlach. "He stands to his +convictions, and behaves manfully in the struggle." + +"Well said!" applauded the banker, "And since progress also is forced +by the opposition of principles to man itself for the contest, it will +naturally beat up all its forces in defence of its conviction. Here we +are at the 'Key of Heaven,' where the ultramontanes are holding their +meeting. Let us go in, for the proverb says, _Audiatur et altera +pars_--the other side should also get a hearing." + +They drew near to a lengthy old building. Over the doorway was a pair +of crossed keys hewn out of stone, and gilt, informing the stranger +that it was the hostelry of the "Key of Heaven," where, since the days +of hoar antiquity, hospitality was dispensed to pilgrims and +travellers. The principal hall of the house contained a gathering of +about three hundred men. They were attentively listening to the words +of a speaker who was warmly advocating the principles of his party. The +speaker stood behind a desk which was placed upon a platform at the far +end of the hall. + +Seraphin cast a glance over the assembly. He received the painful +impression of a hopeless minority. Barely forty votes would the +ultramontanes be able to send to each of the wards. To compensate for +numbers, intelligence and faith were represented in the meeting. +Elegant gentlemen with intellectual countenances sat or stood in the +company of respectable tradesmen, and the long black coats of the +clergy were not few in number. On a table lay two packages of yellow +tickets to be distributed among the members of the assembly. At the +same table sat the chairman, a commissary of police named Parteiling, +whose business it was to watch the proceedings, and several other +gentlemen. + +"Compared with the colossal preponderance of progress, our influence is +insignificant, and, compared with the masses of our opponents our +numerical strength is still less encouraging," said the speaker. "If in +connection with this disheartening fact you take into consideration the +pressure which progress has it in its power to exert on the various +relations of life through numerous auxiliary means, if you remember +that our opponents can dismiss from employment all such as dare uphold +views differing from their own, it becomes clear that no ordinary +amount of courage is required to entertain and proclaim convictions +hostile to progress." + +Seraphin thought of Spitzkopf's mode of electioneering, and of the +terrible threats made to the "wild men," and concluded the incredible +statement was lamentably correct. + +"Viewing things in this light," proceeded the orator, "I congratulate +the present assembly upon its unusual degree of pluck, for courage is +required to go into battle with a clear knowledge of the overwhelming +strength of the enemy. We have rallied round the banner of our +convictions notwithstanding that the numbers of the enemy make victory +hopeless. We are determined to cast our votes in support of religion +and morality in defiance of the scorn, blasphemy, and violence which +the well-known terrorism of progress will not fail to employ in order +to frighten us from the exercise of our privilege as citizens. We must +be prepared, gentlemen, to hear a multitude of sarcastic remarks and +coarse witticisms, both in the streets and at the polls. I adjure you +to maintain the deportment alone worthy of our cause. A gentleman never +replies to the aggressions of rudeness, and should you wish to take the +conduct of our opponents in gay good-humor, just try, gentlemen, to +fancy that you are being treated to some elegant exhibition of the +refinement and liberal culture of the times." + +Loud bursts of hilarity now and then relieved the seriousness of the +meeting. Even Greifmann would clap applause and cry, "Bravo!" + +"Let us stand united to a man, prepared against all the wiles of +intimidation and corruption, undismayed by the onset of the enemy. The +struggle is grave beyond expression. For you are acquainted with the +aims and purposes of the liberals. Progress would like to sweep away +all the religious heritages that our fathers held sacred. Education is +to be violently wrested from under the influence of the church; the +church herself is to be enslaved and strangled in the thrall of the +liberal state. I am aware that our opponents pretend to respect +religion--but the religion of would-be progress is infidelity. Divine +revelation, of which the church is the faithful guardian, is rejected +with scorn by liberalism. Look at the tone of the press and the style +of the literature of the day. You have only to notice the derision and +fierceness with which the press daily assails the mysteries and dogmas +of religion, the Sovereign Pontiff, the clergy, religious orders, the +ultramontanes, and you cannot long remain in the dark concerning the +aim and object of progress. Christ or Antichrist is the watchword of +the day, gentlemen! Hence the imperative duty for us to be active at +the elections; for the legislature has the presumption to wish to +dictate in matters belonging exclusively to the jurisdiction of the +church. We are threatened with school laws the purpose of which is to +unchristianize our children, to estrange them from the spirit of +religion. No man having the sentiment of religion can remain +indifferent in presence of this danger, for it means nothing less than +the defection from Christianity of the masses of the coming generation. + +"Gentlemen, there is a reproach being uttered just now by the +progressionist press, which, far from repelling, I would feel proud to +deserve. A priest should have said, so goes the report, that it is a +mortal sin to elect a progressionist to the chamber of deputies. Some +of the writers of our press have met this reproach by simply denying +that a priest ever expressed himself in those terms. But, gentlemen, +let us take for granted that a priest did actually say that it is a +mortal sin to elect a progressionist to the chamber of deputies, is +there anything opposed to morality in such a declaration? + +"By no means, if you remember that it is to be presumed the +progressionist will use his vote in the assembly to oppose religion. +Mortal sin, gentlemen, is any wilful transgression of God's law in +grave matters. Now I put it to you: Does he gravely transgress the law +of God who controverts what God has revealed, who would exclude God and +all holy subjects from the schools, who would rob the church of her +independence, and make of her a mere state machine unfit for the +fulfilment of her high mission? There is not one of you but is ready to +declare: 'Yes, such an one transgresses grievously the law of God.' +This answer at the same time solves the other question, whether it is a +mortal sin to put arms in the hands of an enemy of religion that he may +use them against faith and morality. Would that all men of Christian +sentiment seriously adverted to this connection of things and acted +accordingly, the baneful sway of the pernicious spirit that governs the +age would soon be at an end; for I have confidence in the sound sense +and moral rectitude of the German people. Heathenism is repugnant to +the deeply religious nature of our nation; the German people do not +wish to dethrone God, nor are they ready to bow the knee before the +empty idol of a soulless enlightenment." + +Here the speaker was interrupted by a tumult. A band of factorymen, +yelling and laughing, rushed into the hall to disturb the meeting. All +eyes were immediately turned upon the rioters. In every countenance +indignation could be seen kindling at this outrage of the liberals. The +commissary of police alone sat motionless as a statue. The +progressionist rioters elbowed their way into the crowd, and, when the +excitement caused by this strategic movement had subsided, the speaker +resumed his discourse. + +"For a number of years back our conduct has been misrepresented and +calumniated. They call us men of no nationality, and pretend that we +get our orders from Rome. This reproach does honor neither to the +intelligence nor to the judgment of our opponents. Whence dates the +division of Germany into discordant factions? When began the present +faint and languishing condition of our fatherland? From the moment when +it separated from Rome. So long as Germany continued united in the bond +of the same holy faith, and the voice of the head of the church was +hearkened to by every member of her population, her sovereigns held the +golden apple, the symbol of universal empire. Our nation was then the +mightiest, the proudest, the most glorious upon earth. The church who +speaks through the Sovereign Pontiff had civilized the fierce sons of +Germany, had conjured the hatred and feuds of hostile tribes, had +united the interests and energies of our people in one holy faith, and +had ennobled and enriched German genius through the spirit of religion. +The church had formed out of the chaos of barbarism the Holy Roman +Empire of the German nation--that gigantic and wonderful organization +the like of which the world will never see again. But the church has +long since been deprived of the leadership in German affairs, and what +in consequence is now the condition of our fatherland? It is divided +into discordant factions, it is an ailing trunk, with many members, but +without a head. + +"It is rather amusing that the ultramontanes should be charged with +receiving orders from Rome, for the voice of the Father of Christianity +has not been heard for many years back, in the council of state." + +"Hurrah for the Syllabus!" cried Spitzkopf, who was at the head of the +rioters. "Hurrah for the Syllabus!" echoed his gang, yelling and +stamping wildly. + +The ultramontanes were aroused, eyes glared fiercely, and fists were +clenched ready to make a summary clearing of the hall. But no scuffle +ensued; the ultramontanes maintained a dignified bearing. The speaker +calmly remained in his place, and when the tumult had ceased he again +went on with his discourse. + +"Such only," said he, "take offence at the Syllabus as know nothing +about it. There is not a word in the Syllabus opposed to political +liberty or the most untrammelled self-government of the German people. +But it is opposed to the fiendish terrorism of infidelity. The Syllabus +condemns the diabolical principles by which the foundations of the +Christian state are sapped and a most disastrous tyranny over +conscience is proclaimed." + +"Hallo! listen to that," cried one of the liberals, and the yelling was +renewed, louder, longer, and more furious than before. + +The chairman rang his bell. The revellers relapsed into silence. + +"Ours is not a public meeting, but a mere private gathering," explained +the chairman. "None but men of Christian principles have been invited. +If others have intruded violently, I request them to leave the room, +or, at least, to refrain from conduct unbecoming men of good-breeding." + +Spitzkopf laughed aloud, his comrades yelled and stamped. + +"Let us go!" said Greifmann to Gerlach in an angry tone. + +"Let us stay!" rejoined the latter with excitement. "The affair is +becoming interesting. I want to see how this will end." + +The banker noticed Gerlach's suppressed indignation; he observed it in +the fire of his eyes and the expression of unutterable contempt that +had spread over his features, and he began to consider the situation as +alarming. He had not expected this exhibition of brutal impertinence. +In his estimation an infringement of propriety like the one he had just +witnessed was a far more heinous transgression than the grossest +violations in the sphere of morals. He judged of Gerlach's impressions +by this standard of appreciation, and feared the behavior of the +progressionist mob would produce an effect in the young man's mind far +from favorable to the cause which they represented. He execrated the +disturbance of the liberals, and took Seraphin's arm to lead him away. + +"Come away, I beg of you! I cannot imagine what interest the rudeness +of that uncultivated horde can have for you." + +"Do not scorn them, for they are honestly earning their pay," rejoined +Gerlach. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Those fellows are whistling, bawling, stamping, and yelling in the +employ of progress. You are trying to give me an insight into the +nature of modern civilization: could there be a better opportunity than +this?" + +"There you make a mistake, my dear fellow! Enlightened progress is +never rude." + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +The tumult continued. As soon as the orator attempted to speak, his +voice was drowned by cries and stamping. + +"Commissary!" cried the chairman to that officer, "I demand that you +extend to our assembly the protection of the law." + +"I am here simply to watch the proceedings of your meeting," replied +Parteiling with cool indifference. "Everybody is at liberty in meetings +to signify his approval or disapproval by signs. No act forbidden by +the law has been committed by your opponents, in my opinion." + +"Bravo! bravo! Three cheers for the commissary!" + +All at once the noise was subdued to a whisper of astonishment. A +miracle was taking place under the very eyes of progress. Banker +Greifmann, the moneyed prince and liberal, made his appearance upon the +platform. The rioters saw with amazement how the mighty man before whom +the necks of all such as were in want of money bowed--even the necks of +the puissant leaders--stepped before the president of the assembly, how +he politely bowed and spoke a few words in an undertone. They observed +how the chairman nodded assent, and then how the banker, as if to +excite their wonder to the highest pitch, mounted to the speaker's +desk. + +"Gentlemen," began Carl Greifmann, "although I have not the honor of +sharing your political views, I feel myself nevertheless urged to +address a few words to you. In the name of true progress, I ask this +honorable assembly's pardon for the disturbance occasioned a moment ago +by a band of uncultivated rioters, who dare to pretend that they are +acting in the cause and with the sanction of progress. I solemnly +protest against the assumption that their disgraceful and outrageous +conduct is in accordance with the spirit of the party which they +dishonor. Progress holds firmly to its principles, and defends them +manfully in the struggle with its opposers, but it is far from making +itself odious by rudely overstepping the bounds of decency set by +humanity and civilization. In political contests, it may be perfectly +lawful to employ earnest persuasion and even influences that partake of +the rigor of compulsion, but rudeness, impertinence, is never +justifiable in an age of civilization. Commissary Parteiling discovers +no legally prohibited offence in the expression of vulgarity and +lowness--may be. Nevertheless, a high misdemeanor has been perpetrated +against decorum and against the deference which man owes to man. Should +the slightest disturbance be again attempted, I shall use the whole +weight of my influence in prosecuting the guilty parties, and convince +them that even in the spirit of progress they are offenders and can be +reached by punishment." + +He spoke, and retired to the other end of the hall, followed by loud +applause from the ultramontanes. Nor were the threats of the mighty man +uttered in vain. Spitzkopf hung his head abashed. The other revellers +were tamed, they listened demurely to the speakers, ceased their +contemptuous hootings, and stood on their good behavior. Greifmann's +proceeding had taken Seraphin also by surprise, and the power which the +banker possessed over the rioters set him to speculating deeply. He saw +plainly that Louise's brother commanded an extraordinary degree of +respect in the camp of the enemies of religion, and the only cause that +could sufficiently account for the fact was a community of principles +of which they were well aware. Hence the opinion he had formed of +Greifmann was utterly erroneous, concluded Gerlach, The banker was +not a mere secluded business man--he was not indifferent about the +great questions of the age. Then there was another circumstance +that perplexed the ruddy-cheeked millionaire to no inconsiderable +degree--Greifmann's unaccountable way of taking things. The tyrannical +mode of electioneering which they had witnessed at the sign of the +"Green Hat" had not at all disgusted Greifmann. Spitzkopf's threats had +not excited his indignation. He had with a smiling countenance looked +on whilst the most brutal species of terrorism was being enacted before +him, he had not expressed a word of contempt at the constraint which +they who held the power inhumanly placed on the political liberty of +their dependents. On the other hand, his indignation was aroused by a +mere breach of good behavior, an offence which in Gerlach's estimation +was as nothing compared with the other instances of progressionist +violence. The banker seemed to him to have strained out a gnat after +having swallowed a whole drove of camels. The youth's suspicions being +excited, he began to study the strainer of gnats and swallower of +camels more closely, and soon the banker turned out in his estimation a +hollow stickler for mere outward decency, devoid of all deeper merit. +He now recollected also Greifmann's dealings with the leaders of +progress, and those transactions only confirmed his present views. What +he had considered as an extraordinary degree of shrewdness in the man +of business, which enabled him to take advantage of the peculiar +convictions and manner of thinking of other men, was now to his mind a +real affinity with their principles, and he could not help being +shocked at the discovery. + +He hung his head in a melancholy mood, and his heart protested +earnestly against the inference which was irresistibly forcing itself +upon his mind, that the sister shared her brother's sentiments. + +"This doubt must be cleared up, cost what it may," thought he. "My God, +what if Louise also turned out to be a progressionist, a woman without +any faith, an infidel! No, that cannot be! Yet suppose it really were +the case--suppose she actually held principles in common with such vile +beings as Schwefel, Sand, Erdblatt, and Shund? Suppose her moral nature +did not harmonize with the beauty of her person--what then?" He +experienced a spasmodic contraction in his heart at the question, he +hesitated with the answer, but, his better self finally getting the +victory, he said: "Then all is over. The impressions of a dream; +however delightful, must not influence a waking man. My father's +calculation was wrong, and I have wasted my kindness on an undeserving +object." + +So completely wrapt up was he in his meditations that he heard not a +word of the speeches, not even the concluding remarks of the president. +Greifmann's approach roused him, and they left the hall together. + +"That was ruffianly conduct, of which progress would have for ever to +be ashamed," said the banker indignantly, "They bayed and yelped like a +pack of hounds. At their first volley I was as embarrassed and confused +as a modest girl would be at the impertinence of some young scapegrace. +Fierce rage then hurried me to the platform, and my words have never +done better service, for they vindicated civilization." + +"I cannot conceive how a trifle could thus exasperate you." + +Greifmann stood still and looked at his companion in astonishment. + +"A trifle!" echoed he reproachfully. "Do you call a piece of wanton +impudence, a ruffianly outrage against several hundreds of men entitled +to respect, a trifle? + +"I do, compared with other crimes that you have suffered to pass +unheeded and uncensured," answered Gerlach. "You had not an indignant +word for the unutterable meanness of those three leaders, who were +immoral and unprincipled enough to invest a notorious villain with +office and honors. Nor did you show any exasperation at the brutal +terrorism practised by men of power in this town over their weak and +unfortunate dependents." + +"Take my advice, and be on your guard against erroneous and +narrow-minded judgments. The leaders merely had a view to their own +ends, but they in no manner sinned against propriety. The raising a man +of Shund's abilities to the office of mayor is an act of prudence--by +no means an offence against humanity." + +"Yet it was an outrage to moral sentiment," opposed Seraphin. + +"See here, Gerlach, moral sentiment is a very elastic sort of thing. +Sentiment goes for nothing in practical life, and such is the character +of life in our century." + +"Well, then, the mere sense of propriety is not worth a whit more." + +"I ask your pardon! Propriety belongs to the realm of actualities or of +practical experiences, and not to the shadowland of sentiment. +Propriety is the rule that regulates the intercourse of men, it is +therefore a necessity, nothing else will serve as a substitute for it, +and it must continue to be so regarded as long as a difference is +recognized between rational man and the irrational brute." + +"The same may be said with much more reason of morality, for it also is +a rule, it regulates our actions, it determines the ethic worth or +worthlessness of a man. Mere outward decorum does not necessarily argue +any interior excellence. The most abandoned wretch may be distinguished +for easy manners and elegant deportment, yet he is none the less a +criminal. A dog may be trained to many little arts, but for all that it +continues to be a dog. + +"It is delightful to see you breaking through that uniform patience of +yours for once and showing a little of the fire of indignation," said +the banker pleasantly. "I shall tell Louise of it, I know she will be +glad to learn that Seraphin too is susceptible of a human passion. But +this by the way. Now watch how I shall meet your arguments. That very +moral sentiment of which you speak has caused and is still causing the +most enormous crimes against humanity, and the laws of morality are as +changeable as the wind. When an Indian who has not been raised from +barbarism by civilization dies, the religious custom of the country +requires that his wife should permit herself to be burned alive on the +funeral pyre of her husband. Moral sentiment teaches the uncivilized +woman that it is a horrible crime to refuse to devote herself to this +cruel death. The pious Jews used to stone every woman to death who was +taken in adultery--in our day, such a deed of blood would be revolting +to moral sentiment, and would claim tears from the eyes of cultivated +people. I could mention many other horrors that were practised more or +less remotely in the past, and were sanctioned by the prevailing moral +sentiment. Here is my last instance: according to laws of morality, the +usurer was at one time a monster, an arch-villain--at present, he is +merely a man of great enterprise. Propriety, on the other hand, +enlightenment, and polish are absolute and unalterable. Whilst rudeness +and impertinence will ever be looked upon as disgusting, good manners +and politeness will be considered as commendable and beautiful." + +Seraphin could not but admire the skill with which Greifmann jumbled +together subjects of the most heterogeneous nature. But he could not, +at the same time, divest himself of some alarm at the banker's +declarations, for they betrayed a soul-life of little or absolutely no +moral worth. Money, interest, and respectability constituted the only +trinity in which the banker believed. Morality, binding the conscience +of man, a true and only God, and divine revelation, were in his opinion +so many worn-out and useless notions, which the progress of mankind had +successfully got beyond. + +"When those who hold power take advantage of it at elections, they in +no manner offend against propriety," proceeded Carl. "Progress has +convictions as well as ultramontanism. If the latter is active, why +should not the former be so too? If, on the side of progress, the weak +and dependent permit themselves to be cowed and driven, it is merely an +advantage for the powerful, and for the others it is a weakness or +cowardice. For this reason, the mode of electioneering pursued by +Spitzkopf and his comrades amused but nowise shocked me, for they were +not acting against propriety." + +Seraphin saw it plainly: for Carl Greifmann there existed no +distinction between good and evil; he recognized only a cold and empty +system of formalities. + +The two young men issued from a narrow street upon the market-place. +This was occupied by a large public building. In the open space stood a +group of men, among whom Flachsen appeared conspicuous. He was telling +the others about Greifmann's speech at the meeting of the +ultramontanes. They all manifested great astonishment that the +influential moneyed prince should have appeared in such company, and, +above all, should have made a speech in their behalf. + +"He declared it was vulgar, impudent, ruffianly, to disturb a +respectable assembly," reported Flachsen. "He said he knew some of us, +and that he would have us put where the dogs would not bite us if we +attempted to disturb them again. That's what he said; and I actually +rubbed my eyes to be quite sure it was banker Greifmann that was +speaking, and really it was he, the banker Greifmann himself, bodily, +and not a mere apparition." + +"I must say the banker was right, for it isn't exactly good manners to +howl, stamp, and whistle to annoy one's neighbors," owned another. + +"But we were paid for doing it, and we only carried out the orders +given by certain gentlemen." + +"To be sure! Men like us don't know what good breeding is--it's for +gentlemen to understand that," maintained a third. "We do what men of +good breeding hire us to do, and if it isn't proper, it matters nothing +to us--let the gentlemen answer for it." + +"Bravo, Stoffel, bravo!" applauded Flachsen. "Yours is the right sort +of servility, Stoffel! You are a real human, servile, and genuine +reactive kind of a fellow--so you are. I agree with you entirely. The +gentlemen do the paying, and it is for them to answer for what happens. +We are merely servants, we are hirelings, and what need a hireling care +whether that which his master commands is right or not? The master is +responsible, not the hireling. What I am telling you belongs to the +exact sciences, and the exact sciences are at the pinnacle of modern +acquisitions. Hence a hireling who without scruple carries out the +orders of his master is up to the highest point of the age--such a +fellow has taken his stand on servility. Hallo! the election has +commenced. Be off, every man of you, to his post. But mind you don't +look too deep into the beer-pots before the election is over. Keep your +heads level, be cautious, do your best for the success of the green +ticket. Once the election is carried, you may swill beer till you can +no longer stand. The gentlemen will foot the bill, and assume all +responsibilities." + +They dispersed themselves through the various drinking-shops of the +neighborhood. + +Near the door of the building in which the voting was to take place +stood a number of progressionist gentlemen. They all wore heavy beards, +smoked cigars, and peered about restlessly. To those of their party who +chanced to pass they nodded and smiled knowingly, upon doubtful voters +they smiled still more blandly, added some pleasant words, and pressed +the acceptance of the green ticket, but for ultramontane voters they +had only jeers and coarse witticisms. As Greifmann approached they +respectfully raised their hats. The banker drew Gerlach to one side, +and stood to make observations. + +"What swarms there are around the drinking-shops," remarked Greifmann. +"It is there that the tickets are filled under the persuasive influence +of beer. The committee provide the tickets which the voters have filled +with the names of the candidates by clerks who sit round the tables at +the beer-shops. It is quite an ingenious arrangement, for beer will +reconcile a voter to the most objectionable kind of a candidate." + +A crowd of drunken citizens coming out of the nearest tavern +approached. Linked arm-in-arm, they swayed about and staggered along +with an unsteady pace. Green tickets bearing the names of the +candidates whom progress had chosen to watch over the common weal could +be seen protruding from the pockets of their waistcoats. Gerlach, +seeing the drunken mob and recollecting the solemn and important nature +of the occasion, was seized with loathing and horror at the corruption +of social life revealed in the low means to which the party of progress +had recourse to secure for its ends the votes of these besotted and +ignorant men. + +Presently Schwefel stepped up and saluted the young men. + +"Do you not belong to the committee in charge of the ballot-box?" +inquired Greifmann. + +"No, sir, I wished to remain entirely untrammelled this morning," +answered the leader with a sly look and tone. "This is going to be an +exciting election, the ultramontanes are astir, and it will be +necessary for me to step in authoritatively now and then to decide a +vote. Moreover, the committee is composed exclusively of men of our +party. Not a single ultramontane holds a seat at the polls." + +"In that case there can be no question of failure," said the banker. +"Your office is closed to-day, no doubt?" + +"Of course!" assented the manufacturer of straw hats. "This day is +celebrated as a free day by the offices of all respectable houses. Our +clerks are dispersed through the taverns and election districts to use +their pens in filling up tickets." + +"I am forced to return to my old assertion: an election is mere folly, +useless jugglery," said the banker, turning to Seraphin. "Holding +elections is no longer a rational way of doing, it is no longer a +business way of proceeding, it is yielding to stupid timidity. Mr. +Schwefel, don't you think elections are mere folly?" + +"I confess I have never considered the subject from that point of +view," answered the leader cautiously. "But meanwhile--what do you +understand by that?" + +"Be good enough to attend to my reasoning for a moment. Progress is in +a state of complete organization. What progress wills, must be. Another +party having authority and power cannot subsist side by side with +progress. Just see those men staggering and blundering over the square +with green tickets in their hands! To speak without circumlocution, +look at the slaves doing the behests of their masters. What need of +this silly masquerade of an election? Why squander all this money, +waste all this beer and time? Why does not progress settle this +business summarily? Why not simply nominate candidates fit for the +office, and then send them directly to the legislature? This mode would +do away with all this nonsensical ado, and would give the matter a +prompt and business cast, conformable to the spirit of the age." + +"This idea is a good one, but we have an election law that would stand +in the way of carrying it out." + +"Bosh--election law!" sneered the banker. "Your election law is a mere +scarecrow, an antiquated, meaningless instrument. Do away with the +election law, and follow my suggestion." + +"That would occasion a charming row on the part of the ultramontanes," +observed the leader laughing. + +"Was the lion ever known to heed the bleating of a sheep? When did +progress ever pay any attention to a row gotten up by the +ultramontanes?" rejoined Greifmann. "Was not the fuss made in Bavaria +against the progressionist school-law quite a prodigious one? Did not +our own last legislature make heavy assaults on the church? Did not the +entire episcopate protest against permitting Jews, Neo-pagans, and +Freemasons to legislate, on matters of religion? But did progress +suffer itself to be disconcerted by episcopal protests and the +agonizing screams of the ultramontanes? Not at all. It calmly pursued +the even tenor of its way. Be logical, Mr. Schwefel: progress reigns +supreme and decrees with absolute authority--why should it not +summarily relegate this election law among the things that were, but +are no more?" + +"You are right, Greifmann!" exclaimed Gerlach, in a feeling of utter +disgust. "What need has the knout of Russian despotism of the sanction +of constitutional forms? Progress is lord, the rest are slaves!" + +"You have again misunderstood me, my good fellow. I am considering the +actual state of things. Should ultramontanism at any time gain the +ascendency, then it also will be justified in behaving in the same +manner." + +Upon more mature consideration, Gerlach found himself forced to admit +that Greifmann's view, from the standpoint of modern culture, was +entirely correct. Progress independently of God and of all positive +religion could not logically be expected to recognize any moral +obligations, for it had not a moral basis. Everything was determined by +the force of circumstances; the autocracy of party rule made anything +lawful. Laws proceeded not from the divine source of unalterable +justice, but from the whim of a majority--fashioned and framed to suit +peculiar interests and passions. + +"We have yet considerable work to do to bring all to thinking as +clearly and rationally as you, Mr. Greifmann," said the leader with a +winning smile. + +Schwefel accompanied the millionaires into a lengthy hall, across the +lower end of which stood a table. There sat the commissary of elections +surrounded by the committee, animated gentlemen with great beards, who +were occupied in distributing tickets to voters or receiving tickets +filled up. The extraordinary good-humor prevailing among these +gentlemen was owing to the satisfactory course of the election, for +rarely was any ultramontane paper seen mingling in the flood that +poured in from the ranks of progress. The sides of the hall were hung +with portraits of the sovereigns of the land, quite a goodly row. The +last one of the series was youthful in appearance, and some audacious +hand had scrawled on the broad gilt frame the following ominous words: +"May he be the last in the succession of expensive bread-eaters." Down +the middle of the hall ran a baize-covered table, on which were +numerous inkstands. Scattered over the table lay a profusion of green +bills; the yellow color of the ultramontane bills was nowhere to be +seen. The table was lined by gentlemen who were writing. They were not +writing for themselves, but for others, who merely sighed their names +and then handed the tickets to the commissary. Several corpulent +gentlemen also occupied seats at the table, but they were not engaged +in writing. These gentlemen, apparently unoccupied, wore massive gold +watch-chains and sparkling rings, and they had a commanding and stern +expression of countenance. They were observing all who entered, to see +whether any man would be bold enough to vote the yellow ticket. People +of the humbler sort, mechanics and laborers, were constantly coming in +and going out. Bowing reverently to the portly gentlemen, they seated +themselves and filled out green tickets with the names of the liberal +candidates. Most of them did not even trouble themselves to this +degree, but simply laid their tickets before the penman appointed for +this special service. All went off in the best order. The process of +the election resembled the smooth working of an ingenious piece of +machinery. And there was no tongue there to denounce the infamous +terrorism that had crushed the freedom of the election or had bought +the votes of vile and venal men with beer. + +Seraphin stood with Greifmann in the recess of a window looking on. + +"Who are the fat men at the table?" inquired he. + +"The one with the very black beard is house-builder Sand, the second is +Eisenhart, machine-builder, the third is Erdfloh, a landowner, the +fourth and fifth are tobacco merchants. All those gentlemen are +chieftains of the party of progress." + +"They show it," observed Gerlach. "Their looks, in a manner, command +every man that comes in to take the green ticket, and I imagine I can +read on their brows: 'Woe to him who dares vote against us. He shall be +under a ban, and shall have neither employment nor bread.' It is +unmitigated tyranny! I imagine I see in those fat fellows so many +cotton-planters voting their slaves." + +"That is a one-sided conclusion, my most esteemed," rejoined the +banker. "In country villages, the position here assumed by the magnates +of progress is filled by the lords of ultramontanism, clerical +gentlemen in cassocks, who keep a sharp eye on the fingers of their +parishioners. This, too, is influencing." + +"But not constraining," opposed the millionaire promptly. "The clergy +exert a legitimate influence by convincing, by advancing solid grounds +for their political creed. They never have recourse to compulsory +measures, nor dare they do so, because it would be opposed to the +Gospel which they preach. The autocrats of progress, on the contrary, +do not hesitate about using threats and violence. Should a man refuse +to bow to their dictates, they cruelly deprive him of the means of +subsistence. This is not only inhuman, but it is also an accursed +scheme for making slaves of the people and robbing them of principle." + +"Ah! look yonder--there is Holt." + +The land cultivator had walked into the hall head erect. He looked +along the table and stood undecided. One of the ministering spirits of +progress soon fluttered about him, offering him a green ticket. Holt +glanced at it, and a contemptuous smile spread over his face. He next +tore it to pieces, which he threw on the floor. + +"What are you about?" asked the angel of progress reproachfully. + +"I have reduced Shund and his colleagues to fragments," answered Holt +dryly, then approaching the commissary he demanded a yellow ticket. + +"Glorious!" applauded Gerlach. "I have half a mind to present this true +German _man_ with another thousand as a reward for his spirit." + +The fat men had observed with astonishment the action of the land +cultivator. Their astonishment turned to rage when Holt, leisurely +seating himself at the table, took a pen in his mighty fist and began +filling out the ticket with the names of the ultramontane candidates. +Whilst he wrote, whisperings could be heard all through the hall, and +every eye was directed upon him. After no inconsiderable exertion, the +task of filling out the ticket was successfully accomplished, and Holt +arose, leaving the ticket lying upon the table. In the twinkling of an +eye a hand reached forward to take it up. + +"What do you mean, sir?" asked Holt sternly. + +"That yellow paper defiles the table," hissed the fellow viciously. + +"Hand back that ticket," commanded Holt roughly. "I want it to be +here. The yellow ticket has as good a right on this table as the green +one--do you hear me?" + +"Slave of the priests!" sputtered his antagonist. + +"If I am a slave of the priests, then you are a slave of that villain +Shund," retorted Holt. "I am not to be browbeaten--by such a fellow as +you particularly--least of all by a vile slave of Shund's." He spoke, +and then reached his ticket to the commissary. + +"That is an impudent dog," growled leader Sand. "Who is he?" + +"He is a countryman of the name of Holt," answered he to whom the query +was addressed. + +"We must spot the boor," said Erdfloh. "His swaggering shall not avail +him anything." + +Holt was not the only voter that proved refractory. Mr. Schwefel, also, +had a disagreeable surprise. He was standing near the entrance, +observing with great self-complacency how the workmen in his employ +submissively cast their votes for Shund and his associates. Schwefel +regarded himself as of signal importance in the commonwealth, for he +controlled not less than four hundred votes, and the side which it was +his pleasure to favor could not fail of victory. The head of the great +leader seemed in a manner encircled with the halo of progress: whilst +his retainers passed and saluted him, he experienced something akin to +the pride of a field-marshal reviewing a column of his victorious army. + +Just then a spare little man appeared in the door. His yellowish, +sickly complexion gave evidence that he was employed in the +sulphurating of straw. At sight of the commander the sulphur-hued +little man shrank back, but his startled look did not escape the +restless eye of Mr. Schwefel. He beckoned to the laborer. + +"Have you selected your ticket, Leicht?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Let me see the ticket." + +The man obeyed reluctantly. Scarcely had Schwefel got a glimpse of the +paper when his brows gathered darkly. + +"What means this? Have you selected the yellow ticket and not the green +one?" + +Leicht hung his head. He thought of the consequences of this detection, +of his four small children, of want of employment, of hunger and bitter +need--he was almost beside himself. + +"If you vote for the priests, you may get your bread from the priests," +said Schwefel. "The moment you hand that ticket to the commissary, you +may consider yourself discharged from my employ." With this he angrily +turned his back upon the man. Leicht did not reach in his ticket to the +commissary. Staggering out of the hall, he stood bewildered hear the +railing of the steps, and stared vaguely upon the men who were coming +and going. Spitzkopf slipped up to him. + +"What were you thinking about, man?" asked he reproachfully. "Mr. +Schwefel is furious--you are ruined. Sheer stupidity, nothing but +stupidity in you to wish to vote in opposition to the pleasure of the +man from whom you get your bread and meat! Not only that, but you have +insulted the whole community, for you have chosen to vote against +progress when all the town is in favor of progress. You will be put on +the spotted list, and the upshot will be that you will not get +employment in any factory in town. Do you want to die of hunger, +man--do you want your children to die of hunger?" + +"You are right--I am ruined," said the laborer listlessly. "I couldn't +bring myself to write Shund's name because he reduced my brother-in-law +to beggary--this is what made me select the yellow ticket." + +"You are a fool. Were Mr. Schwefel to recommend the devil, your duty +would be to vote for the devil. What need you care who is on the +ticket? You have only to write the names on the ticket--nothing more +than that. Do you think progress would nominate men that are unfit--men +who would not promote the interests of the state, who would not further +the cause of humanity, civilization, and liberty? You are a fool for +not voting for what is best for yourself." + +"I am sorry now, but it's too late." sighed Leicht. "I wouldn't have +thought, either, that Mr. Schwefel would get angry because a man wanted +to vote to the best of his judgment." + +"There you are prating sillily again. Best of your judgment!--you +mustn't have any judgment. Leave it to others to judge; they have more +brains, more sense, more knowledge than you. Progress does the +thinking: our place is to blindly follow its directions." + +"But, Mr. Spitzkopf, mine is only the vote of a poor man; and what +matters such a vote?" + +"There is your want of sense again. We are living in a state that +enjoys liberty. We are living in an age of intelligence, of moral +advancement, of civilization and knowledge, in a word, we are living in +an age of progress; and in an age of this sort the vote of a poor man +is worth as much as that of a rich man." + +"If only I had it to do over! I would give my right hand to have it to +do over!" + +"You can repair the mischief if you want." + +"Instruct me how, Mr. Spitzkopf; please tell me how!" + +"Very well, I will do my best. As you acted from thoughtlessness and no +bad intention, doubtless Mr. Schwefel will suffer himself to be +propitiated. Go down into the court, and wait till I come. I shall get +you another ticket; you will then vote for progress, and all will be +satisfactory." + +"I am a thousand times obliged to you, Mr. Spitzkopf--a thousand times +obliged!" + +The agent went back to the hall. Leicht descended to the courtyard, +where he found a ring of timid operators like himself surrounding the +sturdy Holt. They were talking in an undertone. As often as a +progressionist drew near, their conversation was hushed altogether. +Holt's voice alone resounded loudly through the court, and his huge +strong hands were cutting the air in animated gesticulations. + +"This is not a free election; it is one of compulsion and violence," +cried he. "Every factoryman is compelled to vote as his employer +dictates, and should he refuse the employer discharges him from the +work. Is not this most despicable tyranny! And these very tyrants of +progress are perpetually prating about liberty, independence, +civilization! That's a precious sort of liberty indeed!" + +"A man belonging to the ultramontane party cannot walk the streets +to-day without being hooted and insulted," said another. "Even up +yonder in the hall, those gentlemen who are considered so cultivated +stick their heads together and laugh scornfully when one of us draws +near." + +"That's so--that's so, I have myself seen it," cried Holt. "Those +well-bred gentlemen show their teeth like ferocious dogs whenever they +see a yellow ticket or an ultramontane. I say, Leicht, has anything +happened you? You look wretched!" Leicht drew near and related what had +occurred. The honest Holt's eyes gleamed like coals of fire. + +"There's another piece of tyranny for you," cried he. "Leicht, my poor +fellow, I fancy I see in you a slave of Schwefel's. From dawn till late +you are compelled to toil for the curmudgeon, Sundays not excepted. +Your church is the factory, your religion working in straw, and your +God is your sovereign master Schwefel. You are ruining your health amid +the stench of brimstone, and not so much as the liberty of voting as +you think fit is allowed you. It's just as I tell you--you factorymen +are slaves. How strangely things go on in the world! In America slavery +has been abolished; but lo! here in Europe it is blooming as freshly as +trees in the month of May. But mark my word, friends, the fruit is +deadly; and when once it will have ripened, the great God of heaven +will shake it from the trees, and the generation that planted the trees +will have to eat the bitter fruit." + +Leicht shunned the society of the ultramontanes and stole away. +Presently Spitzkopf appeared with the ticket. + +"Your ticket is filled out. Come and sign your name to it." Schwefel +was again standing near the entrance, and he again beckoned the laborer +to approach. "I am pacified. You may now continue working for me." + +Carl and Seraphin returned to the Palais Greifmann. Louise received +them with numerous questions. The banker related what had passed; +Gerlach strode restlessly through the apartment. + +"The most curious spectacle must have been yourself," said the young +lady. "Just fancy you on the rostrum at the 'Key of Heaven'! And very +likely the ungrateful ultramontanes would not so much as applaud." + +"Beg pardon, they did, miss!" assured Seraphin. "They applauded and +cried bravo." + +"Really? Then I am proud of a brother whose maiden speech produced such +marvellous effects. May be we shall read of it in the daily paper. +Everybody will be surprised to hear of the banker Greifmann making a +speech at the 'Key of Heaven.'" Carl perceived the irony and stroked +his forehead. + +"But what can you be pondering over, Mr. Seraphin?" cried she to him. +"Since returning from the turmoil of the election, you seem unable to +keep quiet." He seated himself at her side, and was soon under the +spell of her magical attractions. + +"My head is dizzy and my brain confused," said he. "On every hand I see +nothing but revolt against moral obligation, sacrilegious disregard of +the most sacred rights of man. The hubbub still resounds in my ears, +and my imagination still sees those fat men at the table with their +slaveholder look--the white slaves doing their masters' bidding--the +completest subjugation in an age of enlightenment--all this presents +itself to me in the most repulsive and lamentable guise." + +"You must drive those horrible phantoms from your mind," replied +Louise. + +"They are not phantoms, but the most fearful reality." + +"They are phantoms, Mr. Seraphin, so far as your feelings exaggerate +the evils. Those factory serfs have no reason to complain. There is +nothing to be done but to put up with a situation that has +spontaneously developed itself. It is useless to grow impatient because +difference of rank between masters and servants is an unavoidable evil +upon earth." A servant entered to call them to dinner. + +At her side he gradually became more cheerful. The brightness of her +eyes dispelled his depression, and her delicate arts put a spell upon +his young, inexperienced heart. And when, at the end of the meal, they +were sipping delicious wine, and her beautiful lips lisped the +customary health, the subdued tenderness he had been feeling suddenly +expanded into a strong passion. + +"After you will have done justice to your diary," said she at parting, +"we shall take a drive, and then go to the opera." + +Instead of going to his room, Seraphin went into the garden. He almost +forgot the occurrences of the day in musing on the inexplicable +behavior of Louise. Again she had not uttered a word of condemnation of +the execrable doings of progress, and it grieved him deeply. A +suspicion flitted across his mind that perhaps Louise was infected with +the frivolous and pernicious spirit of the age, but he immediately +stifled the terrible suggestion as he would have hastened to crush a +viper that he might have seen on the path of the beautiful lady. He +preferred to believe that she suppressed her feelings of disgust out of +regard for his presence, that she wisely avoided pouring oil upon the +flames of his own indignation. Had she not exerted herself to dispel +his sombre reflections? He was thus espousing the side of passion +against the appalling truth that was beginning faintly to dawn upon his +anxious mind. + +But soon the spell was to be broken, and duty was to confront him with +the alternative of either giving up Louise, or defying the stern +demands of his conscience. + +The brother and sister, thinking their guest engaged with his diary, +walked into the garden. They directed their steps towards the arbor +where Gerlach had seated himself. + +He was only roused to consciousness of their proximity by the unusually +loud and excited tone in which Louise spoke. He could not be mistaken; +it was the young lady's voice--but oh! the import of her words. He +looked through an opening in the foliage, and sat thunderstruck. + +"You have been attempting to guide Gerlach's overexalted spirit into a +more rational way of thinking, but the very opposite seems to be the +result. Intercourse with the son of a strait-laced mother is infecting +you with sympathy for ultramontanism. Your speech to-day," continued +she caustically, "in yon obscure meeting is the subject of the talk of +the town. I am afraid you have made yourself ridiculous in the minds of +all cultivated people. The respectability of our family has suffered." + +"Of our family?" echoed he, perplexed. + +"We are compromitted," continued she with excitement. "You have given +our enemies occasion to set us down for members of a party who stupidly +oppose the onward march of civilization." + +"Cease your philippic," broke in the brother angrily. "Bitterness is an +unmerited return for my efforts to serve you." + +"To serve me?" + +"Yes, to serve you. The disturbing of that meeting made a very +unfavorable impression on your intended. He scorned the noisy mob, and +was roused by what, from his point of view, could not pass for anything +better than unpardonable impudence. To me it might have been a matter +of indifference whether your intended was pleased or displeased with +the fearless conduct of progress. But as I knew both you and the family +felt disposed to base the happiness of your life on his couple of +millions, as moreover I feared my silence might be interpreted by the +shortsighted young gentleman for complicity in progressionist ideas, I +was forced to disown the disorderly proceeding. In so doing I have not +derogated one iota from the spirit of the times; on the contrary, I +have bound a heavy wreath about the brow of glorious humanity." + +"But you have pardoned yourself too easily," proceeded she, unappeased. +"The very first word uttered by a Greifmann in that benighted assembly +was a stain on the fair fame of our family. We shall be an object of +contempt in every circle. 'The Greifmanns have turned ultramontanes +because Gerlach would have refused the young lady's hand had they not +changed their creed,' is what will be prated in society. A flood of +derision and sarcasm will be let loose upon us. I an ultramontane?" +cried she, growing more fierce; "I caught in the meshes of religious +fanaticism? I accept the Syllabus--believe in the Prophet of Nazareth? +Oh! I could sink into the earth on account of this disgrace! Did I for +an instant doubt that Seraphin may be redeemed from superstition and +fanaticism, I would renounce my union with him--I would spurn the +tempting enjoyments of wealth, so much do I hate silly credulity." + +Seraphin glanced at her through the gap in the foliage. Not six paces +from him, with her face turned in his direction, stood the infuriate +beauty. How changed her countenance! The features, habitually so +delicate and bright, now looked absolutely hideous, the brows were +fiercely knit, and hatred poured like streams of fire from her eyes. +Sentiments hitherto skilfully concealed had taken visible shape, ugly +and repulsive to the view of the innocent youth. His noble spirit +revolted at so much hypocrisy and falsehood. What occurred before him +was at once so monstrous and so overwhelming that he did not for an +instant consider that in case they entered the arbor he would be +discovered. He was not discovered, however. Louise and Carl retraced +their steps. For a short while the voice of Louise was still audible, +then silence reigned in the garden. + +Seraphin rose from his seat. There was a sad earnestness in his face, +and the vanishing traces of deep pain, which however were soon +superseded by a noble indignation. + +"I have beheld the genuine Louise, and I thank God for it. It is as I +feared, Louise is a progressionist, an infidel that considers it +disgraceful to believe in the Redeemer. Out upon such degeneracy! She +hates light, and how hideous this hatred makes her. Not a feature was +left of the charming, smiling, winning Louise. Good God! how horrible +had her real character remained unknown until after we were married! +Chained for life to the bitter enemy of everything that I hold dear and +venerate as holy--think of it! With eyes bandaged, I was but two paces +from an abyss that resembles hell--thank God! the bandage has fallen--I +see the abyss, and shudder. + +"'The ultramontane Seraphin'--'the fanatical Gerlach'--'the +shortsighted Gerlach,' whose fortune the young lady covets that she may +pass her life in enjoyment--a heartless girl, in whom there is not a +spark of love for her intended husband--how base! + +"'Ultramontane'?--'fanatical'?--yes! 'Shortsighted?' by no means. One +would need the suspicious eyes of progress to see through the hypocrisy +of this lady and her brother--a simple, trusting spirit like mine +cannot penetrate such darkness. At any rate, they shall not find me +weak. The little flame that was beginning to burn within my heart has +been for ever extinguished by her unhallowed lips. She might now +present herself in the garb of an angel, and muster up every seductive +art of womanhood, 'twould not avail; I have had an insight into her +real character, and giving her up costs me not a pang. It is not hollow +appearances that determine the worth of woman, but moral excellence, +beautiful virtues springing from a heart vivified by faith. No, giving +her up shall not cost me one regretful throb." + +He hastened from the garden to his room and rang the bell. + +"Pack my trunks this very day, John," said he to his servant. "Tomorrow +we shall be off." + +He then entered in his diary a circumstantial account of the unmasked +beauty. He also dwelt at length upon the painful shock his heart +experienced when the bright and beautiful creature he had considered +Louise to be suddenly vanished before his soul. As he was finishing the +last line, John reappeared with a telegraphic despatch. He read it, and +was stunned. + +"Meet your father at the train this evening." He looked at the concise +despatch, and fancied he saw his father's stern and threatening +countenance. + +The contemplated match had for several years been regarded by the +families of Gerlach and Greifmann as a fixed fact. Seraphin was aware +how stubbornly his father adhered to a project that he had once set his +mind upon. Here now, just as the union had became impossible and as the +youth was about to free himself for ever from an engagement that was +destructive of his happiness, the uncompromising sire had to appear to +enforce unconditional obedience to his will. A fearful contest awaited +Seraphin, unequal and painful; for a son, accustomed from childhood to +revere and obey his parents, was to maintain this contest against his +own father. Seraphin paced the room and wrung his hands in anguish. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + AN ULTRAMONTANE SON. + + +Greifmann and Gerlach had driven to the railway station. The express +train thundered along. As the doors of the carriages flew open, +Seraphin peered through them with eyes full of eager joy. He thought no +more of the fate that threatened him as the sequel of his father's +arrival; his youthful heart exulted solely in the anticipation of the +meeting. A tall, broad-shouldered gentleman, with severe features and +tanned complexion, alighted from a _coupé_. It was Mr. Conrad Gerlach. +Seraphin threw his arms around his father's neck and kissed him. The +banker made a polite bow to the wealthiest landed proprietor of the +country, in return for which Mr. Conrad bestowed on him a cordial shake +of the hand. + +"Has your father returned?" + +"He cannot possibly reach home before September," answered the banker. +The traveller stepped for a moment into the luggage-room. The gentlemen +then drove away to the Palais Greifmann. During the ride, the +conversation was not very animated. Conrad's curt, grave manner and +keen look, indicative of a mind always hard at work, imposed reserve, +and rapidly dampened his son's ingenuous burst of joy. Seraphin cast a +searching glance upon that severe countenance, saw no change from its +stern look of authority, and his heart sank before the appalling +alternative of either sacrificing the happiness of his life to his +father's favorite project, or of opposing his will and braving the +consequences of such daring. Yet he wavered but an instant in the +resolution to which he had been driven by necessity, and which, it was +plain from the lines of his countenance, he had manhood enough to abide +by. + +Mr. Conrad maintained his reserve, and asked but few questions. Even +Carl, habitually profuse, studied brevity in his answers, as he knew +from experience that Gerlach, Senior, was singularly averse to the use +of many words. + +"How is business?" + +"Very dull, sir; the times are hard." + +"Did you sustain any losses through the failures that have recently +taken place in town?" + +"Not a farthing. We had several thousands with Wendel, but fortunately +drew them out before he failed." + +"Very prudent. Has your father entered into any new connections in the +course of his travels?" + +"Several, that promise fairly." + +"Is Louise well?" + +"Her health is as good as could be wished." + +"General prosperity, then, I see, for you both look cheerful, and +Seraphin is as blooming as a clover field. + +"How is dear mother?" + +"Quite well. She misses her only child. She sends much love." + +The carriage drew up at the gate. The young lady was awaiting the +millionaire at the bottom of the steps. While greetings were exchanged +between them, a faint tinge of warmth could be noticed on the cold +features of the land-owner. A smile formed about his mouth, his +piercing eyes glanced for an instant at Seraphin, and instantly the +smile was eclipsed under the cloud of an unwelcome discovery. + +"I am on my way to the industrial exhibition," said he, "and I thought +I would pay you a visit in passing. I wish you not to put yourself to +any inconvenience, my dear Louise. You will have the goodness to make +me a little tea, this evening, which we shall sip together." + +"I am overjoyed at your visit, and yet I am sorry, too." + +"Sorry! Why so?" + +"Because you are in such a hurry." + +"It cannot be helped, my child. I am overwhelmed with work. Harvest has +commenced; no less than six hundred hands are in the fields, and I am +obliged to go to the exhibition. I must see and test some new machinery +which is said to be of wonderful power." + +"Well, then, you will at least spare us a few days on your return?" + +"A few days! You city people place no value on time. We of the country +economize seconds. Without a thought you squander in idleness what +cannot be recalled." + +"You are a greater rigorist than ever," chided she, smiling. + +"Because, my child, I am getting older. Seraphin, I wish to speak a +word with you before tea." + +The two retired to the apartments which for years Mr. Conrad was +accustomed to occupy whenever he visited the Palais Greifmann. + +"The old man still maintains his characteristic vigor," said Louise. +"His face is at all times like a problem in arithmetic, and in place of +a heart he carries an accurate estimate of the yield of his farms. His +is a cold, repelling nature." + +"But strictly honest, and alive to gain," added Carl. "In ten years +more he will have completed his third million. I am glad he came; the +marriage project is progressing towards a final arrangement. He is now +having a talk with Seraphin; tomorrow, as you will see, the bashful +young gentleman, in obedience to the command of his father, will +present himself to offer you his heart, and ask yours in return." + +"A free heart for an enslaved one," said she jestingly. "Were there no +hope of ennobling that heart, of freeing it from the absurdities with +which it is encrusted, I declare solemnly I would not accept it for +three millions. But Seraphin is capable of being improved. His eye will +not close itself against modern enlightenment. Servility of conscience +and a baneful fear of God cannot have entirely extinguished his sense +of liberty." + +"I have never set a very high estimate on the pluck and moral force of +religious people," declared Greifmann. "They are a craven set, who are +pious merely because they are afraid of hell. When a passion gets +possession of them, the impotence of their religious frenzy at once +becomes manifest. They fall an easy prey to the impulses of nature, +and the supernatural fails to come to the rescue. It would be vain +for Seraphin to try to give up the unbelieving Louise, whom his +strait-laced faith makes it his duty to avoid. He has fallen a victim +to your fascinations; all the Gospel of the Jew of Nazareth, together +with all the sacraments and unctions of the church, could not loose the +coils with which you have encircled him." + +In this scornful tone did Carl Greifmann speak of the heroism of virtue +and of the energy of faith, like a blind man discoursing about colors. +He little suspected that it is just the power of religion that produces +characters, and that, on this very account, in an irreligious age, +characters of a noble type are so rarely met with; the warmth of faith +is not in them. + +"Mr. Schwefel desires to speak a word with you," said a servant who +appeared at the door. + +The banker nodded assent. + +"I ask your pardon for troubling you at so unseasonable an hour," began +the leader, after bowing lowly several times. "The subject is urgent, +and must be settled without delay. But, by the way, I must first give +you the good news: Mr. Shund is elected by an overwhelming majority, +and Progress is victorious in every ward." + +"That is what I looked for," answered the banker, with an air of +satisfaction. "I told you whatever Cæsar, Antony, and Lepidus command, +must be done." + +"I am just from a meeting at which some important resolutions have been +offered and adopted," continued the leader. "The strongest prop of +ultramontanism is the present system of educating youth. Education +must, therefore, be taken out of the hands of the priests. But the +change will have to be brought about gradually and with caution. We +have decided to make a beginning by introducing common schools. A vote +of the people is to be taken on the measure, and, on the last day of +voting, a grand barbecue is to be given to celebrate our triumph over +the accursed slavery of religious symbols. The ground chosen by the +chief-magistrate for the celebration is the common near the Red Tower, +but the space is not large enough, and we will need your meadow +adjoining it to accommodate the crowd. I am commissioned by the +magistrate to request you to throw open the meadow for the occasion." + +The banker, believing the request prejudicial to his private interests, +looked rather unenthusiastic. Louise, who had been busy with the +teapot, had heard every word of the conversation, and the new +educational scheme had won her cordial approval. Seeing her brother +hesitated, she flew to the rescue: + +"We are ready and happy to make any sacrifice in the interest of +education and progress." + +"I am not sure that it is competent for me in the present instance to +grant the desired permission," replied Greifmann. "The grass would be +destroyed, and perhaps the sod ruined for years. My father is away from +home, and I would not like to take the responsibility of complying with +his honor's wish." + +"The city will hold itself liable for all damages," said Schwefel. + +"Not at all!" interposed the young lady hastily. "Make use of the +meadow without paying damages. If my brother refuses to assume the +responsibility, I will take it upon my self. By wresting education from +the clergy, who only cripple the intellect of youth, progress aims a +death-blow at mental degradation. It is a glorious work, and one full +of inestimable results that you gentlemen are beginning in the cause of +humanity against ignorance and superstition. My father so heartily +concurs in every undertaking that responds to the wants of the times, +that I not only feel encouraged to make myself responsible for this +concession, but am even sure that he would be angry if we refused. Do +not hesitate to make use of the meadow, and from its flowers bind +garlands about the temples of the goddess of liberty!" + +The leader bowed reverently to the beautiful advocate of progress. + +"In this case, there remains nothing else for me to do than to confirm +my sister's decision," said Greifmann. "When is the celebration to take +place?" + +"On the 10th of August, the day of the deputy elections. It has been +intentionally set for that day to impress on the delegates how genuine +and right is the sentiment of our people." + +"Very good," approved Greifmann. + +"In the name of the chief-magistrate, I thank you for the offering you +have so generously laid upon the shrine of humanity, and I shall hasten +to inform the gentlemen before they adjourn that you have granted our +request." And Schwefel withdrew from the gorgeously furnished +apartment. + +Meanwhile a fiery struggle was going on between Seraphin and his +father. He had briefly related his experience at the Palais Greifmann; +had even confessed his preference for Louise, and had, for the first +time in his life, incurred his father's displeasure by mentioning the +wager. And when he concluded by protesting that he could not marry +Louise, Conrad's suppressed anger burst forth. + +"Have you lost your senses, foolish boy? This marriage has been in +contemplation for years; it has been coolly weighed and calculated. In +all the country around, it is the only equal match possible. Louise's +dower amounts to one million florins, the exact value of the noble +estate of Hatzfurth, adjoining our possessions. You young people can +occupy the chateau, I shall add another hundred acres to the land, +together with a complete outfit of farming implements, and then you +will have such a start as no ten proprietors in Germany can boast of." + +Seraphin knew his father. All the old gentleman's thought and effort +was concentrated on the management of his extensive possessions. For +other subjects there was no room in the head and heart of the +landholder. He barely complied with his religious duties. It is true, +on Sundays Mr. Conrad attended church, but surrounded invariably by a +motley swarm of worldly cares and speculations connected with farming. +At Easter, he went to the sacraments, but usually among the last, and +after being repeatedly reminded by his wife. He took no interest in +progress, humanity, ultramontanism, and such other questions as vex the +age, because to trouble himself about them would have interfered with +his main purpose. He knew only his fields and woodlands--and God, in so +far as his providence blessed him with bountiful harvests. + +"What is the good of millions, father, if the very fundamental +conditions of matrimonial peace are wanting?" + +"What fundamental conditions?" + +"Louise believes neither in God nor in revelation. She is an infidel." + +"And you are a fanatic--a fanatic because of your one-sided education. +Your mother has trained you as priests and monks are trained. During +your childhood piety was very useful; it served as the prop to the +young tree, causing it to grow up straight and develop itself into a +vigorous stem. But you are now full-grown, and life makes other demands +on the man than on the boy; therefore, with your fanaticism. + +"To my dying hour I shall thank my mother for the care she has bestowed +on the child, the boy, and the young man. If her pious spirit has given +a right direction to my career, and watched faithfully over my steps, +the untarnished record of the son cannot but rejoice the heart of the +father--a record which is the undoubted product of religious training." + +"You are a good son, and I am proud of you," accorded Mr. Conrad with +candor. "Your mother, too, is a woman whose equal is not to be found. +All this is very well. But, if Louise's city manners and free way of +thinking scandalize you, you are sheerly narrow-minded. I have been +noticing her for years, and have learned to value her industry and +domestic virtues. She has not a particle of extravagance; on the +contrary, she has a decided leaning towards economy and thrift. She +will make an unexceptionable wife. Do you imagine, my son, my choice +could be a blind one when I fixed upon Louise to share the property +which, through years of toil, I have amassed by untiring energy?" + +"I do not deny the lady has the qualities you mention, my dear father." + + +"Moreover, she is a millionaire, and handsome, very handsome, and you +are in love with her--what more do you want?" + +"The most important thing of all, father. The very soul of conjugal +felicity is wanting, which is oneness of faith in supernatural truth. +What I adore, Louise denies; what I revere, she hates; what I practise, +she scorns. Louise never prays, never goes to church, never receives +the sacraments, in a word, she has not a spark of religion." + +"That will all come right," returned Mr. Conrad. "Louise will learn to +pray. You must not, simpleton, expect a banker's daughter to be for +ever counting her beads like a nun. Take my word for it, the weight of +a wife's responsibilities will make her serious enough." + +"Serious perhaps, but not religious, for she is totally devoid of +faith." + +"Enough; you shall marry her nevertheless," broke in the father. "It is +my wish that you shall marry her. I will not suffer opposition." + +For a moment the young man sat silent, struggling painfully with the +violence of his own feelings. + +"Father," said he, then, "you command what I cannot fulfil, because it +goes against my conscience. I beg you not to do violence to my +conscience; violence is opposed to your own and my Christian +principles. An atheist or a progressionist who does not recognize a +higher moral order, might insist upon his son's marrying an infidel for +the sake of a million. But you cannot do so, for it is not millions of +money that you and I look upon as the highest good. Do not, therefore, +dear father, interfere with my moral freedom; do not force me into a +union which my religion prohibits." + +"What does this mean?" And a dark frown gathered on the old gentleman's +forehead. "Defiance disguised in religious twaddle? Open rebellion? Is +this the manner in which my son fulfils the duty of filial obedience?" + +"Pardon me, father," said the youth with deferential firmness, "there +is no divine law making it obligatory upon a father to select a wife +for his son. Consequently, also, the duty of obedience on this point +does not rest upon the son. Did I, beguiled by passion or driven by +recklessness, wish to marry a creature whose depravity would imperil my +temporal and eternal welfare, your duty, as a father, would be to +oppose my rashness, and my duty, as a son, would be to obey you. Louise +is just such a creature; she is artfully plotting against my religious +principles, against my loyalty to God and the church. She has put upon +herself as a task to lead me from the darkness of superstition into the +light of modern advancement. I overheard her when she said to her +brother, 'Did I for an instant doubt that Seraphin may be reclaimed +from superstition, I would renounce my union with him, I would forego +all the gratifications of wealth, so much do I detest stupid +credulity.' Hence I should have to look forward to being constantly +annoyed by my wife's fanatical hostility to my religion. There never +would be an end of discord and wrangling. And what kind of children +would such a mother rear? She would corrupt the little ones, instil +into their innocent souls the poison of her own godlessness, and make +me the most wretched of fathers. For these reasons Miss Greifmann shall +not become my wife---no, never! I implore you, dear father, do not +require from me what my conscience will not permit, and what I shall on +no condition consent to," concluded the young man with a tone of +decision. + +Mr. Conrad had observed a solemn silence, like a man who suddenly +beholds an unsuspected phenomenon exhibited before him. Seraphin's +words produced, as it were, a burst of vivid light upon his mind, +dispelling the multitudinous schemes and speculations that nestled in +every nook and depth. The effect of this sudden illumination became +perceptible at once, for Mr. Gerlach lost the points of view which had +invariably brought before his vision the million of the Greifmanns, and +he began to feel a growing esteem for the stand taken by his son. + +"Your language sounds fabulous," said he. + +"Here, father, is my diary. In it you will find a detailed account of +what I have briefly stated." + +Gerlach took the book and shoved it into the breast-pocket of his coat. +In an instant, however, his imagination conjured up to him a picture of +the Count of Hatzfurth's splendid estate, and he went on coldly and +deliberately: "Hear me, Seraphin! Your marriage with Louise is a +favorite project upon which I have based not a few expectations. The +observations you have made shall not induce me to renounce this project +unconditionally, for you may have been mistaken. I shall take notes +myself and test this matter. If your view is confirmed, our project +will have been an air castle. You shall be left entirely unmolested in +your convictions." + +Seraphin embraced his father. + +"Let us have no scene; hear me out. Should it turn out, on the other +hand, that your judgment is erroneous, should Louise not belong to yon +crazy progressionist mob who aim to dethrone God and subvert the order +of society, should her hatred against religion be merely a silly +conforming to the fashionable impiety of the age, which good influences +may correct--then I shall insist upon your marrying her. Meanwhile I +want you to maintain a strict neutrality--not a step backward nor a +step in advance. Now to tea, and let your countenance betray nothing of +what has passed." He drew his son to his bosom and imprinted a kiss on +his forehead. + +The millionaires were seated around the tea-table. Mr. Conrad playfully +commended Louise's talent for cooking. Apparently without design he +turned the conversation upon the elections, and, to Seraphin's utter +astonishment, eulogized the beneficent power of liberal doctrines. + +"Our age," said he, "can no longer bear the hampering notions of the +past. In the material world, steam and machinery have brought about +changes which call for corresponding changes in the world of intellect. +Great revolutions have already commenced. In France, Renan has written +a _Life of Christ_, and in our own country Protestant convocations are +proclaiming an historical Christ who was not God, but only an +extraordinary man. You hardly need to be assured that I too take a deep +interest in the intellectual struggles of my countrymen, but an excess +of business does not permit me to watch them closely. I am obliged to +content myself with such reports as the newspapers furnish. I should +like to read Renan's work, which seems to have created a great +sensation. They say it suits our times admirably." + +The brother and sister were not a little astonished at the old +gentleman's unusual communicativeness. + +"It is a splendid book," exclaimed Louise--"charming as to style, and +remarkably liberal and considerate towards the worshippers of Christ." + +"So I have everywhere been told," said Mr. Conrad. + +"Have you read the book, Louise?" + +"Not less than four times, three times in French and once in German." + +"Do you think a farmer whose moments are precious as gold could forgive +himself the reading of Renan's book in view of the multitude of his +urgent occupations?" asked he, smiling. + +"The reading of a book that originates a new intellectual era is also a +serious occupation," maintained the beautiful lady. + +"Very true; yet I apprehend Renan's attempt to disprove to me the +divinity of Christ would remain unsuccessful, and it would only cause +me the loss of some hours of valuable time." + +"Read it, Mr. Gerlach, do read it. Renan's arguments are unanswerable." + +"So you have been convinced, Louise?" + +"Yes, indeed, quite." + +"Well, now, Renan is a living author, he is the lion of the day, and +nothing could be more natural than that the fair sex should grow +enthusiastic over him. But, of course, at your next confession you will +sorrowfully declare and retract your belief in Renan." + +The young lady cast a quick glance at Seraphin, and the brim of her +teacup concealed a proud, triumphant smile. + +"Our city is about taking a bold step," said Carl, breaking the +silence. "We are to have common schools, in order to take education +from the control of the clergy." And he went on to relate what Schwefel +had reported. + +"When is the barbecue to come off?" inquired Mr. Conrad. + +"On the 10th of August." + +"Perhaps I shall have time to attend this demonstration," said Gerlach. +"Hearts reveal themselves at such festivities. One gets a clear insight +into the mind of the multitude. You, Louise, have put progress under +obligations by so cheerfully advancing to meet it." + +After these words the landholder rose and went to his room. The next +morning he proceeded on his journey, taking with him Seraphin's diary. +The author himself he left at the Palais Greifmann in anxious +uncertainty about future events. + + + + + CHAPTER IX. + + FAITH AND SCIENCE OF PROGRESS. + + +Seraphin usually look an early ride with Carl. The banker was overjoyed +at the wager, about the winning of which he now felt absolute +certainty. He expressed himself confident that before long he would +have the pleasure of going over the road on the back of the best racer +in the country. "The noble animals," said he, "shall not be brought by +the railway; it might injure them. I shall send my groom for them to +Chateau Hallberg. He can ride the distance in two days." + +Seraphin could not help smiling at his friend's solicitude for the +horses. + +"Do not sell the bear's skin before killing the bear," answered he. "I +may not lose the horses, but may, on the contrary, acquire a pleasant +claim to twenty thousand florins." + +"That is beyond all possibility," returned the banker. "Hans Shund is +now chief-magistrate, has been nominated to the legislature, and in a +few days will be elected. Mr. Hans will appear as a shining light +to-morrow, when he is to state his political creed in a speech to his +constituents. Of course, you and I shall go to hear him. Next will +follow his election, then my groom will hasten to Chateau Hallberg to +fetch the horses. Are you sorry you made the bet?" + +"Not at all! I should regret very much to lose my span of bays. Still, +the bet will be of incalculable benefit to me. I will have learned +concerning men and manners what otherwise I could never have dreamed +of. In any event, the experience gained will be of vast service to me +during life. + +"I am exceedingly glad to know it, my dear fellow," assured Greifmann. +"Your acquaintance with the present has been very superficial. You have +learned a great deal in a few days, and it is gratifying to hear you +acknowledge the fact." + +The banker had not, however, caught Gerlach's meaning. + +But for the wager, Seraphin would not have become acquainted with +Louise's intellectual standpoint. He would probably have married her +for the sake of her beauty, would have discovered his mistake when it +could not be corrected, and would have found himself condemned to spend +his life with a woman whose principles and character could only annoy +and give him pain. As it was, he was tormented by the fear that his +father might not coincide in his opinion of the young lady. What if the +old gentleman considered her hostility to religion as a mere +fashionable mania unsupported by inner conviction, a girlish whim +changeable like the wind, which with little effort might be made to +veer round to the point or the most unimpeachable orthodoxy? He had not +uttered a word condemning Louise's infatuation about Renan. On taking +leave he had parted with her in a friendly, almost hearty, manner, +proof sufficient that the young lady's doubtful utterances at tea had +not deceived him. + +Upon reaching home, Gerlach sat in his room with his eyes thoughtfully +fixed upon a luminous square cast by the sun upon the floor. Quite +naturally his thoughts ran upon the marriage, and to the prospect of +having to maintain his liberty by hard contest with his inflexible +parent. He was unshaken in his resolution not to accede to the +projected alliance, and, when a will morally severe conceives +resolutions of this sort, they usually stand the hardest tests. So +absorbing were his reflections that he did not hear John announcing a +visitor. He nodded mechanically in reply to the words that seemed to +come out of the distance, and the servant disappeared. + +Soon after a country girl appeared entrance of the room. In both hands +she was carrying a small basket made of peeled willows, quite new. A +snow-white napkin was spread over the basket. The girl's dress was +neat, her figure was slender and graceful. Her hair, which was wound +about the head in heavy plaits, was golden and encircled her forehead +as with a _nimbus_. Her features were delicate and beautiful, and she +looked upon the young gentleman with a pair of deep-blue eyes. Thus +stood she for an instant in the door of the apartment. There was a +smile about her mouth and a faint flush upon her cheeks. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin!" said a sweet voice. + +The youth started at this salutation and looked at the stranger with +surprise. She was just then standing on the sunlit square, her hair +gleamed like the purest gold, and a flood of light streamed upon her +youthful form. He did not return the greeting. He looked at her as if +frightened, rose slowly, and bowed in silence. + +"My father sends some early grapes which he begs you to have the +goodness to accept." + +She drew nearer, and he received the basket from her hand. + +"I am very thankful!" said he. And, raising the napkin, the delicious +fruit smiled in his face. "These are a rarity this season. To whom am I +indebted for this friendly attention?" + +"The obligation is all on our side, Mr. Seraphin," she replied +trustfully to the generous benefactor of her family. "Father is sorry +that he cannot offer you something better." + +"Ah! you are Holt's daughter?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin." + +"Your name is Johanna, is it not?" + +"Mechtild, Mr. Seraphin." + +"Will you be so good as to sit down?" And he pointed her to a sofa. + +Mechtild, however, drew a chair and seated herself. + +He had noted her deportment, and could not but marvel at the graceful +action, the confiding simplicity, and well-bred self-possession of the +extraordinary country girl. As she sat opposite to him, she looked so +pure, so trusting and sincere, that his astonishment went on +increasing. He acknowledged to himself never to have beheld eyes whose +expression came so directly from the heart--a heart whose interior must +be equally as sunny and pure. + +"How are your good parents?" + +"They are very well, Mr. Seraphin. Father has gone to work with renewed +confidence. The sad--ah! the terrible period is past. You cannot +imagine, Mr. Seraphin, how many tears you have dried, how much misery +you have relieved!" + +The recollection of the ruin that had been hanging over her home +affected her painfully; her eyes glistened, and tears began to roll +down her cheeks. But she instantly repressed the emotion, and exhibited +a beautiful smile on her face. Seraphin's quick eye had observed both +the momentary feeling, and that she had resolutely checked it in order +not to annoy him by touching sorrowful chords. This trait of delicacy +also excited the admiration of the gentleman. + +"Your father is not in want of employment?" he inquired with interest. + +"No, sir! Father is much sought on account of his knowledge of farming. +Persons who have ground, but no team of their own, employ him to put in +crops for them." + +"No doubt the good man has to toil hard?" + +"That is true, sir; but father seems to like working, and we children +strive to help him as much as we can." + +"And do you like working?" + +"I do, indeed, Mr. Seraphin. Life would be worthless if one did not +labor. Man's life on earth is so ordered as to show him that he must +labor. Doing nothing is abominable, and idleness is the parent of many +vices." + +Another cause of astonishment for the millionaire. She did not converse +like an uneducated girl from the country. Her accurate, almost choice +use of words indicated some culture, and her concise observations +revealed both mind and reflection. He felt a strong desire to fathom +the mystery--to cast a glance into Mechtild's past history. + +"Have you always lived at home, or have you ever been away at school?" + +She must have detected something ludicrous in the question, for +suddenly a degree of archness might be observed in her amiable smile. + +"You mean, whether I have received a city education? No, sir! Father +used to speak highly of the clearness of my mind, and thought I might +even be made a teacher. But he had not the means to give me the +necessary amount of schooling. Until I was fourteen years old, I went +to school to the nuns here in town. I used to come in of mornings and +go back in the evening. I studied hard, and father and mother always +had the satisfaction of seeing me rewarded with a prize at the +examinations. I am very fond of books, and make good use of the convent +library. On Sundays, after vespers, I wait till the door of the +book-room is opened. I still spend my leisure time in reading, and on +Sundays and holidays I know no greater pleasure than to read nice +instructive books. At my work I think over what I have read, and I +continue practising composition according to the directions of the good +ladies of the convent." + +"And were you always head at school?" + +"Yes," she admitted, with a blush. + +"You have profited immensely by your opportunities," he said +approvingly. "And the desire for learning has not yet left you?" + +"This inordinate craving still continues to torment me," she +acknowledged frankly. + +"Inordinate--why inordinate?" + +"Because, my station and calling do not require a high degree of +culture. But it is so nice to know, and it is so nice to have refined +intercourse with each others. For seven years I admired the elegant +manners of the convent ladies, and I learned many a lesson from them." + +"How old are you now?" + +"Seventeen, Mr. Seraphin." + +"What a pity you did not enter some higher educational institution!" +said he. + +A pause followed. He looked with reverence upon the artless girl whom +God had so richly endowed, both in body and mind, Mechtild rose. + +"Please accept, also, my most heartfelt thanks for your generous aid," +she said, with emotion, "All my life long I shall remember you before +God, Mr. Seraphin. The Almighty will surely repay you what alas! we +cannot." + +She made a courtesy, and he accompanied her through all the apartments +as far as the front door. Here the girl, turning, bowed to him once +more and went away. + +Returning to his room, Seraphin stood and contemplated the grapes. +Strongly did the delicious fruit tempt him, but he touched not one. He +then pulled out a drawer, and hid the gifts as though it were a costly +treasure. For the rest of the day, Mechtild's bright form hovered near +him, and the sweet charm of her eyes, so full of soul, continually +worked on his imagination. When he again went into Louise's company, +the grace and innocence of the country girl gained ground in his +esteem. Compared with Mechtild's charming naturalness, Louise's manner +appeared affected, spoiled; through evil influences. The difference in +the expression of their eyes struck him especially. In Louise's eyes +there burned a fierce glow at times, which roused passion and stirred +the senses. Mechtild's neither glowed nor flashed; but from their +limpid depths beamed goodness so genuine and serenity so unclouded, +that Seraphin could compare them to nothing but two heralds of peace +and innocence. Louise's eyes, thought he, flash like two meteors of the +night; Mechtild's beam like two mild suns in a cloudless sky of spring. +As often as he entered the room where the grapes lay concealed, he +would unlock the drawer, examine the fragrant fruit, and handle the +basket which had been carried by her hands. He could not himself help +smiling at this childish action, and yet both great delicacy and deep +earnestness are manifested in honoring objects that have been touched +by pure hands, and in revering places hallowed by the presence of the +good. + +Next morning the banker asked his guest to accompany him to the church +of S. Peter, where Hans Shund was to address a large gathering. + +"In a church?" Gerlach exclaimed, with amazement. + +"Don't get frightened, my good fellow. The church is no longer in the +service of religion. It has been _secularized_ by the state, and is +customarily used as a hall for dancing. There will be quite a crowd, +for several able speakers are to discuss the question of common +schools. The church has been chosen for the meeting on account of the +crowd." + +The millionaires drove to the desecrated church. A tumultuous mass +swarmed about the portal. "Let us permit them to push us; we shall get +in most easily by letting them do so," said the banker merrily. Two +officious progressionists, recognizing the banker, opened a passage for +them through the throng. They reached the interior of the church, which +was now an empty space, stripped of every ornament proper to a house of +God. In the sanctuary could yet be seen, as if in mournful abandonment, +a large quadrangular slab, that had been the altar, and attached to one +of the side walls was an exquisite Gothic pulpit, which on occasions +like the present was used for a rostrum. Everywhere else reigned +silence and desolation. + +The nave was filled by a motley mass. The chieftains of progress, some +elegantly dressed, others exhibiting frivolous miens and huge beards, +crowded upon the elevation of the chancel. All the candidates for the +legislature were present, not for the purpose of proving their +qualifications for the office--progress never troubled itself about +those--but to air their views on the subject of education. There were +speakers on hand of acknowledged ability in the discussion of the +doctrines of progress, who were to lay the result of their +investigations before the people. + +Seraphia also noted some anxious faces in the crowd. They were +citizens, whose sons were alarmed at the thought of yielding up the +training of their children into the hands of infidelity. And near the +pulpit stood two priests, irreverently crowded against the wall, +targets for the scornful pleasantries of the wits of the mob. Leader +Schwefel was voted into the chair by acclamation. He thanked the +assembly in a short speech for the honor conferred, and then announced +that Mr. Till, member of the former assembly, would address the +meeting. Amid murmurs of expectation a short, fat gentleman climbed +into the pulpit. First a red face with a copper-tipped nose bobbed +above the ledge of the pulpit, next came a pair of broad shoulders, +upon which a huge head rested without the intermediary of a neck, +two puffy hands were laid upon the desk, and the commencement of a +well-rounded pauch could just be detected by the eye. Mr. Till, taking +two handfuls of his shaggy beard, drew them slowly through his fingers, +looked composedly upon the audience, and breathed hotly through mouth +and nostrils. + +"Gentlemen," he began, with a voice that struggled out from a mass of +flesh and fat, "I am not given to many words, you know. What need is +there of many words and long speeches? We know what we want, and what +we want we will have in spite of the machinations of Jesuits and the +whinings of an ultramontane horde. You all know how I acquitted myself +at the last legislature, and if you will again favor me with your +suffrages, I will endeavor once more to give satisfaction. You know my +record, and I shall remain staunch to the last." + +Cries of "Good!" from various directions. + +"Gentlemen! if you know my record, you must also be aware that I am +passionately fond of the chase. I even follow this amusement in the +legislative hall. Our country abounds in a sort of black game, and for +me it is rare sport to pursue this species of game in the assembly." + +A wild tumult of applause burst forth. Jeers and coarse witticisms were +bandied about on every side of the two clergymen, who looked meekly +upon these orgies of progress. + +"Gentlemen!" Till continued, "the _blacks_ are a dangerous kind of wild +beast. They have heretofore been ranging in a preserve, feeding on the +fat of the land. That is an abuse that challenges the wrath of heaven. +It must be done away with. The beasts of prey that in the dark ages +dwelt in castles have long since been exterminated, and their rocky +lairs have been reduced to ruins. Well, now, let us keep up the chase +in both houses of the legislature until the last of these _black_ +beasts is destroyed. Should you entrust to me again your interests, I +shall return to the seat of government, to aid with renewed energy in +ridding the land of these creatures that are enemies both of education +and liberty." + +Amid prolonged applause the fat man descended. The chieftains shook him +warmly by the hand, assuring him that the cause absolutely demanded his +being reelected. + +Gerlach was aghast at Till's speech. He hardly knew which deserved most +scorn, the vulgarity of the speaker or the abjectness of those who had +applauded him. Their wild enthusiasm was still surging through the +building, when Hans Shund mounted the pulpit. The chairman rang for +order; the tumult ceased. In mute suspense the multitude awaited the +great speech of the notorious usurer, thief, and debauchee. And indeed, +progress might well entertain great expectations, for Hans Shund had +read a pile of progressionist pamphlets, had extracted the strong +passages, and out of them had concocted a right racy speech. His speech +might with propriety have been designated the Gospel of Progress, for +Hans Shund had made capital of whatever freethinkers had lucubrated in +behalf of so-called enlightenment, and in opposition to Christianity. +The very appearance of the speaker gave great promise. His were not +coarse features and goggle eyes like Till's; his piercing feline eyes +looked intellectual. His face was rather pale, the result, no doubt, of +unusual application, and he had skilfully dyed his sandy hair. His +position as mayor of the city seemed also to entitle him to special +attention, and these several claims were enhanced by a white necktie, +white vest, and black cloth swallowtail coat. + +"Gentlemen," began the mayor with solemnity, "my honorable predecessor +in this place has told you with admirable sagacity that the kernel of +every political question is of a religious character. Indeed, religion +is linked with every important question of the day, it is the _ratio +ultima_ of the intellectual movement of our times. Men of thought and +of learning are all agreed as to the condition to which our social life +should be and must be brought. The friends of the people are actively +and earnestly at work trying to further a healthy development of our +social and political status. Nor have their efforts been utterly +fruitless. Progress has made great conquests; yet, gentlemen, these +conquests are far from being complete. What is it that is most hostile +to liberalism in morals, to enlightenment, and to humanity? It is the +antiquated faith of departed days. Have we not heard the language of +the Holy Father in the Syllabus? But the Holy Father at Rome, +gentlemen, is no father of ours--happily he is the father only of +stupid and credulous men." + +"Bravo! Well said!" resounded from the audience. Flaschen nudged +Spitzkopf, who sat next to him. "Shund is no mean speaker. Even that +fellow Voelk, of Bavaria, cannot compete with Shund." + +"Gentlemen, our good sense teaches us to smile with pity at the +infallible declarations of yon Holy Father. We are firmly convinced +that papal decrees can no more stop the onward march of civilization +than they can arrest the heavenly bodies in their journeys about the +sun. 'Tis true, an [oe]cumenical council is lowering like a black +storm-cloud. But let the council meet; let it declare the Syllabus an +article of faith; it will never succeed in destroying the treasures of +independent thought which creative intellects have been hoarding up for +centuries among every people. Since men of culture have ceased to yield +unquestioning submission, like dumb sheep, to the church, they have +begun to discover that nowhere are so many falsehoods uttered as in +pulpits." + +Tremendous applause, clapping, and swinging of hats, followed this +eloquent period. A distinguished gentleman, laying his hand upon Till's +shoulder, asked: "What calibre of ammunition do you use in hunting +_black_ game?" + +"Conical balls of two centimetres," replied Till, with no great wit. + +"Yon fellow in the pulpit fires shells of a hundredweight, I should +say. And if in the legislative assembly his shells all explode, not a +man of them will be left alive." + +Till thought this witticism so good that he set up a loud roar of +laughter, that could be heard above the general uproar. + +Stimulated by these marks of appreciation, Shund waxed still more +eloquent. "Gentlemen," cried he, "no body of men is more savagely +opposed to science and culture than a conventicle of so-called servants +of God. Were you to repeat the multiplication table several times over, +there would be as much prayer and sense in it as in what is designated +the Apostles' Creed." + +More cheering and boundless enthusiasm. "Gentlemen!" exclaimed the +speaker, with thundering emphasis and a hideous expression of hatred on +his face, "the significance of religious dogmas is simply a sort of +hom[oe]opathic concoction to which every succeeding age contributes +some drops of fanaticism. Subjected to the microscope of science, the +whole basis of the Christian church evaporates into thin mist. We must +shield our children against religious fables. Away with dogmas and saws +from the Bible; away with the Trinity; the divinity and humanity of +Jesus, and other such stuff! Away with apothegms such as this: _Christ +is my life, my death, and my gain._ Such things are opposed to nature. +Children's minds are thereby warped to untruthfulness and hyprocrisy. +In this manner the child is deprived of the power of thinking; loses +all interest in intellectual pursuits, and ceases to feel the need of +further culture. The times are favorable for a reformation. Our +imperial and royal rulers have at length realized that minds must be +set free. For this end it was as unavoidable for them to break with the +church and priesthood as it is necessary for us. If we cherish our +fatherland and the people, we must take the initiative. We are not +striving to effect a revolution; we want intellectual development, +profounder knowledge, and healthier morality. + + "Shall peace be seen beneath our skies, + The spirit's freedom first must rise," + +concluded the orator poetically, and he came down amidst a very +hurricane of applause. + +There followed a lull. In the audience, heads protruded and necks were +stretched that their possessors might obtain a glimpse of the great +Shund. In the chancel, the chiefs and leaders crowded around him, +smiling, bowing, and shaking his hand in admiration. + +"You have won the laurels," smirked a fellow from amidst a wilderness +of beard. + +"Your election to the Assembly is a certainty," declared another. + +"You carry deadly weapons against Christ," said a professor. + +Mr. Hans smiled, and nodded so often that he was seized with a pain in +the muscles of the face and neck. At length, the chairman's bell came +to the rescue. + +"The Rev. Mr. Morgenroth will now address the meeting." + +The clergyman mounted the rostrum, but scarcely had he appeared there, +when the crowd became possessed by a legion of hissing demons. + +"Gentlemen," began the fearless priest, "the duty of my calling as well +as personal conviction demands that I should enter a solemn protest +against the sundering of school and church." + +Further the priest was not allowed to proceed. Loud howling, hissing, +and whistling drowned his voice. The president called for order. + +"In the name of good-breeding, I beg this most honorable assembly to +hear the speaker out in patience," cried Mr. Schwefel. + +The mob relaxed into unwilling silence like a growling beast. + +"Not all the citizens of this town are affected with infidelity," the +reverend gentleman went on to say. "Many honorable gentlemen believe in +Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and in his church. These citizens wish +their children to receive a religious education; it would, therefore, +be unmitigated terrorism, tyrannical constraint of conscience, to force +Christian parents to bring up their children in the spirit of +unbelief." + +This palpable truth progress could not bear to listen to. A mad yell +was set up. Clenched fists were shaken at the clergyman, and fierce +threats thundered from all sides of the church. "Down with the priest!" +"Down with the accursed blackcoat!" "Down with the dog of a Jesuit!" +and similar exclamations resounded from all sides. The chairman rang +his bell in vain. The mob grew still more furious and noisy. The +clergyman was compelled to come down. + +"Such is the liberty, the education, the tolerance, the humanity of +progress," said he sadly to his colleague. + +Once more the bell of the chairman was heard amid the tumult. + +"Mr. Seicht, officer of the crown, will now address the meeting," +Schwefel announced. + +The audience were seized with amazement, and not without a cause. A +dignitary of a higher order, a member of the administration, ascended +the pulpit for the purpose of making an assault upon Christian +education. He was about to make war upon morals and faith, the true +supports of every solid government, the sources of the moral sentiment +and of the prosperity of human society. A remnant of honesty and a +lingering sense of justice may have raised a protest in Seicht's +mind against his undertaking; for his bearing was anything but +self-possessed, and he had the appearance of a wretch that was being +goaded on by an evil spirit. Besides, he had the habit peculiar to +bureaucrats of speaking in harsh, snarling tones. Seicht was conscious +of these peculiarities of his bureaucratic nature, and labored to +overcome them. The effort imparted to his delivery an air of constraint +and a sickening sweetness which were climaxed by the fearfully involved +style in which his speech was clothed. + +"Gentlemen," said Seicht, "in view of present circumstances, and in +consideration of the requirements of culture whose spirit is +incompatible with antiquated conditions, popular education, which in +connection with domestic training is the foundation of the future +citizen, must also undergo such changes as will bring it into harmony +with modern enlightened sentiment; and this is the more necessary as +the provisions of the law, which progress in its enlightenment and +clearness of perception cannot refuse to recognize as a fit model for +the imitation of a party dangerous to the state--I mean the party of +Jesuitism and ultramontranism--allow untrammelled scope for the +reformation of the school system, provided the proper clauses of the +law and the ordinances relating to this matter are not left out of +consideration. Accordingly, it is my duty to refer this honorable +meeting especially to the ministerial decree referring to common +schools, in accordance with which said common schools may be +established, after a vote of the citizens entitled to the elective +franchise, as soon as the need of this is felt; which in the present +instance cannot be contested, since public opinion has taken a decided +stand against denominational schools, in which youth is trained after +unbending forms of religion, and in doctrines that evidently conflict +with the triumph of the present, and with those exact sciences which +make up the only true gospel--the gospel of progress, which scarcely in +any respect resembles the narrow gospel of dubious dogmas--dubious for +the reason that they lack the spirit of advancement, and are +prejudicial to the investigation of the problems of a God, of material +nature, and of man." + +Here leader Sand thrust his fingers in his ears. + +"Thunder and lightning!" exclaimed he wrathfully, "what a shallow +babbler! What is he driving at? His periods are a yard long; and when +he has done, a man is no wiser than when he began. Gospel--gospel of +progress--fool--numskull--down! down!" + +"Quite a remarkable instance, this!" said Gerlach to the banker. +"Evidently this man is trying might and main to please, yet he only +succeeds in torturing his hearers." + +"I will explain this man to you," replied the banker. "Heretofore Mr. +Seicht has been a most complete exemplar of absolute bureaucracy. The +only divinity he knew were the statutes, the only heaven the bureau, +and the only safe way of reaching supreme felicity was, in his opinion, +to render unquestioning obedience to ministerial rescripts. Suddenly +Mr. Seicht heard the card-house of bureaucracy start in all its joints. +His divinity lost its worshippers, and his heaven lost all charms for +those who were seeking salvation. He felt the ground moving under him, +he realized the colossal might of progress, and hastened to commend +himself to this party by adopting liberal ideas. He is now aiming to +secure a seat in the house of delegates, which is subsequently to serve +him as a stepping-stone to a place in the cabinet. Just listen how the +man is agonizing! He is wasting his strength, however, and the attitude +of the audience is beginning to get alarming." + +For some time past, the chieftains in the chancel had been shaking +their heads at the efforts of this official advocate of progress. To +avoid being tortured by hearing, they had engaged in conversation. The +auditors in the nave of the church were also growing restive. The +speaker, however, continued blind to every hint and insinuation. At +last a tall fellow in the crowd swung his hat and cried, "Three cheers +for Mr. Seicht!" The whole nave joined in a deafening cheer. Seicht, +imagining the cheering to be a tribute to the excellence of his effort, +stopped for a moment to permit the uproar to subside, intending then to +go on with his speech; but no sooner had he resumed than the cheering +burst forth anew, and was so vigorously sustained that the man, at +length perceiving the meaning of the audience, came down amid peals of +derisive laughter. + +"Serves the gabbler right!" said Sand. "He's a precious kind of a +fellow! The booby thinks he can hoist himself into the chamber of +deputies by means of the shoulders of progress, and thence to climb up +higher. But it happens that we know whom we have to deal with, and we +are not going to serve as stirrups for a turn-coat official." + +The chairman wound up with a speech in which he announced that the vote +on the question of common schools would soon come off, and then +adjourned the meeting. + +The millionaires drew back to allow the crowd to disperse. Near them +stood Mr. Seicht, alone and dejected. The countenances of the +chieftains had yielded him no evidence on which to base a hope that his +speech had told, and that he might expect to occupy a seat in the +assembly. Moreover, Sand had rudely insulted the ambitious official to +his face. This he took exceedingly hard. All of a sudden, he spied the +banker in the chancel, and went over to greet him. Greifmann introduced +Gerlach. + +"I am proud," Mr. Seicht asseverated, "of the acquaintance of the +wealthiest proprietor of the country." + +"Pardon the correction, sir; my father is the proprietor." + +"No matter, you are his only son," rejoined Seicht. "Your presence +proves that you take an interest in the great questions of the day. +This is very laudable." + +"My presence, however, by no means proves that I concur in the object +of this meeting. Curiosity has led me hither." + +The official directed a look of inquiry at the banker. + +"Sheer curiosity," repeated this gentleman coldly. + +"Can you not, then, become reconciled to the spirit of progress?" asked +Seicht, with a smile revealing astonishment. + +"The value of my convictions consists in this, that I worship genuine +progress," replied the millionaire gravely. "The progress of this +community, in particular, looks to me like retrogression." + +"I am astonished at what you say," returned the official; "for surely +Shund's masterly speech has demonstrated that we are keeping pace with +the age." + +"I cannot see, sir, how fiendish hatred of religion can be taken for +progress. This horrible, bloodthirsty monster existed even in the days +of Nero and Tiberius, as we all know. Can the resurrection of it, now +that it has been mouldering for centuries, be seriously looked upon as +a step in advance? Rather a step backward, I should think, of eighteen +hundred years. Especially horrible and revolting is this latest +instance of tyranny, forcing parents who entertain religious sentiments +to send their children to irreligious schools. Not even Nero and +Tiberius went so far. On this point, I agree, there has been progress, +but it consists in putting a most unnatural constraint upon +conscience." + +Gerlach's language aroused the official. He was face to face with an +ultramontane. The mere sight of such an one caused a nervous twitching +in his person. He resorted at once to bureaucratic weapons in making +his onslaught. + +"You are mistaken, my dear sir--you are very much mistaken. The spirit +of the modern state demands that the schools of the multitude, +particularly public institutions, should be accessible to the children +of every class of citizens, without distinction of religious +profession. Consequently, the schools must be taken from under the +authority, direction, and influence of the church, and put entirely +under civil and political control. Such, too, is now the mind of our +rulers, besides that public sentiment calls for the change." + +"But, Mr. Seicht, in making such a change, the state despotically +infringes on the province of religion." + +"Not despotically, Mr. Gerlach, but legally; for the state is the +fountain-head of all right, and consequently possessed of unlimited +right." + +"You enunciate principles, sir, which differ vastly from what morality +and religion teach." + +"What signify morals--what signifies religion? Mere antiquated forms, +sir, with no living significance," explained Seicht, lavishly +displaying the treasures of the storehouse of progressionist wisdom. +"The past submitted quietly to the authority of religion, because there +existed then a low degree of intellectual culture. At present there is +only one authority--it is the preponderance of numbers and of material +forces. Consequently, the only real authority is the majority in power. +On the other hand, authorities based upon the supposed existence of a +supersensible world have lost their cause of being, for the reason that +exact science plainly demonstrates the nonexistence of an immaterial +world. _Cessante causa, cessat effectus_, the supersensible world, the +basis of religious authority, being gone, it logically results that +religious authority itself is gone. Hence the only real authority +existing in a state is the majority, and to this every citizen is +obliged to submit. You marvel, Mr. Gerlach. What I have said is not my +own personal view, but the expression of the principles which alone +pass current at the present day." + +"I agree in what you say," said the banker. "You have spoken from the +standpoint of the times. The controlling power is the majority." + +"Shund, then, accurately summed up the creed of the present age when he +said, 'Progress conquers death, destroys hell, rejects heaven, and +finds its god in the sweet enjoyment of life.' It is to be hoped that +all-powerful progress will next decree that there are no death and no +suffering upon earth, that all the hostile forces of nature have +ceased, that want and misery are no more, and that earth is a paradise +of sweet enjoyment for all." + +Mr. Seicht was rather taken aback by this satire. + +"Besides, gentlemen," proceeded Gerlach, "you will please observe that +the doctrine of state supremacy is a step backward of nearly two +thousand years. In Nero's day, but one source of right, namely, the +state, was recognized. In the head of the state, the emperor, were +centred all power, all authority, and all right. In his person, the +state was exalted into a divinity. Temples and altars were reared to +the emperor; sacrifices were offered to him; he was worshipped as a +deity. Even human sacrifices were not denied him if the imperial +divinity thought proper to demand them. And, now, to what condition did +these monstrous errors bring the world of that period? It became one +vast theatre of crime, immorality, and despotism. Slavery coiled itself +about men and things, and strangled their liberty. Matrimonial life +sank into the most loathsome corruption. Infanticide was permitted to +pass unpunished. The licentiousness of women was even greater than that +of men. Life and property became mere playthings for the whims of the +emperor and of his courtiers. Did the divine Cæsar wish to amuse his +deeply sunken subjects, he had only to order the gladiators to butcher +one another, or some prisoners or slaves or Christians to be thrown to +tigers and panthers; this made a Roman holiday. Such, gentlemen, was +human society when it recognized no supersensible world, no God above, +no moral law. If our own progress proceeds much further in the path on +which it is marching, it will soon reach a similar fearful stage. We +already see in our midst the commencement of social corruption. We have +the only source of right proclaimed to be the divine state. Conscience +is being tyrannized over by a majority that rejects God and denies +future rewards and punishments. All the rest, even to the divine +despot, has already followed, or inevitably will follow. Therefore, Mr. +Seicht, the progress you so loudly boast of is mere stupid +retrogression, blind superstition, which falls prostrate before the +majority of a mob, and worships the omnipotence of the state." + +"Don't you think my friend has been uttering some very bitter truths?" +asked the banker, with a smile. + +"Pretty nearly so," replied the official demurely. "However, one can +detect the design, and cannot help getting out of humor." + +"What design?" asked Seraphin. + +"Of creating alarm against progress." + +"Indeed, sir, you are mistaken. I, too, am enthusiastic about progress, +but genuine progress. And because I am an advocate of real progress I +cannot help detesting the monstrosity which the age would wish to palm +off on men instead." + +The church was now cleared. Greifmann's carriage was at the door. The +millionaires drove off. + +"Pity for this Gerlach!" thought the official, as he strode through the +street. "He is lost to progress, for he is too solidly rooted in +superstition to be reclaimed. War against nature's claims; deny healthy +physical nature its rights; re-establish terror of the seven capital +sins; permit the priesthood to tyrannize over conscience; restore the +worship of an unmathematical triune God--no! no!" cried he fiercely, "I +shall all go to the devil!" + +A carriage whirled past him. He caste a glance into the vehicle, and +raised his hat to Mr. Hans Shund. + +The chief magistrate was on his way home from the town-hall. He could +not rest under the weight of his laurels; the inebriation of his +triumph drove him into the room where sat his lonely and careworn wife. + +"My election to the assembly is assured, wife." And he went on with a +minute account of the proceedings of the day. + +The pale, emaciated lady sat bowed in silence over her work, and did +not look up. + +"Well, wife, don't you take any interest in the honors won by your +husband? I should think you ought to feel pleased." + +"All my joys are swallowed up in an abyss of unutterable wretchedness," +replied she. "And my husband is daily deepening the gulf. Yesterday you +were again at a disreputable house. Your abominable deeds are heaped +mountain high--and am I to rejoice?" + +"A thousand demons, wife, I'm beginning to believe you have spies on +foot!" + +"I have not. But you are at the head of this city--your steps cannot +possibly remain unobserved." + +"Very well!" cried he, "it shall be my effort in the assembly to bring +about such a change that there shall no longer be any houses of +disrepute. Narrow-minded moralists shall not be allowed to howl any +longer. The time is at hand, old lady--so-called disreputable houses +are to become places of amusement authorized by law." + +He spoke and disappeared. + + + + + CHAPTER X. + + PROGRESS GROWS JOLLY. + + +The agitators of progress were again hurrying through the streets and +alleys of the town. They knocked at every door and entered every house +to solicit votes in favor of common schools. Thanks to the overwhelming +might of the party in power, they again carried their measure. +Dependent, utterly enslaved, many yielded up their votes without +opposition. It is true conscience tortured many a parent for voting +against his convictions, for sacrificing his children to a system with +which he could not sympathize; but not a man in a dependent position +had the courage to vindicate for his child the religious training which +was being so ruthlessly swept away. Even men in high office gave way +before the encroaching despotism, for in the very uppermost ranks of +society also progress domineered. + +One man only, fearless and firm, dared to put himself in the path of +the dominant power--the Rev. F. Morgenroth. From the pulpit, he +unmasked and scathed the unchristian design of debarring youth from +religious instruction, and of rearing a generation ignorant of God and +of his commandments. He warned parents against the evil, entreated them +to stand up conscientiously for the spiritual welfare of their +children, to reject the common schools, and to rescue the little ones +for the maternal guardianship of the church. + +His sermon roused the entire progressionist camp. The local press +fiercely assailed the intrepid clergyman. Lies, calumnies, and +scurrility were vomited against him and his profession. Hans Shund +seized the pen, and indited newspaper articles of such a character as +one would naturally look for from a thief, usurer, and debauchee. +Morgenroth paid no attention to their disgraceful clamor, but continued +his opposition undismayed. By means of placards, he invited the +Catholic citizens to assemble at his own residence, for the purpose of +consulting about the best mode of thwarting the designs of the +liberals. This unexpected fearlessness put the men of culture, +humanity, and freedom beside themselves with rage. They at once decided +upon making a public demonstration. The chieftains issued orders to +their bands, and these at the hour appointed for the meeting mustered +before the residence of the priest. A noisy multitude, uttering +threats, took possession of the churchyard. If a citizen attempted to +make his way through the mob to the house, he was loaded with vile +epithets, at times even with kicks and blows. But a small number had +gathered around the priest, and these showed much alarm; for outside +the billows of progress were surging and every moment rising higher. +Stones were thrown at the house, and the windows were broken. +Parteiling, the commissary of police, came to remonstrate with the +clergyman. + +"Dismiss the meeting," said he. "The excitement is assuming alarming +proportions." + +"Commissary, we are under the protection of the law and of civil rule," +replied Morgenroth. "We are not slaves and helots of progress. Are we +to be denied the liberty of discussing subjects of great importance in +our own houses?" + +A boulder coming through the window crushed the inkstand on the table, +and rolled on over the floor. The men pressed to one side in terror. + +"Your calling upon the law to protect you is utterly unreasonable under +present circumstances," said Parteiling. "Listen to the howling. Do you +want your house demolished? Do you wish to be maltreated? Will you have +open revolution? This all will surely follow if you persist in refusing +to dismiss the meeting. I will not answer for results." + +Stones began to rain more densely, and the howling grew louder and more +menacing. + +"Gentlemen," said Morgenroth to the men assembled, "since we are not +permitted to proceed with our deliberations, we will separate, with a +protest against this brutal terrorism." + +"But, commissary," said a much frightened man, "how are we to get away? +These people are infuriated; they will tear us in pieces." + +"Fear nothing, gentlemen; follow me," spoke the commissary, leading the +way. + +The ultramontanes were hailed with a loud burst of scornful laughter. +The commissary, advancing to the gate, beckoned silence. + +"In the name of the law, clear the place!" cried he. + +The mob scoffed and yelled. + +"Fetch out the slaves of the priest--make them run the gauntlet--down +with the Jesuits!" + +At this moment, a man was noticed elbowing his way through the crowd; +presently Hans Shund stepped before the embarrassed guardian of public +order. + +"Three cheers for the magistrate!" vociferated the mob. + +Shund made a signal. Profound silence followed. + +"Gentlemen," spoke the chief magistrate, in a tone of entreaty, "have +goodness to disperse." + +Repeated cheers were raised, then the accumulation of corrupt elements +began to dissolve and flow off into every direction. + +"I deeply regret this commotion of which I but a moment ago received +intelligence," said Shund. "The excitement of the people is +attributable solely to the imprudent conduct of Morgenroth." + +"To be sure--to be sure!" assented Parteiling. + +The place was cleared. The Catholics hurried home pursued and hooted by +straggling groups of rioters. + +The signs of the approaching celebration began to be noticeable on the +town-common. Booths were being erected, tables were being disposed in +rows which reached further than the eye could see, wagon-loads of +chairs and benches were being brought from all parts of town, men were +busy sinking holes for climbing-poles and treacherous turnstiles; but +the most attractive feature of all the festival was yet invisible--free +beer and sausages furnished at public cost. The rumor alone, however, +of such cheer gladdened the heart of every thirsty voter, and +contributed greatly to the establishment of the system of common +schools. Bands of music paraded the town, gathered up voters, and +escorted them to the polls. As often as they passed before the +residence of a progressionist chieftain, the bands struck up an air, +and the crowd cheered lustily. They halted in front of the priest's +residence also. The band played, "Today we'll taste the parson's +cheer," the mob roaring the words, and then winding up with whistling +and guffaws of laughter. This sort of disorderly work was kept up +during three days. Then was announced in the papers in huge type: "An +overwhelming majority of the enlightened citizens of this city have +decided in favor of common schools. Herewith the existence of these +schools is secured and legalized." + +On the fourth day, the celebration came off. The same morning Gerlach +senior arrived at the Palais Greifmann on his way home from the +Exposition. + +"I am so glad!" cried Louise. "I was beginning to fear you would not +come, and getting provoked at your indifference to the interests of our +people. We have been having stirring times, but we have come off +victorious. The narrow-minded enemies of enlightenment are defeated. +Modern views now prevail, and education is to be remodelled and put in +harmony with the wants of our century." + +"Times must have been stirring, for you seem almost frenzied, Louise," +said Conrad. + +"Had you witnessed the struggle and read the newspapers, you, too, +would have grown enthusiastic," declared the young lady. + +"Even quotations advanced," said the banker. "It astonished me, and +I can account for it only by assuming that the triumph of the +common-school system is of general significance and an imperative +desideratum of the times." + +"How can you have any doubt about it?" cried his sister. "Our town has +pioneered the way: the rest of Germany will soon adopt the same +system." + +Seraphin greeted his father. + +"Well, my son, you very likely have heard nothing whatever of this +hubbub about schools?" + +"Indeed, I have, father. Carl and I were in the midst of the commotion +at the desecrated church of S. Peter. We saw and heard what it would +have been difficult to imagine." He then proceeded to give his father a +minute account of the meeting. His powerful memory enabled him to +repeat Shund's speech almost verbatim. The father listened attentively, +and occasionally directed a glance of observation at the young lady. +When Shund's coarse ridicule of Christian morals and dogmas was +rehearsed, Mr. Conrad lowered his eyes, and a frown flitted over his +brow. For the rest, his countenance was, as usual, cold and stern. + +"This Mr. Shund made quite a strong speech," said he, in a nonchalant +way. + +"He rather intensified the colors of truth, 'tis true," remarked +Louise. "The masses, however, like high coloring and vigorous +language." + +A servant brought the banker a note. + +"Good! Shund is elected to the assembly! The span of bays belongs to +me," exulted Carl Greifmann. + +"Your bays Seraphin?" inquired the father. "How is this?" + +Mr. Conrad had twice been informed of the wager; he had learned it +first from Seraphin's own lips, then also he had read of it in his +diary; still he asked again, and his son detailed the story a third +time. + +"I should sooner have expected to see the heavens fall than to lose +that bet," added Seraphin. + +"When a notorious thief and usurer is elected to the chief magistracy +and to the legislative assembly, the victory gained is hardly a +creditable one to the spirit of progress, my dear Carl. Don't you think +so, Louise?" said the landholder. + +"You mustn't be too rigorous," replied the lady, with composure. "Rumor +whispers many a bit of scandal respecting Shund which does, indeed, +offend one's sense of propriety; for all that, however, Shund will play +his part brilliantly both in the assembly and in the town council. The +greatest of statesmen have had their foibles, as everybody knows." + +"Very true," said Gerlach dryly. "Viewed from the standpoint of very +humane tolerance, Shund's disgusting habits may be considered +justifiable." + +Seraphin left the parlor, and retired to his room. Here he wrestled +with violent feelings. His father's conduct was a mystery to him. +Opinions which conflicted with his own most sacred convictions, and +principles which brought an indignant flush to his cheek, were listened +to and apparently acquiesced in by his father. Shund's abominable +diatribe had not roused the old gentleman's anger; Louise's avowed +concurrence with the irreligious principles of the chieftain had not +even provoked his disapprobation. + +"My God, my God! can it be possible?" cried he in an agony of despair. +"Has the love of gain so utterly blinded my father? Can he have sunk so +low as to be willing to immolate me, his only child, to a base +speculation? Can he be willing for the sake of a million florins to +bind me for life to this erring creature, this infidel Louise? Can a +paltry million tempt him to be so reckless and cruel? No! no! a +thousand times no!" exclaimed he. "I never will be the husband of this +woman, never--I swear it by the great God of heaven! Get angry with me, +father, banish me from your sight--it would be more tolerable than the +consciousness of being the husband of a woman who believes not in the +Redeemer of the world. I have sworn--the matter is for ever settled." +He threw himself into an arm-chair, and moodily stared at the opposite +wall. By degrees, his excitement subsided, and he became quiet. + +In fancy, he beheld beside Louise's form another lovely one rise +up--that of the girl with the golden hair, the bright eyes, and the +winning smile. She had stood before him on this very floor, in her neat +and simple country garb, radiant with innocence and purity, adorned +with innate grace and uncommon beauty. And the lapse of days, far from +weakening, had deepened the impression of her first apparition. The +storm that had been raging in his interior was allayed by the +recollection of Mechtild, as the fury of the great deep subsides upon +the reappearance of the sun. Scarcely an hour had passed during which +he had not thought of the girl, rehearsed every word she had uttered, +and viewed the basket of grapes she had brought him. Again he pulled +out the drawer, and looked upon the gift with a friendly smile; then, +locking up the precious treasure, he returned to the parlor. + +He found the company on the balcony. The sound of trumpets and drums +came from a distance, and presently a motley procession was seen coming +up the nearest street. + +"You have just arrived in time to see the procession," cried Louise to +him. "It is going to defile past here, so we will be able to have a +good look at it." + +A dusky swarm of boys and half-grown youths came winding round the +nearest street-corner, followed immediately by the head of a mock +procession. In the lead marched a fellow dressed in a brown cloak, the +hood of which was drawn over his head. His waist was encircled with a +girdle from which dangled a string of pebbles representing a rosary. To +complete the caricature of a Capuchin, his feet were bare, excepting a +pair of soles which were strapped to them with thongs of leather. +In his hands he bore a tall cross rudely contrived with a couple +of sticks. The image of the cross was represented by a broken +mineral-water bottle. Behind the cross-bearer followed the procession +in a double line, consisting of boys, young men, factory-hands, drunken +mechanics, and such other begrimed and besotted beings as progress +alone can count in its ranks. The members of the procession were +chanting a litany; at the same time they folded their hands, made +grimaces, turned their eyes upwards, or played unseemly pranks with +genuine rosary beads. + +Next in the procession came a low car drawn by a watery-eyed mare which +a lad bedizened like a clown was leading by the bridle. In the car sat +a fat fellow whose face was painted red, and eyebrows dyed, and who +wore a long artificial beard. Over a prodigious paunch, also +artificial, he had drawn a long white gown, over which again he wore a +many-colored rag shaped like a cope. On his head he wore a high paper +cap, brimless; around the cap were three crowns of gilt paper to +represent the tiara of the pope. A sorry-looking donkey walked after +the car, to which it was attached by a rope. It was the _rôle_ of the +fellow in the car to address the donkey, make a sign of blessing over +it, and occasionally reach it straw drawn from his artificial paunch. +As often as he went through this man[oe]uvre, the crowd set up a +tremendous roar of laughter. The fat man in the car represented the +pope, and the donkey was intended to symbolize the credulity of the +faithful. + +This mock pope was not a suggestion of Shund's or of any other +inventive progressionist. The whole idea was copied from a caricature +which had appeared in a widely circulating pictorial whose only aim and +pleasure it has been for years to destroy the innate religious +nobleness of the German people by means of shallow wit and vulgar +caricatures. And this very sheet, leagued with a daily organ equally +degraded, can boast of no inconsiderable success. The rude and vulgar +applaud its witticisms, the low and infamous regale themselves with its +pictures, and its demoralizing influence is infecting the land. + +The principal feature of the procession was a wagon, hung with garlands +and bestuck with small flags, drawn by six splendid horses. In it sat a +youthful woman, plump and bold. Her shoulders were bare, the dress +being an exaggerated sample of the style _décolleté_; above her head +was a wreath of oak leaves. She was attended by a number of young men +in masks. They carried drinking-horns, which they filled from time to +time from a barrel, and presented to the _bacchante_, who sipped from +them; then these gentlemen in waiting drank themselves, and poured what +was left upon the crowd. A band of music, walking in front of this +triumphal car, played airs and marches. Not even the mock pope was as +great an object of admiration as this shameless woman. Old and young +thronged about the wagon, feasting their lascivious eyes on this +beastly spectacle which represented that most disgusting of all +abominable achievements of progress--the emancipated woman. And perhaps +not even progress could have dared, in less excited times, so grossly +to insult the chaste spirit of the German people; but the social +atmosphere had been made so foul by the abominations of the election, +and the spirits of impurity had reigned so absolutely during the +canvass in behalf of common schools, that this immoral show was +suffered to parade without opposition. + +The very commencement of this sacrilegious mockery of religion had +roused Seraphin's indignation, and he had retired from the balcony. His +father, however, had remained, coolly watching the procession as it +passed, and carefully noting Louise's remarks and behavior. + +"What does that woman represent?" he asked. "A goddess of liberty, I +suppose?" + +"Only in one sense, I think," replied the progressionist young lady. +"The woman wearing the crown symbolizes, to my mind, the enjoyment of +life. She typifies heaven upon earth, now that exact science has done +away with the heaven of the next world." + +"I should think yon creature rather reminds one of hell," said Mr. +Conrad. + +"Of hell!" exclaimed Louise, in alarm. "You are jesting, sir, are you +not?" + +"Never more serious in my life, Louise. Notice the shameless +effrontery, the baseness and infamy of the creature, and you will be +forced to form conclusions which, far from justifying the expectation +of peace and happiness in the family circle, the true sphere of woman, +will suggest only wrangling, discord, and hell upon earth." + +The young lady did not venture to reply. A gentleman made his way +through the crowd, and waved his hat to the company on the balcony. The +banker returned the salutation. + +"Official Seicht," said he. + +"What! an officer of the government in this disreputable crowd!" +exclaimed Gerlach, with surprise. + +"He is on hand to maintain order," explained Greifmann. "You see some +policemen, too. Mr. Seicht sympathizes with progress. At the last +meeting, he made a speech in favor of common schools; he sounded the +praises of the gospel of progress, gave a toast at the banquet to the +gospel of progress, and has won for himself the title of evangelist of +progress. He once declared, too, that the very sight of a priest rouses +his blood, and they now pleasantly call him the parson-eater. He is +very popular." + +"I am amazed!" said Gerlach. "Mr. Seicht dishonors his office. He +advocates common schools, insults all the believing citizens of his +district, and runs with mock processions--a happy state of things, +indeed!" + +"His conduct is the result of careful calculation," returned Greifmann. +"By showing hostility to ultramontanism, he commends himself to +progress, which is in power." + +"But the government should not tolerate such disgraceful behavior on +the part of one of its officials," said Gerlach. "The entire official +corps is disgraced so long as this shallow evangelist of progress is +permitted to continue wearing the uniform." + +"You should not be so exacting," cried Louise. "Why will you not allow +officials also to float along with the current of progress until they +will have reached the Eldorado of the position to which they are +aspiring?" + +"The corruption of the state must be fearful indeed, when such +deportment in an officer is regarded as a recommendation," rejoined Mr. +Conrad curtly. + +A servant appeared to call them to table. + +"Would you not like to see the celebration?" inquired Louise. + +"By all means," answered Gerlach. "The excitement is of so unusual a +character that it claims attention. You will have to accompany us, +Louise." + +"I shall do so with pleasure. When sound popular sentiment thus +proclaims itself, I cannot but feel a strong desire to be present." + +The procession had turned the corner of a street where stood Holt and +two more countrymen looking on. The religious sentiment of these honest +men was deeply wounded by the profanation of the cross; and when, +besides, they heard the singing of the mock litany, their anger +kindled, their eyes gleamed, and they mingled fierce maledictions with +the tumult of the mob. Next appeared the mock pope, dispensing +blessings with his right hand, reaching straw to the donkey with his +left, and distorting his painted face into all sorts of farcical +grimaces. + +The peasants at once caught the significance of this burlesque. Their +countenances glowed with indignation. Avenging spirits took possession +of Mechtild's father; his strong, stalwart frame seemed suddenly to +have become herculean. His fist of iron doubled itself; there was +lightning in his eyes; like an infuriated lion, he burst into the +crowd, broke the line of the procession, and, directing a tremendous +blow at the head of the mock pope, precipitated him from the car. The +paper cap flew far away under the feet of the bystanders, and the false +beard got into the donkey's mouth. When the mock pope was down. Holt's +comrades immediately set upon him, and tore the many-colored rag from +his shoulders. Then commenced a great tumult. A host of furious +progressionists surrounded the sturdy countrymen, brandishing their +fists and filling the air with mad imprecations. + +"Kill the dogs! Down with the accursed ultramontanes!" + +Some of the policemen hurried up to prevent bloodshed. Mr. Seicht also +hurried to the scene of action, and his shrill voice could be heard +high above the noise and confusion. + +"Gentlemen, I implore you, let the law have its course, gentlemen!" +cried he. "Gentlemen, friends, do not, I beg you, violate the law! +Trust me, fellow-citizens--I shall see that the impertinence of these +ultramontanes is duly punished." + +They understood his meaning. Sticks and fists were immediately lowered. + +"Brigadier Forchhaem," cried Mr. Seicht, in a tone of +command--"Forchhaem, hither! Put handcuffs on these ultramontanes, +these disturbers of the peace--put irons on these revolutionists." + +Handcuffs were forthwith produced by the policemen. The towering, +broad-shouldered Holt stood quiet as a lamb, looked with an air of +astonishment at the confusion, and suffered himself to be handcuffed. +His comrades, however, behaved like anything but lambs. They laid about +them with hands and feet, knocking down the policemen, and giving +bloody mouths and noses to all who came within their reach. + +"Handcuff us!" they screamed, grinding their teeth, bleeding and +cursing. "Are we cutthroats?" The bystanders drew back in apprehension. +The confusion seemed to be past remedying. A thousand voices were +screaming, bawling, and crying at the same time; the circle around the +struggling countrymen was getting wider and wider; and when finally +they attempted to break through, the crowd took to flight, as if a +couple of tigers were after them. + +Many of the spectators found a pleasurable excitement in watching the +battle between the policemen and the peasants; but they would not move +a finger to aid the officers of the law in arresting the culprits. They +admired the agility and strength of the countrymen, and the more fierce +the struggle became, the greater grew their delight, and the louder +their merriment. + +Holt had been carried on with the motion of the crowd. When he dealt +the blow to the fellow in the car, he was beside himself with rage. The +genuine _furor teutonicus_ had taken possession of him so irresistibly +and so bewilderingly as to leave him utterly without any of the calm +judgment necessary to measure the situation. After his first adventure, +he had submitted to be handcuffed, and had watched the struggle between +Forchhaem and his own comrades in a sort of absence of mind. He had +stood perfectly quiet, his face had become pale, and his eyes looked +about strangely. The excitement of passion was now beginning to wear +off. He felt the cold iron of the manacles around his wrists, his eyes +glared, his face became crimson, the sinews of his powerful arm +stiffened, and with one great muscular convulsion he wrenched off the +handcuffs. Nobody had observed this sudden action, all eyes being +directed to the combatants. Shoving the part of the handcuff which +still hung to his wrist under the sleeve of his jacket, Holt +disappeared through the crowd. + +The resistance of the peasants was gradually becoming fainter. At +length they succumbed to overpowering force, and were handcuffed. + +"Where is the third one?" cried Seicht. "There were three of them." + +"Where is the third one? There were three of them," was echoed on every +hand, and all eyes sought for the missing one in the crowd. + +"The third one has run away, sir," reported Forchhaem. + +"What's his name?" asked Seicht. + +Nobody knew. + +A street boy, looking up at the official, ingenuously cried, "'Twas a +Tartar." + +Seicht looked down upon the obstreperous little informant. + +"A Tartar--do you know him?" + +"No; but these here know him," pointing to the captives. + +"What is the name of your comrade?" + +"We don't know him," was the surly reply. + +"Never mind, he will become known in the judicial examination. Off to +jail with these rebellious ultramontanes," the official commanded. + +Bound in chains, and guarded by a posse of police, these honest men, +whose religious sense had been so wantonly outraged as to have +occasioned an outburst of noble indignation, were marched through the +streets of the town and imprisoned. They were treated as criminals for +a crime, however, the guilt of which was justly chargeable to those +very rioters who were enjoying official protection. + +The procession moved on to the ground selected for the barbecue. A +motley mass, especially of factory-men, were hard at work upon the +scene. The booths, spread far and wide over the common, were thrown +open, and around them moved a swarm of thirsty beings drawing rations +of beer and sausages, with which, when they had received them, they +staggered away to the tables. Degraded-looking women were also to be +seen moving about unsteadily with brimming mugs of beer in their hands. +There were several bands of music stationed at different points around +the place. + +The chieftains of progress, perambulating the ground with an air of +triumph, bestowed friendly nods of recognition on all sides, and +condescendingly engaged in conversation with some of the rank and file. + +Hans Shund approached the awning where the woman with the bare +shoulders and indecent costume had taken a seat. She had captivated the +gallant chief magistrate, who hovered about her as a raven hovers over +a dead carcass. Moving off, he halted within hearing distance, and, +casting frequent glances back, addressed immodest jokes to those who +occupied the other side of the table, at which they laughed and +applauded immoderately. + +The men whom Seraphin had met in the subterranean den, on the memorable +night before the election, were also present: Flachsen, Graeulich, +Koenig, and a host of others. They were regaling themselves with +sausages which omitted an unmistakable odor of garlic, and were of a +very dubious appearance; interrupting the process of eating with +frequent and copious draughts from their beer-mugs. + +"Drink, old woman!" cried Graeulich to his wife. "Drink, I tell you! It +doesn't cost us anything to-day." + +The woman put the jug to her lips and drained it manfully. Other women +who were present screamed in chorus, and the men laughed boisterously. + +"Your old woman does that handsomely," applauded Koth. "Hell and +thunder! But she must be a real spitfire." + +Again they laughed uproariously. + +"I wish there were an election every day, what a jolly life this would +be!" said Koenig. "Nothing to do, eating and drinking gratis--what more +would you wish?" + +"That's the way the bigbugs live all the year round. They may eat and +drink what they like best, and needn't do a hand's turn. Isn't it +glorious to be rich?" cried Graeulich. + +"So drink, boys, drink till you can't stand! We are all of us big-bugs +to-day." + +"And if things were regulated as they should be," said Koth, "there +would come a day when we poor devils would also see glorious times. We +have been torturing ourselves about long enough for the sake of others. +I maintain that things will have to be differently regulated." + +"What game is that you are wishing to come at? Show your hand, old +fellow!" cried several voices. + +"Here's what I mean: Coffers which are full will have to pour some of +their superfluity into coffers which are empty. You take me, don't +you?" + +"'Pon my soul, I can't make you out. You are talking conundrums," +declared Koenig. + +"You blockhead, I mean there will soon have to be a partition. They who +have plenty will have to give some to those who have nothing." + +"Bravo! Long live Koth!" + +"That sort of doctrine is dangerous to the state," said Flachsen. "Such +principles bring about revolutions, and corrupt society." + +"What of society! You're an ass, Flachsen! Koth is right--partition, +partition!" was the cry all round the table. + +"As you will! I have nothing against it if only it were practicable," +expostulated Flachsen; "for I, too, am a radical." + +"It is practicable! All things are practicable," exclaimed Koth. "Our +age can do anything, and so can we. Haven't we driven religion out of +the schools? Haven't we elected Shund for mayor? It is the majority who +rule; and, were we to vote in favor of partition to-morrow, partition +would have to take place. Any measure can be carried by a majority, +and, since we poor devils are in the majority, as soon as we will have +voted for partition it will come without fail." + +"That's sensible!" agreed they all. "But then, such a thing has never +yet been done. Do you think it possible?" + +"Anything is possible," maintained Koth. "Didn't Shund preach that +there isn't any God, or hell, or devil? Was that ever taught before? If +the God of old has to submit to being deposed, the rich will have to +submit to it. I tell you, the majority will settle the business for the +rich. And if there's no God, no devil, and no life beyond, well then, +you see, I'm capable of laying my hand to anything. If voting won't do, +violence will. Do you understand?" + +"Bravo! Hurrah for Koth!" + +"There must be progress," cried Graeulich, "among us as well as others. +We are not going to continue all our lives in wretchedness. We must +advance from labor to comfort without labor, from poverty to wealth, +from want to abundance. Three cheers for progress--hurrah! hurrah!", +And the whole company joined in frantically. + +"There comes Evangelist Seicht," cried Koenig. "Though I didn't +understand one word of his speech, I believe he meant well. Although he +is an officer of the government, he cordially hates priests. A man may +say what he pleases against religion, and the church, and the Pope, and +the Jesuits, it rather pleases Seicht. He is a free and enlightened +man, is he. Up with your glasses, boys; if he comes near, let's give +him three rousing cheers." + +They did as directed. Men and women cheered lustily. Seicht very +condescendingly raised his hat and smiled as he passed the table. The +ovation put him in fine humor. Though he had failed in securing a +place in the assembly, perhaps the slight would be repaired in the +future. Such was the tenor of his thoughts whilst he advanced to the +climbing-pole, around which was assembled a crowd of boys. Quite a +variety of prizes, especially tobacco-pipes, was hanging from the +cross-pieces at the top of the mast. The pole was so smooth that more +than ordinary strength and activity were required to get to the top. +The greater number of those who attempted the feat gave out and slid +back without having gained a prize. There were also grown persons +standing around watching the efforts of the boys and young men. + +"It's my turn now," cried the fellow who had carried the cross in the +procession. + +"But, first, let me have one more drink--it'll improve the sliding." He +swallowed the drink hastily, then swaying about as he looked and +pointed upward, "Do you see that pipe with tassels to it?" he said. +"That's the one I'm going after." + +Throwing aside his mantle, he began to climb. + +"He'll not get up, he's drunk," cried a lad among the bystanders. +"Belladonna has given him two pints of double beer for carrying the +cross in the procession--that's what ails him." + +"Wait till I come down, I'll slap your jaws," cried the climber. + +The spectators were watching him with interest. He was obliged to pause +frequently to rest himself, which he did by winding his legs tightly +round the pole. At last he reached the top. Extending his arm to take +the pipe, it was too short. Climbing still higher, he stretched his +body to its greatest length, lost his hold, and fell to the ground. The +bystanders raised a great cry. The unfortunate youth's head had +embedded itself in the earth, streams of blood gushed from his mouth +and nostrils--he was lifeless. + +"He's dead! It's all over with him," was whispered around. + +"Carry him off," commanded Seicht, and then walked on. + +One of the bystanders loosed the cross-piece of the mock crucifix; the +corpse was then stretched across the two pieces of wood and carried off +the scene. As the body was carried past, the noise and revelry +everywhere ceased. + +"Wasn't that the one who carried the cross?" was asked. "Is he dead? +Did he fall from the pole? How terrible!" + +Even the progressionist revellers were struck thoughtful, so deeply is +the sense of religion rooted in the heart of man. Many a one among +them, seeing the pale, rigid face of the dead man, understood his fate +to be a solemn warning, and fled from the scene in terror. + +The progressionist element of the town was much flattered by the +presence at its orgies of the wealthiest property owner of the country. + +The women had already made the discovery that the millionaire's only +son, Mr. Seraphin Gerlach, was on the eve of marrying a member of the +highly respectable house of Greifmann, bankers. But it occasioned them +no small amount of surprise that the young gentleman was not in +attendance on the beautiful lady at the celebration. Louise's radiant +countenance gave no indication, however, that any untoward occurrence +had caused the absence of her prospective husband. The wives and +daughters of the chieftains were sitting under an awning sipping coffee +and eating cake. When Louise approached leaning on her brother's arm, +they welcomed her to a place in the circle of loveliness with many +courtesies and marks of respect. + +Mr. Conrad strolled about the place, studying the spirit which animated +the gathering. + + + + + CHAPTER XI. + + PROGRESS GROWS JOLLY. + + +In passing near the tables Gerlach overheard conversations which +revealed to him unmistakably the communistic aspirations and tendencies +prevailing among the lower orders, their fiendish hatred of religion +and the clergy, their corruption and appalling ignorance. On every hand +he perceived symptoms of an alarmingly unhealthy condition of society. +He heard blasphemies uttered against the Divinity which almost caused +his blood to run cold; sacred things were scoffed at in terms so coarse +and with an animus so plainly satanical that his hair rose on his head. +It was clear to him that the firmest supports, the only true +foundations of the social order, were tottering--rotted away by an +incurable corruption. + +In Gerlach's life, also, as in that of many other men, there had been a +period of mental struggle and of doubt. He, too, had at one time +himself face to face with questions the solution of which involved the +whole aim of his existence. During this period of mental unrest, he had +thought and studied much about faith and science, but not with a silly +parade of superficial scepticism. He had resolutely engaged in the soul +struggle, and had tried to end it for once and all. Supported by a good +early training and a disposition naturally noble, instructed and guided +by books of solid learning, he had come out from that crisis stronger +in faith and more correct in his views of human science. The scenes +which he was witnessing reminded him vividly of that turning-point in +his life; they were to him an additional proof that man's dignity +disappears as soon as he refuses to follow the divine guidance of +religion. Grave in mood, he returned to the table around which were +gathered the chieftains. The marks of respect shown to the millionaire +were numerous and flattering. Even the bluff Sand exerted himself +unusually in paying his respects to the wealthy landholder, and +Erdblatt, whose embarrassed financial condition enabled him beyond them +all to appreciate the worth of money, filled a glass with his own hand, +and reached it to Mr. Conrad with the deference of an accomplished +butler, Gerlach was pleased to speak in terms of praise of the +nut-brown beverage, which greatly tickled Belladonna, the fat brewer. +Naturally enough, the conversation turned upon the subject of the +celebration. + +"I confess I am not quite clear respecting the purpose of your city in +the matter of schools," said Mr. Conrad. "How do you intend to arrange +the school system?" + +"In such a way as to make it accord with the requirements of the times +and the progressive spirit of civilization," answered Hans Shund. "An +end must be put to priest rule in the schools. The establishment of +common schools will be a decided step towards this object. For a while, +of course, the priests will be allowed to visit the schools at +specified times, but their influence and control in school matters will +be greatly restricted. Education will be withdrawn from the church's +supervision, and after a few years we hope to reach the point when the +school-rooms will be closed altogether against the priests. There is +not a man of culture but will agree that children should not be +required to learn things which are out of date, and the import of which +must only excite smiles of compassion." + +"Whom do you intend to put in the place of the clergy?" inquired Mr. +Conrad. + +"We intend to impart useful information and a moral sense in harmony +with the spirit of the age," replied Hans Shund. + +"It seems to me the elementary branches have been very competently +taught heretofore in our schools, consequently I do not see the need of +a change on this head," said Gerlach. "But you have not understood my +question, I mean, who are to fill the office of instructors in morals +and in religion?" + +The chieftains looked puzzled, for such a question they had not +expected to hear from the wealthiest man of the country. + +"You see, Mr. Gerlach," said Sand bluntly, "religion must be done away +with entirely. We haven't any use for such trash. Children ought to +spend their time in learning something more sensible than the +catechism." + +"I am not disposed to believe that what you have just uttered is a +correct expression of the general opinion of this community on the +subject of the school question," returned the millionaire with some +warmth. "It is impossible to bring up youth morally without religion. +You are a housebuilder, Mr. Sand. What would you think of the man who +would expect you to build him a house without a foundation--a castle in +the air?" + +"Why, I would regard him as nothing less than a fool," cried Sand. + +"The case is identically the same with moral education. Morality is an +edifice which a man must spend his life in laboring at. Religion is the +groundwork of this edifice. Moral training without religion is an +impossibility. It would be just as possible to build a house in the +air, as to train up a child morally without a religious belief, without +being convinced of the existence of a holy and just God." + +"Facts prove the contrary," maintained Hans Shund. "Millions of persons +are moral who have no religious belief." + +"That's an egregious mistake, sir," opposed the landholder. "The +repudiation of a Supreme Being and the violent extinction of the idea +of the Divinity in the breast are of themselves grave offences against +moral conscience. I grant you that, in the eyes of the public, +thousands of men pass for moral who have no faith in religion. But +public opinion is anything but a criterion of certainty when the moral +worth of a man is to be determined. A man's interior is a region which +cannot be viewed by the eye of the public. You know yourselves that +there are men who pass for honorable, moral, pure men, whose private +habits are exceedingly filthy and corrupt." + +Hans Shund's color turned a palish yellow; the eyes of the chieftains +sank. + +"Besides, gentleman, it would be labor lost to try to educate youth +independently of religion. Man is by his very nature a religious being. +It is useless to attempt to educate the young without a knowledge of +God and of revealed religion; to be able to do so you would previously +have to pluck out of their own breasts the sense of right and wrong, +and out of their souls the idea of God, which are innate in both. Were +the attempt made, however, believe me, gentlemen, the yearning after +God, alive in the human breast, would soon impel the generation brought +up independently of religion to seek after false gods. For this very +reason we know of no people in history that did not recognize and +worship some divinity, were it but a tree or a stone, that served them +for an object of adoration. In my opinion, it would be far more +indicative of genuine progress to adhere to the God of Christians, who +is incontestably holy, just, omnipotent, and kind, whilst to return to +the sacred oaks of ancient Germany or to adopt the fetichism of +uncivilized tribes would be a most monstrous reaction, the most +degrading barbarism." + +The chieftains looked nonplussed. Earnest thinking and investigation +upon subjects pertaining to religion were not customary among the +disciples of progress. They looked upon religion as something so common +and trivial that anybody was free to argue upon and condemn it with a +few flippant or smart sayings; But the millionaire was now disclosing +views so new and vast, that their weak vision was completely dazzled, +and their steps upon the unknown domain became unsteady. + +Mr. Seicht, observing the embarrassment of the leaders, felt it his +duty to hasten to their relief. His polemical weapons were drawn from +the armory of bureaucracy. + +"The progressive development of humanity," said Mr. Seicht, "has +revealed an admirable substitute for all religious ideas. A state well +organized can exist splendidly without any religion. Nay, I do not +hesitate to maintain that religion is a drawback to the development of +the modern state, and that, therefore, the state should have nothing +whatever to do with religion. An invisible world should not exert an +influence upon a state--the wants of the times are the only rule to be +consulted." + +"What do you understand by a state, sir?" asked the millionaire. + +"A state," replied the official, "is a union of men whose public life +is regulated by laws which every individual is bound to observe." + +"You speak of laws; upon what basis are these laws founded?" + +"Upon the basis of humanity, morality, liberty, and right," answered +the official glibly. + +"And what do you consider moral and just?" + +"Whatever accords with the civilization of the age." + +A faint smile passed over the severe features of Mr. Conrad. + +"I was watching the procession," spoke he. "I have seen the religious +feelings of a large number of citizens publicly ridiculed and grossly +insulted. Was that moral? Was it just? You are determined to oust God +and religion from the schools; yet there are thousands in the country +who desire and endeavor to secure a religious education for their +children. Is it moral and just to utterly disregard the wishes of these +thousands? Does it accord with a profession of humanity and freedom to +put constraint on the consciences of fellow-citizens?" + +"The persons of whom you speak are a minority in the state, and the +minority is obliged to yield to the will of the majority," answered +Seicht. + +"It follows, then, that the basis of morality and justice is superior +numbers?" + +"Yes, it is! In a state, it appertains to the majority to determine and +regulate everything." + +"Gentlemen," spoke Gerlach with great seriousness, "as I was a moment +ago strolling over this place, I overheard language at several tables, +which was unmistakably communistic. Laborers and factory men were +maintaining that wealth is unequally distributed; that, whilst a small +number are immensely rich, a much greater number are poor and +destitute; that progress will have to advance to a point when an equal +division of property must be made. Now, the poor and the laboring +population are in the majority. Should they vote for a partition, +should they demand from us what hitherto we have regarded as +exclusively our own, we, gentlemen, will in consistency be forced to +accept the decree of the majority as perfectly moral and just--will we +not?" + +There was profound silence. + +"I, for my part, should most emphatically protest against such a ruling +of the majority," declared Greifmann. + +"Your protest would be contrary to morals and equity; for, according to +Mr. Seicht, only what the majority wills is moral and just," returned +the landowner. "And, in mentioning partition of property, I hinted at a +red monster which is not any longer a mere goblin, but a thing of real +flesh and bone. We are on the verge of a fearful social revolution +which threatens to break up society. If there is no holy and just God; +if he has not revealed himself, and man is not obliged to submit to his +will; if the only basis of right and of morals is the wish of the +majority, this terrible social revolution must be moral and just, for +the majority wills it and carries it out." + +"Of course, there must be a limit," said the official feebly. + +"The demands of the majority must be reasonable." + +"What do you understand by reasonable, sir?" + +"I call reasonable whatever accords with the sense of right, with sound +thinking, with moral ideas." + +"Sense of right--moral ideas? I beg you to observe that these notions +differ vastly from the sole authority of numbers. You have trespassed +upon God's kingdom in giving your explanation, for ideas are +supersensible; they are the thought of God himself. And the sense of +right was not implanted in the human breast by the word of a majority; +it was placed there by the Creator of man." + +The official was driven to the wall. The chieftains thoughtfully stared +at their beer-pots. + +"It is clear that the will of the majority alone cannot be accepted as +the basis of a state," said Schwefel. "The life of society cannot be +put at the mercy of the rude and fickle masses. There must be a moral +order, willed and regulated by a supreme ruler, and binding upon every +man. This is plain." + +"I agree with you, sir," said the millionaire. "Let us continue +building on Christian principles. As everybody knows, our civilization +has sprung from Christianity. If we tear down the altars and destroy +the seats from which lessons of Christian morality are taught, +confusion must inevitably follow. And I, gentlemen, have too exalted an +opinion of the German nation, of its earnest and religious spirit, to +believe that it can be ever induced to fall away completely from God +and his holy law. Infidelity is an unhealthy tendency of our times; it +is a pernicious superstition which sound sense and noble feeling will +ultimately triumph over. We will do well to continue advancing in +science, art, refinement, and industry, in true liberty and the right +understanding of truth; we will thus be making real progress, such +progress as I am proud to call myself a partisan of." + +The chieftains maintained silence. Some nodded assent. Hans Shund gave +an angry bite to his pipe-stem, and puffed a heavy cloud of smoke +across the table. + +"I have confidence in the enlightenment and good sense of our people," +said he. "You have called modern progress 'a pernicious superstition +and an unhealthy tendency of the times,' Mr. Gerlach," turning towards +the millionaire with a bow. "I regret this view of yours." + +"Which I have substantiated and proved," interrupted Gerlach. + +"True, sir! Your proofs have been striking, and I do not feel myself +competent to refute them. But I can point you to something more +powerful than argument. Look at this scene; see these happy people +meeting and enjoying one another's society in most admirable harmony +and order. Is not this spectacle a beautiful illustration and +vindication of the moral spirit of progress?" + +"These people are jubilant from the effect of beer, why shouldn't they +be? But, sir, a profound observer does not 'suffer himself to be +deceived by mere appearances.'" + +An uproar and commotion at a distance interrupted the millionaire. At +the same instant a policeman approached out of breath. + +"Your honor, the factorymen and the laborers are attacking one +another!" + +"What are you raising such alarm for," said Hans Shund gruffly. "It is +only a small squabble, such as will occur everywhere in a crowd." + +"I ask your honor's pardon: it is not a small squabble, it is a bloody +battle." + +"Well, part the wranglers." + +"We cannot manage them; there are too many of them. Shall I apply for +military?" + +"Hell and thunder--military!" cried Hans Shund, getting on his feet. +"Are you in your senses?" + +"Several men have already been carried off badly wounded," reported the +policeman further. "You have no idea how serious the affray is, and it +is getting more and more so; the friends of both sides are rushing in +to aid their own party. The police force is not a match for them." + +Women, screaming and in tears, were rushing in every direction. The +bands had ceased playing, and noise and confusion resounded from the +scene of action. Louise ran to take her brother's arm in consternation. +The wives and daughters of the chieftains huddled round their natural +protectors. + +"Hurry away and report this at the military post," was Seicht's order +to the policeman. "The feud is getting alarming. One moment!" + +Tearing a leaf from a memorandum book, he wrote a short note, which he +sent by the messenger. + +"Off to the post--be expeditious!" + +Louise hastened with her brother and Gerlach senior to their carriage, +and her feeling of security returned only when the noise of the combat +had died away in the distance. + +The next day the town papers contained the following notice: "The +beautiful celebration of yesterday, which, on account of its object, +will be long remembered by the citizens of this community, was +unfortunately interrupted by a serious conflict between the laborers +and factorymen. A great many were wounded during the _mêlée_, of whom +five have since died, and it required the interference of an armed +force to separate the combatants." + + + + + CHAPTER XII. + + BROWN BREAD AND BONNYCLABBER. + + +Seraphin had not gone to the celebration. He remained at home on the +plea of not feeling well. He was stretched upon a sofa, and his soul +was engaged in a desperate conflict. What it was impossible for himself +to look upon, had been viewed by his father with composure: the +burlesque procession, the public derision of holy practices, the +mockery of the Redeemer of the world, in whose place had been put a +broken bottle on the symbol of salvation. He himself had been stunned +by the spectacle; and his father? Was it his father? Again, his father +had accompanied the brother and sister to the infamous celebration. Was +not this a direct confirmation of his own suspicions? His father had +become a fearful enigma to his soul! And what if, upon his return from +the festival, the father were to come and insist upon the marriage with +Louise, declaring her advanced notions to be an insufficient ground for +renouncing a pet project? A wild storm was convulsing his interior. He +could not bear it longer, he was driven forth. Snatching his straw hat, +he rushed from the house, ran through the alleys and streets, out of +the town, onward and still onward. The August sun was burning, and its +heat, reflected from the road, was doubly intense. The perspiration was +rolling in large drops down the glowing face of the young man, whom +torturing thoughts still kept goading on. Holt's whitewashed dwelling +became visible on the summit of a knoll, and gleamed a friendly welcome +as he came near it--a welcome which seemed opportune for one who hardly +knew whither he was hastening. The walnut-tree which could be seen from +afar was casting an inviting shade over the table and bench that seemed +to be confidingly leaning against its stem. A flock of chickens were +taking a sand-bath under the table, flapping their wings, ruffling +their feathers, and wallowing in the dust. Seated on the sunny hillock, +the cottage appeared quiet, almost lonesome but for a ringing sound +which came from the adjoining field and was made by the sickle passing +through the corn. A broad-brimmed straw hat with a blue band could be +noticed from the road moving on over the fallen grain, and presently +Mechtild's slender form rose into view as she pushed actively onward +over the harvest field. Hasty steps resounded from the road. She raised +her head, and her countenance first indicated surprise, then +embarrassment. Whom did her eyes behold rushing wildly by, like a +fugitive, but the generous rescuer of her family from the clutches of +the usurer Shund. His hat was in his hand, his auburn locks were +hanging down over his forehead, his face aglow, his whole being seemed +to be absorbed in a mad pursuit. To her quick eye his features revealed +deep trouble and violent excitement She was frightened, and the sickle +fell from her hand. Not a day passed on which she would not think of +this benefactor. Perhaps there was not a being on earth whom she +admired and revered as much as she did him. All the pure and elevated +sentiments of an innocent and blooming girl, united to form a halo of +affection round the head of Seraphin. At evening prayer when her father +said, "Let us pray for our benefactor Seraphin," her soul sent up a +fervent petition to God, and she declared with joy that she was willing +to sacrifice all for him. But behold this noble object of her +admiration and affection suddenly presented before her in a state that +excited the greatest uneasiness. With his head sunk and his eyes +directed straight before him, he would have rushed past without +noticing the sympathizing girl, when a greeting clear and sweet as the +tone of a bell caused him to look up. He beheld Mechtild with her +beautiful eyes fixed upon him in an expression of anxiety. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin," she said again. + +"Good-morning," he returned mechanically, and staring about vaguely. +His bewilderment soon passed, however, and his gaze was riveted by the +apparition. + +She was standing on the other side of the ditch. The fear of some +unknown calamity had given to her beautiful face an expression of +tender solicitude, and whilst a smile struggled for possession of her +lips her look indicated painful anxiety. Mechtild's appearance soon +directed the young man's attention to his own excited manner. The dark +shadow disappeared from his brow, he wiped the perspiration from his +face, and began to feel the effect of his walk under the glowing heat +of midsummer. + +"Ah! here is the neat little white house, your pretty country home, +Mechtild," he said pleasantly. "If you had not been so kind as to wish +me good-morning, I should actually have passed by in an unpardonable +fit of distraction." + +"I was almost afraid to say good-morning, Mr. Seraphin, but--" She +faltered and looked confused. + +"But--what? You didn't think anything was wrong?" + +"No! But you were in such a hurry and looked so troubled, I got +frightened," she confessed with amiable uprightness. "I was afraid +something had happened you." + +"I am thankful for your sympathy. Nothing has happened me, nor, I +trust, will," he replied, with a scarcely perceptible degree of +defiance in his tone. "This is a charming situation. Corn-fields on all +sides, trees laden with fruit, the skirt of the woods in the +background--and then this magnificent view! With your permission, I +will take a moment's rest in the shade of yon splendid walnut-tree +planted by your great-grandfather." + +She joyfully nodded assent and stepped over the ditch. She shoved back +the bolt of the gate. Together they entered the yard, which a hedge +separated from the road. The cock crew a welcome to the stranger, and +led his household from the sand-bath into the sunshine near the barn. + +"This is a cool, inviting little spot," said the millionaire, as he +pointed to the shade of the walnut-tree. "No doubt you often sit here +and read?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin; but the dirty chickens have scattered dust all over +the bench and table. Wait a minute, you'll get your clothes dusty." + +She hurried into the house. His eyes followed her receding form, his +ears kept listening for her departing steps, he heard the opening and +closing of doors: presently she reappeared, dusted the bench and table +with a brush, and spread a white cloth over the table. Seraphin looked +on with a smile. + +"I do not wish to be troublesome, Mechtild!" + +"It is no trouble, Mr. Seraphin! Sit down, now, and rest yourself. I am +so sorry father and mother are not at home. They will be ever so glad +to hear that you have honored us with a visit." + +"Is nobody at home?" + +"Father is in town, and mother is at work with the children in the +harvest field." + +"Are you not afraid to stay here by yourself?" + +"What should I be afraid of? There are no ghosts in daytime," she said +with a bewitching archness; "and as for thieves, they never expect to +find anything worth having at our house." + +She was standing on the other side of the table, looking at him with a +beautiful smile. + +"Won't you have a seat on this bench?" said he, making room for her. +"You need rest more than I do. You have been working, and I am merely +an idle stroller. Do take a seat, Mechtild." + +"Thank you, Mr. Seraphin--I could not think of doing so! It would not +be becoming," she answered with some confusion. + +"Why not becoming?" + +"Because you are a gentleman, and I am only a poor girl." + +"Your objection on the score of propriety is not worth anything. Oblige +me by doing what I ask of you." + +"I will do so, Mr. Seraphin, since you insist upon it, but after a +while. I would like to offer you some refreshments beforehand, if you +will allow me." + +"With pleasure," he said, nodding assent. + +A second time she hurried away to the house, whilst he kept listening +to her footsteps. The extraordinary neatness and cleanliness which +could be seen everywhere about the little homestead did not escape his +observation. On all sides he fancied he saw the work of Mechtild. The +purity of her spirit, which beamed so mildly from her eyes and was +revealed in the beauty of her countenance and the grace of her person, +seemed embodied in the very odor of roses wafted over from the +neighboring flower garden. He was unconscious of the rapid growth +within his bosom of a deep and tender feeling. This feeling was casting +a warm glow, like softest sunshine, over all that he beheld. Not even +the chickens looked to him like other fowls of their kind; they were +ennobled by the reflection that they were objects of Mechtild's care, +that she fed them, that when they were still piping little pullets she +had held them in her lap and caressed them. He abandoned himself +completely to this sentiment; it carried him on like a smooth current; +and he could not tell, did not suspect even, why so wonderful a +reaction had in so short a time taken place in his interior. Beholding +himself seated under the walnut-tree surrounded only by evidences of +honorable poverty and rural thrift, and yet feeling a degree of +happiness and peace he had never known before, he fancied he was +performing a part in some fairy tale which he was dreaming with +his eyes open. And now the fairy appeared at the door having on a +snowy-white apron, and carrying a shallow basket from which could be +seen, protruding above the rest of its contents, a milk jar. She set +before him a pewter plate, bright as silver. Then she took out the jar +and a cup, next she laid a knife and spoon for him, and finished her +hospitable service with a huge loaf of bread. + +"Don't get dismayed at the bread, Mr. Seraphin! I am sorry I cannot set +something better before you. But it is well baked and will not hurt +you!" + +"You baked it yourself, did you not?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin!" + +He attacked the loaf resolutely. From the dimensions of the slice which +he cut off, it was plain that appetite and his confidence in her skill +were satisfactory. She raised the jar of bonnyclabber, which lurched +out in jerks upon his plate, whilst he kept gayly stirring it with the +spoon. Then she dipped a spoonful of rich cream out of the cup and +poured it into the refreshing contents of the plate. + +"Let me know when you want me to stop, Mr. Seraphin." Mechtild poured +spoonful after spoonful; he sat immovable, seemingly observing the +spoon, but in reality watching her soft plump fingers, then her +well-shaped hand, next her exquisitely arm, and, when finally he raised +his eyes to her face, they were met by a mischievous smile. The cup was +empty, and all the cream was in his plate. + +"May I go and fetch some more?" she asked. + +"No, Mechtild, no! Why, this is a regular yellow sea!" + +"You wouldn't cry 'enough!'" + +"I forgot about it," he replied, somewhat confused. "To atone for my +forgetfulness, I will eat it all." + +"I hope you will relish it, Mr. Seraphin!" + +"Thank you! Where is your plate?" + +"I had my dinner before you came." + +"Well, then, at any rate you must not continue standing. Won't you +share this seat with me?" + +She seated herself upon the bench, took off her hat, smoothed down her +apron, and appeared happy at seeing him eating heartily. + +"Don't you find that dish refreshing, Mr. Seraphin?" + +"You have done me a real act of charity," he replied. "This bread, is +excellent. Who taught you how to make bread?" + +"I learned from mother; but there isn't much art in making that sort of +bread, Mr. Seraphin. The food which people in the country eat does not +require artistic preparation. It only needs good, pure material, so +that it may give strength to labor." + +"I suppose you attend to the kitchen altogether, do you not?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin. That's not very difficult, our meals are of the +plainest kind. We have meat once a week, on Sundays. When the work is +unusually hard, as in harvest time, we have meat oftener. We raise our +own meat and cure it." + +"You have assumed household cares at quite an early age, Mechtild." + +"Early? I am seventeen now, and am the oldest. Mother has a great deal +of trouble with the small ones, so the housework falls chiefly to my +share. It does not require any great exertion, however, to do it. Plain +and saving is our motto. Mother specially recommends four things: +industry, cleanliness, order, and economy. She advises me not to +neglect any one of these points when once I will have a household of my +own." + +"Do you think you will soon set up a separate household?" asked he with +some hesitation. + +"Not for some time to come, Mr. Seraphin, yet it must be done one day. +If my own inclination were consulted, I would prefer never to leave +home. I should like things to continue as they are. But a separation +must come. Death will pay us a visit as it has done to others, father +and mother will pass away, and the course of events will sever us from +one another." + +Her head sank, the brightness of her face became obscured beneath the +shadow of these sombre thoughts, and, when she again looked up, there +appeared in her eyes so touching and childlike a sadness that he felt +pained to the soul. And yet this revelation of tenderness pleased him, +for it made known to him a new phase of her amiable nature. + +For a long time he continued conversing with the artless girl. Every +word she uttered, no matter how trifling, had an interest for him. +Besides her charming artlessness, he had frequent occasions to admire +the wisdom of her language and her admirable delicacy. The setting sun +had already cast a subdued crimson over the hilltops, hours had sped +away, the chickens had gone to roost, still he remained riveted to the +spot by Mechtild's grace and loveliness. + +"Father is just coming," she said, pointing down the road. "How glad he +will be to find you here!" + +His head bent forward. Holt came wearily plodding up the road. His +right hand was hidden in the pocket of his pantaloons, and his head was +bowed, as if beneath a heavy weight. As Mechtild's clear voice rang +out, he raised his head, caught sight of his high-hearted benefactor, +and smiled in joyful surprise. + +"Welcome, Mr. Seraphin; a thousand times welcome!" he cried from the +other side of the road. "Why, this is an honor that I had not +expected!" + +He stood uncovered, holding his cap in the left hand, his right hand +was still concealed. Mechtild at once noticed her father's singular +behavior, and her eye watched anxiously for the hidden hand. + +"Your daughter has been so kind as to offer refreshments to a weary +wanderer," said Gerlach, "and it has been a great pleasure for me to +sit awhile. We have been chatting for several hours under this glorious +tree, and may be I am to blame for keeping her from her work." + +Holt's honest face beamed with satisfaction. He entirely forgot about +his secret, he drew his hand out of his pocket, Mechtild turned pale, +and a sharp cry escaped her lips. + +"For mercy's sake, father!" And she pointed to the broken chain. + +"What are you screaming for, foolish girl? Don't be alarmed, Mr. +Seraphin! this chain has got on my arm in an honorable cause. I will +tell you the whole story; I know you will not inform on me." + +Seating himself on the bench, he related the adventures of the day. + +The mock procession passed before Mechtild's imagination with the +vividness of reality. The narration transformed her. Her mildness was +changed to noble anger. She had heard of the vicar of Christ being +insulted, of holy things being scoffed at, of the Redeemer being +derided by a horde of wretches. With her arms akimbo, she drew up her +lithe and graceful form to its full height, and with flashing eyes +looked at her father while he related what had befallen him. Seraphin +could not help wondering at the transformation. Such a display of +spirit he had not been prepared to witness in a girl so gentle and +beautiful. When her father had ended his account, she seized his hand +passionately, pressed it warmly between her own hands, and kissed the +chain. + +"Father, dear father," she exclaimed in a burst of feeling, "I thank +you from my heart for acting as you did! Those wretches were scoffing +at our holy religion, but you behaved bravely in defence of the faith. +For this they put chains on you, as the heathen did to S. Peter and S. +Paul." + +Once more she kissed the chain, then, turning quickly, hastened across +the yard to the house. + +"Mechtild isn't like the rest of us," said Holt, smiling. "There's a +great deal of spirit in her. I have often noticed it. But I am not +astonished at her being roused at the mock procession--I was roused +myself. I declare, Mr. Seraphin, it is a shame, a crying shame, that +persons are permitted to rail at doctrines and things which we revere +as holy. One would almost believe Satan himself was in some people, +they take so fanatical a delight in scoffing at a religion which is +holy and enjoins nothing but what is good." + +"It is incontestable that infidelity hates and opposes God and +religion," replied Gerlach. "The boasted culture of those who find a +pleasure in grossly wounding the most sacred feelings of their +neighbors, is wicked and stupid." + +Mechtild returned with a file in her hand. + +"Right, my child! I was just thinking of the file myself. Here, cut the +catches of the lock." + +He laid his arm across the table. A few strokes of the file caused the +lock and remnant of chain to fall from his wrist. + +"We will keep this as a precious memento," said she. "Only think, +father, that wicked official ordered you to be manacled, and he is the +representative of authority. How can one respect or even pray for +authorities when they allow religion to be ridiculed?" + +"Pray for your enemies," answered the countryman gravely. + +"I will do so because God commands me; but I shall never again be able +to respect the official!" + +Her anger had fled; she appeared again all light and loveliness. He did +not fail to observe a searching look which she directed upon him, but +its meaning became clear to him only when, as he was taking leave, she +said in a tone of humility: "Pardon my vehemence, Mr. Seraphin! Don't +think me a bad girl." + +"There is nothing to be forgiven, Mechtild. You were indignant against +godless wretches, and they who are not indignant against evil cannot +themselves be good." + +"We are most heartily thankful for this visit," spoke Holt. "I need not +say that we will consider it a great happiness as often as you will be +pleased to come." + +"Good-night!" returned the young man, and he walked away. + +Deeply immersed in his thoughts, Seraphin went back to town. What he +was thinking about, his diary does not record. But the excitement under +which he had rushed forth was gone--dispelled by the magic of a rural +sorceress. He walked on quietly like a man who seems filled with +confidence in his own future. The recent painful impressions seemed to +his mind to lie far back in the past; their place was taken up by +beautiful anticipations which, like the aurora, shed soft and pleasing +light upon his path. He halted frequently in a dream-like reverie to +indulge the happiness with which his soul was flooded. The full moon, +just peering over the hills, shed around him a mystic brightness that +harmonized perfectly with the indefinable contentment of his heart, and +seemed to be gazing quizzingly into the countenance of the young man, +who almost feared to confess to himself that he had found an invaluable +treasure. + +As he stopped before the Palais Greifmann, all the bright spirits that +had hovered round about him on the way back from the little whitewashed +cottage, fled. He awoke from his dream, and, ascending the stairs with +a feeling of discomfort, he entered his apartment, where his father sat +awaiting him. + +"At last," spoke Mr. Conrad, looking up from a book. "You have kept me +waiting a long time, my son." + +"I was in need of a good long walk, father, to get over what I +witnessed this morning. The country air has dispelled all those +horrible impressions. There is only one thing more required to make me +feel perfectly well, dear father, which is that you will not insist on +my allying myself to people who are utterly opposed to my way of +thinking and feeling." + +"I understand and approve of your request, Seraphin. The impressions +made on me, too, are exceedingly disagreeable. The advancement of which +this town boasts is stupid, immoral, detestable. How this state of +society has come about, is inexplicable to me who live secluded in the +country. Society is diseased, fatally diseased. Many of the new views +professed are sheer superstition, and their morality is a mere cloak +for their corruption and wickedness. All the powers of progress +so-called are actively at work to subvert all the safeguards of +society. And what your diary reports of Louise, I have found fully +confirmed. Though it cost the sacrifice of a long cherished plan, a son +of mine shall never become the husband of a progressionist woman." + +"O father! how deeply do I thank you!" cried the youth, carried away by +his feelings. + +"I must decline being thanked, for I have not merited it," spoke Mr. +Conrad earnestly. "A father's duty determines very clearly what my +decision upon the matter of your marriage with Louise, ought to be. But +I am under obligations to you, my son, which justice compels me to +acknowledge. Your discernment and moral sense have prevented a great +deal of discord and unhappiness in our family. Continue good and true, +my Seraphin!" + +He pressed his son to his bosom and imprinted a kiss on his forehead. + +"To-morrow we shall start for home by the first train. Fortunately your +prudent behavior makes it easy for us to get away, and the final +breaking off of this engagement I will myself arrange with Louise's +father." + + + SERAPHIN GERLACH TO THE AUTHOR. + +Dear Sir: Two years ago, I took the liberty of sending you my diary, +with the request that you would be pleased to publish such portions of +its contents as might be useful, in the form of a tale illustrative of +the times. I made the request because I consider it the duty of a +writer who delineates the condition of society, to transmit to +posterity a faithful picture of the present social status, and I am +vain enough to believe that my jottings will be a modest contribution +towards such a tableau. + +The meagre account given by the diary of my intercourse with Mechtild, +will probably have enabled you to perceive the germ of a pure and true +relation likely to develop itself further. I shall add but a few items +to complete the account of the diary, knowing that poets, painters, and +artists have rigorously determined bounds, and that a twilight cannot +be represented when the sun is at the zenith. I am emboldened to use +this illustration because your unbounded admiration of pure womanhood +is well known to me, and because the brightness of Mechtild's +character, were it further described, would no more be compatible with +the sombre colorings in which a true picture of modern progress would +have to be exhibited, than the noonday sun with the shadows of evening. + +My memoranda concerning Mechtild, which, despite studied soberness, +betrayed a considerable degree of admiration, made known to my parents, +naturally enough, the secret of my heart. Hence it came that a quiet +smile passed over my father's face every time I commenced to speak of +Mechtild. Holt's manly deed at the mock procession had already gained +for him my father's esteem, and, as I spoke a great deal about Holt's +thoroughness as a cultivator, my father began to look upon him as a +very desirable man to employ. + +"We want an experienced man on the 'green farm,'" said father, one day. +"Offer the situation to Holt, and tell him to come to see me about it. +I want to talk with him." + +"Give the good man my compliments," said mother; "tell him I would be +much pleased to become acquainted with Mechtild, who sympathized with +you so kindly on that memorable day!" + +I wrote without delay. Holt came, and so did Mechtild. But few moments +were necessary to enable mother to detect the girl's fine qualities. +Father, too, was delightfully surprised at her modesty, the beauty of +her form, and grace of her manner. He visited the farm accompanied by +Holt. The cultivator's extraordinary knowledge, his practical manner of +viewing things, and the shrewdness of his counsels in regard to the +improvement of worn-out land and the cultivation of poor soil, +completely charmed my father. A contract containing very favorable +conditions for Holt was entered into, and three weeks later the family +took charge of the "green farm." + +Upon mother's suggestion, Mechtild was sent to an educational +institution, where she acquired in ten months' time the learning and +culture necessary for associating with cultivated people. + +Father and mother had received her on her return like a daughter. This +reception was given her not only in consideration of Holt's skilful and +faithful management of business, but also on account of Mechtild's own +splendid womanly character--perhaps, too, partly on account of my +unbounded admiration for the rare girl. + +"The girl is an ornament to her sex," lauded my father. "Her polished +manner and ease in company do not suffer one to suspect ever so +remotely that she at any time plied the reaping-hook, and came out of a +stubblefield to regale a weary wanderer with brown bread and +bonnyclabber. I am quite in harmony with, your secret wishes, my dear +Seraphin! At the same time, I am of opinion that a step promising so +much happiness ought not to be longer deferred. I think, then, you +should ask the father for his daughter without delay, so that I may +soon have the pleasure of giving you my blessing." + +From my father's arms, into which. I had thrown myself in thankfulness, +I hastened away to the "green farm," where Mechtild with maidenly +blushes, and Holt in speechless astonishment, heard and granted my +petition. + +I am now four months married. I am the blest husband of a wife whose +lovely qualities are daily showing themselves to greater advantage. +Mechtild presides over Chateau Hallberg like an angel of peace. Towards +my father and mother she conducts herself with filial reverence and +never-ceasing delicate attentions. Mother loves her unspeakably, and no +access of ill humor in father can withstand her charming smile and +prudent mirth. Concerning the banking-house of Greifmann, I have only +sad things to tell. Carl's father had entered into very considerable +speculations which failed and drove him into bankruptcy. Carl saw the +blow coming, and saved himself in a disgraceful manner. There was a +savings institution connected with the bank in which poor people and +servants deposited the savings of their hard labor. Carl appropriated +this fund and made off a short time before the failure of the house. +Thousands of poor persons were robbed of the little sums which they +were saving for old age, by denying themselves many even of the +necessaries of life. + +The maledictions and curses of these unfortunate people followed across +the ocean the thief whose modern culture and progressive humanity did +not hinder him from committing a crime which no Christian can be guilty +of without losing his claim to the title. Carl, however, still +continues to pass for a man of culture and humanity notwithstanding his +deed. And why should he not, since without faith in the Deity moral +obligations do not exist, and consequently every species of crime is +allowable? The old gentleman Greifmann died shortly after his ruin; +Louise lost her mind. + +My father felt the misfortune of the Greifmanns deeply, without, +however, regretting in the smallest degree the wise determination which +their godless principles and actions had driven him to. Formerly he +could never find time to take part in the elections. But now he is +constantly speaking about the duty of every respectable man to oppose +the infernal machinations and plans of would-be progress. He intends at +the next election to use all his influence for the election of +conscientious deputies, so that the evil may be put an end to which +consists in trying to undermine the foundations of society. + +Accept, dear sir, the assurance of the esteem with which I have the +honor to be + + Your most obedient servant, + Seraphin Gerlach. + +Chateau Hallberg, Jan. 4, 1872. + + + +FOOTNOTE TO THE PROGRESSIONISTS. + +[Footnote 1: Proverbs vi., vii.] + + + + + + + ANGELA. + + + + + + + A N G E L A. + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF + + + CONRAD VON BOLANDEN. + + + * * * * * + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + CRINOLINE. + + +An express train was just on the eve of leaving the railway station in +Munich. Two fashionably dressed gentlemen stood at the open door of a +railway carriage, in conversation with a third, who sat within. These +two young men bore on their features the marks of youthful dissipation, +indicating that they had not been sparing of pleasures. The one in the +carriage had a handsome, florid countenance, two clear, expressive +eyes, and thick locks of hair, which he now and then stroked back from +his fine forehead. He scarcely observed the conversation of the two +friends, who spoke of balls, dogs, horses, theatres, and ballet-girls. + +In the same carriage sat another traveller, evidently the father of the +young man. He was reading the newspaper--that is the report of the +money market--while his fleshy left hand dallied with the heavy gold +rings of his watch-chain. He had paid no attention to the conversation +till an observation of his son brought him to serious reflection. + +"By the bye," said one of the young men quickly, "I was nearly +forgetting to tell you the news, Richard! Do you know that Baron Linden +is engaged?" + +"Engaged? To whom?" said Richard carelessly. + +"To Bertha von Harburg. I received a card this morning, and immediately +wrote a famous letter of congratulation." + +Richard looked down earnestly, and shook his head. + +"I commiserate the genial baron," said he. "What could he be thinking +of, to rush headlong into this misfortune?" + +The father looked in surprise at his son; the hand holding the paper +sank on his knee. + +"Permit me, gentlemen," said the conductor; the doors were closed, the +friends nodded good-by, and the train moved off. + +"Your observation about Linden's marriage astonishes me, Richard. But +perhaps you were only jesting." + +"By no means," said Richard. "Never more earnest in my life. I +expressed my conviction, and my conviction is the result of careful +observation and mature reflection." + +The father's astonishment increased. + +"Observation--reflection--fudge!" said the father impatiently, as he +folded the paper and shoved it into his pocket. "How can a young man of +twenty-two talk of experience and observation! Enthusiastic nonsense! +Marriage is a necessity of human life. And you will yet submit to this +necessity." + +"True, if marriage be a necessity, then I suppose I must bow to the +yoke of destiny. But, father, this necessity does not exist. There are +intelligent men enough who do not bind themselves to woman's caprices." + +"Oh! certainly, there are some strange screech-owls in the world---some +enthusiasts. But certainly you do not wish to be one of them. You, who +have such great expectations. You, the only son of a wealthy house. +You, who have a yearly income of thousands to spend." + +"The income can be enjoyed more pleasantly, free and single, father." + +"Free and single--and enjoyed! Zounds! you almost tempt me to think ill +of you. Happily, I know you well. I know your strict morality, your +solidity, your moderate pretensions. All these amiable qualities please +me. But this view of marriage I did not expect; you must put away this +sickly notion." + +The young man made no answer, but leaned back in his seat with a +disdainful smile. + +Herr Frank gazed thoughtfully through the window. He reflected on the +determined character of his son, whose disposition, even when a child, +shut him out from the world, and who led an interior, meditative life. +Strict regularity and exact employment of time were natural to him. At +school, he held the first place in all branches. His ambition and +effort were to excel all others in knowledge. His singular questions, +which indicated a keen observation and capacity, had often excited the +surprise of his father. And while the companions of the youth hailed +with delight the time which released them from the benches of the +school and from their studies, Richard cheerfully bound himself to his +accustomed task, to appease his longing for knowledge. Approaching +manhood had not changed him in this regard. He was punctual to the +hours of business, and labored with zeal and interest, to the great joy +of his father. He recreated himself with music and, painting, or by a +walk in the open country, for whose beauties he had a keen +appreciation. The few shades of his character were, a proud +haughtiness, an unyielding perseverance in his determinations, and a +strength of conviction difficult to overcome. But perhaps these shades +were, after all, great qualities, which were to brighten up and polish +his maturity. This obstinacy the father was now considering, and, in +reference to his singular view of marriage, it filled him with great +anxiety. + +"But, Richard," began Herr Frank again, "how did you come to this +singular conclusion?" + +"By observation, and reflection--and also by experience, although you +deny my years this right." + +"What have you experienced and observed?" + +"I have observed woman as she is, and found that such a creature would +only make me miserable. What occupies their minds? Fineries, pleasures; +and trifles. The pivot of their existence turns on dress, ornaments, +balls, and the like. We live in an age of crinoline, and you know how I +abominate that dress; I admit my aversion is abnormal, perhaps +exaggerated, but I cannot overcome it. When I see a woman going through +the streets with swelling hoops, the most whimsical fancies come into +my mind. It reminds me of an inflated balloon, whose clumsy swell +disfigures the most beautiful form. It reminds me of a drunken gawk, +who swaggers along and carries the foolish gewgaw for a show. The +costume is indeed expressive. It reveals the interior disposition. +Crinoline is to me the type of the woman of our day--an empty, vain, +inflated something. And this type repels me." + +"Then you believe our women to be vain, pleasure-seeking, and destitute +of true womanhood, because they wear crinoline?" + +"No, the reverse. An overweening propensity to show and frivolity +characterizes our women, and therefore they wear crinoline in spite of +the protestations of the men." + +"Bah! Nonsense; you lay too much stress on fashion. I know many women +myself who complain of this fashion." + +"And afterward follow it. This precisely confirms my opinion. Women +have no longer sufficient moral force to disregard a disagreeable +restraint. Their vanity is still stronger than their inclinations to a +natural enjoyment of life." + +"Do you want a wife who would be sparing and saving; who, by her +frugality, would increase your wealth; who, by her social seclusion, +would not molest your cash-box?" + +"No; I want no wife," answered the young man, somewhat pettishly. "And +I am not alone in this. The young men are beginning to awaken. A sound, +natural feeling revolts against the vitiated taste of the women. +Alliances are forming everywhere. The last paper announced that, at +Marseilles, six thousand young men have, with joined hands, vowed never +to marry until the women renounce their ruinous costumes and costly +idleness, and return to a plain style of dress and frugal habits. I +object to this propensity to ease and pleasure--this desire of our +women for finery and the gratification of vanity. Not because this +inclination is expensive, but because it is objectionable. Every +creature has an object. But, if we consider the women of our day, we +might well ask, for what are they here? + +"For what are women here, foolish man?" interrupted Herr Frank. "Are +they to go about without any costume, like Eve before the fall? Are +they to know the trials of life, and not its joys? Are they to exist +like the women of the sultan, shut up in a harem? For what are they +here? I will tell you. They are here to make life cheerful. Does not +Schiller say, + + "'Honor to woman! she scatters rife + Heavenly roses, 'mid earthly life; + Love she weaves in gladdening bands; + Chastity's veil her charm attires; + Beautiful thoughts' eternal fires, + Watchful, she feeds with holy hands.'" + +Richard smiled. + +"Poetical fancy!" said he. "My unhappy friend Emil Schlagbein often +declaimed and sang with passion that same poem of Schiller's. Love +had even made a poet of him. He wrote verses to his Ida. And now, +scarcely three years married, he is the most miserable man in the +world--miserable through his wife. Ida has still the same finely carved +head as formerly; but that head, to the grief of Emil, is full of +stubbornness--full of whimsical nonsense. Her eyes have still the same +deep blue; but the charming expression has changed, and the blue not +unfrequently indicates a storm. How often has Emil poured out his +sorrows to me! How often complained of the coldness of his wife! A ball +missed--missed from necessity--makes her stupid and sulky for days. In +vain he seeks a cheerful look. When he returns home worried by the +cares of business, he finds no consolation in Ida's sympathy, but is +vexed by her stubbornness and offended by her coldness. Emil sprang +headlong into misery. I will beware of such a step." + +"You are unjust and prejudiced. Must all women, then, be Ida +Schlagbeins?" + +"Perhaps my Ida might be still worse," retorted Richard sharply. + +Herr Frank drummed on his knees, always a sign of displeasure. + +"I tell you, Richard," said he emphatically. "Your time will come yet. +You will follow the universal law, and this law will give the lie to +your one-sided view--to your contempt of woman." + +"That impulse, father, can be overcome, and habit becomes a second +nature. Besides--" + +"Besides--well, what besides?" + +"I would say that the time of which you speak is, in my case, happily +passed," answered Richard, still gazing through the window. "For me the +time of sentimental delusion has been short and decisive," he concluded +with a bitter smile. + +"Can I, your father, ask a clearer explanation?" + +The young man leaned back in his seat and looked at the opposite side +while he spoke. + +"Last summer I visited Baden-Baden. On old Mount Eberstein, which is so +picturesquely enthroned above the village, I fell in with a party. +Among the number was a young lady of rare beauty and great modesty. An +acquaintance gave me an opportunity of being introduced to her. We sat +in pleasant conversation under the black oaks until the approaching +twilight compelled us to return to the town. Isabella--such was the +name of the beauty--had made a deep impression on me. So deep that even +the detested crinoline that encircled her person in large hoops found +favor in my sight. Her manner was in no wise coquettish. She spoke with +deliberation and spirit. Her countenance had always the same +expression. Only when the young people, into whose heads the fiery wine +had risen, gave expression to sharp words, did Isabella look up and a +displeased expression, as of injured delicacy, passed over her +countenance. My presence seemed agreeable to her. My conversation may +have pleased her. As we descended the mountain, we came to a difficult +pass. I offered her my arm, which she took in the same unchanging, +quiet manner which made her so charming in my sight. I soon discovered +my affection for the stranger, and wondered how it could arise so +suddenly and become so impetuous. I was ashamed at abandoning so +quickly my opinion of women. But this feeling was not strong enough to +stifle the incipient passion. My mind lay captive in the fetters of +infatuation." + +He paused for a moment. The proud young man seemed to reproach himself +for his conduct, which he considered wanting in manly independence and +clear penetration. + +"On the following day," he continued, "there was to be a horse-race in +the neighborhood. Before we parted, it was arranged that we would be +present at it. I returned to my room in the hotel, and dreamed waking +dreams of Isabella. My friend had told me that she was the daughter of +a wealthy merchant, and that she had accompanied her invalid mother +here. This mark of love and filial affection was not calculated to cool +my ardor. Isabella appeared more beautiful and more charming still. We +went to the race. I had the unspeakable happiness of being in the same +car and sitting opposite her. After a short journey--to me, at least, +it seemed short--we arrived at the grounds where the race was to take +place. We ascended the platform. I sat at Isabella's side. She did not +for a moment lose her quiet equanimity. The race began. I saw little of +it, for Isabella was constantly before my eyes, look where I would. +Suddenly a noise--a loud cry--roused me from my dream. Not twenty paces +from where we sat, a horse had fallen. The rider was under him. The +floundering animal had crushed both legs of the unfortunate man. Even +now I can see his frightfully distorted features before me. I feared +that Isabella's delicate sensibility might be wounded by the horrible +sight. And when I looked at her, what did I see? A smiling face! She +had lost her quiet, weary manner, and a hard, unfeeling soul lighted up +her features! + +"'Do you not think this change in the monotony of the race quite +magnificent?' said she. + +"I made no answer. With an apology, I left the party and returned alone +to Baden." + +"Very well," said the father, "your Isabella was an unfeeling +creature--granted. But now for your application of this experience." + +"We will let another make the application, father. Listen a moment. In +Baden a bottle of Rhine wine, whose spirit is so congenial to sad and +melancholy feelings, served to obliterate the desolate remembrance. I +sat in the almost deserted dining-room. The guests were at the theatre, +on excursions in the neighborhood, or dining about the park. An old man +sat opposite me. I remarked that his eyes, when he thought himself +unobserved, were turned inquiringly on me. The sudden cooling of my +passion had perhaps left some marks upon me. The stranger believed, +perhaps, that I was an unlucky and desperate player. A player I had +indeed been. I had been about to stake my happiness on a beautiful +form. But I had won the game. + +"The wine soon cheered me up and I entered into conversation with the +stranger. We spoke of various things, and finally of the race. As there +was a friendly, confiding expression in the old man's countenance, I +related to him the unhappy fall of the rider, and dwelt sharply on the +impression the hideous spectacle made on Isabella. I told him that such +a degree of callousness and insensibility was new to me, and that this +sad experience had shocked me greatly. + +"'This comes,' said he, 'from permitting yourself to be deceived by +appearances, and because you do not know certain classes of society. If +you consider the beautiful Isabella with sensual eyes, you will run +great danger of taking appearances for truth--the false for the real. +Even the plainest exterior is often only sham. Painted cheeks, colored +eyebrows, false hair, false teeth; and even if these forms were not +false, but true--if you penetrate these forms, if, under the constraint +of graceful repose, we see modesty, purity, and even humility--there is +then still greater danger of deception. A wearied, enervated nature, +nerves blunted by the enjoyment of all kinds of pleasures, are +frequently all that remains of womanly nature. + +"'Do you wish to see striking examples of this? Go into the gaming +saloons--into, those horrible places where fearful and consuming +passions seethe; where desperation and suicide lurk. Go into the +corrupt, poisonous atmosphere of those gambling hells, and there you +will find women every day and every hour. Whence this disgusting sight? +The violent excitement of gambling alone can afford sufficient +attraction for those who have been sated with all kinds of pleasures. +Is a criminal to be executed? I give you my word of honor that women +give thousands of francs to obtain the best place, where they can +contemplate more conveniently the shocking spectacle and read every +expression in the distorted features of the struggling malefactor. + +"'Isabella was one of these exhausted, enervated creatures, and hence +her pleasure at the sight of the mangled rider.' + +"Thus spoke the stranger, and I admitted that he was right. At the same +time I tried to penetrate deeper into this want of sensibility. Like a +venturesome miner, I descended into the psychological depth. I +shuddered at what I there discovered, and at the inferences which +Isabella's conduct forced upon my mind. No, father, no," said he +impetuously, "I will have no such nuptials--I will never rush into the +miseries of matrimony!" + +"Thunder and lightning! are you a man?" cried Herr Frank. "Because +Emil's wife and Isabella are good-for-nothings, must the whole sex be +repudiated? Both cases are exceptions. These exceptions give you no +right to judge unfavorably of all women. This prejudice does no honor +to your good sense, Richard. It is only eccentricity can judge thus." + +The train stopped. The travellers went out, where a carriage awaited +them. + +"Is everything right?" said Herr Frank to the driver. + +"All is fixed, sir, as you required," + +"Is the box of books taken out?" + +"Yes, sir." + +The coach moved up the street. The dark mountain-side rose into view, +and narrow, deep valleys yawned beneath the travellers. Fresh currents +of air rushed down the mountain and Herr Frank inhaled refreshing +draughts. + +Richard gazed thoughtfully over the magnificent vineyards and luxuriant +orchards. + +The road grew steeper and the wooded summit of the mountain approached. +A light which Frank beheld with satisfaction glared out from it. Its +rays shot out upon the town that, amid rich vineyards, topped the +neighboring hill. + +"Our residence is beautifully located," said Herr Frank. "How cheerful +it looks up there! It is a home fit for princes." + +"You have indeed chosen a magnificent spot, father. Everything unites +to make Frankenhöhe a delightful place. The vineyards on the slopes of +the hills, the smiling hamlet of Salingen to the right. In the +background the stern mountain with its proud ruins on the summit of +Salburg, the deep valleys and the dark ravines, all unite in the +landscape: to the east that beautiful plain." + +These words pleased the father. His eyes rested long on the beautiful +property. + +"You have forgotten a reason for my happy choice," said he, while a +smile played on his features. "I mean the habit of my friend and +deliverer, who, for the last eight years, spends the month of May at +Frankenhöhe. You know the singular character of the doctor. Nothing in +the world can tear him from his books. He has renounced all pleasure +and enjoyment, to devote his whole time to his books. When Frankenhöhe +entices and captivates the man of science, so strict, so dead to the +world, it is, as I think, the highest compliment to our place." + +Richard did not question his father's opinion. He knew his unbounded +esteem for the learned doctor. + +The road grew steeper and steeper. The horses labored slowly along. The +pleasant hamlet of Salingen lay a short distance to the left. A single +house, separated from the village, and standing near the road in the +midst of vineyards, came into view. The features of Herr Frank darkened +as he turned his gaze from Frankenhöhe to this house. It was as though +some unpleasant recollection was associated with it. Richard looked at +the stately mansion, the large out-houses, the walled courts, and saw +that everything about it was neat and clean. + +"This must be a wealthy proprietor or influential landlord who lives +here," said Richard. "I have indeed seen this place in former years, +but it did not interest me. How inviting and pleasant it looks. The +property must have undergone considerable change; at least, I remember +nothing that indicated the place to be other than an ordinary +farmhouse." + +Herr Frank did not hear these observations. He muttered some bitter +imprecation. The coach gained the summit, left the road, and passed +through vineyards and chestnut groves to the house. + +Frankenhöhe was a handsome two-story house whose arrangements +corresponded to Frank's taste and means. Near it stood another, +occupied by the steward. A short distance from it were stables and +out-houses for purposes of agriculture. + +Herr Frank went directly to the house, and passed from room to room to +see if his instructions had been carried out. + +Richard went into the garden and walked on paths covered with yellow +sand. He strolled about among flower-beds that loaded the air with +agreeable odors. He examined the blooming dwarf fruit-trees and +ornamental plants. He observed the neatness and exact order of +everything. Lastly, he stood near the vineyard whence he could behold +an extensive view. He admired the beautiful, fragrant landscape. He +stood thoughtfully reflecting. His conversation made it evident to him +that his feelings and will did not agree with his father's wishes. He +saw that between his inclinations and his love for his father he must +undergo a severe struggle--a struggle that must decide his happiness +for life. The strangeness of his opinion of women did not escape him. +He tested his experience. He tried to justify his convictions, and yet +his father's claims and filial duty prevailed. + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + THE WEATHER-CROSS. + + +The next morning Richard was out with the early larks, and returned +after a few hours in a peculiar frame of mind. As he was entering his +room, he saw through the open door his father standing in the saloon. +Herr Frank was carefully examining the arrangements, as the servants +were carrying books into the adjoining room and placing them in a +bookcase. Richard, as he passed, greeted his father briefly, contrary +to his usual custom. At other times he used to exchange a few words +with his father when he bid him good-morning, and he let no occasion +pass of giving his opinion on any matter in which he knew his father +took an interest. + +The young man walked to the open window of his room, and gazed into the +distance. He remained motionless for a time. He ran his fingers through +his hair, and with a jerk of the head threw the brown locks back from +his forehead. He walked restlessly back and forth, and acted like a man +who tries in vain to escape from thoughts that force themselves upon +him. At length he went to the piano, and beat an impetuous impromptu on +the keys. + +"Ei, Richard!" cried Herr Frank, whom the wild music had brought to his +side. "Why, you rave! How possessed! One would think you had discovered +a roaring cataract in the mountains, and wished to imitate its +violence." + +Richard glanced quickly at his father, and finished with a tender, +plaintive melody. + +"Come over here and look at the rooms." + +Richard followed his father and examined carelessly the elegant rooms, +and spoke a few cold words of commendation. + +"And what do you say to this flora?" said Herr Frank pointing to a +stepped framework on which bloomed the most beautiful and rare flowers. + +"All very beautiful, father. The doctor will be much pleased, as he +always is here." + +"I wish and hope so. I have had the peacocks and turkeys sent away, +because Klingenberg cannot endure their noise. The library here will +always be his favorite object, and care has been taken with it. Here +are the best books on all subjects, even theology and astronomy." + +"Frankenhöhe is indeed cheerful as the heart of youth and quiet as a +cloister," said Richard "Your friend would indeed be ungrateful if this +attention did not gratify him." + +"I have also provided that excellent wine which he loves and enjoys as +a healthful medicine. But, Richard, you know Klingenberg's +peculiarities. You must not play as you did just now; you would drive +the doctor from the house." + +"Make yourself easy about that, father; I will play while he is on the +mountain." + +Richard took a book from the shelf, and glanced over it. Herr Frank +left him, and he immediately replaced the book and returned to his own +room. There he wrote in his diary: + + +"12th of May.--Man is too apt to be led by his inclination. And what is +inclination? A feeling caused by external impressions, or superinduced +by a disposition of the body. Inclination, therefore, is something +inimical to intellectual life. A vine that threatens to overgrow and +smother clear conviction. Never act from inclination, if you do not +wish to be unfaithful to conviction and guilty o a weakness." + + +He went into the garden, where he talked to the gardener about trees +and flowers. + +"Are you acquainted in Salingen, John?" + +"Certainly, sir. I was born there." + +"Do strangers sometimes come there to stop and enjoy the beautiful +neighborhood?" + +"Oh! no, sir; there is no suitable hotel there--only plain taverns; and +people of quality would not stop at them." + +"Are there people of rank in Salingen?" + +"Only farmers, sir. But--stay. The rich Siegwart appears to be such, +and his children are brought up in that manner." + +"Has Siegwart many children?" + +"Four--two boys and two girls. One son is at college. The other takes +care of the estate, and is at home. The oldest daughter has been at the +convent for three years. She is now nineteen years old. The second is +still a child." + +Richard went further into the garden; he looked over at Salingen, and +then at the mountains. His eye followed a path that went winding up the +mountain like a golden thread and led to the top. Then his eye rested +for a time on a particular spot in that yellow path. Richard remained +taciturn and reserved the rest of the day. He sat in his room and tried +to read, but the subject did not interest him. He often looked dreamily +from the book. He finally arose, took his hat and cane, and was soon +lost in the mountain. The next morning Richard went to the borders of +the forest, and looked frequently over at Salingen as it lay in rural +serenity before him. The pleasant hamlet excited his interest. He then +turned to the right and pursued the yellow path which he had examined +the day before, up the mountain. The birds sang in the bushes, and on +the branches of the tallest oak perched the black-bird whose morning +hymn echoed far and wide. The sweet notes of the nightingale joined in +the general concert, and the shrill piping of the hawk struck in +discordantly with the varied and beautiful song. Even unconscious +nature displayed her beauties. The dew hung in great drops on the +grass-blades and glittered like so many brilliants, and wild flowers +loaded the air with sweet perfumes. Richard saw little of these +beauties of spring. He ascended still higher. His mind seemed agitated +and burdened. He had just turned a bend in the road when he saw a +female figure approaching. His cheeks grew darker as his eyes rested on +the approaching figure. He gazed in the distance, and a disdainful +flush overspread his face. He approached her as he would approach an +enemy whose power he had felt, and whom he wished to conciliate. + +She was within fifty paces of him. Her blue dress fell in heavy folds +about her person. The ribbons of her straw bonnet, that hung on her +arm, fluttered in the breeze. In her left hand she held a bunch of +flowers. On her right arm hung a silk mantle, which the mild air had +rendered unnecessary. Her full, glossy hair was partly in a silk net +and partly plaited over the forehead and around the head, as is +sometimes seen with children. Her countenance was exquisitely +beautiful, and her light eyes now rested full and clear on the stranger +who approached her. She looked at him with the easy, natural +inquisitiveness of a child, surprised to meet such an elegant gentleman +in this place. + +Frank looked furtively at her, as though he feared the fascinating +power of the vision that so lightly and gracefully passed him. He +raised his hat stiffly and formally. This was necessary to meet the +requirement of etiquette. Were it not, he would perhaps have passed her +by without a salutation. She did not return his greeting with a stiff +bow, but with a friendly "good-morning;" and this too in a voice whose +sweetness, purity, and melody harmonized with the beautiful echoes of +the morning. + +Frank moved on hastily for some distance. He was about to look back, +but did not do so; and continued on his way, with contracted brows, +till a turn in the road hid her from his view. Here he stopped and +wiped the sweat from his forehead. His heart beat quickly, and he was +agitated by strong, emotions. He stood leaning on his cane and gazing +into the shadows of the forest. He then continued thoughtfully, and +ascended some hundred feet higher till he gained the top of the +mountain. The tall trees ceased; a variegated copsewood crowned the +summit, which formed a kind of platform. Human hands had levelled the +ground, and on the moss that covered it grew modest little violets. +Near the border of the platform stood a stone cross of rough material. +Near this cross lay the fragments of another large rock, that might +have been shattered by lightning years before. A few steps back of +this, on two square blocks of stone, stood a statue of the Virgin and +Child, of white stone very carefully wrought, but without much art. The +Virgin had a crown of roses on her head. The Child held a little bunch +of forget-me-nots in its hand, and as it held them out seemed to say, +"Forget me not." Two heavy vases that could not be easily overturned by +the wind, standing on the upper block, also contained flowers. All +these flowers were quite fresh, as if they had just been placed there. + +Richard examined these things, and wondered what they, meant in this +solitude of the mountain. The fresh flowers and the cleanliness of the +statue, on which no dust or moss could be seen, indicated a careful +keeper. He thought of the young woman whom he met. He had seen the same +kind of flowers in her hand, and doubtless she was the devotee of the +place. + +Scarcely had his thoughts taken this direction when he turned away and +walked to the border of the plot; and gazed at the country before him. +He looked down toward Frankenhöhe, whose white chimneys appeared above +the chestnut grove. He contemplated the plains with their luxuriant +fields reflecting every shade of green--the strips of forests that lay +like shadows in the sunny plain--numberless hamlets with church towers +whose gilded crosses gleamed in the sun. He gazed in the distance where +the mountain ranges vanished in the mist, and long he enjoyed the +magnificence of the view. He was aroused from his dreamy contemplation +by the sound of footsteps behind him. + +An old man with a load of wood on his shoulders came up to the place. +Breathing heavily, he threw down the wood and wiped the sweat from his +face. He saw the stranger, and respectfully touched his cap as he sat +down on the wood. + +Frank went to him. + +"You are from Salingen, I suppose," he began. + +"Yes, sir." + +"It is very hard for an old man like you to carry such a load so far." + +"It is indeed, but I am poor and must do it." + +Frank looked at the patched clothes of the old man, his coarse shoes, +his stockingless feet, and meagre body, and felt compassion for him. + +"For us poor people the earth bears but thistles and thorns." After a +pause, the old man continued, "We have to undergo many tribulations and +difficulties, and sometimes we even suffer from hunger. But thus it is +in the world. The good God will reward us in the next world for our +sufferings in this." + +These words sounded strangely to Richard. Raised as he was in the midst +of wealth, and without contact with poverty, he had never found +occasion to consider the lot of the poor; and now the resignation of +the old man, and his hope in the future, seemed strange to him. He was +astonished that religion could have such power--so great and strong--to +comfort the poor in the miseries of a hopeless, comfortless life. + +"But what if your hope in another world deceive you?" + +The old man looked at him with astonishment. + +"How can I be deceived? God is faithful. He keeps his promises." + +"And what has he promised you?" + +"Eternal happiness if I persevere, patient and just, to the end." + +"I wonder at your strong faith!" + +"It is my sole possession on earth. What would support us poor people, +what would keep us from despair, if religion did not?" + +Frank put his hand into his pocket, + +"Here," said he, "perhaps this money will relieve your wants." + +The old man looked at the bright thalers in his hand, and the tears +trickled down his cheeks. + +"This is too much, sir; I cannot receive six thalers from you." + +"That is but a trifle for me; put it in your pocket, and say no more +about it." + +"May God reward and bless you a thousand times for it!" + +"What does that cross indicate?" + +"That is a weather cross, sir. We have a great deal of bad weather to +fear. We have frequent storms here, in summer; they hang over the +mountain and rage terribly. Every ravine becomes a torrent that dashes +over the fields, hurling rocks and sand from the mountain. Our fields +are desolated and destroyed. The people of Salingen placed that cross +there against the weather. In spring the whole community come here in +procession and pray God to protect them from the storms." + +Richard reflected on this phenomenon; the confidence of these simple +people in the protection of God, whose omnipotence must intervene +between the remorseless elements and their victims, appeared to him as +the highest degree of simplicity. But he kept his thoughts to himself, +for he respected the religious sentiments of the old man, and would not +hurt his feelings. + +"And the Virgin, why is she there?" + +"Ah! that is a wonderful story, sir," he answered, apparently wishing +to evade an explanation. + +"Which every one ought not to know?" + +"Well--but perhaps the gentleman would laugh, and I would not like +that!" + +"Why do you think I would laugh at the story?" + +"Because you are a gentleman of quality, and from the city, and such +people do not believe any more in miracles." + +This observation of rustic sincerity was not pleasing to Frank. It +expressed the opinion that the higher classes ignore faith in the +supernatural. + +"If I promise you not to laugh, will you tell me the story?" + +"I will; you were kind to me, and you can ask the story of me. About +thirty years ago," began the old man after a pause, "there lived a +wealthy farmer at Salingen whose name was Schenck. Schenck was young. +He married a rich maiden and thereby increased his property. But +Schenck had many great faults. He did not like to work and look after +his fields. He let his servants do as they pleased, and his fields +were, of course, badly worked and yielded no more than half a crop. +Schenck sat always in the tavern, where he drank and played cards and +dice. Almost every night he came home drunk. Then he would quarrel with +his wife, who reproached him. He abused her, swore wickedly, and +knocked everything about the room, and behaved very badly altogether. +Schenck sank lower and lower, and became at last a great sot. His +property was soon squandered. He sold one piece after another, and when +he had no more property to sell, he took it into his head to sell +himself to the devil for money. He went one night to a cross-road, and +called the devil, but the devil would not come; perhaps because Schenck +belonged to him already, for the Scripture says, 'A drunkard cannot +enter the kingdom of heaven.' At last a suit was brought against him, +and the last of his property was sold, and he was driven from his home. +This hurt Schenck very much, for he always had a certain kind of pride. +He thought of the past times when he was rich and respected, and now he +had lost all respect with his neighbors. He thought of his wife and his +four children, whom he had made poor and miserable. All this drove him +to despair. He determined to put an end to himself. He bought a rope +and came up here one morning to hang himself. He tied the rope to an +arm of the cross, and had his head in the noose, when all at once he +remembered that he had not yet said his three 'Hail! Marys.' His mother +who was dead had accustomed him, when a child, to say every day three +'Hail! Marys.' Schenck had never neglected this practice for a single +day. Then he took his head out of the noose and said, 'Well, as I have +said the "Hail! Marys" every day, I will say them also to-day, for the +last time.' He knelt down before the cross and prayed. When he was +done, he stood up to hang himself. But he had scarcely stood on his +feet when he was snatched up by a whirlwind and carried through the air +till he was over a vineyard, where he fell without hurting himself. As +he stood up, an ugly man stood before him and said, 'This time you have +escaped me, but the next time I will get you.' The ugly man had horses' +hoofs in place of feet, and wore green clothes. He disappeared before +Schenck's eyes. Schenck swears that this ugly man was the devil. He +declares also that he has to thank the Mother of God, through whose +intercession he escaped the claws of the devil. Schenck had that statue +placed there in memory of his wonderful escape--that is why the Mother +of God is there." + +"A wonderful story indeed!" said Richard. "Although I do not laugh as +you see, yet I must assure that I do not believe the story." + +"I thought so," answered the old man. "But you can ask Schenck himself. +He is still living, and is now seventy. Since that day he has changed +entirely. He drinks nothing but water. He never enters a tavern, but +goes every day to church. From that time to this Schenck has very +industrious, and has saved a nice property." + +"That the drunkard reformed is most remarkable and best part of the +story," said Frank. "Drunkards very seldom reform. But," continued he +smiling, "the devil acted very stupidly in the affair. He should have +known that his appearance would have made a deep impression on the man, +and that he would not let himself be caught a second time." + +"That is true," said the old man. "I believe the devil was forced to +appear and speak so." + +"Forced? By whom?" + +"By Him before whom the devils believe and tremble. Schenck was to +understand that God delivered on account of his pious custom, and the +devil had to tell him his would not happen a second time." + +"How prudent you are in your superstition!" said Frank. + +"As the gentleman has been kind, it hurts me to hear him speak so." + +"Now," said Richard quickly, "I would not hurt your feelings. One may +be a good Christian without believing fables. And the flowers near the +statue. Has Schenck placed them there too?" + +"Oh! no--the Angel did that." + +"The Angel. Who is that?" said Frank, surprised. + +"The Angel of Salingen--Siegwart's angel." + +"Ah! angel is Angela, is it not?" + +"So she may be called. In Salingen they call her only Angel. And she is +indeed as lovely, good, and beautiful as an angel. She has a heart for +the poor, and she gives with an open hand and a smiling face that does +one good. She is like her father, who gives me as many potatoes as I +want, and seed for my little patch of ground." + +"Why does Angela decorate this statue?" + +"I do not know; perhaps she does it through devotion." + +"The flowers are quite fresh; does she come here every day?" + +"Every day during the month of May, and no longer." + +"Why no longer?" + +"I do not know the reason; she has done so for the last two years, +since she came home from the convent, and she will do so this year." + +"As Siegwart is so good to the poor, he must be rich." + +"Very rich--you can see from his house. Do you see that fine building +there next to the road? That is the residence of Herr Siegwart." + +It was the same building that had arrested Richard's attention as he +passed it some days before, and the sight of which had excited the +ill-humor of his father. Richard returned by a shorter way to +Frankenhöhe. He was serious and meditative. Arrived at home, he wrote +in his diary: + + +"May 13th.--Well, I have seen her. She exhibits herself as the 'Angel +of Salingen.' She is extremely beautiful. She is full of amiability and +purity of character. And to-day she did not wear that detestable +crinoline. But she will have other foibles in place of it. She +will, in some things at least, yield to the superficial tendencies of +her sex. Isabella was an ideal, until she descended from the height +where my imagination, deceived by her charms, had placed her. The +impression which Angela's appearance produced has rests on the same +foundation--deception. A better acquaintance will soon discover this. +Curious! I long to become better acquainted! + +"Religion is not a disease or hallucination, as many think. It is a +power. Religion teaches the poor to bear their hard lot with patience. +It comforts and keeps them from despair. It directs their attention to +an eternal reward, and this hope compensates them for all the +afflictions and miseries of this life. Without religion, human society +would fall to pieces." + + +A servant entered, and announced dinner. + +"Ah Richard!" said Herr Frank good-humoredly. "Half an hour late for +dinner, and had to be called! That is strange; I do not remember such a +thing to have happened before. You are always as punctual as a +repeater." + +"I was in the mountain and had just returned." + +"No excuse, my son. I am glad the neighborhood diverts you, and that +you depart a little from your regularity. Now everything is in good +order, as I desired, for my friend and deliverer. I have just received +a letter from him. He will be here in two days. I shall be glad to see +the good man again. If Frankenhöhe will only please him for a long +time!" + +"I have no doubt of that," said Richard. "The doctor will be received +like a friend, treated like a king, and will live here like Adam and +Eve in paradise." + +"Everything will go on as formerly. I will be coming and going on +account of business. You will, of course, remain uninterruptedly at +Frankenhöhe. You are high in the doctor's esteem. You interest him very +much. It is true you annoy him sometimes with your unlearned objections +and bold assertions. But I have observed that even vexation, when it +comes from you, is not disagreeable to him." + +"But the poor should not annoy him with their sick," said Richard. "He +never denies his services to the poor, as he never grants them to the +rich. Indeed, I have sometimes observed that he tears himself from his +books with the greatest reluctance, and it is not without an effort +that he does it." + +"But we cannot change it," said Herr Frank; "we cannot send the poor +away without deeply offending Klingenberg. But I esteem him the more +for his generosity." + +After dinner the father and son went into the garden and talked of +various matters; suddenly Richard stopped and pointing over to +Salingen, said, + +"I passed to-day that neat building that stands near the road. Who +lives there?" + +"There lives the noble and lordly Herr Siegwart," said Herr Frank +derisively. + +His tone surprised Richard. He was not accustomed to hear his father +speak thus. + +"Is Siegwart a noble?" + +"Not in the strict sense. But he is the ruler of Salingen. He rules in +that town, as absolutely as princes formerly did in their kingdoms." + +"What is the cause of his influence?" + +"His wealth, in the first place; secondly, his charity; and lastly, his +cunning." + +"You are not favorable to him?" + +"No, indeed! The Siegwart family is excessively ultramontane and +clerical. You know I cannot endure these narrow prejudices and this +obstinate adherence to any form of religion. Besides, I have a +particular reason for disagreement with Siegwart, of which I need not +now speak." + +"Excessively ultramontane and clerical!" thought Richard, as he went to +his room. "Angela is undoubtedly educated in this spirit. Stultifying +confessionalism and religious narrow-mindedness have no doubt cast a +deep shadow over the 'angel.' Now--patience; the deception will soon +banish." + +He took up Schlosser's History, and read a long time. But his eyes +wandered from the page, and his thoughts soon followed. + +The next morning at the same hour Richard went to the weather cross. He +took the same road and again he met Angela; she had the same blue +dress, the same straw hat on her arm, and flowers in her hand. She +beheld him with the same clear eyes, with the same unconstrained +manner--only, as he thought, more charming--as on the first day. He +greeted her coolly and formally, as before. She thanked him with the +same affability. Again the temptation came over him to look back at +her; again he overcame it. When he came to the statue, he found fresh +flowers in the vases. The child Jesus had fresh forget-me-nots in his +hand, and the Mother had a crown of fresh roses on her head. On the +upper stone lay a book, bound in blue satin and clasped with a silver +clasp. When he took it up, he found beneath it a rosary made of an +unknown material, and having a gold cross fastened at the end. He +opened the book. The passage that had been last read was marked with a +silk ribbon. It was as follows: + + +"My son, trust not thy present affection; it will be quickly changed +into another. As long as thou livest thou art subject to change, even +against thy will; so as to be sometimes joyful, at other times sad; now +easy, now troubled; at one time devout, at another dry; sometimes +fervent, at other times sluggish; one day heavy, another day lighter. +But he that is wise and well instructed in spirit stands above all +these changes, not minding what he feels in himself, nor on what side +the wind of instability blows; but that the whole bent of his soul may +advance toward its due and wished-for end; for thus he may continue one +and the self-same without being shaken, by directing without ceasing, +through all this variety of events, the single eye of his intention +toward me. And by how much more pure the eye of the intention is, with +so much greater constancy mayest thou pass through these divers storms. + +"But in many the eye of pure intention is dark; for men quickly look +toward something delightful that comes in their way. And it is rare to +find one who is wholly free from all blemish of self-seeking." + + +Frank remembered having written about the same thoughts in his diary. +But here they were conceived in another and deeper sense. + +He read the title of the book. It was _The Following of Christ_. + +He copied the title in his pocketbook. He then with a smile examined +the rosary, for he was not without prejudice against this kind of +prayer. + +He had no doubt Angela had left these things here, and he thought it +would be proper to return them to the owner. He came slowly down the +mountain reading the book. It was clear to him that _The Following of +Christ_ was a book full of very earnest and profound reflections. And +he wondered how so young a woman could take any interest in such +serious reading. He was convinced that all the ladies he knew would +throw such a book aside with a sneer, because its contents condemned +their lives and habits. Angela, then, must be of a different character +from all the ladies he knew, and he was very desirous of knowing better +this character of Angela. + +In a short time he entered the gate and passed through the yard to the +stately building where Herr Siegwart dwelt. He glanced hastily at the +long out-buildings--the large barns; at the polished cleanliness of the +paved court, the perfect order of every thing, and finally at the +ornamented mansion. Then he looked at the old lindens that stood near +the house, whose trunks were protected from injury by iron railings. In +the tops of these trees lodged a lively family of sparrows, who were at +present in hot contention, for they quarrelled and cried as loud and as +long as did formerly the lords in the parliament of Frankfort. The +beautiful garden, separated from the yard by a low wall covered with +white boards, did not escape him. Frank entered, upon a broad and very +clean path; as his feet touched the stone slabs, he heard, through the +open door, a low growl, and then a man's voice saying, "Quiet, Hector." + +Frank walked through the open door into a large room handsomely +furnished, and odoriferous with a multitude of flowers in vases. A man +in the prime of life sat on the sofa reading and smoking. He wore a +light-brown overcoat, brown trousers, and low, thick boots. He had a +fresh, florid complexion, red beard, blue eyes, and an expressive, +agreeable countenance. When Frank entered he arose, laid aside the +paper and cigar, and approached the visitor. + +"I found these things on the mountain near the weather-cross." said +Frank, after a more formal than affable bow. "As your daughter met me, +I presume they belong to her. I thought it my duty to return them." + +"These things certainly belong to my daughter," answered Herr Siegwart. +"You are very kind, sir. You have placed us under obligations to you." + +"I was passing this way," said Frank briefly. + +"And whom have we the honor to thank?" + +"I am Richard Frank." + +Herr Siegwart bowed. Frank noticed a slight embarrassment in his +countenance. He remembered the expressions his father had used in +reference to the Siegwart family, and it was clear to him that a +reciprocal ill feeling existed here. Siegwart soon resumed his friendly +manner, and invited him with much formality to the sofa. Richard felt +that he must accept the invitation at least for a few moments. Siegwart +sat on a chair in front of him, and they talked of various unimportant +matters. Frank admired the skill which enabled him to conduct, without +interruption, so pleasant a conversation with a stranger. + +While they were speaking, some house-swallows flew into the room. They +fluttered about without fear, sat on the open door, and joined their +cheerful twittering with the conversation of the men. Richard expressed +his admiration, and said he had never seen anything like it. + +"Our constant guests in summer," answered Siegwart. "They build their +nests in the hall, and as they rise earlier than we do, an opening is +left for them above the hall door, where they can go in and out +undisturbed when the doors are closed. Angela is in their confidence, +and on the best of terms with them. When rainy or cold days come during +breeding time they suffer from want of food. Angela is then their +procurator. I have often admired Angela's friendly intercourse with the +swallows, who perch upon her shoulders and hands." + +Richard looked indeed at the twittering swallows, but their friend +Angela passed before his eyes, so beautiful indeed that he no longer +heard what Siegwart was saying. + +He arose; Siegwart accompanied him. As they passed through the yard, +Frank observed the long row of stalls, and said, + +"You must have considerable stock?" + +"Yes, somewhat. If you would like to see the property, I will show you +around with pleasure." + +"I regret that I cannot now avail myself of your kindness; I shall do +so in a few days," answered Frank. + +"Herr Frank," said Siegwart, "may the accident which has given us the +pleasure of your agreeable visit, be the occasion of many visits in +future. I know that as usual you will spend the month of May at +Frankenhöhe. We are neighbors--this title, in my opinion, should +indicate a friendly intercourse." + +"Let it be understood, Herr Siegwart; I accept with pleasure your +invitation." + +On the way to Frankenhöhe Richard walked very slowly, and gazed into +the distance before him. He thought of the swallows that perched on +Angela's shoulders and hands. Their sweet notes still echoed in his +soul. + +The country-like quiet of Siegwart's house and the sweet peace that +pervaded it were something new to him. He thought of the simple +character of Siegwart, who, as his father said, was "ultramontane and +clerical," and whom he had represented to himself as a dark, reserved +man. He found nothing in the open, natural manner of the man to +correspond with his preconceived opinion of him. Richard concluded that +either Herr Siegwart was not an ultramontane, or the characteristics of +the ultramontanes, as portrayed in the free-thinking newspapers of the +day, were erroneous and false. + +Buried in such thoughts, he reached Frankenhöhe. As he passed through +the yard, he did not observe the carriage that stood there. But as he +passed under the window, he heard a loud voice, and some books were +thrown from the window and fell at his feet. He looked down in surprise +at the books, whose beautiful binding was covered with sand. He now +observed the coach, and smiled. + +"Ah! the doctor is here," said he. "He has thrown these unwelcome +guests out of the window. Just like him." + +He took up the books and read the titles, _Vogt's Pictures from Animal +Life_, _Vogt's Physiological Letters_, _Czolbe's Sensualism_. + +He took the books to his room and began to read them. Herr Frank, with +his joyful countenance, soon appeared. + +"Klingenberg is here!" said he. + +"I suspected as much already," said Richard. "I passed by just as he +threw the books out of the window with his usual impetuosity." + +"Do not let him see the books; the sight of them sets him wild." + +"Klingenberg walks only in his own room. I wish to read these books; +what enrages him with innocent paper?" + +"I scarcely know, myself. He examined the library and was much pleased +with some of the works. But suddenly he tore these books from their +place and hurled them through the window." + +"'I tolerate no bad company among these noble geniuses,' said he, +pointing to the learned works. + +"'Pardon me, honored friend,' said I, 'if, without my knowledge, some +bad books were included. What kind of writings are these, doctor?" + +"'Stupid materialistic trash,' said he. 'If I had Vogt, Moleschott, +Colbe, and Büchner here, I would throw them body and bones out of the +window.' + +"I was very much surprised at this declaration, so contrary to the +doctor's kind disposition. 'What kind of people are those you have +named?' said I. + +"'No people, my dear Frank,' said he. 'They are animals. This Vogt and +his fellows have excluded themselves from the pale of humanity, +inasmuch as they have declared apes, oxen, and asses to be their +equals.'" + +"I am now very desirous to know these books," said Richard. + +"Well, do not let our friend know your intention," urged Frank. + +Richard dressed and went to greet the singular guest. He was sitting +before a large folio. He arose at Richard's entrance and paternally +reached him both hands. + +Doctor Klingenberg was of a compact, strong build. He had unusually +long arms, which he swung back and forth in walking. His features were +sharp, but indicated a modest character. From beneath his bushy +eyebrows there glistened two small eyes that did not give an agreeable +expression to his countenance. This unfavorable expression was, +however, only the shell of a warm heart. + +The doctor was good-natured--hard on himself, but mild in his judgments +of others. He had an insatiable desire for knowledge, and it impelled +him to severe studies that robbed him of his hair and made him +prematurely bald. + +"How healthy you look, Richard!" said he, contemplating the young man. +"I am glad to see you have not been spoiled by the seething atmosphere +of modern city life." + +"You know, doctor, I have a natural antipathy to all swamps and +morasses. + +"That is right, Richard; preserve a healthy naturalness." + +"We expected you this morning." + +"And would go to the station to bring me. Why this ceremony? I am here, +and I will enjoy for a few weeks the pure, bracing mountain air. Our +arrangements will be as formerly--not so, my dear friend?" + +"I am at your service." + +"You have, of course, discovered some new points that afford fine +views?" + +"If not many, at least one--the weather cross," answered Frank. "A +beautiful position. The hill stands out somewhat from the range. The +whole plain lies before the ravished eyes. At the same time, there are +things connected with _that_ place that are not without their influence +on me. They refer to a custom of the ultramontanists that clashes with +modern ideas; I will have an opportunity of seeing whether your opinion +coincides with mine." + +"Very well; since we have already an object for our next walk--and this +is according to our old plan--tomorrow after dinner at three o'clock," +and saying this he glanced wistfully at the old folio. Frank, smiling, +observed the delicate hint and retired. + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM. + + +On the following day, Richard went to the weather-cross. He did not +meet Angela. She must have been unusually early; for the flowers had +evidently just been placed before the statue. + +He returned, gloomy, to the house, and wrote in his diary: + + + "May 14th. + +"She did not meet me to-day, and probably will not meet me again. I +should have left the book where it was; it might have awakened her +gratitude; for I think she left it purposely, to give me an opportunity +to make her acquaintance. + +"How many young women would give more than a book to get acquainted +with a wealthy party! The 'Angel' is very sensitive; but this +sensibility pleases me, because it is true womanly delicacy. + +"She will now avoid meeting me in this lonely road. But I will study +her character in her father's house. I will see if she does not confirm +my opinion of the women of our times. It was for this purpose alone +that I accepted Siegwart's invitation. Angela must not play Isabella; +no woman ever shall. Single, and free from woman's yoke, I will go +through the world." + + +He put aside the diary, and began reading Vogt's _Physiological +Letters_. + +At three o'clock precisely, Richard with the punctual doctor left +Frankenhöhe. They passed through the chestnut grove and through the +vineyard toward Salingen. The doctor pushed on with long steps, his +arms swinging back and forth. He was evidently pleased with the subject +he had been reading. He had, on leaving the house, shaken Richard by +the hand, and spoken a few friendly words, but not a syllable since. +Richard knew his ways; and knew that it would take some time for him to +thaw. + +They were passing between Siegwart's house and Salingen, when they +beheld Angela, at a distance, coming toward them. She carried a little +basket on her arm, and on her head she wore a straw hat with broad +fluttering ribbons. Richard fixed his eyes attentively on her. This +time, also, she did not wear hoops, but a dress of modest colors. He +admired her light, graceful movement and charming figure. The +blustering doctor moderated his steps and went slower the nearer he +came to Angela, and considered her with surprise. Frank greeted her, +touching his hat. She did not thank him, as before, with a friendly +greeting, but by a scarcely perceptible inclination of the head; nor +did she smile as before, but on this account seemed to him more +charming and ethereal than ever. She only glanced at him, and he +thought he observed a slight blush on her cheeks. + +These particulars were engrossing the young man's attention when he +heard the doctor say, + +"Evidently the Angel of Salingen." + +"Who?" said Richard in surprise. + +"The Angel of Salingen," returned Klingenberg. "You are surprised at +this appellation; is it not well-merited?" + +"My surprise increases, doctor; for exaggeration is not your fashion." + +"But she deserves acknowledgment. Let me explain. The maiden is the +daughter of the proprietor Siegwart, and her name is Angela. She is a +model of every virtue. She is, in the female world, what an image of +the Virgin, by one of the old masters, would be among the hooped gentry +of the present. As you are aware, I have been often called to the +cabins of the sick poor, and there the quiet, unostentatious labors of +this maiden have become known to me. Angela prepares suitable food for +the sick, and generally takes it to them herself. The basket on her arm +does service in this way. There are many poor persons who would not +recover unless they had proper, nourishing food. To these Angela is a +great benefactor. For this reason, she has a great influence over the +minds of the sick, and the state of the mind greatly facilitates or +impedes their recovery. + +"I have often entered just after she had departed, and the beneficial +influence of her presence could be still seen in the countenances of +the poor. Her presence diffused resignation, peace, contentment, and a +peculiar cheerfulness in the meanest and most wretched hovels of +poverty, where she enters without hesitation. This is certainly a rare +quality in so young a creature. She rejoices the hearts of the children +by giving them clothes, sometimes made by herself, or pictures and the +like. Her whole object appears to be to reconcile and make all happy. I +have just seen her for the first time; her beauty is remarkable, and +might well adorn an angel. The common people wish only to Germanize +'Angela' when they call her 'Angel.' But she is indeed an angel of +heaven to the poor and needy." + +Frank said nothing. He moved on in silence toward the weather-cross. + +"I have accidentally discovered a singular custom of your 'angel,' +doctor. There is at the weather-cross a Madonna of stone. Angela has +imposed upon herself the singular task of adorning this Madonna, daily, +with fresh flowers." + +"You are a profane fellow, Richard. You should not speak in such a +derisive tone of actions which are the out-flowings of pious +sentiment." + +"Every one has his hobby. What will not people do through ambition? I +know ladies who torture a piano for half the night, in order to catch +the tone of the prima-donna at the opera. I know women who undergo all +possible privations to be able to wear as fine clothes, as costly furs, +as others with whom they are in rivalry. This exhaustive night-singing, +these deprivations, are submitted to through foolish vanity. Perhaps +Angela is not less ambitious and vain than others of her sex. As she +cannot dazzle these country folk with furs or toilette, she dazzles +their religious sentiment by ostentatious piety." + +"Radically false!" said the doctor. "Charity and virtue are recognized +and honored not only in the country, but also in the cities. Why do not +your coquettes strive for this approval? Because they want Angela's +nobility of soul. And again, why should Angela wish to gain the +admiration of the peasants? She is the daughter of the wealthiest man +in the neighborhood. If such was her object, she could gratify her +ambition in a very different way." + +"Then Angela is a riddle to me," returned Richard. "I cannot conceive +the motives of her actions." + +"Which are so natural! The maiden follows the impulses of her own noble +nature, and these impulses are developed and directed by Christian +culture, and convent education. Angela was a long time with the nuns, +and only returned home two years ago. Here you have the very natural +solution of the riddle." + +"Are you acquainted with the Siegwart family?" + +"No; what I know of Angela I learned from the people of Salingen." + +They arrived at the platform. Klingenberg stood silent for some time +admiring the landscape. The view did not seem to interest Richard. His +eyes rested on Angela's home, whose white walls, surrounded by +vineyards and corn-fields, glistened in the sun. + +"It is worth while to come up here oftener," said Klingenberg. + +"Angela's work," said Richard as he drew near the statue. The doctor +paused a moment and examined the flowers. + +"Do you observe Angela's fine taste in the arrangement of the colors?" +said he. "And the forget-me-nots! What a deep religious meaning they +have." + +They returned by another way to Frankenhöhe. + +"Angela's pious work," began Richard after a long pause, "reminds me of +a religious custom against which modern civilization has thus far +warred in vain. I mean the veneration of saints. You, as a Protestant, +will smile at this custom, and I, as a Catholic, must deplore the +tenacity with which my church clings to this obsolete remnant of +heathen idolatry." + +"Ah! this is the subject you alluded to yesterday," said the doctor. "I +must, in fact, smile, my dear Richard! But I by no means smile at 'the +tenacity with which your church clings to the obsolete remnants of +heathen idolatry.' I smile at your queer idea of the veneration of the +saints. I, as a reasonable man, esteem this veneration, and recognize +its admirable and beneficial influence on human society." + +This declaration increased Frank's surprise to the highest degree. He +knew the clear mind of the doctor, and could not understand how it +happened that he wished to defend a custom so antagonistic to modern +thought. + +"You find fault," continued Klingenberg, "with the custom of erecting +statues to these holy men in the churches, the forest, the fields, the +houses, and in the market?" + +"Yes, I do object to that." + +"If you had objected to the lazy Schiller at Mayence, or the robber's +poet Schiller, as he raves at the theatre in Mannheim, or to the +conqueror and destroyer of Germany, Gustavus Adolphus, whose statue is +erected as an insult in a German city, then you would be right." + +"Schiller-worship has its justification," retorted Frank. "They erect +public monuments to the genial spirit of that man, to remind us of his +services to poetry, his aspirations, and his German patriotism." + +"It is praiseworthy to erect monuments to the poet. But do not talk of +Schiller's patriotism, for he had none. But let that pass; it is not to +the point. The question is, whether you consider it praiseworthy to +erect monuments to deserving and exalted genius?" + +"Without the least hesitation, I say yes. But I see what you are +driving at, doctor. I know the remorseless logic of your inferences. +But you will not catch me in your vise this time. You wish to infer +that the saints far surpassed Schiller in nobility and greatness of +soul, and that honoring them, therefore, is more reasonable, and more +justifiable, than honoring Schiller. I dispute the greatness of the +so-called saints. They were men full of narrowness and rigorism. They +despised the world and their friends. They carried this contempt to a +wonderful extent--to a renunciation of all the enjoyments of life, to +voluntary poverty and unconditional obedience. But all these are fruits +that have grown on a stunted, morbid tree, and are in opposition to +progress, to industry, and to the enlightened civilization of modern +times. The dark ages might well honor such men, but our times cannot. +Schiller, on the contrary, that genial man, taught us to love the +pleasures of life. By his fine genius and his odes to pleasure, he +frightened away all the spectres of these enthusiastic views of life. +He preached a sound taste and a free, unconstrained enjoyment of the +things of this beautiful earth. And for this reason precisely, because +he inaugurated this new doctrine, does he deserve monuments in his +honor." + +"How does it happen then, my friend," said the doctor, in a cutting +tone that was sometimes peculiar to him, "that you do not take +advantage of the modern doctrine of unconstrained enjoyment? Why have +you preserved fresh your youthful vigor, and not dissipated it at the +market of sensual pleasures? Why is your mode of life so often a +reproach to your dissolute friends? Why do you avoid the resorts of +refined pleasures? Why are the coquettish, vitiated, hollow +inclinations of a great part of the female sex so distasteful to you? +Answer me!" + +"These are peculiarities of my nature; individual opinions that have no +claim to any weight." + +"Peculiarities of your nature--very right; your noble nature, your pure +feelings rebel against these moral acquisitions of progress. I begin +with your noble nature. If I did not find this good, true self in you, +I would waste no more words. But because you are what you are, I must +convince you of the error of your views. Schiller, you say, and, with +him, the modern spirit, raised the banner of unrestrained enjoyment, +and this enjoyment rests on sensual pleasures, does it not?" + +"Well--yes." + +"I knew and know many who followed this banner--and you also know many. +Of those whom I knew professionally, some ended their days in the +hospital, of the most loathsome diseases. Some, unsatiated with the +whole round of pleasures, drag on a miserable life, dead to all energy, +and spiritless. They drank the full cup of pleasure, and with it +unspeakable bitterness and disgust. Some ended in ignominy and +shame--bankruptcy, despair, suicide. Such are the consequences of this +modern dogma of unrestrained enjoyments." + +"All these overstepped the proper bounds of pleasure," said Richard. + +"The proper bounds? Stop!" cried the doctor, "No leaps, Richard! Think +clearly and logically. Christianity also allows enjoyment, but--and +here is the point--in certain limits. Your progress, on the contrary, +proclaims freedom in moral principles, a disregard of all moral +obligations, unrestricted enjoyment--and herein consists the danger and +delusion. I ask, Are you in favor of restricted or unrestricted +enjoyment?" + +Frank hesitated. He felt already the thumbscrew of the irrepressible +doctor, and feared the inferences he would draw from his admissions. + +"Come!" urged Klingenberg, "decide." + +"Sound reason declares for restricted enjoyment," said Frank decidedly. + +"Good; there you leave the unlimited sphere which godless progress has +given to the thoughts and inclinations of men. You admit the obligation +of self-control, and the restraint of the grosser emotions. But let us +proceed; you speak of industry. The modern spirit of industry has +invoked a demon--or, rather, the demoniac spirit of the times has taken +possession of industry. The great capitalists have built thrones on +their money-bags and tyrannize over those who have no money. They crush +out the work-shop of the industrious and well-to-do tradesman, and +compel him to be their slave. Go into the factories of Elfeld, or +England; you can there see the slaves of this demon industry--miserable +creatures, mentally and morally stunted, socially perishing; not only +slaves, but mere wheels of the machines. This is what modern industry +has made of those poor wretches, for whom, according to modern +enlightenment, there is no higher destiny than to drag through life in +slavery, to increase the money-bags of their tyrants. But the +capitalists have perfect right, according to modern ideas; they only +use the means at their command. The table of the ten commandments has +been broken; the yoke of Christianity broken. Man is morally and +religiously free; and from this false liberalism the tyranny of +plutocracy and the slavery of the poor has been developed. Are you +satisfied with the development, and the principles that made it +possible?" + +"No," said Frank decidedly. "I despise that miserable industrialism +that values the product more than the man. My admissions are, however, +far from justifying the exaggerated notions of the saints." + +"Wait a bit!" cried Klingenberg hastily. "I have just indicated the +cause of this wretched egotism, and also a consequence--namely, the +power of great capitalists and manufacturers over an army of white +slaves. But this is by no means all. This demon of industry has +consequences that will ruin a great portion of mankind. Now mark what I +say, Richard! The richness of the subject allows me only to indicate. +The progressive development of industry brings forth products of which +past ages were ignorant, because they were not necessary for life. The +existence of these products creates a demand. The increased wants +increase the outlay, which in most cases does not square with the +income, and therefore the accounts of many close with a deficit The +consequences of this deficit for the happiness, and even for the morals +of the family, I leave untouched. The increased products beget luxury +and the desire for enjoyment; the ultimate consequences of which +enervate the individual and society. Hence the phenomenon, in England, +that the greater portion of the people in the manufacturing towns die +before the age of fifteen, and that many are old men at thirty. +Enervated and demoralized peoples make their existence impossible. They +go to the wall. This is a historical fact. Ergo, modern industry +separated from Christian civilization hastens the downfall of nations." + +"I cannot dispute the truth of your observations. But you have touched +only the dark side of modern industry, without mentioning its benefits. +If industry is a source of fictitious wants, it affords, on the other +hand, cheap prices to the poor for the most necessary wants of life; +for example, cheap materials for clothing." + +"Very cheap, but also very poor material," answered Klingenberg. "In +former times, clothing was dearer, but also better. They knew nothing +of the rags of the present fabrication. And it may be asked whether +that dearer material was not cheaper in the end for the poor. When this +is taken into consideration, the new material has no advantage over the +old. I will freely admit that the inventions of modern times do honor +to human genius. I acknowledge the achievements of industry, as such. I +admire the improvements of machinery, the great revolution caused by +the use of steam, and thousands of other wonders of art. No sensible +man will question the relative worth of all these. But all these are +driven and commanded by a bad influence, and herein lies the injury. We +must consider industrialism from this higher standpoint. What advantage +is it to a people to be clothed in costly stuffs when they are +enervated, demoralized, and perishing? Clothe a corpse as you will, a +corpse it will be still. And besides, the greatest material good does +not compensate the white factory-slaves for the loss of their liberty. +The Lucullan age fell into decay, although they feasted on young +nightingales, drank liquified pearls, and squandered millions for +delicacies and luxuries. The life of nations does not consist in the +external splendor of wealth, in easy comfort, or in unrestrained +passions. Morality is the life of nations, and virtue their internal +strength. But virtue, morality, and Christian sentiment are under the +ban of modern civilization. If Christianity does not succeed in +overcoming this demon spirit of the times, or at least confining it +within narrow limits, it will and must drive the people to certain +destruction. We find decayed peoples in the Christian era, but the +church has always rescued and regenerated them. While the acquisitions +of modern times--industrialism, enlightenment, humanitarianism, and +whatever they may be called--are, on the one hand, of little advantage +or of doubtful worth, they are, on the other hand, the graves of true +prosperity, liberty, and morality. They are the cause of shameful +terrorism and of degrading slavery, in the bonds of the passions and in +the claws of plutocracy." + +Frank made no reply. + +For a while they walked on in silence. + +"Let us," continued Klingenberg, "consider personally those men whose +molten images stand before us. Schiller's was a noble nature, but +Schiller wrote: + + "'No more this fight of duty, hence no longer + This giant strife will I! + Canst quench these passions evermore the stronger? + Then ask not virtue, what I must deny. + + "'Albeit I have sworn, yea, sworn that never + Shall yield my master will; + Yet take thy wreath; to me 'tis lost for ever! + Take back thy wreath, and let me sin my fill.' + +"Is this a noble and exalted way of thinking? Certainly not. Schiller +would be virtuous if he could clothe himself in the lustre of virtue +without sacrifice. The passionate impulses of the heart are stronger in +him than the sense of duty. He gives way to his passions. He renounces +virtue because he is too weak, too languid, too listless to encounter +this giant strife bravely like a strong man. Such is the noble +Schiller. In later years, when the fiery impulses of his heart had +subsided, he roused himself to better efforts and nobler aims. + +"Consider the prince of poets, Goethe. How morally naked and poor he +stands before us! Goethe's coarse insults to morality are well known. +His better friend, Schiller, wrote of him to Koerner, 'His mind is not +calm enough, because his domestic relations, which he is too weak to +change, cause him great vexation.' Koerner answered, 'Men cannot +violate morality with impunity.' Six years later, the 'noble' Goethe +was married to his 'mistress' at Weimar. Goethe's detestable political +principles are well known. He did not possess a spark of patriotism. He +composed hymns of victory to Napoleon, the tyrant, the destroyer and +desolator of Germany. These are the heroes of modern sentiment, the +advance guard of liberty, morality, and true manhood! And these heroes +so far succeeded that the noble Arndt wrote of his time, 'We are base, +cowardly, and stupid; too poor for love, too listless for anger, too +imbecile for hate. Undertaking everything, accomplishing nothing; +willing every thing, without the power of doing any thing.' So far has +this boasted freethinking created disrespect for revealed truth. So far +this modern civilization, which idealizes the passions, leads to +mockery of religion and lets loose the baser passions of man. If they +cast these representatives of the times in bronze, they should stamp on +the foreheads of their statues the words of Arndt: + +"'We are base, cowardly, and stupid; too poor for love, too listless +for anger, too imbecile for hate. Undertaking every thing, +accomplishing nothing; willing every thing, without the power of doing +any thing.'" + +"You are severe, doctor." + +"I am not severe. It is the truth." + +"How does it happen that a people so weak, feeble, and base could +overthrow the power of the French in the world?" + +"That was because the German people were not yet corrupted by that +shallow, unreal, hollow twaddle of the educated classes about humanity. +It was not the princes, not the nobility, who overthrew Napoleon. It +was the German people who did it. When, in 1813, the Germans rose, in +hamlet and city, they staked their property and lives for fatherland. +But it was not the enlightened poets and professors, not modern +sentimentality, that raised their hearts to this great sacrifice; not +these who enkindled this enthusiasm for fatherland. It was the +religious element that did it. The German warriors did not sing +Goethe's hymns to Napoleon, nor the insipid model song of 'Luetzows +wilder Jagd,' as they rushed into battle. They sang religious hymns, +they prayed before the altars. They recognized, in the terrible +judgment on Russia's ice-fields, the avenging hand of God. Trusting in +God, and nerved by religious exaltation, they took up the sword that +had been sharpened by the previous calamities of war. So the feeble +philanthropists could effect nothing. It was only a religious, healthy, +strong people could do that." + +"But the saints, doctor! We have wandered from them." + +"Not at all! We have thrown some light on inimical shadows; the light +can now shine. The lives of the saints exhibit something wonderful and +remarkable. I have studied them carefully. I have sought to know their +aims and efforts. I discovered that they imitated the example of +Christ, that they realized the exalted teachings of the Redeemer. You +find fault with their contempt for the things of this world. But it is +precisely in this that these men are great. Their object was not the +ephemeral, but the enduring. They considered life but as the entrance +to the eternal destiny of man--in direct opposition to the spirit of +the times, that dances about the golden calf. The saints did not value +earthly goods for more than they were worth. They placed them after +self-control and victory over our baser nature. Exact and punctual in +all their duties, they were animated by an admirable spirit of charity +for their fellow-men. And in this spirit they have frequently revived +society. Consider the great founders of orders--St. Benedict, St. +Dominic, St. Vincent de Paul! Party spirit, malice, and stupidity have +done their worst to blacken, defame, and calumniate them. And yet, in a +spirit of self-sacrifice, the sons of St. Benedict came among the +German barbarians, to bring to them the ennobling doctrines of +Christianity. It was the Benedictines who cleared the primeval forests, +educated their wild denizens, and founded schools; who taught the +barbarians handiwork and agriculture. Science and knowledge flourished +in the cloisters. And to the monks alone we are indebted for the +preservation of classic literature. What the monks did then they are +doing now. They forsake home, break all ties, and enter the wilderness, +there to be miserably cut off in the service of their exalted mission, +or to die of poisonous fevers. Name me one of your modern heroes, whose +mouths are full of civilization, humanity, enlightenment--name me one +who is capable of such sacrifice. These prudent gentlemen remain at +home with their gold-bags and their pleasures, and leave the stupid +monk to die in the service of exalted charity. It is the hypocrisy and +the falsehood of the modern spirit to exalt itself, and belittle true +worth. And what did St. Vincent de Paul do? More than all the gold-bags +together. St. Vincent, alone, solved the social problem of his time. He +was, in his time, the preserver of society, or rather, Christianity +through him. And to-day our gold-bags tremble before the apparition of +the same social problem. Here high-sounding phrases and empty +declamation do not avail. Deeds only are of value. But the inflated +spirit of the times is not capable of noble action. It is not the +modern state--not enlightened society, sunk in egotism and gold--that +can save us. Christianity alone can do it. Social development will +prove this." + +"I do not dispute the services of the saints to humanity," said Frank. +"But the question is, Whether society would be benefited if the +fanatical, dark spirit of the middle ages prevailed, instead of the +spirit of modern times?" + +"The fanatical, dark spirit of the middle ages!" cried the doctor +indignantly. "This is one of those fallacious phrases. The saints were +not fanatical or dark. They were open, cheerful, natural, humble men. +They did not go about with bowed necks and downcast eyes; but affable, +free from hypocrisy, and dark, sullen demeanor, they passed through +life. Many saints were poets. St. Francis sang his spiritual hymns to +the accompaniment of the harp. St. Charles played billiards. The holy +apostle, St. John, resting from his labors, amused himself in childish +play with a bird. Such were these men; severe toward themselves, mild +to others, uncompromising with the base and mean. They were all +abstinent and simple, allowing themselves only the necessary +enjoyments. They concealed from observation their severe mode of life, +and smiled while their shoulders bled from the discipline. Pride, +avarice, envy, voluptuousness, and all the bad passions, were strangers +to them; not because they had not the inclinations to these passions, +but because they restrained and overcame their lower nature. + +"I ask you, now, which men deserve our admiration--those who are +governed by unbounded selfishness, who are slaves to their passions, +who deny themselves no enjoyment, and who boast of their degrading +licentiousness; or those who, by reason of a pure life, are strong in +the government of their passions, and self-sacrificing in their charity +for their fellowmen?" + +"The preference cannot be doubtful," said Frank. "For the saints have +accomplished the greatest, they have obtained the highest thing, +self-control. But, doctor, I must condemn that saint-worship as it is +practised now. Human greatness always remains human, and can make no +claims to divine honor." + +The doctor swung his arms violently. "What does this reproach amount +to? Where are men deified? In the Catholic Church? I am a Protestant, +but I know that your church condemns the deification of men." + +"Doctor," said Frank, "my religious ignorance deserves this rebuke." + +"I meant no rebuke. I would only give conclusions. Catholicism is +precisely that power that combats with success against the deifying of +men. You have in the course of your studies read the Roman classics. +You know that divine worship was offered to the Roman emperors. So far +did heathen flattery go, that the emperors were honored as the sons of +the highest divinity--Jupiter. Apotheosis is a fruit of heathen growth; +of old heathenism and of new heathenism. When Voltaire, that idol of +modern heathen worship, was returning to Paris in 1778, he was in all +earnestness promoted to the position of a deity. This remarkable play +took place in the theatre. Voltaire himself went there. Modern +fanaticism so far lost all shame that the people kissed the horse on +which the philosopher rode to the theatre. Voltaire was scarcely able +to press through the crowd of his worshippers. They touched his +clothes--touched handkerchiefs to them--plucked hairs from his fur coat +to preserve as relics. In the theatre they fell on their knees before +him and kissed his feet. Thus that tendency that calls itself free and +enlightened deified a man--Voltaire, the most trifling scoffer, the +most unprincipled, basest man of Christendom. + +"Let us consider an example of our times. Look at Garibaldi in London. +That man permitted himself to be set up and worshipped. The saints +would have turned away from this stupidity with loathing indignation. +But this boundless, veneration flattered the old pirate Garibaldi. He +received 267,000 requests for locks of his hair, to be cased in gold +and preserved as relics. Happily he had not much hair. He should have +graciously given them his moustaches and whiskers." + +Frank smiled. Klingenberg's pace increased, and his arms swung more +briskly. + +"Such is the man-worship of modern heathenism. This humanitarianism is +ashamed of no absurdity, when it sinks to the worship of licentiousness +and baseness personified." + +"The senseless aberrations of modern culture do not excuse +saint-worship. And you certainly do not wish to excuse it in that way. +There is, however, a reasonable veneration of human greatness. +Monuments are erected to great men. We behold them and are reminded of +their genius, their services; and there it stops. It occurs to no +reasonable man to venerate these men on his knees, as is done with the +saints." + +"The bending of the knee, according to the teaching of your church, +does not signify adoration, but only veneration," replied Klingenberg. +"Before no Protestant in the world would I bend the knee; before St. +Benedict and St. Vincent de Paul I would willingly, out of mere +admiration and esteem for their greatness of soul and their purity of +morals. If a Catholic kneels before a saint to ask his prayers, what is +there offensive in that? It is an act of religious conviction. But I +will not enter into the religious question. This you can learn better +from your Catholic brethren--say from the Angel of Salingen, for +example, who appears to have such veneration for the saints." + +"You will not enter into the religious question; yet you defend +saint-worship, which is something religious." + +"I do not defend it on religious grounds, but from history, reason, and +justice. History teaches that this veneration had, and still has, the +greatest moral influence on human society. The spirit of veneration +consists in imitating the example of the person venerated. Without this +spirit, saint-worship is an idle ceremony. But that true veneration of +the saints elevates and ennobles, you cannot deny. Let us take the +queen of saints, Mary. What makes her worthy of veneration? Her +obedience to the Most High, her humility, her strength of soul, her +chastity. All these virtues shine out before the spiritual eyes of her +worshippers as models and patterns of life. I know a lady, very +beautiful, very wealthy; but she is also very humble, very pure, for +she is a true worshipper of Mary. Would that our women would venerate +Mary and choose her for a model! There would then be no coquettes, no +immodest women, no enlightened viragoes. Now, as saint-worship is but +taking the virtues of the saints as models for imitation, you must +admit that veneration in this sense has the happiest consequences to +human society." + +"I admit it--to my great astonishment, I must admit it," said Richard. + +"Let us take a near example," continued Klingenberg. "I told you of the +singular qualities of Angela. As she passed, I beheld her with wonder. +I must confess her beauty astonished me. But this astonishing beauty, +it appears to me, is less in her charming features than in the purity, +the maidenly dignity of her character. Perhaps she has to thank, for +her excellence, that same correct taste which leads her to venerate +Mary. Would not Angela make an amiable, modest, dutiful wife and +devoted mother? Can you expect to find this wife, this mother among +those given to fashions--among women filled with modern notions?" + +While Klingenberg said this, a deep emotion passed over Richard's face. +He did not answer the question, but let his head sink on his breast. + +"Here is Frankenhöhe," said the doctor. "As you make no more +objections, I suppose you agree with me. The saints are great, +admirable men; therefore they deserve monuments. They are models of +virtue and the greatest benefactors of mankind; therefore they deserve +honor. '_Quod erat demonstrandum._'" + +"I only wonder, doctor, that you, a Protestant, can defend such views." + +"You will allow Protestants to judge reasonably," replied Klingenberg. +"My views are the result of careful study and impartial reflection." + +"I am also astonished--pardon my candor--that with such views you can +remain a Protestant." + +"There is a great difference between knowing and willing, my young +friend. I consider conversion an act of great heroism, and also as a +gift of the highest grace." + + +Richard wrote in his diary: + + +"If Angela should be what the doctor considers her! According to my +notions, such a being exists only in the realm of the ideal. But if +Angela yet realizes this ideal? I must be certain. I will visit +Siegwart to-morrow." + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + THE BUREAUCRAT AND THE SWALLOWS. + + +Herr Frank returned to the city. Before he went he took advantage of +the absence of Richard, who had gone out about nine o'clock, to +converse with Klingenberg about matters of importance. They sat in the +doctor's studio, the window of which was open. Frank closed it before +he began the conversation. + +"Dear friend, I must speak to you about a very distressing peculiarity +of my son. I do so because I know your influence over him, and I hope +much from it." + +Klingenberg listened with surprise, for Herr Frank had begun in great +earnestness and seemed greatly depressed. + +"On our journey from the city, I discovered in Richard, to my great +surprise, a deep-seated antipathy, almost an abhorrence of women. He is +determined never to marry. He considers marriage a misfortune, inasmuch +as it binds a man to the whims and caprices of a wife. If I had many +sons, Richard's idiosyncrasy would be of little consequence; but as he +is my only son and very stubborn in his preconceived opinions, you will +see how very distressing it must be to me." + +"What is the cause of this antipathy of your son to women?" + +Herr Frank related Richard's account of his meeting with Isabella and +his knowledge of the unhappy marriage of his friend Emil. + +"Do you not think that experiences of this kind must repel a +noble-minded young man?" said the doctor. + +"Admitted! But Isabella and Laura are exceptions, and exceptions by no +means justify my son's perverted judgment of women. I told him this. +But he still declared that Isabella and Laura were the rule and not the +exception; that the women of the present day follow a perverted taste; +and that the wearing of crinoline, a costume he detests, proves this." + +"I know," said the doctor, "that Richard abominates crinoline. Last +year he expressed his opinion about it, and I had to agree with him." + +"My God!" said the father, astonished, "you certainly would not +encourage my son in his perverted opinion?" + +"No," returned the doctor quietly; "but you must not expect me to +condemn sound opinions. His judgment of woman is prejudiced--granted. +But observe well, my dear Frank. This judgment is at the same time a +protest of a noble nature against the age of crinoline. Your son +expects much of women. Superficiality, vanity, passion for dress, +fickleness, and so forth, do not satisfy his sense of propriety. +Marriage, to him, is an earnest, holy union. He would unite himself to +a well-disposed woman, to a noble soul who would love her husband and +her duties, but not to a degenerate specimen of womankind. Such I +conceive to have been the reasons which have produced in your son this +antipathy." + +"I believe you judge rightly," answered Frank. "But it must appear +clear to Richard that his views are unjust, and that there are always +women who would realize his expectations." + +The doctor thought for a moment, and a significant smile played over +his features. + +"This must become clear to him--yes, and it will become clear to him +sooner, perhaps, than you expect," said the doctor. + +"I do not understand you, doctor." + +"Yesterday we met Angela," said Klingenberg. "This Angela is an +extraordinary being of dazzling beauty; almost the incarnation of +Richard's ideal. I told him of her fine qualities, which he was +inclined to question. But happily! was able to establish these +qualities by facts. Now, as Angela lives but a mile from here and as +the simple customs of the country render access to the family easy, I +have not understood the character of your son if he does not take +advantage of this opportunity to become more intimately acquainted with +Angela, even if his object were only to confirm his former opinions of +women. If he knew Angela more intimately, it is my firm conviction that +his aversion would soon change into the most ardent affection." + +"Who is this Angela?" + +"The daughter of your neighbor, Siegwart." + +Frank looked at the doctor with open mouth and staring eyes. + +"Siegwart's daughter!" he gasped. "No, I will never consent to such a +connection." + +"Why not?" + +"Well--because the Siegwart family are not agreeable to me." + +"That is no reason. Siegwart is an excellent man, rich, upright, and +respected by the whole neighborhood. Why does he happen to appear so +unfavorably in your eyes?" + +Frank was perplexed. He might have reasons and yet be ashamed to give +them. + +"Ah!" said the doctor, smiling, "it is now for you to lay aside +prejudice." + +"An explanation is not possible," said Frank. "But my son will rather +die a bachelor than marry Siegwart's daughter." + +Klingenberg shrugged his shoulders. There was a long pause. + +"I renew my request, my friend," urged Frank. "Convince my son of his +errors." + +"I will try to meet your wishes," returned Klingenberg. "Perhaps this +daughter of Siegwart will afford efficient aid." + +"My son's liberty will not be restricted. He may visit the Siegwart +family when he wishes. But in matters where the mature mind of the +father has to decide, I shall always act according to my better +judgment." + +The doctor again shrugged his shoulders. They shook hands, and in ten +minutes after Herr Frank was off for the train. Richard had left +Frankenhöhe two hours before. He passed quickly through the vineyard. A +secret power seemed to impel the young man. He glanced often at +Siegwart's handsome dwelling, and hopeful suspense agitated his +countenance. When he reached the lawn, he slackened his pace. He would +reflect, and understand clearly the object of his visit. He came to +observe Angela, whose character had made such a strong impression on +him and who threatened to compel him to throw his present opinions of +women to the winds. He would at the same time reflect on the +consequences of this possible change to his peace and liberty. + +"Angela is beautiful, very beautiful, far more so than a hundred others +who are beautiful but wear crinoline." He had written in his diary: + + +"Of what value is corporal beauty that fades when it is disfigured by +bad customs and caprices? I admit that I have never yet met any woman +so graceful and charming as Angela; but this very circumstance warns me +to be careful that my judgment may not be dazzled. If it turns out that +Angela sets herself up as a religious coquette or a Pharisee, her fine +figure is only a deceitful mask of falsehood, and my opinion would +again be verified. I must make observations with great care." + + +Frank reviewed these resolutions as he passed slowly over the lawn, +where some servants were employed, who greeted him respectfully as he +passed. In the hall he heard a man's voice that came from the same room +he had entered on his first visit. The door was open, and the voice +spoke briskly and warmly. + +Frank stopped for a moment and heard the voice say, + +"Miss Angela is as lovely as ever." + +These words vibrated disagreeably in Richard's soul, and urged him to +know the man from whom they came. + +Herr Siegwart went to meet the visitor and offered him his hand. The +other gentleman remained sitting, and looked at Frank with stately +indifference. + +"Herr Frank, my esteemed neighbor of Frankenhöhe," said Siegwart, +introducing Frank. + +The gentleman rose and made a stiff bow. + +"The Assessor von Hamm," continued the proprietor. + +Frank made an equally stiff and somewhat colder bow. + +The three sat down. + +While Siegwart rang the bell, Richard cast a searching glance at the +assessor who had said, "Angela is as lovely as ever." + +The assessor had a pale, studious color, regular features in which +there was an expression of official importance. Frank, who was a fine +observer, thought he had never seen such a perfect and sharply defined +specimen of the bureaucratic type. Every wrinkle in the assessor's +forehead told of arrogance and absolutism. The red ribbon in the +buttonhole of Herr von Hamm excited Frank's astonishment. He thought it +remarkable that a young man of four or five and twenty could have +merited the ribbon of an order. He might infer from this that +decorations and merit do not necessarily go together. + +"How glad I am that you have kept your word!" said Siegwart to Frank +complacently. "How is your father?" + +"Very well; he goes this morning to the city, where business calls +him." + +"I have often admired your father's attentions to Dr. Klingenberg," +said Siegwart after a short pause. "He has for years had Frankenhöhe +prepared for the accommodation of the doctor. You are Klingenberg's +constant companion, and I do not doubt but such is the wish of your +father. And your father tears himself from his business and comes +frequently from the city to see that the doctor's least wish is +realized. I have observed this these last eight years, and I have often +thought that the doctor is to be envied, on account of this noble +friendship." + +"You know, I suppose, that the doctor saved my father when his life was +despaired of?" + +"I know; but there are many physicians who have saved lives and who do +not find such a noble return." + +These words of acknowledgment had something in them very offensive to +the assessor. He opened and shut his eyes and mouth, and cast a +grudging, envious look at Richard. + +The servant brought a glass. + +"Try this wine," said Siegwart; "my own growth," he added with some +pride. + +They touched glasses. Hamm put his glass to his lips, without drinking; +Frank tasted the noble liquor with the air of a connoisseur; while +Siegwart's smiling gaze rested on him. + +"Excellent! I do not remember to have drank better Burgundy." + +"Real Burgundy, neighbor--real Burgundy. I brought the vines from +France." + +"Do you not think the vines degenerate with us?" said Frank. + +"They have not degenerated yet. Besides, proper care and attention make +up for the unsuitableness of our soil and climate. + +"You would oblige me, Herr Siegwart, if you would preserve me some +shoots when you next trim them." + +"With pleasure. I had them set last year; they shot forth fine roots, +and I can let you have any number of shoots." + +"Is it not too late to plant them?" + +"Just the right time. Our vine-growers generally set them too early. It +should be done in May, and not in April. Shall I send them over?" + +"You are too kind, Herr Siegwart. My request must certainly destroy +your plan in regard to those shoots." + +"Not at all; I have all I can use. It gives me great pleasure to be +able to accommodate a neighbor. It's settled; I'll send over the +Burgundies this evening." + +It was clear to Hamm that Siegwart desired to be agreeable to the +wealthy Frank. The assessor opened and shut his eyes and mouth, and +fidgeted about in his chair. While he inwardly boiled and fretted, he +very properly concluded that he must consider himself offended. From +the moment of Frank's arrival, the proprietor had entirely forgotten +him. He was about to leave, in order not to expose his nerves to +further excitement, when chance afforded him an opportunity to give +vent to his ill-humor. + +Two boys came running into the room. They directed their bright eyes to +Siegwart, and their childish, joyful faces, seemed to say, + +"Here we are again; you know very well what we want." + +One of them carried a tin box in his hand; there was a lock on the box, +and a small opening in the top--evidently a money-box. + +"Gelobt sei Jesus Christus," said the children, and remained standing +near the door. + +"In Ewigkeit," returned Siegwart. "Are you there again, my little ones? +That's right; come here, Edward." And Siegwart took out his purse and +dropped a few pennies into the box. + +"A savings-box? Who gave the permission?" said the assessor in a tone +that frightened the children, astonished Richard, and caused Siegwart +to look with embarrassment at the questioner. + +"For the pope, Herr von Hamm," said Siegwart. + +The official air of the assessor became more severe. + +"The ordinances make no exceptions," retorted Hamm. "The ordinances +forbid all collections that are not officially permitted." And he eyed +the box as if he had a notion to confiscate it. + +Perhaps the lads noticed this, for they moved backward to the door and +suddenly disappeared from the room. + +"I beg pardon, Herr Assessor," said Siegwart. "The Peter-pence is +collected in the whole Catholic world, and the Catholics of Salingen +thought they ought to assist the head of their church, who is so sorely +pressed, and who has been robbed of his possessions." + +"I answer--the ordinances make no exceptions; the Peter-pence comes +under the ordinances. I find myself compelled to interpose against this +trespass." + +"But the Peter-pence is collected in the whole country, Herr von Hamm! +Why, even in the public journals we read the results of this +collection, and I have never heard that the government forbade the +Peter-pence." + +"Leave the government out of the question. I stand on my instructions. +The government forbids all collections unless permission is granted. +You must not expect an official to connive at an open breach of the +ordinances. I will do my duty and remind the burgomaster of Salingen +that he has not done his." + +The occurrence was very annoying to Siegwart; this could be seen in his +troubled countenance. He thought of the reproof of the timid +burgomaster, and feared that the collection might in future be stopped. + +"You have the authority, Herr Assessor, to permit it; I beg you will do +so." + +"The request must be made in written official form," said Hamm. "You +know, Herr Siegwart, that I am disposed to comply with your wishes, but +I regret I cannot do so in the present case; and I must openly confess +I oppose the Peter-pence on principle. The temporal power of the pope +has become unnecessary. Why support an untenable dominion?" + +"I consider the temporal power of the pope to be a necessity," said +Siegwart emphatically. "If the pope were not an independent prince, but +the subject of another ruler, he would in many things have to govern +the church according to the mind and at the command of his superior. +Sound common sense tells us that the pope must be free." + +"Certainly, as far as I am concerned," returned Hamm. "But why drain +the money out of the country for an object that cannot be accomplished? +I tell you that the political standing of the bankrupt papal government +will not be saved by the Peter-pence." + +"Permit me to observe, Herr Assessor, that I differ with you entirely. +The papal government is by no means bankrupt--quite the contrary. Until +the breaking out of the Franco-Sardinian revolution, its finances were +as well managed and flourishing as those of any state in Europe. I will +convince you of this in a moment." He went to the bookcase and handed +the assessor a newspaper. "These statistics will convince you of the +correctness of my assertion." + +"As the documents to prove these statements are wanting, I have great +reason to doubt their correctness," said Hamm. "Paper will not refuse +ink, and in the present case the pen was evidently driven by a friendly +hand." + +"Why do you draw this conclusion?" + +"From the contradictions between this account of the papal finances and +that given by all independent editors." + +"Permit me to call that editor not 'an independent,' but a 'friend of +the church.' The enemies of the church will not praise a church which +they hate. The papal government is the most calumniated government on +earth; and calumny and falsehood perform wonders in our times. The +Italian situation furnishes at present a most striking illustration. +The king of Piedmont has been raised to the rulership of Italy by the +unanimous voice of the people--so say the papers. But the revolution in +the greater part of Italy at the present time proves that the unanimous +voice of the people was a sham, and that the Piedmontese government is +hated and despised by the majority of the Italians. It is the same in +many other things. If falsehood and calumny were not the order of the +day, falsehood and calumny would not sit crowned on the throne." + +"Right!" said Richard. "It is indisputable. It is nothing but the +depravity of the times that enables the emperor to domineer over the +world." + +Siegwart heard Frank's observation with pleasure. Hamm read this in the +open countenance of the proprietor, and he made a movement as though he +would like to tramp on Frank's toes. + +"I admit the flourishing condition of the former Papal States," said +Hamm, with a mock smile. "I will also admit that the former subjects of +the pope, who have been impoverished by the hungry Piedmontese, desire +the milder papal government. 'There is good living under the crozier,' +says an old proverb. But what does all this amount to? Does the +beautiful past overthrow the accomplished facts of the present? The +powers have determined to put an end to papal dominion. The powers have +partly accomplished this. Can the Peter-pence change the programme of +the powers? Certainly not. The papal government must go the way of all +flesh, and if the Catholics are taxed for an unattainable object, it +is, in my opinion, unjust, to say the least." + +The proprietor shook his head thoughtfully. "We consider the question +from very different stand-points," said he. "Pius IX. is the head of +the church--the spiritual father of all Catholics. The revolution has +robbed him of his revenues. Why should not Catholics give their father +assistance?" + +"And I ask," said Hamm, "why give the pope alms when the powers are +ready to give him millions?" + +"On what conditions, Herr Assessor?" + +"Well--on the very natural condition that he will acknowledge +accomplished facts." + +"You find this condition so natural!" said Siegwart, somewhat excited. +"Do you forget the position of the pope? Remember that on those very +principles of which the pope is the highest representative, was built +the civilization of the present. The pope condemns robbery, injustice, +violence, and all the principles of modern revolution. How can the pope +acknowledge as accomplished facts, results which have sprung from +injustice, robbery, and violence? The moment the pope does that, he +ceases to be the first teacher of the people and the vicar of Christ on +earth." + +"You take a strong religious position, my dear friend," said Hamm, +smiling compassionately. + +"I do, most assuredly," said the proprietor with emphasis. "And I am +convinced that my position is the right one." + +Hamm smiled more complacently still. Frank observed this smile; and the +contemptuous manner of the official toward the open, kind-hearted +proprietor annoyed him. + +"Pius IX. is at any rate a noble man," said he, looking sharply at the +assessor, "There exists a critical state of uncertainty in all +governments. All the courts and principalities look to Paris, and the +greatest want of principle seems to be in the state taxation. The +pope alone does not shrink; he fears neither the anger nor the threats +of the powers. While thrones are tumbling, and Pius IX. is not master +in his own house, that remarkable man does not make the least +concession to the man in power. The powers have broken treaties, +trampled on justice, and there is no longer any right but the right of +revolution--of force. There is nothing any longer certain; all is +confusion. The pope alone holds aloft the banner of right and justice. +In his manifestoes to the world, he condemns error, falsehood, and +injustice. The pope alone is the shield of those moral forces which +have for centuries given stability and safety to governments. This +firmness, this confidence in the genius of Christianity, this +unsurpassed struggle of Pius, deserves the highest admiration even of +those who look upon the contest with indifference." + +Siegwart listened and nodded assent. Hamm ate sardines, without paying +the least attention to the speaker. + +"The Roman love of power is well known, and Rome has at all times made +the greatest sacrifices for it," said he. + +The proprietor drummed with his fingers on the table. Frank thought he +observed him suppressing his anger, before he answered, + +"Rome does not contend for love of dominion. She contends for the +authority of religion, for the maintenance of those eternal principles +without which there is no civilization. This even Herder, who is far +from being a friend of Rome, admits when he says, 'Without the church, +Europe would, perhaps, be a prey to despots, a scene of eternal +discord, and a Mogul wilderness.' Rome's battle is, therefore, very +important, and honorable. Had it not been for her, you would not have +escaped the bloody terrorisms of the power-seeking revolution. Think of +French liberty at present, think of the large population of Cayenne, of +the Neapolitan prisons, where thousands of innocent men hopelessly +languish." + +"You have not understood me, my dear Siegwart. Take an example for +illustration. The press informs us almost daily of difficulties between +the government and the clergy. The cause of this trouble is that the +latter are separated from and wish to oppose the former. To speak +plainly, the Catholic clergy are non-conforming. They will not give up +that abnormal position which the moral force of past times conceded to +them. But in organized states, the clergy, the bishops, and the pastors +should be nothing more than state officials, whose rule of conduct is +the command of the sovereign." + +"That is to make the church the servant of the state," said Siegwart. +"Religion, stripped of her divine title, would be nothing more than the +tool of the minister to restrain the people." + +"Well, yes," said the official very coolly. "Religion is always a +strong curb on the rough, uneducated masses; and if religion restrains +the ignorant, supports the moral order and the government, she has +fulfilled her mission." + +The proprietor opened wide his eyes. + +"Religion, according to my belief, educates men not for the state but +for their eternal destiny." + +"Perfectly right, Herr Siegwart, according to your view of the +question. I admire the elevation of your religious convictions, which +all men cannot rise up to." + +A mock smile played on the assessor's pale countenance as he said this. +Siegwart did not observe it; but Frank did. + +"If I understand you rightly, Herr Assessor, the clergy are only state +officials in clerical dress." + +The assessor nodded his head condescendingly, and continued to soak a +sardine in olive-oil and take it between his knife and fork as Frank +began to speak. The fine-feeling Frank felt nettled at this contempt, +and immediately chastised Hamm for his want of politeness. + +"I take your nod for an affirmative answer to my question," said he. +"You will allow me to observe that your view of the position and +purpose of the clergy must lead to the most absurd consequences." + +The assessor turned an ashy color. He threw himself back on the sofa +and looked at the speaker with scornful severity. + +"My view is that of every enlightened statesman of the nineteenth +century," said he proudly. "How can you, a mere novice in state +matters, come to such a conclusion." + +"I come to it by sound thinking," said Frank haughtily. "If the clergy +are only the servants of the state, they are bound in the exercise of +their functions to follow the instructions of the state." + +"Very natural," said the official. + +"If the government think a change in the church necessary, say the +separation of the school from the church, the abolition of festivals, +the appointing of infidel professors to theological chairs, the +compiling of an enlightened catechism--and all these relate to the +spirit of the times or the supposed welfare of the state--then the +clergy must obey." + +"That is self-evident," said the assessor. + +"You see I comprehend your idea of the supreme power of the state," +continued Frank. "The state is supreme. The church must be deprived of +all independence. She must not constitute a state within a state. If it +seems good to a minister to abolish marriage as a sacrament, or the +confessional, or to subject the teaching of the clergy to a revision by +the civil authority, because a majority of the chambers wish it, or +because the spirit of the age demands it, then the opposition of the +clergy would be illegal and their resistance disobedience." + +"Naturally--naturally," said the official impatiently. "Come, now, let +us have the proof of your assertion." + +"Draw the conclusions from what I have said, Herr Assessor, and you +have the most striking proof of the absurdity and ridiculousness of +your gagged state church," said Frank haughtily. + +"How so, how so?" cried Hamm inquiringly. + +"Simply thus: If the priest must preach according to the august +instructions of the state and not according to the principles of +religious dogma, he would then preach Badish in Baden, Hessish in +Hesse, Bavarian in Bavaria, Mecklenburgish in Mecklenburg; in short, +there would be as many sects as there are states and principalities. +And these sects would be constantly changing, as the chambers or +ministerial instructions would command or allow. All religion would +cease; for it would be no longer the expression of the divine will and +revelation, but the work of the chambers and the princes. Such a +religion would be contemptible in the eyes of every thinking man. I +would not give a brass button for such a religion." + +"You go too far, Herr Frank," said Hamm. "Religion has a divine title, +and this glory must be retained." + +"Then the clergy must be free." + +"Certainly, that is clear," said the assessor as he arose, and, with a +smiling face, bowed lowly. Angela had entered the hall, and in +consequence of Hamm's greeting was obliged to come into the room. She +might have returned from a walk, for she wore a straw hat and a light +shawl was thrown over her shoulders. She led by the hand her little +sister Eliza, a charming child of four years. + +The sisters remained standing near the door. Eliza looked with +wondering eyes at the stranger, whose movements were very wonderful to +the mind of the little one, and whose pale face excited her interest. + +Angela's glance seemed to have blown away all the official dust that +remained in the soul of Hamm. The assessor was unusually agreeable. His +face lost its obstinate expression, and became light and animated. Even +its color changed to one of life and nature. + +To Richard, who liked to take notes, and whose visit to Siegwart's had +no other object, the change that could be produced in a bureaucrat by +such rare womanly beauty was very amusing. He had arisen and stepped +back a little. He observed the assessor carefully till a smile between +astonishment and pity lit up his countenance. He then looked at Angela, +who stood motionless on the same spot. It seemed to require great +resignation on her part to notice the flattering speech and obsequious +attentions of the assessor. Richard observed that her countenance was +tranquil, but her manner more grave than usual. She still held the +little one by the hand, who pressed yet closer to her the nearer the +wonderful man came. Hamm's voice rose to a tone of enthusiasm, and he +took a step or two toward the object of his reverence, when a strange +enemy confronted him. Some swallows had come in with Angela. Till now +they were quiet and seemed to be observing the assessor; but when he +approached Angela, briskly gesticulating, the swallows raised their +well-known shrill cry of anxiety, left their perches and fluttered +around the official. Interrupted in the full flow of his eloquence, he +struck about with his hands to frighten them. The swallows only became +the noisier, and their fluttering about Hamm assumed a decidedly +warlike character. They seemed to consider him as a dangerous enemy of +Angela whom they wished to keep off. Richard looked on in wonder, +Siegwart shook his head and stroked his beard, and Angela smiled at the +swallows. + +"These are abominable creatures," cried Hamm warding them off. "Why, +such a thing never happened to me before. Off with you! you troublesome +wretches." + +The birds flew out of the room, still screaming; and their shrill cries +could be heard high up in the air. + +"The swallows have a grudge against you," said Siegwart. "They +generally treat only the cats and hawks in this way." + +"Perhaps they have been frightened at this red ribbon," returned Hamm. +"I regret, my dear young lady, to have frightened your little pets. +When I come again, I will leave the object of their terror at home." + +"You should not deprive yourself of an ornament which has an honorable +significance on account of the swallows, particularly as we do not know +whether it was really the red color that displeased them," said she. + +"You think, then, Miss Angela, that there is something else about me +they dislike?" + +"I do not know, Herr Assessor." + +"Oh! if I only knew the cause of their displeasure," said Hamm +enthusiastically. "You have an affection for the swallows, and I would +not displease any thing that you love." + +She answered by an inclination, and was about to leave the room. + +"Angela," said her father, "here is Herr Frank, to whom you are under +obligations." + +She moved a step or two toward Richard. + +"Sir," said she gently, "you returned some things that were valuable to +me; were it not for your kindness, they would probably have been lost. +I thank you." + +A formal bow was Frank's answer. Hamm stood smiling, his searching +glance alternating between the stately young man and Angela. But in the +manner of both he observed nothing more than reserve and cold +formality. + +Angela left the room. The assessor sat down on the sofa and poured out +a glass of wine. + +Eliza sat on her father's knee. Richard observed the beautiful child +with her fine features and golden silken locks that hung about her +tender face. The winning expression of innocence and gentleness in her +mild, childish eyes particularly struck him. + +"A beautiful, lovely child," said he involuntarily, and as he looked in +Siegwart's face he read there a deep love and a quiet, fatherly +fondness for the child. + +"Eliza is not always as lovely and good as she is now," he returned. +"She has still some little faults which she must get rid of." + +"Yes, that's what Angela said," chattered the little one. "Angela said +I must be very good; I must love to pray; I must obey my father and +mother; then the angels who are in heaven will love me." + +"Can you pray yet, my child," said Richard. + +"Yes, I can say the 'Our Father' and the 'Hail Mary.' Angela is +teaching me many nice prayers." + +She looked at the stranger a moment and said with childish simplicity, + +"Can you pray too?" + +"Certainly, my child," answered Frank, smiling; "but I doubt whether my +prayers are as pleasing to God as yours." + +"Angela also said we should not lie," continued Eliza. "The good God +does not love children who lie." + +"That is true," said Frank. "Obey your sister Angela." + +Here the young man was affected by a peculiar emotion. He thought of +Angela as the first instructor of the child; placed near this little +innocent, she appeared like its guardian angel. He saw clearly at this +moment the great importance of first impressions on the young, and +thought that in after life they would not be obliterated. He expressed +his thoughts, and Siegwart confirmed them. + +"I am of your opinion, Herr Frank. The most enduring impressions are +made in early childhood. The germ of good must be implanted in the +tender and susceptible heart of the child and there developed. Many, +indeed most parents overlook this important principle of education. +This is a great and pernicious error. Man is born with bad +propensities; they grow with his growth and increase with his strength. +In early childhood, they manifest themselves in obstinacy, wilfulness, +excessive love of play, disobedience, and a disposition to lie. If +these outgrowths are plucked up and removed in childhood by careful, +religious training, it will be much easier to form the heart to habits +of virtue than in after years. Many parents begin to instruct their +children after they have spoiled them. Is this not your opinion, Herr +Assessor?" + +Hamm was aroused by this sudden question. He had not paid any attention +to the conversation, but had been uninterruptedly stroking his +moustache and gazing abstractedly into vacancy. + +"What did you ask, my dear Siegwart? Whether I am of your opinion? +Certainly, certainly, entirely of your opinion. Your views are always +sound, practical, and matured by great experience, as in this case." + +"Well, I can't say you were always of my opinion," said Siegwart +smiling; "have we not just been sharply disputing about the +Peter-pence?" + +"O my dear friend! as a private I agree with you entirely on these +questions; but an official must frequently defend in a system of +government that which he privately condemns." + +Frank perceived Hamm's object. We wished to do away with the +unfavorable impressions his former expressions might have made on the +proprietor. The reason of this was clear to him since he had discovered +the assessor's passion for Angela. + +"I am rejoiced," said Siegwart, "that we agree at least in that most +important matter, religion." + +Frank remembered his father's remark, "The Siegwart family is intensely +clerical and ultramontane." It was new and striking to him to see the +question of religion considered the most important. He concluded from +this, and was confirmed in his conclusions by the leading spirit of the +Siegwart family, that, in direct contradiction to modern ideas, +religion is the highest good. + +"Nevertheless," said Siegwart, "I object to a system of government that +is inimical to the church." + +"And so do I," sighed the assessor. + +Richard took his departure. At home, he wrote a few hasty lines in his +diary and then went into the most retired part of the garden. Here he +sat in deep thought till the servant called him to dinner. + +"Has Klingenberg not gone out yet to-day?" + +"No, but he has been walking up and down his room for the last two +hours." + +Frank smiled. He guessed the meaning of this walk, and as they both +entered the dining-room together his conjecture was confirmed. + +The doctor entered somewhat abruptly and did not seem to observe +Richard's presence. His eyes had a penetrating, almost fierce +expression and his brows were knit. He sat down to the table +mechanically, and ate what was placed before him. It is questionable +whether he knew what he was eating, or even that he was eating. He did +not speak a word, and Frank, who knew his peculiarities, did not +disturb him by a single syllable. This was not difficult, as he was +busily occupied with his own thoughts. + +After the meal was over, Klingenberg came to himself. "My dear Richard, +I beg your pardon," said he in a tone of voice which was almost tender. +"Excuse my weakness. I have read this morning a scientific article that +upsets all my previous theories on the subject treated of. In the whole +field of human investigation there is nothing whatever certain, nothing +firmly established. What one to-day proves by strict logic to be true, +to-morrow another by still stronger logic proves to be false. From the +time of Aristotle to the present, philosophers have disagreed, and the +infallible philosopher will certainly never be born. It is the same in +all branches. I would not be the least astonished if Galileo's system +would be proved to be false. If the instruments, the means of acquiring +astronomical knowledge, continue to improve, we may live to learn that +the earth stands still and that the sun goes waltzing around our little +planet. This uncertainty is very discouraging to the human mind. We +might say with Faust, + + "'It will my heart consume + That we can nothing know.'" + +"In my humble opinion," said Frank, "every investigator moves in a +limited circle. The most profound thinker does not go beyond these set +limits; and if he would boldly overstep them, he would be thrown back +by evident contradiction into that circle which Omnipotence has drawn +around the human intellect." + +"Very reasonable, Richard; very reasonable. But the desire of knowledge +must sometimes be satiated," continued the doctor after a short pause. +"If the human mind were free from the narrow limits of the deceptive +world of sense, and could see and know with pure spiritual eyes, the +barriers of which you speak would fall. Even the Bible assures us of +this. St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says, 'We see now through a +glass in an obscure manner, but then face to face; now I know in part, +but then I shall know as I am known.' I would admire St. Paul on +account of this passage alone if he never had written another. How +awful is the moral quality of the human soul taken in connection with +its future capacity for knowledge. And how natural, how evident, is the +connection. The human mind will receive knowledge from the source of +all knowledge--God, in proportion as it has been just and good. For +this reason our Redeemer calls the world of the damned 'outer +darkness,' and the world of the blessed, the 'kingdom of light.'" + +"We sometimes see in that way even now," said Frank after a pause. "The +wicked have ideas very different from those of the good. A frivolous +spirit mocks at and derides that which fills the good with happiness +and contentment. We might, then, say that even in this life man knows +as he is known." + +The doctor cast an admiring glance at the young man. "We entirely +agree, my young friend; wickedness is to the sciences what a poisonous +miasma and the burning rays of the sun are to the young plants. Yes, +vice begets atheism, materialism, and every other abortion of thought." + +Klingenberg arose. + +"We will meet again at three," said he with a friendly nod. + +Richard took from his room _Vogt's Physiological Letters_, went into +the garden, and buried himself in its contents. + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + THE PROGRESSIVE PROFESSOR. + + +When Frank returned from the walk, he found a visitor at Frankenhöhe. + +The visitor was an elegantly dressed young man, with a free, +self-important air about him. + +He spoke fluently, and his words sounded as decisive as though they +came from the lips of infallibility. At times this self-importance was +of such a boastful and arrogant character as to affect the observer +disagreeably. + +"It is now vacation, and I do not know how to enjoy it better than by a +visit to you," said he. + +"Very flattering to me," answered Frank. "I hope you will be pleased +with Frankenhöhe." + +"Pleased?" returned the visitor, as he looked through the open window +at the beautiful landscape. "I would like to dream away here the whole +of May and June. How charming it is! An empire of flowers and vernal +delights." + +"I am surprised, Carl, that you have preserved such a love for nature. +I thought you considered the professor's chair the culminating point of +attraction." + +Carl bowed his head proudly, and stood with folded arms before the +smiling Frank. + +"That is evidently intended for flattery," said he. "The professor's +chair is my vocation. He who does not hold his vocation as the acme of +all attraction is indeed a perfect man. Besides, it will appear to you, +who consider everything in the world, not excepting even the fair sex, +with blank stoicism--it will appear even to you that the rostrum is +destined to accomplish great things. Ripe knowledge in mighty +pulsations goes forth from the rostrum, and permeates society. The +rostrum governs and educates the rising young men who are destined to +assume leading positions in the state. The rostrum overthrows +antiquated forms of religious delusion, ennobles rational thought, +exact science, and deep investigation. The rostrum governs even the +throne; for we have princes in Germany who esteem liberty of thought +and progress of knowledge more than the art of governing their people +in a spirit of stupidity." + +Frank smiled. + +"The glory of the rostrum I leave undisputed," said he. "But I beg of +you to conceal from the doctor your scientific rule of faith. You may +get into trouble with the doctor." + +"I am very desirous of becoming acquainted with this paragon of +learning--you have told me so much about him; and I confess it was +partly to see him that I made this visit. Get into trouble? I do not +fear the old syllogism-chopper in the least. A good disputation with +him is even desirable." + +"Well, you are forewarned. If you go home with a lacerated back, it +will not be my fault." + +"A lacerated back?" said the professor quietly. "Does the doctor like +to use _striking_ arguments?" + +"Oh! no; but his sarcasm is as cutting as the slash of a sword, and his +logical vehemence is like the stroke of a club." + +"We will fight him with the same weapons," answered Carl, throwing back +his head. "Shall I pay him my respects immediately?" + +"The doctor admits no one. In his studio he is as inaccessible as a +Turkish sultan in his harem. I will introduce you in the dining-room, +as it is now just dinner-time." + +They betook themselves to the dining-room, and soon after they heard +the sound of a bell. + +"He is just now called to table," said Richard. "He does not allow the +servant to enter his room, and for that reason a bell has been hung +there." + +"How particular he is!" said the professor. + +A door of the ante-room was opened, quick steps were heard, and +Klingenberg hastily entered and placed himself at the table, as at a +work that must be done quickly, and then observed the stranger. + +"Doctor Lutz, professor of history in our university," said Frank, +introducing him. + +"Doctor Lutz--professor of history," said Klingenberg musingly. "Your +name is familiar to me, if I am not mistaken; are you not a +collaborator on Sybel's historical publication?" + +"I have that honor," answered the professor, with much dignity. + +They began to eat. + +"You read Sybel's periodical?" asked the professor. + +"We must not remain entirely ignorant of literary productions, +particularly the more excellent." + +Lutz felt much flattered by this declaration. + +"Sybel's periodical is an unavoidable necessity at present," said the +professor. "Historical research was in a bad way; it threatened to +succumb entirely to the ultramontane cause and the clerical party." + +"Now Sybel and his co-laborers will avert that danger," said the +doctor. "These men will do honor to historical research. The +ultramontanists have a great respect for Sybel. When he taught in +Munich, they did not rest till he turned his back on Isar-Athen. In my +opinion, Sybel should not have gone to Munich. The stupid Bavarians +will not allow themselves to be enlightened. So let them sit in +darkness, the stupid barbarians who have no appreciation for the +progress of science." + +The professor looked astonished. He could not understand how an admirer +of Sybel's could be so prejudiced. Frank was alarmed lest the professor +might perceive the doctor's keen sarcasm--which he delivered with a +serious countenance--and feel offended. He changed the conversation to +another subject, in which Klingenberg did not take part. + +"You have represented the doctor incorrectly," said the professor, +after the meal. "He understands Sybel and praises his efforts--the best +sign of a clear mind." + +"Klingenberg is always just," returned Frank. + +On the following afternoon, Lutz joined in the accustomed walk. As they +were passing through the chestnut grove, a servant of Siegwart's came +up breathless, with a letter in his hand, which he gave to Frank. + +"Gentlemen," said Frank after reading the letter, "I am urgently +requested to visit Herr Siegwart immediately. With your permission I +will go." + +"Of course, go," said Klingenberg. "I know," he added with a roguish +expression, "that you would as lief visit that excellent man as walk +with us." + +Richard went off in such haste that the question occurred to him why he +fulfilled with such zeal the wishes of a man with whom he had been so +short a time acquainted; but with the question Angela came before his +mind as an answer. He rejected this answer, even against his feelings, +and declared to himself that Siegwart's honorable character and +neighborly feeling made his haste natural and even obligatory. The +proprietor may have been waiting his arrival, for he came out to meet +him. Frank observed a dark cloud over the countenance of the man and +great anxiety in his features. + +"I beg your forgiveness a thousand times, Herr Frank. I know you go +walking with Herr Klingenberg at this hour, and I have deprived you of +that pleasure." + +"No excuse, neighbor. It is a question which would give me greater +pleasure, to serve you or to walk with Klingenberg." + +Richard smiled while saying these words; but the smile died away, for +he saw how pale and suddenly anxious Siegwart had become. They had +entered a room, and he desired to know the cause of Siegwart's changed +manner. + +"A great and afflicting misfortune threatens us," began the proprietor. +"My Eliza has been suddenly taken ill, and I have great fears for her +young life. Oh! if you knew how that child has grown into my heart." He +paused for a moment and suppressed his grief, but he could not hide +from Frank the tears that filled his eyes. Richard saw these tears, and +this paternal grief increased his respect for Siegwart. + +"The delicate life of a young child does not allow of protracted +medical treatment, of consultation or investigation into the disease or +the best remedies. The disease must be known immediately and efficient +remedies applied. There are physicians at my command, but I do not dare +to trust Eliza to them." + +"I presume, Herr Siegwart, that you wish for Klingenberg." + +"Yes--and through your mediation. You know that he only treats the sick +poor; but resolutely refuses his services to the wealthy." + +"Do not be uneasy about that. I hope to be able to induce Klingenberg +to correspond with your wishes. But is Eliza really so sick, or does +your apprehension increase your anxiety?" + +"I will show you the child, and then you can judge for yourself." They +went up-stairs and quietly entered the sick-room. Angela sat on the +little bed of the child, reading. The child was asleep, but the noise +of their entrance awoke her. She reached out her little round arms to +her father, and said in a scarcely audible whisper, + +"Papa--papa!" + +This whispered "papa" seemed to pierce the soul of Siegwart like a +knife. He drew near and leant over the child. + +"You will be well to-morrow, my sweet pet. Do you see, Herr Frank has +come to see you?" + +"Mamma!" whispered the child. + +"Your mother will come to-morrow, my Eliza. She will bring you +something pretty. My wife has been for the last two weeks at her +sister's, who lives a few miles from here," said Siegwart, turning to +Frank. "I sent a messenger for her early this morning." + +While the father sat on the bed and held Eliza's hand in his, Frank +observed Angela, who scarcely turned her eyes from the sick child. Her +whole soul seemed taken up with her suffering sister. Only once had she +looked inquiringly at Frank, to read in his face his opinion of the +condition of Eliza. She stood immovable at the foot of the bed, as +mild, as pure, and as beautiful as the guardian angel of the child. + +Both men left the room. + +"I will immediately seek the doctor, who is now on his walk," said +Frank. + +"Shall I send my servant for him?" + +"That is unnecessary," returned Frank. "And even if your servant should +find the doctor, he would probably not be inclined to shorten his walk. +Our gardener, who works in the chestnut grove, will show me the way the +doctor took. In an hour and a half at furthest I will be back." + +The young man pressed the outstretched hand of Siegwart, and hastened +away. + +In the mean time the doctor and the professor had reached a narrow, +wooded ravine, on both sides of which the rocks rose almost +perpendicularly. The path on which they talked passed near a little +brook, that flowed rippling over the pebbles in its bed. The branches +of the young beeches formed a green roof over the path, and only here +and there were a few openings through which the sun shot its sloping +beams across the cool, dusky way, and in the sunbeams floated and +danced dust-colored insects and buzzing flies. + +The learned saunterers continued their amusement without altercation +until the professor's presumption offended the doctor and led to a +vehement dispute. + +Klingenberg did not appear on the stage of publicity. He left boasting +and self-praise to others, far inferior to him in knowledge. He +despised that tendency which pursues knowledge only to command, which +cries down any inquiry that clashes with their theories. The doctor +published no learned work, nor did he write for the periodicals, to +defend his views. But if he happened to meet a scientific opponent, he +fought him with sharp, cutting weapons. + +"I do not doubt of the final victory of true science over the +falsifying party spirit of the ultramontanes," said the professor. +"Sybel's periodical destroys, year by year, more and more the crumbling +edifice which the clerical zealots build on the untenable foundation of +falsified facts." + +Klingenberg tore his cap from his head and swung it about vehemently, +and made such long strides that the other with difficulty kept up with +him. Suddenly he stopped, turned about, and looked the professor +sharply in the eyes. + +"You praise Sybel's publication unjustly," said he excitedly. "It is +true Sybel has founded a historical school, and has won many imitators; +but his is a school destructive of morality and of history--a school of +scientific radicalism, a school of falsehood and deceitfulness. Sybel +and his followers undertake to mould and distort history to their +purposes. They slur over every thing that contradicts their theories. +To them the ultramontanes are partial, prejudiced men--or perhaps asses +and dunces; you are unfortunately right when you say Sybel's school +wins ground; for Sybel and his fellows have brought lying and +falsification to perfection. They have in Germany perplexed minds, and +have brought their historical falsifications to market as true ware." + +The professor could scarcely believe his own ears. + +"I have given you freely and openly my judgment, which need not offend +you, as it refers to principles, not persons." + +"Not in the least," answered Lutz derisively. "I admit with pleasure +that Sybel's school is anti-church, and even anti-Christian, if you +will. There is no honor in denying this. The denial would be of no use; +for this spirit speaks too loudly and clearly in that school. Sybel and +his associates keep up with the enlightenment and liberalism of our +times. But I must contradict you when you say this free tendency is +injurious to society; the seed of free inquiry and human enlightenment +can bring forth only good fruits." + +"Oh! we know this fruit of the new heathenism," cried the doctor. +"There is no deed so dark, no crime so great, that it may not be +defended according to the anti-Christian principles of vicious +enlightenment and corrupt civilization. Sybel's school proves this with +striking clearness. Tyrants are praised and honored. Noble men are +defamed and covered with dirt." + +"This you assert, doctor; it is impossible to prove such a +declaration." + +"Impossible! Not at all. Sybel's periodical exalts to the seventh +heaven the tyrant Henry VIII. of England. You extol him as a +conscientious man who was compelled by scruples of conscience to +separate from his wife. You commend him for having but one mistress. +You say that the sensualities of princes are only of 'anecdotal +interest.' Naturally," added the doctor contemptuously, "a school that +cuts loose from Christian principles cannot consistently condemn +adultery. Fie! fie! Debauchees and men of gross sensuality might sit in +Sybel's enlightened school. Progress overthrows the cross, and erects +the crescent. We may yet live to see every wealthy man of the new +enlightenment have his harem. Whether society can withstand the +detestable consequences of this teaching of licentiousness and contempt +for Christian morality, is a consideration on which these progressive +gentlemen do not reflect." + +"I admit, doctor," said Lutz, "that the clear light of free, impartial +science must needs hurt the eyes of a pious believer. According to the +opinions of the ultramontanes, Henry VIII. was a terrible tyrant and +bloodhound. Sybel's periodical deserves the credit of having done +justice to that great king." + +"Do you say so?" cried the doctor, with flaming eyes. "You, a professor +of history in the university! You, who are appointed to teach our young +men the truth! Shame on you! What you say is nothing but stark +hypocrisy. I appeal to the heathen. You may consider religion from the +stand-point of an ape, for what I care; your cynicism, which is not +ashamed to equalize itself with the brute, may also pass. But this +hypocrisy, this fallacious representation of historical facts and +persons, this hypocrisy before my eyes--this I cannot stand; this must +be corrected." + +The doctor actually doubled up his fists. Lutz saw it and saw also the +wild fire in the eyes of his opponent, and was filled with apprehension +and anxiety. + +Erect and silent, fiery indignation in his flushed countenance, stood +Klingenberg before the frightened professor. As Lutz still held his +tongue, the doctor continued, + +"You call Henry VIII. a 'great king,' you extol and defend this 'great +king' in Sybel's periodical. I say Henry VIII. was a great scoundrel, a +blackguard without a conscience, and a bloodthirsty tyrant. I prove my +assertion. Henry VIII. caused to be executed two queens who were his +wives--two cardinals, twelve dukes and marquises, eighteen barons and +knights, seventy-seven abbots and priors, and over sixty thousand +Catholics. Why did he have them executed? Because they were criminals? +No; because they remained true to their consciences and to the religion +of their fathers. All these fell victims to the cruelty of Henry +VIII., whom you style a 'great king.' You glorify a man who for +blood-thirstiness and cruelty can be placed by the side of Nero and +Diocletian. That is my retort to your hypocrisy and historical +mendacity." + +The stern doctor having emptied his vials of wrath, now walked on +quietly; Lutz with drooping head followed in silence. + +"Sybel does not even stop with Henry VIII.," again began the doctor. +"These enlightened gentlemen undertake to glorify even Tiberius, that +inhuman monster. They might as well have the impudence to glorify +cruelty itself. On the other hand, truly great men, such as Tilly, are +abandoned to the hatred of the ignorant." + +"This is unjust," said the professor hastily. "Sybel's periodical in +the second volume says that Tilly was often calumniated by party +spirit; that the destruction of Magdeburg belongs to the class of +unproved and improbable events. The periodical proves that Tilly's +conduct in North Germany was mild and humane, that he signalized +himself by his simplicity, unselfishness, and conscientiousness. + +"Does Sybel's periodical say all this?" + +"Word for word, and much more in praise of that magnanimous man," said +Lutz. "From this you may know that science is just even to pious +heroes." + +Klingenberg smiled characteristically, and in his smile was an +expression of ineffable contempt. + +He stopped before the professor. + +"You have just quoted what impartial historical research informs us of +Tilly, in the second and third volumes. It is so. I remember perfectly +having read that favorable account. Now let me quote what the same +periodical says of the same Tilly in the seventeenth volume. There we +read that Tilly was a hypocrite and a blood-hound, whose name cannot be +mentioned without a shudder; furthermore, we are told that Tilly burned +Magdeburg, that he waged a ravaging war against men, women, children, +and property. You see, then, in the second and third volumes that Tilly +was a conscientious, mild man and pious hero; in the seventeenth +volume, that he was a tyrant and blood-hound. It appears from this with +striking clearness that the enlightened progressionists do not stick at +contradiction, mendacity, and defamation." + +The professor lowered his eyes and stood embarrassed. + +"I leave you, 'Herr Professor,' to give a name to such a procedure. +Besides, I must also observe that the strictly scientific method, as it +labels itself at present, does not stop at personal defamation. As +every holy delusion and religious superstition must be destroyed in the +hearts of the students, this lying and defamation extends to the +historical truths of faith. It is taught from the professors' chairs, +and confirmed by the journals, that confession is an invention of the +middle ages; while you must know from thorough research that confession +has existed up to the time of the apostles. You teach and write that +Innocent III. introduced the doctrine of transubstantiation in the +thirteenth century; while every one having the least knowledge of +history knows that at the council of 1215 it was only made a duty to +receive the holy communion at Easter, that the fathers of the first +ages speak of transubstantiation--that it has its foundation in +Scripture. You know as well as I do that indulgences were imparted even +in the first century; but this does not prevent you from teaching that +the popes of the middle ages invented indulgences from love of money, +and sold them from avarice. Thus the progressive science lies and +defames, yet is not ashamed to raise high the banner of enlightenment; +thus you lead people into error, and destroy youth! Fie! fie!" + +The doctor turned and was about to proceed when he heard his name +called. Frank hastened to him, the perspiration running from his +forehead, and his breast heaving from rapid breathing. In a few words +he made known Eliza's illness, and Siegwart's request. + +"You know," said Klingenberg, "that I treat only the poor, who cannot +easily get a physician." + +"Make an exception in this case, doctor, I beg of you most earnestly! +You respect Siegwart yourself for his integrity, and I also of late +have learned to esteem the excellent man, whose heart at present is +rent with anxiety and distress. Save this child, doctor; I beg of you +save it." + +Klingenberg saw the young man's anxiety and goodness, and benevolence +beamed on his still angry face. + +"I see," said he, "that no refusal is to be thought of. Well, we will +go." And he immediately set off with long strides on his way back. +Richard cast a glance at the professor, who followed, gloomy and +spiteful. He saw the angry look he now and then turned on the hastening +doctor, and knew that a sharp contest must have taken place. But his +solicitude for Siegwart's child excluded all other sympathy. On the way +he exchanged only a few words with Lutz, who moved on morosely, and was +glad when Klingenberg and Richard separated from him in the vicinity of +Frankenhöhe. + +Ten minutes later they entered the house of Siegwart. The doctor stood +for a moment observing the child without touching it. The little one +opened her eyes, and appeared to be frightened at the strange man with +the sharp features. Siegwart and Angela read anxiously in the doctor's +immovable countenance. As Eliza said "Papa," in a peculiar, feverish +tone, Klingenberg moved away from the bed. He cast a quick glance at +the father, went to the window and drummed with his fingers on the +glass. Frank read in that quick glance that Eliza must die. Angela must +also have guessed the doctor's opinion, for she was very much affected; +her head sank on her breast and tears burst from her eyes. + +Klingenberg took out his notebook, wrote something on a small slip of +paper, and ordered the recipe to be taken immediately to the +apothecary. He then took his departure. + +"What do you think of the child?" said Siegwart, as they passed over +the yard. + +"The child is very sick; send for me in the morning if it be +necessary." + +Frank and the doctor went some distance in silence. The young man +thought of the misery the death of Eliza would bring on that happy +family, and the pale, suffering Angela in particular stood before him. + +"Is recovery not possible?" + +"No. The child will surely die to-night. I prescribed only a soothing +remedy. I am sorry for Siegwart; he is one of the few fathers who hang +with boundless love on their children--particularly when they are +young. The man must call forth all his strength to bear up against it." + +When Frank entered his room, he found Lutz in a very bad humor. + +"You have judged that old bear much too leniently," began the +professor. "The man is a model of coarseness and intolerable bigotry." + +"I thought so," said Frank. "I know you and I know the doctor; and I +knew two such rugged antitheses must affect each other unpleasantly. +What occasioned your dispute?" + +"What! A thousand things," answered his friend ill-humoredly. "The +old rhinoceros has not the least appreciation of true knowledge. He +carries haughtily the long wig of antiquated stupidity, and does not +see the shallowness of the swamp in which he wallows. The genius of +Christianity is to him the sublime. Where this stops, pernicious +enlightenment--which corrupts the people, turns churches into +ball-rooms, and the Bible into a book of fables--begins." + +"The doctor is not wrong there," said Frank earnestly. "Are they not +endeavoring with all their strength to deprive the Bible of its divine +character? Does not one Schenkel in Heidelberg deny the divinity of +Christ? Is not this Schenkel the director of a theological faculty? Do +not some Catholic professors even begin to dogmatize and dispute the +authority of the holy see?" + +"We rejoice at the consoling fact that Catholic _savants_ themselves +break the fetters with which Rome's infallibility has bound in +adamantine chains the human mind!" cried Lutz with enthusiasm. + +"It appears strange to me when young men--scarcely escaped from the +school, and boasting of all modern knowledge--cast aside as old, +worthless rubbish what great minds of past ages have deeply pondered. +The see of Rome and its dogmas have ruled the world for eighteen +hundred years. Rome's dogmas overthrew the old world and created a new +one. They have withstood and survived storms that have engulfed all +else besides. Such strength excites wonder and admiration, but not +contempt." + +"I let your eulogy on Rome pass," said the professor. "But as Rome and +her dogmas have overthrown heathenism, so will the irresistible +progress of science overthrow Christianity. Coming generations will +smile as complacently at the God of Christendom as we consider with +astonishment the great and small gods of the heathen." + +"I do not desire the realization of your prophecy," said Frank +gloomily; "for it must be accompanied by convulsions that will +transform the whole world, and therefore I do not like to see an +anti-Christian tendency pervading science." + +"Tendency, tendency!" said Lutz, hesitating. "In science there is no +tendency; there is but truth." + +"Easy, friend, easy! Be candid and just. You will not deny that the +tendency of Sybel's school is to war against the church?" + +"Certainly, in so far as the church contends against truth and thorough +investigation." + +"Good; and the friends of the church will contend against you in so far +as you are inimical to the spirit of the church. And so, tendency on +one side, tendency on the other. But it is you who make the more noise. +As soon as a book opposed to you appears,--'Partial!' you say with +contemptuous mien; 'Odious!' 'Ecclesiastical!' 'Unreadable!' and it is +forthwith condemned. But it appears to me natural that a man should +labor and write in a cause which is to him the noblest cause." + +"I am astonished, Richard! You did not think formerly as you now do. +But I should not be surprised if your intercourse with the doctor is +not without its effects." This the professor said in a cutting tone. +Frank turned about and walked the room. The observation of his friend +annoyed him, and he reflected whether his views had actually undergone +any change. + +"You deceive yourself. I am still the same," said he. "You cannot +mistrust me because I do not take part with you against the doctor." + +Carl sat for a time thinking. + +"Is my presence at the table necessary?" said he. "I do not wish to +meet the doctor again." + +"That would be little in you. You must not avoid the doctor. You must +convince yourself that he does not bear any ill-will on account of that +scientific dispute. With all his rough bluntness, Klingenberg is a +noble man. Your non-appearance at table must offend him, and at the +same time betray your annoyance." + +"I obey," answered Lutz. "Tomorrow I will go for a few days to the +mountains. On my return I will remain another day with you." + +Frank's assurance was confirmed. The doctor met the guest as if nothing +unpleasant had happened. In the cool of the evening he went with the +young men into the garden, and spoke with such familiarity of Tacitus, +Livy, and other historians of antiquity that the professor admired his +erudition. + +Frank wrote in his diary: + + +"May 20th.--After mature reflection, I find that the views which I +believed to be strongly founded begin to totter. What would the +professor say if he knew that not the doctor, but a country family, and +that, too, ultramontane, begin to shake the foundation of my views? +Would he not call me weak?" + + +He laid down the pen and sat sullenly reflecting. + + +"All my impressions of the ultramontane family be herewith effaced," he +wrote further. "The only fact I admit is, that even ultramontanes also +can be good people. But this fact shall in no wise destroy my former +convictions." + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + THE ULTRAMONTANE WAY OF THINKING. + + +On the following morning, no message was sent for the doctor. The child +had died, as Klingenberg foretold. Frank thought of the great +affliction of the Siegwart family--Angela in tears, and the father +broken down with grief. It drove him from Frankenhöhe. In a quarter of +an hour he was at the house of the proprietor. + +A servant came weeping to meet him. + +"You cannot speak to my master," said she. "We had a bad night. My +master is almost out of his mind; he has only just now lain down. Poor +Eliza! the dear, good child." And the tears burst forth again. + +"When did the child die?" + +"At four o'clock this morning; and how beautiful she still looks in +death! You would think she is only sleeping. If you wish to see her, +just go up to the same room in which you were yesterday." + +After some hesitation, Frank ascended the stairs and entered the room. +As he passed the threshold, he paused, greatly surprised at the sight +that met his view. The room was darkened, the shutters closed, and +across the room streamed the broken rays of the morning sun. On a +white-covered table burned wax candles, in the midst of which stood a +large crucifix; there was also a holy-water vase, and in it a green +branch. On the white cushions of the bed reposed Eliza, a crown of +evergreens about her forehead, and a little crucifix in her folded +hands. Her countenance was not the least disfigured; only about her +softly closed eyes there was a dark shade, and the lifelike freshness +of the lips had vanished. Angela sat near the bed on a low stool; she +had laid her head near that of her sister, and in consequence of a +wakeful night was fast asleep. Eliza's little head lay in her arms, and +in her hand she held the same rosary that he had found near the statue. +Frank stood immovable before the interesting group. + +The most beautiful form he had ever beheld he now saw in close contact +with the dead. Earnest thoughts passed through his mind. The +fleetingness of all earthly things vividly occurred to him. Eliza's +corpse reminded him impressively that her sister, the charming Angela, +must meet the same inevitable fate. His eyes rested on the beautiful +features of the sufferer, which were not in the least disfigured by +bitter or gloomy dreams, and which expressed in sleep the sweetest +peace. She slept as gently and confidingly near Eliza as if she did not +know the abyss which death had placed between them. The only disorder +in Angela's external appearance was the glistening curls of hair that +hung loose over her shoulders on her breast. + +At length Frank departed, with the determination of returning to make +his visit of condolence. After the accustomed walk with Klingenberg, he +went immediately back to Siegwart's. + +When he returned home, he wrote in his diary: + +"May 21st.--Surprising and wonderful! + +"When my uncle's little Agnes died, my aunt took ill, and my uncle's +condition bordered on insanity; tortured by excruciating anguish, he +murmured against Providence. He accused God of cruelty and injustice, +because he took from him a child he loved so much, he lost all +self-control, and had not strength to bear the misfortune with +resignation. And now the Siegwart family are in the same circumstances; +the father is much broken down, much afflicted, but very resigned; his +trembling lips betray the affliction that presses on his heart, but +they make no complaints against Providence. + +"'I thank you for your sympathy,' said he to me. 'The trial is painful; +but God knows what he does. The Lord gave me the dear child; the Lord +has taken her away. His holy will be done.' So spoke Siegwart. While he +said this, a perceptible pain changed his manly countenance, and he lay +like a quivering victim on the altar of the Lord. Siegwart's wife, a +beautiful woman, with calm, mild eyes, wept inwardly. Her mother's +heart bled from a thousand wounds; but she showed the same self-control +and resignation as Siegwart did to the will of the Most High. + +"And Angela? I do not understand her at all. She speaks of Eliza as of +one sleeping, or of one who has gone to a place where she is happy. But +sometimes a spasm twitches her features; then her eyes rest on the +crucifix that stands amid the lighted candles. The contemplation of the +crucifix seems to afford her strength and vigor. This is a mystery to +me. I cannot conceive the mysterious power of that carved figure. + +"Misery does not depress these people: it ennobles them. I have never +seen the like. When I compare their conduct with that of those I have +known, I confess that the Siegwart family puts my acquaintance as well +as myself to shame. + +"What gives these people this strength, this calm, this resignation? +Religion, perhaps. Then religion is infinitely more than a mere +conception, a mere external rule of faith. + +"I am beginning to suspect that between heaven and earth there exists, +for those who live for heaven, a warm, living union. It appears to me +that Providence does not, indeed, exempt the faithful from the common +lot of earthly affliction; but he gives them strength which transcends +the power of human nature. + +"I have undertaken the task of putting Angela to the test, and what do +I find? Admiration for her--shame for myself; and also the certainty +that my views of women must be restricted." + +He had scarcely written down these thoughts, when he bit impatiently +the pen between his teeth. + +"We must not be hasty in our judgments," he wrote further. "Perhaps it +is my ignorance of the depth of the human heart that causes me to +consider in so favorable a light the occurrences in the Siegwart +family. + +"Perhaps it is a kind of stupidity of mind, an unrefined feeling, a +frivolous perception of fatality, that gives these people this quiet +and resignation. My judgment shall not be made up. Angela may conceal +beneath the loveliness of her nature characteristics and failings which +may justify my opinion of the sex, notwithstanding." + +With a peculiar stubbornness which struggles to maintain a favorite +conviction, he closed the diary. + +On the second day after Eliza's death, the body was consigned to the +earth. Frank followed the diminutive coffin, which was carried by four +little girls dressed in white. The youthful bearers had wreaths of +flowers on their heads and blue silk ribbons about their waists, the +ends of which hung down. + +After these followed a band of girls, also dressed in white and blue. +They had flowers fixed in their hair, and in their hands they carried a +large wreath of evergreens and roses. The whole community followed the +procession--a proof of the great respect the proprietor enjoyed among +his neighbors. Siegwart's manner was quiet, but his eyes were inflamed. +As the coffin was lowered into the ground, the larks sang in the air, +and the birds in the bushes around joined their sweet cadences with the +not plaintive but joyful melodies which were sung by a choir of little +girls. The church ceremonies, like nature, breathed joy and triumph, +much to Richard's astonishment. He did not understand how these songs +of gladness and festive costumes could be reconciled with the open +grave. He believed that the feelings of the mourners must be hurt by +all this. He remained with the family at the grave till the little +mound was smoothed and finished above it. The people scattered over the +graveyard, and knelt praying before the different graves. The cross was +planted on Eliza's resting-place, and the girls placed the large wreath +on the little mound. Siegwart spoke words of consolation to his wife as +he conducted her to the carriage. Angela, sunk in sadness, still +remained weeping at the grave. Richard approached and offered her his +arm. The carriage proceeded toward Salingen and stopped before the +church, whose bells were tolling. The service began. Again was Richard +surprised at the joyful melody of the church hymns. The organ pealed +forth joyfully as on a festival. Even the priest at the altar did not +wear black, but white vestments. Frank, unfamiliar with the deep spirit +of the Catholic liturgy, could not understand this singular funeral +service. + +After service the family returned. Frank sat opposite to Angela, who +was very sad, but in no way depressed. He even thought he saw now and +then the light of a peculiar joy in her countenance. Madame Siegwart +could not succeed in overcoming her maternal sorrow. Her tears burst +forth anew, and her husband consoled her with tender words. + +Frank strove to divert Angela from her sad thoughts. As he thought it +would not be in good taste to speak of ordinary matters, he expressed +his surprise at the manner of the burial. + +"Your sister," said he, "was interred with a solemnity which excited my +surprise, and, I confess, my disapprobation. Not a single hymn of +sorrow was sung, either at the grave or in the church. One would not +believe that those white-clad girls with wreaths of flowers on their +heads were carrying the soulless body of a beloved being to the grave. +The whole character of the funeral was that of rejoicing. How is this, +Fräulein Angela; is that the custom here?" + +She looked at him somewhat astonished. + +"That is the custom in the whole Catholic Church," she replied. "At the +burial of children she excludes all sadness; and for that reason masses +of requiem in black vestments are never said for them; but masses of +the angels in white." + +"Do you not think the custom is in contradiction to the sentiments of +nature--to the sorrowful feelings of those who remain?" + +"Yes, I believe so," she answered tranquilly. "Human nature grieves +about many things over which the spirit should rejoice." + +These words sounded enigmatically to Richard. + +"I do not comprehend the meaning of your words, Fräulein Angela." + +"Grief at the death of a relative is proper for us, because a beloved +person has been taken from our midst. But the church, on the contrary, +rejoices because an innocent, pure soul has reached the goal after +which we all strive--eternal happiness. You see, Herr Frank, that the +church considers the departure of a child from this world from a more +exalted point of view, and comprehends it in a more spiritual sense, +than the natural affection. While the heart grows weak from sadness, +the church teaches us that Eliza is happy; that she has gone before us, +and that we will be separated from her but for a short time; that +between us there is a spiritual union which is based on the communion +of saints. Faith teaches me that Eliza, rescued from all afflictions +and disappointments, is happy in the kingdom of the blessed. If I could +call her back, I would not do it; for this desire springs from egotism, +which can make no sacrifices to love." + +Her eyes were full of tears as she said these last words. But that +peculiar joy which Richard had before observed, and the meaning of +which he now understood, again lighted up her countenance. He leaned +back in the carriage, and was forced to admit that the religious +conception of death was very consoling, even grand, when compared with +that conception which modern enlightenment has of it. + +The carriage moved slowly through the silent court-yard, which lay as +gloomy under the clouds as though it had put on mourning for the dead. +The chickens sat huddled together in a corner, their heads sadly +drooping. Even the garrulous sparrows were silent, and through the +linden tops came a low, rustling sound like greetings from another +world. + +Assisted by Richard's hand, Angela descended from the carriage. Her +father thanked him for his sympathy, and expressed a wish to see him +soon again in the family circle. As Richard glanced at Angela, he +thought he read in her look a confirmation of all her father said. +Siegwart's invitation was unnecessary. The young man was attracted more +strongly to the proprietor's house as Angela's qualities revealed +themselves to his astonished view more clearly. But Frank would not +believe in the spotlessness and sublime dignity of a Christian maiden. +He did not change his former judgment against the sex. His stubbornness +still persisted in the opinion that Angela had her failings, which, if +manifested, would obscure the external brilliancy of her appearance, +but which remained hidden from view. Continued observation alone would, +in Frank's opinion, succeed in disclosing the repulsive shadows. + +Perhaps a proud determination to justify his former opinions lay less +at the bottom of this obstinate tenacity than an unconscious stratagem. +The young man anticipated that his respect for Angela would end in +passionate affection as soon as she stood before him in the full, +serene power of her beauty. He feared this power, and therefore +combated her claims. + +The professor had returned from his excursion into the mountains, and +related what he had seen and heard. "Such excursions on historic +grounds," said he, "are interesting and instructive to the historical +inquirer. What historical sources hint at darkly become distinct, and +many incredible things become clear and intelligible. Thus, I once read +in an old chronicle that the monks during choral service sung with such +enchanting sweetness that the empress and her ladies and knights who +were present burst into tears. I smiled at this passage from the +garrulous old chronicler, and thought that the fabulous spirit of the +middle ages had descended into the pen of the good man. How often have +I heard Mozart's divine music, how often have I been entranced by the +stormy, thrilling fantasies of Beethoven! But I was never moved to +tears, and I never saw even delicate ladies weep. Two days ago, I +wandered alone among the ruins of the abbey of Hagenroth. I stood in +the ruined church; above was the unclouded sky, and high round about me +the naked walls. Here and there upon the walls hung patches of plaster, +and these were painted. I examined the paintings and found them of +remarkable purity and depth of sentiment. I examined the painted +columns in the nave and choir, and found a beautiful harmony. I admired +the excellence of the colors, on which it has snowed, rained, and +frozen for three hundred and twenty years. I then examined the fallen +columns, the heavy capitals, the beauty of the ornaments, and from +these significant remnants my imagination built up the whole structure, +and the church loomed up before me in all its simple grandeur and +charming finish. I was forced to recognize and admire those artists who +knew how to produce such wonderful and charming effects by such simple +combinations. I thought on that passage of the chronicle, and I believe +if, at that moment, the simple, pure chant of the monks had echoed +through the basilica, I also would have been moved to tears. If the +monks knew, thought I, how to captivate and charm by their +architecture, why could they not do the same with music?" + +"The stupid monks!" said Richard. + +"If you had spoken those words at my side in that tone as I stood amid +those ruins, they would have sounded like malicious envy from the mouth +of the spirit of darkness." + +"Your admiration for the monks is indeed a great curiosity," said +Frank, smiling. "Sybel's congenial friend a eulogist of the monks! That +indeed is as strange as a square circle." + +"If I admire the splendor of heathenism, must I not also admire the +fascinating, still depth of Christian childhood? In heathenism as well +as in Christianity human genius accomplishes great and sublime things." + +"That, in its whole extent, I must dispute," said Frank. "Where is the +splendor and greatness of heathenism? The heathen built palaces of +great magnificence, but crime stalked naked about in them. When the +lord of the palace killed his slaves for his amusement, there was no +law to condemn him. When lords and ladies at their epicurean feasts +would step aside into small apartments, there by artificial means to +empty their gorged stomachs, they did not offend either against heathen +decency or its law of moderation. The marble columns proudly supported +gilded arches; but when beneath those arches a human victim bled under +the knife of the priests, this was in harmony with the genius of +heathenism. The amphitheatres were immense halls, full of art and +magnificence, in which a hundred thousand spectators could sit and +behold with delight the lions and tigers devour slaves, or the +gladiators slaughtering each other for their amusement. No. True +greatness and real splendor I do not find in heathenism. Where heathen +greatness is, there terrible darkness, profound error, and horrible +customs abound. Christianity had to contend for three hundred years to +destroy the abominations of heathenism." + +"I will not dispute about it now," said Lutz. "You shall not destroy by +your criticism the beautiful impressions of my excursion. I also met +the Swedes on my tour. About thirty miles from here there is, among the +hills, a valley. The peasants call the place the 'murder-chamber.' I +suspected that the name might be associated with some historical event, +and, on inquiry, I found such to be the case. In the Thirty Years' War, +when Gustavus Adolphus, the pious hero, passed through the German +provinces murdering and robbing, the inhabitants of the neighborhood +fled with their wives, children, and property to this remote valley. +They imagined themselves hid in these woods and defiles from the +wandering Swedes, but they deceived themselves. Their hiding-place +was discovered, and every living thing--Cows, calves, and oxen +excepted--was put to the sword. 'The blood of the massacred,' said my +informer, 'flowed down the valley like a brook; and for fifty years the +neighborhood was desolate, because the Swedes had destroyed every +thing.' Such masterpieces of Swedish blood-thirstiness are found in +many places in Germany; and as the people celebrate them in song and +story, it is certain that the pious hero has won for himself +imperishable fame in the art of slaughter." + +"Do you not wish to have the 'murder-chamber' appear in Sybel's +periodical?" + +"No; fable must be carefully separated from history; and in this case I +want the inclination for the subject." + +"Fabulous! I find in the 'murder-chamber' nothing but the true Swedish +nature of that time." + +The professor shrugged his shoulders. + +"Gustavus Adolphus may wander for ever about Germany as the 'pious +hero,' if for no other purpose than to annoy the ultramontanes." + +Frank thought of the Siegwart family. + +"I believe we are unjust in our judgments of the ultramontanes," said +he. "I visit every day a family which my father declares not only to be +ultramontane, but even clerical, and on account of it will not +associate with them. But I saw there only the noble, good, and +beautiful." And he reported circumstantially what he knew of the +Siegwart family. + +"You have observed carefully; and in particular no feature of Angela +has escaped you. This Angela," he continued jocosely, "must be an +incarnate ideal of the other world, since she has excited the interest +of my friend, even though she wears crinoline." + +"But she does not wear crinoline," said Frank. + +"Not!" returned the professor, smiling. "Then it is just right. The +Angel of Salingen belongs to the nine choirs of angels, and was sent to +the earth in woman's form to win my proud, woman-hating friend to the +fair sex." + +"My conversion to the highest admiration of women is by no means +impossible; at least in one case," answered Richard, in the same +earnest tone. + +"I am astonished!" said the professor. "My interest is boundless. Could +I not see this wonderful lady?" + +"Why not? It is eight o'clock. At this hour I am accustomed to make my +visit." + +"Let us go, by all means," urged Lutz. + +On the way Frank spoke of Angela's charitable practices, of her love +for the poor, her pious customs, and of her deep religious sentiment, +which manifested itself in every thing; of her activity in household +matters, of her modesty and humility. All this he said in a tone of +enthusiasm. The professor listened with attention and smiled. + +As they went through the gate into the large court-yard, they saw +Angela standing under the lindens. She held a large dish in her hand. +About her pressed and crowded the representatives of all races and +nations of that multitude which material progress has raised from +slavish degradation. From Angela's hand rained golden corn among the +chattering brood, who, pressed by a ravenous appetite, hungrily shoved, +pushed, and upset each other. Even the chivalrous cocks had forgotten +their propriety, and greedily snatched up the yellow fruit without +gallantly cooing and offering the treasure to the females. Nimble ducks +glided between the legs of the turkeys and snatched up, quick as +lightning, the grains from their open bills. This did not please the +turkeys, who gobbled and struck their sharp bills into the bobbing +heads of the ducks. A solitary turkey cock alone scorned to participate +in the hungry pleasures of the common herd. He spread his wings stiffly +like a crinoline around his body, strutted about the yard, uttered a +gallant guttural gobble, and played the fine lady in style. + +Near the gate stood the stalls. They all had double doors, so that the +upper part could be opened while the lower half remained closed. As the +two friends passed, they saw a massive head protruding through the open +half of one of those doors. The head was red, and was set upon the +powerful shoulders of a steer who had broken loose from his fastening +to take a walk about the yard. When he saw the strangers, he began to +snort, cock his ears, and shake his head, while his fiery eyes rolled +wildly in his head. + +"A handsome beast," said Frank, as he stopped. "How wide his forehead, +how strong his horns, how powerful his chest!" + +"His head," said Lutz, "would be an expressive symbol for the +evangelist Luke." + +The steer was not pleased with these compliments. Bellowing angrily he +rushed against the door, which gave way. Slowly and powerfully came +forth from the darkness of the stall the colossal limbs of the +dangerous beast. The friends, unexpectedly placed in the power of this +terrible enemy, stood paralyzed. They beheld the colossus lashing his +sides with his tail, lowering his head threateningly, and maliciously +stealing toward them like a cat stealing to a mouse till she gets +within a sure spring of it. The steer had evidently the same design on +strangers. He thought to crush them with his iron forehead and amuse +himself with tossing up their lifeless bodies. They saw this, clearly +enough, but there was no time for flight. The red steer in his mad +onset would certainly overtake and run them down. Luckily, the +professor remembered from the Spanish bull-fights how they must meet +these beasts, and he quickly warned his friend. + +"If he charges, slip quickly to one side." + +Scarcely had the words escaped his trembling lips, when the steer gave +a short bellow, lowered his head, and, quick as an arrow, rushed upon +Frank. He jumped to one side, but slipped and fell to the ground. The +steer dashed against a wagon that was standing near, and broke several +of the spokes. Maddened at the failure of his charge, he turned quickly +about and saw Frank lying on the ground, and rejoiced over his helpless +victim. Richard commended his soul to God, but had enough presence of +mind not to move a limb; he even kept his eyes closed. The steer +snuffed about, and Frank felt his warm breath. The steer evidently did +not know how to begin with the lifeless thing, until he took it into +his head to stick his horns into the yielding mass. The young man was +lost--now the steer lowered his horns--now came the rescue. + +Angela had only observed the visitor as the bellowing steer rushed at +him. All this took but a minute. The servants were not then in the +yard; and before they could be called, Richard would be gored a dozen +times by the sharp weapons of the steer. The professor trembled in +every limb; he neither dared to cry for help, lest he might remind the +steer of his presence, nor to move from the place. He seemed destined +to be compelled to see his friend breathe out his life under the +torturing stabs. + +Before this happened, however, Angela's voice rang imperatively through +the yard. The astonished steer raised his head, and when he saw the +frail form coming toward him with the dish in her hand, he gave forth a +friendly low, and had even the good grace to go a few steps to meet +her. + +"Falk, what are you about?" said she reproachfully. "You are a terrible +beast to treat visitors so." + +Falk lowed his apology, and, as he perceived the contents of the dish, +he awkwardly sank his mouth into it. Angela scratched his jaws, at +which he was so delighted that he even forgot the dish and held still +like a child. The professor looked on this scene with amazement--the +airy form before the murderous head of the steer. As Master Falk began +even to lick Angela's hand, the professor was very near believing in +miracles. + +"So now, be right good, Falk!" said she coaxingly; "now go back where +you belong. Keep perfectly quiet, Herr Frank; do not move, and it will +be soon over." + +She patted the steer on the broad neck, and holding the dish before +him, led him to the stall, into which he quickly disappeared. + +Frank arose. + +"You are not hurt?" asked Lutz with concern. + +"Not in the least," answered Frank, taking out his pocket handkerchief +and brushing the dust from his clothes. The professor brought him his +hat, which had bounced away when he fell, and placed it on the head of +his trembling friend. + +Angela returned after housing the steer. Frank went some steps toward +her, as if to thank her on his knees for his life; but he concluded to +stand, and a sad smile passed over his countenance. + +"Fräulein Angela," said he, "I have the honor of introducing to you my +friend, Herr Lutz, professor at our university." + +"It gives me pleasure to know the gentleman," said she. "But I regret +that, through the negligence of Louis, you have been in great danger. +Great God! if I had not been in the yard." And her beautiful face +became as pale as marble. + +Richard observed this expression of fright, and it shot through his +melancholy smile like rays of the highest delight; but for his +preserver he had not a single word of thanks. Lutz, not understanding +this conduct, was displeased at his friend, and undertook himself to +return her thanks. + +"You have placed yourself in the greatest danger, Fräulein Angela," +said he. "Had I been able when you went to meet the steer, I would have +held you back with both hands; but I must acknowledge that I was +palsied by fear." + +"I placed myself in no danger," she replied. "Falk knows me well, and +has to thank me for many dainties. When father is away, I have to go +into the stalls to see if the servants have done their work. So all the +animals know me, and I can call them all by name." + +They went into the house. + +"It is well that my parents are absent to-day, and that the accident +was observed by no one; for my father would discharge the Swiss who has +charge of the animals, for his negligence. I would be sorry for the +poor man. I beg of you, therefore, to say nothing of it to my father. I +will correct him for it, and I am sure he will be more careful in +future." + +While she spoke, the eyes of the professor rested upon her, and it is +scarcely doubtful that in his present judgment the splendor of the +rostrum was eclipsed. Frank sat silent, observing. He scarcely joined +in the conversation, which his friend conducted with great warmth. + +"This occurrence," said Lutz, on his way home, "appears to me like an +episode from the land of fables and wonders. First, the steer fight; +then the overcoming of the beast by a maiden; lastly, a maid of such +beauty that all the fair ones of romance are thrown in the shade. By +heaven, I must call all my learning to my aid in order to be able to +forget her and not fall in love up to the ears!" + +Frank said nothing. + +"And you did not even thank her!" said Lutz vehemently. "Your conduct +was more than ungallant. I do not understand you." + +"Nothing without reason," said Frank. + +"No matter! Your conduct cannot be justified," growled the professor. +"I would like to know the reason that prevented you from thanking your +preserver for your life?" + +Richard stopped, looked quietly into the glowing countenance of his +friend, and proceeded doubtingly, + +"You shall know all, and then judge if my offensive conduct is not +pardonable." + +He began to relate how he met Angela for the first time on the lonely +road in the forest, how she then made a deep impression on him, what he +learned of her from the poor man and from Klingenberg, and how his +opinion of womankind had been shaken by Angela; then he spoke of his +object in visiting the Siegwart family, of his observations and +experience. + +"I had about come to the conclusion, and the occurrence of to-day +realizes that conclusion, that Angela possesses that admirable virtue +which, until now, I believed only to exist in the ideal world. If there +is a spark of vanity in her, I must have offended her. She must have +looked resentfully at me, the ungrateful man, and treated me sulkily. +But such was not the case; her eyes rested on me with the same +clearness and kindness as ever. My coarse unthankfulness did not offend +her, because she does not think much of herself, because she makes no +pretensions, because she does not know her great excellence, but +considers her little human weaknesses in the light of religious +perfection--in short, because she is truly humble. She will bury this +dauntless deed in forgetfulness. She does not wish the little and great +journals to bring her courage into publicity. Tell me a woman, or even +a man, who could be capable of such modesty? Who would risk life to +rescue a stranger from the horns of a ferocious steer without +hesitation, and not desire an acknowledgment of the heroic deed? How +great is Angela, how admirable in every act! I was unthankful; yes, in +the highest degree unthankful. But I placed myself willingly in this +odious light, in order to see Angela in full splendor. As I said," he +concluded quietly, "I must soon confess myself besieged--vanquished on +the whole line of observation." + +"And what then?" said the professor. + +"Then I am convinced," said Richard, "that female worth exists, shining +and brilliant, and that in the camp of the ultramontanes." + +"A shaming experience for us," replied the professor. "You make your +studies practical, you destroy all the results of learned investigation +by living facts. To be just, it must be admitted that a woman like what +you have described Angela to be only grows and ripens on the ground of +religious influences and convictions." + +"And did you observe," said Richard, "how modestly she veiled the +splendor of her brave action? She denied that there was any danger in +the presence of the steer, although it is well known that those beasts +in moments of rage forget all friendship. Angela must certainly have +felt this as she went to meet the horns of the infuriated animal to +rescue me." + +Frank visited daily, and sometimes twice a day, the Siegwart family; he +was always received with welcome, and might be considered an intimate +friend. The family spirit unfolded itself clearer and clearer to his +view. He found that every thing in that house was pervaded by a +religious influence, and this without any design or haughty piety. The +assessor was destined to receive a striking proof of this. + +One afternoon a coach rolled into the court-yard. The family were at +tea. The Assessor von Hamm entered, dressed entirely in black; even the +red ribbon was wanting in the button-hole. + +"I have learned with grief of the misfortune that has overtaken you," +said he after a very formal reception. "I obey the impulse of my heart +when I express my sincere sympathy in the great affliction you have +suffered in the death of the dear little Eliza." + +The tears came into the eyes of Madame Siegwart. Angela looked straight +before her, as if to avoid the glance of the assessor. + +"We thank you, Herr von Hamm," returned the proprietor. "We were +severely tried, but we are reasonable enough to know that our family +cannot be exempted from the afflictions of human life." + +Hamm sat down, a cup was set before him, and Angela poured him out a +cup of fragrant tea. The assessor acknowledged this service with his +sweetest smile, and the most obliged expression of thanks. + +"You are right," he then said. "No one is exempt from the stroke of +fate. Man must submit to the unavoidable. To the ancients, blind fate +was terrific and frightful. The present enlightenment submits with +resignation." + +If a bomb had plunged into the room and exploded upon the table, it +could not have produced greater confusion than these words of the +assessor. Madame Siegwart looked at him with astonishment and shook her +head. The proprietor, embarrassed, sipped his tea. Angela's blooming +cheeks lost their color. Hamm did not even perceive the effect of his +fatal words, and Frank was scarcely able to hide his secret pleasure at +Hamm's sad mishap. + +"We know no fate, no blind, unavoidable destiny," said Siegwart, who +could not forgive the assessor his unchristian sentiment. "But we know +a divine providence, an all-powerful will, without whose consent the +sparrow does not fall from the house-top. We believe in a Father in +heaven who, counts the hairs of our heads, and whose counsels rule our +destiny." + +Hamm smiled. + +"You believe then, Herr Siegwart, that divine providence, or rather +God, has aimed that blow at you?" + +"Yes; so I believe." + +"Pardon me. I think you judge too hard of God. It is inconsistent with +his paternal goodness to afflict your beloved child with such +misfortune." + +"Misfortune? It is to be doubted whether Eliza's death is a misfortune. +Perhaps her early departure from this world is precisely her happiness; +and then we must reflect that God is master of life and death. It is +not for us to call the Almighty to account, even if his divine +ordinances should be counter to our wishes." + +"I respect your religious convictions, Herr Siegwart. Permit me, +however, to observe that God is much too exalted to have an eye to all +human trifles. He simply created the natural law; this he leaves to its +course. All the elements must obey these laws. Every creature is +subject to them; and when Eliza died, she died in consequence of the +course of these laws, but not through God's express will. Do you not +think that this view of our misfortunes reconciles us with the +conceptions we have of God's goodness?" + +"No; I do not believe it, because such a view contradicts the Christian +faith," replied Siegwart earnestly. "What kind of a God, what kind of a +Father would he be who would let every thing go as it might? He would +be less a father than the poorest laborer who supports his family in +the sweat of his brow." + +"And the whole army of misfortunes that daily overtake the human +family? Does this army await the command of God?" + +"Do not forget, Herr Assessor, that the most of these misfortunes are +deserved; brought on by our sins and passions. If excesses would cease, +how many sources of nameless calamities would disappear! For the rest, +it is my firm conviction that nothing happens or can happen in the +whole universe without the express will of God, or at least by his +permission." + +The official shook his head. + +"This question is evidently of great importance to every man," said +Frank. "Man is often not master of the course of his life; for it is +developed by a chain of circumstances, accidents, and providential +interferences that are not in man's power. I understand very well that +to be subject to blind chance, to an irrevocable fate, is something +disquieting and discouraging to man. Equally consoling, on the other +hand, is the Christian faith in the loving care of an all-powerful +Father, without whose permission a hair of our head cannot be touched. +But things of such great injustice, of such irresistible power, and of +such painful consequences happen on earth, that I cannot reconcile them +with divine love." + +While Frank spoke, Angela's eyes rested on him with the greatest +attention; and when he concluded, she lowered her glance, and an +earnest, thoughtful expression passed over her countenance. + +"There are accidents that apparently are not the result of man's +fault," said Siegwart. "Torrents sweep over the land and destroy all +the fruit of man's industry. Perhaps these torrents are only the +scourges which the justice of God waves over a lawless land. But I +admit that among the victims there are many good men. Storms wreck +ships at sea, and many human lives are lost. Avalanches plunge from the +Alps and bury whole towns in their resistless fall. It is such +accidents as these you have in view." + +"Precisely--exactly so. How will you reconcile all these with the +fatherly goodness of God?" cried Hamm triumphantly. + +The proprietor smiled. + +"Permit me to ask a question, Herr Assessor. Why does the state make +laws?" + +"To preserve order." + +"I anticipated this natural reply," continued the proprietor. "If +malefactors were not punished, thieves and desperadoes, their bad +practices being permitted, would have full play. Then all order would +vanish; human society would dissolve into a chaos of disorder. God also +created laws which are necessary for the preservation of the natural +order. Storms destroy ships. If there were no storms, all growth in the +vegetable kingdom would cease. Poisonous vapors would fill the air, and +every living thing must miserably die. Avalanches destroy villages. But +if it did not snow, the torrents would no longer run, the streams would +dry up and the wells would disappear, and man and beast would die of +thirst. You see, gentlemen, God cannot abolish that law of nature +without endangering the whole creation." + +"That explains some, but not all," replied Hamm. "God is all-powerful; +it would be but a trifle for him to protect us by his almighty power +from the destructive forces of the elements. Why does he not do so?" + +"The reason is clear," answered Angela's father: "God would have +constantly to work miracles. Miracles are exceptions to the workings of +the laws of nature. Now, if God would constantly suppress the power, +and unceasingly interrupt the laws of nature, then there would be no +longer a law of nature. The supernatural would have devoured the +natural. The Almighty would have destroyed the present creation." + +"No matter," said the official. "God might destroy the natural forces +that are inimical to man; for all that exists is only of value because +of its use to man." + +"Then nothing whatever would remain. All would be lost," said Siegwart. +"We speak and write much about earthly happiness that soon passes away. +We glorify the beauty of creation; but we forget that God's curse rests +on this earth, and it does not require great penetration to see this +curse in all things." + +"You believe, then, in the future destruction of the earth?" asked +Hamm. + +"Divine revelation teaches it," said Siegwart. "The Holy Scriptures +expressly say there will be a new earth and a new heaven; and the Lord +himself assures us that the foundations of the earth will be overturned +and the stars shall fall from the heavens." + +"The stars fall from the heavens!" cried Hamm, laughing. "If you could +only hear what the astronomers say about that." + +"What the astronomers say is of no consequence. They did not create the +heavenly bodies, and cannot give them boundaries; besides, we need not +take the falling of the stars literally. This expression may signify +their disappearance from the earth, perhaps the abolition of the laws +by which they have heretofore been moved, and the reconstruction of +those relations which existed between heaven and earth prior to the +fall. God will then do what you now demand of him, Herr von Hamm," +concluded Siegwart, smiling. "He will destroy the inimical power of +nature, so that the new earth will be free from thorns, tears, and +lamentations." + +Thus they continued to dispute, and the debate became so animated that +even Angela entered the list in favor of providence. + +"I believe," said she with charming blushes, "that the miseries of this +earthly life can only be explained and understood in view of man's +eternal destiny. God spares the sinner through forbearance and mercy; +he sends trials and misfortunes to the good for their purification. God +demanded of Abraham the sacrifice of his only son; but when Abraham +showed obedience to the command, and consented to make that boundless +sacrifice, he was provided with another victim to offer sacrifice to +God." + +"Fräulein Angela," exclaimed Hamm enthusiastically, "you have solved +the problem. Your comprehensive remark reconciles even the innocent +sufferers with repulsive decrees. O Fräulein!"--and the assessor fell +into a tone of reverie--"were it permitted me to go through life by the +side of a partner who possesses your spirit and your conciliatory +mildness!" + +Angela looked down blushing. She was embarrassed, and dared not raise +her eyes. Her first glance, after a few moments, was at Richard. + + +Frank wrote in his diary: + +"Even the preaching tone becomes her admirably. Morality and religion +flow from her lips as from a pure fountain that vivifies her soul." + + +As yet he had not surrendered to Angela. + +Frank sprang from an obstinate Westphalian stock; and that the +Westphalians have not exchanged their stiff necks for those of +shepherds, is sufficiently proved by their stubborn fight with the +powers who menaced their liberties. Had Frank been a good-natured +South-German or even Municher, he would long since have bowed head and +knees to the "Angel of Salingen." But he now maintained the last +position of his antipathy to women against Angela's superior powers. + +He visited the Siegwart family not twice, but thrice, even four times a +day. He appeared suddenly and unexpectedly before Angela like a spy who +wished to detect faults. + +Just as he was going over the court, on one occasion, a tall lad came +up to him. The boy came from the same fatal door through which Master +Falk had rushed out upon Richard with such bad intentions. The servant +held his hat in his right hand, and with his left fumbled the bright +buttons on his red vest. + +"Herr Frank, excuse me; I have something to say to you. I have wanted +to speak to you for the last three days, but could not because my +master was always in the way. But now, as my master is in the fields, I +can state my trouble, if you will allow me." + +"What trouble have you?" + +"I am the Swiss through whose fault the steer came near doing you a +great injury. It is inexplicable to me, even now, how the animal got +loose. But Falk is very cunning. I cannot be too watchful of him. His +head is full of schemes; and before you can turn around, he has played +one of his tricks. The chain has a clasp with a latch, and how he broke +it, he only knows." + +"It is all right," replied Frank. "I believe you are not to blame." + +"I am not to blame about the chain. But I am for the door being open, +Miss Angela said; and she is perfectly right. Therefore, I beg your +pardon and promise you that nothing of the kind shall happen in +future." + +"The pardon is granted, on condition that you guard the steer better." + +"Miss Angela said that too; and she required me to ask your pardon, +which I have done." + +Angela stood in the garden, hidden behind the rose-bushes, and heard, +smiling, the conversation. + +As Frank passed over the yard, she came from the garden carrying a +basketful of vegetables. At the same time a harvest-wagon, loaded with +rapes and drawn by four horses, came into the yard. + +"Your industry extends to the garden also, Miss Angela," said Frank, +"Now I know no branch of housekeeping that you cannot take a part in." + +"My work is, however, insignificant," she returned. "In a large house +there is always a great deal to do, and every one must try to be +useful." + +"Your garden deserves all praise," continued Richard, eyeing the +contents of the baskets. "What magnificent peas and beans!" + +For the first time Frank observed in her face something like flattered +vanity, and he almost rejoiced at this small shadow on the celestial +form before him. But the supposed shadow was quickly changed into light +before his eyes. "Father brought these early beans into the +neighborhood; they are very tender and palatable. Father likes them, +and I am glad to be able to make him a salad this evening. He will be +astonished to see his young favorites of this year, eight days earlier +than formerly. There he comes; he must not see them now." She covered +them with some lettuce. + +And this was the shadow of flattered vanity! Childish joy, to be able +to astonish her father with an agreeable dish. + +The loaded wagon stopped in the yard; the horses snorted and pawed the +ground impatiently. The servants opened the barn-doors, and Frank saw +on all sides activity and haste to house the valuable crop. + +Siegwart shook hands with the visitor. + +"The first blessing of the year," said the proprietor. "The rapes have +turned out well. We had a fine blooming season, and the flies could not +do much damage." + +"I have often observed those little flies in the rape-fields," said +Frank. "You can count millions of them; but I did not know that they +injured the crop." + +They both went into the house, where a bottle of Munich beer awaited +them. Soon after, the servants went through the hall, and Frank heard +Angela's voice from the kitchen, where she was busily occupied. The +servants brought bread, plates, cheese, and jugs of light wine to the +servants' room. + +"Neighbor," said Siegwart, "I invite you to-morrow afternoon at four +o'clock to a family entertainment--providing it will be agreeable to +you." + +The invitation was accepted. + +"You must not expect much from the entertainment. It will, at least, be +new to you." + +Frank was much interested in the character of this ultramontane +entertainment. He thought of a May party, a coronation party; but +rejected this idea, for Siegwart promised a family entertainment, and +this could not be a May party. He thought of all kinds of plays, and +what part Angela would take in them. But the play also seemed +improbable, and at last the subject of the invitation remained an +interesting mystery to him, the solution of which he awaited with +impatience. + +An hour before the appointed time Richard left Frankenhöhe, after +Klingenberg had excused him from the daily walk. He took a roundabout +way along the edge of the forest; for he knew that the Siegwart family +would be at divine service, and he did not wish to arrive at the house +a moment before the time. Sunday stillness rested on all. The mountains +rose up a deep blue; the vari-colored fields were partly yellow; the +vineyards alone were of a deep green, and when the wind blew through +them it wafted with it the pleasant odors of the vine-blossoms. + +Madame Siegwart was just returning home from Salingen between her two +children. Henry, a youth of seventeen and the future proprietor of the +property, had the same manners as his father. He walked leisurely on +the road-side, examining the blooming wheat and ripening corn. When he +discovered nests of vine weevils, he plucked them off and crushed the +eggs of the hated enemies of all wine-growers. Angela remained +constantly at her mother's side, and as she accidentally raised her +eyes to where Richard stood, he made a movement as though he was caught +disadvantageously. + +A short distance behind them came Siegwart, surrounded by some men. +They often stopped and talked in a lively manner. Frank thought that +these men were also invited, and hoped to become acquainted with the +_élite_ of Salingen. He was, however, disappointed; for a short +distance from Siegwart's house the men turned back to Salingen. They +had only accompanied the proprietor part of the way. The servants of +Siegwart also came hastening along the road, first the men-servants, +and some distance behind them the maid-servants. Frank had observed +this separation before, and thought it must be in consequence of the +strict orders of the master. Frank considered this narrow-minded, and +thought of finding fault with it, in true modern spirit. But then he +considered the results of his observations, which had extended to the +servants. He often admired the industry and regular conduct of these +people. He never heard any oath or rough expressions of passion; every +one knew his work, and performed it with care and attention. He +observed this regular order with admiration, particularly when he +thought of the disobedience, dissatisfaction, and untrustworthiness of +the generality of servants. Siegwart must possess a great secret to +keep these people in agreement and order; therefore he rejected his +former opinion of narrow-mindedness, and believed the proprietor must +have good reason for this separation of the sexes. + +Frank remained for a time under the shadow of an oak, looked at his +watch, and finally descended the shortest way. He was expected by +Siegwart, and immediately conducted to the large room. The arrangement +of the room showed at a glance its use. There was a small altar at one +side, and religious pictures hung on the walls. There was also a +harmonium, and on the windows hung curtains on which were painted +scenes from sacred history. In the middle of the room there was a desk, +on which lay a book. To the right of the desk sat the men-servants, to +the left the maids, the Siegwart family in the centre. A smile passed +over Frank's countenance at the present religious entertainment--for +him, at least, a new sort of recreation. At his entrance the whole +assembly rose. He greeted Angela and her mother, pressed warmly the +hand of Henry, and took the seat allotted to him. + +Angela ascended the pulpit, sat down and opened the book. She read the +life of the servant St. Zitta, whom the church numbers among the +saints. Angela read in a masterly manner. The narrative tone of her +soft, melodious voice ran like a quickening stream through the soul. +Some passages she pronounced with plastic force, and into the delivery +of others she breathed warm life. All listened with great attention. +Zitta's childhood passed in quick review, then her hard lot with a +master difficult to please. The servants listened with astonishment. +They heard with pious attention of Zitta's pure conduct, of her +fidelity and humility, of her industry and self-denial. They all felt +personally their own deficiency in comparison with this shining model. +When Angela closed the book, Frank saw that the servants were deeply +impressed. Meditatively they left the room, as though they had heard a +striking sermon. + +"Ah!" thought Frank. "Now I know one of the means by which Siegwart +influences his people." + +"Now comes the second part of the entertainment," said the proprietor, +taking Richard's arm. "We will now go into the garden." + +On the way thither Frank saw under the lindens a long table set with +food and wine, and at it sat the servants. Richard heard their +conversation in passing. They talked of St. Zitta and recounted the +striking facts of her life. + +Near the garden wall grew a vine-arbor, which caught the cool air as it +passed and loaded it with pleasant odors. Thousands of the flowers of +the blooming vine appeared between the indented leaves. Each of these +diminutive flowers breathed forth a fragrance which for sweetness of +odor could not be surpassed. + +A young brood of goldfinches, who had taken possession of the arbor, +now cleared off. They flew up on the dwarf trees, or hid among the +roses, which of all colors and kinds grew in the garden. The hungry +young ones cried incessantly, and tested severely the parental duty of +support. But the old ones were not ashamed of this duty. Here and there +they caught flies and other insects, and carried them to the young +ones, who stood with outstretched wings and flabby bills wide open. +Then the old ones would fly away again, light on the branches--mostly +on bean-stalks--make quick dodges, wave their tails, smack their +tongues, and seize as quick as lightning a harmless passing fly. The +sparrows did not behave so harmlessly. They pecked at the bright +shining cherries that hung in full clusters on the swaying branches. +Others of this sharp-billed gentry hopped about on the strawberry-beds, +and disfigured the large berries as they tore off great pieces of the +soft meat. One of them had even the boldness to hop about on the +decorated table that stood at the upper end of the arbor, to strike his +sharp bill into the buttered bread, make an examination of the +preserves, ogle the slices of ham, and admire the black bottles that +stood on the ground. He also took to flight as the company arrived. The +vine-blossoms seemed to send forth a sweeter fragrance as Angela, +bright and beaming, approached, leaning on the arm of her mother. + +"Do you have this edifying reading every Sunday?" asked Richard. + +"Regularly," answered the proprietor. "It is an old custom of our +family, and I find it has such good results that I will not have it +abolished. The servants are not obliged to be present. They are free +after vespers, each one to employ himself as best suits him. But it +seldom happens that a servant or a maid is absent. They like to hear +the legends, and you may have remarked that they listen with great +attention to the reading." + +"I have observed it," said Frank. "Miss Angela is also such an +excellent reader that only deaf people would not attend." + +She smiled and blushed a little at this praise. + +"I consider it a strict obligation of employers to have a supervision +over the conduct of the servants," said Madame Siegwart. "Many, perhaps +most, servants are treated like the slaves in old heathen times. They +work for their masters, are paid for it, and there the relation between +master and servant ends. This is why they neglect divine service on +Sundays and feast-days; their moral wants are not satisfied, their +natural inclinations are not purified by restraints of a higher order. +The servants sit in the taverns, where they squander their wages, and +the maids rove about and gossip. This is a great injustice to the +servants, and full of bad consequences. It cannot be questioned that +masters should shield their servants from error and keep them under +moral discipline." + +"Precisely my opinion," returned Frank. "If servants are frequently +spoiled and general complaint is made of it, the masters are greatly in +fault. I have long since admired the conduct of your servants. I looked +upon Herr Siegwart as a kind of sorcerer, who conjured every thing +under his charge according to his will. Now a part of the sorcery is +clear to me." + +"Well, you were favorable in your judgment," said the proprietor, +laughing. "So you considered me a magician; others consider me an +ultramontanist, and that is something still worse." + +Richard smiled and blushed slightly. + +"You no doubt have heard this honorable title applied to me, Herr +Frank?" + +"Yes, I have heard of it." + +"And I scarcely deceive myself in supposing," continued Siegwart +good-humoredly, "that your father has spoken to you of his neighbor, +the ultramontane." + +"You do not deceive yourself at all," answered Frank. "I consider it a +great honor to have become better acquainted with the ultramontane." + +"I have often wished to speak to you," continued the proprietor, "of +the reason which called forth your father's displeasure with me. I +suppose, however, that you have heard it." + +"My father never spoke of it, and I am eager to know the unfortunate +cause." + +"It is as follows. About ten years ago your father, with some other +gentlemen, wished to establish a great factory in this neighborhood. +The land on which it was to stand is a marsh lying near a pond, the +water of which was to be made of use to the factory. I tried with all +my power to prevent this design, and even for social and religious +reasons. Our neighborhood needed no factory. There are but few very +poor people, and these support themselves sufficiently well among the +farmers. Experience proves that factories have a bad effect on the +people in their neighborhood. Our people are firm believers. The +peasants keep conscientiously the Sundays and festivals. In all their +cares for the earthly they do not forget the eternal life. This +religious sentiment spreads happiness and peace over our quiet +neighborhood. The factory, which knows no Sunday, and the operatives, +who are sometimes very bad men, would have brought a harsh discordance +into the quiet harmony of the neighborhood. I considered these and +other injurious influences, and offered a higher price for the swamp +than your father and his friends. As there was no other convenient +place about, the enterprise had to be given up. Since that time your +father is offended with me because I made his favorite project +impossible. This is the way it stands. That it is painful to me, I need +not assure you. But according to my principles and views I could not do +otherwise. Now judge how far I am to be condemned." + +"I speak freely," said Frank. "You have acted from principles that one +must respect, and which my father would have respected if he had known +them." + +The proprietor could have observed that he had, in a long letter, +justified himself to Herr Frank. But he suppressed the observation, as +he felt it would be painful to his son. + +"Father," said Henry, "hunger and thirst are appeased. Can I ride out +for an hour?" + +"Yes, my son; but not longer. Be back by supper-time." + +The young man promised, and, after a friendly bow to Frank, hastened +from the garden. The little circle continued some time in friendly +chat. The servants under the lindens became noisy and sang merry songs. +The maids sat around the tea-table in the kitchen and praised St. +Zitta. + +The cook appeared in the arbor and announced that Herr von Hamm was in +the house, and wished to speak on important business to Herr and Madame +Siegwart. + +"What can he want?" said the proprietor in surprise. "Excuse me, Herr +Frank; the business will soon be over. I beg you to remain till we +return. Angela, prevent him from going." + +Angela, smiling, looked after her retiring parents and then at Richard. + +"I must keep you, Herr Frank. How shall I begin?" + +"That is very easy, Fräulein. Your presence is sufficient to realize +your father's wish. A weak child of human nature cannot resist one who +can conquer steers." + +"Now you make a steer-catcher of me. Such a thing never happened in +Spain; for there the steers are not so cultivated and docile as they +are with us." + +She took out her knitting. + +"This is Sunday, Miss Angela!" + +"Do you consider knitting unlawful after one has fulfilled one's +religious duties?" + +"The case is not clear to me," said Frank, smiling secretly at the +earnestness of the questioner. "My casuistic knowledge is not +sufficient to solve such a question reasonably." + +"The church only forbids servile work," said she. "I consider knitting +and sewing as something better than doing nothing." + +"I am rejoiced that you are not narrow-minded, Fräulein. But this +little stocking does not fit your feet?" + +"It is for little bare feet in Salingen," she replied, laying the +finished stocking on the table and stroking it with both hands as a +work of love. + +"I have heard of your beneficence," said Frank. "You knit, sew, and +cook for the poor people. You are a refuge for all the needy and +distressed. How good in you!" + +"You exaggerate, Herr Frank. I do a little sometimes, but not more than +I can do with the house-work, which is scarcely worth mentioning. I +make no sacrifice in doing it; on the contrary, the poor give me more +than I give them; for giving is to every one more pleasant than +receiving." + +"To every one, Fräulein?" + +"To every one who can give without denying herself." + +"But you are accustomed also to visit the sick, and the hovels of +poverty are certainly not attractive." + +"Indeed, Herr Frank, very attractive," she answered quickly. "The +thanks of the poor sick are so affecting and elevating that one is paid +a thousand times for a little trouble." + +Frank let the subject drop. Angela did not give charities from pride or +the gratification of vanity, as he had been prepared to assume, but +from natural goodness and inclination of the heart. He looked at the +beautiful girl who sat before him industriously sewing, and was almost +angry at his failure to detect a fault in her pure nature. + +"Do you always adorn the statue of the Virgin on the mountain?" said he +after a pause. + +"No; not now. The month of our dear Lady is over. I always think with +pleasure of the happy hours when in the convent we adorned her altar +with beautiful flowers." + +"You must have a great reverence for Mary, or you would not ascend the +mountain daily." + +"I admire the exalted virtues of Mary, and think with sorrow of her +painful life on earth; and then, a weak creature needs much her +powerful protection." + +"Do you expect, Miss Angela, by such attention as you show the statue +to obtain protection of the saint?" + +"No, I do not believe that. The adorning of the pictures of saints +would be idle trifling if the heart wandered far from the spirit of the +saints. Our church teaches, as you know, that the real, true veneration +of the saints consists in imitating their virtues." + +Frank sat reflecting. The examination and probation were thoroughly +disgusting to him. Siegwart appeared in the garden, and came with quick +steps to the arbor. His countenance was agitated and his eyes glowed +with indignation. Without speaking a word, he drank off a glass of +wine. Frank saw how he endeavored not to exhibit his anger. + +"Has Herr von Hamm departed?" asked Richard. + +"Yes, he is off again," said the proprietor. "Angela, your mother has +something to say to you." + +"Now guess what the assessor wanted?" said Siegwart, after his daughter +had left the arbor. + +"Perhaps he wanted the Peter-pence collection," said Frank, smiling. + +"No. Herr von Hamm wanted nothing more or less than to marry my +daughter!" + +Frank was astonished. Although he long since saw through Hamm's +designs, he did not expect so sudden and hasty a step. + +"And in what manner did he demand her?" + +"It is revolting," said the proprietor, much offended. "Herr von Hamm +graciously condescends to us peasants. He showed that it would be a +great good fortune for us to give our daughter to the noble, the +official with brilliant prospects." + +"Herr von Hamm does not think little of himself," said Richard drily. + +"How did the man ever come to ask my daughter? He and Angela! What +opposites!" + +"Which, of course, you made clear to him." + +"I reminded the gentleman that identity of moral and religious +principles alone could render matrimonial happiness possible. I +reminded him that Angela was an ultramontane, whose opinions would +daily annoy him, while his modern opinions must deeply offend Angela. +This I set before him briefly. Then I told him frankly and freely that +I did not wish to make either him or Angela unhappy, and at this he +went away angrily." + +"You have done your duty," said Frank. "I am also of opinion that +similar convictions in the great principles of life alone insure the +happiness of married life." + +When Richard came home, he wrote in his diary: + + +"June 4.--Unconditional surrender. What I supposed only to exist in the +ideal world is realized in the daughter of an ultramontane. Angela, +compared to our crinolines, our flirts, our insipid coquettes--how +brilliant the light, how deep the shadow! + +"My visits to that family have no longer a purpose. I feel they must be +discontinued for the sake of my peace. I dare not dream of a happiness +of which I am unworthy. But my future life will feel painfully the want +of a happiness the possibility of which I did not dream. This is a +punishment for presuming to penetrate the pure, glorious character of +the Angel of Salingen." + + +He buried his face in his hands, and leaned on the table. He remained +thus a long time; when he raised his head, his face was pale, and his +eyes were moist with tears. + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + POISONOUS FOOD. + + +"Herr Frank has not been here for four days," said Siegwart as he +returned one day from the field. "He will not come to-day, for it is +already nine o'clock, I hope the young man is not ill." + +Angela started. + +"Ill? May God forbid!" + +"At least, I know no other reason that could prevent him from coming. +He has become a necessity to me; I seem to miss something." + +Angela concealed her uneasiness in true womanly fashion. She busied +herself about the room, dusted the furniture, arranged the vases, and +trimmed the flowers; but one could see that her mind was not in the +work. + +"Would it not be well, father, to send and inquire after his health?" + +"It would if we were certain that he was ill. I only made a conjecture. +However, if he does not come to-morrow, I will send Henry over. + +"We owe him this attention; he is sensible, modest, and very +intelligent. We find at present in the cities and first families few +young men of so little assumption and so much goodness and manliness." + +Angela pricked her finger. She had incautiously wandered into the +thicket, as if she did not know that roses have thorns. + +"Many things tell of his kind-heartedness," she replied, with averted +face. "He sends five dollars every week to the old blind woman in +Salingen; he often takes the money himself, and comforts the +unfortunate creature. The blind woman is full of enthusiasm about him. +He bought the cooper a full set of tools, that he might be able to +support his mother and seven little sisters." + +"Very praiseworthy," said the father. + +As Siegwart came home in the evening, Angela met him in the yard. She +carried a basket and was about to go into the garden. + +"Herr Frank is not unwell," said he; "I saw him in the field and went +through the vineyard to meet him; but when he discovered my intention, +he turned about and hastened toward the house. That surprises me." + +Angela went into the garden. She stood on the bed and gazed at the +lettuce. The empty basket awaited its contents, and in it lay the knife +whose bright blade glistened before the idle dreamer. She stood thus +meditating, lost in thought for a long time, which was certainly not +her custom. + + +Herr Frank had returned from the city, and was roughly received by the +doctor. + +"Have you spoken to your son?" said he sharply. + +"No! I have just alighted from the carriage," answered Frank in +astonishment. + +The doctor walked up and down the room, and Frank saw his face growing +darker. + +"You disturb me, good friend. How is Richard?" + +"Bad, very bad! And it is all your fault. You gave Richard those +materialistic books which I threw out of the window. He has read the +trash--not read, but studied it; and now we have the consequences." + +"Pardon me, doctor. I did not give my son those books. He was passing +the window when you threw them out, and took them to his room." + +"You knew that! Why did you leave him the miserable trash?" + +"I had no idea of the danger of these writings. Explain yourself +further, I entreat." + +"You must first see your son. But I bind it on your conscience to use +the greatest precaution. Do not show the least surprise. We have to +deal with a dangerous disorder. Do not say a word about his changed +appearance. Then come back to me again." + +Greatly disturbed, the father passed to the room of his son. Richard +sat on the sofa gazing at the floor. His cheeks had lost their bloom, +his face was emaciated, and his eyes deeply sunken. Vogt's +_Physiological Letters_ lay open near him. He did not rise quickly and +joyfully to kiss his father, as was his custom. He remained sitting, +and smiled languidly at him. Herr Frank, grieved and perplexed, sat +down near him, and took occasion to pick up the book: + +"How are you, Richard?" + +"Very well, as you see." + +"You are industrious. What book is this?" + +"A rare book, father--a remarkable book. One learns there to know what +man is and what he is not. Until now, I did not know that cats, dogs, +monkeys, and all animals were of our race. Now I know; for it is +clearly demonstrated in that book." + +"You certainly do not believe such absurdities?" + +"Believe? I believe nothing at all. Faith ends where proof begins." + +Herr Frank read the open page. + +"All this sounds very silly," said he. "Vogt asserts that man has no +soul, and proves it from the fact that men become idiotic. If the +functions of the brain are disturbed, the soul ceases, says Vogt. He +therefore concludes that the spirit consists in the brain. The man must +have been crazy when he wrote that. I am no scholar; but I see at the +first glance how false and groundless are Vogt's inferences. Every +reasonable man knows that the brain is the instrument of the mind, +which enables it to participate in the world of sense; now, when the +instrument is destroyed, the participation of the mind with the outward +world must cease. Although a man may be an expert on the violin, he +cannot play if the strings are broken or out of tune. But the player, +his ideas, the art, still remain. In like manner the spirit remains, +although it can no longer play on the injured or discordant fibres of +the brain." + +"You must read the whole book, father, and then those others there." + +"But, Richard, you must not read books that rob man of all dignity." + +"Of course not. I should do as the ostrich. When he is in danger, he +sticks his head into the bushes not to see the danger. A prudent plan. +But I cannot close my eyes to the light, even if that light should +destroy my human respect." + +Greatly afflicted, Herr Frank returned to the doctor. + +"Great God! in what a condition is my poor Richard!" said the oppressed +father. + +"He will, I hope, be rescued. My stay at Frankenhöhe was to end with +the month of May; but I cannot forsake a young man whom I love, in this +helpless state of mental delirium." + +"I do not understand the condition of my son; and your words give me +great anxiety. Have the goodness to tell me what is the matter with +Richard, and how it came about." + +"It would be very difficult to make your son's condition clear to you. +In you there is only business, lucrative undertakings, speculative +combinations. The bustle of the money market is your world. You have no +idea of the power of an intellectual struggle. You know the thoughtful, +intellectual nature of your son; and here I begin. In the first place, +I will remind you that Richard wishes to be governed by the power of +deduction. With him fantasies and passions retreat before this force, +although usually in men of his years, and even in men with gray hair, +clearness of mind and keen penetration are often swept away by the +current of stormy passions. Richard's aversion to women is the result +of cool reflection and inevitable inference, and therefore on this +question I do not dispute his views. I know it would be useless, and I +know that the study of a pure feminine nature would overcome this +prejudice. The same force of logical inferences places Richard in this +unhappy condition. He read the writings of the materialist. There he +found the physiological proofs that man is a beast. From these proofs +Richard drew all the terrible consequences contained in those +destructive doctrines. As the intellectual life predominates in him, +and as he has a strong repugnance to materialistic madness, his nature +must be stirred in its profoundest depths. If Richard succumbs, he will +act in his habitual consistent manner. All moral basis lost, morality +would be foolishness to him, since it is useless for beasts to curb the +passions by moral laws. As with immortality disappears man's eternal +destiny, it would be foolish to 'fight the giant fight of duty.' If he +is convinced that man is a beast, he will live like a beast--although +he might cloak his conduct with the varnish of decency--and thus +suddenly would the sensible Richard stand before his astonished father +a ruined man. This is one view; there is still another," said the +doctor hesitatingly. "I remember in the course of my practice a suicide +who wrote on a slip of paper, 'What do I here? Eat, drink, sleep, +worry, and fret; much suffering, little joy; therefore--' and the man +sent a bullet through his head. This suicide thought logically. This +earthly life is insupportable; it is foolishness to a man who thinks +and is at the same time a materialist." + +"What prospects--horrible!" cried Herr Frank, wringing his hands. +"Accursed be those books; and I am the cause of this misfortune!" + +"The involuntary cause," said Klingenberg consolingly. "You now have a +firm conviction of the devastating effects of those bad books. But how +many are there who consider every warning in this connection an +exhibition of prejudice or narrow-mindedness! How few readers are so +modest as to admit that they want the scientific culture to refute a +bad book, to separate the poison from the honey of sweet phrases and +winning style! How few can see that they cannot read those bad books +without detriment! No one would sit on a cask of powder and touch it +off for amusement; and yet those hellish books are more dangerous than +a cask full of powder. To me this is incomprehensible. Poisonous food +is always injurious; yet thousands and millions drink greedily from +this poisonous stream of bad reading which deluges all grades of +society." + +"I will do immediately what must be done," said Herr Frank as he +hastily rose. + +"What will you do?" + +"Take from my son those execrable books." + +"By no means," said Klingenberg. "This would be a psychological +mistake. Richard would buy the same books again at the book-shop, and +read them secretly. A man who has the resolution of your son must be +won by honorable combat. Authority would here be badly applied. +Therefore I forbid you to interfere. You know nothing of the matter. +Treat him kindly, and have forbearance with his sensitiveness. That is +what I must require of you." + +Greatly afflicted, Herr Frank left the doctor. Overwhelming himself +with reproaches, he wandered restlessly about the house and garden. He +saw Richard standing at the open window with folded arms, dreamy and +pale, his hair in disorder like a storm-beaten wheat-field--truly a +painful sight for the father. He went up to his room, where the small +library stood in its beautiful binding. A servant stood near him with a +basket. The works of Eugene Sue, Gutzkow, and like spirits fell into +the basket. + +"All to the fire!" commanded Herr Frank. + +The doctor had compared bad literature to poisonous food. The +comparison was not inapt; at least, it gave Richard the appearance of a +man in whose body destructive poison was working. He was listless and +exhausted; in walking, his hands hung heavily by his side. His eyes +were directed to the ground, as if he were seeking something. If he saw +a snail, he stopped to examine the crawling creature. He sought to know +why the snail crawls about, and, to his astonishment, found that the +snail always followed an object; which is not always the case with man, +animal of the moment, who goes about without an object. If a +caterpillar accidentally got under his foot, he pushed it carefully +aside and examined if it had been hurt. It seemed to him logical that +creeping and flying things had the same claims to forbearance and +proper treatment as man, since according to Vogt and Büchner's striking +proofs, all creeping and flying things are not essentially different +from man. + +He paid particular attention to the spiders. If he came to a place +where their web was stretched, he examined attentively the artistic +texture; he saw the firmly fastened knot on the twig which held the web +apart, the circular meshes, the cunning arrangement to catch the +wandering fly. He was convinced that such a spider would be a thousand +times more intelligent than Herr Vogt and Herr Büchner, with half as +big a head as those wise naturalists. The enterprising spirit of the +ants excited not less his admiration. He always found them busy and in +a bustle, to which a market-day could not be compared. Even London and +Paris were solitary in comparison to the throng in an ant-hill. They +dragged about large pieces of wood, as also leaves and fibres, to +construct their house, which was laid out with design and finished with +much care. If he pushed his cane into the hill, there forthwith arose a +great revolution. The inhabitants rushed out upon him, nipped him with +their pincers, and showed the greatest rage against the invader of +their kingdom, while others with great celerity placed the eggs in +safety. He observed that the ants gave no quarter, and considered every +one a mortal enemy who disturbed their state. + +The young man sat on a stone and examined a snail that crawled slowly +from the wet grass. It carried a gray house on its back, and beslimed +the way as it went, and stretched out its horns to discover the best +direction. Its delicate touch astonished Frank. When obstacles came in +its way which it did not see nor touch, it would perceive them by means +of a wonderful sensibility. + +How stupid did Richard appear to himself, beside a horned, blind snail. +How many men only discover obstacles in their way when they have run +their heads against them, and how many wish to run their heads through +walls without any reason! He arose and looked toward Angela's home. He +was dejected, and heaved a sigh. + +"All is of no avail. The activity of the animal world affords no +diversion, the benumbing strokes of materialism lose their effect. The +rare becomes common, and does not attract attention. There walks an +angel in the splendor of superior excellence, and I endeavor in vain to +distract my mind from her by studying the animals. I follow willingly +the professors' exact investigations, into the labyrinth of their +studied arguments to make it appear that I am only an animal, that all +our sentiment is only imagination and fallacy. It is all in vain. Can +these gentlemen teach me how we can cease to have admiration for the +noble and exalted? Here man forcibly breaks through. Here self, +irresistible and disgusted with error, brings the nobility of human +nature to consciousness, and all the wisdom of boasted materialism +becomes idle nonsense." + +"Thank God! I see you again, my dear neighbor," said Siegwart +cordially. "Where have you kept yourself this last week? Why do you no +longer visit us? My whole house is excited about you. Henry is angry +because he cannot show you the horses he bought lately. My wife bothers +her head with all kinds of forebodings, and Angela urged me to send and +see if you were ill." + +A new life permeated Frank's whole being at these last words; his +cheeks flushed and his languid eyes brightened up. + +"I know no good reason as an apology, dear friend. Be assured, however, +that the apparent neglect does not arise from any coolness toward you +and your esteemed family." And he drew marks in the sand with his cane. + +"Perhaps your father took offence at your visits to us?" + +"Oh! no. No; I alone am to blame." + +Siegwart gave a searching glance at the pale face of the young man who, +broken-spirited, stood before him, and whose mental condition he did +not understand, although he had a vague idea of it. + +"I will not press you further," said he cheerfully. "But, as a +punishment, you must now come with me. I received yesterday a fresh +supply of genuine Havanas, and you must try them." + +He took Richard by the arm, and the latter yielded to the friendly +compulsion. They went through the vineyard. Frank broke from a twig a +folded leaf. + +"Do you know the cause of this?" + +"Oh! yes; it is the work of the vine-weevil," answered Siegwart. "These +mischief-makers sometimes cause great damage to the vineyards. Some +years I have their nests gathered and the eggs destroyed to prevent +their doing damage." + +"You consider every thing with the eyes of an economist. But I admire +the art, the foresight, and the intelligence of these insects." + +"Intelligence--foresight of an insect!" repeated Siegwart, astonished. +"I see in the whole affair neither intelligence nor foresight." + +"But just look here," said Richard, carefully unfolding the leaf. "What +a degree of considerate management is necessary to fix the leaf in such +order. The ribs of this leaf are stronger than the force of the beetle. +Yet he wished to fold the eggs in it. What does he do? He first pierces +the stem with his pincers; in consequence of this, the leaf curls up +and becomes soft and pliable to the frail feet of the insect. This is +the first act of reflection. The piercing of the stem had evidently as +its object to cause the leaf to roll up. Then he begins to work with a +perfection that would do honor to human skill. The leaf is rolled up in +order to put the eggs in the folds. Here is the first egg; he rolls +further--here is the second egg, some distance from the first, in order +to have sufficient food for the young worm--again an act of reflection; +lastly, he finishes the roll with a carefully worked point, to prevent +the leaf from unfolding--again an act of reflection." + +Siegwart heard all this with indifference. What Richard told him he had +known for years. His employment in the fields revealed to his observing +mind wonderful facts in nature and in the animal world. The wisdom of +the vine-weevil gave him ho difficulty. He looked again in Frank's +deep-sunken eyes and noticed a peculiar expression, and in his +countenance great anxiety. + +He concluded that the work of the vine-weevil must have some connection +with the young man's condition. + +"You see actions of reflection and design where I see only unconscious +instinct." + +Frank became nervous. + +"The common evasion of superficial examination!" cried he. "Man must be +just even to the animals. Their works are artistic, intelligent, and +considerate. Why then deny to animals those powers which operate with +intelligence and reflection?" + +"I do not for a moment dispute this power of the animals," replied the +proprietor quickly. "You find mind in the animals?" interrupted Frank +hastily. "This conviction once reached, have you considered the +consequences that follow?"--and he became more excited. "Have you +considered that with this admission the whole world becomes a fabulous +structure, without any higher object? If the spider is equal to man, +then its torn web that flutters in the wind is worth as much as the +crumbling fragments of art which remain from classic antiquity. Virtue, +the careful restraining of the passions, is stark madness. The +disgusting ape, lustful and brutish, is as good as the purest virgin +who performs severe penances for her idle dreams. It is with justice +that the criminal scoffs at the good as bedlamites who, with fanatical +delusion, strive for castles in the air. Every outcast from society, +sunk and saturated in the basest vices, is precisely as good as the +purest soul and the noblest heart; for all distinction between right +and wrong, good and evil, is destroyed." + +Angela's father gazed with solicitude into the perplexed look and +distorted countenance of the young man. + +"You deduce consequences, Herr Frank, that could not be drawn from +my admissions," said he mildly. "There is no conscious power in +animals--no reflecting soul. The animal works with the power that is in +it, as light and heat in the fire, as in the lightning the destructive +force, as the exciting and purifying effects in the storm. The animal +does not act freely, like man; but from necessity--according to +instinct and laws which the Almighty has imposed, upon it." + +"A gratuitous assumption! A shallow artifice," exclaimed Frank. "The +animal shows understanding, design, and will; we must not deny him +these faculties." + +"If the lightning strikes my house and discovers with infallible +certainty all the metal in the walls, even where the sharpest eye could +not detect it, must you recognize mental faculties in the lightning in +discovering the metal?" + +Frank hemmed and was silent. + +"What a botcher is the most learned chemist compared with the +root-fibres of the smallest plant," continued Siegwart. "Every plant +has its own peculiar life; this I observe every day. All plants do not +flourish alike in the same soil. They only flourish where they find the +necessary conditions for their peculiar life; where they find in the +air and earth the conditions necessary for their existence. Set ten +different kinds of plants together in a small plat of ground. The +different fibres will always seek and absorb only that material in the +earth which is proper to their kind; they will pass by the useless and +injurious substances. Now, where is the chemist who with such +certainty, such power of discrimination, and knowledge of substances, +can select from the inert clod the proper material? A chemist with such +knowledge does not exist. Now, must you admit that the fibres possess +as keen an understanding and as deep a knowledge of chemistry as the +man who is versed in chemistry?" + +"That would be manifest folly." + +"Well," concluded Siegwart quietly, "if the vine-weevil weaves its +wrapper, the spider its web, the bird builds its nest, and the beaver +his house, they all do it in their way, as the root-fibres in theirs." + +Richard remained silent, and they passed into the house. + +Angela and her mother looked with astonishment and sympathy on their +friend. + +Soon in the mild countenance of Madam Siegwart there appeared nearly +the same expression as in the first days after the death of Eliza--so +much did the painful appearance of the young man afflict her. Angela +turned pale, her eyes filled, and she strove to hide her emotion. Frank +only looked at her furtively. Whatever he had to say to her, he said +with averted eyes. Siegwart expended all his powers of amusement; but +he did not succeed in cheering the young man. He continued depressed, +embarrassed, and sad, and constantly avoided looking at Angela. When +she spoke he listened to the sound of her voice, but avoided her look. +Presently a low barking was heard in the room and Hector, who had +growlingly received Frank at his first visit, but who in time had +become an acquaintance of his, lay stretched at full length dreaming. +Scarcely did Richard notice the dreaming animal when he exclaimed, + +"The dog dreams! See how his feet move in the chase, how he opens his +nostrils, how he barks, how his limbs reach for the game! The dog +dreams he is in the chase." + +"I have often observed Hector's dreams," said Siegwart coolly. + +Frank continued, + +"Have you considered the consequences that follow from the dreams of +the dog? Dreams show a thinking faculty," said he hastily. "Animals, +then, think like men; thoughts are the children of the mind; therefore, +animals have minds. Animals and men are alike." + +Angela started at these words. Her mother shook her head. + +"You conclude too hastily, my dear friend," said Siegwart coolly. "You +must first know that animals dream like men. Men think, reflect, and +speak in dreams. The dreams of animals are very different from those +mental acts." + +"How will you explain it?" said Richard excitedly. + +"Very easily. Hector is now in the chase. The dog's sense of smell is +remarkable. By means of the fragrant wind Hector smells the partridges +miles away. He acts then just as in the dream; feet, nose, and limbs +come into activity. Suppose that in the surrounding fields there is a +covey of partridges. The air would indicate them to Hector's smelling +organs; these organs act, as in the waking state, on the brain of the +animal; the brain acts on the other organs. Where is there thought? +Have we not a purely material effect? The cough, the appetite, the +sneezing, the aversion--what have all these to do with mind or thought? +Nothing at all. The dream of the dog is an entirely muscular process, +the mere co-working of the muscular organs; as with us, digestion, the +flowing of the blood, the twitching of the muscles--facts with which +the mind has nothing to do." + +"Your assertion is based on the assumption that partridges are near," +said Richard; "and I will be obliged to you if, with Hector's +assistance, you convince me of this fact." + +"That is unnecessary, my dear friend. Suppose there are no partridges +in the neighborhood. The same affection of the brain which would be +produced by the smell of the partridges could be produced by accident. +If it is accidental, it will have the same effect in the sleeping +condition of the dog.[2] Affections accidentally arise in man the +causes of which are not known. We are uneasy, we know not why; we are +discouraged without any knowledge of the cause. We are joyful without +being able to give any reason for it. The mind can rise above all these +dispositions, affections, and humors; can govern, cast out, and +disperse them. Proof enough that a king lives in man--the breath of +God, which is not taken from the earth, and to which all matter must +yield if that power so wills." + +The dog stretched his strong legs without any idea of the important +question to which he had given occasion. + +"Herr Frank," began Madam Siegwart earnestly, "I have learned to +respect you, and have often wished that my son, at your years, would be +like you. I see now with painful astonishment that you defend opinions +which contradict your former expressions, and the sentiments we must +expect from a Christian. Will you not be so good as to tell me how you +have so suddenly changed your views?" + +"Esteemed madam," answered Frank, with emotion, "I thank you for this +undeserved motherly sympathy; but I beg of you not to believe that the +opinions I expressed are my firm convictions. No, I have not yet fallen +so deep that for me there is no difference between man and beast. I can +yet continue to believe that materialism is a crime against mankind. On +the other hand, I freely acknowledge that my mind is in great trouble; +that every firm position beneath my feet totters; that I have been +tempted to hold doctrines degrading to the individual and destructive +to society. I have been brought into this difficulty by reading books +whose seductive proofs I am not able to refute. Oh! I am miserable, +very miserable; my appearance must have shown you that already." + +He looked involuntarily at Angela; he saw tears in her eyes; he bowed +his head and was silent. + +"I see your difficulties," said the proprietor. "They enter early or +late into the mind of every man. It is good, in such uncertainties and +doubts, to lean on the authority of truth. This authority can only be +God, who is truth itself, who came down from heaven and brought light +into the darkness. We can prove, inquire, and speculate; but the +keenest human intellect is not always free from delusion. As there is +in man a spiritual tendency which raises him far above the visible and +material, God has been pleased to lead and direct that tendency by +revelation, that man may not err. I consider divine revelation a +necessity which God willed when he created the mind. As the mind has an +instinctive thirst after truth, God must, by the revelation of truth, +satisfy this thirst Therefore is revelation as old as the human race. +It reached its completion and perfection by the coming of the Lord, who +said, 'I am the truth;' and this knowledge of the truth remains in the +church through the guidance of the Spirit of truth, till the latest +generation. This is only my ultramontane conviction," said Siegwart, +smiling; "but it affords peace and certainty." + +Angela had gone out, and now returned with a basket, in which lay a +little dog, of a few days old, asleep. She set the basket carefully +down before Frank, so as not to awaken the sleeper. + +"As you appreciate the full worth of striking proofs, I am glad to be +able to place one before you, in the shape of this little dog," said +she, appearing desirous of cheering her dejected friend. But Frank did +not receive from her cheerful countenance either strength or +encouragement, for he did not look up. + +"This little dog is only eight days old," she continued; "its eyes are +not yet open; it can neither walk nor bark; it can only growl a little; +and it does nothing but sleep and dream. I have noticed its dreams +since the first day of its birth. You can convince yourself of its +dreaming." She stooped over the basket and her soft hair disturbed the +sleeper. + +For a moment Frank saw and heard nothing. + +"See," she continued, "how its little feet move, and how its body +jerks. Hear the low growl, and see the hairs round the mouth how they +twitch, how the nose shrinks and expands--all the same as in Hector. +The little thing knows nothing at all of the world--no more than a +child eight days old. We certainly, therefore, will not deceive +ourselves in assuming that all these movements are only muscular +twitchings; that neither the pup nor Hector dreams like a man." + +Frank first looked at the dog in great surprise, and then gazed +admiringly on Angela. + +"O fraulein! how I thank you." + +She appeared most lovely in his eyes. He suddenly turned toward her +father. + +"Your house is a great blessing to me. It appears that the pure +atmosphere of religious conviction which you breathe victoriously +combats all dark doubts, as light dissipates darkness." + + +Angela stood in her room. She knew that the spirit of unbelief pervaded +the world, taking possession of thousands and destroying all life and +effort. She saw Richard threatened by this spirit, and feared for his +soul. She became very anxious, and sank on her knees before the +crucifix and cried to heaven for succor. + +Night was upon all things. The black clouds, lowering deep and heavy, +shut out all light from heaven. The wind swept the mountains, the +forest moaned, and thunder muttered in the distance. Klingenberg sat +before his folios. A fitful light glimmered from the room of Richard's +father. Richard himself came home late, took his supper, and retired +to his chamber; there he walked back and forth, thinking, contending +with himself, and speaking aloud. Before his door stood a dark +figure--immovable and listening. + +It knocked at the door of the elder Frank. Jacob, a servant who had +grown gray in the service of the house, entered. Frank received him +with surprise, and awaited expectantly what he had to say. + +"We are all wrong," said Jacob. "My poor young master has now spoken +out clearly. He is not sick because of the foolish trash in the books. +He is in love, terribly in love." + +"Ah! in love?" said Herr Frank. + +"You should just have heard how he complains and laments that he is not +worthy of her. 'O Angela, Angela!' he cried at least a hundred times, +'could I only raise myself to your level, and make myself worthy! But +your soul, so pure, your character, so immaculate and good, thrusts me +away. I look up to you with admiration and longing, as the troubled +pilgrim on earth looks up to the peace and grandeur of heaven.' This is +the way he talked. He is to be pitied, sir." + +"So--so--in love, and with Siegwart's daughter," said Frank sadly. "The +tragedy will change into comedy. Even if they were not so +unapproachably high, but like other people on earth, my son should +never take an ultramontane wife." + +"But if he loves her so deeply, sir?" + +"Be still; you know nothing about it. Has he lain down?" + +"Yes; or, at least, he is quiet." + +"Continue to watch him. I must immediately make known to the doctor +this love affair. He will be surprised to find the philosopher changed +into a love-sick visionary." + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + AVOWALS. + + +In the same deep valley where the brook rippled over the pebbles in its +bed, where the mountain sides rose up abruptly, where the moss hung +from the old oaks, where Klingenberg plucked the tender beard of the +young professor of history, took place the meditated attack of the +doctor on the poison of materialism which was destroying the body and +soul of Richard. + +Slowly and carefully the doctor advanced, as against an enemy who will +defend his position to the last. But how was he astonished, when, being +attacked, Frank showed no disposition to defend that most highly +vaunted doctrine of modern science--materialism! This was almost as +puzzling to the doctor as the eternity of matter. Tired of skirmishing, +the doctor set to work to close with the enemy, and strike him down. + +"I have looked only cursorily at the writings of the materialists: you +have studied them carefully; and you will oblige me much if you would +give me the foundation on which the whole structure of materialism +rests." + +"The materialistic system is very simple," answered Frank. +"Materialists reject all existence that is not sensibly perceptible. +They deny the existence of invisible and supersensible things. There is +no spirit in man or anywhere else. Matter alone exists, because matter +alone manifests its existence." + +"I understand. The materialist will only be convinced by seeing and +feeling. As a spirit is neither spiritual nor tangible, then there is +none. Is it not so, friend Richard?" + +"You have included in one sentence the whole of materialism," said +Frank coolly. + +"I cannot understand," said Klingenberg hesitatingly, "how the +materialists can make assertions which are untenable to the commonest +understandings. Why, thought can neither be seen nor felt; yet it is an +existence." + +"Thought is a function of the brain." + +"Then, it is incomprehensible how the sensible can beget the +supersensible. How matter--the brain--can produce the immaterial, the +spiritual." + +Richard was silent. + +"At every step in materialism I meet insurmountable difficulties," +continued the doctor. "I know perfectly the organization of the human +body, as well as the function and purpose of each part. The physician +knows the purpose of the lungs, heart, kidneys, and stomach, and all +the noble and ignoble parts of the body. But no physician knows the +origin of the activity of the organism. The blood stops, the pulse no +longer beats, the lungs, kidneys, nerves, and all the rest cease their +functions. The man is dead. Why? Because the activity, the movement, +the force is gone. What, then, is this vivifying force? In what does it +consist? What color, what taste, what form has it? No physician knows. +The vivifying principle is invisible, intangible perfectly immaterial. +Yet it exists. Therefore the fundamental dogma of materialism is false. +There are existences which can neither be felt, tasted, nor seen." + +"The vivifying principle is also in animals," said Richard. + +"Certainly; and in them also intangible and mysterious. Materialism +cannot even stand before animal life; for even there the vivifying +principle is an immaterial existence." + +"The materialist stumbles at the existence of human spirit, because he +cannot get a conception of it." + +"How could this be possible?" cried the doctor. "The conception is a +picture in the mind, an apprehension of the senses. Spiritual being is +as unapproachable by the senses as the vivifying principle, of which +also man can form no conception. To deny existence because you cannot +have a conception of it, is foolish. The blind would have the same +right to deny the existence of colors, or the deaf that of music. And +who can have a conception of good, of eternity, of justice, of virtue? +No one. These are existences that do not fall under the senses. To be +logical, the materialist must conclude that there is nothing good, +nothing noble, no justice; for we have not yet seen nor felt nor smelt +these things. Virtuous actions we can, of course, see; but these +actions are not the cause but the consequence, not the thing working +but the thing wrought. As these actions will convince every thinking +man of the existence of virtue and justice, so must the workings of the +spirit prove its existence." + +"Precisely," replied Frank. "Materialism only surprises and captivates +one like a dream of the night. It vanishes the moment it is seen. I +read the works of Vogt and Büchner only for diversion; my object was +perfectly gained." + +"You read for diversion! What did you wish to forget?" + +"Dark clouds that lowered over my mind." + +"Have you secrets that I, your old friend and well-meaning adviser, +should not know?" + +Frank was confused; but his great respect for the doctor forced him to +be candid. + +"You know my views of women. When I tell you that Angela, the +well-known Angel of Salingen, has torn these opinions up by the roots, +you will not need further explanation." + +"You found Angela what I told you? I am glad," said Klingenberg. And +his disputative countenance changed to a pleasant expression. "I +suspected that the Angel of Salingen made a deep impression on you. I +did not guess; I read it in large characters on your cheeks. Have you +made an avowal?" + +"No; it will never come to that." + +"Why not? Are you ashamed to confess that you love a beautiful young +lady? That is childish and simple. There is no place here for shame. +You want a noble, virtuous wife. You have Angela in view. Woo her; do +not be a bashful boy." + +"Bashfulness might be overcome, but not the conviction that I am +unworthy of her." + +"Unworthy! Why, then? Shall I praise you? Shall I exhibit your noble +qualities, and convince, you why you are worth more than any young man +that I know? You have not Angela's religious tone; but the strong +influence of the wife on the husband is well known. In two or three +years I shall not recognize in the ultramontane Richard Frank the +former materialist." And the doctor laughed heartily. + +"It is questionable," said the young man, "whether Angela's inclination +corresponds to mine." + +"The talk of every true lover," said the doctor pleasantly. "Pluck the +stars of Bethlehem, like Faust's Grethe, with the refrain, 'She loves, +she loves not--she loves.' But you are no bashful maiden; you are a +man. Propose to her. Angela's answer will show you clearly how she +feels." + +The doctor was scarcely in his room when Richard's father entered. + +"All as you foretold," said Klingenberg. "Your son is cured of his +hatred of women by Angela. The materialistic studies were not in +earnest; they were only a shield held up against the coming passion. +The love question is so absorbing, and the sentiment so strong, that +Richard left me near Frankenhöhe to hasten over there. I expect from +your sound sense that you will place no obstacles in the way of your +son's happiness." + +"I regret," said Frank coldly, "that I cannot be of the same opinion +with you and Richard in this affair." + +"Make your son unhappy?" said Klingenberg. "Do you consider the +possible consequences of your opposition?" + +"What do you understand by possible consequences?" + +"Melancholy, madness, suicide, frequently come from this. I leave +tomorrow, and I hope to take with me the assurance that you will +sacrifice your prejudice to the happiness of Richard." + + +Among the numerous inhabitants of Siegwart's yard was a hen with a +hopeful progeny. The little chicks were very lively. They ran about +after insects till the call of the happy mother brought them to her. +Escaped from the shell some few days before, they had instead of +feathers delicate white down, so that the pretty little creatures +looked as though they had been rolled in cotton. They had black, quick +eyes, and yellow feet and bills. If a hawk flew in the air and the +mother gave a cry, the little ones knew exactly what it meant, and ran +under the protecting wings of the mother from the hawk, although they +had never seen one--had never studied in natural history the danger of +the enemy. If danger were near, she called, and immediately they were +under her wings. The whole brood now stopped under the lindens. The +little ones rested comfortably near the warm body of the mother. Now +here, now there, their little heads would pop out between the feathers. +One smart little chirper, whose ambition indicated that he would be the +future cock of the walk, undertook to stand on the back of the hen and +pick the heads of the others as they appeared through the feathers. + +Angela came under the lindens, carrying a vessel of water and some +crumbs in her apron for the little ones. She strewed the crumbs on the +ground, and the old hen announced dinner. The little ones set to work +very awkwardly. The old hen had to break the crumbs smaller between her +bill. Angela took one of the chickens in her hand and fondled it, and +carried it into the house. The hen went to the vessel to drink and the +whole brood followed. It happened that the one that stood on her back +fell into the water, and cried loudly; for it found that it had got +into a strange element of which it had no more idea than Vogt and +Büchner of the form of a spirit. At this critical moment Frank came +through the yard. He saw it fluttering about in the water, and stopped. +The old hen went clucking anxiously about the vessel. And although she +could without difficulty have taken the chicken out with her bill, yet +she did not do it. Richard observed this with great interest; but +showed no desire to save the little creature, which at the last gasp +floated like a bunch of cotton on the water. + +Angela may have heard the noise of the hen, for she appeared at the +door. She saw Frank standing near the lindens looking into the vessel. +At the same time she noticed the danger of one of her little darlings, +and hastened out. She took the body from the water and held it sadly in +her hands. + +"It is dead, the little dear," said she sadly. "You could have saved +it, Herr Frank, and you did not do it." She looked at Frank, and forgot +immediately, on seeing him, the object of her regrets. The young man +stood before her so dejected, so depressed and sad, that it touched her +heart. She knew what darkened his soul. She knew his painful struggle, +his great danger, and she could have given her life to save him. She +was moved, tears came into her eyes, and she hastened into the house. + +Siegwart was reading the paper when his daughter hastened in such an +unusual way through the room and disappeared. + +This astonished him. + +"What is the matter, Angela?" he exclaimed. + +There was no answer. He was about to go after her when Frank entered. + +"I can give you some curious news of the assessor," said the proprietor +after some careless conversation. "The man is terribly enraged against +me and full of bad designs. The reason of this anger is known to you." +And he added, "Angela is in the next room, and she must know nothing of +his proposal." + +Frank nodded assent. + +"About ten paces from the last house in Salingen," continued Siegwart, +"I have had a pile of dirt thrown up. It was now and then sprinkled +with slops, to make manure of it. Herr Hamm has made the discovery that +the slops smell bad; that it annoys the inhabitants of the next house; +and he has ordered it to be removed." + +Richard shook his head disapprovingly. + +"Perhaps Herr Hamm will come to the conclusion that, in the interest of +the noses, all like piles must be removed from Salingen." + +"But that is not all," said Siegwart. "It has been discovered that the +common good forbids my keeping fowls, because my residence is +surrounded by fields and vineyards, where the fowls do great damage. +The Herr Assessor has had the goodness, accompanied by the guards, to +examine personally the amount of destruction. So I have got +instructions either to keep my fowls confined or to make away with +them." + +"Mean and contemptible!" said Frank. + +Angela came into the room. Her countenance was smiling and clear as +ever; but her swollen eyes did not escape Richard's observation. She +greeted the guest, and sat down in her accustomed place near the +window. Scarcely had she done this, when Frank stood up, went toward +her, and knelt down before the astonished girl. + +"Miss, I have greatly offended you, and beg your pardon." + +Siegwart looked on in surprise--now at his daughter, who was perplexed; +now at the kneeling young man. + +"For God's sake! Herr Frank, arise," said the confused Angela. She was +about to leave the seat, but he caught her hand and gently replaced +her. + +"If I may approach so near to you, my present position is the proper +one. Hear me! I have deeply offended you. I could with ease have saved +a creature that was dear to you, and I did not do it. My conduct has +brought tears to your eyes--hurt your feelings. When you went away to +regain your composure, and to show your offender a serene, reconciled +countenance, it made my fault more distressing. Forgive me; do not +consider me hard and heartless, but see in me an unfortunate who +forgets himself in musing." + +She looked into Frank's handsome face as he knelt before her, in such +sadness, lowering his eyes like a guilty boy, and smiled sweetly. + +"I will forgive yon, Herr Frank, on one condition." + +"Only speak. I am prepared for any penance." + +"The condition is, that you burn those godless books that make you +doubt about the noblest things in man, and that you buy no more." + +"I vow fulfilment, and assure you that the design of those books, which +you rightly call godless, is recognized by me as a crime against the +dignity of man--and condemned." + +"This rejoices no one more than me," said she with a tremulous voice. + +He stood up, bowed, and returned to his former place. + +"But, my dear neighbor, how did this singular affair happen?" said the +proprietor. + +Frank told him about the death of the chicken. + +"The love of the hen for her chickens is remarkable. She protects them +with her wings and warns them of danger, which she knows by instinct. +How easy would it have been for the hen to have taken the young one +from the water with her bill--the same bill with which she broke their +food and gave it to them. But she did not do it, because it is strange +to her nature. This case is another striking proof that animals act +neither with understanding nor reflection. Acts beyond their instinct +are impossible to them. This would not be the case, if they had souls." + + +The old servant stood with an empty basket before the library of the +son, as he had stood before that of the father. Büchner, Vogt, and +Czolbe fell into the fire. Jacob shook his head and regretted the +beautiful binding; but the evil spirits between the covers he willingly +consigned to the flames. + + +Again the cars stopped at the station; again the two gentlemen stood at +the open window of the car to receive their returning friends. The +travellers took a carriage and drove through the street. + +"Baron Linden has indeed gone headlong into misery," said Lutz +humorously. "Eight days ago the young pair swore eternal fidelity. It +was signed and sealed. Until to-day no could one know that they were on +the brink of misery." + +Richard remembered his remark on the former occasion, and wondered at +his sudden change of opinion. + +"I wish them all happiness," said he. + +"Amen!" answered Lutz. "Richard, however, considers happiness in +matrimony possible. So we may hope that he will not always remain a +bachelor. How is the Angel of Salingen? Have you seen her since that +encounter with the steer?" + +"The angel is well," said Richard, avoiding the glance of his friend. + +"What do you mean by the 'Angel of Salingen'?" said the father. + +"Thereby I understand the unmarried daughter of Herr Siegwart, of +Salingen, named Angela, who richly deserves to be called the 'Angel of +Salingen.'" + +Frank knit his brows darkly and drummed on his knees. + +"And the encounter with the steer?" continued he. + +The professor related the occurrence. + +"Ah! you did not tell me any thing of that," said the father, turning +to Frank. "An act of such great courage deserves to be mentioned." + +The carriage passed into the court of a stately mansion. The servant +sprang from his seat and opened the carriage-door. The professor looked +at his watch. + +"Herr Frank, will you allow your coachman to drive me to the +university? I must be at my post in ten minutes. I cannot go on foot in +that time." + +"With pleasure, Herr Professor." + +"Richard," said the other friend, "shall we meet at the opera tonight?" + +"Scarcely. I must to-day enter upon my usual business." + +"Come, if possible. The evening promises great amusement, for the +celebrated Santinilli dances." + +The accustomed routine of business began for Richard. He sat in the +counting-room and worked with his habitual punctuality. Nevertheless +invidious spirits lured him toward Salingen, so that the figures +danced before his eyes, words had no meaning, and he was often lost in +day-dreams. The watchful father had observed this, and was perplexed. + +Richard's plan of studies also underwent a change. He left the house +regularly at half-past five and returned at half-past six. The father, +desiring to know what this meant, set the faithful Jacob on the watch. + +"Herr Richard," reported the spy, "hears mass at the Capuchins." + +Frank drummed a march on his knees. + +"So, so!" he hummed. "The ultramontanes understand proselytizing. They +have turned the head of my son. If I live long enough, I may yet see +him turn Capuchin, build a cloister, and go about begging." + +When Herr Frank entered the counting-room, he found his son busy at +work. He stood up and greeted his father. + +"I have observed, Richard," he began after a time, "that you go out +early every morning. What does it mean?" + +"I have imposed upon myself the obligation of hearing mass every +morning." + +"How did you come to take that singular obligation upon yourself?" + +"From the conviction that religion is no empty idea, but a power that +can give peace and consolation in all conditions of life." + +"It is evident that you have breathed ultramontane air. This +churchgoing is not forbidden--but no trifling or fanatical nonsense." + +"It is my constant care, father, to give you no cause of uneasiness." + +"I am rejoiced at this, my son; but I must observe that a certain +gloomy, reserved manner of yours disturbs me. Your conduct is +exemplary, your industry praiseworthy, your habits regular; but you +keep yourself too much shut up; you do not give evening parties any +more. You do not visit the concert-hall or theatre. This is wrong; we +should enjoy life, and not move about like dreamers." + +"I have no taste for amusements," answered Richard. "However, if you +think a change would be good, I beg you to permit me to take a run out +to Frankenhöhe for a couple of days." + +"And why to Frankenhöhe? I do not know any amusement there for you." + +"I have planted a small vineyard, as you know, and I would like to see +how the Burgundies thrive." + +Herr Frank was not in a hurry to give the permission. He thought and +drummed. + +"You can go," he said resignedly. "I hope the mountain air will cheer +you up." + + +Herr Siegwart had remarked the same symptoms in his daughter that Herr +Frank had in his son; but Angela did not give way to discontent. She +was always the same obedient daughter. The poor and sick of Salingen +could not complain of neglect. But she was frequently absent-minded, +gave wrong answers to questions, and sought solitude. If Frank was +mentioned, she revived; the least circumstance connected with him was +interesting to her. Her sharp-sighted father soon discovered the inmost +thoughts and feelings of his daughter. He thought of Herr Frank's +ill-humor toward him, and was disposed to regret the hour that Richard +entered his house. + + +The Burgundies at Frankenhöhe were scarcely looked at. The young man +hastened to Salingen. He found the landscape changed in a few weeks. +The fields had clothed themselves in yellow. The wheat-stalks bent +gracefully under their load. Everywhere industrious crowds were in the +fields. The stalks fell beneath the reapers. Men bound the sheaves. +Wagons stood here and there. The sheaves were raised into picturesque +stacks. The sun beamed down hot, and the sweltering weather wrote on +the foreheads of the men, "Adam, in the sweat of thy brow thou shalt +eat thy bread." + +In the proprietor's house all was still, the old cook sat beneath the +lindens, and with spectacles on her nose tried to mend a stocking which +she held in her hand. She arose and smiled on Richard's approach. + +"They are all in the fields. We have much work, Herr Frank. The grain +is ripe, and we have already gathered fifty wagon-loads. I am glad to +see you looking so much better. The family will also be glad. They +think a great deal of you--particularly Herr Siegwart." + +"Give them many kind greetings from me. I will come back in the +evening." + +"Off so soon? Will you not say good-day to Miss Angela? She is in the +garden. Shall I call her?" + +"No," said he after a moment's reflection; "I will go into the garden +myself." + +After unlatching the gate, he would have turned back, for he became +nervous and embarrassed. + +Angela sat in the arbor; her embroidery-frame leaned against the table, +and she was busily working. As she heard the creaking of footsteps on +the walk, she looked up and blushed. Frank raised his hat, and when the +young woman stood up before him in beauty and loveliness, his +nervousness increased, and he would gladly have escaped; but his spirit +was in the fetters of a strange power, and necessity supplied him with +a few appropriate remarks. + +"I heard that the family were absent; but I did not wish to go away +without saluting you. Miss Angela." + +She observed the bashful manner of the young man, and said kindly, "I +am glad to see you again, Herr Frank," and invited him to sit down. He +looked about for a seat; but as there was none, he had to sit on the +same bench with her. + +"Do you remain long at Frankenhöhe?" + +"Only to-day and to-morrow. Work requires dispatch, and old custom has +so bound me to my occupation that the knowledge of work to be done +makes me feel uneasy." + +"Do you work every day regularly in the counting-room?" + +"I am punctual to the hours, for the work demands regularity and order. +There are every day some hours for recreation." + +"And what is the most pleasant recreation for you?" + +"Music and painting. I like them the best. But of late," he added +hesitatingly, "unavoidable thoughts press on me, and many hours of +recreation pass in useless dreaming." + +Angela thought of his former mental troubles and looked anxiously in +his eyes. + +"Now, you have promised me," she said softly, "to forget all those +things in those bad books that disturbed your mind." + +"The fulfilment of no duty was lighter or more pleasant to me than to +keep my promise to you, Angela." + +His voice trembled. She leaned over her work and her cheeks glowed. The +delicate fingers went astray; but Frank did not notice that the colors +in the embroidery were getting into confusion. There was a long pause. +Then Frank remembered the doctor's final admonition, "Be not like a +bashful boy; put aside all false shame and speak your mind;" and he +took courage. + +"I have no right to ask what disturbs and depresses you," said she, in +a scarcely audible voice and without moving her head. + +"It is you who have the best right, Angela! You have not only saved my +life, but also my better convictions. You have purified my views, and +influenced my course of life. I was deeply in error, and you have shown +me the only way that leads to peace. This I see more clearly every day. +The church is no longer a strange, but an attractive place to me. All +this you have done without design. I tell you this because I think you +sympathize with me." + +He paused; but the declaration of his love hovered on his lips. + +"You have not deceived yourself as to my sympathy," she answered. "The +discovery that one so insignificant as myself has any influence with +you makes me glad." + +"O Angela! you are not insignificant in my eyes. You are more than all +else on earth to me!" he cried. "You are the object of my love, of my +waking dreams. If you could give me your hand before the altar in +fidelity and love, my dearest wishes would be realized." + +She slowly raised her head, her modest countenance glowed in a virginal +blush, and her eyes, which met Richard's anxious look, were filled with +tears. She lowered her head, and laid her hand in that of the young +man. He folded her in his arms, pressed her to his heart, and kissed +her forehead. The swallows flew about the arbor, twittered noisily, and +threatened the robber who was trying to take away their friend. The +sparrows, through the leaves of the vines, looked with wonder at the +table where Angela's head rested on the breast of her affianced. + +They arose. + +"We cannot keep this from our parents, Richard. My parents esteem you. +Their blessing will not be wanting to our union." + +Suddenly she paused, and stood silent and pale, as though filled with a +sudden fear. Richard anxiously inquired the cause. + +"You know your father's opinion of us," she said, disturbed. + +"Do not be troubled about that. Father will not object to my +arrangements. But even if he does, I am of age, and no power shall +separate me from you." + +"No, Richard; no! I love you as my life; but without your father's +consent, our union wants a great blessing. Speak to him in love; beg +him, beseech him, but do not annoy him on account of your selfishness." + +"So it shall be. Your advice is good and noble. As long as this +difficulty exists, I am uneasy. I will therefore go back. Speak to your +parents; give them my kind greeting, and tell them how proud I shall +feel to be acknowledged as their son." He again folded her in his arms +and hastened away. + +The old cook still sat under the lindens, and the stocking lost many a +stitch as Frank, with a joyous countenance, passed her without +speaking, without having noticed her. She shook wonderingly her old +gray head. + +Angela sat in the arbor. Her work lay idly on the table. With a +countenance full of sweetness she went to her room, and knelt and +prayed. + + +Herr Frank looked up astonished, as Richard, late in the evening, +entered his chamber. + +"Excuse me, father," said he joyfully and earnestly; "something has +happened of great importance to me, and of great interest to you. I +could not delay an explanation, even at the risk of depriving you of an +hour's sleep." + +"Well, well! I am really interested," said Herr Frank, as he threw +himself back on the sofa. "Your explanation must be something +extraordinary, for I have never seen you thus before. What is it, +then?" + +"For a right understanding of my position, it is necessary to go back +to that May-day on which we went to Frankenhöhe. Your displeasure at my +well-grounded aversion to women you will remember." + +With childish simplicity he related the whole course of his inner life +and trials at Frankenhöhe. He described the deep impression Angela had +made upon him. He took out his diary and read his observations, his +stubborn adherence to his prejudices, and the victory of a virtuous +maiden over them. The father listened with the greatest attention. He +admired the depth of his son's mind and the noble struggle of +conviction against the powerful influence of error. But when Richard +made known what had passed between himself and Angela, Herr Frank's +countenance changed. + +"I have told you all," said Richard, "with that openness which a son +owes to his father. From the disposition and character of Angela, as +you have heard them, you must have learned to respect her, and have +been convinced that she and I will be happy. Therefore, father, I beg +your consent and blessing on our union." + +He arose and was about to kneel, when Herr Frank stopped him. + +"Slowly, my son. With the exception of what happened to-day, I am +pleased with your conduct. You have convinced yourself of the injustice +of your opinion of women. You have found a noble woman. I am willing to +believe that Angela is a magnificent and faultless creature, although +she have an ultramontane father. But my consent to your union with +Siegwart's daughter you will never receive. Now, Richard, you can +without trouble find a woman that will suit you, and who is as +beautiful and as noble-minded as the Angel of Salingen." + +"May I ask the reason of your refusal, father?" + +"There are many reasons. First, I do not like the ultramontane spirit +of the Siegwart family. Angela it educated in this spirit. You would be +bound to a wife whose narrow views would be an intolerable burden." + +"Pardon, father! The extracts from my diary informed you that I have +examined this ultramontane spirit very carefully, and that I was forced +at last to correct my opinions of the ultramontanes--to reject an +unjust prejudice." + +"The stained glass of passion has beguiled you into ultramontane +sentiments; and further, remember that Siegwart is personally +objectionable to me." And he spoke of the failure of the factory +through Angela's father. + +"Herr Siegwart has told me of that enterprise, and, at the same time, +gave me the reasons that induced him to prevent its realization. He +showed the demoralizing effects of factories. He showed that the +inhabitants of that neighborhood support themselves by farming; that +the religious sentiment of the country people is endangered by Sunday +labor and other evil influences that accompany manufacturing." + +"And you approved of this narrow-mindedness of the ultramontane?" cried +Frank. + +"Siegwart's conduct is free from narrow-mindedness. You yourself have +often said that faith and religion had much to fear from modern +manufactories. If Siegwart has made great sacrifices, if he has +interfered against his own interest in favor of faith and morality, he +deserves great respect for it." + +"Has it gone so far? Do you openly take part with the ultramontane +against your father?" + +"I take no part; I express frankly my views," answered Richard +tranquilly. + +"The views of father and son are very different, and we may thank your +intercourse with the ultramontanes for it." + +"Your acquaintance, father, with that excellent family is very +desirable. You would soon be convinced that you ought to respect them." + +"I do not desire their acquaintance. It is near midnight; go to rest, +and forget the hasty step of to-day." + +"I will never regret what has taken place with forethought and +reflection," answered Richard firmly. "I again ask your consent to the +happiness of your son." + +"No, no! Once for all--never!" cried Frank hastily. + +The son became excited. He was about to fly into a passion, and to show +his father that he was not going to follow blind authority like an +inexperienced child, when he thought of what Angela said, "Speak to +your father in love;" and his rising anger subsided. + +"You know, father," he said hesitatingly, "that my age permits me to +choose a wife without reference to your will. As the consent is +withheld without valid reasons, I might do without it. But Angela has +urgently requested me not to act against your will, and I have promised +to comply with her wishes." + +"Angela appears to have more sense than you. So she requested this +promise from you? I esteem the young lady for this sentiment, although +she be a child of Siegwart, who shall never have my son for a +son-in-law." + +The young man arose. + +"It only remains for me to declare," said he calmly, "that to Angela, +and to her alone, shall I ever belong in love and fidelity. If you +persevere in your refusal, I here tell you, on my honor, I shall never +choose another wife." + +He made a bow and left the room. It was long past midnight, and Herr +Frank was still sitting on the sofa, drumming on his knees and shaking +his head. + +"An accursed piece of business!" said he. "I know he will not break his +word of honor under any circumstances. I know his stubborn head. But +this Siegwart, this clerical ultramontane fellow--it is incompatible; +mental progress and middle-age darkness, spiritual enlightenment and +stark confessionalism--it won't do. Angela certainly is not her father. +She is an innocent country creature; does not wear crinoline, dresses +in blue like a bluebell, has not a dainty stomach, and has no toilette +nonsense. The nuns, together with perverted views of the world, may, +perhaps, have taught her many principles that adorn an honorable woman; +but--but--" And Herr Frank threw himself back grumbling on the sofa. + +On the following day Richard wrote Angela a warm, impassioned letter. +The vow of eternal love and fidelity was repeated. In conclusion, he +spoke of his father's refusal, but assured her that his consent would +yet be given. + +Many weeks passed. The letters of the lovers came and went regularly +and without interruption. She wrote that her parents had not hesitated +a moment to give their consent. In her letters Richard admired her +tender feeling, her dove-like innocence and pure love. He was firm in +his conviction that she would make him happy, would be his loadstar +through life. He read her letters hundreds of times, and these readings +were his only recreation. He spoke not another word about the matter to +his father. He kept away from all society. He devoted himself to his +calling, and endeavored to purify his heart in the spirit of religion, +that he might approach nearer to an equality with Angela. The father +observed him carefully, and was daily more and more convinced that a +spiritual change was coming over his son. Murmuringly he endured the +church-going, and vexedly he shook his head at Richard's composure and +perseverance, which he knew time would not change. The more quietly the +son endured, the more disquieted Herr Frank became. "Sacrifice your +prejudices to your son's happiness," he heard the doctor saying; and he +felt ashamed when he thought of this advice. + +"What cannot be cured must be endured," he was accustomed to say for +some days, as often as he went into his room. "The queer fellow makes +it uncomfortable for me; this cannot continue; days and years pass +away. I am growing old, and the house of Frank must not die out." + +One morning he gave Richard charge of the establishment. "I have +important business," said he. "I will be back to-morrow." + +The father smiled significantly as he said this. Richard heard from the +coachman that Herr Frank took a ticket for the station near +Frankenhöhe. He knew the great importance to him of this visit, and +prayed God earnestly to move his father's heart favorably. His +uneasiness increased hourly, and rendered all work impossible. He +walked up and down the counting-room like a man who feared bankruptcy, +and expected every moment the decision on which depended his happiness +for life. He went into the hall where the desks of the clerks stood in +long rows. He went to the desks, looked at the writing of the clerks, +and knew not what he did, where he went, or where he stood. + +The next day Herr Frank returned. Richard was called to the library, +where his father received him with a face never more happy or +contented. + +"I have visited your bride," he began, "because I had a curiosity to +know personally the one who has converted my son to sound views of +womankind. I am perfectly satisfied with your taste, and also with +myself; for I have become reconciled with Siegwart, and find that he is +as willing to live with his neighbors in harmony as in discord. You now +have my blessing on your union. The marriage can take place when you +please; only it would please me if it came off as soon as possible." + +Richard stood speechless with emotion, which so overcame him that tears +burst from his eyes. He embraced his father, kissed him tenderly, and +murmured his thanks. + +"That will do, Richard," said Herr Frank, much affected. "Your +happiness moves me. May it last long. And I do not doubt it will; for +Angela is truly a woman the like of whom I have never met. Her +character is as clear and transparent as crystal; and her eyes possess +such power, and her smile such loveliness, that I fear for my freedom +when she is once in the house." + + +Crisp, cold weather. The December winds sweep gustily through the +streets of the city, driving the well-clad wanderer before them and +sporting with the weather-vanes. A carriage stops before the door of +the Director Schlagbein. Professor Lutz steps out and directs the +driver to await him. + +Emil Schlagbein, Richard's unhappy married friend, had moved his +easy-chair near the stove and leaned his head against its back. He +looked as though despair had seized him and thrown him into it. Hasty +steps were heard in the ante-room, and Lutz stood before him. + +"Still in your working-clothes, Emil? Up! the tea-table of the Angel of +Salingen awaits us." + +"Pardon me; my head is confused, my heart is sad; grief wastes my life +away." + +"War--always war; never peace!" said Lutz. "I fear, Emil, that +all the fault is not with your wife. You are too sensitive, too +particular about principles. Man must tolerate, and not be niggardly +in compliance. Take old Frank as a model. With Angela entered +ultramontanism into his house. Frank lives in peace with this +spirit--even on friendly terms. Angela reads him pious stories from the +legends of the saints. He goes with her to church, where he listens +with attention to the word of God. He hears mass as devoutly as a +Capuchin; not to say any thing of Richard, who runs a race with Angela +for the prize of piety. Could you not also make some sacrifice to the +whims of your wife?" + +"Angela and Ida--day and night!" said the director bitterly. "The two +Franks make no sacrifice to female whims. They appreciate her exalted +views, they admire her purity, her unspeakable modesty, her shining +virtues. The two Franks acted reasonably when they adopted the +principles that produced such a woman. Angela never speaks to her +husband in defiance and bad temper. If clouds gather in the matrimonial +heaven, she dissipates them with the breath of love. Is the sacrifice +of a wish wanted? Angela makes it. Is her pure feeling offended by +Richard's faults? She kisses them away and raises him to her level. +My wife--is she not just the opposite in every thing? Is she not +quick-tempered, bitter, loveless, extravagant, and stiff-necked? Has +she a look--I will not say of love--but even of respect for me? Do not +all her thoughts and acts look to the pleasures of the toilette, the +opera, balls, and concerts? O my poor children! who grow up without a +mother, in the hands of domestics. How is any concession possible here? +Must not my position, my self-respect, the last remnant of manly +dignity go to the wall?" + +"Your case is lamentable, friend! Your principles and those of your +wife do not agree. Concession to the utmost point of duty, joined with +prudent reform in many things, may, perhaps, bring back, harmony and a +good understanding between you. You praise Angela: follow her example. +She abominates the air of the theatre. The opera-glasses of the young +men levelled at her offend her deeply, and bring to her angelic +countenance the blush of shame. Her fine religious feeling is offended +at many words, gestures, and dances which a pious Christian woman +should not hear and see. Yet she goes to the opera because Richard +wishes it. Her husband will at last observe this heroism of love, and +sacrifice the opera to it. What Angela cannot obtain by prayers and +representations, she gains by the all-conquering weapons of love. In +like manner and for a like object yield to your wife. She is, at least, +not a firebrand. Love must overcome her stubbornness." + +Schlagbein shook his head sadly. + +"A father cannot do what is inconsistent with paternal duty," said he. +"Shall I join in the course of my wife? Whither does this course lead? +To the destruction of all family ties, to financial bankruptcy--to +dishonor. For home my wife has no mind, no understanding. My means she +throws carelessly into the bottomless pit of pleasure-seeking and love +of dress. She does not think of the future of her children. Every day +brings to her new desires for prodigality. If her wishes are fulfilled, +ruin is unavoidable. If they are not fulfilled, she sits ill-humored +and obstinate in her room, and leaves the care of the house to her +domestics, and the children to the nurses. How often have I consented +to her vain desire for show, only to see her extravagant wishes thereby +increased. She is without reason." + +The unfortunate man's head sunk upon his breast. Lutz stood still +without uttering a word. + +"Yes, Angela is a noble woman," continued Emil, "she is the spirit of +order, the angel of peace and love. Just hear Richard's father. He +revels in enthusiasm about her. 'My Richard is the happiest man in the +world,' said he to me lately. 'I myself must be thankful to him for his +prudent choice. Abounding in every thing, my house was empty and +desolate before Angela came; but now every thing shines in the sun of +her orderly housekeeping, of her tender care. Although served with +fidelity, I have been until the present almost neglected. But now that +the angel hovers over me, observes my every want, and with her smile +lights my old age, I am perfectly happy.' Has my wife a single +characteristic of this noble woman?" + +"Angela is unapproachable in the little arts that win the heart and +drive away melancholy," said Lutz. "A few weeks ago, Herr Frank came +home one day from the counting-room all out of sorts. He sat silently +in his easy-chair drumming on his knee. Angela noticed his ill-humor. +She sought to dissipate it--to cheer him; but she did not succeed. She +then arose, and, going to him, said with unspeakable affection, +'Father, may I play and sing for you the "Lied der Kapelle?"' Herr +Frank looked in her face, and smiled as he replied, 'Yes, my angel' +When her sweet voice resounded in the next room in beautiful accord +with the accompaniment, which she played most feelingly, the old man +revived and joined in her song with his trembling bass." + +"How often we have twitted Richard with his views of modern women," +said Emil. "It was his cool judgment, perhaps, that saved him from a +misfortune like mine." + +Just then a carriage stopped before the house. Emil went uneasily to +the window, and Lutz followed him. Bandboxes and trunks were taken from +the house. The professor looked inquiringly at his friend, whose hand +appeared to tremble as it rested on the window-glass. + +"What does this mean, Emil?" + +"My wife is going to her aunt's for an indefinite time. She leaves me +to enjoy the pleasures of Christmas alone. The children also remain +here; they might be in her way." + +The professor pitied his unhappy friend. + +"Emil," said he, almost angrily, "it is for you to determine how a man +should act in regard to the freaks and caprices of his wife. But you +should not steep yourself in gall, even though your wife turn into a +river of bitterness. Drive away sadness and be happy. Do not let your +present humor rob you of every thing. Forget what you cannot change." + +A beautiful woman approached the carriage. Schlagbein turned away from +the sight. Lutz observed the departing wife and mother. She did not +look up at the window where her husband was. She got into the carriage +without even saying farewell. She sat in the midst of bandboxes, +surrounded by finery and tinsel; and as the wheels rolled over the +pavement, the director groaned in his chair. + +"A happy journey to you, Xantippe!" cried the angry professor. "Emil, +be a man. Dress yourself; forget at the Angel of Salingen's your +domestic devil." + +Schlagbein moved his head disconsolately. + +"What have the wretched to do in the home of the happy? There I shall +only see more clearly that I suffer and am miserable." + +Lutz, out of humor, threw himself into the carriage. With knitted brows +he buried himself in one of its corners. That professional head was +perplexed with a question which ordinary men would have quickly seen +through and settled. Frank's happiness and Schlagbein's misery stood as +two irrefutable facts before the mind of the professor. Now came the +question. Why this happiness, why this misery? The dashing Ida he had +known for years; also her enlightened views of life, and her flexible +principles, perfectly conformable to the spirit of progress. Whence, +then, the dissoluteness of her desires, the bitterness of her humor, +the heartlessness of the wife, the callousness of the mother? + +The professor continued his musing. He gave a scrutinizing glance at +the marriages of all his acquaintances. Everywhere he found a clouded +sky, and, in the semi-darkness, lightning and thunder. Only one +marriage stood before him bright and clear in the sunlight of +happiness, in the raiment of peace, and that was ultramontane. That +ultramontane principles had produced this happiness and peace, the +professor's industrious mind saw with clearness. He raised his head and +said solemnly, "Marriage is an image of religion. It proceeds from the +lips of God, and is perfected at the altar. The marriage duties are +children of the religious sentiment, fetters of the divine law. Ida was +faithful and true so long as it agreed with the longings of her heart. +But with the cooling of affection died love and fidelity. She +recognizes no religious duty, because she has progressed to liberty and +independence. From this follows with striking clearness the +incompatibility of Christian marriage with the spirit of the age. +Marriage will be a thing of the past as soon as intellectual maturity +conquers in the contest with religion. Sound sense, liberty of emotion +and inclination will supplant the terrible marriage yoke." + +The professor paused and examined his conclusion. It smiled upon him +like a true child of nature. It clothed itself in motley flesh, and +passed through green meadows and shady forests. It pointed +encouragingly to the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, long +in possession of intellectual maturity. Sensual marriages, intended to +last only for weeks or months, danced around the professor. Cannibal +hordes, who extended to him their brotherly paws and claws, pressed +about him. In astonishment, he contemplated his conclusion; it made +beastly grimaces, knavish and jeering, and he dashed into fragments the +provoking mockery. + +In strong contrast to the animal kingdom, stood before him again the +Christian marriage. He cunningly tried to give his new conclusion human +shape; but here the carriage stopped, and the speculation vanished +before the clear light in the house of the "Angel of Salingen." + + + +FOOTNOTE TO ANGELA. + +[Footnote 2: This argument is not conclusive, nor is it at all +necessary. Animals have memory; and there is no more reason why their +waking sensations, emotions, and acts should not repeat themselves in +dreams than there is in the case of men. The difference between the +soul of man and the soul of the brute is constituted by the presence of +the gift of reason, or the faculty of knowing necessary and universal +truths in the former, and its absence in the latter.--Ed. Catholic +World.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Progressionists, and Angela., by +Conrad von Bolanden + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PROGRESSIONISTS, AND ANGELA. *** + +***** This file should be named 33573-8.txt or 33573-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/5/7/33573/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Progressionists, and Angela. + +Author: Conrad von Bolanden + +Release Date: August 29, 2010 [EBook #33573] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PROGRESSIONISTS, AND ANGELA. *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class="hang1">Transcriber's notes:<br> +1. Page scan source:<br> +http://www.archive.org/details/progressionists00bolagoog</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>THE</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>PROGRESSIONISTS,</h1> +<br> +<br> +<h4>AND</h4> +<br> +<br> +<h2>ANGELA.</h2> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3><i>TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF CONRAD VON BOLANDEN</i>.</h3> + +<br> +<hr class="W20"> +<br> +<br> +<h3>New York:</h3> +<h2>THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY,</h2> +<h3>9 WARREN STREET.</h3> +<h4>1873.</h4> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="W90"> +<p class="center">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by<br> +THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY,<br> +In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.</p> + +<hr class="W90"> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE PROGRESSIONISTS.</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>THE WAGER</h3> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The balcony of the <i>palais</i> Greifmann contains three +persons who +together represent four million florins. It is not often that one sees +a group of this kind. The youthful landholder, Seraphin Gerlach, is +possessor of two millions. His is a quiet disposition; very calm, and +habitually thoughtful; innocence looks from his clear eye upon the +world; physically, he is a man of twenty-three; morally, he is a child +in purity; a profusion of rich brown hair clusters about his head; his +cheeks are ruddy, and an attractive sweetness plays round his mouth.</p> + +<p class="normal">The third million belongs to Carl Greifmann, the oldest member +of the +group, head <i>pro tem</i>. of the banking-house of the same name. This +gentlemen is tall, slender, animated; his cheeks wear no bloom; they +are pale. His carriage is easy and smooth. Some levity is visible in +his features, which are delicate, but his keen, glancing eye is +disagreeable beside Seraphin's pure soul-mirror. Greifmann's sister +Louise, not an ordinary beauty, owns the fourth million. She is seated +between the young gentlemen; the folds of her costly dress lie heaped +around her; her hands are engaged with a fan, and her eyes are sending +electric glances into Gerlach's quick depths. But these flashing beams +fail to kindle; they expire before they penetrate far into those +depths. His eyes are bright, but they refuse to gleam with intenser +fire. Strange, too, for a twofold reason; first, because glances from +the eyes of beautiful women seldom suffer young men to remain cool; +secondly, because a paternal scheme designs that Louise shall be +engaged and married to the fire-proof hero.</p> + +<p class="normal">Millions of money are rare; and should millions strive to form +an +alliance, it is in conformity with the genius of every solid banking +establishment to view this as quite a natural tendency.</p> + +<p class="normal">For eight days Mr. Seraphin has been on a visit at the +<i>palais</i> +Greifmann, but as yet he has yielded no positive evidence of intending +to join his own couple of millions with the million of Miss Louise.</p> + +<p class="normal">Whilst Seraphin converses with the beautiful young lady, Carl +Greifmann +cursorily examines a newspaper which a servant has just brought him on +a silver salver.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Every age has its folly," suddenly exclaims the banker. "In +the +seventeenth century people were busy during thirty years cutting one +another's throats for religion's sake--or rather, in deference to the +pious hero of the faith from Sweden and his fugleman Oxenstiern. In the +eighteenth century, they decorated their heads with periwigs and +pigtails, making it a matter of conjecture whether both ladies and +gentlemen were not in the act of developing themselves from monkeydom +into manhood.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Elections are the folly of our century. See here, my good +fellow, look +what is written here: In three days the municipal elections will come +off throughout the country--in eighteen days the election of delegates. +For eighteen days the whole country is to labor in election throes. +Every man twenty-one years of age, having a wife and a homestead, is to +be employed in rooting from out the soil of party councilmen, mayors, +and deputies.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And during the period these rooters not unfrequently get at +loggerheads. Some are in favor of Streichein the miller, because +Streichein has lavishly greased their palms; others insist upon +re-electing Leimer the manufacturer, because Leimer threatens a +reduction of wages if they refuse to keep him in the honorable +position. In the heat of dispute, quite a storm of oaths and ugly +epithets, yes, and of blows too, rages, and many is the voter who +retires from the scene of action with a bloody head. The beer-shops are +the chief battle-fields for this sort of skirmishing. Here, zealous +voters swill down hogsheads of beer: brewers drive a brisk trade during +elections. But you must not think, Seraphin, that these absurd election +scenes are confined to cities. In rural districts the game is conducted +with no less interest and fury. There is a village not far away, where +a corpulent ploughman set his mind on becoming mayor. What does he, to +get the reins of village government into his great fat fist? Two days +previous to the election he butchers three fatted hogs, has several +hundred ringlets of sausage made, gets ready his pots, and pans for +cooking and roasting, and then advertises: eating and drinking <i>ad +libitum</i> and <i>gratis</i> for every voter willing to aid him to ascend the +mayor's throne. He obtained his object.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, I put the question to you, Seraphin, is not this sort of +election +jugglery far more ridiculous and disgusting than the most preposterous +periwigs of the last century?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ignorance and passion may occasion the abuse of the best +institutions," answered the double millionaire. "However, if beer and +pork determine the choice of councilmen and mayors, voters have no +right to complain of misrule. It would be most disastrous to the state, +I should think, were such corrupt means to decide also the election of +the deputies of our legislative assembly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The self-same manœuvring, only on a larger scale," replied +he. Of +course, in this instance, petty jealousies disappear. Streichein the +miller and Leimer the manufacturer make concessions in the interest of +the common party. All stand shoulder to shoulder in the cause of +<i>progress</i> against Ultramontanes and democrats, who in these days have +begun to be troublesome.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whilst at municipal elections office-seekers employed money +and +position for furthering their personal aims, at deputy elections +<i>progress</i> men cast their means into a common cauldron, from which the +mob are fed and made to drink in order to stimulate them with the +spirit of <i>progress</i> for the coming election. At bottom it amounts to +the same--the stupefaction of the multitude, the rule of a minority, in +which, however, all consider themselves as having part, the folly of +the nineteenth century."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is an unhealthy condition of things, which gives reason +to fear +the corruption of the whole body politic," remarked the landholder with +seriousness. "The seats of the legislative chamber should be filled not +through bribery and deception of the masses, nor through party passion, +but through a right appreciation of the qualifications that fit a man +for the office of deputy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask your pardon, my dear friend," interposed the banker +with a +laugh. "Being reared by a mother having a rigorous faith has prompted +you to speak thus, not acquaintance with the spirit of the age. Right +appreciation! Heavens, what <i>naïveté</i>! Are you not aware that +<i>progress</i>, the autocrat of our times, follows a fixed, unchanging +programme? It matters not whether Tom or Dick occupies the cushions of +the legislative hall; the main point is to wear the color of +<i>progress</i>, and for this no special qualifications are needed. I will +give you an illustration of the way in which these things work. Let us +suppose that every member is provided with a trumpet which he takes +with him to the assembly. To blow this trumpet neither skill, nor quick +perception, nor experience, nor knowledge--neither of these +qualifications is necessary. Now, we will suppose these gentlemen +assembled in the great hall where the destinies of the country are +decided; should abuses need correction, should legislation for church +or state be required, they have only to blow the trumpet of <i>progress</i>. +The trumpet's tone invariably accords with the spirit of progress, for +it has been attuned to it. Should it happen that at a final vote upon a +measure the trumpets bray loudly enough to drown the opposition of +democrats and Ultramontanes, the matter is settled, the law is passed, +the question is decided."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Evidently you exaggerate!" said Seraphin with a shake of the +head. +"Your illustration beats the enchanted horn of the fable. Do not you +think so. Miss Louise?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Brother's trumpet story is rather odd, 'tis true, yet I +believe that +at bottom such is really the state of things."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The instrument in question is objectionable in your opinion, +my +friend, only because you still bear about you the narrow conscience of +an age long since buried. As you never spend more than two short winter +months in the city, where alone the life-pulse of our century can be +felt beating, you remain unacquainted with the present and its spirit. +The rest of the year you pass in riding about on your lands, suffering +yourself to be impressed by the stern rigor of nature's laws, and +concluding that human society harmonizes in the same manner with the +behests of fixed principles. I shall have to brush you up a little. I +shall have to let you into the mysteries of progress, so that you may +cease groping like a blind man in the noonday of enlightenment. Above +all, let us have no narrow-mindedness, no scrupulosity, I beg of you. +Whosoever nowadays walks the grass-grown paths of rigorism is a doomed +man."</p> + +<p class="normal">Whilst he was saying this, a smile was on the banker's +countenance. +Seraph in mused in silence on the meaning and purpose of his +extraordinary language.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Look down the street, if you please," continued Carl +Greifmann. "Do +you observe yon dark mass just passing under the gas-lamp?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I notice a pretty corpulent gentleman," answered Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The corpulent gentleman is Mr. Hans Shund, formerly treasurer +of this +city," explained Greifmann. "Many years ago, Mr. Shund put his hand +into the public treasury, was detected, removed for dishonesty, and +imprisoned for five years. When set at liberty, the ex-treasurer made +the loaning of money on interest a source of revenue. He conducted this +business with shrewdness, ruined many a family that needed money and in +its necessity applied to him, and became rich. Shund the usurer is +known to all the town, despised and hated by everybody. Even the dogs +cannot endure the odor of usury that hangs about him; just see--all the +dogs bark at him. Shund is moreover an extravagant admirer of the +gentler sex. All the town is aware that this Jack Falstaff contributes +largely to the scandal that is afloat. The pious go so far as to +declare that the gallant Shund will be burned and roasted in hell for +all eternity for not respecting the sixth commandment. Considered in +the light of the time honored morality of Old Franconia, Shund, the +thief, the usurer and adulterer, is a low, good-for-nothing scoundrel, +no question about it. But in the light of the indulgent spirit of the +times, no more can be said than that he has his foibles. He is about to +pass by on the other side, and, as a well-bred man, will salute us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin had attentively observed the man thus characterized, +but with +the feelings with which one views an ugly blotch, a dirty page in the +record of humanity.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Shund lowered his hat, his neck and back, with oriental +ceremoniousness in presence of the millions on the balcony. Carl +acknowledged the salute, and even Louise returned it with a friendly +inclination of the head.</p> + +<p class="normal">The landholder, on the contrary, was cold, and felt hurt at +Greifmann's +bowing to a fellow whom he had just described as a scoundrel. That +Louise, too, should condescend to smile to a thief, swindler, usurer, +and immoral wretch! In his opinion, Louise should have followed the +dictates of a noble womanhood, and have looked with honest pity on the +scapegrace. She, on the contrary, greeted the bad man as though he were +respectable, and this conduct wounded the young man's feelings.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Apropos of Hans Shund, I will take occasion to convince you +of the +correctness of my statements," said Carl Greifmann. "Three days hence, +the municipal election is to come off. Mr. Shund is to be elected +mayor. And when the election of deputies takes place, this same Shund +will command enough of the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens +to be elected to the legislative assembly, thief and usurer though he +be. You will then, I trust, learn to understand that the might of +progress is far removed from the bigotry that would subject a man's +qualifications to a microscopic examination. The enlarged and liberal +principles prevailing in secular concerns are opposed to the +intolerance that would insist on knowing something of an able man's +antecedents before consenting to make use of him. All that Shund will +have to do will be to fall in under the glorious banner of the spirit +of the age; his voting trumpet will be given him; and forthwith he will +turn out a finished mayor and deputy. Do you not admire the power and +stretch of <i>liberalism</i>?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I certainly do admire your faculty for making up plausible +stories," +answered Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Plausible stories? Not at all! Downright earnest, every word +of it. +Hans Shund, take my word for it, will be elected mayor and member of +the assembly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In that event," replied the landholder, "Shund's disreputable +antecedents and disgusting conduct at present must be altogether a +secret to his constituents."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Again you are mistaken, my dear friend. This remark proceeds +from your +want of acquaintance with the genius of our times. This city has thirty +thousand inhabitants. Every adult among them has heard of Hans Shund +the thief, usurer, and companion of harlots. And I assure you that not +a voter, not a progressive member of our community, thinks himself +doing what is at all reprehensible by conferring dignity and trust on +Hans Shund. You have no idea how comprehensive is the soul of +liberalism."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us quit a subject that appears to me impossible, nay, +even +unnatural," said Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no; for this very reason you need to be convinced," +insisted the +banker with earnestness. "My prospective--but hold--I was almost guilty +of a want of delicacy. No matter, my <i>actual</i> friend, landholder and +millionaire, must be made see with his eyes and touch with his fingers +what marvels <i>progress</i> can effect. Let us make a bet: Eighteen days +from now Hans Shund will be mayor and member for this city. I shall +stake ten thousand florins. You may put in the pair of bays that won +the best prizes at the last races."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin hesitated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come on!" urged the banker. "Since you refuse to believe my +assertions, let us make a bet. May be you consider my stakes too small +against yours? Very well, I will say twenty thousand florins."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will be the loser, Greifmann! Your statements are too +unreasonable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never mind; if I lose, you will be the winner. Do you take me +up?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pshaw, Carl! you are too sure," said Louise reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My feeling so sure is what makes me eager to win the finest +pair of +horses I ever saw. Is it possible that you are a coward?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The landholder's face reddened. He put his right hand in the +banker's. +"My dear fellow," exclaimed he jubilantly, "I have just driven a +splendid bargain. To convince you of the entire fairness of the +transaction, you are to be present at the manipulation that is to +decide. Even though you lose the horses, your gain is incalculable, for +it consists in nothing less than being convinced of the wonderful +nature and of the omnipotence of progress. I repeat, then, that, +wherever progress reigns, the elections are the supreme folly of the +nineteenth century; for in reality there is no electing; but what +progress decrees, that is fulfilled."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<h3>THE LEADERS.</h3> + +<p class="normal">The banker was seated at his office table working for his +chance in the +wager with the industry of a thorough business man. Whilst he was +engaged in writing notes, a smile indicative of certainty of success +lit up his countenance; for he was thoroughly familiar with the figures +that entered into his calculations, and, withal, Hans Shund invested +with offices and dignity could not but strike him as a comical anomaly. +"Happy thought! My father travels half of the globe; many wonderful +things come under his observation, no doubt, but the greatest of all +prodigies is to be witnessed right here: Hans Shund, the thief, +swindler, usurer, wanton--mayor and law-maker! And it is the venerable +sire <i>Progress</i> that alone could have begotten the prodigy of a Hans +Shund invested with honors. My Lord Progress is therefore himself a +prodigy--a very extraordinary offspring of the human mind, the +culminating point of enlightenment. Admitting humanity to be ten +thousand million years old, or even more, as the most learned of +scientific men have accurately calculated it, during this rather long +series of years nature never produced a marvel that might presume to +claim rank with progress. Progress is the acme of human culture--about +this there can be no question. Yes, indeed, <i>the acme</i>." And he +finished the last word in the last note. "Humanity will therefore have +to face about and begin again at the beginning; for after progress +nothing else is possible." He rang his bell.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take these three notes to their respective addresses +immediately," +said he to the servant who had answered the ring. Greifmann stepped +into the front office, and gave an order to the cashier. Returning to +his own cabinet, he locked the door that opened into the front office. +He then examined several iron safes, the modest and smooth polish of +which suggested neither the hardness of their iron nature nor the +splendor of their treasures.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gold or paper?" said the banker to himself. After some +indecision, he +opened the second of the safes. This he effected by touching several +concealed springs, using various keys, and finally shoving back a huge +bolt by means of a very small blade. He drew out twenty packages of +paper, and laid them in two rows on the table. He undid the tape +encircling the packages, and then it appeared that every leaf of both +rows was a five-hundred florin banknote. The banker had exposed a +considerable sum on the table. A sudden thought caused him to smile, +and he shoved the banknotes where they came more prominently into view.</p> + +<p class="normal">The blooming double millionaire entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sit down a moment, friend Seraphin, and listen to a short +account of +my scheme. I have said before that our city is prospering and growing +under the benign sceptre of progress. The powers and honors of the +sceptre are portioned among three leaders. Everything is directed and +conducted by them--of course, in harmony with the spirit of the times. +I have summoned the aforesaid magnates to appear. That the business may +be despatched with a comfortable degree of expedition, the time when +the visit is expected has been designated in each note; and those +gentlemen are punctual in all matters connected with money and the +bank. You can enter this little apartment, next to us, and by leaving +the door open hear the conversation. The mightiest of the corypheuses +is Schwefel, the straw-hat manufacturer. This potentate resides at a +three-minutes walk from here, and can put in an appearance at any +time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am on tiptoe!" said Gerlach. "You promise what is so +utterly +incredible, that the things you are preparing to reveal appear to me +like adventures belonging to another world."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To another world!--quite right, my dear fellow! I am indeed +about to +display to your astounded eyes some wonders of the world of progress +that hitherto have been entirely unknown to you. Within eighteen days +you shall, under my tutorship, receive useful and thorough instruction. +This promise I can make you, as we are just in face of the elections, a +time when minds put aside their disguises, when they not unfrequently +shock one another, and when many secrets come to light!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You put me under many obligations!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only doing my duty, my most esteemed! We are both aware that, +according to the wishes of parents and the desired inclinations of +parties known, our respective millions are to approach each other in +closer relationship. To do a relative of mine <i>in spe</i> a favor, gives +me unspeakable satisfaction. I shall proceed with my course of +instruction. See here! Every one of these twenty packages contains +twenty five-hundred florin banknotes. Consequently, both rows contain +just two hundred thousand florins--an imposing sum assuredly, and, for +the purpose of being imposing, the two hundred thousand have been laid +upon this table. Explanation: the mightiest of the spirits of progress +is--Money.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All forces, all sympathies, revolve about money as the +heavenly bodies +revolve about the sun. For this reason the mere proximity of a +considerable sum of money acts upon every man of progress like a +current of electricity: it carries him away, it intoxicates his senses. +The leaders whom I have invited will at once notice the collection of +five-hundred florin notes: in the rapidity of calculating, they will +overestimate the amount, and obtain impressions in proportion, somewhat +like the Jews that prostrated themselves in the dust in adoration of +the golden calf. As for me, my dear fellow, I shall carry on my +operations in the auspicious presence of this power of two hundred +thousands. Such a display of power will produce in the leaders a frame +of mind made up of veneration, worship, and unconditional +submissiveness. Every word of mine will proceed authoritatively from +the golden mouth of the two hundred thousands, and my proposals it will +be impossible for them to reject. But listen! The door of the ante-room +is being opened. The mightiest is approaching. Go in quick." He pressed +the spring of a concealed door, and Seraphin disappeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the straw-hat manufacturer entered, the banker was +sitting before +the banknotes apparently absorbed in intricate calculations.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah Mr. Schwefel! pardon the liberty I have taken of sending +for you. +The pressure of business," motioning significantly towards the +banknotes, "has made it impossible for me to call upon you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No trouble, Mr. Greifmann, no trouble whatever!" rejoined the +manufacturer with profound bows.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have the goodness to take a seat!" And he drew an arm-chair +quite +near to where the money lay displayed. Schwefel perceived they were +five-hundreds, estimated the amount of the pile in a few rapid glances, +and felt secret shudderings of awe passing through his person.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The cause of my asking you in is a business matter of some +magnitude," +began the banker. "There is a house in Vienna with which we stand in +friendly relations, and which has very extensive connections in +Hungary. The gentlemen of this house have contracts for furnishing +large orders of straw hats destined mostly for Hungary, and they wish +to know whether they can obtain favorable terms of purchase at the +manufactories of this country. It is a business matter involving a +great deal of money. Their confidence in the friendly interest of our +firm, and in our thorough acquaintance with local circumstances, has +encouraged them to apply to us for an accurate report upon this +subject. They intimate, moreover, that they desire to enter into +negotiations with none but solid establishments, and for this reason +are supposed to be guided by our judgment. As you are aware, this +country has a goodly number of straw-hat manufactories. I would feel +inclined, however, as far as it may be in my power, to give your +establishment the advantage of our recommendation, and would therefore +like to get from you a written list of fixed prices of all the various +sorts."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am, indeed, under many obligations to you, Mr. Greifmann, +for your +kind consideration," said the manufacturer, nodding repeatedly. "Your +own experience can testify to the durability of my work, and I shall +give the most favorable rates possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No doubt," rejoined the banker with haughty reserve. "You +must not +forget that the straw-hat business is out of our line. It is incumbent +on us, however, to oblige a friendly house. I shall therefore make a +similar proposal to two other large manufactories, and, after +consulting with men of experience in this branch, shall give the house +in Vienna the advice we consider most to its interest, that is, shall +recommend the establishment most worthy of recommendation."</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Schwefel's excited countenance became somewhat lengthy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not fail of an acceptable acknowledgment from me, +were you +to do me the favor of recommending my goods," explained the +manufacturer.</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker's coldness was not in the slightest degree altered +by the +implied bribe. He appeared not even to have noticed it. "It is also my +desire to be able to recommend you," said he curtly, carelessly taking +up a package of the banknotes and playing with ten thousand florins as +if they were so many valueless scraps of paper. "Well, we are on the +eve of the election," remarked he ingenuously. "Have you fixed upon a +magistrate and mayor?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"All in order, thank you, Mr. Greifmann!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And are you quite sure of the order?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; for we are well organized, Mr. Greifmann. If it +interests you, I +will consider it as an honor to be allowed to send you a list of the +candidates."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope you have not passed over ex-treasurer Shund?"</p> + +<p class="normal">This question took Mr. Schwefel by surprise, and a peculiar +smile +played on his features.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The world is and ever will be ungrateful," continued the +banker, as +though he did not notice the astonishment of the manufacturer. "I could +hardly think of an abler and more sterling character for the office of +mayor of the city than Mr. Shund. Our corporation is considerably in +debt. Mr. Shund is known to be an accurate financier, and an economical +householder. We just now need for the administration of our city +household a mayor that understands reckoning closely, and that will +curtail unnecessary expenses, so as to do away with the yearly +increasing deficit in the budget. Moreover, Mr. Shund is a noble +character; for he is always ready to aid those who are in want of +money--on interest, of course. Then, again, he knows law, and we very +much want a lawyer at the head of our city government. In short, the +interests of this corporation require that Mr. Shund be chosen chief +magistrate. It is a subject of wonder to me that progress, usually so +clear-sighted, has heretofore passed Mr. Shund by, despite his numerous +qualifications. Abilities should be called into requisition for the +public weal. To be candid, Mr. Schwefel, nothing disgusts me so much as +the slighting of great ability," concluded the banker contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you acquainted with Shund's past career?" asked the +leader +diffidently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, yes! Mr. Shund once put his hand in the wrong drawer, +but that +was a long time ago. Whosoever amongst you is innocent, let him cast +the first stone at him. Besides, Shund has made good his fault by +restoring what he filched. He has even atoned for the momentary +weakness by five years of imprisonment."</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Tis true; but Shund's theft and imprisonment are still very +fresh in +people's memory," said Schwefel. "Shund is notorious, moreover, as a +hard-hearted usurer. He has gotten rich through shrewd money +speculations, but he has also brought several families to utter ruin. +The indignation of the whole city is excited against the usurer; and, +finally, Shund indulges a certain filthy passion with such effrontery +and barefacedness that every respectable female cannot but blush at +being near him. These characteristics were unknown to you, Mr. +Greifmann; for you too will not hesitate an instant to admit that a man +of such low practices must never fill a public office."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not understand you, and I am surprised!" said the +millionaire. +"You call Shund a usurer, and you say that the indignation of the whole +town is upon him. Might I request from you the definition of a usurer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are commonly called usurers who put out money at +exorbitant, +illegal interest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You forget, my dear Mr. Schwefel, that speculation is no +longer +confined to the five per cent. rate. A correct insight into the +circumstances of the times has induced our legislature to leave the +rate of interest altogether free. Consequently, a usurer has gotten to +be an impossibility. Were Shund to ask fifty per cent, and more, he +would be entitled to it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is so; for the moment I had overlooked the existence of +the law," +said the manufacturer, somewhat humiliated. "Yet I have not told you +all concerning the usurer. Beasts of prey and vampires inspire an +involuntary disgust or fear. Nobody could find pleasure in meeting a +hungry wolf, or in having his blood sucked by a vampire. The usurer is +both vampire and wolf. He hankers to suck the very marrow from the +bones of those who in financial straits have recourse to him. When an +embarrassed person borrows from him, that person is obliged to mortgage +twice the amount that he actually receives. The usurer is a heartless +strangler, an insatiable glutton. He is perpetually goaded on by +covetousness to work the material ruin of others, only so that the ruin +of his neighbor may benefit himself. In short, the usurer is a monster +so frightful, a brute so devoid of conscience, that the very sight of +him excites horror and disgust. Just such a monster is Shund in the +eyes of all who know him--and the whole city knows him. Hence the man +is the object of general aversion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, this is still worse, still more astonishing!" rejoined +the +millionaire with animation. "I thought our city enlightened. I should +have expected from the intelligence and judgment of our citizens +that they would have deferred neither to the sickly sentimentalism +of a bigoted morality nor to the absurdity of obsolete dogmas. If +your description of the usurer, which might at least be styled +poetico-religious, is an expression of the prevailing spirit of this +city, I shall certainly have to lower my estimate of its intelligence +and culture."</p> + +<p class="normal">The leader hastened to correct the misunderstanding.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, Mr. Greifmann! You may rest assured that +we +can boast all the various conquests made by modern advancement. +Religious enthusiasm and foolish credulity are poisonous plants that +superannuated devotees are perhaps still continuing to cultivate here +and there in pots, but which the soil will no longer produce in the +open air. The sort of education prevailing hereabout is that which has +freed itself from hereditary religious prejudices. Our town is blessed +with all the benefits of progress, with liberty of thought, and freedom +from the thraldom of a dark, designing priesthood."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How comes it, then, that a man is an object of contempt for +acting in +accordance with the principles of this much lauded progress?" asked the +millionaire, with unexpected sarcasm. "We are indebted to progress for +the abolition of a legal rate of interest. Shund takes advantage of +this conquest, and for doing so citizens who boast of being progressive +look upon him with aversion. A further triumph secured by progress is +freedom from the tyranny of dogmas and the tortures of a conscience +created by a contracted morality. This beautiful fruit of the tree of +enlightened knowledge Shund partakes of and enjoys; and for this he has +the distinction of passing for a vampire. And because he displays the +spirit of an energetic business man, because his capacity for +speculating occasionally overwhelms blockheads and dunces, he is +decried as a ravenous wolf. It is sad! If your statements are correct, +Mr. Schwefel, our city ought not to boast of being progressive. Its +citizens are still groping in the midnight darkness of religious +superstition, scarcely even united with modern intellectual +advancement. And to me the consciousness is most uncomfortable of +breathing an atmosphere poisoned by the decaying remnants of an age +long since buried."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My own personal views accord with yours," protested Schwefel +candidly. +"The subversion of the antiquated, absurd articles of faith and moral +precept necessarily entails the abrogation of the consequences that +flow from them for public life. For centuries the cross was a symbol of +dignity, and the doctrine of the Crucified resulted in holiness. +Paganism, on the contrary, looked upon the gospel as foolishness, as a +hallucination, and upon the cross as a sign of shame. I belong to the +classic ranks, and so do millions like myself--among them Mr. Shund. +Viewed in the light of progress, Shund is neither a vampire nor a wolf; +at the worst, he is merely an ill used business man. They who suffer +themselves to be humbugged and fleeced by him have their own stupidity +to thank for it. This exposition will convince you that I stand on a +level with yourself in the matter of advanced enlightenment. +Nevertheless, you overlook, Mr. Greifmann, that, so far as the masses +of the people are concerned, reverence for the cross and the holiness +of its doctrines continue to prevail. The acquisitions of progress are +not yet generally diffused. The mines of modern intellectual culture +are being provisionally worked by a select number of independent, bold +natures. The multitude, on the other hand, still continue folding about +them the winding-sheet of Christianity. The views, customs, principles, +and judgments of men are as yet widely controlled by Christian +elements. Our city does homage to progress, pretty nearly, however, in +the manner of a blind man that discourses of colors."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not catch the drift of your simile of the blind man and +colors," +interrupted Greifmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wanted to intimate that thousands swear allegiance to +progress +without comprehending its nature. Very many imagine progress to be a +struggle in behalf of Germany against the enfeebling system of +innumerable small states, or a battling against religious rigorism and +priest-rule in secular concerns. In unpretending guises like these, the +spirit of the age circulates among the crowd travestied in the +fashionable epithet <i>progressive</i>. Were you, however, to remove the +shell from around the kernel of progress, were you to exhibit it to the +multitude undisguised as the nullification of religion, as the denial +of the God of Christians, as the rejection of immortality, and of an +essential difference between man and the beast--were you to venture +thus far, you would see the millions flying in consternation before the +monster Progress. Now, just because the multitude, although +progressive-minded, everywhere judges men by Christian standards, very +often, too, unconsciously, therefore Shund has to pass, not for an able +speculator, but for a miserable usurer and an unconscionable +scoundrel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For this very cause, the liberal leaders of this city should +stand up +for Shund," opposed the banker. "Just appreciation and respect should +not be denied a deserving man. To speak candidly, Mr. Schwefel, what +first accidentally arrested my attention, now excites my most lively +interest. I wish to see justice done Mr. Shund, to see his uncommon +abilities recognized. You must set his light upon a candlestick. You +must have him elected mayor and member of the legislature; in both +capacities he will fill his position with distinction. I repeat, our +deeply indebted city stands in want of a mayor that will reckon closely +and economize. And in the legislative assembly Shund's fluency will +talk down all opposition, his readiness of speech will do wonders. Were +it only to spite the stupid mob, you must put Shund in nomination."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It will not do, Mr. Greifmann! it is impracticable! We have +to proceed +cautiously and by degrees. Our policy lies in conducting the +unsophisticated masses from darkness into light, quite gradually, inch +by inch, and with the utmost caution. A sudden unveiling of the inmost +significance of the spirit of the age would scare the people, and drive +them back heels over head into the clerical camp."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not at all share your apprehensions," contended the +millionaire. +"Our people are further advanced than you think. Make the trial. Your +vast influence will easily manage to have Shund returned mayor and +delegate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Undoubtedly, but my standing would be jeopardized," rejoined +Schwefel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is a mistake, sir! You employ four hundred families."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Four hundred and seventy now," said the manufacturer, +correcting him +blandly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Four hundred and seventy families, therefore, are getting a +living +through you, consequently you have four hundred and seventy voters at +your command. Add to these a considerable force of mechanics who earn +wages in your employ. You have, moreover, a number of warm friends who +also command a host of laborers and mechanics. Hence you risk neither +standing nor influence, that is," added he with a smile, "unless +perhaps you dread the anathemas of Ultramontanes and impostors."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The pious wrath of believers has no terrors deserving +notice," +observed the leader with indifference.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet all this time Shund's remarkable abilities have not +been able +to win the slightest notice on the part of progressive men--it is +revolting!" cried the banker. "Mr. Schwefel, I will speak plainly, +trusting to your being discreet; I will recommend your factory at +Vienna, but only on condition that you have Hans Shund elected mayor +and member of the legislature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is asking a great deal--quite flattering for Shund and +very +tempting to me," said the leader with a bright face and a thrice +repeated nod to the banker. "Since, however, what you ask is neither +incompatible with the spirit of the times nor dishonorable to the sense +of a liberal man, I accept your offer, for it is no small advantage for +me from a business point of view."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Capital, Mr. Schwefel! Capital, because very sensible!" spoke +Carl +Greifmann approvingly. A short groan, resembling the violent bursting +forth of suppressed indignation, resounded from the adjoining +apartment. The banker shuffled on the floor and drowned the groan by +loudly rasping his throat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One condition, however, I must insist upon," continued the +manufacturer of straw hats. "My arm might prove unequal to a task that +will create no ordinary sensation. But if you succeeded in winning over +Erdblatt and Sand to the scheme, it would prosper without fail and +without much noise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall do so with pleasure, Mr. Schwefel! Both those +gentlemen will, +in all probability, call on me today in relation to matters of +business. It will be for me a pleasing consciousness to have aided in +obtaining merited recognition for Hans Shund."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our agreement is, however, to be kept strictly secret from +the +public."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, of course!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will not forget, at the same time, Mr. Greifmann, that +our very +extraordinary undertaking will necessitate greater than ordinary +outlay. It is a custom among laborers not to work on the day before +election, and the same on election day itself. Yet, in order to keep +them in good humor, they must get wages the same as if they had worked. +This is for the manufacturer no insignificant disadvantage. Moreover, +workingmen and doubtful voters, require to be stimulated with beer +gratis--another tax on our purses."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How high do these expenses run?" asked the millionaire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Sand, Erdblatt, and myself, they never fall short of +twelve +hundred florins."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would make each one's share of the costs four hundred +florins."</p> + +<p class="normal">Taking a five-hundred florin banknote between his thumb and +forefinger, +the banker reached it carelessly to the somewhat puzzled leader.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My contribution to the promotion of the interests of +progress! I shall +give as much to Messrs. Sand and Erdblatt."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Many thanks, Mr. Greifmann!" said Schwefel, pocketing the +money with +satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="normal">The millionaire drew himself up. "I have no doubt," said he, +in his +former cold and haughty tone, "that my recommendation will secure your +establishment the custom already alluded to."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I entertain a similar confidence in your influence, and will +take the +liberty of commending myself most respectfully to your favor." Bowing +frequently, Schwefel retreated backwards towards the door, and +disappeared. Greifmann stepped to the open entrance of the side +apartment. There sat the youthful landholder, his head resting heavily +on his hand. He looked up, and Carl's smiling face was met by a pair of +stern, almost fierce eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you heard, friend Seraphin?" asked he triumphantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes--and what I have heard surpasses everything. You have +bargained +with a member of that vile class who recognize no difference between +honor and disgrace, between good and evil, between self-respect and +infamy, who know only one god--which is money."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not show yourself so implacable against these <i>vile</i> +beings, my +dearest! There is much that is useful in them, at any rate they are +helping me to the finest horses belonging to the aristocracy."</p> + +<p class="normal">A stealthy step was heard at the door of the cabinet.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you hear that timid rap?" asked the banker. "The rapper's +heart is +at this moment in his knuckles. It is curious how men betray in trifles +what at the time has possession of their feelings. The mere rapping +gives a keen observer an insight into the heart of a person whom he +does not as yet see. Listen--" Rapping again, still more stealthily and +imploringly. "I must go and relieve the poor devil, whom nobody would +suspect for a mighty leader. Now, Mr. Seraphin, Act the Second. Come +in!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The man who entered, attired in a dress coat and kids, was +Erdblatt, a +tobacco merchant, spare in person, and with restless, spering eyes. The +millionaire greeted him coldly, then pointed him to the chair that had +been occupied by Schwefel. The impression produced by the two hundred +thousands on the man of tobacco was far more decided than in the case +of the manufacturer of straw hats. Erdblatt was restless in his chair, +and as the needle is attracted by the pole, so did Erdblatt's whole +being turn towards the money. His eyes glanced constantly over the +paper treasures, and a spasmodic jerking seized upon his fingers. But +he soon sat motionless and stiff, as if thunderstruck at Greifmann's +terrible words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your substantial firm," began the mighty man of money, after +some few +formalities, "has awaked in me a degree of attention which the ordinary +course of business does not require. I have to-day received notice from +an English banking-house that in a few days several bills first of +exchange, amounting to sixty thousand florins, will be presented to be +paid by you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Erdblatt was dumfounded and turned pale.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The amount is not precisely what can be called +insignificant," +continued Greifmann coolly, "and I did not wish to omit notifying you +concerning the bills, because, as you are aware, the banking business +is regulated by rigorous and indiscriminating forms."</p> + +<p class="normal">Erdblatt took the hint, turned still more pale, and uttered +not a word.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This accumulation of bills of exchange is something +abnormal," +proceeded Greifmann with indifference. "As they are all made payable on +sight, you are no doubt ready to meet this sudden rush with proud +composure," concluded the banker, with a smile of cold politeness.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the dumfounded Erdblatt was far from enjoying proud +composure. His +manner rather indicated inability to pay and panic terror. "Not only is +the accumulation of bills of exchange to the amount of sixty thousand +florins something abnormal, but it also argues carelessness," said he +tersely. "Were it attributable to accident, I should not complain; but +it has been occasioned by jealous rivalry. Besides, they are bills +first of exchange--it is something never heard of before--it is +revolting--there is a plot to ruin me! And I have no plea to allege for +putting off these bills, and I am, moreover, unable to pay them."</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker shrugged his shoulders coldly, and his countenance +became +grave.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Might I not beg you to aid me, Mr. Greifmann?" said he +anxiously. "Of +course, I shall allow you a high rate of interest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not practicable with bills of exchange," rejoined the +banker +relentlessly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When will the bills be presented?" asked the leader, with +increasing +anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps as early as to-morrow," answered Greifmann, still +more +relentless.</p> + +<p class="normal">The manufacturer of tobacco was near fainting.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot conceive of your being embarrassed," said the banker +coldly. +"Your popularity and influence will get you assistance from friends, in +case your exchequer happens not to be in a favorable condition."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The amount is too great; I should have to borrow in several +quarters. +This would give rise to reports, and endanger the credit of my firm."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are not wrong in your view," answered the banker coldly. +"Accidents may shake the credit of the most solid firm, and other +accidents may often change trifling difficulties into fatal +catastrophes. How often does it not occur that houses of the best +standing, which take in money at different places, are brought to the +verge of bankruptcy through public distrust?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The words of the money prince were nowise calculated to +reassure Mr. +Erdblatt.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Be kind enough to accept the bills, and grant me time," +pleaded he +piteously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That, sir, would be contrary to all precedents in business," +rejoined +Greifmann, with an icy smile. "Our house never deviates from the paths +of hereditary custom."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I could pay in ten thousand florins at once," said Erdblatt +once more. +"Within eight weeks I could place fifty thousand more in your hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am very sorry, but, as I said, this plan is impracticable," +opposed +Greifmann. "Yet I have half a mind to accept those bills, but only on a +certain condition."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am willing to indemnify you in any way possible," assured +the +tobacco merchant, with a feeling of relief!</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hear the condition stated in a few words. As you know, I live +exclusively for business, never meddle in city or state affairs. +Moreover, labor devoted by me to political matters would be +superfluous, in view of the undisputed sway of liberalism. +Nevertheless, I am forced to learn, to my astonishment, that progress +itself neglects to take talent and ability into account, and exhibits +the most aristocratic nepotism. The remarkable abilities of Mr. Shund +are lost, both to the city and state, merely because Mr. Shund's +fellow-citizens will not elect him to offices of trust. This is unjust; +to speak plainly, it is revolting, when one considers that there is +many a brainless fellow in the City Council who has no better +recommendation than to have descended from an old family, and whose +sole ability lies in chinking ducats which he inherited but never +earned. Shund is a genius compared with such boobies; but genius does +not pass current here, whilst incapacity does. Now, if you will use +your influence to have Shund nominated for mayor of this city, and for +delegate to the legislature, and guarantee his election, you may +consider the bills of exchange as covered."</p> + +<p class="normal">Not even the critical financial trouble by which he was beset +could +prevent an expression of overwhelming surprise in the tobacco man's +face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I certainly cannot have misunderstood you. You surely mean to +speak of +Ex-Treasurer Shund, of this place?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The same--the very same."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Mr. Greifmann, perhaps you are not aware--"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am aware of everything," interrupted the banker. "I know +that many +years ago Mr. Shund awkwardly put his hand into the city treasury, that +he was sent to the penitentiary, that people imagine they still see him +in the penitentiary garb, and, finally, that in the stern judgment of +the same people he is a low usurer. But usury has been abrogated by +law. The theft Shund has not only made good by restoring what he stole, +but also atoned for by years of imprisonment. Now, why is a man to be +despised who has indeed done wrong, but not worse than others whose +sins have long since been forgotten? Why condemn to obscurity a man +that possesses the most brilliant kind of talent for public offices? +The contempt felt for Shund on the part of a population who boast of +their progress is unaccountable--may be it would not be far from the +truth to believe that some influential persons are jealous of the +gifted man," concluded the banker reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me, please! The <i>thief</i> and <i>usurer</i> it might +perhaps be +possible to elect," conceded Erdblatt. "But Shund's disgusting and +shameless amours could not possibly find grace with the moral sense of +the public."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and the origin of this <i>moral sense</i> is the sixth +commandment of +the Jew Moses," said the millionaire scornfully. "I cannot understand' +how you, a man of advanced views; can talk in this manner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You misinterpret my words," rejoined the leader +deprecatingly. "To me, +personally, Shund exists neither as a usurer nor as a debauchee. +Christian modes of judging are, of course, relegated among absurdities +that we have triumphed over. In this instance, however, there is no +question of my own personal conviction, but of the conviction of the +great multitude. And in the estimation of the multitude unbridled +liberty is just as disgraceful as the free enjoyment of what, +<i>morally</i>, is forbidden."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are altogether in the same rut as Schwefel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you spoken with Schwefel on this subject?" asked +Erdblatt +eagerly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only a moment ago. Mr. Schwefel puts greater trust in his +power than +you do in yours, for he agreed to have Shund elected mayor and +delegate. Mr. Schwefel only wishes you and Sand would lend your aid."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With pleasure! If Schwefel and Sand are won over, then all is +right."</p> + +<p class="normal">"From a hint of Schwefel's," said Greifmann, taking up a +five-hundred-florin banknote from the table, "I infer that the election +canvass is accompanied with some expense. Accept this small +contribution. As for the bills of exchange, the matter is to rest by +our agreement."</p> + +<p class="normal">Erdblatt also backed out of the cabinet, bowing repeatedly as +he +retreated.</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin rushed from his hiding-place in great excitement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, Greifmann, this is terrible! Do you call that advanced +education? +Do you call that progress? Those are demoralized, infernal beings. I +spit upon them! And are these the rabble that are trying to arrogate to +themselves the leadership of the German people?--rabble who ignore the +Deity, the human soul, and morality generally! But what completely +unsettles me is your connivance--at least, your connection with these +infernal spirits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But be easy, my good fellow, be easy! <i>I</i> connected with +tobacco and +straw?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At all events, you have been ridiculing the ten commandments +and +Christian morals and faith."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was I not obliged to do so in order to show how well the +thief, +usurer, and filthy dog Shund harmonizes with the spirit of progress? +Can he who wishes to make use of the devil confer with the devil in the +costume of light? Not at all; he must clothe himself in the mantle of +darkness. And you must not object to my using the demon Progress for +the purpose of winning your span of horses and saving my stakes. Let us +not have a disgraceful altercation. Consider me as a stage actor, +whilst you are a spectator that is being initiated into the latest +style of popular education. Ah, do you hear? The last one is drawing +near. Be pleased to vanish."</p> + +<p class="normal">The third leader, house-builder Sand, appeared. The greater +portion of +his face is hidden by a heavy black beard; in one hand he carries a +stout bamboo cane; and it is only after having fully entered, that he +deliberately removes his hat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish you a pleasant morning, Mr. Greifmann. You have sent +for me: +what do you want?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker slowly raised his eyes from the latest exchange +list to the +rough features of the builder, and remembering that the man had risen +up from the mortarboard to his present position, and had gained wealth +and influence through personal energy, he returned the short greeting +with a friendly inclination of the head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you have the goodness to be seated, Mr. Sand?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The man of the black beard took a seat, and, having noticed +the +handsome collection of banknotes, his coarse face settled itself into a +not very attractive grin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I want to impart to you my intention of erecting a villa on +the +Sauerberg, near the middle of our estate at Wilheim," continued the +millionaire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, that is a capital idea!" And the man of the beard became +very +deeply interested. "The site is charming, no view equal to it; healthy +location, vineyards round about, your own vineyards moreover. I could +put you up a gem there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is what I think, Mr. Sand! My father, who has been +abroad for the +last three months, is quite satisfied with the plan; in fact, he is the +original projector of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know, I know! your father has a taste for what is grand. We +shall +try and give him satisfaction, which, by the bye, is not so very easy. +But you have the money, and fine fortunes can command fine houses."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What I want principally is to get you to draw a plan, +consulting your +own taste and experience in doing so. You will show it to me when +ready, and I will tell you whether I like it or not."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, Mr. Greifmann, very well! But I must know +beforehand what +amount of money you are willing to spend upon the house; for all +depends upon the cost."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well," said the millionaire, after some deliberation, "I am +willing to +spend eighty thousand florins on it, and something over, perhaps."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, well, for that amount of money something can be put +up--something +small but elegant. Are you in a hurry with the building?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To be sure! As soon as the matter is determined upon, there +is to be +no delay in carrying it out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am altogether of your opinion, Mr. Greifmann--I agree with +you +entirely!" assented the builder, with an increase of animation. "I +shall draw up a plan for a magnificent house. If it pleases you, all +hands shall at once be set at work, and by next autumn you shall behold +the villa under roof."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course you are yourself to furnish all the materials," +added the +banker shrewdly. "When once the plan will have been settled upon, you +can reach me an estimate of the costs, and I will pay over the money."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To be sure, Mr. Greifmann--that is the way in which it should +be done, +Mr. Greifmann!" responded the man of the black beard with a satisfied +air. "You are not to have the slightest bother. I shall take all the +bother upon myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That, then is agreed upon! Well, now, have you learned yet +who is to +be the next mayor?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, yes, the old one is to be reelected!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all! We must have an economical and intelligent man +for next +mayor. Of this I am convinced, because the annual deficit in the +treasury is constantly on the increase."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Alas, 'tis true! And who is the man of economy and +intelligence to +be?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Hans Shund."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who--what? Hans Shund? The thief, the usurer, the convict, +the +debauchee? Who has been making a fool of you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me, sir! I never suffer people to make a fool of me!" +rejoined +the banker with much dignity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes--somebody has dished up a canard for you. What, that +good-for-nothing scoundrel to be elected mayor! Never in his life! Hans +Shund mayor--really that is good now--ha, ha!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Sand, you lead me to suspect that you belong to the party +of +Ultramontanes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who--<i>I</i> an Ultramontane? That is ridiculous! Sir, I am at +the head of +the men of progress--I am the most liberal of the liberals--that, sir, +is placarded on every wall."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How come you, then, to call Mr. Sand a good-for-nothing +scoundrel?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Simply for this reason, because, he is a usurer and a +dissipated +wretch."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I am in the right, after all! Mr. Sand belongs to the +ranks of +the <i>pious</i>," jeered the banker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Greifmann, you are insulting!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing is further from my intention than to wound your +feelings, my +dear Mr. Sand! Be cool and reasonable. Reflect, if you please. Shund, +you say, puts out money at thirty per cent. and higher, and therefore +he is a usurer. Is it not thus that you reason?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, yes! The scoundrel has brought many a poor devil to ruin +by means +of his Jewish speculations!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your pious indignation," commended the millionaire, "is +praiseworthy, +because it is directed against what you mistake for a piece of +scoundrelism. Meanwhile, please to calm down your feelings, and let +your reason resume her seat of honor so that you may reflect upon my +words. You know that in consequence of recent legislation every +capitalist is free to put out money at what rate soever he pleases. +Were Shund to ask <i>fifty</i> per cent., he would not be stepping outside +of the law. He would then be, as he now is, an honest man. Would he +not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is as you say, so far as the law is concerned!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Furthermore, if after prudently weighing, after wisely +calculating, +the <i>pros</i> and <i>cons</i>, Shund concludes to draw in his money, and in +consequence many a poor devil is ruined, as you say, surely no +reasonable man will on that account condemn legally authorized +speculation!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't talk to me of legally authorized speculation. The law +must not +legalize scoundrelism; but whosoever by cunning usury brings such to +ruin is and ever will be a scoundrel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why a scoundrel, Mr. Sand? Why, pray?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Surely it is clear enough--because he has ruined men!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ruined! How? Evidently through means legally permitted. +Therefore, +according to your notion the law <i>does</i> legalize scoundrelism; at least +it allows free scope to scoundrels. Mr. Sand, no offence intended: I am +forced, however, once more to suspect that you do, perhaps without +knowing it, belong to the <i>pious</i>. For they think and feel just as you +do, that is, in accordance with so-called laws of morality, religious +views and principles. That, judged by such standards, Shund is a +scoundrel who hereafter will be burned eternally in hell, I do not +pretend to dispute."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At bottom, I believe you are in the right, after all--yes, it +is as +you say," conceded the leader reluctantly. "Ahem--and yet I am surprised +at your being in the right. I would rather, however that you were in +the right, because I really do not wish to blame anybody or judge him +by the standard of the Ultramontanes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That tone sounds genuinely progressive, and it does honor to +your judgment!" lauded the banker. "Again, you called Shund a +good-for-nothing scoundrel because he loves the company of women. Mr. +Sand, do you mean to vindicate the sacred nature of the sixth +commandment in an age that has emancipated itself from the thrall of +symbols and has liberated natural inclinations from the servitude of a +bigoted priesthood?--you, who profess to stand at the head and front of +the party of progress?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is really odd--you are in the right again! Viewed from the +standpoint of the times, contemplated in the light of modern +intellectual culture, Shund must not really be called good-for-nothing +for being a usurer and an admirer of women.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shund's qualifications consequently fit him admirably for the +office +of mayor. He will be economical, he will make the expenditures balance +with the revenue. Even in the legislature, Shund's principles and +experience will be of considerable service to the country and to the +cause of progress. I am so much in favor of the man that I shall award +you the building of my villa only on condition that you will use all +your influence for the election of Shund to the office of mayor and to +the legislature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mayor--assemblyman, too--ahem! that will be hard to do."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By no means! Messrs. Schwefel and Erdblatt will do their best +for the +same end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is that so, really? In that case there is no difficulty! Mr. +Greifmann, consider me the man that will build your villa."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The canvass will cost you some money--here, take this, my +contribution +to the noble cause," and he gave him a five-hundred-florin banknote.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will suffice, Mr. Greifmann, that will suffice. The plan +you +cannot have until after the election, for Shund will give us enough to +do."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Everything is possible to you, Mr. Sand! Whatever Cæsar, +Lepidus, and +Antony wish at Rome, that same must be."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very true, very true." And the last of the leaders +disappeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would never have imagined the like to be possible," spoke +the +landholder, entering. "They all regard Shund as a low, abandoned +wretch, and yet material interest determines every one of them to +espouse the cause of the unworthy, contemptible fellow. It is +extraordinary! It is monstrous!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot deny that progress is eminently liberal," replied +the +banker, laughing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nor will I deny that it possesses neither uprightness nor +conscience, +nor, especially, morals," rejoined the young man with seriousness.</p> + +<p class="normal">Carl saw with astonishment Seraphin's crimsoned cheeks and +flaming +eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear fellow, times and men must be taken as they are, not +as they +should be," said the banker. "Interest controls both men and things. At +bottom, it has ever been thus. In the believing times of the middle +ages, men's interest lay in heaven. All their acts were done for +heaven; they considered no sacrifice as too costly. Thousands quit +their homes and families to have their skulls cloven by the Turks, or +to be broiled by the glowing heats of Palestine. For the interests of +heaven, thousands abandoned the world, fed on roots in deserts, +gave up all the pleasures of life. At present, the interest lies in +this world, in material possessions, in money. Do not therefore get +angry at progress if it refuses to starve itself or to be cut down by +Moorish scimitars, but, on the other hand, has strength of mind and +self-renunciation enough to promote Hans Shund to honors and offices."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin contemplated Greifmann, who smiled, and hardly knew +how to +take him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"An inborn longing for happiness has possession of all men," +said he +with reserve. "The days of faith were ruled by moral influences; the +spirit of this age is ruled by base matter. Between the moral struggles +of the past strong in faith, and the base matter of the present, there +is, say what you will, a notable difference."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doubtless!" conceded Greifmann. "The middle ages were +incontestably +the grandest epoch of history. I am actuated by the honest intention of +acquainting you with the active principles of the present."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and you have been not immaterially aided by luck. But +for the +order from Vienna for straw hats, the bills of exchange, and that +villa, you would hardly have attained your aim."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greifmann smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The straw-hat story is merely a mystification, my dear +friend. When +the end will have been reached, when Hans Shund will have been elected +mayor and assemblyman, a few lines will be sufficient to inform Mr. +Schwefel that the house in Vienna has countermanded its order. Nor is +any villa to be constructed. I shall pay Sand for his drawings, and +this will be the end of the project. The matter of the bills of +exchange is not a hoax, and I am still free to proceed against Erdblatt +in the manner required by the interests of my business."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin stood before the ingenuous banker, and looked at him +aghast.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is true," said Greifmann gaily, "I have laid out fifteen +hundred +florins, but I have done so against one hundred per cent.; for they are +to secure me victory in our wager."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your professional routine is truly admirable," said Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not exactly that, but practical, and not at all sentimental, +my +friend."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall take a walk through the garden to get over my +astonishment," +concluded Gerlach; and he walked away from the astute man of money.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<h3>SERAPHIN AND LOUISE.</h3> + +<p class="normal">Sombre spirits flitted about the head of the young man with +the +blooming cheeks and light eyes. He was unable to rid himself of a +feeling of depression; for he had taken a step into the domain of +progress, and had there witnessed things which, like slimy reptiles, +drew a cold trail over his warm heart. Trained up on Christian +principles, schooled by enlightened professors of the faith, and +watched over with affectionate vigilance by a pious mother, Seraphin +had had no conception of the state of modern society. For this reason, +both Greifmann <i>Senior</i> and Gerlach <i>Senior</i> committed a blunder in +wishing to unite by marriage three millions of florins, the owners of +which not merely differed, but were the direct opposites of each other +in disposition and education.</p> + +<p class="normal">Louise belonged to the class of emancipated females who have +in vain +attempted to enhance the worth of noble womanhood by impressing on +their own sex the sterner type of the masculine gender. In Louise's +opinion, the beauty of woman does not consist in graceful gentleness, +amiable concession and purity, but in proudly overstepping the bounds +set for woman by the innate modesty of her sex. The beautiful young +lady had no idea of the repulsiveness of a woman who strives to make a +man of herself, but she was sure that the cause and origin of woman's +degradation is religion. For it was to Eve that God had said: "Thou +shalt be under thy husband's power, and he shall have dominion over +thee." Louise considered this decree as revolting, and she detested the +book whose authority among men gives effect to its meaning. On the +other hand, she failed to observe that woman's sway is powerful and +acknowledged wherever it exerts itself over weak man through affection +and grace. Quite as little did Miss Louise observe that men assume the +stature of giants so soon as women presume to appear in relation to +them strong and manlike. Least of all did she discover anything +gigantic in the kind-hearted Seraphin. In the consciousness of her +fancied superiority of education, she smiled at the simplicity of his +faith, and, as the handsome young gentleman appeared by no means an +ineligible <i>parti</i>, she believed it to be her special task to train her +prospective husband according to her own notions. She imagined this +course of training would prove an easy undertaking for a lady whose +charms had been uniformly triumphant over the hearts of gentlemen. But +one circumstance appeared to her unaccountable--that was Seraphin's +cold-bloodedness and unshaken independence. For eight days she had +plied her arts in vain, the most exquisite coquetry had been wasted to +no purpose, even the irresistible fire of her most lovely eyes had +produced no perceptible impression on the impregnable citadel of the +landholder's heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is a mere child as yet, the most spotless innocence," she +would +muse hopefully. "He has been sheltered under a mother's wings like a +pullet, and for this I am beholden to Madame Gerlach, for she has +trained up an obedient husband for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin sauntered through the walks of the garden, absorbed +in gloomy +reflections on the leaders of progress. Their utter disregard of honor +and unparalleled baseness were disgusting to him as an honorable man, +whilst their corruption and readiness for deeds of meanness were +offensive to him as a Christian. Regarding Greifmann, also, he +entertained misgivings. Upon closer examination, however, the +unsuspecting youth thought he discovered in the banker's manner of +treating the leaders and their principles a strong infusion of ridicule +and irony. Hence, imposed upon by his own good nature, he concluded +that Greifmann ought not in justice to be ranked among the hideous +monstrosities of progress.</p> + +<p class="normal">With head sunk and rapt in thought, Gerlach strayed +indefinitely amid +the flowers and shrubbery. All at once he stood before Louise. The +young lady was seated under a vine-covered arbor; in one hand she held +a book, but she had allowed both hand and book to sink with graceful +carelessness upon her lap. For some time back she had been observing +the thoughtful young man. She had been struck by his manly carriage and +vigorous step, and had come to the conclusion that his profusion of +curling auburn hair was the most becoming set-off to his handsome +countenance. She now welcomed the surprised youth with a smile so +winning, and with a play of eyes and features so exquisite, that +Seraphin, dazzled by the beauty of the apparition, felt constrained to +lower his eyes like a bashful girl. What probably contributed much to +this effect was the circumstance of his being at the time in a rather +vacant and cheerless state of mind, so that, coming suddenly into the +presence of this brilliant being, he experienced the power of the +contrast. She appeared to him indescribably beautiful, and he wondered +that this discovery had not forced itself upon him before. +Unfortunately, the young gentleman possessed but little of the +philosophy which will not suffer itself to be deceived by seductive +appearances, and refuses to recognize the beautiful anywhere but in its +agreement with the true and good.</p> + +<p class="normal">Louise perceived in an instant that now was at hand the +long-looked-for +fulfilment of her wishes. The certainty which she felt that the +conquest was achieved diffused a bewitching loveliness over her person. +Seraphin, on the other hand, stood leaning against the arbor, and +became conscious with fear and surprise of a turmoil in his soul that +he had never before experienced.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been keeping myself quiet in this shady retreat," said +she +sweetly, "not wishing to disturb your meditations. Carl's wager is a +strange one, but it is a peculiarity of my brother's occasionally to +manifest a relish for what is strange."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right--strange, very strange!" replied Seraphin, +evidently in +allusion to his actual state of mind. The beautiful young lady, +perceiving the allusion, became still more dazzling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should regret very much that the wager were lost by a guest +of ours, +and still more that you were deprived of your splendid race-horses. I +will prevail on Carl not to take advantage of his victory."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Many thanks, miss; but I would much rather you would not do +so. If I +lose the wager, honor and duty compel me to give up the stakes to the +winner. Moreover, in the event of my losing, there would be another +loss far more severe for me than the loss of my racers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What would that be?" inquired she with some amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The loss of my good opinion of men," answered he sadly. "What +I have +heard, miss, is base and vile beyond description." And he recounted for +her in detail what had taken place.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Such things are new to you, Mr. Seraphin; hence your +astonishment and +indignation."</p> + +<p class="normal">The youth felt his soul pierced because she uttered not a word +of +disapproval against the villainy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Carl's object was good," continued she, "in so far as his +manœuvre +has procured you an insight into the principles by which the world is +just now ruled."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would be satisfied to lose the wager a thousand times, and +even +more, did I know that the world is not under such rule."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is wrong to risk one's property for the sake of a +delusion," said +she reprovingly. "And it would be a gross delusion not to estimate men +according to their real worth. A proprietor of fields and woodland, +who, faithful to his calling, leads an existence pure and in accord +with nature's laws, must not permit himself to be so far misled by the +harmlessness of his own career as to idealize the human species. For +were you at some future day to become more intimately acquainted with +city life and society, you would then find yourself forced to smile at +the views which you once held concerning the present."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Smile at, my dear miss? Hardly. I should rather have to mourn +the +destruction of my belief. Moreover, it is questionable whether I could +breathe in an atmosphere which is unhealthy and destructive of all the +genuine enjoyments of life!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what do you look upon as the genuine enjoyments of life?" +asked +she with evident curiosity.</p> + +<p class="normal">He hesitated, and his childlike embarrassment appeared to her +most +lovely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, Mr. Seraphin! I have been indiscreet, for +such a +question is allowable to those only who are on terms of intimacy." And +the beauty exhibited a masterly semblance of modesty and amiability. +The artifice proved successful, the young man's diffidence fled, and +his heart opened.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You possess my utmost confidence, most esteemed Miss +Greifmann! +Intercourse with good, or at least honorable, persons appears to me to +be the first condition for enjoying life. How could any one's existence +be cheerful in the society of people whose character is naught and +whose moral sense expired with the rejection of every religious +principle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yet perhaps it might, Mr. Seraphin!" rejoined she, with a +smile of +imagined superiority. "Refinement, the polished manners of society, may +be substituted for the rigor of religious conviction."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Polished manners without moral earnestness are mere +hypocrisy," +answered he decidedly. "A wolf, though enveloped in a thousand +lambskins, still retains his nature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How stern you are!" exclaimed she, laughing. "And what is the +second +condition for the true enjoyment of life, Mr. Seraphin?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is evidently the accord of moral consciousness with the +behests of +a supreme authority; or to use the ordinary expression, a good +conscience," answered the millionaire earnestly.</p> + +<p class="normal">A sneering expression spontaneously glided over her +countenance. She +felt the hateful handwriting of her soul in her features, turned +crimson, and cast down her eyes in confusion. The young man had not +observed the expression of mockery, and could not account for her +confusion. He thought he had perhaps awkwardly wounded her +sensitiveness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I merely meant to express my private conviction," said Mr. +Seraphin +apologetically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which is grand and admirable," lauded she.</p> + +<p class="normal">Her approbation pleased him, for his simplicity failed to +detect the +concealed ridicule. After a walk outside of the city which Gerlach took +towards evening, in the company of the brother and sister, Carl +Greifmann made his appearance in Louise's apartment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have at last succeeded in capturing him," began he with a +chuckle +of satisfaction. "I was almost beginning to lose confidence in your +well-tried powers. This time you seemed unable to keep the field, to +the astonishment of all your acquaintances. They never knew you to be +baffled where the heart of a weak male was to be won."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you talking about?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"About the fat codfish of two million weight whom you have +been +successful in angling."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not understand you, most mysterious brother!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not understand me, and yet you blush like the skies +before a +rainstorm! What means the vermilion of those cheeks, if you do not +understand?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I blush, first, on account of my limited understanding, which +cannot +grasp your philosophy; and, secondly, because I am amazed at the +monstrous figures of your language."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I shall have to speak without figures and similes upon a +subject +which loses a great deal in the light of bare reality, which, I might +indeed say, loses all, dissolves into vapor, like will-o'-the-wisps and +cloud phantoms before the rising sun. I hardly know how to mention +the subject without figures, I can hardly handle it except with +poetic figures," exclaimed he gaily, seating himself in Louise's +rocking--chair, rocking himself. "Speaking in the commonest prose, my +remarks refer to the last victim immolated to your highness--to the +last brand kindled by the fire of your eyes. To talk quite broadly, I +mean the millionaire and landholder Seraphin Gerlach, who is head and +ears in love with you. Considered from a business and solid point of +view, it is exceedingly flattering for the banker's brother to see his +sister adored by so considerable a sum of money."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Madman, you profane the noblest feelings of the heart," she +chidingly +said, with a smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am a man of business, my dear child, and am acquainted with +no +sanctuary but the exchange. Relations of a tender nature, noble +feelings of the heart, lying as they do without the domain of +speculation, are to me something incomprehensible and not at all +desirable. On the other hand, I entertain for two millions of money a +most prodigious sympathy, and a love that casts the flames of all your +heroes and heroines of romance into the shade. Meanwhile, my sweet +little sister, there are two aspects to everything. An alliance between +our house and two millions of florins claims admiration, 'tis true; yet +it is accompanied with difficulties which require serious reflection." +The banker actually ceased rocking and grew serious.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Might I ask a solution of your enigma?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"All jesting aside, Louise, this alliance is not altogether +free from +risks," answered he. "Just consider the contrast between yourself and +Seraphin Gerlach's good nature is touching, and his credulous +simplicity is calculated to excite apprehension. Guided, imposed upon, +entirely bewitched by religious phantasms, he gropes about in the +darkness of superstition. You, on the contrary, sneer at what Seraphin +cherishes as holy, and despise such religious nonsense. Reflect now +upon the enormous contrast between yourself and the gentleman whom fate +and your father's shrewdness have selected for your husband. Honestly, +I am in dread. I am already beginning to dream of divorce and every +possible tale of scandal, which would not be precisely propitious for +our firm."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What contradictions!" exclaimed the beauty with +self-reliance. "You +just a moment ago announced my triumph over Seraphin, and now you +proclaim my defeat."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your defeat! Not at all! But I apprehend wrangling and +discord in your +married life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wrangling and discord because Seraphin loves me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No--not exactly--but because he is a believer and you are an +unbeliever; in short, because he does not share your aims and views."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How short-sighted you are! As you conceive of it, love is not +a +passion; at most, only, a cool mood which cannot be modified by the +lovers themselves. Your apprehension would be well grounded concerning +that kind of love. But suppose love were something quite different? +Suppose it were a passion, a glowing, dazzling, omnipotent passion, and +that Seraphin really loved me, do you think that I would not skilfully +and prudently take advantage of this passion? Cannot a woman exert a +decisive and directing influence over the husband who loves her +tenderly? I have no fears because I do not view love with the eyes of a +trader. I hope and trust with the adjurations of love to expel from +Seraphin all superstitious spirits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How sly! Surely nothing can surpass a daughter of Eve in the +matter of +seductive arts!" exclaimed he, laughing. "Hem--yes, indeed, after what +I have seen to-day, it is plain that the Adam Seraphin will taste of +the forbidden fruit of ripened knowledge, persuaded by this tenderly +beloved Eve. Look at him: there he wanders in the shade of the garden, +sighing to the rose-bushes, dreaming, of your majesty, and little +suspecting that he is threatened with conversion and redemption from +the kingdom of darkness."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<h3>HANS SHUND.</h3> + +<p class="normal">Hans Shund returned home from business in high feather. +Something +unusual must have happened him, for his behavior was exceptional. +Standing before his desk, he mechanically drew various papers from his +pockets, and laid them in different drawers and pigeon-holes. The +mechanical manner of his behavior was what was exceptional, for usually +Hans Shund bestowed particular attention upon certain papers; his +soul's life was in those papers. Moreover, on the present occasion, he +kept shaking his head as if astonishment would not suffer him to remain +quiet. Yet habitually Hans Shund never shook his head, for that +proceeding betrays interior emotion, and Shund's neck was as hardened +and stiff as his usurer's soul. The other exceptional feature of his +behavior was a continuous growing, which at length waxed into a genuine +soliloquy. But Hans Shund was never known to talk to himself, for +talking to one's self indicates a kindly disposition, whilst Shund had +no disposition whatever, as they maintain who knew him; or, if he had +ever had one, it had smouldered into a hard, impenetrable crust of +slag.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Strange--remarkably strange!" said he. "Hem! what can it +mean? How am +I to account for it? Has the usurer undergone a transformation during +the night?" And a hideous grin distorted his face. "Am I metamorphosed, +am I enchanted, or am I myself an enchanter? Unaccountable, marvellous, +unheard of!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The papers had been locked up in the desk. A secret power +urged him up +and down the room, and finally into the adjoining sitting-room, where +Mrs. Shund, a pale, careworn lady, sat near a sewing-stand, intent on +her lonely occupation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wife, queer things have befallen me. Only think, all the city +notables +have raised their hats to your humble servant, and have saluted me in a +friendly, almost an obsequious manner. And this has happened to me +to-day--to me, the hated and despised usurer! Isn't that quite amazing? +Even the city regent, Schwefel's son, took off his hat, and bowed as if +I were some live grandee. How do you explain that prodigy?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The careworn woman kept on sewing without raising her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why don't you answer me, wife? Don't you find that most +astonishing?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am incapable of being astonished, since grief and care have +so +filled my heart that no room is left in it for feelings of any other +kind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, well! what is up again?" asked he, with curiosity.</p> + +<p class="normal">She drew a letter written in a female hand from one of the +drawers of +the sewing-stand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Read this, villain!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hastily snatching the letter, he began to read.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hem," growled he indifferently. "The drab complains of being +neglected, of not getting any money from me. That should not be a cause +of rage for you, I should think. The drab is brazen enough to write to +you to reveal my weaknesses, all with the amicable intention of getting +up a thundergust in our matrimonial heaven. Do learn sense, wife, and +stop noticing my secret enjoyments."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fie, villain. Fie upon you, shameless wretch!" cried she, +trembling in +every limb.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Listen to me, wife! Above all things, let us not have a +scene, an +unnecessary row," interrupted he. "You know how fruitless are your +censures. Don't pester me with your stale lectures on morals."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nearly every month I get a letter of that sort written in the +most +disreputable purlieus of the town, and addressed to my husband. It is +revolting! Am I to keep silent, shameless man--<i>I</i> your wedded wife? Am +I to be silent in presence of such infamous deeds?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rather too pathetic, wife! Save your breath. Don't grieve at +the +liberties which I take. Try and accustom yourself to pay as little +attention to my conduct as I bestow upon yours. When years ago I +entered the contract with you vulgarly denominated marriage, I did it +with the understanding that I was uniting myself to a subject that was +willing to share with me a life free from restraints; I mean, a life +free from the odor of so-called hereditary moral considerations and of +religious restrictions. Accustom yourself to this view of the matter, +rise to my level, enjoy an emancipated existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke and left the room. In his office he read the letter +over.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This creature is insatiable!" murmured he to himself. "I +shall have to +turn her off and enter into less expensive connections. I am talking +with myself to-day--queer, very queer!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A heavy knock was heard at the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come in!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A man and woman scantily clad entered the room. The sight of +the +wretched couple brought a fierce passion into the usurer's countenance. +He seemed suddenly transformed into a tiger, bloodthirstily crouching +to seize his prey.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter. Holt?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Shund," began the man in a dejected tone, "the officer of +the law +has served the writ upon us: it is to take effect in ten days."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is, unless you make payment," interrupted Shund.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are not able to pay just now, Mr. Shund, it is impossible. +I wished +therefore to entreat you very earnestly to have patience with us poor +people."</p> + +<p class="normal">The woman seconded her husband's petition by weeping bitterly, +wringing +her hands piteously. The usurer shook his head relentlessly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Patience, patience, you say. For eight years I have been +using +patience with you; my patience is exhausted now. There must be limits +to everything. There is a limit to patience also. I insist upon your +paying."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Consider, Mr. Shund, I am the father of eight children. If +you insist +on payment now and permit the law to take its course, you will ruin a +family of ten persons. Surely your conscience will not permit you to do +this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Conscience! What do you mean? Do not trouble me with your +nonsense. +For me, conscience means to have; for you, it means you must. +Therefore, pay."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Shund, you know it is yourself that have reduced us to +this +wretched condition!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You don't say I did! How so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I remind you, Mr. Shund, may I remind you of all the +circumstances +by which this was brought about? How it happened that from a man of +means I have been brought to poverty?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go on, dearest Holt--go on; it will be interesting to me!" +The usurer +settled himself comfortably to hear the summary of his successful +villanies from the mouth of the unfortunate man with the same +satisfaction with which a tiger regales itself on the tortures of its +victim.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nine years ago, Mr. Shund, I was not in debt, as you know. I +labored +and supported my family honestly, without any extraordinary exertion. A +field was for sale next to my field at the Rothenbush. You came at the +time--it is now upwards of eight years, and said in a friendly way, +'Holt, my good man, buy that field. It lies next to yours, and you +ought not to let the chance slip.' I wanted the field, but had no +money. This I told you. You encouraged me, saying, 'Holt, my good man, +I will let you have the money--on interest, of course; for I am a man +doing business, and I make my living off my money. I will never push +you for the amount. You may pay it whenever and in what way you wish. +Suit yourself.' You gave me this encouragement at the time. You loaned +me nine hundred and fifty florins--in the note, however, you wrote one +thousand and fifty, and, besides, at five per cent. For three years I +paid interest on one thousand and fifty, although you had loaned me +only nine hundred and fifty. All of a sudden--I was just in trouble at +the time, for one of my draught-cattle had been crippled, and the +harvest had turned out poorly, you came and demanded your money. I had +none. 'I am sorry,' said you, 'I need my money, and could put it out at +much higher interest.' I begged and begged. You threatened to sue me. +Finally, after much begging, you proposed that I should sell you the +field, for which three years previous I had paid nine hundred and fifty +florins, for seven hundred florins, alleging that land was no longer as +valuable as it had been. You were willing to rent me the field at a +high rate. And to enable me to get along, you offered to lend me +another thousand, but drew up a note for eleven hundred florins at ten +per cent., because, as you pretended, money was now bringing ten per +cent. since the law regulating interest had been abrogated. For a long +while I objected to the proposal, but found myself forced at last to +yield because you threatened to attach my effects. From this time I +began to go downhill, I could no longer meet expenses, my family was +large, and I had to work for you to pay up the interest and rent. But +for some time back I had been unable to do as I wished. I could not +even sell any of my own property; for you were holding me fast, +and I was obliged to mortgage everything to you for a merely nominal +price. My cottage, my barn, my garden, and the field in front of my +house--worth at least two thousand florins--I had to give you a +mortgage upon for one thousand. The rest of my immovable property, +fields and meadows, you took. Nothing was left to me but the little hut +and what adjoined it. With respects, Mr. Shund, you had long since +sucked the very marrow from my bones, next you put the rope about my +neck, and now you are about to hang me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hang you? Ha--ha! That's good, Holt! You are in fine humor," +cried the +usurer, after hearing with a relish the simple account of his atrocious +deeds. "I have no hankering for your neck. Pay up, Holt, pay up, that +is all I want. Pay me over the trifle of a thousand florins and the +interest, and the house with everything pertaining to it shall be +yours. But if you cannot pay up, it will have to be sold at auction, so +that I may get my money."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For heaven's sake, Mr. Shund, be merciful," entreated the +wife. "We +have saved up the interest with much trouble; every farthing of it you +are to receive. For God's sake, do not drive us from our home, Mr. +Shund, we will gladly toil for you day and night. Take pity, Mr. Shund, +do take pity on my poor children!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stop your whining. Pay up, money alone has any value in my +estimation--pay, all the rest is fudge. Pay up!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"God knows, Mr. Shund," sobbed the woman, wringing her hands, +"I would +give my heart's blood to keep my poor children out of misery--with my +life I would be willing to pay you. Oh! do have some commiseration, do +be merciful! Almighty God will requite you for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Almighty God, nonsense! Don't mention such stuff to me. +Stupid palaver +like that might go down with some bigoted fool, but it will not affect +a man of enlightenment. Pay up, and there's an end of it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it your determination then, Mr. Shund, to cast us out +mercilessly +under the open sky?" inquired the countryman with deep earnestness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only want what belongs to me. Pay over the thousand florins +with the +interest, and we shall be quits. That's my position, you may go."</p> + +<p class="normal">In feeling words the woman once more appealed to Hans Shund. +He +remained indifferent to her pleading, and smiled scornfully whenever +she adduced religious considerations to support her petition. Suddenly +Holt took her by the arm and drew her towards the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Say no more, wife, say no more, but come away. You could more +easily +soften stones than a man who has no conscience and does not believe in +God."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There you have spoken the truth," sneered Shund.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You sneer, Mr. Shund," and the man's eyes glared. "Do you +know to whom +you owe it that your head is not broken?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What sort of language is that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is the language of a father driven to despair. I tell +you"--and the +countryman raised his clenched fists--"it is to the good God that you +are indebted for your life; for, if I believed as little in an almighty +and just God as you, with this pair of strong hands I would wring your +neck. Yes, stare at me! With these hands I would strangle Shund, who +has brought want upon my children and misery upon me. Come away, wife, +come away. He is resolved to reduce us to beggary as he has done to so +many others. Do your worst, Mr. Shund, but there above we shall have a +reckoning with each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">He dragged his wife out of the room, and went away without +saluting, +but casting a terrible scowl back upon Hans Shund.</p> + +<p class="normal">For a long while the usurer sat thoughtfully, impressed by the +ominous +scowl and threat, which were not empty ones, for rage and despair swept +like a rack over the man's countenance. Mr. Shund felt distinctly that +but for the God of Christians he would have been murdered by the +infuriated man. He discovered, moreover, that religious belief is to be +recommended as a safeguard against the fury of the mob. On the other +hand, he found this belief repugnant to a usurer's conscience and a +hindrance to the free enjoyment of life. Hans Shund thus sat making +reflections on religion, and endeavoring to drown the echo which Holt's +summons before the supreme tribunal had awakened in a secret recess of +his soul, when hasty steps resounded from the front yard and the door +was suddenly burst open. Hans' agent rushed in breathless, sank upon +the nearest chair, and, opening his mouth widely, gasped for breath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter, Braun?" inquired Shund in surprise. "What +has +happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Braun flung his arms about, rolled his eyes wildly, and +labored to get +breath, like a person that is being smothered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Get your breath, you fool!" growled the usurer. "What +business had you +running like a maniac? Something very extraordinary must be the matter, +is it not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Braun assented with violent nodding.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Anything terrible?" asked he further.</p> + +<p class="normal">More nodding from Braun. The usurer began to feel uneasy. Many +a +nefarious deed stuck to his hands, but not one that had not been +committed with all possible caution and secured against any afterclaps +of the law. Yet might he not for once have been off his guard? "What +has been detected? Speak!" urged the conscience-stricken villain +anxiously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Shund, you are to be--in this place--"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arrested?" suggested the other, appalled, as the agent's +breath failed +him again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No--mayor!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Shund straightened himself, and raised his hands to feel his +ears.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am surely in possession of my hearing! Are you gone mad, +fellow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Shund, you are to be mayor and member of the legislature. +It is a +settled fact!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed, 'tis quite a settled fact that you have lost your +wits. It is +a pity, poor devil! You once were useful, now you are insane; quite a +loss for me! Where am I to get another bloodhound as good as you? Your +scent was keen, you drove many a nice bit of game into my nets. Hem--so +many instances of insanity in these enlightened times of ours are +really something peculiar. Braun, dearest Braun, have you really lost +your mind entirely? Completely deranged?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not insane, Mr. Shund. I have been assured from various +sources +that you are to be elected mayor and delegate to the legislative +assembly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, various persons have been running a rig upon +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Running a rig upon me, Mr. Shund? Bamboozle me--me who +understand and +have practised bamboozling others for so long?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Still, I maintain that people have been playing off a hoax on +you--and +what an outrageous hoax it is, too!</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe a hoax? Just listen to me. I have never been more +clearheaded than I am to-day. Acquaintances and strangers in different +quarters of the town have assured me that it is a fixed fact that you +are to be mayor of this city and member of the legislative assembly. +Now, were it a hoax, would you not have to presuppose that both +acquaintances and strangers conspired to make a fool of me? Yet such a +supposition is most improbable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your reasoning is correct, Braun. Still, such a conspiracy +must really +have been gotten up. <i>I</i> mayor of this city? <i>I</i>? Reflect for an +instant, Braun. You know what an enviable reputation I bear throughout +the city. Many persons would go a hundred paces out of their direction +to avoid me, specially they who owe or have owed me anything. Moreover, +who appoints the mayor? The men who give the keynote, the leaders of +the town. Now, these men would consider themselves defiled by the +slightest contact with the outlawed usurer--which, of course, is very +unjust and inconsistent on the part of those gentlemen--for my views +are the same as theirs."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Spite of all that, I put faith in the report, Mr. Shund. +Schwefel's +bookkeeper also, when I met him, smiled significantly, and even raised +his hat."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hold on, Braun, hold! The deuce--it just now occurs to +me--you might +not be so much mistaken after all. Strange things have happened to me +also. Gentlemen who are intimate with our city magnates have saluted me +and nodded to me quite confidentially; I was unable to solve this +riddle, now it's clear. Braun, you are right, your information is +perfectly true." And Mr. Shund rubbed his hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't forget, Mr. Shund, that I first brought you the +astounding +intelligence, the joyful tidings, the information on which the very +best sort of speculations may be based."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You shall be recompensed, Braun! Go over to the sign of the +Bear, and +drink a bottle of the best, and I will pay for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At a thaler a bottle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That quality isn't good for the health, my dear fellow! You +may drink +a bottle at forty-eight kreutzers on my credit. But no--I don't wish to +occasion you an injury, nor do I wish to see you disgraced. You shall +not acquire the name of a toper in my employ. You may therefore call +for a pint glass at twelve kreutzers a glass. Go, now, and leave me to +myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">When the agent was gone, Hans Shund rushed about the room as +if out of +his mind.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't tell me that miracles no longer occur!" cried he. "<i>I</i>, +the +discharged treasurer--<i>I</i>, the thief, usurer, and profligate, at the +mere sight of whom every young miss and respectable lady turn up their +noses a thousand paces off--<i>I</i> am chosen to be mayor and assemblyman! +How has this come to pass? Where lie the secret springs of this +astonishing event?" And he laid his finger against his nose in a brown +study. "Here it is--yes, here! The thinkers of progress have at length +discovered that a man who from small beginnings has risen to an +independent fortune, whose shrewdness and energy have amassed enormous +sums, ought to be placed at the head of the city administration in +order to convert the tide of public debt into a tide of prosperity. +Yes, herein lies the secret. Nor are the gentlemen entirely mistaken. +There are ways and means of making plus out of minus, of converting +stones into money. But the gentlemen have taken the liberty of +disposing of me without my previous knowledge and consent. I have not +even been asked. Quite natural, of course. Who asks a dog for +permission to stroke him? This is, I own, an unpleasant aftertaste. +Hem, suppose I were too proud to accept, suppose I wanted to bestow my +abilities and energies on my own personal interests. Come, now, old +Hans, don't be sensitive! Pride, self-respect, character, sense of +honor, and such things are valuable only when they bring emolument. +Now, the mayor of a great city has it in his power to direct many a +measure eminently to his own interest."</p> + +<p class="normal">Another knock was heard at the door, and the usurer, taken by +surprise, +saw before him the leader Erdblatt.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you been informed of a fact that is very flattering to +you?" +began the tobacco manufacturer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not the slightest intimation of a fact of that nature has +reached me," +answered Shund with reserve.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I am very happy to be the first to give you the news," +assured +Erdblatt. "It has been decided to promote you at the next election to +the office of mayor and of delegate to the legislative assembly."</p> + +<p class="normal">A malignant smile flitted athwart Shund's face. He shook his +sandy head +in feigned astonishment, and fixed upon the other a look that was the +next thing to a sneer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are almost as many marvels in your announcement as +words. You +speak of a decision and of a fact which, however, without my humble +co-operation, are hardly practicable. I thought all along that the +disposition of my person belonged to myself. How could anything be +resolved upon or become a fact in which I myself happen to have the +casting vote?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your cordial correspondence with the flattering intention of +your +fellow-citizens was presumed upon; moreover, you were to be agreeably +surprised," explained the progressionist leader.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That, sir, was a very violent presumption! I am a free +citizen, and am +at liberty to dispose of my time and faculties as I please. In the +capacity of mayor, I should find myself trammelled and no longer +independent on account of the office. Moreover, a weighty +responsibility would then rest upon my shoulders, especially in the +present deplorable circumstances of the administration. Could I prevail +on my myself to accept the proffered situation, it would become my duty +to attempt a thorough reform in the thoughtless and extravagant +management of city affairs. You certainly cannot fail to perceive that +a reformer in this department would be the aim of dangerous +machinations. And lastly, sir, why is it that I individually have been +selected for appointments which are universally regarded as honorable +distinctions in public life? I repeat, why are they to be conferred, +upon me in particular who cannot flatter myself with enjoying very high +favor among the people of this city?" And there glistened something +like revengeful triumph in Shund's feline, eyes. "When you will have +given a satisfactory solution to these reflections and questions, it +may become possible for me to think of assenting to your proposal."</p> + +<p class="normal">Erdblatt had not anticipated a reception of this nature, and +for a +moment he sat nonplussed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask your pardon, Mr. Shund, you have taken the words fact +and +decision in too positive a sense. What is a decided fact is that the +leaders of progress assign the honorable positions mentioned to you. Of +course it rests with you to accept or decline them. The motive of our +decision was, if you will pardon my candor, your distinguished talent +for economizing. It is plain to us that a man of your abilities and +thorough knowledge of local circumstances could by prudent management +and, by eliminating unnecessary expenditure, do much towards relieving +the deplorable condition of the city budget. We thought, moreover, that +your well-known philanthropy would not refuse the sacrifices of +personal exertion and unremitting activity for the public good. +Finally, as regards the disrespect to which you have alluded, I assure +you I knew nothing of it. The stupid and mad rabble may perhaps have +cast stones at you, but can or will you hold respectable men +responsible for their deeds? Progress has ever proudly counted you in +its ranks. We have always found you living according to the principles +of progress, despising the impotent yelping of a religiously besotted +mob. Be pleased to consider the tendered honors as amends for the +insults of intolerant fanatics in this city."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your explanation, sir, is satisfactory. I shall accept. I am +particularly pleased to know that my conduct and principles are in +perfect accord with the spirit of progress. I am touched by the +flattering recognition of my greatly misconstrued position."</p> + +<p class="normal">The leader bowed graciously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There now remains for me the pleasant duty," said he, "of +requesting +you to honor with your presence a meeting of influential men who are to +assemble this evening in Mr. Schwefel's drawing-room. Particulars are +to be discussed there. The ultramontanes and democrats are turbulent +beyond all anticipation. We shall have to proceed with the greatest +caution about the delegate elections."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall be there without fail, sir! Now that I have made up +my mind to +devote my experience to the interests of city and state, I cheerfully +enter into every measure which it lies in my power to further."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you are out for the first time as candidate for the +assembly," said +Erdblatt, "a declaration of your political creed addressed to a meeting +of the constituents would not fail of a good effect."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Agreed, sir! I shall take pleasure in making known my views +in a +public speech."</p> + +<p class="normal">Erdblatt rose, and Mr. Hans Shund was condescending enough to +reach the +mighty chieftain his hand as the latter took his leave.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<h3>ELECTIONEERING.</h3> + +<p class="normal">The four millions of the balcony are at present standing +before two +suits of male apparel of the kind worn by the working class, +contemplating them with an interest one would scarcely expect from +millionaires in materials of so ordinary a quality. Spread out on the +elegant and costly table cover are two blouses of striped gray at +fifteen kreutzers a yard. There are, besides, two pairs of trowsers of +a texture well adapted to the temperature of the month of July. There +are also two neckties, sold at fairs for six kreutzers apiece. And, +lastly, two cheap caps with long broad peaks. These suits were intended +to serve as disguises for Seraphin and Carl on this evening, for the +banker did not consider it becoming gentlemen to visit electioneering +meetings, dressed in a costume in which they might be recognized. As +Greifmann's face was familiar to every street-boy, he had provided +himself with a false beard of sandy hue to complete his <i>incognito</i>. +For Seraphin this last adjunct was unnecessary, for he was a stranger, +was thus left free to exhibit his innocent countenance unmasked for the +gratification of curious starers.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This will be a pleasant change from the monotony of a banking +house +existence," said the banker gleefully. "I enjoy this masquerade: it +enables me to mingle without constraint among the unconstrained. You +are going to see marvellous things to-night, friend Seraphin. If your +organs of hearing are not very sound, I advise you to provide yourself +with some cotton, so that the drums of your ears may not be endangered +from the noise of the election skirmish."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your caution is far from inspiring confidence," said Louise +with some +humor. "I charge it upon your soul that you bring back Mr. Gerlach safe +and sound, for I too am responsible for our guest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I, it seems, am less near to you than the guest, for you +feel no +anxiety about me," said the brother archly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eight o'clock--it is our time."</p> + +<p class="normal">He pulled the bell. A servant carried off the suits to the +gentlemen's +rooms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I beseech the men in blouses for the honor of a visit +before they +go?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You shall have an opportunity to admire us," said Carl. The +transformation of the young men was more rapidly effected than the +self-satisfied mustering of Louise before the large mirror which +reflected her elegant form entire. She laughingly welcomed her brother +in his sandy beard, and fixed a look of surprise upon Seraphin, whose +innocent person appeared to great advantage in the simple costume.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible to recognize you," decided the young lady. "You, +brother +Redbeard, look for all the world like a cattle dealer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The gracious lady has hit it exactly," said the banker with +an assumed +voice. "I am a horse jockey, bent on euchreing this young gentleman out +of a splendid pair of horses."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Friend Seraphin is most lovely," said she in an undertone. +"How well +the country costume becomes him!" And her sparkling eyes darted +expressive glances at the subject of her compliments.</p> + +<p class="normal">For the first time she had called him friend, and the word +friend made +him more happy than titles and honors that a prince might have +bestowed. He felt his soul kindle at the sight of the lovely being +whose delicate and bewitching coquetry the inexperienced youth failed +to detect, but the influence of which he was surely undergoing. His +cheeks glowed still more highly, and he became uneasy and embarrassed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your indulgent criticism is encouraging, Miss Louise," +replied he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have merely told the truth," replied she.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But our hands--what are we to do with our hands?" interposed +Carl. +"Soft white hands like these do not belong to drovers. First of all, +away with diamonds and rubies. Gold rings and precious stones are not +in keeping with blouses. Nor will it do, in hot weather like this, to +bring gloves to our aid--that's too bad! What <i>are</i> we to do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nobody will notice our hands," thought Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My good fellow, you do not understand the situation. We are +on the eve +of the election. Everybody is out electioneering. Whoever to-day visits +a public place must expect to be hailed by a thousand eyes, stared at, +criticised, estimated, appraised, and weighed. The deuce take these +hands! Good advice would really be worth something in this instance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To a powerful imagination like your own," added Louise +playfully. She +disappeared for a moment and then returned with a washbowl. Pouring the +contents of her inkstand into the water, she laughingly pointed them to +the dark mass.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dip your precious hands in here, and you will make them +correspond +with your blouses in color and appearance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How ingenious she is!" cried Carl, following her direction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Most assuredly nothing comes up to the ingenuity of women. We +are +beautifully tattooed, our hands are horrible! We must give the stuff +time to dry. Had I only thought of it sooner, Louise, you should have +accompanied us disguised as a drover's daughter, and have drunk a +bumper of wine with us. The adventure might have proved useful to you, +and served as an addition to the sum of your experiences in life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will content myself with looking on from a distance," +answered she +gaily. "The extraordinary progressionist movement that is going on +to-day might make it a difficult task even for a drover's daughter to +keep her footing."</p> + +<p class="normal">The two millionaires sallied forth, Carl making tremendous +strides. +Seraphin followed mechanically, the potent charm of her parting glances +hovering around him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We shall first steer for the sign of the 'Green Hat,'" said +Greifmann. +"There you will hear a full orchestra of progressionist music, +especially trumpets and drums, playing flourishes on Hans Shund. 'The +Green Hat' is the largest beer cellar in the town, and the proprietor +ranks among the leaders next after housebuilder Sand. All the +representatives of the city <i>régime</i> gather to-day at the establishment +of Mr. Belladonna--that's the name of the gentleman of the 'Green Hat.' +Besides the leaders, there will be upward of a thousand citizens, big +and small, to hold a preliminary celebration of election day. There +will also be 'wild men' on hand," proceeded Carl, explaining. "These +are citizens who in a manner float about like atoms in the bright +atmosphere of the times without being incorporated in any brilliant +body of progress. The main object of the leaders this evening is to +secure these so-called 'wild men' in favor of their ticket for the city +council. Glib-tongued agents will be employed to spread their nets to +catch the floating atoms--to tame these savages by means of smart +witticisms. When, at length, a prize is captured and the tide of +favorable votes runs high, it is towed into the safe haven of agreement +with the majority. Resistance would turn out a serious matter for a +mechanic, trader, shopkeeper, or any man whose position condemns him to +obtain his livelihood from others. Opposition to progress dooms every +man that is in a dependent condition to certain ruin. For these reasons +I have no misgivings about being able to convince you that elections +are a folly wherever the banner of progress waves triumphant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The conviction with which you threaten me would be anything +but +gratifying, for I abhor every form of terrorism," rejoined Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, my good fellow! But we must accustom ourselves to +take +things as they are and not as they ought to be. Therefore, my youthful +Telemachus, you are under everlasting obligations to me, your +experienced Mentor, for procuring you an opportunity of becoming +acquainted with the world, and constraining you to think less well of +men than your generous heart would incline you to do."</p> + +<p class="normal">They had reached the outskirts of the city. A distant roaring, +resembling the sound of shallow waters falling, struck upon the ears of +the maskers. The noise grew more distinct as they advanced, and finally +swelled into the brawling and hum of many voices. Passing through a +wide gate-way, the millionaires entered a square ornamented with +maple-trees. Under the trees, stretching away into the distance, were +long rows of tables lit up by gaslights, and densely crowded with men +drinking beer and talking noisily. The middle of the square was +occupied by a rotunda elevated on columns, with a zinc roof, and +bestuck in the barbarous taste of the age with a profusion of tin +figures and plaster-of-paris ornaments. Beneath the rotunda, around a +circular table, sat the leaders and chieftains of progress, conspicuous +to all, and with a flood of light from numerous large gas-burners +streaming upon them. Between Sand and Schwefel was throned Hans Shund, +extravagantly dressed, and proving by his manner that he was quite at +his ease. Nothing in his deportment indicated that he had so suddenly +risen from general contempt to universal homage. Mr. Shund frequently +monopolized the conversation, and, when this was the case, the company +listened to his sententious words with breathless attention and many +marks of approbation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mentor Greifmann conducted his ward to a retired corner, into +which the +rays of light, intercepted by low branches, penetrated but faintly, and +from which a good view of the whole scene could be enjoyed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you observe Hans there under the baldachin surrounded by +his +vassals?" rouned Carl into his companion's ear. "Even you will be made +to feel that progress can lay claim to a touching spirit of magnanimity +and forgiveness. It is disposed to raise the degraded from the dust. +The man who only yesterday was engaged in shoving a car, sweeping +streets, or even worse, to-day may preside over the great council, +provided only he has the luck to secure the good graces of the princes +of progress. Hans Shund, thief, usurer, and nightwalker, is a most +striking illustration of my assertion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What particularly disgusts and incenses me," replied the +double +millionaire gravely, "is that, under the <i>régime</i> of progress, they who +are degraded, immoral, and criminal, may rise to power without any +reformation of conduct and principles."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What you say is so much philosophy, my dear fellow, and +philosophy is +an antique, obsolete kind of thing that has no weight in times when +continents are being cut asunder and threads of iron laid around the +globe. Moreover, such has ever been the state of things. In the dark +ages, also, criminals attained to power. Just think of those bloody +monarchs who trifled with human heads, and whose ministers, for the +sake of a patch of territory, stirred up horrible wars. Compared with +such monsters, Hans Shund is spotless innocence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite right, sir," rejoined the landholder, with a smile. +"Those +bloody kings and their satanic ministers were monsters--but only--and I +beg you to mark this well--only when judged by principles which modern +progress sneers at as stupid morality and senseless dogma. I even find +that those princely monsters and their conscienceless ministers shared +the species of enlightenment that prides itself on repudiating all +positive religion and moral obligations."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thunder and lightning, Seraphin! were not you sitting bodily +before +me, I should believe I was actually listening to a Jesuit. But be +quiet! It will not do to attract notice. Ah! splendid. There you see +some of the 'wild men,'" continued he, pointing to a table opposite. +"The fellow with the bald head and fox's face is an agent, a salaried +bellwether, a polished electioneer. He has the 'wild men' already +half-tamed. Watch how cleverly he will decoy them into the +progressionist camp. Let us listen to what he has to say; it will amuse +you, and add to your knowledge of the developments of progress."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We want men for the city council," spoke he of the bald head, +"that +are accurately and thoroughly informed upon the condition and +circumstances of the city. Of what use would blockheads be but to fuss +and grope about blindly? What need have we of fellows whose stupidity +would compromise the public welfare? The men we want in our city +council must understand what measures the social, commercial, and +industrial interests of a city of thirty thousand inhabitants require +in order that the greatest good of the largest portion of the community +may be secured. Nor is this enough," proceeded he with increasing +enthusiasm. "Besides knowledge, experience, and judgment, they must +also be gifted with the necessary amount of energy to carry out +whatever orders the council has thought fit to pass. They must be +resolute enough to break down every obstacle that stands in the way of +the public good. Now, who are the men to render these services? None +but independent men who by their position need have no regard to others +placed above them--free-spirited and sensible men, who have a heart for +the people. Now, gentlemen, have you any objections to urge against my +views?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"None, Mr. Spitzkopf! Your views are perfectly sound," lauded +a +semi-barbarian. "We have read exactly what you have been telling us in +the evening paper."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, of course!" cried Mr. Spitzkopf. "My views are so +evidently +correct that a thinking man cannot help stumbling upon them. None but +the slaves of priests, the wily brood of Jesuits, refuse to accept +these views," thundered the orator with the bald head. "And why do they +refuse to accept them? Because they are hostile to enlightenment, +opposed to the common good, opposed to the prosperity of mankind, in a +word, because they are the bitter enemies of progress. But take my word +for it, gentlemen, our city contains but a small number of these +creatures of darkness, and those few are spotted," emphasized he +threateningly. "Therefore, gentlemen," proceeded he insinuatingly, "I +am convinced, and every man of intelligence shares my conviction, that +Mr. Shund is eminently fitted for the city council--eminently! He would +be a splendid acquisition in behalf of the public interests! He +understands our local concerns thoroughly, possesses the experience of +many years, is conversant with business, knows what industrial pursuits +and social life require, and, what is better still, he maintains an +independent standing to which he unites a rare degree of activity. Were +it possible to prevail on Mr. Shund to take upon himself the cares of +the mayoralty, the deficit of the city treasury would soon be wiped +out. We would all have reason to consider ourselves fortunate in seeing +the interests of our city confided to such a man."</p> + +<p class="normal">The "wild men" looked perplexed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Right enough, Mr. Spitzkopf," explained a timid coppersmith. +"Shund is +a clever, well-informed man. Nobody denies this. But do you know that +it is a question whether, besides his clever head, he also possesses a +conscience in behalf of the commonwealth?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The most enlarged sort of a conscience, gentlemen--the +warmest kind of +a heart!" exclaimed the bald man in a convincing tone. "Don't listen to +stories that circulate concerning Shund. There is not a word of truth +in them. They are sheer misconstructions--inventions of the priests and +of their helots."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, Mr. Spitzkopf, they are not all +inventions," +opposed the coppersmith. "In the street where I live, Shund keeps up a +certain connection that would not be proper for any decent person, not +to say for a married man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And does that scandalize you?" exclaimed the bald-headed +agent +merrily. "Mr. Shund is a jovial fellow, he enjoys life, and is rich. +Mr. Shund will not permit religious rigorism to put restraints upon his +enjoyments. His liberal and independent spirit scorns to lead a +miserable existence under the rod of priestly bigotry. And, mark ye, +gentlemen, this is just what recommends him to all who are not +priest-ridden or leagued with the hirelings of Rome," concluded the +electioneer, casting a sharp look upon the coppersmith.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I am a Lutheran, Mr. Spitzkopf," protested the +coppersmith.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are hypocrites among the Lutherans who are even worse +than the +Romish Jesuits," retorted the man with the bald head. "Consider, +gentlemen, that the leading men of our city have, in consideration of +his abilities, concluded to place Mr. Shund in the position which he +ought to occupy. Are you going, on to-morrow, to vote against the +decision of the leading men? Are you actually going to make yourselves +guilty of such an absurdity? You may, of course, if you wish, for every +citizen is free to do as he pleases. But the men of influence are also +at liberty to do as they please. I will explain my meaning more fully. +You, gentlemen, are, all of you, mechanics--shoemakers, tailors, +blacksmiths, carpenters, etc. From whom do you get your living? Do you +get it from the handful of hypocrites and men of darkness? No; you get +your living from the liberals, for they are the moneyed men, the men of +power and authority. It is they who scatter money among the people. You +obtain employment, you get bread and meat, from the liberals. And now +to whom, do you think, will the liberals give employment? They will +give it to such as hold their views, and not--mark my word--to such as +are opposed to them. The man, therefore, that is prepared recklessly to +ruin his business has only to vote against Mr. Shund."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will do the business, that will fetch them," said +Greifmann. +"Just look how dumfounded the poor savages appear!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is brutal terrorism!" protested Seraphin indignantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But don't misunderstand me. Mr. Spitzkopf! I am neither a +hypocritical +devotee nor a Jesuit!" exclaimed the coppersmith deprecatingly. "If +Shund is good enough for them," pointing to the leaders under the +rotunda, "he is good enough for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For me, too!" exclaimed a tailor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There isn't a worthier man than Shund," declared a +shopkeeper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And not a cleverer," said a carpenter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And none more demoralized," lauded a joiner, unconscious of +the import +of his encomium.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's so, and therefore I am satisfied with him," assured a +shoemaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So am I--so am I," chorussed the others eagerly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is sensible, gentlemen," approved the bald man. "Just +keep in +harmony with liberalism and progress, and you will never be the worse +for it, gentlemen. Above all, beware of reaction--do not fall back into +the immoral morasses of the middle ages. Let us guard the light and +liberty of our beautiful age. Vote for these men," and he produced a +package of printed tickets, "and you will enjoy the delightful +consciousness of having disposed of your vote in the interests of the +common good."</p> + +<p class="normal">Spitzkopf distributed the tickets on which were the names of +the +councilmen elect. At the head of the list appeared in large characters +the name of Mr. Hans Shund.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The curtain falls, the farce is ended," said Greifmann. "What +you have +here heard and seen has been repeated at every table where 'wild men' +chanced to make their appearance. Everywhere the same arguments, the +same grounds of conviction."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin had become quite grave, and cast his eyes to the +ground in +silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"By Jove, the rogue is going to try his hand on us!" said +Carl, nudging +the thoughtful young man. "The bald-headed fellow has spied us, and is +getting ready to bag a couple of what he takes to be 'wild men.' Come, +let us be off."</p> + +<p class="normal">They left the beer cellar and took the direction of the city.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now let us descend a little lower, to what I might call the +amphibia +of society," said Greifmann. "We are going to visit a place where +masons, sawyers, cobblers, laborers, and other small fry are in the +habit of slaking their thirst. You will there find going on the same +sort of electioneering, or, as you call it, the same sort of terrorism, +only in a rougher style. There beer-jugs occasionally go flying about, +and bloody heads and rough-and-tumble, fights may be witnessed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no stomach for fisticuffs and whizzing beer-mugs," +said +Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never mind, come along. I have undertaken to initiate you +into the +mysteries of elections, and you are to get a correct idea of the life +action of a cultivated state."</p> + +<p class="normal">They entered an obscure alley where a fetid, sultry atmosphere +assailed +them. Greifmann stopped before a lofty house, and pointed to a +transparency on which a brimming beer-tankard was represented. A wild +tumult was audible through the windows, through which the cry of +"Shund!" rose at times like the swell of a great wave from the midst of +corrupted waters. As they were passing the doorway a dense fog of +tobacco smoke mingled with divers filthy odors assailed their nostrils. +Seraphin, who was accustomed to inhaling the pure atmosphere of the +country, showed an inclination to retreat, and had already half-way +faced about when his companion seized and held him. "Courage, my +friend! wade into the slough boldly," cried he into the struggling +youth's ear. "Hereafter, when you will be riding through woodland and +meadows, the recollection of this subterranean den will enable you to +appreciate the pure atmosphere of the country twice as well. Look at +those sodden faces and swollen heads. Those fellows are literally +wallowing and seething in beer, and they feel as comfortable as ten +thousand cannibals. It is really a joy to be among men who are +natural."</p> + +<p class="normal">The millionaires, having with no little difficulty succeeded +in finding +seats, were accosted by a female waiter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do the gentlemen wish to have election beer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," replied Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">His abrupt tone in declining excited the surprise of the +fellows who +sat next to them. Several of them stared at the landholder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you don't want any election beer?" cried a fellow who was +pretty +well fired.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not? May be it isn't good enough for you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, yes! oh, yes!" replied the banker hastily. "You see, Mr. +Shund"--</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's good! You call me Shund," interrupted the fellow with +a coarse +laugh. "My name isn't Shund--my name is Koenig--yes, Koenig--with all +due respect to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Mr. Koenig--you see, Mr. Koenig, we decline drinking +election +beer because we are not entitled to it--we do not belong to this +place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes--well, that's honest!" lauded Koenig. "Being that you +are a +couple of honest fellows, you must partake of some of the good things +of our feast. I say, Kate," cried he to the female waiter, "bring these +gentlemen some of the election sausages."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greifmann, perceiving that Seraphin was about putting in a +protest, +nudged him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What feast are you celebrating to-day?" inquired the banker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I will explain to you. We are to have an election here +to-morrow; +these men on the ticket, you see, are to be elected." And he drew forth +one of Spitzkopf's tickets. "Every one of us has received a ticket like +this, and we are all going to vote according to the ticket--of course, +you know, we don't do it for nothing. To-day and to-morrow, what we eat +and drink is free of charge. And if Satan's own grandmother were on the +ticket, I would vote for her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The first one on the list is Mr. Hans Shund. What sort of a +man is +he?" asked Seraphin. "No doubt he is the most honorable and most +respectable man in the place!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ha! ha! that's funny! The most honorable man in the place! +Really you +make me laugh. Never mind, however, I don't mean to be impolite. You +are a stranger hereabout, and cannot, of course, be expected to know +anything of it. Shund, you see, was formerly--that, is a couple of days +ago--Shund was a man of whom nobody knew any good. For my part, I +wouldn't just like to be sticking in Shund's hide. Well, that's the way +things are: you know it won't do to babble it all just as it is. But +you understand me. To make a long story short, since day before +yesterday Shund is the honestest man in the world. Our men of money +have made him that, you know," giving a sly wink. "What the men of +money do, is well done, of course, for the proverb says, 'Whose bread I +eat, his song I sing.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shut your mouth, Koenig! What stuff is that you are talking +there?" +said another fellow roughly. "Hans Shund is a free-spirited, clever, +first-class, distinguished man. Taken altogether, he is a liberal man. +For this reason he will be elected councilman to-morrow, then mayor of +the city, and finally member of the assembly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's so, that's so, my partner is right," confirmed Koenig. +"But +listen, Flachsen, you will agree that formerly--you know, formerly--he +was an arrant scoundrel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why was he? Why?" inquired Flachsen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why? Ha, ha! I say, Flachsen, go to Shund's wife, she can +tell you +best. Go to those whom he has reduced to beggary, for instance, to Holt +over there. They all can tell you what Shund is, or rather what he has +been. But don't get mad, brother Flachsen! Spite of all that, I shall +vote for Shund. That's settled." And he poured the contents of his +beer-pot down his throat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you gentlemen are strangers, I will undertake to explain +this +business for you," said Flachsen, who evidently was an agent for the +lower classes, and who did his best to put on an appearance of learning +by affecting high-sounding words of foreign origin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shund is quite a rational man, learned and full of +intelligence. But +the priests have calumniated him horribly because he will not howl with +them. For this reason we intend to elect him, not for the sake of the +free beer. When Shund will have been elected, a system of economy will +be inaugurated, taxes will be removed, and the encyclical letter with +which the Pope has tried to stultify the people, together with the +syllabus, will be sent to the dogs. And in the legislative assembly the +liberal-minded Shund will manage to have the priests excluded from the +schools, and we will have none but secular schools. In short, the +dismal rule of the priesthood that would like to keep the people in +leading-strings will be put an end to, and liberal views will control +our affairs. As for Shund's doings outside of legitimate wedlock, that +is one of the boons of liberty--it is a right of humanity; and when +Koenig lets loose against Shund's money speculations, he is only +talking so much bigoted nonsense."</p> + +<p class="normal">Flachsen's apologetic discourse was interrupted by a row that +took +place at the next table. There sat a victim of Shund's usury, the +land-cultivator Holt. He drank no beer, but wine, to dispel gloomy +thoughts and the temptations of desperation. It had cost him no +ordinary struggle to listen quietly to eulogies passed on Shund. He had +maintained silence, and had at times smiled a very peculiar smile. His +bruised heart must have suffered a fearful contraction as he heard men +sounding the praises of a wretch whom he knew to be wicked and devoid +of conscience. For a long time he succeeded in restraining himself. But +the wine he had drunk at last fanned his smouldering passion into a hot +flame of rage, and, clenching his fist, he struck the table violently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The fellow whom you extol is a scoundrel!" cried he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who is a scoundrel?" roared several voices.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your man, your councilman, your mayor, is a scoundrel! Shund +is a +scoundrel!" cried the ruined countryman passionately.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you, Holt, are a fool!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are drunk, Holt!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Holt is an ass," maintained Flachsen. "He cannot read, +otherwise he +would have seen in the <i>Evening Gazette</i> that Shund is a man of honor, +a friend of the people, a progressive man, a liberal man, a brilliant +genius, a despiser of religion, a death-dealer to superstition, +a--a--I don't remember what all besides. Had you read all that in the +evening paper, you fool, you wouldn't presume to open your foul mouth +against a man of honor like Hans Shund. Yes, stare; if you had read the +evening paper, you would have seen the enumeration of the great +qualities and deeds of Hans Shund in black and white."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The evening paper, indeed!" cried Holt contemptuously. "Does +the +evening paper also mention how Shund brought about the ruin of the +father of a family of eight children?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What's that you say, you dog?" yelled a furious fellow. +"That's a lie +against Shund!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Easy, Graeulich, easy," replied Holt to the last speaker, who +was +about to set upon him. "It is not a lie, for I am the man whom Shund +has strangled with his usurer's clutches. He has reduced me to +beggary--me and my wife and my children."</p> + +<p class="normal">Graeulich lowered his fists, for Holt spoke so convincingly, +and the +anguish in his face appealed so touchingly, that the man's fury was in +an instant changed to sympathy. Holt had stood up. He related at length +the wily and unscrupulous proceedings through which he had been brought +to ruin. The company listened to his story, many nodded in token of +sympathy, for everybody was acquainted with the ways of the hero of the +day.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's the way Shund has made a beggar of me," concluded +Holt. "And I +am not the only one, you know it well. If, then, I call Shund a usurer, +a scoundrel, a villain, you cannot help agreeing with me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Flachsen noticed with alarm that the feeling of the company +was +becoming hostile to his cause. He approached the table, where he was +met by perplexed looks from his aids.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't you perceive," cried he, "that Holt is a hireling of +the +priests? Will you permit yourselves to be imposed upon by this salaried +slave? Hear me, you scapegrace, you rascal, you ass, listen to what I +have to tell you! Hans Shund is the lion of the day--the greatest man +of this century! Hans Shund is greater than Bismarck, sharper than +Napoleon. Out of nothing God made the universe: from nothing Hans Shund +has got to be a rich man. Shund has a mouthpiece that moves like a +mill-wheel on which entire streams fall. In the assembly Shund will +talk down all opposition. He will talk even better than that fellow +Voelk, over in Bavaria, who is merely a lawyer, but talks upon +everything, even things he knows nothing about. And do you, lousy +beggar, presume to malign a man of this kind? If you open that filthy +mouth of yours once more, I will stop it for you with paving-stones."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hold, Flachsen, hold! <i>I</i> am not the man that is paid; you +are the one +that is paid," retorted the countryman indignantly. "My mouth has not +been honey-fed like yours. Nor do I drink your election beer or eat +your election sausages. But with my last breath I will maintain that +Shund is a scoundrel, a usurer, a villain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Out with the fellow!" cried Flachsen. "He has insulted us +all, for we +have all been drinking election beer. Out with the helot of the +priests!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The progressionist mob fell upon the unhappy man, throttled +him, beat +him, and drove him into the street.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us leave this den of cutthroats," said Gerlach, rising.</p> + +<p class="normal">Outside they found Holt leaning against a wall, wiping the +blood from +his face. Seraphin approached him. "Are you badly hurt, my good man?" +asked he kindly. The wounded man, looking up, saw a noble countenance +before him, and, whilst he continued to gaze hard at Seraphin's fine +features, tears began to roll from his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"O God! O God!" sighed he, and then relapsed into silence. But +in the +tone of his words could be noticed the terrible agony he was suffering.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the wound deep--is it dangerous?" asked the young man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, sir, no! The wound on my forehead is nothing--signifies +nothing; +but in here," pointing to his breast--"in here are care, anxiety, +despair. I am thankful, sir, for your sympathy; it is soothing. But you +may go your way; the blows signify nothing."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach whispered something to the banker. Holt pressed his +pocket-handkerchief to the wound.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Please yourself!" said the banker loudly, in a business tone. +Seraphin +again approached the beaten man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you please, my good man, to accompany us?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What for, sir?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I would like to do something towards healing up your +wound; I +mean the wound in there."</p> + +<p class="normal">Holt stood motionless before the stranger, and looked at him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, sir; there is no remedy for me; I am doomed!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Still, I will assist you. Follow me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who are you, sir, if I may ask the question?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am a man whom Providence seems to have chosen to rescue the +prey +from the jaws of a usurer. Come along with us, and fear nothing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, I will go in the name of God! I do not precisely +know your +object, and you are a stranger to me. But your countenance looks +innocent and kind, therefore I will go with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">They passed through alleys and streets.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you often visit that tavern?" inquired Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not six times in a year," answered Holt. "Sometimes of a +Sunday I +drink half a glass of wine, that's all. I am poor, and have to be +saving. I would not have gone to the tavern to-day but that I wanted to +get rid of my feelings of misery."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I overheard your story," rejoined Seraphin. "Shund's +treatment of you +was inhuman. He behaved towards you like a trickish devil."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That he did! And I am ruined together with my family," +replied the +poor man dejectedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take my advice, and never abuse Shund. You know how +respectable he has +suddenly got to be, how many influential friends he has. You can easily +perceive that one cannot say anything unfavorable of such a man without +great risk, no matter were it true ten times over."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not given to disputing," replied Holt. "But it stirred +the bile +within me to hear him extolled, and it broke out. Oh! I have learned to +suffer in silence. I haven't time to think of other matters. After God, +my business and my family were my only care. I attended to my +occupation faithfully and quietly as long as I had any to attend to, +but now I haven't any to take care of. O God! it is hard. It will bring +me to the grave."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a land cultivator?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shund intends to have you sold out?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; immediately after the election he intends to complete my +ruin."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How much money would you need in order with industry to get +along?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A great deal of money, a great deal--at least a thousand +florins. I +have given him a mortgage for a thousand florins on my house and what +was left to me. A thousand florins would suffice to help me out of +trouble. I might save my little cottage, my two cows, and a field. I +might then plough and sow for other people. I could get along and +subsist honestly. But as I told you, nothing less than a thousand +florins would do; and where am I to get so much money? You see there is +no hope for me, no help for me. I am doomed!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The mortgaged property is considerable," said Gerlach. "A +house, even +though a small one, moreover, a field, a barn, a garden, all these +together are surely worth a much higher price. Could you not borrow a +thousand florins on it and pay off the usurer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, sir. Nobody would be willing to lend me that amount of +money upon +property mortgaged to a man like Shund. Besides, my little property is +out of town, and who wants to go there? I, for my part, of course, like +no spot as much, for it is the house my father built, and I was born +and brought up there."</p> + +<p class="normal">The man lapsed into silence, and walked at Seraphin's side +like one +weighed down by a heavy load. The delicate sympathy of the young man +enabled him to guess what was passing in the breast of the man under +the load. He knew that Holt was recalling his childhood passed under +the paternal roof; that little spot of home was hallowed for him by +events connected with his mother, his father, his brothers and sisters, +or with other objects more trifling, which, however, remained fresh and +bright in memory, like balmy days of spring.</p> + +<p class="normal">From this consecrated spot he was to be exiled, driven out +with wife +and children, through the inhumanity and despicable cunning of an +usurer. The man heaved a deep sigh, and Gerlach, watching him sidewise, +noticed his lips were compressed, and that large tears rolled down his +weather-browned cheeks. The tender heart of the young man was deeply +affected at this sight, and the millionaire for once rejoiced in the +consciousness of possessing the might of money.</p> + +<p class="normal">They halted before the Palais Greifmann. Holt noticed with +surprise how +the man in blouse drew from his waistcoat pocket a small instrument +resembling a toothpick, and with it opened a door near the carriage +gate. Had not every shadow of suspicion been driven from Holt's mind by +Seraphin's appearance, he would surely have believed that he had fallen +into the company of burglars, who entrapped him to aid in breaking into +this palace.</p> + +<p class="normal">Reluctantly, after repeated encouragement from Gerlach, he +crossed the +threshold of the stately mansion. He had not quite passed the door when +he took off his cap, stared at the costly furniture of the hall through +which they were passing, and was reminded of St. Peter's thought as the +angel was rescuing him from the clutches of Herod. Holt imagined he saw +a vision. The man who had unlocked the door disappeared. Seraphin +entered an apartment followed by Shund's victim.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you know where you are?" inquired the millionaire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, sir, in the house of Mr. Greifmann the banker."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you are somewhat surprised, are you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am so much astonished, sir, that I have several times +pinched my +arms and legs, for it all seems to me like a dream."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin smiled and laid aside his cap. Holt scanned the noble +features +of the young man more minutely, his handsome face, his stately bearing, +and concluded the man in the blouse must be some distinguished +gentleman.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take courage," said the noble looking young man in a kindly +tone. "You +shall be assisted. I am convinced that you are an honest, industrious +man, brought to the verge of ruin through no fault of your own. Nor do +I blame you for inadvertently falling into the nets of the usurer, for +I believe your honest nature never suspected that there could exist so +fiendish a monster as the one that lives in the soul of an usurer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You may rely upon it, sir. If I had had the slightest +suspicion of +such a thing, Shund never would have got me into his clutches."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am convinced of it. You are partially the victim of your +own good +nature, and partially the prey of the wild beast Shund. Now listen to +me: Suppose somebody were to give you a thousand florins, and to say: +'Holt, take this money, 'tis yours. Be industrious, get along, be a +prudent housekeeper, serve God to the end of your days, and in future +beware of usurers'--suppose somebody were to address you in this way, +what would you do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Supposing the case, sir, although it is not possible, but +supposing +the case, what would I do? I would do precisely what that person would +have told me, and a great deal more. I would work day and night. Every +day, at evening prayer, I would get on my knees with my wife and +children, and invoke God's protection on that person. I would do that, +sir; but, as I said, the case is impossible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, suppose it did happen," explained Seraphin in a +preliminary way. "Give me your hand that you will fulfil the promise +you have just given."</p> + +<p class="normal">For a moment Seraphin's hand lay in a callous, iron palm, +which pressed +his soft fingers in an uncomfortable but well-meant grasp.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, now follow me," said Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">He led the way; Holt followed with an unsteady step like a +drunken man. +They presented themselves before the banker's counter. The latter was +standing behind the trellis of his desk, and on a table lay ten rolls +of money.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have just now by word and hand confirmed a promise," said +Gerlach, +turning to the countryman, "which cannot be appreciated in money, for +that promise comprises almost all the duties of the father of a family. +But to make the fulfilment of the promise possible, a thousand florins +are needed. Here lies the money. Accept it from me as a gift, and be +happy."</p> + +<p class="normal">Holt did not stir. He looked from the money at Gerlach, was +motionless +and rigid, until, at last, the paralyzing surprise began to resolve +itself into a spasmodic quivering of the lips, and then into a mighty +flood of tears. Seizing Seraphin's hands, he kissed them with an +emotion that convulsed his whole being.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will do now," said the millionaire, "take the money, and +go +home."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My God! I cannot find utterance," said Holt, stammering forth +the +words with difficulty. "Good heaven! is it possible? Is it true? I am +still thinking 'tis only a dream."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Downright reality, my man!" said the banker. "Stop crying; +save your +tears for a more fitting occasion. Put the rolls in your pocket, and go +home."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greifmann's coldness was effective in sobering down the man +intoxicated +with joy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I ask, sir, what your name is, that I may at least know +to whom I +owe my rescue?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Seraphin is my name."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your name sounds like an angel's, and you are an angel to me. +I am not +acquainted with you, but God knows you, and he will requite you +according to your deeds."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach nodded gravely. The banker was impatient and murmured +discontentedly. Holt carefully pocketed the rolls of money, made an +inclination of gratitude to Gerlach, and went out. He passed slowly +through the hall. The porter opened the door. Holt stood still before +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask your pardon, but do you know Mr. Seraphin?" asked he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why shouldn't I know a gentleman that has been our guest for +the last +two weeks?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must pardon my presumption, Mr. Porter. Will Mr. Seraphin +remain +here much longer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will remain another week for certain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am very much obliged to you," said Holt, passing into the +street and +hurrying away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your intended has a queer way of applying his money," said +the banker +to his sister the next morning. And he reported to her the story of +Seraphin's munificence. "I do not exactly like this sort of kindness, +for it oversteps all bounds, and undoubtedly results from religious +enthusiasm."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That, too, can be cured," replied Louise confidently. "I will +make him +understand that eternity restores nothing, that consequently it is +safer and more prudent to exact interest from the present."</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Tis true, the situation of that fellow Holt was a pitiable +one, and +Hans Shund's treatment of him was a masterpiece of speculation. He had +stripped the fellow completely. The stupid Holt had for years been +laboring for the cunning Shund, who continued drawing his meshes more +and more tightly about him. Like a huge spider, he leisurely sucked out +the life of the fly he had entrapped."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your hostler says there was light in Seraphin's room long +after +midnight. I wonder what hindered him from sleeping?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not hard to divine. In all probability he was +composing a +sentimental ditty to his much adored," answered Carl teasingly. +"Midnight is said to be a propitious time for occupations of that +sort."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do be quiet, you tease! But I too was thinking that he must +have been +engaged in writing. May be he was making a memorandum of yesterday's +experience in his journal."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May be he was. At all events, the impressions made on him +were very +strong."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I do not like your venture; it may turn out disastrous,"</p> + +<p class="normal">"How can it, my most learned sister?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know Seraphin's position," explained she. "He has been +reared in +the rigor of sectarian credulity. The spirit of modern civilization +being thus abruptly placed before his one-sided judgment without +previous preparation may alarm, nay, may even disgust him. And when +once he will have perceived that the brother is a partisan of the +horrible monster, is it probable that he will feel favorably disposed +towards the sister whose views harmonize with those of her brother?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have done nothing to justify him in setting me down for a +partisan. +I maintain strict neutrality. My purpose is to accustom the weakling to +the atmosphere of enlightenment which is fatal to all religious +phantasms. Have no fear of his growing cold towards you," proceeded he +in his customary tone of irony. "Your ever victorious power holds +him spell-bound in the magic circle of your enchantment. Besides, +Louise," continued he frowning, "I do not think I could tolerate a +brother-in-law steeped over head and ears in prejudices. You yourself +might find it highly uncomfortable to live with a husband of this +kind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Uncomfortable! No, I would not. I would find it exciting, for +it would +become my task to train and cultivate an abnormal specimen of the male +gender."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very praiseworthy, sister! And if I now endeavor by means of +living +illustrations to familiarize your intended with the nature of modern +intellectual enlightenment, I am merely preparing the way for your +future labors."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<h3>MASTERS AND SLAVES.</h3> + +<p class="normal">Under the much despised discipline of religious requirements, +the child +Seraphin had grown up to boyhood spotless in morals, and then had +developed himself into a young man of great firmness of character, +whose faith was as unshaken as the correctness of his behavior was +constant.</p> + +<p class="normal">The bloom of his cheeks, the innocent brightness of his eye, +the +suavity of his disposition, were the natural results of the training +which his heart had received. No foul passion had ever disturbed the +serenity of his soul. When under the smiling sky of a spring morning he +took his ride over the extensive possessions of his father, his +interior accorded perfectly with the peace and loveliness of the sights +and sounds of blooming nature around him. On earth, however, no spring, +be it ever so beautiful, is entirely safe from storms. Evil spirits lie +in waiting in the air, dark powers threaten destruction to all blossoms +and all incipient life. And the more inevitable is the dread might of +those lurking spirits, that in every blossom of living plant lies +concealed a germ of ruin, sleeps a treacherous passion--even in the +heart of the innocent Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">The strategic arts of the beautiful young lady received no +small degree +of additional power from the genuine effort made by her to please the +stately double millionaire. In a short time she was to such an extent +successful that one day Carl rallied her in the following humorous +strain: "Your intended is sitting in the arbor singing a most dismal +song! You will have to allow him a little more line, Louise, else you +run the risk of unsettling his brain. Moreover, I cannot be expected to +instruct a man in the mysteries of progress, if he sees, feels, and +thinks nothing but Louise."</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker had not uttered an exaggeration. It sometimes +happens that a +first love bursts forth with an impetuosity so uncontrollable, that, +for a time, every other domain of the intellectual and moral nature of +a young man is, as it were, submerged under a mighty flood. This +temporary inundation of passion cannot, of course, maintain its high +tide in presence of calm experience, and the sunshine of more ripened +knowledge soon dries up its waters. But Seraphin possessed only the +scanty experience of a young man, and his knowledge of the world was +also very limited. Hence, in his case, the stream rose alarmingly high, +but it did not reach an overflow, for the hand of a pious mother had +thrown up in the heart of the child a living dike strong enough to +resist the greatest violence of the swell. The height and solidity of +the dike increased with the growth of the child; it was a bulwark of +defence for the man, who stood secure against humiliating defeats +behind the adamantine wall of religious principles--yet only so long as +life sought protection behind this bulwark. Faith uttered a serious +warning against an unconditional surrender of himself to the object of +his attachment. For he could not put to rest some misgivings raised in +his mind by the strange and, to him, inexplicable attitude which Louise +assumed upon the highest questions of human existence. The uninitiated +youth had no suspicion of the existence of that most disgusting product +of modern enlightenment, the <i>emancipated</i> female. Had he discovered in +Louise the emancipated woman in all the ugliness of her real nature, he +would have conceived unutterable loathing for such a monstrosity. And +yet he could not but feel that between himself and Louise there yawned +an abyss, there existed an essential repulsion, which, at times, gave +rise within him to considerable uneasiness.</p> + +<p class="normal">To obtain a solution of the enigma of this antipathy, the +young +gentleman concluded to trust entirely to the results of his +observations, which, however, were far from being definitive; for his +reason was imposed upon by his feelings, and, from day to day, the +charms of the beautiful woman were steadily progressing in throwing a +seductive spell over his judgment. The banker's daughter possessed a +high degree of culture; she was a perfect mistress of the tactics +employed on the field of coquetry; her tact was exquisite; and she +understood thoroughly how to take advantage of a kindly disposition and +of the tenderness inspired by passion. How was the eye of Seraphin, +strengthened neither by knowledge nor by experience, to detect the true +worth of what lay hidden beneath this fascinating delusion?</p> + +<p class="normal">Here again his religious training came to the rescue of the +inexperienced youth, by furnishing him with standards safe and +unfalsified, by which to weigh and come to a conclusion.</p> + +<p class="normal">Louise's indifference to practices of piety annoyed him. She +never +attended divine service, not even on Sundays. He never saw her with a +prayer-book, nor was a single picture illustrative of a moral subject +to be found hung up in her apartment. Her conversation, at all times, +ran upon commonplaces of everyday concern, such as the toilet, theatre, +society. He noticed that whenever he ventured to launch matter of a +more serious import upon the current of conversation, it immediately +became constrained and soon ceased to flow. Louise appeared to his +heart at the same time so fascinating and yet so peculiar, so seductive +and yet so repulsive, that the contradictions of her being caused him +to feel quite unhappy.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was again sitting in his room thinking about her. In the +interview +he had just had with her, the young lady had exerted such admirable +powers of womanly charms that the poor young man had had a great deal +of trouble to maintain his self-possession. Her ringing, mischievous +laugh was still sounding in his ears, and the brightness of her +sparkling, eyes was still lighting up his memory. And the unsuspecting +youth had no Solomon at his side to repeat to him: "My son, can a man +hide fire in his bosom, and his garments not burn? Or can he walk upon +hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?... She entangleth him with many +words, and she draweth him away with the flattery of her lips. +Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb +playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to +bonds, till the arrow pierce his liver. As if a bird should make haste +to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger. Now, +therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let +not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with +her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have +been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, reaching even to the +inner chambers of death."<a name="div2_01" href="#div2Ref_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> + +<p class="normal">For Seraphin, however, no Solomon was at hand who might give +him +counsel. Sustained by his virtue and by his faith alone, he struggled +against the temptress, not precisely of the kind referred to by +Solomon, but still a dangerous one from the ranks of progress.</p> + +<p class="normal">Greifmann had notified him that the general assembly election +was to be +held that day, that Mayor Hans Shund would certainly be returned as a +delegate, and that he intended to call for Gerlach, and go out to watch +the progress of the election.</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin felt rather indifferent respecting the election; but +he would +have considered himself under weighty obligation to the brother for an +explanation of the peculiar behavior of the sister at which he was so +greatly perplexed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Carl himself he had for a while regarded as an enigma. Now, +however, he +believed that he had reached a correct conclusion concerning the +brother. It appeared to him that the principal characteristic of Carl's +disposition was to treat every subject, except what strictly pertained +to business, in a spirit of levity. To the faults of others Carl was +always ready to accord a praiseworthy degree of indulgence, he never +uttered harsh words in a tone of bitterness, and when he pronounced +censure, his reproof was invariably clothed in some form of pleasantry. +In general, he behaved like a man not having time to occupy himself +seriously with any subject that did not lie within the particular +sphere of his occupation. Even their wager he managed like a matter of +business, although the landowner could not but take umbrage at the +banker's ready and natural way of dealing with men whose want of +principle he himself abominated. Greifmann seemed good-natured, minute, +and cautious in business, and in all other things exceedingly liberal +and full of levity. Such was the judgment arrived at by Seraphin, +inexperienced and little inclined to fault-finding as he was, +respecting a gentleman who stood at the summit of modern culture, who +had skill in elegantly cloaking great faults and foibles, and whose +sole religion consisted in the accumulation of papers and coins of +arbitrary value.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach's servant entered, and disturbed his meditation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is a man here with a family who begs hard to be allowed +to speak +with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A man with a family!" repeated the millionaire, astonished. +"I know +nobody round here, and have no desire to form acquaintances."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The man will not be denied. He says his name is Holt, and +that he has +something to say to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes!" exclaimed Seraphin, with a smile that revealed a +pleasant +surprise. "Send the man and those who are with him in to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Closing a diary, in which he was recording circumstantially +the +experiences of his present visit, he awaited the visitors. A loud knock +from a weighty fist reminded him of a pair of callous hands, then Holt, +followed by his wife and children, presented himself before his +benefactor. They all made a small courtesy, even the flaxen-headed +little children, and the bright, healthy babe in the arms of the mother +met his gaze with the smile of an angel. The dark spirits that were +hovering around him, torturing and tempting, instantly vanished, and he +became serene and unconstrained whilst conversing with these simple +people.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must excuse us, Mr. Seraphin," began Holt. "This is my +wife, and +these are seven of my children. There is one more; her name is +Mechtild. She had to stay at home and mind the house. She will pay you +an extra visit, and present her thanks. We have called that you might +become acquainted with the family whom you have rescued, and that we +might thank you with all our hearts."</p> + +<p class="normal">After this speech, the father gave a signal, whereupon the +little ones +gathered around the amiable young man, made their courtesies, and +kissed his hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May God bless you, Mr. Seraphin!" first spoke a half-grown +girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We greet you, dear Seraphin!" said another, five years old.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We pray for you every day, Mr. Seraphin," said the next in +succession.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are thankful to you from our hearts, Mr. Seraphin," spoke +a small +lad, in a tone of deep earnestness.</p> + +<p class="normal">And thus did every child deliver its little address. It was +touching to +witness the noble dignity of the children, which may, at times, be +found beautifully investing their innocence. Gerlach was moved. He +looked down upon the little ones around him with an expression of +affectionate thankfulness. Holt's lips also quivered, and bright tears +of happiness streamed from the eyes of the mother.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am obliged to you, my little friends, for your greetings +and for +your prayers," spoke the millionaire. "You are well brought up. +Continue always to be good children, such as you now are; have the fear +of God, and honor your parents."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Seraphin," said Holt, drawing a paper from his pocket, +"here is +the note that I have redeemed with the money you gave me. I wanted to +show it to you, so that you might know for certain that the money had +been applied to the proper purpose."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach affected to take an interest in the paper, and read +over the +receipt.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But there is one thing, Mr. Seraphin," continued Holt, "that +grieves +me. And that is, that there is not anything better than mere words with +which I can testify my gratitude to you. I would like ever so much to +do something for you--to do something for you worth speaking of. Do you +know, Mr. Seraphin, I would be willing to shed the last drop of my +blood for you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never mind that, Holt! It is ample recompense for me to know +that I +have helped a worthy man out of trouble. You can now, Mrs. Holt, set to +work with renewed courage. But," added he archly, "you will have to +watch your husband that he may not again fall into the clutches of +beasts of prey like Shund."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He has had to pay dearly for his experience, Mr. Seraphin. I +used +often to say to him: 'Michael, don't trust Shund. Shund talks too much, +he is too sweet altogether, he has some wicked design upon us--don't +trust him.' But, you see, Mr. Seraphin, my husband thinks that all +people are as upright as he is himself, and he believed that Shund +really meant to deal fairly as he pretended. But Michael's wits are +sharpened now, and he will not in future be so ready to believe every +man upon his word. Nor will he, hereafter, borrow one single penny, and +he will never again undertake to buy anything unless he has the money +in hand to pay for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In what street do you live?" inquired Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Near the turnpike road, Mr. Seraphin. Do you see that knoll?" +He +pointed through the window in a direction unobstructed by the trees of +the garden. "Do you see that dense shade-tree, and yon whitewashed wall +behind the tree? That is our walnut-tree--my grandfather planted it. +And the white wall is the wall of our house."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have passed there twice--the road leads to the beech +grove," said +the millionaire. "I remarked the little cottage, and was much pleased +with its air of neatness. It struck me, too, that the barn is larger +than the dwelling, which is a creditable sign for a farmer. Near the +front entrance there is a carefully cultivated flower garden, in which +I particularly admired the roses, and further off from the road lies an +apple orchard."</p> + +<p class="normal">"All that belongs to us. That is what you have rescued and +made a +present of to us," replied the land cultivator joyfully. "Everybody +stops to view the roses; they belong to our daughter Mechtild."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The soil is good and deep, and must bring splendid crops of +wheat. I, +too, am a farmer, and understand something about such matters. But it +appeared to me as though the soil were of a cold nature. You should use +lime upon it pretty freely."</p> + +<p class="normal">In this manner he spent some time conversing with these good +and simple +people. Before dismissing them, he made a present to every one of the +children of a shining dollar, having previously overcome Holt's protest +against this new instance generosity.</p> + +<p class="normal">Old and young then courtesied once more, and Gerlach was left +to +himself in a mood differing greatly from that in which the visitors had +found him.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had been conversing with good and happy people, and +revelled in the +consciousness of having been the originator of their happiness.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly Greifmann's appearance in the room put to flight the +bright +spirits that hovered about him, and the sunshine that had been lighting +up the apartment was obscured by dark shadows as of a heavy mass of +clouds.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What sort of a horde was that?" asked he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They were Holt and his family. The gratitude of these simple +people +was touching. The innocent little ones gave me an ovation of which a +prince might be envious, for the courts of princes are never graced by +a naturalness at once so sincere and so beautiful. It is an intense +happiness for me to have assured the livelihood of ten human beings +with so paltry a gift."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A mere matter of taste, my most sympathetic friend!" rejoined +the +banker with indifference. "You are not made of the proper stuff to be a +business man. Your feelings would easily tempt you into very +unbusinesslike transactions. But you must come with me! The hubbub of +the election is astir through all the streets and thoroughfares. I am +going out to discharge my duties as a citizen, and I want you to +accompany me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no inclination to see any of this disgusting turmoil," +replied +Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Inclination or disinclination is out of the question when +interest +demands it," insisted the banker. "You must profit by the opportunity +which you now have of enriching your knowledge of men and things, or +rather of correcting it; for heretofore your manner of viewing things +has been mere ideal enthusiasm. Come with me, my good fellow!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin followed with interior reluctance. Greifmann went on +to impart +to him the following information:</p> + +<p class="normal">"During the past night, there have sprung up, as if out of the +earth, a +most formidable host, ready to do battle against the uniformly +victorious army of progress--men thoroughly armed and accoutred, real +crusaders. A bloody struggle is imminent. Try and make of your heart a +sort of monitor covered with plates of iron, so that you may not be +overpowered by the horrifying spectacle of the election affray. I am +not joking at all! True as gospel, what I tell you! If you do not want +to be stifled by indignation at sight of the fiercest kind of +terrorism, of the most revolting tyranny, you will have to lay aside, +at least for to-day, every feeling of humanity."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach perceived a degree of seriousness in the bubbling +current of +Greifmann's levity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who is the enemy that presumes to stand in the way of +progress?" +enquired he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The ultramontanes! Listen to what I have to tell you. This +morning +Schwefel came in to get a check cashed. With surprise I observed that +the manufacturer's soul was not in business? 'How are things going?' +asked I when we had got through.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'I feel like a man,' exclaimed he, 'that has just seen a +horrible +monster! Would you believe it, those accursed ultramontanes have been +secretly meddling in the election. They have mustered a number of +votes, and have even gone so far as to have a yellow ticket printed. +Their yellow placards were to be seen this morning stuck up at every +street corner--of course they were immediately torn down.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"'And are you provoked at that, Mr. Schwefel! You certainly +are not +going to deny the poor ultramontanes the liberty of existing, or, at +least, the liberty of voting for whom they please?'</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Yes, I am, I am! That must not be tolerated,' cried he +wildly. 'The +black brood are hatching dark schemes, they are conspiring against +civilization, and would fain wrest from us the trophies won by +progress. It is high time to apply the axe to the root of the +upas-tree. Our duty is to disinfect thoroughly, to banish the +absurdities of religious dogma from our schools. The black spawn will +have to be rendered harmless: we must kill them politically.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Very well,' said I. 'Just make negroes of them. Now that in +America +the slaves are emancipated, Europe would perhaps do well to take her +turn at the slave-trade.' But the fellow would not take my joke. He +made threatening gesticulations, his eyes gleamed like hot coals, and +he muttered words of a belligerent import.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'The ultramontane rabble are to hold a meeting at the "Key of +Heaven,"' reported he. 'There the stupid victims of credulity are to be +harangued by several of their best talkers. The black tide is +afterwards to diffuse itself through the various wards where the voting +is to take place. But let the priest-ridden slaves come, they will have +other memoranda to carry home with them beside their yellow rags of +tickets.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"You perceive, friend Seraphin, that the progress men mean +mischief. We +may expect to witness scenes of violence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is unjustifiable brutality on the part of the +progressionists," +declared Gerlach indignantly. "Are not the ultramontanes entitled to +vote and to receive votes? Are they not free citizens? Do they not +enjoy the same privileges as others? It is a disgrace and an outrage +thus to tyrannize over men who are their brothers, sons of Germania, +their common mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Granted! Violence is disgraceful. The intention of progress, +however, +is not quite as bad as you think it. Being convinced of its own +infallibility, it cannot help feeling indignant at the unbelief of +ultramontanism, which continues deaf to the saving truths of the +progressionist gospel. Hence a holy zeal for making converts urges +progress so irresistibly that it would fain force wanderers into the +path of salvation by violence. This is simply human, and should not be +regarded as unpardonable. In the self-same spirit did my namesake +Charles the Great butcher the Saxons because the besotted heathens +presumed to entertain convictions differing from his own. And those who +were not butchered had to see their sacred groves cut down, their +altars demolished, their time-honored laws changed, and had to resign +themselves to following the ways which he thought fit to have opened +through the land of the Saxons. You cannot fail to perceive that +Charles the Great was a member of the school progress."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But your comparison is defective," opposed the millionaire. +"Charles +subdued a wild and bloodthirsty horde who made it a practice to set +upon and butcher peaceful neighbors. Charles was the protector of the +realm, and the Saxons were forced to bend under the weight of his +powerful arm. If Charles, however, did violence to the consciences of +his vanquished enemies, and converted them to Christianity with the +sword and mace, then Charles himself is not to be excused, for moral +freedom is expressly proclaimed by the spirit of Christianity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is no doubt but that the Saxons were blundering fools +for +rousing the lion by making inroads into Charles' domain. The +ultramontanes, are, however, in a similar situation. They have attacked +the giant Progress, and have themselves to blame for the consequences."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The ultramontanes have attacked nobody," maintained Gerlach. +"They are +merely asserting their own rights, and are not putting restrictions on +the rights of other people. But progress will concede neither rights +nor freedom to others. It is a disgusting egotist, an unscrupulous +tyrant, that tries to build up his own brutal authority on the ruins of +the rights of others."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Still, it would have been far more prudent on the part of the +ultramontanes to keep quiet, seeing that their inferiority of numbers +cannot alter the situation. The indisputable rights of the ascendency +are in our days with the sceptre and crown of progress."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A brave man never counts the foe," cried Gerlach. "He stands +to his +convictions, and behaves manfully in the struggle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well said!" applauded the banker, "And since progress also is +forced +by the opposition of principles to man itself for the contest, it will +naturally beat up all its forces in defence of its conviction. Here we +are at the 'Key of Heaven,' where the ultramontanes are holding their +meeting. Let us go in, for the proverb says, <i>Audiatur et altera +pars</i>--the other side should also get a hearing."</p> + +<p class="normal">They drew near to a lengthy old building. Over the doorway was +a pair +of crossed keys hewn out of stone, and gilt, informing the stranger +that it was the hostelry of the "Key of Heaven," where, since the days +of hoar antiquity, hospitality was dispensed to pilgrims and +travellers. The principal hall of the house contained a gathering of +about three hundred men. They were attentively listening to the words +of a speaker who was warmly advocating the principles of his party. The +speaker stood behind a desk which was placed upon a platform at the far +end of the hall.</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin cast a glance over the assembly. He received the +painful +impression of a hopeless minority. Barely forty votes would the +ultramontanes be able to send to each of the wards. To compensate for +numbers, intelligence and faith were represented in the meeting. +Elegant gentlemen with intellectual countenances sat or stood in the +company of respectable tradesmen, and the long black coats of the +clergy were not few in number. On a table lay two packages of yellow +tickets to be distributed among the members of the assembly. At the +same table sat the chairman, a commissary of police named Parteiling, +whose business it was to watch the proceedings, and several other +gentlemen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Compared with the colossal preponderance of progress, our +influence is +insignificant, and, compared with the masses of our opponents our +numerical strength is still less encouraging," said the speaker. "If in +connection with this disheartening fact you take into consideration the +pressure which progress has it in its power to exert on the various +relations of life through numerous auxiliary means, if you remember +that our opponents can dismiss from employment all such as dare uphold +views differing from their own, it becomes clear that no ordinary +amount of courage is required to entertain and proclaim convictions +hostile to progress."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin thought of Spitzkopf's mode of electioneering, and of +the +terrible threats made to the "wild men," and concluded the incredible +statement was lamentably correct.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Viewing things in this light," proceeded the orator, "I +congratulate +the present assembly upon its unusual degree of pluck, for courage is +required to go into battle with a clear knowledge of the overwhelming +strength of the enemy. We have rallied round the banner of our +convictions notwithstanding that the numbers of the enemy make victory +hopeless. We are determined to cast our votes in support of religion +and morality in defiance of the scorn, blasphemy, and violence which +the well-known terrorism of progress will not fail to employ in order +to frighten us from the exercise of our privilege as citizens. We must +be prepared, gentlemen, to hear a multitude of sarcastic remarks and +coarse witticisms, both in the streets and at the polls. I adjure you +to maintain the deportment alone worthy of our cause. A gentleman never +replies to the aggressions of rudeness, and should you wish to take the +conduct of our opponents in gay good-humor, just try, gentlemen, to +fancy that you are being treated to some elegant exhibition of the +refinement and liberal culture of the times."</p> + +<p class="normal">Loud bursts of hilarity now and then relieved the seriousness +of the +meeting. Even Greifmann would clap applause and cry, "Bravo!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us stand united to a man, prepared against all the wiles +of +intimidation and corruption, undismayed by the onset of the enemy. The +struggle is grave beyond expression. For you are acquainted with the +aims and purposes of the liberals. Progress would like to sweep away +all the religious heritages that our fathers held sacred. Education is +to be violently wrested from under the influence of the church; the +church herself is to be enslaved and strangled in the thrall of the +liberal state. I am aware that our opponents pretend to respect +religion--but the religion of would-be progress is infidelity. Divine +revelation, of which the church is the faithful guardian, is rejected +with scorn by liberalism. Look at the tone of the press and the style +of the literature of the day. You have only to notice the derision and +fierceness with which the press daily assails the mysteries and dogmas +of religion, the Sovereign Pontiff, the clergy, religious orders, the +ultramontanes, and you cannot long remain in the dark concerning the +aim and object of progress. Christ or Antichrist is the watchword of +the day, gentlemen! Hence the imperative duty for us to be active at +the elections; for the legislature has the presumption to wish to +dictate in matters belonging exclusively to the jurisdiction of the +church. We are threatened with school laws the purpose of which is to +unchristianize our children, to estrange them from the spirit of +religion. No man having the sentiment of religion can remain +indifferent in presence of this danger, for it means nothing less than +the defection from Christianity of the masses of the coming generation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen, there is a reproach being uttered just now by the +progressionist press, which, far from repelling, I would feel proud to +deserve. A priest should have said, so goes the report, that it is a +mortal sin to elect a progressionist to the chamber of deputies. Some +of the writers of our press have met this reproach by simply denying +that a priest ever expressed himself in those terms. But, gentlemen, +let us take for granted that a priest did actually say that it is a +mortal sin to elect a progressionist to the chamber of deputies, is +there anything opposed to morality in such a declaration?</p> + +<p class="normal">"By no means, if you remember that it is to be presumed the +progressionist will use his vote in the assembly to oppose religion. +Mortal sin, gentlemen, is any wilful transgression of God's law in +grave matters. Now I put it to you: Does he gravely transgress the law +of God who controverts what God has revealed, who would exclude God and +all holy subjects from the schools, who would rob the church of her +independence, and make of her a mere state machine unfit for the +fulfilment of her high mission? There is not one of you but is ready to +declare: 'Yes, such an one transgresses grievously the law of God.' +This answer at the same time solves the other question, whether it is a +mortal sin to put arms in the hands of an enemy of religion that he may +use them against faith and morality. Would that all men of Christian +sentiment seriously adverted to this connection of things and acted +accordingly, the baneful sway of the pernicious spirit that governs the +age would soon be at an end; for I have confidence in the sound sense +and moral rectitude of the German people. Heathenism is repugnant to +the deeply religious nature of our nation; the German people do not +wish to dethrone God, nor are they ready to bow the knee before the +empty idol of a soulless enlightenment."</p> + +<p class="normal">Here the speaker was interrupted by a tumult. A band of +factorymen, +yelling and laughing, rushed into the hall to disturb the meeting. All +eyes were immediately turned upon the rioters. In every countenance +indignation could be seen kindling at this outrage of the liberals. The +commissary of police alone sat motionless as a statue. The +progressionist rioters elbowed their way into the crowd, and, when the +excitement caused by this strategic movement had subsided, the speaker +resumed his discourse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For a number of years back our conduct has been +misrepresented and +calumniated. They call us men of no nationality, and pretend that we +get our orders from Rome. This reproach does honor neither to the +intelligence nor to the judgment of our opponents. Whence dates the +division of Germany into discordant factions? When began the present +faint and languishing condition of our fatherland? From the moment when +it separated from Rome. So long as Germany continued united in the bond +of the same holy faith, and the voice of the head of the church was +hearkened to by every member of her population, her sovereigns held the +golden apple, the symbol of universal empire. Our nation was then the +mightiest, the proudest, the most glorious upon earth. The church who +speaks through the Sovereign Pontiff had civilized the fierce sons of +Germany, had conjured the hatred and feuds of hostile tribes, had +united the interests and energies of our people in one holy faith, and +had ennobled and enriched German genius through the spirit of religion. +The church had formed out of the chaos of barbarism the Holy Roman +Empire of the German nation--that gigantic and wonderful organization +the like of which the world will never see again. But the church has +long since been deprived of the leadership in German affairs, and what +in consequence is now the condition of our fatherland? It is divided +into discordant factions, it is an ailing trunk, with many members, but +without a head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is rather amusing that the ultramontanes should be charged +with +receiving orders from Rome, for the voice of the Father of Christianity +has not been heard for many years back, in the council of state."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hurrah for the Syllabus!" cried Spitzkopf, who was at the +head of the +rioters. "Hurrah for the Syllabus!" echoed his gang, yelling and +stamping wildly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The ultramontanes were aroused, eyes glared fiercely, and +fists were +clenched ready to make a summary clearing of the hall. But no scuffle +ensued; the ultramontanes maintained a dignified bearing. The speaker +calmly remained in his place, and when the tumult had ceased he again +went on with his discourse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Such only," said he, "take offence at the Syllabus as know +nothing +about it. There is not a word in the Syllabus opposed to political +liberty or the most untrammelled self-government of the German people. +But it is opposed to the fiendish terrorism of infidelity. The Syllabus +condemns the diabolical principles by which the foundations of the +Christian state are sapped and a most disastrous tyranny over +conscience is proclaimed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hallo! listen to that," cried one of the liberals, and the +yelling was +renewed, louder, longer, and more furious than before.</p> + +<p class="normal">The chairman rang his bell. The revellers relapsed into +silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ours is not a public meeting, but a mere private gathering," +explained +the chairman. "None but men of Christian principles have been invited. +If others have intruded violently, I request them to leave the room, +or, at least, to refrain from conduct unbecoming men of good-breeding."</p> + +<p class="normal">Spitzkopf laughed aloud, his comrades yelled and stamped.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us go!" said Greifmann to Gerlach in an angry tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us stay!" rejoined the latter with excitement. "The +affair is +becoming interesting. I want to see how this will end."</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker noticed Gerlach's suppressed indignation; he +observed it in +the fire of his eyes and the expression of unutterable contempt that +had spread over his features, and he began to consider the situation as +alarming. He had not expected this exhibition of brutal impertinence. +In his estimation an infringement of propriety like the one he had just +witnessed was a far more heinous transgression than the grossest +violations in the sphere of morals. He judged of Gerlach's impressions +by this standard of appreciation, and feared the behavior of the +progressionist mob would produce an effect in the young man's mind far +from favorable to the cause which they represented. He execrated the +disturbance of the liberals, and took Seraphin's arm to lead him away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come away, I beg of you! I cannot imagine what interest the +rudeness +of that uncultivated horde can have for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not scorn them, for they are honestly earning their pay," +rejoined +Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Those fellows are whistling, bawling, stamping, and yelling +in the +employ of progress. You are trying to give me an insight into the +nature of modern civilization: could there be a better opportunity than +this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There you make a mistake, my dear fellow! Enlightened +progress is +never rude."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p class="normal">The tumult continued. As soon as the orator attempted to +speak, his +voice was drowned by cries and stamping.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Commissary!" cried the chairman to that officer, "I demand +that you +extend to our assembly the protection of the law."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am here simply to watch the proceedings of your meeting," +replied +Parteiling with cool indifference. "Everybody is at liberty in meetings +to signify his approval or disapproval by signs. No act forbidden by +the law has been committed by your opponents, in my opinion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bravo! bravo! Three cheers for the commissary!"</p> + +<p class="normal">All at once the noise was subdued to a whisper of +astonishment. A +miracle was taking place under the very eyes of progress. Banker +Greifmann, the moneyed prince and liberal, made his appearance upon the +platform. The rioters saw with amazement how the mighty man before whom +the necks of all such as were in want of money bowed--even the necks of +the puissant leaders--stepped before the president of the assembly, how +he politely bowed and spoke a few words in an undertone. They observed +how the chairman nodded assent, and then how the banker, as if to +excite their wonder to the highest pitch, mounted to the speaker's +desk.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," began Carl Greifmann, "although I have not the +honor of +sharing your political views, I feel myself nevertheless urged to +address a few words to you. In the name of true progress, I ask this +honorable assembly's pardon for the disturbance occasioned a moment ago +by a band of uncultivated rioters, who dare to pretend that they are +acting in the cause and with the sanction of progress. I solemnly +protest against the assumption that their disgraceful and outrageous +conduct is in accordance with the spirit of the party which they +dishonor. Progress holds firmly to its principles, and defends them +manfully in the struggle with its opposers, but it is far from making +itself odious by rudely overstepping the bounds of decency set by +humanity and civilization. In political contests, it may be perfectly +lawful to employ earnest persuasion and even influences that partake of +the rigor of compulsion, but rudeness, impertinence, is never +justifiable in an age of civilization. Commissary Parteiling discovers +no legally prohibited offence in the expression of vulgarity and +lowness--may be. Nevertheless, a high misdemeanor has been perpetrated +against decorum and against the deference which man owes to man. Should +the slightest disturbance be again attempted, I shall use the whole +weight of my influence in prosecuting the guilty parties, and convince +them that even in the spirit of progress they are offenders and can be +reached by punishment."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke, and retired to the other end of the hall, followed +by loud +applause from the ultramontanes. Nor were the threats of the mighty man +uttered in vain. Spitzkopf hung his head abashed. The other revellers +were tamed, they listened demurely to the speakers, ceased their +contemptuous hootings, and stood on their good behavior. Greifmann's +proceeding had taken Seraphin also by surprise, and the power which the +banker possessed over the rioters set him to speculating deeply. He saw +plainly that Louise's brother commanded an extraordinary degree of +respect in the camp of the enemies of religion, and the only cause that +could sufficiently account for the fact was a community of principles +of which they were well aware. Hence the opinion he had formed of +Greifmann was utterly erroneous, concluded Gerlach, The banker was +not a mere secluded business man--he was not indifferent about the +great questions of the age. Then there was another circumstance +that perplexed the ruddy-cheeked millionaire to no inconsiderable +degree--Greifmann's unaccountable way of taking things. The tyrannical +mode of electioneering which they had witnessed at the sign of the +"Green Hat" had not at all disgusted Greifmann. Spitzkopf's threats had +not excited his indignation. He had with a smiling countenance looked +on whilst the most brutal species of terrorism was being enacted before +him, he had not expressed a word of contempt at the constraint which +they who held the power inhumanly placed on the political liberty of +their dependents. On the other hand, his indignation was aroused by a +mere breach of good behavior, an offence which in Gerlach's estimation +was as nothing compared with the other instances of progressionist +violence. The banker seemed to him to have strained out a gnat after +having swallowed a whole drove of camels. The youth's suspicions being +excited, he began to study the strainer of gnats and swallower of +camels more closely, and soon the banker turned out in his estimation a +hollow stickler for mere outward decency, devoid of all deeper merit. +He now recollected also Greifmann's dealings with the leaders of +progress, and those transactions only confirmed his present views. What +he had considered as an extraordinary degree of shrewdness in the man +of business, which enabled him to take advantage of the peculiar +convictions and manner of thinking of other men, was now to his mind a +real affinity with their principles, and he could not help being +shocked at the discovery.</p> + +<p class="normal">He hung his head in a melancholy mood, and his heart protested +earnestly against the inference which was irresistibly forcing itself +upon his mind, that the sister shared her brother's sentiments.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This doubt must be cleared up, cost what it may," thought he. +"My God, +what if Louise also turned out to be a progressionist, a woman without +any faith, an infidel! No, that cannot be! Yet suppose it really were +the case--suppose she actually held principles in common with such vile +beings as Schwefel, Sand, Erdblatt, and Shund? Suppose her moral nature +did not harmonize with the beauty of her person--what then?" He +experienced a spasmodic contraction in his heart at the question, he +hesitated with the answer, but, his better self finally getting the +victory, he said: "Then all is over. The impressions of a dream; +however delightful, must not influence a waking man. My father's +calculation was wrong, and I have wasted my kindness on an undeserving +object."</p> + +<p class="normal">So completely wrapt up was he in his meditations that he heard +not a +word of the speeches, not even the concluding remarks of the president. +Greifmann's approach roused him, and they left the hall together.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was ruffianly conduct, of which progress would have for +ever to +be ashamed," said the banker indignantly, "They bayed and yelped like a +pack of hounds. At their first volley I was as embarrassed and confused +as a modest girl would be at the impertinence of some young scapegrace. +Fierce rage then hurried me to the platform, and my words have never +done better service, for they vindicated civilization."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot conceive how a trifle could thus exasperate you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greifmann stood still and looked at his companion in +astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A trifle!" echoed he reproachfully. "Do you call a piece of +wanton +impudence, a ruffianly outrage against several hundreds of men entitled +to respect, a trifle?</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do, compared with other crimes that you have suffered to +pass +unheeded and uncensured," answered Gerlach. "You had not an indignant +word for the unutterable meanness of those three leaders, who were +immoral and unprincipled enough to invest a notorious villain with +office and honors. Nor did you show any exasperation at the brutal +terrorism practised by men of power in this town over their weak and +unfortunate dependents."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take my advice, and be on your guard against erroneous and +narrow-minded judgments. The leaders merely had a view to their own +ends, but they in no manner sinned against propriety. The raising a man +of Shund's abilities to the office of mayor is an act of prudence--by +no means an offence against humanity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yet it was an outrage to moral sentiment," opposed Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"See here, Gerlach, moral sentiment is a very elastic sort of +thing. +Sentiment goes for nothing in practical life, and such is the character +of life in our century."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, the mere sense of propriety is not worth a whit +more."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask your pardon! Propriety belongs to the realm of +actualities or of +practical experiences, and not to the shadowland of sentiment. +Propriety is the rule that regulates the intercourse of men, it is +therefore a necessity, nothing else will serve as a substitute for it, +and it must continue to be so regarded as long as a difference is +recognized between rational man and the irrational brute."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The same may be said with much more reason of morality, for +it also is +a rule, it regulates our actions, it determines the ethic worth or +worthlessness of a man. Mere outward decorum does not necessarily argue +any interior excellence. The most abandoned wretch may be distinguished +for easy manners and elegant deportment, yet he is none the less a +criminal. A dog may be trained to many little arts, but for all that it +continues to be a dog.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is delightful to see you breaking through that uniform +patience of +yours for once and showing a little of the fire of indignation," said +the banker pleasantly. "I shall tell Louise of it, I know she will be +glad to learn that Seraphin too is susceptible of a human passion. But +this by the way. Now watch how I shall meet your arguments. That very +moral sentiment of which you speak has caused and is still causing the +most enormous crimes against humanity, and the laws of morality are as +changeable as the wind. When an Indian who has not been raised from +barbarism by civilization dies, the religious custom of the country +requires that his wife should permit herself to be burned alive on the +funeral pyre of her husband. Moral sentiment teaches the uncivilized +woman that it is a horrible crime to refuse to devote herself to this +cruel death. The pious Jews used to stone every woman to death who was +taken in adultery--in our day, such a deed of blood would be revolting +to moral sentiment, and would claim tears from the eyes of cultivated +people. I could mention many other horrors that were practised more or +less remotely in the past, and were sanctioned by the prevailing moral +sentiment. Here is my last instance: according to laws of morality, the +usurer was at one time a monster, an arch-villain--at present, he is +merely a man of great enterprise. Propriety, on the other hand, +enlightenment, and polish are absolute and unalterable. Whilst rudeness +and impertinence will ever be looked upon as disgusting, good manners +and politeness will be considered as commendable and beautiful."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin could not but admire the skill with which Greifmann +jumbled +together subjects of the most heterogeneous nature. But he could not, +at the same time, divest himself of some alarm at the banker's +declarations, for they betrayed a soul-life of little or absolutely no +moral worth. Money, interest, and respectability constituted the only +trinity in which the banker believed. Morality, binding the conscience +of man, a true and only God, and divine revelation, were in his opinion +so many worn-out and useless notions, which the progress of mankind had +successfully got beyond.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When those who hold power take advantage of it at elections, +they in +no manner offend against propriety," proceeded Carl. "Progress has +convictions as well as ultramontanism. If the latter is active, why +should not the former be so too? If, on the side of progress, the weak +and dependent permit themselves to be cowed and driven, it is merely an +advantage for the powerful, and for the others it is a weakness or +cowardice. For this reason, the mode of electioneering pursued by +Spitzkopf and his comrades amused but nowise shocked me, for they were +not acting against propriety."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin saw it plainly: for Carl Greifmann there existed no +distinction between good and evil; he recognized only a cold and empty +system of formalities.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two young men issued from a narrow street upon the +market-place. +This was occupied by a large public building. In the open space stood a +group of men, among whom Flachsen appeared conspicuous. He was telling +the others about Greifmann's speech at the meeting of the +ultramontanes. They all manifested great astonishment that the +influential moneyed prince should have appeared in such company, and, +above all, should have made a speech in their behalf.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He declared it was vulgar, impudent, ruffianly, to disturb a +respectable assembly," reported Flachsen. "He said he knew some of us, +and that he would have us put where the dogs would not bite us if we +attempted to disturb them again. That's what he said; and I actually +rubbed my eyes to be quite sure it was banker Greifmann that was +speaking, and really it was he, the banker Greifmann himself, bodily, +and not a mere apparition."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must say the banker was right, for it isn't exactly good +manners to +howl, stamp, and whistle to annoy one's neighbors," owned another.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But we were paid for doing it, and we only carried out the +orders +given by certain gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To be sure! Men like us don't know what good breeding +is--it's for +gentlemen to understand that," maintained a third. "We do what men of +good breeding hire us to do, and if it isn't proper, it matters nothing +to us--let the gentlemen answer for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bravo, Stoffel, bravo!" applauded Flachsen. "Yours is the +right sort +of servility, Stoffel! You are a real human, servile, and genuine +reactive kind of a fellow--so you are. I agree with you entirely. The +gentlemen do the paying, and it is for them to answer for what happens. +We are merely servants, we are hirelings, and what need a hireling care +whether that which his master commands is right or not? The master is +responsible, not the hireling. What I am telling you belongs to the +exact sciences, and the exact sciences are at the pinnacle of modern +acquisitions. Hence a hireling who without scruple carries out the +orders of his master is up to the highest point of the age--such a +fellow has taken his stand on servility. Hallo! the election has +commenced. Be off, every man of you, to his post. But mind you don't +look too deep into the beer-pots before the election is over. Keep your +heads level, be cautious, do your best for the success of the green +ticket. Once the election is carried, you may swill beer till you can +no longer stand. The gentlemen will foot the bill, and assume all +responsibilities."</p> + +<p class="normal">They dispersed themselves through the various drinking-shops +of the +neighborhood.</p> + +<p class="normal">Near the door of the building in which the voting was to take +place +stood a number of progressionist gentlemen. They all wore heavy beards, +smoked cigars, and peered about restlessly. To those of their party who +chanced to pass they nodded and smiled knowingly, upon doubtful voters +they smiled still more blandly, added some pleasant words, and pressed +the acceptance of the green ticket, but for ultramontane voters they +had only jeers and coarse witticisms. As Greifmann approached they +respectfully raised their hats. The banker drew Gerlach to one side, +and stood to make observations.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What swarms there are around the drinking-shops," remarked +Greifmann. +"It is there that the tickets are filled under the persuasive influence +of beer. The committee provide the tickets which the voters have filled +with the names of the candidates by clerks who sit round the tables at +the beer-shops. It is quite an ingenious arrangement, for beer will +reconcile a voter to the most objectionable kind of a candidate."</p> + +<p class="normal">A crowd of drunken citizens coming out of the nearest tavern +approached. Linked arm-in-arm, they swayed about and staggered along +with an unsteady pace. Green tickets bearing the names of the +candidates whom progress had chosen to watch over the common weal could +be seen protruding from the pockets of their waistcoats. Gerlach, +seeing the drunken mob and recollecting the solemn and important nature +of the occasion, was seized with loathing and horror at the corruption +of social life revealed in the low means to which the party of progress +had recourse to secure for its ends the votes of these besotted and +ignorant men.</p> + +<p class="normal">Presently Schwefel stepped up and saluted the young men.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you not belong to the committee in charge of the +ballot-box?" +inquired Greifmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, sir, I wished to remain entirely untrammelled this +morning," +answered the leader with a sly look and tone. "This is going to be an +exciting election, the ultramontanes are astir, and it will be +necessary for me to step in authoritatively now and then to decide a +vote. Moreover, the committee is composed exclusively of men of our +party. Not a single ultramontane holds a seat at the polls."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In that case there can be no question of failure," said the +banker. +"Your office is closed to-day, no doubt?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course!" assented the manufacturer of straw hats. "This +day is +celebrated as a free day by the offices of all respectable houses. Our +clerks are dispersed through the taverns and election districts to use +their pens in filling up tickets."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am forced to return to my old assertion: an election is +mere folly, +useless jugglery," said the banker, turning to Seraphin. "Holding +elections is no longer a rational way of doing, it is no longer a +business way of proceeding, it is yielding to stupid timidity. Mr. +Schwefel, don't you think elections are mere folly?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I confess I have never considered the subject from that point +of +view," answered the leader cautiously. "But meanwhile--what do you +understand by that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Be good enough to attend to my reasoning for a moment. +Progress is in +a state of complete organization. What progress wills, must be. Another +party having authority and power cannot subsist side by side with +progress. Just see those men staggering and blundering over the square +with green tickets in their hands! To speak without circumlocution, +look at the slaves doing the behests of their masters. What need of +this silly masquerade of an election? Why squander all this money, +waste all this beer and time? Why does not progress settle this +business summarily? Why not simply nominate candidates fit for the +office, and then send them directly to the legislature? This mode would +do away with all this nonsensical ado, and would give the matter a +prompt and business cast, conformable to the spirit of the age."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This idea is a good one, but we have an election law that +would stand +in the way of carrying it out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bosh--election law!" sneered the banker. "Your election law +is a mere +scarecrow, an antiquated, meaningless instrument. Do away with the +election law, and follow my suggestion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would occasion a charming row on the part of the +ultramontanes," +observed the leader laughing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was the lion ever known to heed the bleating of a sheep? When +did +progress ever pay any attention to a row gotten up by the +ultramontanes?" rejoined Greifmann. "Was not the fuss made in Bavaria +against the progressionist school-law quite a prodigious one? Did not +our own last legislature make heavy assaults on the church? Did not the +entire episcopate protest against permitting Jews, Neo-pagans, and +Freemasons to legislate, on matters of religion? But did progress +suffer itself to be disconcerted by episcopal protests and the +agonizing screams of the ultramontanes? Not at all. It calmly pursued +the even tenor of its way. Be logical, Mr. Schwefel: progress reigns +supreme and decrees with absolute authority--why should it not +summarily relegate this election law among the things that were, but +are no more?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right, Greifmann!" exclaimed Gerlach, in a feeling of +utter +disgust. "What need has the knout of Russian despotism of the sanction +of constitutional forms? Progress is lord, the rest are slaves!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have again misunderstood me, my good fellow. I am +considering the +actual state of things. Should ultramontanism at any time gain the +ascendency, then it also will be justified in behaving in the same +manner."</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon more mature consideration, Gerlach found himself forced +to admit +that Greifmann's view, from the standpoint of modern culture, was +entirely correct. Progress independently of God and of all positive +religion could not logically be expected to recognize any moral +obligations, for it had not a moral basis. Everything was determined by +the force of circumstances; the autocracy of party rule made anything +lawful. Laws proceeded not from the divine source of unalterable +justice, but from the whim of a majority--fashioned and framed to suit +peculiar interests and passions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have yet considerable work to do to bring all to thinking +as +clearly and rationally as you, Mr. Greifmann," said the leader with a +winning smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">Schwefel accompanied the millionaires into a lengthy hall, +across the +lower end of which stood a table. There sat the commissary of elections +surrounded by the committee, animated gentlemen with great beards, who +were occupied in distributing tickets to voters or receiving tickets +filled up. The extraordinary good-humor prevailing among these +gentlemen was owing to the satisfactory course of the election, for +rarely was any ultramontane paper seen mingling in the flood that +poured in from the ranks of progress. The sides of the hall were hung +with portraits of the sovereigns of the land, quite a goodly row. The +last one of the series was youthful in appearance, and some audacious +hand had scrawled on the broad gilt frame the following ominous words: +"May he be the last in the succession of expensive bread-eaters." Down +the middle of the hall ran a baize-covered table, on which were +numerous inkstands. Scattered over the table lay a profusion of green +bills; the yellow color of the ultramontane bills was nowhere to be +seen. The table was lined by gentlemen who were writing. They were not +writing for themselves, but for others, who merely sighed their names +and then handed the tickets to the commissary. Several corpulent +gentlemen also occupied seats at the table, but they were not engaged +in writing. These gentlemen, apparently unoccupied, wore massive gold +watch-chains and sparkling rings, and they had a commanding and stern +expression of countenance. They were observing all who entered, to see +whether any man would be bold enough to vote the yellow ticket. People +of the humbler sort, mechanics and laborers, were constantly coming in +and going out. Bowing reverently to the portly gentlemen, they seated +themselves and filled out green tickets with the names of the liberal +candidates. Most of them did not even trouble themselves to this +degree, but simply laid their tickets before the penman appointed for +this special service. All went off in the best order. The process of +the election resembled the smooth working of an ingenious piece of +machinery. And there was no tongue there to denounce the infamous +terrorism that had crushed the freedom of the election or had bought +the votes of vile and venal men with beer.</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin stood with Greifmann in the recess of a window +looking on.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who are the fat men at the table?" inquired he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The one with the very black beard is house-builder Sand, the +second is +Eisenhart, machine-builder, the third is Erdfloh, a landowner, the +fourth and fifth are tobacco merchants. All those gentlemen are +chieftains of the party of progress."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They show it," observed Gerlach. "Their looks, in a manner, +command +every man that comes in to take the green ticket, and I imagine I can +read on their brows: 'Woe to him who dares vote against us. He shall be +under a ban, and shall have neither employment nor bread.' It is +unmitigated tyranny! I imagine I see in those fat fellows so many +cotton-planters voting their slaves."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is a one-sided conclusion, my most esteemed," rejoined +the +banker. "In country villages, the position here assumed by the magnates +of progress is filled by the lords of ultramontanism, clerical +gentlemen in cassocks, who keep a sharp eye on the fingers of their +parishioners. This, too, is influencing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But not constraining," opposed the millionaire promptly. "The +clergy +exert a legitimate influence by convincing, by advancing solid grounds +for their political creed. They never have recourse to compulsory +measures, nor dare they do so, because it would be opposed to the +Gospel which they preach. The autocrats of progress, on the contrary, +do not hesitate about using threats and violence. Should a man refuse +to bow to their dictates, they cruelly deprive him of the means of +subsistence. This is not only inhuman, but it is also an accursed +scheme for making slaves of the people and robbing them of principle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! look yonder--there is Holt."</p> + +<p class="normal">The land cultivator had walked into the hall head erect. He +looked +along the table and stood undecided. One of the ministering spirits of +progress soon fluttered about him, offering him a green ticket. Holt +glanced at it, and a contemptuous smile spread over his face. He next +tore it to pieces, which he threw on the floor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you about?" asked the angel of progress +reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have reduced Shund and his colleagues to fragments," +answered Holt +dryly, then approaching the commissary he demanded a yellow ticket.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Glorious!" applauded Gerlach. "I have half a mind to present +this true +German <i>man</i> with another thousand as a reward for his spirit."</p> + +<p class="normal">The fat men had observed with astonishment the action of the +land +cultivator. Their astonishment turned to rage when Holt, leisurely +seating himself at the table, took a pen in his mighty fist and began +filling out the ticket with the names of the ultramontane candidates. +Whilst he wrote, whisperings could be heard all through the hall, and +every eye was directed upon him. After no inconsiderable exertion, the +task of filling out the ticket was successfully accomplished, and Holt +arose, leaving the ticket lying upon the table. In the twinkling of an +eye a hand reached forward to take it up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean, sir?" asked Holt sternly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That yellow paper defiles the table," hissed the fellow +viciously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hand back that ticket," commanded Holt roughly. "I want it to +be +here. The yellow ticket has as good a right on this table as the green +one--do you hear me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Slave of the priests!" sputtered his antagonist.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I am a slave of the priests, then you are a slave of that +villain +Shund," retorted Holt. "I am not to be browbeaten--by such a fellow as +you particularly--least of all by a vile slave of Shund's." He spoke, +and then reached his ticket to the commissary.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is an impudent dog," growled leader Sand. "Who is he?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is a countryman of the name of Holt," answered he to whom +the query +was addressed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must spot the boor," said Erdfloh. "His swaggering shall +not avail +him anything."</p> + +<p class="normal">Holt was not the only voter that proved refractory. Mr. +Schwefel, also, +had a disagreeable surprise. He was standing near the entrance, +observing with great self-complacency how the workmen in his employ +submissively cast their votes for Shund and his associates. Schwefel +regarded himself as of signal importance in the commonwealth, for he +controlled not less than four hundred votes, and the side which it was +his pleasure to favor could not fail of victory. The head of the great +leader seemed in a manner encircled with the halo of progress: whilst +his retainers passed and saluted him, he experienced something akin to +the pride of a field-marshal reviewing a column of his victorious army.</p> + +<p class="normal">Just then a spare little man appeared in the door. His +yellowish, +sickly complexion gave evidence that he was employed in the +sulphurating of straw. At sight of the commander the sulphur-hued +little man shrank back, but his startled look did not escape the +restless eye of Mr. Schwefel. He beckoned to the laborer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you selected your ticket, Leicht?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me see the ticket."</p> + +<p class="normal">The man obeyed reluctantly. Scarcely had Schwefel got a +glimpse of the +paper when his brows gathered darkly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What means this? Have you selected the yellow ticket and not +the green +one?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Leicht hung his head. He thought of the consequences of this +detection, +of his four small children, of want of employment, of hunger and bitter +need--he was almost beside himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you vote for the priests, you may get your bread from the +priests," +said Schwefel. "The moment you hand that ticket to the commissary, you +may consider yourself discharged from my employ." With this he angrily +turned his back upon the man. Leicht did not reach in his ticket to the +commissary. Staggering out of the hall, he stood bewildered hear the +railing of the steps, and stared vaguely upon the men who were coming +and going. Spitzkopf slipped up to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What were you thinking about, man?" asked he reproachfully. +"Mr. +Schwefel is furious--you are ruined. Sheer stupidity, nothing but +stupidity in you to wish to vote in opposition to the pleasure of the +man from whom you get your bread and meat! Not only that, but you have +insulted the whole community, for you have chosen to vote against +progress when all the town is in favor of progress. You will be put on +the spotted list, and the upshot will be that you will not get +employment in any factory in town. Do you want to die of hunger, +man--do you want your children to die of hunger?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right--I am ruined," said the laborer listlessly. "I +couldn't +bring myself to write Shund's name because he reduced my brother-in-law +to beggary--this is what made me select the yellow ticket."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a fool. Were Mr. Schwefel to recommend the devil, +your duty +would be to vote for the devil. What need you care who is on the +ticket? You have only to write the names on the ticket--nothing more +than that. Do you think progress would nominate men that are unfit--men +who would not promote the interests of the state, who would not further +the cause of humanity, civilization, and liberty? You are a fool for +not voting for what is best for yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry now, but it's too late." sighed Leicht. "I +wouldn't have +thought, either, that Mr. Schwefel would get angry because a man wanted +to vote to the best of his judgment."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There you are prating sillily again. Best of your +judgment!--you +mustn't have any judgment. Leave it to others to judge; they have more +brains, more sense, more knowledge than you. Progress does the +thinking: our place is to blindly follow its directions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Mr. Spitzkopf, mine is only the vote of a poor man; and +what +matters such a vote?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is your want of sense again. We are living in a state +that +enjoys liberty. We are living in an age of intelligence, of moral +advancement, of civilization and knowledge, in a word, we are living in +an age of progress; and in an age of this sort the vote of a poor man +is worth as much as that of a rich man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If only I had it to do over! I would give my right hand to +have it to +do over!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You can repair the mischief if you want."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Instruct me how, Mr. Spitzkopf; please tell me how!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, I will do my best. As you acted from +thoughtlessness and no +bad intention, doubtless Mr. Schwefel will suffer himself to be +propitiated. Go down into the court, and wait till I come. I shall get +you another ticket; you will then vote for progress, and all will be +satisfactory."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am a thousand times obliged to you, Mr. Spitzkopf--a +thousand times +obliged!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The agent went back to the hall. Leicht descended to the +courtyard, +where he found a ring of timid operators like himself surrounding the +sturdy Holt. They were talking in an undertone. As often as a +progressionist drew near, their conversation was hushed altogether. +Holt's voice alone resounded loudly through the court, and his huge +strong hands were cutting the air in animated gesticulations.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is not a free election; it is one of compulsion and +violence," +cried he. "Every factoryman is compelled to vote as his employer +dictates, and should he refuse the employer discharges him from the +work. Is not this most despicable tyranny! And these very tyrants of +progress are perpetually prating about liberty, independence, +civilization! That's a precious sort of liberty indeed!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A man belonging to the ultramontane party cannot walk the +streets +to-day without being hooted and insulted," said another. "Even up +yonder in the hall, those gentlemen who are considered so cultivated +stick their heads together and laugh scornfully when one of us draws +near."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's so--that's so, I have myself seen it," cried Holt. +"Those +well-bred gentlemen show their teeth like ferocious dogs whenever they +see a yellow ticket or an ultramontane. I say, Leicht, has anything +happened you? You look wretched!" Leicht drew near and related what had +occurred. The honest Holt's eyes gleamed like coals of fire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There's another piece of tyranny for you," cried he. "Leicht, +my poor +fellow, I fancy I see in you a slave of Schwefel's. From dawn till late +you are compelled to toil for the curmudgeon, Sundays not excepted. +Your church is the factory, your religion working in straw, and your +God is your sovereign master Schwefel. You are ruining your health amid +the stench of brimstone, and not so much as the liberty of voting as +you think fit is allowed you. It's just as I tell you--you factorymen +are slaves. How strangely things go on in the world! In America slavery +has been abolished; but lo! here in Europe it is blooming as freshly as +trees in the month of May. But mark my word, friends, the fruit is +deadly; and when once it will have ripened, the great God of heaven +will shake it from the trees, and the generation that planted the trees +will have to eat the bitter fruit."</p> + +<p class="normal">Leicht shunned the society of the ultramontanes and stole +away. +Presently Spitzkopf appeared with the ticket.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your ticket is filled out. Come and sign your name to it." +Schwefel +was again standing near the entrance, and he again beckoned the laborer +to approach. "I am pacified. You may now continue working for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Carl and Seraphin returned to the Palais Greifmann. Louise +received +them with numerous questions. The banker related what had passed; +Gerlach strode restlessly through the apartment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The most curious spectacle must have been yourself," said the +young +lady. "Just fancy you on the rostrum at the 'Key of Heaven'! And very +likely the ungrateful ultramontanes would not so much as applaud."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Beg pardon, they did, miss!" assured Seraphin. "They +applauded and +cried bravo."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really? Then I am proud of a brother whose maiden speech +produced such +marvellous effects. May be we shall read of it in the daily paper. +Everybody will be surprised to hear of the banker Greifmann making a +speech at the 'Key of Heaven.'" Carl perceived the irony and stroked +his forehead.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what can you be pondering over, Mr. Seraphin?" cried she +to him. +"Since returning from the turmoil of the election, you seem unable to +keep quiet." He seated himself at her side, and was soon under the +spell of her magical attractions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My head is dizzy and my brain confused," said he. "On every +hand I see +nothing but revolt against moral obligation, sacrilegious disregard of +the most sacred rights of man. The hubbub still resounds in my ears, +and my imagination still sees those fat men at the table with their +slaveholder look--the white slaves doing their masters' bidding--the +completest subjugation in an age of enlightenment--all this presents +itself to me in the most repulsive and lamentable guise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must drive those horrible phantoms from your mind," +replied +Louise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are not phantoms, but the most fearful reality."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are phantoms, Mr. Seraphin, so far as your feelings +exaggerate +the evils. Those factory serfs have no reason to complain. There is +nothing to be done but to put up with a situation that has +spontaneously developed itself. It is useless to grow impatient because +difference of rank between masters and servants is an unavoidable evil +upon earth." A servant entered to call them to dinner.</p> + +<p class="normal">At her side he gradually became more cheerful. The brightness +of her +eyes dispelled his depression, and her delicate arts put a spell upon +his young, inexperienced heart. And when, at the end of the meal, they +were sipping delicious wine, and her beautiful lips lisped the +customary health, the subdued tenderness he had been feeling suddenly +expanded into a strong passion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"After you will have done justice to your diary," said she at +parting, +"we shall take a drive, and then go to the opera."</p> + +<p class="normal">Instead of going to his room, Seraphin went into the garden. +He almost +forgot the occurrences of the day in musing on the inexplicable +behavior of Louise. Again she had not uttered a word of condemnation of +the execrable doings of progress, and it grieved him deeply. A +suspicion flitted across his mind that perhaps Louise was infected with +the frivolous and pernicious spirit of the age, but he immediately +stifled the terrible suggestion as he would have hastened to crush a +viper that he might have seen on the path of the beautiful lady. He +preferred to believe that she suppressed her feelings of disgust out of +regard for his presence, that she wisely avoided pouring oil upon the +flames of his own indignation. Had she not exerted herself to dispel +his sombre reflections? He was thus espousing the side of passion +against the appalling truth that was beginning faintly to dawn upon his +anxious mind.</p> + +<p class="normal">But soon the spell was to be broken, and duty was to confront +him with +the alternative of either giving up Louise, or defying the stern +demands of his conscience.</p> + +<p class="normal">The brother and sister, thinking their guest engaged with his +diary, +walked into the garden. They directed their steps towards the arbor +where Gerlach had seated himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was only roused to consciousness of their proximity by the +unusually +loud and excited tone in which Louise spoke. He could not be mistaken; +it was the young lady's voice--but oh! the import of her words. He +looked through an opening in the foliage, and sat thunderstruck.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have been attempting to guide Gerlach's overexalted +spirit into a +more rational way of thinking, but the very opposite seems to be the +result. Intercourse with the son of a strait-laced mother is infecting +you with sympathy for ultramontanism. Your speech to-day," continued +she caustically, "in yon obscure meeting is the subject of the talk of +the town. I am afraid you have made yourself ridiculous in the minds of +all cultivated people. The respectability of our family has suffered."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of our family?" echoed he, perplexed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are compromitted," continued she with excitement. "You +have given +our enemies occasion to set us down for members of a party who stupidly +oppose the onward march of civilization."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Cease your philippic," broke in the brother angrily. +"Bitterness is an +unmerited return for my efforts to serve you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To serve me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, to serve you. The disturbing of that meeting made a very +unfavorable impression on your intended. He scorned the noisy mob, and +was roused by what, from his point of view, could not pass for anything +better than unpardonable impudence. To me it might have been a matter +of indifference whether your intended was pleased or displeased with +the fearless conduct of progress. But as I knew both you and the family +felt disposed to base the happiness of your life on his couple of +millions, as moreover I feared my silence might be interpreted by the +shortsighted young gentleman for complicity in progressionist ideas, I +was forced to disown the disorderly proceeding. In so doing I have not +derogated one iota from the spirit of the times; on the contrary, I +have bound a heavy wreath about the brow of glorious humanity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you have pardoned yourself too easily," proceeded she, +unappeased. +"The very first word uttered by a Greifmann in that benighted assembly +was a stain on the fair fame of our family. We shall be an object of +contempt in every circle. 'The Greifmanns have turned ultramontanes +because Gerlach would have refused the young lady's hand had they not +changed their creed,' is what will be prated in society. A flood of +derision and sarcasm will be let loose upon us. I an ultramontane?" +cried she, growing more fierce; "I caught in the meshes of religious +fanaticism? I accept the Syllabus--believe in the Prophet of Nazareth? +Oh! I could sink into the earth on account of this disgrace! Did I for +an instant doubt that Seraphin may be redeemed from superstition and +fanaticism, I would renounce my union with him--I would spurn the +tempting enjoyments of wealth, so much do I hate silly credulity."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin glanced at her through the gap in the foliage. Not +six paces +from him, with her face turned in his direction, stood the infuriate +beauty. How changed her countenance! The features, habitually so +delicate and bright, now looked absolutely hideous, the brows were +fiercely knit, and hatred poured like streams of fire from her eyes. +Sentiments hitherto skilfully concealed had taken visible shape, ugly +and repulsive to the view of the innocent youth. His noble spirit +revolted at so much hypocrisy and falsehood. What occurred before him +was at once so monstrous and so overwhelming that he did not for an +instant consider that in case they entered the arbor he would be +discovered. He was not discovered, however. Louise and Carl retraced +their steps. For a short while the voice of Louise was still audible, +then silence reigned in the garden.</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin rose from his seat. There was a sad earnestness in +his face, +and the vanishing traces of deep pain, which however were soon +superseded by a noble indignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have beheld the genuine Louise, and I thank God for it. It +is as I +feared, Louise is a progressionist, an infidel that considers it +disgraceful to believe in the Redeemer. Out upon such degeneracy! She +hates light, and how hideous this hatred makes her. Not a feature was +left of the charming, smiling, winning Louise. Good God! how horrible +had her real character remained unknown until after we were married! +Chained for life to the bitter enemy of everything that I hold dear and +venerate as holy--think of it! With eyes bandaged, I was but two paces +from an abyss that resembles hell--thank God! the bandage has fallen--I +see the abyss, and shudder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'The ultramontane Seraphin'--'the fanatical Gerlach'--'the +shortsighted Gerlach,' whose fortune the young lady covets that she may +pass her life in enjoyment--a heartless girl, in whom there is not a +spark of love for her intended husband--how base!</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Ultramontane'?--'fanatical'?--yes! 'Shortsighted?' by no +means. One +would need the suspicious eyes of progress to see through the hypocrisy +of this lady and her brother--a simple, trusting spirit like mine +cannot penetrate such darkness. At any rate, they shall not find me +weak. The little flame that was beginning to burn within my heart has +been for ever extinguished by her unhallowed lips. She might now +present herself in the garb of an angel, and muster up every seductive +art of womanhood, 'twould not avail; I have had an insight into her +real character, and giving her up costs me not a pang. It is not hollow +appearances that determine the worth of woman, but moral excellence, +beautiful virtues springing from a heart vivified by faith. No, giving +her up shall not cost me one regretful throb."</p> + +<p class="normal">He hastened from the garden to his room and rang the bell.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pack my trunks this very day, John," said he to his servant. +"Tomorrow +we shall be off."</p> + +<p class="normal">He then entered in his diary a circumstantial account of the +unmasked +beauty. He also dwelt at length upon the painful shock his heart +experienced when the bright and beautiful creature he had considered +Louise to be suddenly vanished before his soul. As he was finishing the +last line, John reappeared with a telegraphic despatch. He read it, and +was stunned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Meet your father at the train this evening." He looked at the +concise +despatch, and fancied he saw his father's stern and threatening +countenance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The contemplated match had for several years been regarded by +the +families of Gerlach and Greifmann as a fixed fact. Seraphin was aware +how stubbornly his father adhered to a project that he had once set his +mind upon. Here now, just as the union had became impossible and as the +youth was about to free himself for ever from an engagement that was +destructive of his happiness, the uncompromising sire had to appear to +enforce unconditional obedience to his will. A fearful contest awaited +Seraphin, unequal and painful; for a son, accustomed from childhood to +revere and obey his parents, was to maintain this contest against his +own father. Seraphin paced the room and wrung his hands in anguish.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<h3>AN ULTRAMONTANE SON.</h3> + +<p class="normal">Greifmann and Gerlach had driven to the railway station. The +express +train thundered along. As the doors of the carriages flew open, +Seraphin peered through them with eyes full of eager joy. He thought no +more of the fate that threatened him as the sequel of his father's +arrival; his youthful heart exulted solely in the anticipation of the +meeting. A tall, broad-shouldered gentleman, with severe features and +tanned complexion, alighted from a <i>coupé</i>. It was Mr. Conrad Gerlach. +Seraphin threw his arms around his father's neck and kissed him. The +banker made a polite bow to the wealthiest landed proprietor of the +country, in return for which Mr. Conrad bestowed on him a cordial shake +of the hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has your father returned?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He cannot possibly reach home before September," answered the +banker. +The traveller stepped for a moment into the luggage-room. The gentlemen +then drove away to the Palais Greifmann. During the ride, the +conversation was not very animated. Conrad's curt, grave manner and +keen look, indicative of a mind always hard at work, imposed reserve, +and rapidly dampened his son's ingenuous burst of joy. Seraphin cast a +searching glance upon that severe countenance, saw no change from its +stern look of authority, and his heart sank before the appalling +alternative of either sacrificing the happiness of his life to his +father's favorite project, or of opposing his will and braving the +consequences of such daring. Yet he wavered but an instant in the +resolution to which he had been driven by necessity, and which, it was +plain from the lines of his countenance, he had manhood enough to abide +by.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Conrad maintained his reserve, and asked but few +questions. Even +Carl, habitually profuse, studied brevity in his answers, as he knew +from experience that Gerlach, Senior, was singularly averse to the use +of many words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How is business?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very dull, sir; the times are hard."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did you sustain any losses through the failures that have +recently +taken place in town?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not a farthing. We had several thousands with Wendel, but +fortunately +drew them out before he failed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very prudent. Has your father entered into any new +connections in the +course of his travels?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Several, that promise fairly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is Louise well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her health is as good as could be wished."</p> + +<p class="normal">"General prosperity, then, I see, for you both look cheerful, +and +Seraphin is as blooming as a clover field.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How is dear mother?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite well. She misses her only child. She sends much love."</p> + +<p class="normal">The carriage drew up at the gate. The young lady was awaiting +the +millionaire at the bottom of the steps. While greetings were exchanged +between them, a faint tinge of warmth could be noticed on the cold +features of the land-owner. A smile formed about his mouth, his +piercing eyes glanced for an instant at Seraphin, and instantly the +smile was eclipsed under the cloud of an unwelcome discovery.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am on my way to the industrial exhibition," said he, "and I +thought +I would pay you a visit in passing. I wish you not to put yourself to +any inconvenience, my dear Louise. You will have the goodness to make +me a little tea, this evening, which we shall sip together."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am overjoyed at your visit, and yet I am sorry, too."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sorry! Why so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you are in such a hurry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It cannot be helped, my child. I am overwhelmed with work. +Harvest has +commenced; no less than six hundred hands are in the fields, and I am +obliged to go to the exhibition. I must see and test some new machinery +which is said to be of wonderful power."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, you will at least spare us a few days on your +return?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A few days! You city people place no value on time. We of the +country +economize seconds. Without a thought you squander in idleness what +cannot be recalled."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a greater rigorist than ever," chided she, smiling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because, my child, I am getting older. Seraphin, I wish to +speak a +word with you before tea."</p> + +<p class="normal">The two retired to the apartments which for years Mr. Conrad +was +accustomed to occupy whenever he visited the Palais Greifmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The old man still maintains his characteristic vigor," said +Louise. +"His face is at all times like a problem in arithmetic, and in place of +a heart he carries an accurate estimate of the yield of his farms. His +is a cold, repelling nature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But strictly honest, and alive to gain," added Carl. "In ten +years +more he will have completed his third million. I am glad he came; the +marriage project is progressing towards a final arrangement. He is now +having a talk with Seraphin; tomorrow, as you will see, the bashful +young gentleman, in obedience to the command of his father, will +present himself to offer you his heart, and ask yours in return."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A free heart for an enslaved one," said she jestingly. "Were +there no +hope of ennobling that heart, of freeing it from the absurdities with +which it is encrusted, I declare solemnly I would not accept it for +three millions. But Seraphin is capable of being improved. His eye will +not close itself against modern enlightenment. Servility of conscience +and a baneful fear of God cannot have entirely extinguished his sense +of liberty."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have never set a very high estimate on the pluck and moral +force of +religious people," declared Greifmann. "They are a craven set, who are +pious merely because they are afraid of hell. When a passion gets +possession of them, the impotence of their religious frenzy at once +becomes manifest. They fall an easy prey to the impulses of nature, +and the supernatural fails to come to the rescue. It would be vain +for Seraphin to try to give up the unbelieving Louise, whom his +strait-laced faith makes it his duty to avoid. He has fallen a victim +to your fascinations; all the Gospel of the Jew of Nazareth, together +with all the sacraments and unctions of the church, could not loose the +coils with which you have encircled him."</p> + +<p class="normal">In this scornful tone did Carl Greifmann speak of the heroism +of virtue +and of the energy of faith, like a blind man discoursing about colors. +He little suspected that it is just the power of religion that produces +characters, and that, on this very account, in an irreligious age, +characters of a noble type are so rarely met with; the warmth of faith +is not in them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Schwefel desires to speak a word with you," said a +servant who +appeared at the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker nodded assent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask your pardon for troubling you at so unseasonable an +hour," began +the leader, after bowing lowly several times. "The subject is urgent, +and must be settled without delay. But, by the way, I must first give +you the good news: Mr. Shund is elected by an overwhelming majority, +and Progress is victorious in every ward."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is what I looked for," answered the banker, with an air +of +satisfaction. "I told you whatever Cæsar, Antony, and Lepidus command, +must be done."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am just from a meeting at which some important resolutions +have been +offered and adopted," continued the leader. "The strongest prop of +ultramontanism is the present system of educating youth. Education +must, therefore, be taken out of the hands of the priests. But the +change will have to be brought about gradually and with caution. We +have decided to make a beginning by introducing common schools. A vote +of the people is to be taken on the measure, and, on the last day of +voting, a grand barbecue is to be given to celebrate our triumph over +the accursed slavery of religious symbols. The ground chosen by the +chief-magistrate for the celebration is the common near the Red Tower, +but the space is not large enough, and we will need your meadow +adjoining it to accommodate the crowd. I am commissioned by the +magistrate to request you to throw open the meadow for the occasion."</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker, believing the request prejudicial to his private +interests, +looked rather unenthusiastic. Louise, who had been busy with the +teapot, had heard every word of the conversation, and the new +educational scheme had won her cordial approval. Seeing her brother +hesitated, she flew to the rescue:</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are ready and happy to make any sacrifice in the interest +of +education and progress."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not sure that it is competent for me in the present +instance to +grant the desired permission," replied Greifmann. "The grass would be +destroyed, and perhaps the sod ruined for years. My father is away from +home, and I would not like to take the responsibility of complying with +his honor's wish."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The city will hold itself liable for all damages," said +Schwefel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all!" interposed the young lady hastily. "Make use of +the +meadow without paying damages. If my brother refuses to assume the +responsibility, I will take it upon my self. By wresting education from +the clergy, who only cripple the intellect of youth, progress aims a +death-blow at mental degradation. It is a glorious work, and one full +of inestimable results that you gentlemen are beginning in the cause of +humanity against ignorance and superstition. My father so heartily +concurs in every undertaking that responds to the wants of the times, +that I not only feel encouraged to make myself responsible for this +concession, but am even sure that he would be angry if we refused. Do +not hesitate to make use of the meadow, and from its flowers bind +garlands about the temples of the goddess of liberty!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The leader bowed reverently to the beautiful advocate of +progress.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In this case, there remains nothing else for me to do than to +confirm +my sister's decision," said Greifmann. "When is the celebration to take +place?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the 10th of August, the day of the deputy elections. It +has been +intentionally set for that day to impress on the delegates how genuine +and right is the sentiment of our people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very good," approved Greifmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the name of the chief-magistrate, I thank you for the +offering you +have so generously laid upon the shrine of humanity, and I shall hasten +to inform the gentlemen before they adjourn that you have granted our +request." And Schwefel withdrew from the gorgeously furnished +apartment.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile a fiery struggle was going on between Seraphin and +his +father. He had briefly related his experience at the Palais Greifmann; +had even confessed his preference for Louise, and had, for the first +time in his life, incurred his father's displeasure by mentioning the +wager. And when he concluded by protesting that he could not marry +Louise, Conrad's suppressed anger burst forth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you lost your senses, foolish boy? This marriage has +been in +contemplation for years; it has been coolly weighed and calculated. In +all the country around, it is the only equal match possible. Louise's +dower amounts to one million florins, the exact value of the noble +estate of Hatzfurth, adjoining our possessions. You young people can +occupy the chateau, I shall add another hundred acres to the land, +together with a complete outfit of farming implements, and then you +will have such a start as no ten proprietors in Germany can boast of."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin knew his father. All the old gentleman's thought and +effort +was concentrated on the management of his extensive possessions. For +other subjects there was no room in the head and heart of the +landholder. He barely complied with his religious duties. It is true, +on Sundays Mr. Conrad attended church, but surrounded invariably by a +motley swarm of worldly cares and speculations connected with farming. +At Easter, he went to the sacraments, but usually among the last, and +after being repeatedly reminded by his wife. He took no interest in +progress, humanity, ultramontanism, and such other questions as vex the +age, because to trouble himself about them would have interfered with +his main purpose. He knew only his fields and woodlands--and God, in so +far as his providence blessed him with bountiful harvests.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the good of millions, father, if the very fundamental +conditions of matrimonial peace are wanting?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What fundamental conditions?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Louise believes neither in God nor in revelation. She is an +infidel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you are a fanatic--a fanatic because of your one-sided +education. +Your mother has trained you as priests and monks are trained. During +your childhood piety was very useful; it served as the prop to the +young tree, causing it to grow up straight and develop itself into a +vigorous stem. But you are now full-grown, and life makes other demands +on the man than on the boy; therefore, with your fanaticism.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To my dying hour I shall thank my mother for the care she has +bestowed +on the child, the boy, and the young man. If her pious spirit has given +a right direction to my career, and watched faithfully over my steps, +the untarnished record of the son cannot but rejoice the heart of the +father--a record which is the undoubted product of religious training."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a good son, and I am proud of you," accorded Mr. +Conrad with +candor. "Your mother, too, is a woman whose equal is not to be found. +All this is very well. But, if Louise's city manners and free way of +thinking scandalize you, you are sheerly narrow-minded. I have been +noticing her for years, and have learned to value her industry and +domestic virtues. She has not a particle of extravagance; on the +contrary, she has a decided leaning towards economy and thrift. She +will make an unexceptionable wife. Do you imagine, my son, my choice +could be a blind one when I fixed upon Louise to share the property +which, through years of toil, I have amassed by untiring energy?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not deny the lady has the qualities you mention, my dear +father."</p> +<br> +<br> +<p class="normal">"Moreover, she is a millionaire, and handsome, very handsome, +and you +are in love with her--what more do you want?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The most important thing of all, father. The very soul of +conjugal +felicity is wanting, which is oneness of faith in supernatural truth. +What I adore, Louise denies; what I revere, she hates; what I practise, +she scorns. Louise never prays, never goes to church, never receives +the sacraments, in a word, she has not a spark of religion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will all come right," returned Mr. Conrad. "Louise will +learn to +pray. You must not, simpleton, expect a banker's daughter to be for +ever counting her beads like a nun. Take my word for it, the weight of +a wife's responsibilities will make her serious enough."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Serious perhaps, but not religious, for she is totally devoid +of +faith."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough; you shall marry her nevertheless," broke in the +father. "It is +my wish that you shall marry her. I will not suffer opposition."</p> + +<p class="normal">For a moment the young man sat silent, struggling painfully +with the +violence of his own feelings.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father," said he, then, "you command what I cannot fulfil, +because it +goes against my conscience. I beg you not to do violence to my +conscience; violence is opposed to your own and my Christian +principles. An atheist or a progressionist who does not recognize a +higher moral order, might insist upon his son's marrying an infidel for +the sake of a million. But you cannot do so, for it is not millions of +money that you and I look upon as the highest good. Do not, therefore, +dear father, interfere with my moral freedom; do not force me into a +union which my religion prohibits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does this mean?" And a dark frown gathered on the old +gentleman's +forehead. "Defiance disguised in religious twaddle? Open rebellion? Is +this the manner in which my son fulfils the duty of filial obedience?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me, father," said the youth with deferential firmness, +"there +is no divine law making it obligatory upon a father to select a wife +for his son. Consequently, also, the duty of obedience on this point +does not rest upon the son. Did I, beguiled by passion or driven by +recklessness, wish to marry a creature whose depravity would imperil my +temporal and eternal welfare, your duty, as a father, would be to +oppose my rashness, and my duty, as a son, would be to obey you. Louise +is just such a creature; she is artfully plotting against my religious +principles, against my loyalty to God and the church. She has put upon +herself as a task to lead me from the darkness of superstition into the +light of modern advancement. I overheard her when she said to her +brother, 'Did I for an instant doubt that Seraphin may be reclaimed +from superstition, I would renounce my union with him, I would forego +all the gratifications of wealth, so much do I detest stupid +credulity.' Hence I should have to look forward to being constantly +annoyed by my wife's fanatical hostility to my religion. There never +would be an end of discord and wrangling. And what kind of children +would such a mother rear? She would corrupt the little ones, instil +into their innocent souls the poison of her own godlessness, and make +me the most wretched of fathers. For these reasons Miss Greifmann shall +not become my wife---no, never! I implore you, dear father, do not +require from me what my conscience will not permit, and what I shall on +no condition consent to," concluded the young man with a tone of +decision.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Conrad had observed a solemn silence, like a man who +suddenly +beholds an unsuspected phenomenon exhibited before him. Seraphin's +words produced, as it were, a burst of vivid light upon his mind, +dispelling the multitudinous schemes and speculations that nestled in +every nook and depth. The effect of this sudden illumination became +perceptible at once, for Mr. Gerlach lost the points of view which had +invariably brought before his vision the million of the Greifmanns, and +he began to feel a growing esteem for the stand taken by his son.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your language sounds fabulous," said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here, father, is my diary. In it you will find a detailed +account of +what I have briefly stated."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach took the book and shoved it into the breast-pocket of +his coat. +In an instant, however, his imagination conjured up to him a picture of +the Count of Hatzfurth's splendid estate, and he went on coldly and +deliberately: "Hear me, Seraphin! Your marriage with Louise is a +favorite project upon which I have based not a few expectations. The +observations you have made shall not induce me to renounce this project +unconditionally, for you may have been mistaken. I shall take notes +myself and test this matter. If your view is confirmed, our project +will have been an air castle. You shall be left entirely unmolested in +your convictions."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin embraced his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us have no scene; hear me out. Should it turn out, on the +other +hand, that your judgment is erroneous, should Louise not belong to yon +crazy progressionist mob who aim to dethrone God and subvert the order +of society, should her hatred against religion be merely a silly +conforming to the fashionable impiety of the age, which good influences +may correct--then I shall insist upon your marrying her. Meanwhile I +want you to maintain a strict neutrality--not a step backward nor a +step in advance. Now to tea, and let your countenance betray nothing of +what has passed." He drew his son to his bosom and imprinted a kiss on +his forehead.</p> + +<p class="normal">The millionaires were seated around the tea-table. Mr. Conrad +playfully +commended Louise's talent for cooking. Apparently without design he +turned the conversation upon the elections, and, to Seraphin's utter +astonishment, eulogized the beneficent power of liberal doctrines.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our age," said he, "can no longer bear the hampering notions +of the +past. In the material world, steam and machinery have brought about +changes which call for corresponding changes in the world of intellect. +Great revolutions have already commenced. In France, Renan has written +a <i>Life of Christ</i>, and in our own country Protestant convocations are +proclaiming an historical Christ who was not God, but only an +extraordinary man. You hardly need to be assured that I too take a deep +interest in the intellectual struggles of my countrymen, but an excess +of business does not permit me to watch them closely. I am obliged to +content myself with such reports as the newspapers furnish. I should +like to read Renan's work, which seems to have created a great +sensation. They say it suits our times admirably."</p> + +<p class="normal">The brother and sister were not a little astonished at the old +gentleman's unusual communicativeness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is a splendid book," exclaimed Louise--"charming as to +style, and +remarkably liberal and considerate towards the worshippers of Christ."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I have everywhere been told," said Mr. Conrad.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you read the book, Louise?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not less than four times, three times in French and once in +German."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think a farmer whose moments are precious as gold +could forgive +himself the reading of Renan's book in view of the multitude of his +urgent occupations?" asked he, smiling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The reading of a book that originates a new intellectual era +is also a +serious occupation," maintained the beautiful lady.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very true; yet I apprehend Renan's attempt to disprove to me +the +divinity of Christ would remain unsuccessful, and it would only cause +me the loss of some hours of valuable time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Read it, Mr. Gerlach, do read it. Renan's arguments are +unanswerable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you have been convinced, Louise?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, indeed, quite."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, now, Renan is a living author, he is the lion of the +day, and +nothing could be more natural than that the fair sex should grow +enthusiastic over him. But, of course, at your next confession you will +sorrowfully declare and retract your belief in Renan."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady cast a quick glance at Seraphin, and the brim +of her +teacup concealed a proud, triumphant smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our city is about taking a bold step," said Carl, breaking +the +silence. "We are to have common schools, in order to take education +from the control of the clergy." And he went on to relate what Schwefel +had reported.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When is the barbecue to come off?" inquired Mr. Conrad.</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the 10th of August."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps I shall have time to attend this demonstration," said +Gerlach. +"Hearts reveal themselves at such festivities. One gets a clear insight +into the mind of the multitude. You, Louise, have put progress under +obligations by so cheerfully advancing to meet it."</p> + +<p class="normal">After these words the landholder rose and went to his room. +The next +morning he proceeded on his journey, taking with him Seraphin's diary. +The author himself he left at the Palais Greifmann in anxious +uncertainty about future events.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<h3>FAITH AND SCIENCE OF PROGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin usually look an early ride with Carl. The banker was +overjoyed +at the wager, about the winning of which he now felt absolute +certainty. He expressed himself confident that before long he would +have the pleasure of going over the road on the back of the best racer +in the country. "The noble animals," said he, "shall not be brought by +the railway; it might injure them. I shall send my groom for them to +Chateau Hallberg. He can ride the distance in two days."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin could not help smiling at his friend's solicitude for +the +horses.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not sell the bear's skin before killing the bear," +answered he. "I +may not lose the horses, but may, on the contrary, acquire a pleasant +claim to twenty thousand florins."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is beyond all possibility," returned the banker. "Hans +Shund is +now chief-magistrate, has been nominated to the legislature, and in a +few days will be elected. Mr. Hans will appear as a shining light +to-morrow, when he is to state his political creed in a speech to his +constituents. Of course, you and I shall go to hear him. Next will +follow his election, then my groom will hasten to Chateau Hallberg to +fetch the horses. Are you sorry you made the bet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all! I should regret very much to lose my span of +bays. Still, +the bet will be of incalculable benefit to me. I will have learned +concerning men and manners what otherwise I could never have dreamed +of. In any event, the experience gained will be of vast service to me +during life.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am exceedingly glad to know it, my dear fellow," assured +Greifmann. +"Your acquaintance with the present has been very superficial. You have +learned a great deal in a few days, and it is gratifying to hear you +acknowledge the fact."</p> + +<p class="normal">The banker had not, however, caught Gerlach's meaning.</p> + +<p class="normal">But for the wager, Seraphin would not have become acquainted +with +Louise's intellectual standpoint. He would probably have married her +for the sake of her beauty, would have discovered his mistake when it +could not be corrected, and would have found himself condemned to spend +his life with a woman whose principles and character could only annoy +and give him pain. As it was, he was tormented by the fear that his +father might not coincide in his opinion of the young lady. What if the +old gentleman considered her hostility to religion as a mere +fashionable mania unsupported by inner conviction, a girlish whim +changeable like the wind, which with little effort might be made to +veer round to the point or the most unimpeachable orthodoxy? He had not +uttered a word condemning Louise's infatuation about Renan. On taking +leave he had parted with her in a friendly, almost hearty, manner, +proof sufficient that the young lady's doubtful utterances at tea had +not deceived him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon reaching home, Gerlach sat in his room with his eyes +thoughtfully +fixed upon a luminous square cast by the sun upon the floor. Quite +naturally his thoughts ran upon the marriage, and to the prospect of +having to maintain his liberty by hard contest with his inflexible +parent. He was unshaken in his resolution not to accede to the +projected alliance, and, when a will morally severe conceives +resolutions of this sort, they usually stand the hardest tests. So +absorbing were his reflections that he did not hear John announcing a +visitor. He nodded mechanically in reply to the words that seemed to +come out of the distance, and the servant disappeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">Soon after a country girl appeared entrance of the room. In +both hands +she was carrying a small basket made of peeled willows, quite new. A +snow-white napkin was spread over the basket. The girl's dress was +neat, her figure was slender and graceful. Her hair, which was wound +about the head in heavy plaits, was golden and encircled her forehead +as with a <i>nimbus</i>. Her features were delicate and beautiful, and she +looked upon the young gentleman with a pair of deep-blue eyes. Thus +stood she for an instant in the door of the apartment. There was a +smile about her mouth and a faint flush upon her cheeks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin!" said a sweet voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">The youth started at this salutation and looked at the +stranger with +surprise. She was just then standing on the sunlit square, her hair +gleamed like the purest gold, and a flood of light streamed upon her +youthful form. He did not return the greeting. He looked at her as if +frightened, rose slowly, and bowed in silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father sends some early grapes which he begs you to have +the +goodness to accept."</p> + +<p class="normal">She drew nearer, and he received the basket from her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am very thankful!" said he. And, raising the napkin, the +delicious +fruit smiled in his face. "These are a rarity this season. To whom am I +indebted for this friendly attention?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The obligation is all on our side, Mr. Seraphin," she replied +trustfully to the generous benefactor of her family. "Father is sorry +that he cannot offer you something better."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! you are Holt's daughter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Mr. Seraphin."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your name is Johanna, is it not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mechtild, Mr. Seraphin."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you be so good as to sit down?" And he pointed her to a +sofa.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mechtild, however, drew a chair and seated herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had noted her deportment, and could not but marvel at the +graceful +action, the confiding simplicity, and well-bred self-possession of the +extraordinary country girl. As she sat opposite to him, she looked so +pure, so trusting and sincere, that his astonishment went on +increasing. He acknowledged to himself never to have beheld eyes whose +expression came so directly from the heart--a heart whose interior must +be equally as sunny and pure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How are your good parents?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are very well, Mr. Seraphin. Father has gone to work +with renewed +confidence. The sad--ah! the terrible period is past. You cannot +imagine, Mr. Seraphin, how many tears you have dried, how much misery +you have relieved!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The recollection of the ruin that had been hanging over her +home +affected her painfully; her eyes glistened, and tears began to roll +down her cheeks. But she instantly repressed the emotion, and exhibited +a beautiful smile on her face. Seraphin's quick eye had observed both +the momentary feeling, and that she had resolutely checked it in order +not to annoy him by touching sorrowful chords. This trait of delicacy +also excited the admiration of the gentleman.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your father is not in want of employment?" he inquired with +interest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, sir! Father is much sought on account of his knowledge of +farming. +Persons who have ground, but no team of their own, employ him to put in +crops for them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No doubt the good man has to toil hard?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is true, sir; but father seems to like working, and we +children +strive to help him as much as we can."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And do you like working?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do, indeed, Mr. Seraphin. Life would be worthless if one +did not +labor. Man's life on earth is so ordered as to show him that he must +labor. Doing nothing is abominable, and idleness is the parent of many +vices."</p> + +<p class="normal">Another cause of astonishment for the millionaire. She did not +converse +like an uneducated girl from the country. Her accurate, almost choice +use of words indicated some culture, and her concise observations +revealed both mind and reflection. He felt a strong desire to fathom +the mystery--to cast a glance into Mechtild's past history.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you always lived at home, or have you ever been away at +school?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She must have detected something ludicrous in the question, +for +suddenly a degree of archness might be observed in her amiable smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean, whether I have received a city education? No, sir! +Father +used to speak highly of the clearness of my mind, and thought I might +even be made a teacher. But he had not the means to give me the +necessary amount of schooling. Until I was fourteen years old, I went +to school to the nuns here in town. I used to come in of mornings and +go back in the evening. I studied hard, and father and mother always +had the satisfaction of seeing me rewarded with a prize at the +examinations. I am very fond of books, and make good use of the convent +library. On Sundays, after vespers, I wait till the door of the +book-room is opened. I still spend my leisure time in reading, and on +Sundays and holidays I know no greater pleasure than to read nice +instructive books. At my work I think over what I have read, and I +continue practising composition according to the directions of the good +ladies of the convent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And were you always head at school?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," she admitted, with a blush.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have profited immensely by your opportunities," he said +approvingly. "And the desire for learning has not yet left you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"This inordinate craving still continues to torment me," she +acknowledged frankly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Inordinate--why inordinate?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because, my station and calling do not require a high degree +of +culture. But it is so nice to know, and it is so nice to have refined +intercourse with each others. For seven years I admired the elegant +manners of the convent ladies, and I learned many a lesson from them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How old are you now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Seventeen, Mr. Seraphin."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a pity you did not enter some higher educational +institution!" +said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">A pause followed. He looked with reverence upon the artless +girl whom +God had so richly endowed, both in body and mind, Mechtild rose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Please accept, also, my most heartfelt thanks for your +generous aid," +she said, with emotion, "All my life long I shall remember you before +God, Mr. Seraphin. The Almighty will surely repay you what alas! we +cannot."</p> + +<p class="normal">She made a courtesy, and he accompanied her through all the +apartments +as far as the front door. Here the girl, turning, bowed to him once +more and went away.</p> + +<p class="normal">Returning to his room, Seraphin stood and contemplated the +grapes. +Strongly did the delicious fruit tempt him, but he touched not one. He +then pulled out a drawer, and hid the gifts as though it were a costly +treasure. For the rest of the day, Mechtild's bright form hovered near +him, and the sweet charm of her eyes, so full of soul, continually +worked on his imagination. When he again went into Louise's company, +the grace and innocence of the country girl gained ground in his +esteem. Compared with Mechtild's charming naturalness, Louise's manner +appeared affected, spoiled; through evil influences. The difference in +the expression of their eyes struck him especially. In Louise's eyes +there burned a fierce glow at times, which roused passion and stirred +the senses. Mechtild's neither glowed nor flashed; but from their +limpid depths beamed goodness so genuine and serenity so unclouded, +that Seraphin could compare them to nothing but two heralds of peace +and innocence. Louise's eyes, thought he, flash like two meteors of the +night; Mechtild's beam like two mild suns in a cloudless sky of spring. +As often as he entered the room where the grapes lay concealed, he +would unlock the drawer, examine the fragrant fruit, and handle the +basket which had been carried by her hands. He could not himself help +smiling at this childish action, and yet both great delicacy and deep +earnestness are manifested in honoring objects that have been touched +by pure hands, and in revering places hallowed by the presence of the +good.</p> + +<p class="normal">Next morning the banker asked his guest to accompany him to +the church +of S. Peter, where Hans Shund was to address a large gathering.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In a church?" Gerlach exclaimed, with amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't get frightened, my good fellow. The church is no longer +in the +service of religion. It has been <i>secularized</i> by the state, and is +customarily used as a hall for dancing. There will be quite a crowd, +for several able speakers are to discuss the question of common +schools. The church has been chosen for the meeting on account of the +crowd."</p> + +<p class="normal">The millionaires drove to the desecrated church. A tumultuous +mass +swarmed about the portal. "Let us permit them to push us; we shall get +in most easily by letting them do so," said the banker merrily. Two +officious progressionists, recognizing the banker, opened a passage for +them through the throng. They reached the interior of the church, which +was now an empty space, stripped of every ornament proper to a house of +God. In the sanctuary could yet be seen, as if in mournful abandonment, +a large quadrangular slab, that had been the altar, and attached to one +of the side walls was an exquisite Gothic pulpit, which on occasions +like the present was used for a rostrum. Everywhere else reigned +silence and desolation.</p> + +<p class="normal">The nave was filled by a motley mass. The chieftains of +progress, some +elegantly dressed, others exhibiting frivolous miens and huge beards, +crowded upon the elevation of the chancel. All the candidates for the +legislature were present, not for the purpose of proving their +qualifications for the office--progress never troubled itself about +those--but to air their views on the subject of education. There were +speakers on hand of acknowledged ability in the discussion of the +doctrines of progress, who were to lay the result of their +investigations before the people.</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphia also noted some anxious faces in the crowd. They were +citizens, whose sons were alarmed at the thought of yielding up the +training of their children into the hands of infidelity. And near the +pulpit stood two priests, irreverently crowded against the wall, +targets for the scornful pleasantries of the wits of the mob. Leader +Schwefel was voted into the chair by acclamation. He thanked the +assembly in a short speech for the honor conferred, and then announced +that Mr. Till, member of the former assembly, would address the +meeting. Amid murmurs of expectation a short, fat gentleman climbed +into the pulpit. First a red face with a copper-tipped nose bobbed +above the ledge of the pulpit, next came a pair of broad shoulders, +upon which a huge head rested without the intermediary of a neck, +two puffy hands were laid upon the desk, and the commencement of a +well-rounded pauch could just be detected by the eye. Mr. Till, taking +two handfuls of his shaggy beard, drew them slowly through his fingers, +looked composedly upon the audience, and breathed hotly through mouth +and nostrils.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," he began, with a voice that struggled out from a +mass of +flesh and fat, "I am not given to many words, you know. What need is +there of many words and long speeches? We know what we want, and what +we want we will have in spite of the machinations of Jesuits and the +whinings of an ultramontane horde. You all know how I acquitted myself +at the last legislature, and if you will again favor me with your +suffrages, I will endeavor once more to give satisfaction. You know my +record, and I shall remain staunch to the last."</p> + +<p class="normal">Cries of "Good!" from various directions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen! if you know my record, you must also be aware that +I am +passionately fond of the chase. I even follow this amusement in the +legislative hall. Our country abounds in a sort of black game, and for +me it is rare sport to pursue this species of game in the assembly."</p> + +<p class="normal">A wild tumult of applause burst forth. Jeers and coarse +witticisms were +bandied about on every side of the two clergymen, who looked meekly +upon these orgies of progress.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen!" Till continued, "the <i>blacks</i> are a dangerous +kind of wild +beast. They have heretofore been ranging in a preserve, feeding on the +fat of the land. That is an abuse that challenges the wrath of heaven. +It must be done away with. The beasts of prey that in the dark ages +dwelt in castles have long since been exterminated, and their rocky +lairs have been reduced to ruins. Well, now, let us keep up the chase +in both houses of the legislature until the last of these <i>black</i> +beasts is destroyed. Should you entrust to me again your interests, I +shall return to the seat of government, to aid with renewed energy in +ridding the land of these creatures that are enemies both of education +and liberty."</p> + +<p class="normal">Amid prolonged applause the fat man descended. The chieftains +shook him +warmly by the hand, assuring him that the cause absolutely demanded his +being reelected.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach was aghast at Till's speech. He hardly knew which +deserved most +scorn, the vulgarity of the speaker or the abjectness of those who had +applauded him. Their wild enthusiasm was still surging through the +building, when Hans Shund mounted the pulpit. The chairman rang for +order; the tumult ceased. In mute suspense the multitude awaited the +great speech of the notorious usurer, thief, and debauchee. And indeed, +progress might well entertain great expectations, for Hans Shund had +read a pile of progressionist pamphlets, had extracted the strong +passages, and out of them had concocted a right racy speech. His speech +might with propriety have been designated the Gospel of Progress, for +Hans Shund had made capital of whatever freethinkers had lucubrated in +behalf of so-called enlightenment, and in opposition to Christianity. +The very appearance of the speaker gave great promise. His were not +coarse features and goggle eyes like Till's; his piercing feline eyes +looked intellectual. His face was rather pale, the result, no doubt, of +unusual application, and he had skilfully dyed his sandy hair. His +position as mayor of the city seemed also to entitle him to special +attention, and these several claims were enhanced by a white necktie, +white vest, and black cloth swallowtail coat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," began the mayor with solemnity, "my honorable +predecessor +in this place has told you with admirable sagacity that the kernel of +every political question is of a religious character. Indeed, religion +is linked with every important question of the day, it is the <i>ratio +ultima</i> of the intellectual movement of our times. Men of thought and +of learning are all agreed as to the condition to which our social life +should be and must be brought. The friends of the people are actively +and earnestly at work trying to further a healthy development of our +social and political status. Nor have their efforts been utterly +fruitless. Progress has made great conquests; yet, gentlemen, these +conquests are far from being complete. What is it that is most hostile +to liberalism in morals, to enlightenment, and to humanity? It is the +antiquated faith of departed days. Have we not heard the language of +the Holy Father in the Syllabus? But the Holy Father at Rome, +gentlemen, is no father of ours--happily he is the father only of +stupid and credulous men."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bravo! Well said!" resounded from the audience. Flaschen +nudged +Spitzkopf, who sat next to him. "Shund is no mean speaker. Even that +fellow Voelk, of Bavaria, cannot compete with Shund."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen, our good sense teaches us to smile with pity at +the +infallible declarations of yon Holy Father. We are firmly convinced +that papal decrees can no more stop the onward march of civilization +than they can arrest the heavenly bodies in their journeys about the +sun. 'Tis true, an œcumenical council is lowering like a black +storm-cloud. But let the council meet; let it declare the Syllabus an +article of faith; it will never succeed in destroying the treasures of +independent thought which creative intellects have been hoarding up for +centuries among every people. Since men of culture have ceased to yield +unquestioning submission, like dumb sheep, to the church, they have +begun to discover that nowhere are so many falsehoods uttered as in +pulpits."</p> + +<p class="normal">Tremendous applause, clapping, and swinging of hats, followed +this +eloquent period. A distinguished gentleman, laying his hand upon Till's +shoulder, asked: "What calibre of ammunition do you use in hunting +<i>black</i> game?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Conical balls of two centimetres," replied Till, with no +great wit.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yon fellow in the pulpit fires shells of a hundredweight, I +should +say. And if in the legislative assembly his shells all explode, not a +man of them will be left alive."</p> + +<p class="normal">Till thought this witticism so good that he set up a loud roar +of +laughter, that could be heard above the general uproar.</p> + +<p class="normal">Stimulated by these marks of appreciation, Shund waxed still +more +eloquent. "Gentlemen," cried he, "no body of men is more savagely +opposed to science and culture than a conventicle of so-called servants +of God. Were you to repeat the multiplication table several times over, +there would be as much prayer and sense in it as in what is designated +the Apostles' Creed."</p> + +<p class="normal">More cheering and boundless enthusiasm. "Gentlemen!" exclaimed +the +speaker, with thundering emphasis and a hideous expression of hatred on +his face, "the significance of religious dogmas is simply a sort of +homœopathic concoction to which every succeeding age contributes +some drops of fanaticism. Subjected to the microscope of science, the +whole basis of the Christian church evaporates into thin mist. We must +shield our children against religious fables. Away with dogmas and saws +from the Bible; away with the Trinity; the divinity and humanity of +Jesus, and other such stuff! Away with apothegms such as this: <i>Christ +is my life, my death, and my gain.</i> Such things are opposed to nature. +Children's minds are thereby warped to untruthfulness and hyprocrisy. +In this manner the child is deprived of the power of thinking; loses +all interest in intellectual pursuits, and ceases to feel the need of +further culture. The times are favorable for a reformation. Our +imperial and royal rulers have at length realized that minds must be +set free. For this end it was as unavoidable for them to break with the +church and priesthood as it is necessary for us. If we cherish our +fatherland and the people, we must take the initiative. We are not +striving to effect a revolution; we want intellectual development, +profounder knowledge, and healthier morality. + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="t1">"Shall peace be seen beneath our skies,</p> +<p class="t1">The spirit's freedom first must rise,"</p> +</div> + +<p class="continue">concluded the orator poetically, and he came down amidst a +very +hurricane of applause.</p> + +<p class="normal">There followed a lull. In the audience, heads protruded and +necks were +stretched that their possessors might obtain a glimpse of the great +Shund. In the chancel, the chiefs and leaders crowded around him, +smiling, bowing, and shaking his hand in admiration.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have won the laurels," smirked a fellow from amidst a +wilderness +of beard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your election to the Assembly is a certainty," declared +another.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You carry deadly weapons against Christ," said a professor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Hans smiled, and nodded so often that he was seized with a +pain in +the muscles of the face and neck. At length, the chairman's bell came +to the rescue.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Rev. Mr. Morgenroth will now address the meeting."</p> + +<p class="normal">The clergyman mounted the rostrum, but scarcely had he +appeared there, +when the crowd became possessed by a legion of hissing demons.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," began the fearless priest, "the duty of my +calling as well +as personal conviction demands that I should enter a solemn protest +against the sundering of school and church."</p> + +<p class="normal">Further the priest was not allowed to proceed. Loud howling, +hissing, +and whistling drowned his voice. The president called for order.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the name of good-breeding, I beg this most honorable +assembly to +hear the speaker out in patience," cried Mr. Schwefel.</p> + +<p class="normal">The mob relaxed into unwilling silence like a growling beast.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not all the citizens of this town are affected with +infidelity," the +reverend gentleman went on to say. "Many honorable gentlemen believe in +Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and in his church. These citizens wish +their children to receive a religious education; it would, therefore, +be unmitigated terrorism, tyrannical constraint of conscience, to force +Christian parents to bring up their children in the spirit of +unbelief."</p> + +<p class="normal">This palpable truth progress could not bear to listen to. A +mad yell +was set up. Clenched fists were shaken at the clergyman, and fierce +threats thundered from all sides of the church. "Down with the priest!" +"Down with the accursed blackcoat!" "Down with the dog of a Jesuit!" +and similar exclamations resounded from all sides. The chairman rang +his bell in vain. The mob grew still more furious and noisy. The +clergyman was compelled to come down.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Such is the liberty, the education, the tolerance, the +humanity of +progress," said he sadly to his colleague.</p> + +<p class="normal">Once more the bell of the chairman was heard amid the tumult.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Seicht, officer of the crown, will now address the +meeting," +Schwefel announced.</p> + +<p class="normal">The audience were seized with amazement, and not without a +cause. A +dignitary of a higher order, a member of the administration, ascended +the pulpit for the purpose of making an assault upon Christian +education. He was about to make war upon morals and faith, the true +supports of every solid government, the sources of the moral sentiment +and of the prosperity of human society. A remnant of honesty and a +lingering sense of justice may have raised a protest in Seicht's +mind against his undertaking; for his bearing was anything but +self-possessed, and he had the appearance of a wretch that was being +goaded on by an evil spirit. Besides, he had the habit peculiar to +bureaucrats of speaking in harsh, snarling tones. Seicht was conscious +of these peculiarities of his bureaucratic nature, and labored to +overcome them. The effort imparted to his delivery an air of constraint +and a sickening sweetness which were climaxed by the fearfully involved +style in which his speech was clothed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," said Seicht, "in view of present circumstances, +and in +consideration of the requirements of culture whose spirit is +incompatible with antiquated conditions, popular education, which in +connection with domestic training is the foundation of the future +citizen, must also undergo such changes as will bring it into harmony +with modern enlightened sentiment; and this is the more necessary as +the provisions of the law, which progress in its enlightenment and +clearness of perception cannot refuse to recognize as a fit model for +the imitation of a party dangerous to the state--I mean the party of +Jesuitism and ultramontranism--allow untrammelled scope for the +reformation of the school system, provided the proper clauses of the +law and the ordinances relating to this matter are not left out of +consideration. Accordingly, it is my duty to refer this honorable +meeting especially to the ministerial decree referring to common +schools, in accordance with which said common schools may be +established, after a vote of the citizens entitled to the elective +franchise, as soon as the need of this is felt; which in the present +instance cannot be contested, since public opinion has taken a decided +stand against denominational schools, in which youth is trained after +unbending forms of religion, and in doctrines that evidently conflict +with the triumph of the present, and with those exact sciences which +make up the only true gospel--the gospel of progress, which scarcely in +any respect resembles the narrow gospel of dubious dogmas--dubious for +the reason that they lack the spirit of advancement, and are +prejudicial to the investigation of the problems of a God, of material +nature, and of man."</p> + +<p class="normal">Here leader Sand thrust his fingers in his ears.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thunder and lightning!" exclaimed he wrathfully, "what a +shallow +babbler! What is he driving at? His periods are a yard long; and when +he has done, a man is no wiser than when he began. Gospel--gospel of +progress--fool--numskull--down! down!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite a remarkable instance, this!" said Gerlach to the +banker. +"Evidently this man is trying might and main to please, yet he only +succeeds in torturing his hearers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will explain this man to you," replied the banker. +"Heretofore Mr. +Seicht has been a most complete exemplar of absolute bureaucracy. The +only divinity he knew were the statutes, the only heaven the bureau, +and the only safe way of reaching supreme felicity was, in his opinion, +to render unquestioning obedience to ministerial rescripts. Suddenly +Mr. Seicht heard the card-house of bureaucracy start in all its joints. +His divinity lost its worshippers, and his heaven lost all charms for +those who were seeking salvation. He felt the ground moving under him, +he realized the colossal might of progress, and hastened to commend +himself to this party by adopting liberal ideas. He is now aiming to +secure a seat in the house of delegates, which is subsequently to serve +him as a stepping-stone to a place in the cabinet. Just listen how the +man is agonizing! He is wasting his strength, however, and the attitude +of the audience is beginning to get alarming."</p> + +<p class="normal">For some time past, the chieftains in the chancel had been +shaking +their heads at the efforts of this official advocate of progress. To +avoid being tortured by hearing, they had engaged in conversation. The +auditors in the nave of the church were also growing restive. The +speaker, however, continued blind to every hint and insinuation. At +last a tall fellow in the crowd swung his hat and cried, "Three cheers +for Mr. Seicht!" The whole nave joined in a deafening cheer. Seicht, +imagining the cheering to be a tribute to the excellence of his effort, +stopped for a moment to permit the uproar to subside, intending then to +go on with his speech; but no sooner had he resumed than the cheering +burst forth anew, and was so vigorously sustained that the man, at +length perceiving the meaning of the audience, came down amid peals of +derisive laughter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Serves the gabbler right!" said Sand. "He's a precious kind +of a +fellow! The booby thinks he can hoist himself into the chamber of +deputies by means of the shoulders of progress, and thence to climb up +higher. But it happens that we know whom we have to deal with, and we +are not going to serve as stirrups for a turn-coat official."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chairman wound up with a speech in which he announced that +the vote +on the question of common schools would soon come off, and then +adjourned the meeting.</p> + +<p class="normal">The millionaires drew back to allow the crowd to disperse. +Near them +stood Mr. Seicht, alone and dejected. The countenances of the +chieftains had yielded him no evidence on which to base a hope that his +speech had told, and that he might expect to occupy a seat in the +assembly. Moreover, Sand had rudely insulted the ambitious official to +his face. This he took exceedingly hard. All of a sudden, he spied the +banker in the chancel, and went over to greet him. Greifmann introduced +Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am proud," Mr. Seicht asseverated, "of the acquaintance of +the +wealthiest proprietor of the country."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon the correction, sir; my father is the proprietor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter, you are his only son," rejoined Seicht. "Your +presence +proves that you take an interest in the great questions of the day. +This is very laudable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My presence, however, by no means proves that I concur in the +object +of this meeting. Curiosity has led me hither."</p> + +<p class="normal">The official directed a look of inquiry at the banker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sheer curiosity," repeated this gentleman coldly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you not, then, become reconciled to the spirit of +progress?" asked +Seicht, with a smile revealing astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The value of my convictions consists in this, that I worship +genuine +progress," replied the millionaire gravely. "The progress of this +community, in particular, looks to me like retrogression."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am astonished at what you say," returned the official; "for +surely +Shund's masterly speech has demonstrated that we are keeping pace with +the age."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot see, sir, how fiendish hatred of religion can be +taken for +progress. This horrible, bloodthirsty monster existed even in the days +of Nero and Tiberius, as we all know. Can the resurrection of it, now +that it has been mouldering for centuries, be seriously looked upon as +a step in advance? Rather a step backward, I should think, of eighteen +hundred years. Especially horrible and revolting is this latest +instance of tyranny, forcing parents who entertain religious sentiments +to send their children to irreligious schools. Not even Nero and +Tiberius went so far. On this point, I agree, there has been progress, +but it consists in putting a most unnatural constraint upon +conscience."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlach's language aroused the official. He was face to face +with an +ultramontane. The mere sight of such an one caused a nervous twitching +in his person. He resorted at once to bureaucratic weapons in making +his onslaught.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are mistaken, my dear sir--you are very much mistaken. +The spirit +of the modern state demands that the schools of the multitude, +particularly public institutions, should be accessible to the children +of every class of citizens, without distinction of religious +profession. Consequently, the schools must be taken from under the +authority, direction, and influence of the church, and put entirely +under civil and political control. Such, too, is now the mind of our +rulers, besides that public sentiment calls for the change."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Mr. Seicht, in making such a change, the state +despotically +infringes on the province of religion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not despotically, Mr. Gerlach, but legally; for the state is +the +fountain-head of all right, and consequently possessed of unlimited +right."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You enunciate principles, sir, which differ vastly from what +morality +and religion teach."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What signify morals--what signifies religion? Mere antiquated +forms, +sir, with no living significance," explained Seicht, lavishly +displaying the treasures of the storehouse of progressionist wisdom. +"The past submitted quietly to the authority of religion, because there +existed then a low degree of intellectual culture. At present there is +only one authority--it is the preponderance of numbers and of material +forces. Consequently, the only real authority is the majority in power. +On the other hand, authorities based upon the supposed existence of a +supersensible world have lost their cause of being, for the reason that +exact science plainly demonstrates the nonexistence of an immaterial +world. <i>Cessante causa, cessat effectus</i>, the supersensible world, the +basis of religious authority, being gone, it logically results that +religious authority itself is gone. Hence the only real authority +existing in a state is the majority, and to this every citizen is +obliged to submit. You marvel, Mr. Gerlach. What I have said is not my +own personal view, but the expression of the principles which alone +pass current at the present day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I agree in what you say," said the banker. "You have spoken +from the +standpoint of the times. The controlling power is the majority."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shund, then, accurately summed up the creed of the present +age when he +said, 'Progress conquers death, destroys hell, rejects heaven, and +finds its god in the sweet enjoyment of life.' It is to be hoped that +all-powerful progress will next decree that there are no death and no +suffering upon earth, that all the hostile forces of nature have +ceased, that want and misery are no more, and that earth is a paradise +of sweet enjoyment for all."</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Seicht was rather taken aback by this satire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Besides, gentlemen," proceeded Gerlach, "you will please +observe that +the doctrine of state supremacy is a step backward of nearly two +thousand years. In Nero's day, but one source of right, namely, the +state, was recognized. In the head of the state, the emperor, were +centred all power, all authority, and all right. In his person, the +state was exalted into a divinity. Temples and altars were reared to +the emperor; sacrifices were offered to him; he was worshipped as a +deity. Even human sacrifices were not denied him if the imperial +divinity thought proper to demand them. And, now, to what condition did +these monstrous errors bring the world of that period? It became one +vast theatre of crime, immorality, and despotism. Slavery coiled itself +about men and things, and strangled their liberty. Matrimonial life +sank into the most loathsome corruption. Infanticide was permitted to +pass unpunished. The licentiousness of women was even greater than that +of men. Life and property became mere playthings for the whims of the +emperor and of his courtiers. Did the divine Cæsar wish to amuse his +deeply sunken subjects, he had only to order the gladiators to butcher +one another, or some prisoners or slaves or Christians to be thrown to +tigers and panthers; this made a Roman holiday. Such, gentlemen, was +human society when it recognized no supersensible world, no God above, +no moral law. If our own progress proceeds much further in the path on +which it is marching, it will soon reach a similar fearful stage. We +already see in our midst the commencement of social corruption. We have +the only source of right proclaimed to be the divine state. Conscience +is being tyrannized over by a majority that rejects God and denies +future rewards and punishments. All the rest, even to the divine +despot, has already followed, or inevitably will follow. Therefore, Mr. +Seicht, the progress you so loudly boast of is mere stupid +retrogression, blind superstition, which falls prostrate before the +majority of a mob, and worships the omnipotence of the state."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't you think my friend has been uttering some very bitter +truths?" +asked the banker, with a smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pretty nearly so," replied the official demurely. "However, +one can +detect the design, and cannot help getting out of humor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What design?" asked Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of creating alarm against progress."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed, sir, you are mistaken. I, too, am enthusiastic about +progress, +but genuine progress. And because I am an advocate of real progress I +cannot help detesting the monstrosity which the age would wish to palm +off on men instead."</p> + +<p class="normal">The church was now cleared. Greifmann's carriage was at the +door. The +millionaires drove off.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pity for this Gerlach!" thought the official, as he strode +through the +street. "He is lost to progress, for he is too solidly rooted in +superstition to be reclaimed. War against nature's claims; deny healthy +physical nature its rights; re-establish terror of the seven capital +sins; permit the priesthood to tyrannize over conscience; restore the +worship of an unmathematical triune God--no! no!" cried he fiercely, "I +shall all go to the devil!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A carriage whirled past him. He caste a glance into the +vehicle, and +raised his hat to Mr. Hans Shund.</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief magistrate was on his way home from the town-hall. +He could +not rest under the weight of his laurels; the inebriation of his +triumph drove him into the room where sat his lonely and careworn wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My election to the assembly is assured, wife." And he went on +with a +minute account of the proceedings of the day.</p> + +<p class="normal">The pale, emaciated lady sat bowed in silence over her work, +and did +not look up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, wife, don't you take any interest in the honors won by +your +husband? I should think you ought to feel pleased."</p> + +<p class="normal">"All my joys are swallowed up in an abyss of unutterable +wretchedness," +replied she. "And my husband is daily deepening the gulf. Yesterday you +were again at a disreputable house. Your abominable deeds are heaped +mountain high--and am I to rejoice?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A thousand demons, wife, I'm beginning to believe you have +spies on +foot!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have not. But you are at the head of this city--your steps +cannot +possibly remain unobserved."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well!" cried he, "it shall be my effort in the assembly +to bring +about such a change that there shall no longer be any houses of +disrepute. Narrow-minded moralists shall not be allowed to howl any +longer. The time is at hand, old lady--so-called disreputable houses +are to become places of amusement authorized by law."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke and disappeared.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<h3>PROGRESS GROWS JOLLY.</h3> + +<p class="normal">The agitators of progress were again hurrying through the +streets and +alleys of the town. They knocked at every door and entered every house +to solicit votes in favor of common schools. Thanks to the overwhelming +might of the party in power, they again carried their measure. +Dependent, utterly enslaved, many yielded up their votes without +opposition. It is true conscience tortured many a parent for voting +against his convictions, for sacrificing his children to a system with +which he could not sympathize; but not a man in a dependent position +had the courage to vindicate for his child the religious training which +was being so ruthlessly swept away. Even men in high office gave way +before the encroaching despotism, for in the very uppermost ranks of +society also progress domineered.</p> + +<p class="normal">One man only, fearless and firm, dared to put himself in the +path of +the dominant power--the Rev. F. Morgenroth. From the pulpit, he +unmasked and scathed the unchristian design of debarring youth from +religious instruction, and of rearing a generation ignorant of God and +of his commandments. He warned parents against the evil, entreated them +to stand up conscientiously for the spiritual welfare of their +children, to reject the common schools, and to rescue the little ones +for the maternal guardianship of the church.</p> + +<p class="normal">His sermon roused the entire progressionist camp. The local +press +fiercely assailed the intrepid clergyman. Lies, calumnies, and +scurrility were vomited against him and his profession. Hans Shund +seized the pen, and indited newspaper articles of such a character as +one would naturally look for from a thief, usurer, and debauchee. +Morgenroth paid no attention to their disgraceful clamor, but continued +his opposition undismayed. By means of placards, he invited the +Catholic citizens to assemble at his own residence, for the purpose of +consulting about the best mode of thwarting the designs of the +liberals. This unexpected fearlessness put the men of culture, +humanity, and freedom beside themselves with rage. They at once decided +upon making a public demonstration. The chieftains issued orders to +their bands, and these at the hour appointed for the meeting mustered +before the residence of the priest. A noisy multitude, uttering +threats, took possession of the churchyard. If a citizen attempted to +make his way through the mob to the house, he was loaded with vile +epithets, at times even with kicks and blows. But a small number had +gathered around the priest, and these showed much alarm; for outside +the billows of progress were surging and every moment rising higher. +Stones were thrown at the house, and the windows were broken. +Parteiling, the commissary of police, came to remonstrate with the +clergyman.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dismiss the meeting," said he. "The excitement is assuming +alarming +proportions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Commissary, we are under the protection of the law and of +civil rule," +replied Morgenroth. "We are not slaves and helots of progress. Are we +to be denied the liberty of discussing subjects of great importance in +our own houses?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A boulder coming through the window crushed the inkstand on +the table, +and rolled on over the floor. The men pressed to one side in terror.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your calling upon the law to protect you is utterly +unreasonable under +present circumstances," said Parteiling. "Listen to the howling. Do you +want your house demolished? Do you wish to be maltreated? Will you have +open revolution? This all will surely follow if you persist in refusing +to dismiss the meeting. I will not answer for results."</p> + +<p class="normal">Stones began to rain more densely, and the howling grew louder +and more +menacing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," said Morgenroth to the men assembled, "since we +are not +permitted to proceed with our deliberations, we will separate, with a +protest against this brutal terrorism."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, commissary," said a much frightened man, "how are we to +get away? +These people are infuriated; they will tear us in pieces."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fear nothing, gentlemen; follow me," spoke the commissary, +leading the +way.</p> + +<p class="normal">The ultramontanes were hailed with a loud burst of scornful +laughter. +The commissary, advancing to the gate, beckoned silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the name of the law, clear the place!" cried he.</p> + +<p class="normal">The mob scoffed and yelled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fetch out the slaves of the priest--make them run the +gauntlet--down +with the Jesuits!"</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment, a man was noticed elbowing his way through the +crowd; +presently Hans Shund stepped before the embarrassed guardian of public +order.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Three cheers for the magistrate!" vociferated the mob.</p> + +<p class="normal">Shund made a signal. Profound silence followed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," spoke the chief magistrate, in a tone of +entreaty, "have +goodness to disperse."</p> + +<p class="normal">Repeated cheers were raised, then the accumulation of corrupt +elements +began to dissolve and flow off into every direction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I deeply regret this commotion of which I but a moment ago +received +intelligence," said Shund. "The excitement of the people is +attributable solely to the imprudent conduct of Morgenroth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To be sure--to be sure!" assented Parteiling.</p> + +<p class="normal">The place was cleared. The Catholics hurried home pursued and +hooted by +straggling groups of rioters.</p> + +<p class="normal">The signs of the approaching celebration began to be +noticeable on the +town-common. Booths were being erected, tables were being disposed in +rows which reached further than the eye could see, wagon-loads of +chairs and benches were being brought from all parts of town, men were +busy sinking holes for climbing-poles and treacherous turnstiles; but +the most attractive feature of all the festival was yet invisible--free +beer and sausages furnished at public cost. The rumor alone, however, +of such cheer gladdened the heart of every thirsty voter, and +contributed greatly to the establishment of the system of common +schools. Bands of music paraded the town, gathered up voters, and +escorted them to the polls. As often as they passed before the +residence of a progressionist chieftain, the bands struck up an air, +and the crowd cheered lustily. They halted in front of the priest's +residence also. The band played, "Today we'll taste the parson's +cheer," the mob roaring the words, and then winding up with whistling +and guffaws of laughter. This sort of disorderly work was kept up +during three days. Then was announced in the papers in huge type: "An +overwhelming majority of the enlightened citizens of this city have +decided in favor of common schools. Herewith the existence of these +schools is secured and legalized."</p> + +<p class="normal">On the fourth day, the celebration came off. The same morning +Gerlach +senior arrived at the Palais Greifmann on his way home from the +Exposition.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am so glad!" cried Louise. "I was beginning to fear you +would not +come, and getting provoked at your indifference to the interests of our +people. We have been having stirring times, but we have come off +victorious. The narrow-minded enemies of enlightenment are defeated. +Modern views now prevail, and education is to be remodelled and put in +harmony with the wants of our century."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Times must have been stirring, for you seem almost frenzied, +Louise," +said Conrad.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Had you witnessed the struggle and read the newspapers, you, +too, +would have grown enthusiastic," declared the young lady.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Even quotations advanced," said the banker. "It astonished +me, and +I can account for it only by assuming that the triumph of the +common-school system is of general significance and an imperative +desideratum of the times."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How can you have any doubt about it?" cried his sister. "Our +town has +pioneered the way: the rest of Germany will soon adopt the same +system."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin greeted his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, my son, you very likely have heard nothing whatever of +this +hubbub about schools?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed, I have, father. Carl and I were in the midst of the +commotion +at the desecrated church of S. Peter. We saw and heard what it would +have been difficult to imagine." He then proceeded to give his father a +minute account of the meeting. His powerful memory enabled him to +repeat Shund's speech almost verbatim. The father listened attentively, +and occasionally directed a glance of observation at the young lady. +When Shund's coarse ridicule of Christian morals and dogmas was +rehearsed, Mr. Conrad lowered his eyes, and a frown flitted over his +brow. For the rest, his countenance was, as usual, cold and stern.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This Mr. Shund made quite a strong speech," said he, in a +nonchalant +way.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He rather intensified the colors of truth, 'tis true," +remarked +Louise. "The masses, however, like high coloring and vigorous +language."</p> + +<p class="normal">A servant brought the banker a note.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good! Shund is elected to the assembly! The span of bays +belongs to +me," exulted Carl Greifmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your bays Seraphin?" inquired the father. "How is this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Conrad had twice been informed of the wager; he had +learned it +first from Seraphin's own lips, then also he had read of it in his +diary; still he asked again, and his son detailed the story a third +time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should sooner have expected to see the heavens fall than to +lose +that bet," added Seraphin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When a notorious thief and usurer is elected to the chief +magistracy +and to the legislative assembly, the victory gained is hardly a +creditable one to the spirit of progress, my dear Carl. Don't you think +so, Louise?" said the landholder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mustn't be too rigorous," replied the lady, with +composure. "Rumor +whispers many a bit of scandal respecting Shund which does, indeed, +offend one's sense of propriety; for all that, however, Shund will play +his part brilliantly both in the assembly and in the town council. The +greatest of statesmen have had their foibles, as everybody knows."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very true," said Gerlach dryly. "Viewed from the standpoint +of very +humane tolerance, Shund's disgusting habits may be considered +justifiable."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin left the parlor, and retired to his room. Here he +wrestled +with violent feelings. His father's conduct was a mystery to him. +Opinions which conflicted with his own most sacred convictions, and +principles which brought an indignant flush to his cheek, were listened +to and apparently acquiesced in by his father. Shund's abominable +diatribe had not roused the old gentleman's anger; Louise's avowed +concurrence with the irreligious principles of the chieftain had not +even provoked his disapprobation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My God, my God! can it be possible?" cried he in an agony of +despair. +"Has the love of gain so utterly blinded my father? Can he have sunk so +low as to be willing to immolate me, his only child, to a base +speculation? Can he be willing for the sake of a million florins to +bind me for life to this erring creature, this infidel Louise? Can a +paltry million tempt him to be so reckless and cruel? No! no! a +thousand times no!" exclaimed he. "I never will be the husband of this +woman, never--I swear it by the great God of heaven! Get angry with me, +father, banish me from your sight--it would be more tolerable than the +consciousness of being the husband of a woman who believes not in the +Redeemer of the world. I have sworn--the matter is for ever settled." +He threw himself into an arm-chair, and moodily stared at the opposite +wall. By degrees, his excitement subsided, and he became quiet.</p> + +<p class="normal">In fancy, he beheld beside Louise's form another lovely one +rise +up--that of the girl with the golden hair, the bright eyes, and the +winning smile. She had stood before him on this very floor, in her neat +and simple country garb, radiant with innocence and purity, adorned +with innate grace and uncommon beauty. And the lapse of days, far from +weakening, had deepened the impression of her first apparition. The +storm that had been raging in his interior was allayed by the +recollection of Mechtild, as the fury of the great deep subsides upon +the reappearance of the sun. Scarcely an hour had passed during which +he had not thought of the girl, rehearsed every word she had uttered, +and viewed the basket of grapes she had brought him. Again he pulled +out the drawer, and looked upon the gift with a friendly smile; then, +locking up the precious treasure, he returned to the parlor.</p> + +<p class="normal">He found the company on the balcony. The sound of trumpets and +drums +came from a distance, and presently a motley procession was seen coming +up the nearest street.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have just arrived in time to see the procession," cried +Louise to +him. "It is going to defile past here, so we will be able to have a +good look at it."</p> + +<p class="normal">A dusky swarm of boys and half-grown youths came winding round +the +nearest street-corner, followed immediately by the head of a mock +procession. In the lead marched a fellow dressed in a brown cloak, the +hood of which was drawn over his head. His waist was encircled with a +girdle from which dangled a string of pebbles representing a rosary. To +complete the caricature of a Capuchin, his feet were bare, excepting a +pair of soles which were strapped to them with thongs of leather. +In his hands he bore a tall cross rudely contrived with a couple +of sticks. The image of the cross was represented by a broken +mineral-water bottle. Behind the cross-bearer followed the procession +in a double line, consisting of boys, young men, factory-hands, drunken +mechanics, and such other begrimed and besotted beings as progress +alone can count in its ranks. The members of the procession were +chanting a litany; at the same time they folded their hands, made +grimaces, turned their eyes upwards, or played unseemly pranks with +genuine rosary beads.</p> + +<p class="normal">Next in the procession came a low car drawn by a watery-eyed +mare which +a lad bedizened like a clown was leading by the bridle. In the car sat +a fat fellow whose face was painted red, and eyebrows dyed, and who +wore a long artificial beard. Over a prodigious paunch, also +artificial, he had drawn a long white gown, over which again he wore a +many-colored rag shaped like a cope. On his head he wore a high paper +cap, brimless; around the cap were three crowns of gilt paper to +represent the tiara of the pope. A sorry-looking donkey walked after +the car, to which it was attached by a rope. It was the <i>rôle</i> of the +fellow in the car to address the donkey, make a sign of blessing over +it, and occasionally reach it straw drawn from his artificial paunch. +As often as he went through this manœuvre, the crowd set up a +tremendous roar of laughter. The fat man in the car represented the +pope, and the donkey was intended to symbolize the credulity of the +faithful.</p> + +<p class="normal">This mock pope was not a suggestion of Shund's or of any other +inventive progressionist. The whole idea was copied from a caricature +which had appeared in a widely circulating pictorial whose only aim and +pleasure it has been for years to destroy the innate religious +nobleness of the German people by means of shallow wit and vulgar +caricatures. And this very sheet, leagued with a daily organ equally +degraded, can boast of no inconsiderable success. The rude and vulgar +applaud its witticisms, the low and infamous regale themselves with its +pictures, and its demoralizing influence is infecting the land.</p> + +<p class="normal">The principal feature of the procession was a wagon, hung with +garlands +and bestuck with small flags, drawn by six splendid horses. In it sat a +youthful woman, plump and bold. Her shoulders were bare, the dress +being an exaggerated sample of the style <i>décolleté</i>; above her head +was a wreath of oak leaves. She was attended by a number of young men +in masks. They carried drinking-horns, which they filled from time to +time from a barrel, and presented to the <i>bacchante</i>, who sipped from +them; then these gentlemen in waiting drank themselves, and poured what +was left upon the crowd. A band of music, walking in front of this +triumphal car, played airs and marches. Not even the mock pope was as +great an object of admiration as this shameless woman. Old and young +thronged about the wagon, feasting their lascivious eyes on this +beastly spectacle which represented that most disgusting of all +abominable achievements of progress--the emancipated woman. And perhaps +not even progress could have dared, in less excited times, so grossly +to insult the chaste spirit of the German people; but the social +atmosphere had been made so foul by the abominations of the election, +and the spirits of impurity had reigned so absolutely during the +canvass in behalf of common schools, that this immoral show was +suffered to parade without opposition.</p> + +<p class="normal">The very commencement of this sacrilegious mockery of religion +had +roused Seraphin's indignation, and he had retired from the balcony. His +father, however, had remained, coolly watching the procession as it +passed, and carefully noting Louise's remarks and behavior.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does that woman represent?" he asked. "A goddess of +liberty, I +suppose?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only in one sense, I think," replied the progressionist young +lady. +"The woman wearing the crown symbolizes, to my mind, the enjoyment of +life. She typifies heaven upon earth, now that exact science has done +away with the heaven of the next world."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should think yon creature rather reminds one of hell," said +Mr. +Conrad.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of hell!" exclaimed Louise, in alarm. "You are jesting, sir, +are you +not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never more serious in my life, Louise. Notice the shameless +effrontery, the baseness and infamy of the creature, and you will be +forced to form conclusions which, far from justifying the expectation +of peace and happiness in the family circle, the true sphere of woman, +will suggest only wrangling, discord, and hell upon earth."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady did not venture to reply. A gentleman made his +way +through the crowd, and waved his hat to the company on the balcony. The +banker returned the salutation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Official Seicht," said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! an officer of the government in this disreputable +crowd!" +exclaimed Gerlach, with surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is on hand to maintain order," explained Greifmann. "You +see some +policemen, too. Mr. Seicht sympathizes with progress. At the last +meeting, he made a speech in favor of common schools; he sounded the +praises of the gospel of progress, gave a toast at the banquet to the +gospel of progress, and has won for himself the title of evangelist of +progress. He once declared, too, that the very sight of a priest rouses +his blood, and they now pleasantly call him the parson-eater. He is +very popular."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am amazed!" said Gerlach. "Mr. Seicht dishonors his office. +He +advocates common schools, insults all the believing citizens of his +district, and runs with mock processions--a happy state of things, +indeed!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"His conduct is the result of careful calculation," returned +Greifmann. +"By showing hostility to ultramontanism, he commends himself to +progress, which is in power."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the government should not tolerate such disgraceful +behavior on +the part of one of its officials," said Gerlach. "The entire official +corps is disgraced so long as this shallow evangelist of progress is +permitted to continue wearing the uniform."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not be so exacting," cried Louise. "Why will you +not allow +officials also to float along with the current of progress until they +will have reached the Eldorado of the position to which they are +aspiring?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The corruption of the state must be fearful indeed, when such +deportment in an officer is regarded as a recommendation," rejoined Mr. +Conrad curtly.</p> + +<p class="normal">A servant appeared to call them to table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would you not like to see the celebration?" inquired Louise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"By all means," answered Gerlach. "The excitement is of so +unusual a +character that it claims attention. You will have to accompany us, +Louise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall do so with pleasure. When sound popular sentiment +thus +proclaims itself, I cannot but feel a strong desire to be present."</p> + +<p class="normal">The procession had turned the corner of a street where stood +Holt and +two more countrymen looking on. The religious sentiment of these honest +men was deeply wounded by the profanation of the cross; and when, +besides, they heard the singing of the mock litany, their anger +kindled, their eyes gleamed, and they mingled fierce maledictions with +the tumult of the mob. Next appeared the mock pope, dispensing +blessings with his right hand, reaching straw to the donkey with his +left, and distorting his painted face into all sorts of farcical +grimaces.</p> + +<p class="normal">The peasants at once caught the significance of this +burlesque. Their +countenances glowed with indignation. Avenging spirits took possession +of Mechtild's father; his strong, stalwart frame seemed suddenly to +have become herculean. His fist of iron doubled itself; there was +lightning in his eyes; like an infuriated lion, he burst into the +crowd, broke the line of the procession, and, directing a tremendous +blow at the head of the mock pope, precipitated him from the car. The +paper cap flew far away under the feet of the bystanders, and the false +beard got into the donkey's mouth. When the mock pope was down. Holt's +comrades immediately set upon him, and tore the many-colored rag from +his shoulders. Then commenced a great tumult. A host of furious +progressionists surrounded the sturdy countrymen, brandishing their +fists and filling the air with mad imprecations.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Kill the dogs! Down with the accursed ultramontanes!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Some of the policemen hurried up to prevent bloodshed. Mr. +Seicht also +hurried to the scene of action, and his shrill voice could be heard +high above the noise and confusion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen, I implore you, let the law have its course, +gentlemen!" +cried he. "Gentlemen, friends, do not, I beg you, violate the law! +Trust me, fellow-citizens--I shall see that the impertinence of these +ultramontanes is duly punished."</p> + +<p class="normal">They understood his meaning. Sticks and fists were immediately +lowered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Brigadier Forchhaem," cried Mr. Seicht, in a tone of +command--"Forchhaem, hither! Put handcuffs on these ultramontanes, +these disturbers of the peace--put irons on these revolutionists."</p> + +<p class="normal">Handcuffs were forthwith produced by the policemen. The +towering, +broad-shouldered Holt stood quiet as a lamb, looked with an air of +astonishment at the confusion, and suffered himself to be handcuffed. +His comrades, however, behaved like anything but lambs. They laid about +them with hands and feet, knocking down the policemen, and giving +bloody mouths and noses to all who came within their reach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Handcuff us!" they screamed, grinding their teeth, bleeding +and +cursing. "Are we cutthroats?" The bystanders drew back in apprehension. +The confusion seemed to be past remedying. A thousand voices were +screaming, bawling, and crying at the same time; the circle around the +struggling countrymen was getting wider and wider; and when finally +they attempted to break through, the crowd took to flight, as if a +couple of tigers were after them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Many of the spectators found a pleasurable excitement in +watching the +battle between the policemen and the peasants; but they would not move +a finger to aid the officers of the law in arresting the culprits. They +admired the agility and strength of the countrymen, and the more fierce +the struggle became, the greater grew their delight, and the louder +their merriment.</p> + +<p class="normal">Holt had been carried on with the motion of the crowd. When he +dealt +the blow to the fellow in the car, he was beside himself with rage. The +genuine <i>furor teutonicus</i> had taken possession of him so irresistibly +and so bewilderingly as to leave him utterly without any of the calm +judgment necessary to measure the situation. After his first adventure, +he had submitted to be handcuffed, and had watched the struggle between +Forchhaem and his own comrades in a sort of absence of mind. He had +stood perfectly quiet, his face had become pale, and his eyes looked +about strangely. The excitement of passion was now beginning to wear +off. He felt the cold iron of the manacles around his wrists, his eyes +glared, his face became crimson, the sinews of his powerful arm +stiffened, and with one great muscular convulsion he wrenched off the +handcuffs. Nobody had observed this sudden action, all eyes being +directed to the combatants. Shoving the part of the handcuff which +still hung to his wrist under the sleeve of his jacket, Holt +disappeared through the crowd.</p> + +<p class="normal">The resistance of the peasants was gradually becoming fainter. +At +length they succumbed to overpowering force, and were handcuffed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where is the third one?" cried Seicht. "There were three of +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where is the third one? There were three of them," was echoed +on every +hand, and all eyes sought for the missing one in the crowd.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The third one has run away, sir," reported Forchhaem.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What's his name?" asked Seicht.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nobody knew.</p> + +<p class="normal">A street boy, looking up at the official, ingenuously cried, +"'Twas a +Tartar."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seicht looked down upon the obstreperous little informant.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A Tartar--do you know him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; but these here know him," pointing to the captives.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the name of your comrade?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"We don't know him," was the surly reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never mind, he will become known in the judicial examination. +Off to +jail with these rebellious ultramontanes," the official commanded.</p> + +<p class="normal">Bound in chains, and guarded by a posse of police, these +honest men, +whose religious sense had been so wantonly outraged as to have +occasioned an outburst of noble indignation, were marched through the +streets of the town and imprisoned. They were treated as criminals for +a crime, however, the guilt of which was justly chargeable to those +very rioters who were enjoying official protection.</p> + +<p class="normal">The procession moved on to the ground selected for the +barbecue. A +motley mass, especially of factory-men, were hard at work upon the +scene. The booths, spread far and wide over the common, were thrown +open, and around them moved a swarm of thirsty beings drawing rations +of beer and sausages, with which, when they had received them, they +staggered away to the tables. Degraded-looking women were also to be +seen moving about unsteadily with brimming mugs of beer in their hands. +There were several bands of music stationed at different points around +the place.</p> + +<p class="normal">The chieftains of progress, perambulating the ground with an +air of +triumph, bestowed friendly nods of recognition on all sides, and +condescendingly engaged in conversation with some of the rank and file.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans Shund approached the awning where the woman with the bare +shoulders and indecent costume had taken a seat. She had captivated the +gallant chief magistrate, who hovered about her as a raven hovers over +a dead carcass. Moving off, he halted within hearing distance, and, +casting frequent glances back, addressed immodest jokes to those who +occupied the other side of the table, at which they laughed and +applauded immoderately.</p> + +<p class="normal">The men whom Seraphin had met in the subterranean den, on the +memorable +night before the election, were also present: Flachsen, Graeulich, +Koenig, and a host of others. They were regaling themselves with +sausages which omitted an unmistakable odor of garlic, and were of a +very dubious appearance; interrupting the process of eating with +frequent and copious draughts from their beer-mugs.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Drink, old woman!" cried Graeulich to his wife. "Drink, I +tell you! It +doesn't cost us anything to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">The woman put the jug to her lips and drained it manfully. +Other women +who were present screamed in chorus, and the men laughed boisterously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your old woman does that handsomely," applauded Koth. "Hell +and +thunder! But she must be a real spitfire."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again they laughed uproariously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish there were an election every day, what a jolly life +this would +be!" said Koenig. "Nothing to do, eating and drinking gratis--what more +would you wish?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's the way the bigbugs live all the year round. They may +eat and +drink what they like best, and needn't do a hand's turn. Isn't it +glorious to be rich?" cried Graeulich.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So drink, boys, drink till you can't stand! We are all of us +big-bugs +to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if things were regulated as they should be," said Koth, +"there +would come a day when we poor devils would also see glorious times. We +have been torturing ourselves about long enough for the sake of others. +I maintain that things will have to be differently regulated."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What game is that you are wishing to come at? Show your hand, +old +fellow!" cried several voices.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here's what I mean: Coffers which are full will have to pour +some of +their superfluity into coffers which are empty. You take me, don't +you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Pon my soul, I can't make you out. You are talking +conundrums," +declared Koenig.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You blockhead, I mean there will soon have to be a partition. +They who +have plenty will have to give some to those who have nothing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bravo! Long live Koth!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That sort of doctrine is dangerous to the state," said +Flachsen. "Such +principles bring about revolutions, and corrupt society."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What of society! You're an ass, Flachsen! Koth is +right--partition, +partition!" was the cry all round the table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you will! I have nothing against it if only it were +practicable," +expostulated Flachsen; "for I, too, am a radical."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is practicable! All things are practicable," exclaimed +Koth. "Our +age can do anything, and so can we. Haven't we driven religion out of +the schools? Haven't we elected Shund for mayor? It is the majority who +rule; and, were we to vote in favor of partition to-morrow, partition +would have to take place. Any measure can be carried by a majority, +and, since we poor devils are in the majority, as soon as we will have +voted for partition it will come without fail."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's sensible!" agreed they all. "But then, such a thing +has never +yet been done. Do you think it possible?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Anything is possible," maintained Koth. "Didn't Shund preach +that +there isn't any God, or hell, or devil? Was that ever taught before? If +the God of old has to submit to being deposed, the rich will have to +submit to it. I tell you, the majority will settle the business for the +rich. And if there's no God, no devil, and no life beyond, well then, +you see, I'm capable of laying my hand to anything. If voting won't do, +violence will. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bravo! Hurrah for Koth!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There must be progress," cried Graeulich, "among us as well +as others. +We are not going to continue all our lives in wretchedness. We must +advance from labor to comfort without labor, from poverty to wealth, +from want to abundance. Three cheers for progress--hurrah! hurrah!", +And the whole company joined in frantically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There comes Evangelist Seicht," cried Koenig. "Though I +didn't +understand one word of his speech, I believe he meant well. Although he +is an officer of the government, he cordially hates priests. A man may +say what he pleases against religion, and the church, and the Pope, and +the Jesuits, it rather pleases Seicht. He is a free and enlightened +man, is he. Up with your glasses, boys; if he comes near, let's give +him three rousing cheers."</p> + +<p class="normal">They did as directed. Men and women cheered lustily. Seicht +very +condescendingly raised his hat and smiled as he passed the table. The +ovation put him in fine humor. Though he had failed in securing a +place in the assembly, perhaps the slight would be repaired in the +future. Such was the tenor of his thoughts whilst he advanced to the +climbing-pole, around which was assembled a crowd of boys. Quite a +variety of prizes, especially tobacco-pipes, was hanging from the +cross-pieces at the top of the mast. The pole was so smooth that more +than ordinary strength and activity were required to get to the top. +The greater number of those who attempted the feat gave out and slid +back without having gained a prize. There were also grown persons +standing around watching the efforts of the boys and young men.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It's my turn now," cried the fellow who had carried the cross +in the +procession.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, first, let me have one more drink--it'll improve the +sliding." He +swallowed the drink hastily, then swaying about as he looked and +pointed upward, "Do you see that pipe with tassels to it?" he said. +"That's the one I'm going after."</p> + +<p class="normal">Throwing aside his mantle, he began to climb.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He'll not get up, he's drunk," cried a lad among the +bystanders. +"Belladonna has given him two pints of double beer for carrying the +cross in the procession--that's what ails him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wait till I come down, I'll slap your jaws," cried the +climber.</p> + +<p class="normal">The spectators were watching him with interest. He was obliged +to pause +frequently to rest himself, which he did by winding his legs tightly +round the pole. At last he reached the top. Extending his arm to take +the pipe, it was too short. Climbing still higher, he stretched his +body to its greatest length, lost his hold, and fell to the ground. The +bystanders raised a great cry. The unfortunate youth's head had +embedded itself in the earth, streams of blood gushed from his mouth +and nostrils--he was lifeless.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He's dead! It's all over with him," was whispered around.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Carry him off," commanded Seicht, and then walked on.</p> + +<p class="normal">One of the bystanders loosed the cross-piece of the mock +crucifix; the +corpse was then stretched across the two pieces of wood and carried off +the scene. As the body was carried past, the noise and revelry +everywhere ceased.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wasn't that the one who carried the cross?" was asked. "Is he +dead? +Did he fall from the pole? How terrible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Even the progressionist revellers were struck thoughtful, so +deeply is +the sense of religion rooted in the heart of man. Many a one among +them, seeing the pale, rigid face of the dead man, understood his fate +to be a solemn warning, and fled from the scene in terror.</p> + +<p class="normal">The progressionist element of the town was much flattered by +the +presence at its orgies of the wealthiest property owner of the country.</p> + +<p class="normal">The women had already made the discovery that the +millionaire's only +son, Mr. Seraphin Gerlach, was on the eve of marrying a member of the +highly respectable house of Greifmann, bankers. But it occasioned them +no small amount of surprise that the young gentleman was not in +attendance on the beautiful lady at the celebration. Louise's radiant +countenance gave no indication, however, that any untoward occurrence +had caused the absence of her prospective husband. The wives and +daughters of the chieftains were sitting under an awning sipping coffee +and eating cake. When Louise approached leaning on her brother's arm, +they welcomed her to a place in the circle of loveliness with many +courtesies and marks of respect.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Conrad strolled about the place, studying the spirit which +animated +the gathering.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<h3>PROGRESS GROWS JOLLY.</h3> + +<p class="normal">In passing near the tables Gerlach overheard conversations +which +revealed to him unmistakably the communistic aspirations and tendencies +prevailing among the lower orders, their fiendish hatred of religion +and the clergy, their corruption and appalling ignorance. On every hand +he perceived symptoms of an alarmingly unhealthy condition of society. +He heard blasphemies uttered against the Divinity which almost caused +his blood to run cold; sacred things were scoffed at in terms so coarse +and with an animus so plainly satanical that his hair rose on his head. +It was clear to him that the firmest supports, the only true +foundations of the social order, were tottering--rotted away by an +incurable corruption.</p> + +<p class="normal">In Gerlach's life, also, as in that of many other men, there +had been a +period of mental struggle and of doubt. He, too, had at one time +himself face to face with questions the solution of which involved the +whole aim of his existence. During this period of mental unrest, he had +thought and studied much about faith and science, but not with a silly +parade of superficial scepticism. He had resolutely engaged in the soul +struggle, and had tried to end it for once and all. Supported by a good +early training and a disposition naturally noble, instructed and guided +by books of solid learning, he had come out from that crisis stronger +in faith and more correct in his views of human science. The scenes +which he was witnessing reminded him vividly of that turning-point in +his life; they were to him an additional proof that man's dignity +disappears as soon as he refuses to follow the divine guidance of +religion. Grave in mood, he returned to the table around which were +gathered the chieftains. The marks of respect shown to the millionaire +were numerous and flattering. Even the bluff Sand exerted himself +unusually in paying his respects to the wealthy landholder, and +Erdblatt, whose embarrassed financial condition enabled him beyond them +all to appreciate the worth of money, filled a glass with his own hand, +and reached it to Mr. Conrad with the deference of an accomplished +butler, Gerlach was pleased to speak in terms of praise of the +nut-brown beverage, which greatly tickled Belladonna, the fat brewer. +Naturally enough, the conversation turned upon the subject of the +celebration.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I confess I am not quite clear respecting the purpose of your +city in +the matter of schools," said Mr. Conrad. "How do you intend to arrange +the school system?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In such a way as to make it accord with the requirements of +the times +and the progressive spirit of civilization," answered Hans Shund. "An +end must be put to priest rule in the schools. The establishment of +common schools will be a decided step towards this object. For a while, +of course, the priests will be allowed to visit the schools at +specified times, but their influence and control in school matters will +be greatly restricted. Education will be withdrawn from the church's +supervision, and after a few years we hope to reach the point when the +school-rooms will be closed altogether against the priests. There is +not a man of culture but will agree that children should not be +required to learn things which are out of date, and the import of which +must only excite smiles of compassion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whom do you intend to put in the place of the clergy?" +inquired Mr. +Conrad.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We intend to impart useful information and a moral sense in +harmony +with the spirit of the age," replied Hans Shund.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It seems to me the elementary branches have been very +competently +taught heretofore in our schools, consequently I do not see the need of +a change on this head," said Gerlach. "But you have not understood my +question, I mean, who are to fill the office of instructors in morals +and in religion?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The chieftains looked puzzled, for such a question they had +not +expected to hear from the wealthiest man of the country.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You see, Mr. Gerlach," said Sand bluntly, "religion must be +done away +with entirely. We haven't any use for such trash. Children ought to +spend their time in learning something more sensible than the +catechism."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not disposed to believe that what you have just uttered +is a +correct expression of the general opinion of this community on the +subject of the school question," returned the millionaire with some +warmth. "It is impossible to bring up youth morally without religion. +You are a housebuilder, Mr. Sand. What would you think of the man who +would expect you to build him a house without a foundation--a castle in +the air?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, I would regard him as nothing less than a fool," cried +Sand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The case is identically the same with moral education. +Morality is an +edifice which a man must spend his life in laboring at. Religion is the +groundwork of this edifice. Moral training without religion is an +impossibility. It would be just as possible to build a house in the +air, as to train up a child morally without a religious belief, without +being convinced of the existence of a holy and just God."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Facts prove the contrary," maintained Hans Shund. "Millions +of persons +are moral who have no religious belief."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's an egregious mistake, sir," opposed the landholder. +"The +repudiation of a Supreme Being and the violent extinction of the idea +of the Divinity in the breast are of themselves grave offences against +moral conscience. I grant you that, in the eyes of the public, +thousands of men pass for moral who have no faith in religion. But +public opinion is anything but a criterion of certainty when the moral +worth of a man is to be determined. A man's interior is a region which +cannot be viewed by the eye of the public. You know yourselves that +there are men who pass for honorable, moral, pure men, whose private +habits are exceedingly filthy and corrupt."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans Shund's color turned a palish yellow; the eyes of the +chieftains +sank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Besides, gentleman, it would be labor lost to try to educate +youth +independently of religion. Man is by his very nature a religious being. +It is useless to attempt to educate the young without a knowledge of +God and of revealed religion; to be able to do so you would previously +have to pluck out of their own breasts the sense of right and wrong, +and out of their souls the idea of God, which are innate in both. Were +the attempt made, however, believe me, gentlemen, the yearning after +God, alive in the human breast, would soon impel the generation brought +up independently of religion to seek after false gods. For this very +reason we know of no people in history that did not recognize and +worship some divinity, were it but a tree or a stone, that served them +for an object of adoration. In my opinion, it would be far more +indicative of genuine progress to adhere to the God of Christians, who +is incontestably holy, just, omnipotent, and kind, whilst to return to +the sacred oaks of ancient Germany or to adopt the fetichism of +uncivilized tribes would be a most monstrous reaction, the most +degrading barbarism."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chieftains looked nonplussed. Earnest thinking and +investigation +upon subjects pertaining to religion were not customary among the +disciples of progress. They looked upon religion as something so common +and trivial that anybody was free to argue upon and condemn it with a +few flippant or smart sayings; But the millionaire was now disclosing +views so new and vast, that their weak vision was completely dazzled, +and their steps upon the unknown domain became unsteady.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mr. Seicht, observing the embarrassment of the leaders, felt +it his +duty to hasten to their relief. His polemical weapons were drawn from +the armory of bureaucracy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The progressive development of humanity," said Mr. Seicht, +"has +revealed an admirable substitute for all religious ideas. A state well +organized can exist splendidly without any religion. Nay, I do not +hesitate to maintain that religion is a drawback to the development of +the modern state, and that, therefore, the state should have nothing +whatever to do with religion. An invisible world should not exert an +influence upon a state--the wants of the times are the only rule to be +consulted."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you understand by a state, sir?" asked the +millionaire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A state," replied the official, "is a union of men whose +public life +is regulated by laws which every individual is bound to observe."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You speak of laws; upon what basis are these laws founded?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Upon the basis of humanity, morality, liberty, and right," +answered +the official glibly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what do you consider moral and just?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whatever accords with the civilization of the age."</p> + +<p class="normal">A faint smile passed over the severe features of Mr. Conrad.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was watching the procession," spoke he. "I have seen the +religious +feelings of a large number of citizens publicly ridiculed and grossly +insulted. Was that moral? Was it just? You are determined to oust God +and religion from the schools; yet there are thousands in the country +who desire and endeavor to secure a religious education for their +children. Is it moral and just to utterly disregard the wishes of these +thousands? Does it accord with a profession of humanity and freedom to +put constraint on the consciences of fellow-citizens?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The persons of whom you speak are a minority in the state, +and the +minority is obliged to yield to the will of the majority," answered +Seicht.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It follows, then, that the basis of morality and justice is +superior +numbers?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it is! In a state, it appertains to the majority to +determine and +regulate everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," spoke Gerlach with great seriousness, "as I was a +moment +ago strolling over this place, I overheard language at several tables, +which was unmistakably communistic. Laborers and factory men were +maintaining that wealth is unequally distributed; that, whilst a small +number are immensely rich, a much greater number are poor and +destitute; that progress will have to advance to a point when an equal +division of property must be made. Now, the poor and the laboring +population are in the majority. Should they vote for a partition, +should they demand from us what hitherto we have regarded as +exclusively our own, we, gentlemen, will in consistency be forced to +accept the decree of the majority as perfectly moral and just--will we +not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was profound silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I, for my part, should most emphatically protest against such +a ruling +of the majority," declared Greifmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your protest would be contrary to morals and equity; for, +according to +Mr. Seicht, only what the majority wills is moral and just," returned +the landowner. "And, in mentioning partition of property, I hinted at a +red monster which is not any longer a mere goblin, but a thing of real +flesh and bone. We are on the verge of a fearful social revolution +which threatens to break up society. If there is no holy and just God; +if he has not revealed himself, and man is not obliged to submit to his +will; if the only basis of right and of morals is the wish of the +majority, this terrible social revolution must be moral and just, for +the majority wills it and carries it out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, there must be a limit," said the official feebly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The demands of the majority must be reasonable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you understand by reasonable, sir?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I call reasonable whatever accords with the sense of right, +with sound +thinking, with moral ideas."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sense of right--moral ideas? I beg you to observe that these +notions +differ vastly from the sole authority of numbers. You have trespassed +upon God's kingdom in giving your explanation, for ideas are +supersensible; they are the thought of God himself. And the sense of +right was not implanted in the human breast by the word of a majority; +it was placed there by the Creator of man."</p> + +<p class="normal">The official was driven to the wall. The chieftains +thoughtfully stared +at their beer-pots.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is clear that the will of the majority alone cannot be +accepted as +the basis of a state," said Schwefel. "The life of society cannot be +put at the mercy of the rude and fickle masses. There must be a moral +order, willed and regulated by a supreme ruler, and binding upon every +man. This is plain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I agree with you, sir," said the millionaire. "Let us +continue +building on Christian principles. As everybody knows, our civilization +has sprung from Christianity. If we tear down the altars and destroy +the seats from which lessons of Christian morality are taught, +confusion must inevitably follow. And I, gentlemen, have too exalted an +opinion of the German nation, of its earnest and religious spirit, to +believe that it can be ever induced to fall away completely from God +and his holy law. Infidelity is an unhealthy tendency of our times; it +is a pernicious superstition which sound sense and noble feeling will +ultimately triumph over. We will do well to continue advancing in +science, art, refinement, and industry, in true liberty and the right +understanding of truth; we will thus be making real progress, such +progress as I am proud to call myself a partisan of."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chieftains maintained silence. Some nodded assent. Hans +Shund gave +an angry bite to his pipe-stem, and puffed a heavy cloud of smoke +across the table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have confidence in the enlightenment and good sense of our +people," +said he. "You have called modern progress 'a pernicious superstition +and an unhealthy tendency of the times,' Mr. Gerlach," turning towards +the millionaire with a bow. "I regret this view of yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which I have substantiated and proved," interrupted Gerlach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"True, sir! Your proofs have been striking, and I do not feel +myself +competent to refute them. But I can point you to something more +powerful than argument. Look at this scene; see these happy people +meeting and enjoying one another's society in most admirable harmony +and order. Is not this spectacle a beautiful illustration and +vindication of the moral spirit of progress?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"These people are jubilant from the effect of beer, why +shouldn't they +be? But, sir, a profound observer does not 'suffer himself to be +deceived by mere appearances.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">An uproar and commotion at a distance interrupted the +millionaire. At +the same instant a policeman approached out of breath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your honor, the factorymen and the laborers are attacking one +another!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you raising such alarm for," said Hans Shund +gruffly. "It is +only a small squabble, such as will occur everywhere in a crowd."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask your honor's pardon: it is not a small squabble, it is +a bloody +battle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, part the wranglers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We cannot manage them; there are too many of them. Shall I +apply for +military?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hell and thunder--military!" cried Hans Shund, getting on his +feet. +"Are you in your senses?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Several men have already been carried off badly wounded," +reported the +policeman further. "You have no idea how serious the affray is, and it +is getting more and more so; the friends of both sides are rushing in +to aid their own party. The police force is not a match for them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Women, screaming and in tears, were rushing in every +direction. The +bands had ceased playing, and noise and confusion resounded from the +scene of action. Louise ran to take her brother's arm in consternation. +The wives and daughters of the chieftains huddled round their natural +protectors.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hurry away and report this at the military post," was +Seicht's order +to the policeman. "The feud is getting alarming. One moment!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Tearing a leaf from a memorandum book, he wrote a short note, +which he +sent by the messenger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Off to the post--be expeditious!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Louise hastened with her brother and Gerlach senior to their +carriage, +and her feeling of security returned only when the noise of the combat +had died away in the distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The next day the town papers contained the following notice: +"The +beautiful celebration of yesterday, which, on account of its object, +will be long remembered by the citizens of this community, was +unfortunately interrupted by a serious conflict between the laborers +and factorymen. A great many were wounded during the <i>mêlée</i>, of whom +five have since died, and it required the interference of an armed +force to separate the combatants."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<h3>BROWN BREAD AND BONNYCLABBER.</h3> + +<p class="normal">Seraphin had not gone to the celebration. He remained at home +on the +plea of not feeling well. He was stretched upon a sofa, and his soul +was engaged in a desperate conflict. What it was impossible for himself +to look upon, had been viewed by his father with composure: the +burlesque procession, the public derision of holy practices, the +mockery of the Redeemer of the world, in whose place had been put a +broken bottle on the symbol of salvation. He himself had been stunned +by the spectacle; and his father? Was it his father? Again, his father +had accompanied the brother and sister to the infamous celebration. Was +not this a direct confirmation of his own suspicions? His father had +become a fearful enigma to his soul! And what if, upon his return from +the festival, the father were to come and insist upon the marriage with +Louise, declaring her advanced notions to be an insufficient ground for +renouncing a pet project? A wild storm was convulsing his interior. He +could not bear it longer, he was driven forth. Snatching his straw hat, +he rushed from the house, ran through the alleys and streets, out of +the town, onward and still onward. The August sun was burning, and its +heat, reflected from the road, was doubly intense. The perspiration was +rolling in large drops down the glowing face of the young man, whom +torturing thoughts still kept goading on. Holt's whitewashed dwelling +became visible on the summit of a knoll, and gleamed a friendly welcome +as he came near it--a welcome which seemed opportune for one who hardly +knew whither he was hastening. The walnut-tree which could be seen from +afar was casting an inviting shade over the table and bench that seemed +to be confidingly leaning against its stem. A flock of chickens were +taking a sand-bath under the table, flapping their wings, ruffling +their feathers, and wallowing in the dust. Seated on the sunny hillock, +the cottage appeared quiet, almost lonesome but for a ringing sound +which came from the adjoining field and was made by the sickle passing +through the corn. A broad-brimmed straw hat with a blue band could be +noticed from the road moving on over the fallen grain, and presently +Mechtild's slender form rose into view as she pushed actively onward +over the harvest field. Hasty steps resounded from the road. She raised +her head, and her countenance first indicated surprise, then +embarrassment. Whom did her eyes behold rushing wildly by, like a +fugitive, but the generous rescuer of her family from the clutches of +the usurer Shund. His hat was in his hand, his auburn locks were +hanging down over his forehead, his face aglow, his whole being seemed +to be absorbed in a mad pursuit. To her quick eye his features revealed +deep trouble and violent excitement She was frightened, and the sickle +fell from her hand. Not a day passed on which she would not think of +this benefactor. Perhaps there was not a being on earth whom she +admired and revered as much as she did him. All the pure and elevated +sentiments of an innocent and blooming girl, united to form a halo of +affection round the head of Seraphin. At evening prayer when her father +said, "Let us pray for our benefactor Seraphin," her soul sent up a +fervent petition to God, and she declared with joy that she was willing +to sacrifice all for him. But behold this noble object of her +admiration and affection suddenly presented before her in a state that +excited the greatest uneasiness. With his head sunk and his eyes +directed straight before him, he would have rushed past without +noticing the sympathizing girl, when a greeting clear and sweet as the +tone of a bell caused him to look up. He beheld Mechtild with her +beautiful eyes fixed upon him in an expression of anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin," she said again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-morning," he returned mechanically, and staring about +vaguely. +His bewilderment soon passed, however, and his gaze was riveted by the +apparition.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was standing on the other side of the ditch. The fear of +some +unknown calamity had given to her beautiful face an expression of +tender solicitude, and whilst a smile struggled for possession of her +lips her look indicated painful anxiety. Mechtild's appearance soon +directed the young man's attention to his own excited manner. The dark +shadow disappeared from his brow, he wiped the perspiration from his +face, and began to feel the effect of his walk under the glowing heat +of midsummer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! here is the neat little white house, your pretty country +home, +Mechtild," he said pleasantly. "If you had not been so kind as to wish +me good-morning, I should actually have passed by in an unpardonable +fit of distraction."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was almost afraid to say good-morning, Mr. Seraphin, but--" +She +faltered and looked confused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But--what? You didn't think anything was wrong?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No! But you were in such a hurry and looked so troubled, I +got +frightened," she confessed with amiable uprightness. "I was afraid +something had happened you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am thankful for your sympathy. Nothing has happened me, +nor, I +trust, will," he replied, with a scarcely perceptible degree of +defiance in his tone. "This is a charming situation. Corn-fields on all +sides, trees laden with fruit, the skirt of the woods in the +background--and then this magnificent view! With your permission, I +will take a moment's rest in the shade of yon splendid walnut-tree +planted by your great-grandfather."</p> + +<p class="normal">She joyfully nodded assent and stepped over the ditch. She +shoved back +the bolt of the gate. Together they entered the yard, which a hedge +separated from the road. The cock crew a welcome to the stranger, and +led his household from the sand-bath into the sunshine near the barn.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is a cool, inviting little spot," said the millionaire, +as he +pointed to the shade of the walnut-tree. "No doubt you often sit here +and read?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Mr. Seraphin; but the dirty chickens have scattered dust +all over +the bench and table. Wait a minute, you'll get your clothes dusty."</p> + +<p class="normal">She hurried into the house. His eyes followed her receding +form, his +ears kept listening for her departing steps, he heard the opening and +closing of doors: presently she reappeared, dusted the bench and table +with a brush, and spread a white cloth over the table. Seraphin looked +on with a smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not wish to be troublesome, Mechtild!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is no trouble, Mr. Seraphin! Sit down, now, and rest +yourself. I am +so sorry father and mother are not at home. They will be ever so glad +to hear that you have honored us with a visit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is nobody at home?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father is in town, and mother is at work with the children in +the +harvest field."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you not afraid to stay here by yourself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What should I be afraid of? There are no ghosts in daytime," +she said +with a bewitching archness; "and as for thieves, they never expect to +find anything worth having at our house."</p> + +<p class="normal">She was standing on the other side of the table, looking at +him with a +beautiful smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Won't you have a seat on this bench?" said he, making room +for her. +"You need rest more than I do. You have been working, and I am merely +an idle stroller. Do take a seat, Mechtild."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you, Mr. Seraphin--I could not think of doing so! It +would not +be becoming," she answered with some confusion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not becoming?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you are a gentleman, and I am only a poor girl."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your objection on the score of propriety is not worth +anything. Oblige +me by doing what I ask of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will do so, Mr. Seraphin, since you insist upon it, but +after a +while. I would like to offer you some refreshments beforehand, if you +will allow me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With pleasure," he said, nodding assent.</p> + +<p class="normal">A second time she hurried away to the house, whilst he kept +listening +to her footsteps. The extraordinary neatness and cleanliness which +could be seen everywhere about the little homestead did not escape his +observation. On all sides he fancied he saw the work of Mechtild. The +purity of her spirit, which beamed so mildly from her eyes and was +revealed in the beauty of her countenance and the grace of her person, +seemed embodied in the very odor of roses wafted over from the +neighboring flower garden. He was unconscious of the rapid growth +within his bosom of a deep and tender feeling. This feeling was casting +a warm glow, like softest sunshine, over all that he beheld. Not even +the chickens looked to him like other fowls of their kind; they were +ennobled by the reflection that they were objects of Mechtild's care, +that she fed them, that when they were still piping little pullets she +had held them in her lap and caressed them. He abandoned himself +completely to this sentiment; it carried him on like a smooth current; +and he could not tell, did not suspect even, why so wonderful a +reaction had in so short a time taken place in his interior. Beholding +himself seated under the walnut-tree surrounded only by evidences of +honorable poverty and rural thrift, and yet feeling a degree of +happiness and peace he had never known before, he fancied he was +performing a part in some fairy tale which he was dreaming with +his eyes open. And now the fairy appeared at the door having on a +snowy-white apron, and carrying a shallow basket from which could be +seen, protruding above the rest of its contents, a milk jar. She set +before him a pewter plate, bright as silver. Then she took out the jar +and a cup, next she laid a knife and spoon for him, and finished her +hospitable service with a huge loaf of bread.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't get dismayed at the bread, Mr. Seraphin! I am sorry I +cannot set +something better before you. But it is well baked and will not hurt +you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You baked it yourself, did you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Mr. Seraphin!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He attacked the loaf resolutely. From the dimensions of the +slice which +he cut off, it was plain that appetite and his confidence in her skill +were satisfactory. She raised the jar of bonnyclabber, which lurched +out in jerks upon his plate, whilst he kept gayly stirring it with the +spoon. Then she dipped a spoonful of rich cream out of the cup and +poured it into the refreshing contents of the plate.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me know when you want me to stop, Mr. Seraphin." Mechtild +poured +spoonful after spoonful; he sat immovable, seemingly observing the +spoon, but in reality watching her soft plump fingers, then her +well-shaped hand, next her exquisitely arm, and, when finally he raised +his eyes to her face, they were met by a mischievous smile. The cup was +empty, and all the cream was in his plate.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I go and fetch some more?" she asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Mechtild, no! Why, this is a regular yellow sea!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You wouldn't cry 'enough!'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I forgot about it," he replied, somewhat confused. "To atone +for my +forgetfulness, I will eat it all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope you will relish it, Mr. Seraphin!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you! Where is your plate?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had my dinner before you came."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, at any rate you must not continue standing. Won't +you +share this seat with me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She seated herself upon the bench, took off her hat, smoothed +down her +apron, and appeared happy at seeing him eating heartily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't you find that dish refreshing, Mr. Seraphin?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have done me a real act of charity," he replied. "This +bread, is +excellent. Who taught you how to make bread?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I learned from mother; but there isn't much art in making +that sort of +bread, Mr. Seraphin. The food which people in the country eat does not +require artistic preparation. It only needs good, pure material, so +that it may give strength to labor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I suppose you attend to the kitchen altogether, do you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Mr. Seraphin. That's not very difficult, our meals are +of the +plainest kind. We have meat once a week, on Sundays. When the work is +unusually hard, as in harvest time, we have meat oftener. We raise our +own meat and cure it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have assumed household cares at quite an early age, +Mechtild."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Early? I am seventeen now, and am the oldest. Mother has a +great deal +of trouble with the small ones, so the housework falls chiefly to my +share. It does not require any great exertion, however, to do it. Plain +and saving is our motto. Mother specially recommends four things: +industry, cleanliness, order, and economy. She advises me not to +neglect any one of these points when once I will have a household of my +own."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think you will soon set up a separate household?" +asked he with +some hesitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not for some time to come, Mr. Seraphin, yet it must be done +one day. +If my own inclination were consulted, I would prefer never to leave +home. I should like things to continue as they are. But a separation +must come. Death will pay us a visit as it has done to others, father +and mother will pass away, and the course of events will sever us from +one another."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her head sank, the brightness of her face became obscured +beneath the +shadow of these sombre thoughts, and, when she again looked up, there +appeared in her eyes so touching and childlike a sadness that he felt +pained to the soul. And yet this revelation of tenderness pleased him, +for it made known to him a new phase of her amiable nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">For a long time he continued conversing with the artless girl. +Every +word she uttered, no matter how trifling, had an interest for him. +Besides her charming artlessness, he had frequent occasions to admire +the wisdom of her language and her admirable delicacy. The setting sun +had already cast a subdued crimson over the hilltops, hours had sped +away, the chickens had gone to roost, still he remained riveted to the +spot by Mechtild's grace and loveliness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father is just coming," she said, pointing down the road. +"How glad he +will be to find you here!"</p> + +<p class="normal">His head bent forward. Holt came wearily plodding up the road. +His +right hand was hidden in the pocket of his pantaloons, and his head was +bowed, as if beneath a heavy weight. As Mechtild's clear voice rang +out, he raised his head, caught sight of his high-hearted benefactor, +and smiled in joyful surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Welcome, Mr. Seraphin; a thousand times welcome!" he cried +from the +other side of the road. "Why, this is an honor that I had not +expected!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood uncovered, holding his cap in the left hand, his +right hand +was still concealed. Mechtild at once noticed her father's singular +behavior, and her eye watched anxiously for the hidden hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your daughter has been so kind as to offer refreshments to a +weary +wanderer," said Gerlach, "and it has been a great pleasure for me to +sit awhile. We have been chatting for several hours under this glorious +tree, and may be I am to blame for keeping her from her work."</p> + +<p class="normal">Holt's honest face beamed with satisfaction. He entirely +forgot about +his secret, he drew his hand out of his pocket, Mechtild turned pale, +and a sharp cry escaped her lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For mercy's sake, father!" And she pointed to the broken +chain.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you screaming for, foolish girl? Don't be alarmed, +Mr. +Seraphin! this chain has got on my arm in an honorable cause. I will +tell you the whole story; I know you will not inform on me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Seating himself on the bench, he related the adventures of the +day.</p> + +<p class="normal">The mock procession passed before Mechtild's imagination with +the +vividness of reality. The narration transformed her. Her mildness was +changed to noble anger. She had heard of the vicar of Christ being +insulted, of holy things being scoffed at, of the Redeemer being +derided by a horde of wretches. With her arms akimbo, she drew up her +lithe and graceful form to its full height, and with flashing eyes +looked at her father while he related what had befallen him. Seraphin +could not help wondering at the transformation. Such a display of +spirit he had not been prepared to witness in a girl so gentle and +beautiful. When her father had ended his account, she seized his hand +passionately, pressed it warmly between her own hands, and kissed the +chain.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, dear father," she exclaimed in a burst of feeling, "I +thank +you from my heart for acting as you did! Those wretches were scoffing +at our holy religion, but you behaved bravely in defence of the faith. +For this they put chains on you, as the heathen did to S. Peter and S. +Paul."</p> + +<p class="normal">Once more she kissed the chain, then, turning quickly, +hastened across +the yard to the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mechtild isn't like the rest of us," said Holt, smiling. +"There's a +great deal of spirit in her. I have often noticed it. But I am not +astonished at her being roused at the mock procession--I was roused +myself. I declare, Mr. Seraphin, it is a shame, a crying shame, that +persons are permitted to rail at doctrines and things which we revere +as holy. One would almost believe Satan himself was in some people, +they take so fanatical a delight in scoffing at a religion which is +holy and enjoins nothing but what is good."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is incontestable that infidelity hates and opposes God and +religion," replied Gerlach. "The boasted culture of those who find a +pleasure in grossly wounding the most sacred feelings of their +neighbors, is wicked and stupid."</p> + +<p class="normal">Mechtild returned with a file in her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Right, my child! I was just thinking of the file myself. +Here, cut the +catches of the lock."</p> + +<p class="normal">He laid his arm across the table. A few strokes of the file +caused the +lock and remnant of chain to fall from his wrist.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will keep this as a precious memento," said she. "Only +think, +father, that wicked official ordered you to be manacled, and he is the +representative of authority. How can one respect or even pray for +authorities when they allow religion to be ridiculed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pray for your enemies," answered the countryman gravely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will do so because God commands me; but I shall never again +be able +to respect the official!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Her anger had fled; she appeared again all light and +loveliness. He did +not fail to observe a searching look which she directed upon him, but +its meaning became clear to him only when, as he was taking leave, she +said in a tone of humility: "Pardon my vehemence, Mr. Seraphin! Don't +think me a bad girl."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is nothing to be forgiven, Mechtild. You were indignant +against +godless wretches, and they who are not indignant against evil cannot +themselves be good."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are most heartily thankful for this visit," spoke Holt. "I +need not +say that we will consider it a great happiness as often as you will be +pleased to come."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-night!" returned the young man, and he walked away.</p> + +<p class="normal">Deeply immersed in his thoughts, Seraphin went back to town. +What he +was thinking about, his diary does not record. But the excitement under +which he had rushed forth was gone--dispelled by the magic of a rural +sorceress. He walked on quietly like a man who seems filled with +confidence in his own future. The recent painful impressions seemed to +his mind to lie far back in the past; their place was taken up by +beautiful anticipations which, like the aurora, shed soft and pleasing +light upon his path. He halted frequently in a dream-like reverie to +indulge the happiness with which his soul was flooded. The full moon, +just peering over the hills, shed around him a mystic brightness that +harmonized perfectly with the indefinable contentment of his heart, and +seemed to be gazing quizzingly into the countenance of the young man, +who almost feared to confess to himself that he had found an invaluable +treasure.</p> + +<p class="normal">As he stopped before the Palais Greifmann, all the bright +spirits that +had hovered round about him on the way back from the little whitewashed +cottage, fled. He awoke from his dream, and, ascending the stairs with +a feeling of discomfort, he entered his apartment, where his father sat +awaiting him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At last," spoke Mr. Conrad, looking up from a book. "You have +kept me +waiting a long time, my son."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was in need of a good long walk, father, to get over what I +witnessed this morning. The country air has dispelled all those +horrible impressions. There is only one thing more required to make me +feel perfectly well, dear father, which is that you will not insist on +my allying myself to people who are utterly opposed to my way of +thinking and feeling."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I understand and approve of your request, Seraphin. The +impressions +made on me, too, are exceedingly disagreeable. The advancement of which +this town boasts is stupid, immoral, detestable. How this state of +society has come about, is inexplicable to me who live secluded in the +country. Society is diseased, fatally diseased. Many of the new views +professed are sheer superstition, and their morality is a mere cloak +for their corruption and wickedness. All the powers of progress +so-called are actively at work to subvert all the safeguards of +society. And what your diary reports of Louise, I have found fully +confirmed. Though it cost the sacrifice of a long cherished plan, a son +of mine shall never become the husband of a progressionist woman."</p> + +<p class="normal">"O father! how deeply do I thank you!" cried the youth, +carried away by +his feelings.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must decline being thanked, for I have not merited it," +spoke Mr. +Conrad earnestly. "A father's duty determines very clearly what my +decision upon the matter of your marriage with Louise, ought to be. But +I am under obligations to you, my son, which justice compels me to +acknowledge. Your discernment and moral sense have prevented a great +deal of discord and unhappiness in our family. Continue good and true, +my Seraphin!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He pressed his son to his bosom and imprinted a kiss on his +forehead.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To-morrow we shall start for home by the first train. +Fortunately your +prudent behavior makes it easy for us to get away, and the final +breaking off of this engagement I will myself arrange with Louise's +father."</p> +<br> +<br> +<h3>SERAPHIN GERLACH TO THE AUTHOR.</h3> + +<p class="normal"><span class="sc">Dear Sir</span>: Two years ago, I took the liberty of sending you my +diary, +with the request that you would be pleased to publish such portions of +its contents as might be useful, in the form of a tale illustrative of +the times. I made the request because I consider it the duty of a +writer who delineates the condition of society, to transmit to +posterity a faithful picture of the present social status, and I am +vain enough to believe that my jottings will be a modest contribution +towards such a tableau.</p> + +<p class="normal">The meagre account given by the diary of my intercourse with +Mechtild, +will probably have enabled you to perceive the germ of a pure and true +relation likely to develop itself further. I shall add but a few items +to complete the account of the diary, knowing that poets, painters, and +artists have rigorously determined bounds, and that a twilight cannot +be represented when the sun is at the zenith. I am emboldened to use +this illustration because your unbounded admiration of pure womanhood +is well known to me, and because the brightness of Mechtild's +character, were it further described, would no more be compatible with +the sombre colorings in which a true picture of modern progress would +have to be exhibited, than the noonday sun with the shadows of evening.</p> + +<p class="normal">My memoranda concerning Mechtild, which, despite studied +soberness, +betrayed a considerable degree of admiration, made known to my parents, +naturally enough, the secret of my heart. Hence it came that a quiet +smile passed over my father's face every time I commenced to speak of +Mechtild. Holt's manly deed at the mock procession had already gained +for him my father's esteem, and, as I spoke a great deal about Holt's +thoroughness as a cultivator, my father began to look upon him as a +very desirable man to employ.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We want an experienced man on the 'green farm,'" said father, +one day. +"Offer the situation to Holt, and tell him to come to see me about it. +I want to talk with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Give the good man my compliments," said mother; "tell him I +would be +much pleased to become acquainted with Mechtild, who sympathized with +you so kindly on that memorable day!"</p> + +<p class="normal">I wrote without delay. Holt came, and so did Mechtild. But few +moments +were necessary to enable mother to detect the girl's fine qualities. +Father, too, was delightfully surprised at her modesty, the beauty of +her form, and grace of her manner. He visited the farm accompanied by +Holt. The cultivator's extraordinary knowledge, his practical manner of +viewing things, and the shrewdness of his counsels in regard to the +improvement of worn-out land and the cultivation of poor soil, +completely charmed my father. A contract containing very favorable +conditions for Holt was entered into, and three weeks later the family +took charge of the "green farm."</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon mother's suggestion, Mechtild was sent to an educational +institution, where she acquired in ten months' time the learning and +culture necessary for associating with cultivated people.</p> + +<p class="normal">Father and mother had received her on her return like a +daughter. This +reception was given her not only in consideration of Holt's skilful and +faithful management of business, but also on account of Mechtild's own +splendid womanly character--perhaps, too, partly on account of my +unbounded admiration for the rare girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The girl is an ornament to her sex," lauded my father. "Her +polished +manner and ease in company do not suffer one to suspect ever so +remotely that she at any time plied the reaping-hook, and came out of a +stubblefield to regale a weary wanderer with brown bread and +bonnyclabber. I am quite in harmony with, your secret wishes, my dear +Seraphin! At the same time, I am of opinion that a step promising so +much happiness ought not to be longer deferred. I think, then, you +should ask the father for his daughter without delay, so that I may +soon have the pleasure of giving you my blessing."</p> + +<p class="normal">From my father's arms, into which. I had thrown myself in +thankfulness, +I hastened away to the "green farm," where Mechtild with maidenly +blushes, and Holt in speechless astonishment, heard and granted my +petition.</p> + +<p class="normal">I am now four months married. I am the blest husband of a wife +whose +lovely qualities are daily showing themselves to greater advantage. +Mechtild presides over Chateau Hallberg like an angel of peace. Towards +my father and mother she conducts herself with filial reverence and +never-ceasing delicate attentions. Mother loves her unspeakably, and no +access of ill humor in father can withstand her charming smile and +prudent mirth. Concerning the banking-house of Greifmann, I have only +sad things to tell. Carl's father had entered into very considerable +speculations which failed and drove him into bankruptcy. Carl saw the +blow coming, and saved himself in a disgraceful manner. There was a +savings institution connected with the bank in which poor people and +servants deposited the savings of their hard labor. Carl appropriated +this fund and made off a short time before the failure of the house. +Thousands of poor persons were robbed of the little sums which they +were saving for old age, by denying themselves many even of the +necessaries of life.</p> + +<p class="normal">The maledictions and curses of these unfortunate people +followed across +the ocean the thief whose modern culture and progressive humanity did +not hinder him from committing a crime which no Christian can be guilty +of without losing his claim to the title. Carl, however, still +continues to pass for a man of culture and humanity notwithstanding his +deed. And why should he not, since without faith in the Deity moral +obligations do not exist, and consequently every species of crime is +allowable? The old gentleman Greifmann died shortly after his ruin; +Louise lost her mind.</p> + +<p class="normal">My father felt the misfortune of the Greifmanns deeply, +without, +however, regretting in the smallest degree the wise determination which +their godless principles and actions had driven him to. Formerly he +could never find time to take part in the elections. But now he is +constantly speaking about the duty of every respectable man to oppose +the infernal machinations and plans of would-be progress. He intends at +the next election to use all his influence for the election of +conscientious deputies, so that the evil may be put an end to which +consists in trying to undermine the foundations of society.</p> + +<p class="normal">Accept, dear sir, the assurance of the esteem with which I +have the +honor to be</p> + +<p class="right" style="margin-right:15%">Your most obedient servant,</p> +<p class="right"><span class="sc">Seraphin Gerlach</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Chateau Hallberg, Jan. 4, 1872.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>FOOTNOTE TO THE PROGRESSIONISTS.</h3> +<br> +<p class="hang1"><a name="div2Ref_01" href="#div2_01">Footnote 1: Proverbs vi., vii.</a></p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>ANGELA.</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>ANGELA.</h2> +<br> +<h3>TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF</h3> +<br> +<h2>CONRAD VON BOLANDEN.</h2> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="W20"> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<h3>CRINOLINE.</h3> + +<p class="normal">An express train was just on the eve of leaving the railway +station in +Munich. Two fashionably dressed gentlemen stood at the open door of a +railway carriage, in conversation with a third, who sat within. These +two young men bore on their features the marks of youthful dissipation, +indicating that they had not been sparing of pleasures. The one in the +carriage had a handsome, florid countenance, two clear, expressive +eyes, and thick locks of hair, which he now and then stroked back from +his fine forehead. He scarcely observed the conversation of the two +friends, who spoke of balls, dogs, horses, theatres, and ballet-girls.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the same carriage sat another traveller, evidently the +father of the +young man. He was reading the newspaper--that is the report of the +money market--while his fleshy left hand dallied with the heavy gold +rings of his watch-chain. He had paid no attention to the conversation +till an observation of his son brought him to serious reflection.</p> + +<p class="normal">"By the bye," said one of the young men quickly, "I was nearly +forgetting to tell you the news, Richard! Do you know that Baron Linden +is engaged?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Engaged? To whom?" said Richard carelessly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To Bertha von Harburg. I received a card this morning, and +immediately +wrote a famous letter of congratulation."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard looked down earnestly, and shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I commiserate the genial baron," said he. "What could he be +thinking +of, to rush headlong into this misfortune?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The father looked in surprise at his son; the hand holding the +paper +sank on his knee.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Permit me, gentlemen," said the conductor; the doors were +closed, the +friends nodded good-by, and the train moved off.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your observation about Linden's marriage astonishes me, +Richard. But +perhaps you were only jesting."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By no means," said Richard. "Never more earnest in my life. I +expressed my conviction, and my conviction is the result of careful +observation and mature reflection."</p> + +<p class="normal">The father's astonishment increased.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Observation--reflection--fudge!" said the father impatiently, +as he +folded the paper and shoved it into his pocket. "How can a young man of +twenty-two talk of experience and observation! Enthusiastic nonsense! +Marriage is a necessity of human life. And you will yet submit to this +necessity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"True, if marriage be a necessity, then I suppose I must bow +to the +yoke of destiny. But, father, this necessity does not exist. There are +intelligent men enough who do not bind themselves to woman's caprices."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! certainly, there are some strange screech-owls in the +world---some +enthusiasts. But certainly you do not wish to be one of them. You, who +have such great expectations. You, the only son of a wealthy house. +You, who have a yearly income of thousands to spend."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The income can be enjoyed more pleasantly, free and single, +father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Free and single--and enjoyed! Zounds! you almost tempt me to +think ill +of you. Happily, I know you well. I know your strict morality, your +solidity, your moderate pretensions. All these amiable qualities please +me. But this view of marriage I did not expect; you must put away this +sickly notion."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man made no answer, but leaned back in his seat with +a +disdainful smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank gazed thoughtfully through the window. He reflected +on the +determined character of his son, whose disposition, even when a child, +shut him out from the world, and who led an interior, meditative life. +Strict regularity and exact employment of time were natural to him. At +school, he held the first place in all branches. His ambition and +effort were to excel all others in knowledge. His singular questions, +which indicated a keen observation and capacity, had often excited the +surprise of his father. And while the companions of the youth hailed +with delight the time which released them from the benches of the +school and from their studies, Richard cheerfully bound himself to his +accustomed task, to appease his longing for knowledge. Approaching +manhood had not changed him in this regard. He was punctual to the +hours of business, and labored with zeal and interest, to the great joy +of his father. He recreated himself with music and, painting, or by a +walk in the open country, for whose beauties he had a keen +appreciation. The few shades of his character were, a proud +haughtiness, an unyielding perseverance in his determinations, and a +strength of conviction difficult to overcome. But perhaps these shades +were, after all, great qualities, which were to brighten up and polish +his maturity. This obstinacy the father was now considering, and, in +reference to his singular view of marriage, it filled him with great +anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Richard," began Herr Frank again, "how did you come to +this +singular conclusion?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"By observation, and reflection--and also by experience, +although you +deny my years this right."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What have you experienced and observed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have observed woman as she is, and found that such a +creature would +only make me miserable. What occupies their minds? Fineries, pleasures; +and trifles. The pivot of their existence turns on dress, ornaments, +balls, and the like. We live in an age of crinoline, and you know how I +abominate that dress; I admit my aversion is abnormal, perhaps +exaggerated, but I cannot overcome it. When I see a woman going through +the streets with swelling hoops, the most whimsical fancies come into +my mind. It reminds me of an inflated balloon, whose clumsy swell +disfigures the most beautiful form. It reminds me of a drunken gawk, +who swaggers along and carries the foolish gewgaw for a show. The +costume is indeed expressive. It reveals the interior disposition. +Crinoline is to me the type of the woman of our day--an empty, vain, +inflated something. And this type repels me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you believe our women to be vain, pleasure-seeking, and +destitute +of true womanhood, because they wear crinoline?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, the reverse. An overweening propensity to show and +frivolity +characterizes our women, and therefore they wear crinoline in spite of +the protestations of the men."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bah! Nonsense; you lay too much stress on fashion. I know +many women +myself who complain of this fashion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And afterward follow it. This precisely confirms my opinion. +Women +have no longer sufficient moral force to disregard a disagreeable +restraint. Their vanity is still stronger than their inclinations to a +natural enjoyment of life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you want a wife who would be sparing and saving; who, by +her +frugality, would increase your wealth; who, by her social seclusion, +would not molest your cash-box?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I want no wife," answered the young man, somewhat +pettishly. "And +I am not alone in this. The young men are beginning to awaken. A sound, +natural feeling revolts against the vitiated taste of the women. +Alliances are forming everywhere. The last paper announced that, at +Marseilles, six thousand young men have, with joined hands, vowed never +to marry until the women renounce their ruinous costumes and costly +idleness, and return to a plain style of dress and frugal habits. I +object to this propensity to ease and pleasure--this desire of our +women for finery and the gratification of vanity. Not because this +inclination is expensive, but because it is objectionable. Every +creature has an object. But, if we consider the women of our day, we +might well ask, for what are they here?</p> + +<p class="normal">"For what are women here, foolish man?" interrupted Herr +Frank. "Are +they to go about without any costume, like Eve before the fall? Are +they to know the trials of life, and not its joys? Are they to exist +like the women of the sultan, shut up in a harem? For what are they +here? I will tell you. They are here to make life cheerful. Does not +Schiller say,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<p class="t2">"'Honor to woman! she scatters rife</p> +<p class="t2">Heavenly roses, 'mid earthly life;</p> +<p class="t3">Love she weaves in gladdening bands;</p> +<p class="t2">Chastity's veil her charm attires;</p> +<p class="t2">Beautiful thoughts' eternal fires,</p> +<p class="t3">Watchful, she feeds with holy hands.'"</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">Richard smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poetical fancy!" said he. "My unhappy friend Emil Schlagbein +often +declaimed and sang with passion that same poem of Schiller's. Love +had even made a poet of him. He wrote verses to his Ida. And now, +scarcely three years married, he is the most miserable man in the +world--miserable through his wife. Ida has still the same finely carved +head as formerly; but that head, to the grief of Emil, is full of +stubbornness--full of whimsical nonsense. Her eyes have still the same +deep blue; but the charming expression has changed, and the blue not +unfrequently indicates a storm. How often has Emil poured out his +sorrows to me! How often complained of the coldness of his wife! A ball +missed--missed from necessity--makes her stupid and sulky for days. In +vain he seeks a cheerful look. When he returns home worried by the +cares of business, he finds no consolation in Ida's sympathy, but is +vexed by her stubbornness and offended by her coldness. Emil sprang +headlong into misery. I will beware of such a step."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are unjust and prejudiced. Must all women, then, be Ida +Schlagbeins?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps my Ida might be still worse," retorted Richard +sharply.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank drummed on his knees, always a sign of displeasure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I tell you, Richard," said he emphatically. "Your time will +come yet. +You will follow the universal law, and this law will give the lie to +your one-sided view--to your contempt of woman."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That impulse, father, can be overcome, and habit becomes a +second +nature. Besides--"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Besides--well, what besides?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would say that the time of which you speak is, in my case, +happily +passed," answered Richard, still gazing through the window. "For me the +time of sentimental delusion has been short and decisive," he concluded +with a bitter smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can I, your father, ask a clearer explanation?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man leaned back in his seat and looked at the +opposite side +while he spoke.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Last summer I visited Baden-Baden. On old Mount Eberstein, +which is so +picturesquely enthroned above the village, I fell in with a party. +Among the number was a young lady of rare beauty and great modesty. An +acquaintance gave me an opportunity of being introduced to her. We sat +in pleasant conversation under the black oaks until the approaching +twilight compelled us to return to the town. Isabella--such was the +name of the beauty--had made a deep impression on me. So deep that even +the detested crinoline that encircled her person in large hoops found +favor in my sight. Her manner was in no wise coquettish. She spoke with +deliberation and spirit. Her countenance had always the same +expression. Only when the young people, into whose heads the fiery wine +had risen, gave expression to sharp words, did Isabella look up and a +displeased expression, as of injured delicacy, passed over her +countenance. My presence seemed agreeable to her. My conversation may +have pleased her. As we descended the mountain, we came to a difficult +pass. I offered her my arm, which she took in the same unchanging, +quiet manner which made her so charming in my sight. I soon discovered +my affection for the stranger, and wondered how it could arise so +suddenly and become so impetuous. I was ashamed at abandoning so +quickly my opinion of women. But this feeling was not strong enough to +stifle the incipient passion. My mind lay captive in the fetters of +infatuation."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused for a moment. The proud young man seemed to reproach +himself +for his conduct, which he considered wanting in manly independence and +clear penetration.</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the following day," he continued, "there was to be a +horse-race in +the neighborhood. Before we parted, it was arranged that we would be +present at it. I returned to my room in the hotel, and dreamed waking +dreams of Isabella. My friend had told me that she was the daughter of +a wealthy merchant, and that she had accompanied her invalid mother +here. This mark of love and filial affection was not calculated to cool +my ardor. Isabella appeared more beautiful and more charming still. We +went to the race. I had the unspeakable happiness of being in the same +car and sitting opposite her. After a short journey--to me, at least, +it seemed short--we arrived at the grounds where the race was to take +place. We ascended the platform. I sat at Isabella's side. She did not +for a moment lose her quiet equanimity. The race began. I saw little of +it, for Isabella was constantly before my eyes, look where I would. +Suddenly a noise--a loud cry--roused me from my dream. Not twenty paces +from where we sat, a horse had fallen. The rider was under him. The +floundering animal had crushed both legs of the unfortunate man. Even +now I can see his frightfully distorted features before me. I feared +that Isabella's delicate sensibility might be wounded by the horrible +sight. And when I looked at her, what did I see? A smiling face! She +had lost her quiet, weary manner, and a hard, unfeeling soul lighted up +her features!</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Do you not think this change in the monotony of the race +quite +magnificent?' said she.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I made no answer. With an apology, I left the party and +returned alone +to Baden."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well," said the father, "your Isabella was an unfeeling +creature--granted. But now for your application of this experience."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will let another make the application, father. Listen a +moment. In +Baden a bottle of Rhine wine, whose spirit is so congenial to sad and +melancholy feelings, served to obliterate the desolate remembrance. I +sat in the almost deserted dining-room. The guests were at the theatre, +on excursions in the neighborhood, or dining about the park. An old man +sat opposite me. I remarked that his eyes, when he thought himself +unobserved, were turned inquiringly on me. The sudden cooling of my +passion had perhaps left some marks upon me. The stranger believed, +perhaps, that I was an unlucky and desperate player. A player I had +indeed been. I had been about to stake my happiness on a beautiful +form. But I had won the game.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The wine soon cheered me up and I entered into conversation +with the +stranger. We spoke of various things, and finally of the race. As there +was a friendly, confiding expression in the old man's countenance, I +related to him the unhappy fall of the rider, and dwelt sharply on the +impression the hideous spectacle made on Isabella. I told him that such +a degree of callousness and insensibility was new to me, and that this +sad experience had shocked me greatly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'This comes,' said he, 'from permitting yourself to be +deceived by +appearances, and because you do not know certain classes of society. If +you consider the beautiful Isabella with sensual eyes, you will run +great danger of taking appearances for truth--the false for the real. +Even the plainest exterior is often only sham. Painted cheeks, colored +eyebrows, false hair, false teeth; and even if these forms were not +false, but true--if you penetrate these forms, if, under the constraint +of graceful repose, we see modesty, purity, and even humility--there is +then still greater danger of deception. A wearied, enervated nature, +nerves blunted by the enjoyment of all kinds of pleasures, are +frequently all that remains of womanly nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Do you wish to see striking examples of this? Go into the +gaming +saloons--into, those horrible places where fearful and consuming +passions seethe; where desperation and suicide lurk. Go into the +corrupt, poisonous atmosphere of those gambling hells, and there you +will find women every day and every hour. Whence this disgusting sight? +The violent excitement of gambling alone can afford sufficient +attraction for those who have been sated with all kinds of pleasures. +Is a criminal to be executed? I give you my word of honor that women +give thousands of francs to obtain the best place, where they can +contemplate more conveniently the shocking spectacle and read every +expression in the distorted features of the struggling malefactor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Isabella was one of these exhausted, enervated creatures, +and hence +her pleasure at the sight of the mangled rider.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thus spoke the stranger, and I admitted that he was right. At +the same +time I tried to penetrate deeper into this want of sensibility. Like a +venturesome miner, I descended into the psychological depth. I +shuddered at what I there discovered, and at the inferences which +Isabella's conduct forced upon my mind. No, father, no," said he +impetuously, "I will have no such nuptials--I will never rush into the +miseries of matrimony!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thunder and lightning! are you a man?" cried Herr Frank. +"Because +Emil's wife and Isabella are good-for-nothings, must the whole sex be +repudiated? Both cases are exceptions. These exceptions give you no +right to judge unfavorably of all women. This prejudice does no honor +to your good sense, Richard. It is only eccentricity can judge thus."</p> + +<p class="normal">The train stopped. The travellers went out, where a carriage +awaited +them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is everything right?" said Herr Frank to the driver.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All is fixed, sir, as you required,"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the box of books taken out?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="normal">The coach moved up the street. The dark mountain-side rose +into view, +and narrow, deep valleys yawned beneath the travellers. Fresh currents +of air rushed down the mountain and Herr Frank inhaled refreshing +draughts.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard gazed thoughtfully over the magnificent vineyards and +luxuriant +orchards.</p> + +<p class="normal">The road grew steeper and the wooded summit of the mountain +approached. +A light which Frank beheld with satisfaction glared out from it. Its +rays shot out upon the town that, amid rich vineyards, topped the +neighboring hill.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our residence is beautifully located," said Herr Frank. "How +cheerful +it looks up there! It is a home fit for princes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have indeed chosen a magnificent spot, father. Everything +unites +to make Frankenhöhe a delightful place. The vineyards on the slopes of +the hills, the smiling hamlet of Salingen to the right. In the +background the stern mountain with its proud ruins on the summit of +Salburg, the deep valleys and the dark ravines, all unite in the +landscape: to the east that beautiful plain."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words pleased the father. His eyes rested long on the +beautiful +property.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have forgotten a reason for my happy choice," said he, +while a +smile played on his features. "I mean the habit of my friend and +deliverer, who, for the last eight years, spends the month of May at +Frankenhöhe. You know the singular character of the doctor. Nothing in +the world can tear him from his books. He has renounced all pleasure +and enjoyment, to devote his whole time to his books. When Frankenhöhe +entices and captivates the man of science, so strict, so dead to the +world, it is, as I think, the highest compliment to our place."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard did not question his father's opinion. He knew his +unbounded +esteem for the learned doctor.</p> + +<p class="normal">The road grew steeper and steeper. The horses labored slowly +along. The +pleasant hamlet of Salingen lay a short distance to the left. A single +house, separated from the village, and standing near the road in the +midst of vineyards, came into view. The features of Herr Frank darkened +as he turned his gaze from Frankenhöhe to this house. It was as though +some unpleasant recollection was associated with it. Richard looked at +the stately mansion, the large out-houses, the walled courts, and saw +that everything about it was neat and clean.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This must be a wealthy proprietor or influential landlord who +lives +here," said Richard. "I have indeed seen this place in former years, +but it did not interest me. How inviting and pleasant it looks. The +property must have undergone considerable change; at least, I remember +nothing that indicated the place to be other than an ordinary +farmhouse."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank did not hear these observations. He muttered some +bitter +imprecation. The coach gained the summit, left the road, and passed +through vineyards and chestnut groves to the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frankenhöhe was a handsome two-story house whose arrangements +corresponded to Frank's taste and means. Near it stood another, +occupied by the steward. A short distance from it were stables and +out-houses for purposes of agriculture.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank went directly to the house, and passed from room to +room to +see if his instructions had been carried out.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard went into the garden and walked on paths covered with +yellow +sand. He strolled about among flower-beds that loaded the air with +agreeable odors. He examined the blooming dwarf fruit-trees and +ornamental plants. He observed the neatness and exact order of +everything. Lastly, he stood near the vineyard whence he could behold +an extensive view. He admired the beautiful, fragrant landscape. He +stood thoughtfully reflecting. His conversation made it evident to him +that his feelings and will did not agree with his father's wishes. He +saw that between his inclinations and his love for his father he must +undergo a severe struggle--a struggle that must decide his happiness +for life. The strangeness of his opinion of women did not escape him. +He tested his experience. He tried to justify his convictions, and yet +his father's claims and filial duty prevailed.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<h3>THE WEATHER-CROSS.</h3> + +<p class="normal">The next morning Richard was out with the early larks, and +returned +after a few hours in a peculiar frame of mind. As he was entering his +room, he saw through the open door his father standing in the saloon. +Herr Frank was carefully examining the arrangements, as the servants +were carrying books into the adjoining room and placing them in a +bookcase. Richard, as he passed, greeted his father briefly, contrary +to his usual custom. At other times he used to exchange a few words +with his father when he bid him good-morning, and he let no occasion +pass of giving his opinion on any matter in which he knew his father +took an interest.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man walked to the open window of his room, and gazed +into the +distance. He remained motionless for a time. He ran his fingers through +his hair, and with a jerk of the head threw the brown locks back from +his forehead. He walked restlessly back and forth, and acted like a man +who tries in vain to escape from thoughts that force themselves upon +him. At length he went to the piano, and beat an impetuous impromptu on +the keys.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ei, Richard!" cried Herr Frank, whom the wild music had +brought to his +side. "Why, you rave! How possessed! One would think you had discovered +a roaring cataract in the mountains, and wished to imitate its +violence."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard glanced quickly at his father, and finished with a +tender, +plaintive melody.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come over here and look at the rooms."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard followed his father and examined carelessly the +elegant rooms, +and spoke a few cold words of commendation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what do you say to this flora?" said Herr Frank pointing +to a +stepped framework on which bloomed the most beautiful and rare flowers.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All very beautiful, father. The doctor will be much pleased, +as he +always is here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish and hope so. I have had the peacocks and turkeys sent +away, +because Klingenberg cannot endure their noise. The library here will +always be his favorite object, and care has been taken with it. Here +are the best books on all subjects, even theology and astronomy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Frankenhöhe is indeed cheerful as the heart of youth and +quiet as a +cloister," said Richard "Your friend would indeed be ungrateful if this +attention did not gratify him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have also provided that excellent wine which he loves and +enjoys as +a healthful medicine. But, Richard, you know Klingenberg's +peculiarities. You must not play as you did just now; you would drive +the doctor from the house."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make yourself easy about that, father; I will play while he +is on the +mountain."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard took a book from the shelf, and glanced over it. Herr +Frank +left him, and he immediately replaced the book and returned to his own +room. There he wrote in his diary:</p> +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"12th of May.--Man is too apt to be led by his inclination. +And what is +inclination? A feeling caused by external impressions, or superinduced +by a disposition of the body. Inclination, therefore, is something +inimical to intellectual life. A vine that threatens to overgrow and +smother clear conviction. Never act from inclination, if you do not +wish to be unfaithful to conviction and guilty o a weakness."</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">He went into the garden, where he talked to the gardener about trees +and flowers.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you acquainted in Salingen, John?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, sir. I was born there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do strangers sometimes come there to stop and enjoy the +beautiful +neighborhood?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! no, sir; there is no suitable hotel there--only plain +taverns; and +people of quality would not stop at them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are there people of rank in Salingen?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only farmers, sir. But--stay. The rich Siegwart appears to be +such, +and his children are brought up in that manner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has Siegwart many children?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Four--two boys and two girls. One son is at college. The +other takes +care of the estate, and is at home. The oldest daughter has been at the +convent for three years. She is now nineteen years old. The second is +still a child."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard went further into the garden; he looked over at +Salingen, and +then at the mountains. His eye followed a path that went winding up the +mountain like a golden thread and led to the top. Then his eye rested +for a time on a particular spot in that yellow path. Richard remained +taciturn and reserved the rest of the day. He sat in his room and tried +to read, but the subject did not interest him. He often looked dreamily +from the book. He finally arose, took his hat and cane, and was soon +lost in the mountain. The next morning Richard went to the borders of +the forest, and looked frequently over at Salingen as it lay in rural +serenity before him. The pleasant hamlet excited his interest. He then +turned to the right and pursued the yellow path which he had examined +the day before, up the mountain. The birds sang in the bushes, and on +the branches of the tallest oak perched the black-bird whose morning +hymn echoed far and wide. The sweet notes of the nightingale joined in +the general concert, and the shrill piping of the hawk struck in +discordantly with the varied and beautiful song. Even unconscious +nature displayed her beauties. The dew hung in great drops on the +grass-blades and glittered like so many brilliants, and wild flowers +loaded the air with sweet perfumes. Richard saw little of these +beauties of spring. He ascended still higher. His mind seemed agitated +and burdened. He had just turned a bend in the road when he saw a +female figure approaching. His cheeks grew darker as his eyes rested on +the approaching figure. He gazed in the distance, and a disdainful +flush overspread his face. He approached her as he would approach an +enemy whose power he had felt, and whom he wished to conciliate.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was within fifty paces of him. Her blue dress fell in +heavy folds +about her person. The ribbons of her straw bonnet, that hung on her +arm, fluttered in the breeze. In her left hand she held a bunch of +flowers. On her right arm hung a silk mantle, which the mild air had +rendered unnecessary. Her full, glossy hair was partly in a silk net +and partly plaited over the forehead and around the head, as is +sometimes seen with children. Her countenance was exquisitely +beautiful, and her light eyes now rested full and clear on the stranger +who approached her. She looked at him with the easy, natural +inquisitiveness of a child, surprised to meet such an elegant gentleman +in this place.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank looked furtively at her, as though he feared the +fascinating +power of the vision that so lightly and gracefully passed him. He +raised his hat stiffly and formally. This was necessary to meet the +requirement of etiquette. Were it not, he would perhaps have passed her +by without a salutation. She did not return his greeting with a stiff +bow, but with a friendly "good-morning;" and this too in a voice whose +sweetness, purity, and melody harmonized with the beautiful echoes of +the morning.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank moved on hastily for some distance. He was about to look +back, +but did not do so; and continued on his way, with contracted brows, +till a turn in the road hid her from his view. Here he stopped and +wiped the sweat from his forehead. His heart beat quickly, and he was +agitated by strong, emotions. He stood leaning on his cane and gazing +into the shadows of the forest. He then continued thoughtfully, and +ascended some hundred feet higher till he gained the top of the +mountain. The tall trees ceased; a variegated copsewood crowned the +summit, which formed a kind of platform. Human hands had levelled the +ground, and on the moss that covered it grew modest little violets. +Near the border of the platform stood a stone cross of rough material. +Near this cross lay the fragments of another large rock, that might +have been shattered by lightning years before. A few steps back of +this, on two square blocks of stone, stood a statue of the Virgin and +Child, of white stone very carefully wrought, but without much art. The +Virgin had a crown of roses on her head. The Child held a little bunch +of forget-me-nots in its hand, and as it held them out seemed to say, +"Forget me not." Two heavy vases that could not be easily overturned by +the wind, standing on the upper block, also contained flowers. All +these flowers were quite fresh, as if they had just been placed there.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard examined these things, and wondered what they, meant +in this +solitude of the mountain. The fresh flowers and the cleanliness of the +statue, on which no dust or moss could be seen, indicated a careful +keeper. He thought of the young woman whom he met. He had seen the same +kind of flowers in her hand, and doubtless she was the devotee of the +place.</p> + +<p class="normal">Scarcely had his thoughts taken this direction when he turned +away and +walked to the border of the plot; and gazed at the country before him. +He looked down toward Frankenhöhe, whose white chimneys appeared above +the chestnut grove. He contemplated the plains with their luxuriant +fields reflecting every shade of green--the strips of forests that lay +like shadows in the sunny plain--numberless hamlets with church towers +whose gilded crosses gleamed in the sun. He gazed in the distance where +the mountain ranges vanished in the mist, and long he enjoyed the +magnificence of the view. He was aroused from his dreamy contemplation +by the sound of footsteps behind him.</p> + +<p class="normal">An old man with a load of wood on his shoulders came up to the +place. +Breathing heavily, he threw down the wood and wiped the sweat from his +face. He saw the stranger, and respectfully touched his cap as he sat +down on the wood.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank went to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are from Salingen, I suppose," he began.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is very hard for an old man like you to carry such a load +so far."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is indeed, but I am poor and must do it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank looked at the patched clothes of the old man, his coarse +shoes, +his stockingless feet, and meagre body, and felt compassion for him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For us poor people the earth bears but thistles and thorns." +After a +pause, the old man continued, "We have to undergo many tribulations and +difficulties, and sometimes we even suffer from hunger. But thus it is +in the world. The good God will reward us in the next world for our +sufferings in this."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words sounded strangely to Richard. Raised as he was in +the midst +of wealth, and without contact with poverty, he had never found +occasion to consider the lot of the poor; and now the resignation of +the old man, and his hope in the future, seemed strange to him. He was +astonished that religion could have such power--so great and strong--to +comfort the poor in the miseries of a hopeless, comfortless life.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what if your hope in another world deceive you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man looked at him with astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How can I be deceived? God is faithful. He keeps his +promises."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what has he promised you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eternal happiness if I persevere, patient and just, to the +end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wonder at your strong faith!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is my sole possession on earth. What would support us poor +people, +what would keep us from despair, if religion did not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank put his hand into his pocket,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here," said he, "perhaps this money will relieve your wants."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man looked at the bright thalers in his hand, and the +tears +trickled down his cheeks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is too much, sir; I cannot receive six thalers from +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is but a trifle for me; put it in your pocket, and say +no more +about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May God reward and bless you a thousand times for it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does that cross indicate?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is a weather cross, sir. We have a great deal of bad +weather to +fear. We have frequent storms here, in summer; they hang over the +mountain and rage terribly. Every ravine becomes a torrent that dashes +over the fields, hurling rocks and sand from the mountain. Our fields +are desolated and destroyed. The people of Salingen placed that cross +there against the weather. In spring the whole community come here in +procession and pray God to protect them from the storms."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard reflected on this phenomenon; the confidence of these +simple +people in the protection of God, whose omnipotence must intervene +between the remorseless elements and their victims, appeared to him as +the highest degree of simplicity. But he kept his thoughts to himself, +for he respected the religious sentiments of the old man, and would not +hurt his feelings.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the Virgin, why is she there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! that is a wonderful story, sir," he answered, apparently +wishing +to evade an explanation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which every one ought not to know?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well--but perhaps the gentleman would laugh, and I would not +like +that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why do you think I would laugh at the story?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you are a gentleman of quality, and from the city, +and such +people do not believe any more in miracles."</p> + +<p class="normal">This observation of rustic sincerity was not pleasing to +Frank. It +expressed the opinion that the higher classes ignore faith in the +supernatural.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I promise you not to laugh, will you tell me the story?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will; you were kind to me, and you can ask the story of me. +About +thirty years ago," began the old man after a pause, "there lived a +wealthy farmer at Salingen whose name was Schenck. Schenck was young. +He married a rich maiden and thereby increased his property. But +Schenck had many great faults. He did not like to work and look after +his fields. He let his servants do as they pleased, and his fields +were, of course, badly worked and yielded no more than half a crop. +Schenck sat always in the tavern, where he drank and played cards and +dice. Almost every night he came home drunk. Then he would quarrel with +his wife, who reproached him. He abused her, swore wickedly, and +knocked everything about the room, and behaved very badly altogether. +Schenck sank lower and lower, and became at last a great sot. His +property was soon squandered. He sold one piece after another, and when +he had no more property to sell, he took it into his head to sell +himself to the devil for money. He went one night to a cross-road, and +called the devil, but the devil would not come; perhaps because Schenck +belonged to him already, for the Scripture says, 'A drunkard cannot +enter the kingdom of heaven.' At last a suit was brought against him, +and the last of his property was sold, and he was driven from his home. +This hurt Schenck very much, for he always had a certain kind of pride. +He thought of the past times when he was rich and respected, and now he +had lost all respect with his neighbors. He thought of his wife and his +four children, whom he had made poor and miserable. All this drove him +to despair. He determined to put an end to himself. He bought a rope +and came up here one morning to hang himself. He tied the rope to an +arm of the cross, and had his head in the noose, when all at once he +remembered that he had not yet said his three 'Hail! Marys.' His mother +who was dead had accustomed him, when a child, to say every day three +'Hail! Marys.' Schenck had never neglected this practice for a single +day. Then he took his head out of the noose and said, 'Well, as I have +said the "Hail! Marys" every day, I will say them also to-day, for the +last time.' He knelt down before the cross and prayed. When he was +done, he stood up to hang himself. But he had scarcely stood on his +feet when he was snatched up by a whirlwind and carried through the air +till he was over a vineyard, where he fell without hurting himself. As +he stood up, an ugly man stood before him and said, 'This time you have +escaped me, but the next time I will get you.' The ugly man had horses' +hoofs in place of feet, and wore green clothes. He disappeared before +Schenck's eyes. Schenck swears that this ugly man was the devil. He +declares also that he has to thank the Mother of God, through whose +intercession he escaped the claws of the devil. Schenck had that statue +placed there in memory of his wonderful escape--that is why the Mother +of God is there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A wonderful story indeed!" said Richard. "Although I do not +laugh as +you see, yet I must assure that I do not believe the story."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought so," answered the old man. "But you can ask Schenck +himself. +He is still living, and is now seventy. Since that day he has changed +entirely. He drinks nothing but water. He never enters a tavern, but +goes every day to church. From that time to this Schenck has very +industrious, and has saved a nice property."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That the drunkard reformed is most remarkable and best part +of the +story," said Frank. "Drunkards very seldom reform. But," continued he +smiling, "the devil acted very stupidly in the affair. He should have +known that his appearance would have made a deep impression on the man, +and that he would not let himself be caught a second time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is true," said the old man. "I believe the devil was +forced to +appear and speak so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forced? By whom?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"By Him before whom the devils believe and tremble. Schenck +was to +understand that God delivered on account of his pious custom, and the +devil had to tell him his would not happen a second time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How prudent you are in your superstition!" said Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As the gentleman has been kind, it hurts me to hear him speak +so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now," said Richard quickly, "I would not hurt your feelings. +One may +be a good Christian without believing fables. And the flowers near the +statue. Has Schenck placed them there too?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! no--the Angel did that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Angel. Who is that?" said Frank, surprised.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Angel of Salingen--Siegwart's angel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! angel is Angela, is it not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"So she may be called. In Salingen they call her only Angel. +And she is +indeed as lovely, good, and beautiful as an angel. She has a heart for +the poor, and she gives with an open hand and a smiling face that does +one good. She is like her father, who gives me as many potatoes as I +want, and seed for my little patch of ground."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why does Angela decorate this statue?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know; perhaps she does it through devotion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The flowers are quite fresh; does she come here every day?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Every day during the month of May, and no longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why no longer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know the reason; she has done so for the last two +years, +since she came home from the convent, and she will do so this year."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As Siegwart is so good to the poor, he must be rich."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very rich--you can see from his house. Do you see that fine +building +there next to the road? That is the residence of Herr Siegwart."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was the same building that had arrested Richard's attention +as he +passed it some days before, and the sight of which had excited the +ill-humor of his father. Richard returned by a shorter way to +Frankenhöhe. He was serious and meditative. Arrived at home, he wrote +in his diary:</p> + +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"May 13th.--Well, I have seen her. She exhibits herself as the +'Angel +of Salingen.' She is extremely beautiful. She is full of amiability and +purity of character. And to-day she did not wear that detestable +crinoline. But she will have other foibles in place of it. She +will, in some things at least, yield to the superficial tendencies of +her sex. Isabella was an ideal, until she descended from the height +where my imagination, deceived by her charms, had placed her. The +impression which Angela's appearance produced has rests on the same +foundation--deception. A better acquaintance will soon discover this. +Curious! I long to become better acquainted!</p> + +<p class="normal">"Religion is not a disease or hallucination, as many think. It is a +power. Religion teaches the poor to bear their hard lot with patience. +It comforts and keeps them from despair. It directs their attention to +an eternal reward, and this hope compensates them for all the +afflictions and miseries of this life. Without religion, human society +would fall to pieces."</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">A servant entered, and announced dinner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah Richard!" said Herr Frank good-humoredly. "Half an hour +late for +dinner, and had to be called! That is strange; I do not remember such a +thing to have happened before. You are always as punctual as a +repeater."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was in the mountain and had just returned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No excuse, my son. I am glad the neighborhood diverts you, +and that +you depart a little from your regularity. Now everything is in good +order, as I desired, for my friend and deliverer. I have just received +a letter from him. He will be here in two days. I shall be glad to see +the good man again. If Frankenhöhe will only please him for a long +time!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no doubt of that," said Richard. "The doctor will be +received +like a friend, treated like a king, and will live here like Adam and +Eve in paradise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Everything will go on as formerly. I will be coming and going +on +account of business. You will, of course, remain uninterruptedly at +Frankenhöhe. You are high in the doctor's esteem. You interest him very +much. It is true you annoy him sometimes with your unlearned objections +and bold assertions. But I have observed that even vexation, when it +comes from you, is not disagreeable to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the poor should not annoy him with their sick," said +Richard. "He +never denies his services to the poor, as he never grants them to the +rich. Indeed, I have sometimes observed that he tears himself from his +books with the greatest reluctance, and it is not without an effort +that he does it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But we cannot change it," said Herr Frank; "we cannot send +the poor +away without deeply offending Klingenberg. But I esteem him the more +for his generosity."</p> + +<p class="normal">After dinner the father and son went into the garden and +talked of +various matters; suddenly Richard stopped and pointing over to +Salingen, said,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I passed to-day that neat building that stands near the road. +Who +lives there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There lives the noble and lordly Herr Siegwart," said Herr +Frank +derisively.</p> + +<p class="normal">His tone surprised Richard. He was not accustomed to hear his +father +speak thus.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is Siegwart a noble?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not in the strict sense. But he is the ruler of Salingen. He +rules in +that town, as absolutely as princes formerly did in their kingdoms."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the cause of his influence?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"His wealth, in the first place; secondly, his charity; and +lastly, his +cunning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are not favorable to him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, indeed! The Siegwart family is excessively ultramontane +and +clerical. You know I cannot endure these narrow prejudices and this +obstinate adherence to any form of religion. Besides, I have a +particular reason for disagreement with Siegwart, of which I need not +now speak."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excessively ultramontane and clerical!" thought Richard, as +he went to +his room. "Angela is undoubtedly educated in this spirit. Stultifying +confessionalism and religious narrow-mindedness have no doubt cast a +deep shadow over the 'angel.' Now--patience; the deception will soon +banish."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took up Schlosser's History, and read a long time. But his +eyes +wandered from the page, and his thoughts soon followed.</p> + +<p class="normal">The next morning at the same hour Richard went to the weather +cross. He +took the same road and again he met Angela; she had the same blue +dress, the same straw hat on her arm, and flowers in her hand. She +beheld him with the same clear eyes, with the same unconstrained +manner--only, as he thought, more charming--as on the first day. He +greeted her coolly and formally, as before. She thanked him with the +same affability. Again the temptation came over him to look back at +her; again he overcame it. When he came to the statue, he found fresh +flowers in the vases. The child Jesus had fresh forget-me-nots in his +hand, and the Mother had a crown of fresh roses on her head. On the +upper stone lay a book, bound in blue satin and clasped with a silver +clasp. When he took it up, he found beneath it a rosary made of an +unknown material, and having a gold cross fastened at the end. He +opened the book. The passage that had been last read was marked with a +silk ribbon. It was as follows:</p> + +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"My son, trust not thy present affection; it will be quickly +changed +into another. As long as thou livest thou art subject to change, even +against thy will; so as to be sometimes joyful, at other times sad; now +easy, now troubled; at one time devout, at another dry; sometimes +fervent, at other times sluggish; one day heavy, another day lighter. +But he that is wise and well instructed in spirit stands above all +these changes, not minding what he feels in himself, nor on what side +the wind of instability blows; but that the whole bent of his soul may +advance toward its due and wished-for end; for thus he may continue one +and the self-same without being shaken, by directing without ceasing, +through all this variety of events, the single eye of his intention +toward me. And by how much more pure the eye of the intention is, with +so much greater constancy mayest thou pass through these divers storms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But in many the eye of pure intention is dark; for men +quickly look +toward something delightful that comes in their way. And it is rare to +find one who is wholly free from all blemish of self-seeking."</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">Frank remembered having written about the same thoughts in his +diary. +But here they were conceived in another and deeper sense.</p> + +<p class="normal">He read the title of the book. It was <i>The Following of +Christ</i>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He copied the title in his pocketbook. He then with a smile +examined +the rosary, for he was not without prejudice against this kind of +prayer.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had no doubt Angela had left these things here, and he +thought it +would be proper to return them to the owner. He came slowly down the +mountain reading the book. It was clear to him that <i>The Following of +Christ</i> was a book full of very earnest and profound reflections. And +he wondered how so young a woman could take any interest in such +serious reading. He was convinced that all the ladies he knew would +throw such a book aside with a sneer, because its contents condemned +their lives and habits. Angela, then, must be of a different character +from all the ladies he knew, and he was very desirous of knowing better +this character of Angela.</p> + +<p class="normal">In a short time he entered the gate and passed through the +yard to the +stately building where Herr Siegwart dwelt. He glanced hastily at the +long out-buildings--the large barns; at the polished cleanliness of the +paved court, the perfect order of every thing, and finally at the +ornamented mansion. Then he looked at the old lindens that stood near +the house, whose trunks were protected from injury by iron railings. In +the tops of these trees lodged a lively family of sparrows, who were at +present in hot contention, for they quarrelled and cried as loud and as +long as did formerly the lords in the parliament of Frankfort. The +beautiful garden, separated from the yard by a low wall covered with +white boards, did not escape him. Frank entered, upon a broad and very +clean path; as his feet touched the stone slabs, he heard, through the +open door, a low growl, and then a man's voice saying, "Quiet, Hector."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank walked through the open door into a large room +handsomely +furnished, and odoriferous with a multitude of flowers in vases. A man +in the prime of life sat on the sofa reading and smoking. He wore a +light-brown overcoat, brown trousers, and low, thick boots. He had a +fresh, florid complexion, red beard, blue eyes, and an expressive, +agreeable countenance. When Frank entered he arose, laid aside the +paper and cigar, and approached the visitor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I found these things on the mountain near the weather-cross." +said +Frank, after a more formal than affable bow. "As your daughter met me, +I presume they belong to her. I thought it my duty to return them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"These things certainly belong to my daughter," answered Herr +Siegwart. +"You are very kind, sir. You have placed us under obligations to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was passing this way," said Frank briefly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And whom have we the honor to thank?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am Richard Frank."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Siegwart bowed. Frank noticed a slight embarrassment in +his +countenance. He remembered the expressions his father had used in +reference to the Siegwart family, and it was clear to him that a +reciprocal ill feeling existed here. Siegwart soon resumed his friendly +manner, and invited him with much formality to the sofa. Richard felt +that he must accept the invitation at least for a few moments. Siegwart +sat on a chair in front of him, and they talked of various unimportant +matters. Frank admired the skill which enabled him to conduct, without +interruption, so pleasant a conversation with a stranger.</p> + +<p class="normal">While they were speaking, some house-swallows flew into the +room. They +fluttered about without fear, sat on the open door, and joined their +cheerful twittering with the conversation of the men. Richard expressed +his admiration, and said he had never seen anything like it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our constant guests in summer," answered Siegwart. "They +build their +nests in the hall, and as they rise earlier than we do, an opening is +left for them above the hall door, where they can go in and out +undisturbed when the doors are closed. Angela is in their confidence, +and on the best of terms with them. When rainy or cold days come during +breeding time they suffer from want of food. Angela is then their +procurator. I have often admired Angela's friendly intercourse with the +swallows, who perch upon her shoulders and hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard looked indeed at the twittering swallows, but their +friend +Angela passed before his eyes, so beautiful indeed that he no longer +heard what Siegwart was saying.</p> + +<p class="normal">He arose; Siegwart accompanied him. As they passed through the +yard, +Frank observed the long row of stalls, and said,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must have considerable stock?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, somewhat. If you would like to see the property, I will +show you +around with pleasure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I regret that I cannot now avail myself of your kindness; I +shall do +so in a few days," answered Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Frank," said Siegwart, "may the accident which has given +us the +pleasure of your agreeable visit, be the occasion of many visits in +future. I know that as usual you will spend the month of May at +Frankenhöhe. We are neighbors--this title, in my opinion, should +indicate a friendly intercourse."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let it be understood, Herr Siegwart; I accept with pleasure +your +invitation."</p> + +<p class="normal">On the way to Frankenhöhe Richard walked very slowly, and +gazed into +the distance before him. He thought of the swallows that perched on +Angela's shoulders and hands. Their sweet notes still echoed in his +soul.</p> + +<p class="normal">The country-like quiet of Siegwart's house and the sweet peace +that +pervaded it were something new to him. He thought of the simple +character of Siegwart, who, as his father said, was "ultramontane and +clerical," and whom he had represented to himself as a dark, reserved +man. He found nothing in the open, natural manner of the man to +correspond with his preconceived opinion of him. Richard concluded that +either Herr Siegwart was not an ultramontane, or the characteristics of +the ultramontanes, as portrayed in the free-thinking newspapers of the +day, were erroneous and false.</p> + +<p class="normal">Buried in such thoughts, he reached Frankenhöhe. As he passed +through +the yard, he did not observe the carriage that stood there. But as he +passed under the window, he heard a loud voice, and some books were +thrown from the window and fell at his feet. He looked down in surprise +at the books, whose beautiful binding was covered with sand. He now +observed the coach, and smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! the doctor is here," said he. "He has thrown these +unwelcome +guests out of the window. Just like him."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took up the books and read the titles, <i>Vogt's Pictures +from Animal +Life</i>, <i>Vogt's Physiological Letters</i>, <i>Czolbe's Sensualism</i>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He took the books to his room and began to read them. Herr +Frank, with +his joyful countenance, soon appeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Klingenberg is here!" said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I suspected as much already," said Richard. "I passed by just +as he +threw the books out of the window with his usual impetuosity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not let him see the books; the sight of them sets him +wild."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Klingenberg walks only in his own room. I wish to read these +books; +what enrages him with innocent paper?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I scarcely know, myself. He examined the library and was much +pleased +with some of the works. But suddenly he tore these books from their +place and hurled them through the window."</p> + +<p class="normal">"'I tolerate no bad company among these noble geniuses,' said +he, +pointing to the learned works.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Pardon me, honored friend,' said I, 'if, without my +knowledge, some +bad books were included. What kind of writings are these, doctor?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Stupid materialistic trash,' said he. 'If I had Vogt, +Moleschott, +Colbe, and Büchner here, I would throw them body and bones out of the +window.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was very much surprised at this declaration, so contrary to +the +doctor's kind disposition. 'What kind of people are those you have +named?' said I.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'No people, my dear Frank,' said he. 'They are animals. This +Vogt and +his fellows have excluded themselves from the pale of humanity, +inasmuch as they have declared apes, oxen, and asses to be their +equals.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am now very desirous to know these books," said Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, do not let our friend know your intention," urged +Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard dressed and went to greet the singular guest. He was +sitting +before a large folio. He arose at Richard's entrance and paternally +reached him both hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">Doctor Klingenberg was of a compact, strong build. He had +unusually +long arms, which he swung back and forth in walking. His features were +sharp, but indicated a modest character. From beneath his bushy +eyebrows there glistened two small eyes that did not give an agreeable +expression to his countenance. This unfavorable expression was, +however, only the shell of a warm heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor was good-natured--hard on himself, but mild in his +judgments +of others. He had an insatiable desire for knowledge, and it impelled +him to severe studies that robbed him of his hair and made him +prematurely bald.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How healthy you look, Richard!" said he, contemplating the +young man. +"I am glad to see you have not been spoiled by the seething atmosphere +of modern city life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know, doctor, I have a natural antipathy to all swamps +and +morasses.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is right, Richard; preserve a healthy naturalness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We expected you this morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And would go to the station to bring me. Why this ceremony? I +am here, +and I will enjoy for a few weeks the pure, bracing mountain air. Our +arrangements will be as formerly--not so, my dear friend?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am at your service."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have, of course, discovered some new points that afford +fine +views?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If not many, at least one--the weather cross," answered +Frank. "A +beautiful position. The hill stands out somewhat from the range. The +whole plain lies before the ravished eyes. At the same time, there are +things connected with <i>that</i> place that are not without their influence +on me. They refer to a custom of the ultramontanists that clashes with +modern ideas; I will have an opportunity of seeing whether your opinion +coincides with mine."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well; since we have already an object for our next +walk--and this +is according to our old plan--tomorrow after dinner at three o'clock," +and saying this he glanced wistfully at the old folio. Frank, smiling, +observed the delicate hint and retired.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<h3>QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM.</h3> + +<p class="normal">On the following day, Richard went to the weather-cross. He +did not +meet Angela. She must have been unusually early; for the flowers had +evidently just been placed before the statue.</p> + +<p class="normal">He returned, gloomy, to the house, and wrote in his diary:</p> + +<div class="quote"> +<p class="right">"May 14th.</p> + +<p class="normal">"She did not meet me to-day, and probably will not meet me +again. I +should have left the book where it was; it might have awakened her +gratitude; for I think she left it purposely, to give me an opportunity +to make her acquaintance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How many young women would give more than a book to get +acquainted +with a wealthy party! The 'Angel' is very sensitive; but this +sensibility pleases me, because it is true womanly delicacy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"She will now avoid meeting me in this lonely road. But I will +study +her character in her father's house. I will see if she does not confirm +my opinion of the women of our times. It was for this purpose alone +that I accepted Siegwart's invitation. Angela must not play Isabella; +no woman ever shall. Single, and free from woman's yoke, I will go +through the world."</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">He put aside the diary, and began reading Vogt's +<i>Physiological +Letters</i>.</p> + +<p class="normal">At three o'clock precisely, Richard with the punctual doctor +left +Frankenhöhe. They passed through the chestnut grove and through the +vineyard toward Salingen. The doctor pushed on with long steps, his +arms swinging back and forth. He was evidently pleased with the subject +he had been reading. He had, on leaving the house, shaken Richard by +the hand, and spoken a few friendly words, but not a syllable since. +Richard knew his ways; and knew that it would take some time for him to +thaw.</p> + +<p class="normal">They were passing between Siegwart's house and Salingen, when +they +beheld Angela, at a distance, coming toward them. She carried a little +basket on her arm, and on her head she wore a straw hat with broad +fluttering ribbons. Richard fixed his eyes attentively on her. This +time, also, she did not wear hoops, but a dress of modest colors. He +admired her light, graceful movement and charming figure. The +blustering doctor moderated his steps and went slower the nearer he +came to Angela, and considered her with surprise. Frank greeted her, +touching his hat. She did not thank him, as before, with a friendly +greeting, but by a scarcely perceptible inclination of the head; nor +did she smile as before, but on this account seemed to him more +charming and ethereal than ever. She only glanced at him, and he +thought he observed a slight blush on her cheeks.</p> + +<p class="normal">These particulars were engrossing the young man's attention +when he +heard the doctor say,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Evidently the Angel of Salingen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who?" said Richard in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Angel of Salingen," returned Klingenberg. "You are +surprised at +this appellation; is it not well-merited?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My surprise increases, doctor; for exaggeration is not your +fashion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But she deserves acknowledgment. Let me explain. The maiden +is the +daughter of the proprietor Siegwart, and her name is Angela. She is a +model of every virtue. She is, in the female world, what an image of +the Virgin, by one of the old masters, would be among the hooped gentry +of the present. As you are aware, I have been often called to the +cabins of the sick poor, and there the quiet, unostentatious labors of +this maiden have become known to me. Angela prepares suitable food for +the sick, and generally takes it to them herself. The basket on her arm +does service in this way. There are many poor persons who would not +recover unless they had proper, nourishing food. To these Angela is a +great benefactor. For this reason, she has a great influence over the +minds of the sick, and the state of the mind greatly facilitates or +impedes their recovery.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have often entered just after she had departed, and the +beneficial +influence of her presence could be still seen in the countenances of +the poor. Her presence diffused resignation, peace, contentment, and a +peculiar cheerfulness in the meanest and most wretched hovels of +poverty, where she enters without hesitation. This is certainly a rare +quality in so young a creature. She rejoices the hearts of the children +by giving them clothes, sometimes made by herself, or pictures and the +like. Her whole object appears to be to reconcile and make all happy. I +have just seen her for the first time; her beauty is remarkable, and +might well adorn an angel. The common people wish only to Germanize +'Angela' when they call her 'Angel.' But she is indeed an angel of +heaven to the poor and needy."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank said nothing. He moved on in silence toward the +weather-cross.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have accidentally discovered a singular custom of your +'angel,' +doctor. There is at the weather-cross a Madonna of stone. Angela has +imposed upon herself the singular task of adorning this Madonna, daily, +with fresh flowers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a profane fellow, Richard. You should not speak in +such a +derisive tone of actions which are the out-flowings of pious +sentiment."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Every one has his hobby. What will not people do through +ambition? I +know ladies who torture a piano for half the night, in order to catch +the tone of the prima-donna at the opera. I know women who undergo all +possible privations to be able to wear as fine clothes, as costly furs, +as others with whom they are in rivalry. This exhaustive night-singing, +these deprivations, are submitted to through foolish vanity. Perhaps +Angela is not less ambitious and vain than others of her sex. As she +cannot dazzle these country folk with furs or toilette, she dazzles +their religious sentiment by ostentatious piety."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Radically false!" said the doctor. "Charity and virtue are +recognized +and honored not only in the country, but also in the cities. Why do not +your coquettes strive for this approval? Because they want Angela's +nobility of soul. And again, why should Angela wish to gain the +admiration of the peasants? She is the daughter of the wealthiest man +in the neighborhood. If such was her object, she could gratify her +ambition in a very different way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then Angela is a riddle to me," returned Richard. "I cannot +conceive +the motives of her actions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which are so natural! The maiden follows the impulses of her +own noble +nature, and these impulses are developed and directed by Christian +culture, and convent education. Angela was a long time with the nuns, +and only returned home two years ago. Here you have the very natural +solution of the riddle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you acquainted with the Siegwart family?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; what I know of Angela I learned from the people of +Salingen."</p> + +<p class="normal">They arrived at the platform. Klingenberg stood silent for +some time +admiring the landscape. The view did not seem to interest Richard. His +eyes rested on Angela's home, whose white walls, surrounded by +vineyards and corn-fields, glistened in the sun.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is worth while to come up here oftener," said Klingenberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela's work," said Richard as he drew near the statue. The +doctor +paused a moment and examined the flowers.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you observe Angela's fine taste in the arrangement of the +colors?" +said he. "And the forget-me-nots! What a deep religious meaning they +have."</p> + +<p class="normal">They returned by another way to Frankenhöhe.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela's pious work," began Richard after a long pause, +"reminds me of +a religious custom against which modern civilization has thus far +warred in vain. I mean the veneration of saints. You, as a Protestant, +will smile at this custom, and I, as a Catholic, must deplore the +tenacity with which my church clings to this obsolete remnant of +heathen idolatry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! this is the subject you alluded to yesterday," said the +doctor. "I +must, in fact, smile, my dear Richard! But I by no means smile at 'the +tenacity with which your church clings to the obsolete remnants of +heathen idolatry.' I smile at your queer idea of the veneration of the +saints. I, as a reasonable man, esteem this veneration, and recognize +its admirable and beneficial influence on human society."</p> + +<p class="normal">This declaration increased Frank's surprise to the highest +degree. He +knew the clear mind of the doctor, and could not understand how it +happened that he wished to defend a custom so antagonistic to modern +thought.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You find fault," continued Klingenberg, "with the custom of +erecting +statues to these holy men in the churches, the forest, the fields, the +houses, and in the market?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I do object to that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you had objected to the lazy Schiller at Mayence, or the +robber's +poet Schiller, as he raves at the theatre in Mannheim, or to the +conqueror and destroyer of Germany, Gustavus Adolphus, whose statue is +erected as an insult in a German city, then you would be right."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Schiller-worship has its justification," retorted Frank. +"They erect +public monuments to the genial spirit of that man, to remind us of his +services to poetry, his aspirations, and his German patriotism."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is praiseworthy to erect monuments to the poet. But do not +talk of +Schiller's patriotism, for he had none. But let that pass; it is not to +the point. The question is, whether you consider it praiseworthy to +erect monuments to deserving and exalted genius?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Without the least hesitation, I say yes. But I see what you +are +driving at, doctor. I know the remorseless logic of your inferences. +But you will not catch me in your vise this time. You wish to infer +that the saints far surpassed Schiller in nobility and greatness of +soul, and that honoring them, therefore, is more reasonable, and more +justifiable, than honoring Schiller. I dispute the greatness of the +so-called saints. They were men full of narrowness and rigorism. They +despised the world and their friends. They carried this contempt to a +wonderful extent--to a renunciation of all the enjoyments of life, to +voluntary poverty and unconditional obedience. But all these are fruits +that have grown on a stunted, morbid tree, and are in opposition to +progress, to industry, and to the enlightened civilization of modern +times. The dark ages might well honor such men, but our times cannot. +Schiller, on the contrary, that genial man, taught us to love the +pleasures of life. By his fine genius and his odes to pleasure, he +frightened away all the spectres of these enthusiastic views of life. +He preached a sound taste and a free, unconstrained enjoyment of the +things of this beautiful earth. And for this reason precisely, because +he inaugurated this new doctrine, does he deserve monuments in his +honor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How does it happen then, my friend," said the doctor, in a +cutting +tone that was sometimes peculiar to him, "that you do not take +advantage of the modern doctrine of unconstrained enjoyment? Why have +you preserved fresh your youthful vigor, and not dissipated it at the +market of sensual pleasures? Why is your mode of life so often a +reproach to your dissolute friends? Why do you avoid the resorts of +refined pleasures? Why are the coquettish, vitiated, hollow +inclinations of a great part of the female sex so distasteful to you? +Answer me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"These are peculiarities of my nature; individual opinions +that have no +claim to any weight."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Peculiarities of your nature--very right; your noble nature, +your pure +feelings rebel against these moral acquisitions of progress. I begin +with your noble nature. If I did not find this good, true self in you, +I would waste no more words. But because you are what you are, I must +convince you of the error of your views. Schiller, you say, and, with +him, the modern spirit, raised the banner of unrestrained enjoyment, +and this enjoyment rests on sensual pleasures, does it not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well--yes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I knew and know many who followed this banner--and you also +know many. +Of those whom I knew professionally, some ended their days in the +hospital, of the most loathsome diseases. Some, unsatiated with the +whole round of pleasures, drag on a miserable life, dead to all energy, +and spiritless. They drank the full cup of pleasure, and with it +unspeakable bitterness and disgust. Some ended in ignominy and +shame--bankruptcy, despair, suicide. Such are the consequences of this +modern dogma of unrestrained enjoyments."</p> + +<p class="normal">"All these overstepped the proper bounds of pleasure," said +Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The proper bounds? Stop!" cried the doctor, "No leaps, +Richard! Think +clearly and logically. Christianity also allows enjoyment, but--and +here is the point--in certain limits. Your progress, on the contrary, +proclaims freedom in moral principles, a disregard of all moral +obligations, unrestricted enjoyment--and herein consists the danger and +delusion. I ask, Are you in favor of restricted or unrestricted +enjoyment?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank hesitated. He felt already the thumbscrew of the +irrepressible +doctor, and feared the inferences he would draw from his admissions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come!" urged Klingenberg, "decide."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sound reason declares for restricted enjoyment," said Frank +decidedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good; there you leave the unlimited sphere which godless +progress has +given to the thoughts and inclinations of men. You admit the obligation +of self-control, and the restraint of the grosser emotions. But let us +proceed; you speak of industry. The modern spirit of industry has +invoked a demon--or, rather, the demoniac spirit of the times has taken +possession of industry. The great capitalists have built thrones on +their money-bags and tyrannize over those who have no money. They crush +out the work-shop of the industrious and well-to-do tradesman, and +compel him to be their slave. Go into the factories of Elfeld, or +England; you can there see the slaves of this demon industry--miserable +creatures, mentally and morally stunted, socially perishing; not only +slaves, but mere wheels of the machines. This is what modern industry +has made of those poor wretches, for whom, according to modern +enlightenment, there is no higher destiny than to drag through life in +slavery, to increase the money-bags of their tyrants. But the +capitalists have perfect right, according to modern ideas; they only +use the means at their command. The table of the ten commandments has +been broken; the yoke of Christianity broken. Man is morally and +religiously free; and from this false liberalism the tyranny of +plutocracy and the slavery of the poor has been developed. Are you +satisfied with the development, and the principles that made it +possible?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said Frank decidedly. "I despise that miserable +industrialism +that values the product more than the man. My admissions are, however, +far from justifying the exaggerated notions of the saints."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wait a bit!" cried Klingenberg hastily. "I have just +indicated the +cause of this wretched egotism, and also a consequence--namely, the +power of great capitalists and manufacturers over an army of white +slaves. But this is by no means all. This demon of industry has +consequences that will ruin a great portion of mankind. Now mark what I +say, Richard! The richness of the subject allows me only to indicate. +The progressive development of industry brings forth products of which +past ages were ignorant, because they were not necessary for life. The +existence of these products creates a demand. The increased wants +increase the outlay, which in most cases does not square with the +income, and therefore the accounts of many close with a deficit The +consequences of this deficit for the happiness, and even for the morals +of the family, I leave untouched. The increased products beget luxury +and the desire for enjoyment; the ultimate consequences of which +enervate the individual and society. Hence the phenomenon, in England, +that the greater portion of the people in the manufacturing towns die +before the age of fifteen, and that many are old men at thirty. +Enervated and demoralized peoples make their existence impossible. They +go to the wall. This is a historical fact. Ergo, modern industry +separated from Christian civilization hastens the downfall of nations."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot dispute the truth of your observations. But you have +touched +only the dark side of modern industry, without mentioning its benefits. +If industry is a source of fictitious wants, it affords, on the other +hand, cheap prices to the poor for the most necessary wants of life; +for example, cheap materials for clothing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very cheap, but also very poor material," answered +Klingenberg. "In +former times, clothing was dearer, but also better. They knew nothing +of the rags of the present fabrication. And it may be asked whether +that dearer material was not cheaper in the end for the poor. When this +is taken into consideration, the new material has no advantage over the +old. I will freely admit that the inventions of modern times do honor +to human genius. I acknowledge the achievements of industry, as such. I +admire the improvements of machinery, the great revolution caused by +the use of steam, and thousands of other wonders of art. No sensible +man will question the relative worth of all these. But all these are +driven and commanded by a bad influence, and herein lies the injury. We +must consider industrialism from this higher standpoint. What advantage +is it to a people to be clothed in costly stuffs when they are +enervated, demoralized, and perishing? Clothe a corpse as you will, a +corpse it will be still. And besides, the greatest material good does +not compensate the white factory-slaves for the loss of their liberty. +The Lucullan age fell into decay, although they feasted on young +nightingales, drank liquified pearls, and squandered millions for +delicacies and luxuries. The life of nations does not consist in the +external splendor of wealth, in easy comfort, or in unrestrained +passions. Morality is the life of nations, and virtue their internal +strength. But virtue, morality, and Christian sentiment are under the +ban of modern civilization. If Christianity does not succeed in +overcoming this demon spirit of the times, or at least confining it +within narrow limits, it will and must drive the people to certain +destruction. We find decayed peoples in the Christian era, but the +church has always rescued and regenerated them. While the acquisitions +of modern times--industrialism, enlightenment, humanitarianism, and +whatever they may be called--are, on the one hand, of little advantage +or of doubtful worth, they are, on the other hand, the graves of true +prosperity, liberty, and morality. They are the cause of shameful +terrorism and of degrading slavery, in the bonds of the passions and in +the claws of plutocracy."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank made no reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">For a while they walked on in silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us," continued Klingenberg, "consider personally those +men whose +molten images stand before us. Schiller's was a noble nature, but +Schiller wrote:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="t3">"'No more this fight of duty, hence no longer</p> +<p class="t4">This giant strife will I!</p> +<p class="t3">Canst quench these passions evermore the stronger?</p> +<p class="t4">Then ask not virtue, what I must deny.</p> +<p class="t3"> </p> +<p class="t3">"'Albeit I have sworn, yea, sworn that never</p> +<p class="t4">Shall yield my master will;</p> +<p class="t3">Yet take thy wreath; to me 'tis lost for ever!</p> +<p class="t4">Take back thy wreath, and let me sin my fill.'</p> +</div> + +<p class="continue">"Is this a noble and exalted way of thinking? Certainly not. Schiller +would be virtuous if he could clothe himself in the lustre of virtue +without sacrifice. The passionate impulses of the heart are stronger in +him than the sense of duty. He gives way to his passions. He renounces +virtue because he is too weak, too languid, too listless to encounter +this giant strife bravely like a strong man. Such is the noble +Schiller. In later years, when the fiery impulses of his heart had +subsided, he roused himself to better efforts and nobler aims.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Consider the prince of poets, Goethe. How morally naked and +poor he +stands before us! Goethe's coarse insults to morality are well known. +His better friend, Schiller, wrote of him to Koerner, 'His mind is not +calm enough, because his domestic relations, which he is too weak to +change, cause him great vexation.' Koerner answered, 'Men cannot +violate morality with impunity.' Six years later, the 'noble' Goethe +was married to his 'mistress' at Weimar. Goethe's detestable political +principles are well known. He did not possess a spark of patriotism. He +composed hymns of victory to Napoleon, the tyrant, the destroyer and +desolator of Germany. These are the heroes of modern sentiment, the +advance guard of liberty, morality, and true manhood! And these heroes +so far succeeded that the noble Arndt wrote of his time, 'We are base, +cowardly, and stupid; too poor for love, too listless for anger, too +imbecile for hate. Undertaking everything, accomplishing nothing; +willing every thing, without the power of doing any thing.' So far has +this boasted freethinking created disrespect for revealed truth. So far +this modern civilization, which idealizes the passions, leads to +mockery of religion and lets loose the baser passions of man. If they +cast these representatives of the times in bronze, they should stamp on +the foreheads of their statues the words of Arndt:</p> + +<p class="normal">"'We are base, cowardly, and stupid; too poor for love, too +listless +for anger, too imbecile for hate. Undertaking every thing, +accomplishing nothing; willing every thing, without the power of doing +any thing.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are severe, doctor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not severe. It is the truth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How does it happen that a people so weak, feeble, and base +could +overthrow the power of the French in the world?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was because the German people were not yet corrupted by +that +shallow, unreal, hollow twaddle of the educated classes about humanity. +It was not the princes, not the nobility, who overthrew Napoleon. It +was the German people who did it. When, in 1813, the Germans rose, in +hamlet and city, they staked their property and lives for fatherland. +But it was not the enlightened poets and professors, not modern +sentimentality, that raised their hearts to this great sacrifice; not +these who enkindled this enthusiasm for fatherland. It was the +religious element that did it. The German warriors did not sing +Goethe's hymns to Napoleon, nor the insipid model song of 'Luetzows +wilder Jagd,' as they rushed into battle. They sang religious hymns, +they prayed before the altars. They recognized, in the terrible +judgment on Russia's ice-fields, the avenging hand of God. Trusting in +God, and nerved by religious exaltation, they took up the sword that +had been sharpened by the previous calamities of war. So the feeble +philanthropists could effect nothing. It was only a religious, healthy, +strong people could do that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the saints, doctor! We have wandered from them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all! We have thrown some light on inimical shadows; +the light +can now shine. The lives of the saints exhibit something wonderful and +remarkable. I have studied them carefully. I have sought to know their +aims and efforts. I discovered that they imitated the example of +Christ, that they realized the exalted teachings of the Redeemer. You +find fault with their contempt for the things of this world. But it is +precisely in this that these men are great. Their object was not the +ephemeral, but the enduring. They considered life but as the entrance +to the eternal destiny of man--in direct opposition to the spirit of +the times, that dances about the golden calf. The saints did not value +earthly goods for more than they were worth. They placed them after +self-control and victory over our baser nature. Exact and punctual in +all their duties, they were animated by an admirable spirit of charity +for their fellow-men. And in this spirit they have frequently revived +society. Consider the great founders of orders--St. Benedict, St. +Dominic, St. Vincent de Paul! Party spirit, malice, and stupidity have +done their worst to blacken, defame, and calumniate them. And yet, in a +spirit of self-sacrifice, the sons of St. Benedict came among the +German barbarians, to bring to them the ennobling doctrines of +Christianity. It was the Benedictines who cleared the primeval forests, +educated their wild denizens, and founded schools; who taught the +barbarians handiwork and agriculture. Science and knowledge flourished +in the cloisters. And to the monks alone we are indebted for the +preservation of classic literature. What the monks did then they are +doing now. They forsake home, break all ties, and enter the wilderness, +there to be miserably cut off in the service of their exalted mission, +or to die of poisonous fevers. Name me one of your modern heroes, whose +mouths are full of civilization, humanity, enlightenment--name me one +who is capable of such sacrifice. These prudent gentlemen remain at +home with their gold-bags and their pleasures, and leave the stupid +monk to die in the service of exalted charity. It is the hypocrisy and +the falsehood of the modern spirit to exalt itself, and belittle true +worth. And what did St. Vincent de Paul do? More than all the gold-bags +together. St. Vincent, alone, solved the social problem of his time. He +was, in his time, the preserver of society, or rather, Christianity +through him. And to-day our gold-bags tremble before the apparition of +the same social problem. Here high-sounding phrases and empty +declamation do not avail. Deeds only are of value. But the inflated +spirit of the times is not capable of noble action. It is not the +modern state--not enlightened society, sunk in egotism and gold--that +can save us. Christianity alone can do it. Social development will +prove this."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not dispute the services of the saints to humanity," +said Frank. +"But the question is, Whether society would be benefited if the +fanatical, dark spirit of the middle ages prevailed, instead of the +spirit of modern times?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The fanatical, dark spirit of the middle ages!" cried the +doctor +indignantly. "This is one of those fallacious phrases. The saints were +not fanatical or dark. They were open, cheerful, natural, humble men. +They did not go about with bowed necks and downcast eyes; but affable, +free from hypocrisy, and dark, sullen demeanor, they passed through +life. Many saints were poets. St. Francis sang his spiritual hymns to +the accompaniment of the harp. St. Charles played billiards. The holy +apostle, St. John, resting from his labors, amused himself in childish +play with a bird. Such were these men; severe toward themselves, mild +to others, uncompromising with the base and mean. They were all +abstinent and simple, allowing themselves only the necessary +enjoyments. They concealed from observation their severe mode of life, +and smiled while their shoulders bled from the discipline. Pride, +avarice, envy, voluptuousness, and all the bad passions, were strangers +to them; not because they had not the inclinations to these passions, +but because they restrained and overcame their lower nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask you, now, which men deserve our admiration--those who +are +governed by unbounded selfishness, who are slaves to their passions, +who deny themselves no enjoyment, and who boast of their degrading +licentiousness; or those who, by reason of a pure life, are strong in +the government of their passions, and self-sacrificing in their charity +for their fellowmen?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The preference cannot be doubtful," said Frank. "For the +saints have +accomplished the greatest, they have obtained the highest thing, +self-control. But, doctor, I must condemn that saint-worship as it is +practised now. Human greatness always remains human, and can make no +claims to divine honor."</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor swung his arms violently. "What does this reproach +amount +to? Where are men deified? In the Catholic Church? I am a Protestant, +but I know that your church condemns the deification of men."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor," said Frank, "my religious ignorance deserves this +rebuke."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I meant no rebuke. I would only give conclusions. Catholicism +is +precisely that power that combats with success against the deifying of +men. You have in the course of your studies read the Roman classics. +You know that divine worship was offered to the Roman emperors. So far +did heathen flattery go, that the emperors were honored as the sons of +the highest divinity--Jupiter. Apotheosis is a fruit of heathen growth; +of old heathenism and of new heathenism. When Voltaire, that idol of +modern heathen worship, was returning to Paris in 1778, he was in all +earnestness promoted to the position of a deity. This remarkable play +took place in the theatre. Voltaire himself went there. Modern +fanaticism so far lost all shame that the people kissed the horse on +which the philosopher rode to the theatre. Voltaire was scarcely able +to press through the crowd of his worshippers. They touched his +clothes--touched handkerchiefs to them--plucked hairs from his fur coat +to preserve as relics. In the theatre they fell on their knees before +him and kissed his feet. Thus that tendency that calls itself free and +enlightened deified a man--Voltaire, the most trifling scoffer, the +most unprincipled, basest man of Christendom.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us consider an example of our times. Look at Garibaldi in +London. +That man permitted himself to be set up and worshipped. The saints +would have turned away from this stupidity with loathing indignation. +But this boundless, veneration flattered the old pirate Garibaldi. He +received 267,000 requests for locks of his hair, to be cased in gold +and preserved as relics. Happily he had not much hair. He should have +graciously given them his moustaches and whiskers."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank smiled. Klingenberg's pace increased, and his arms swung +more +briskly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Such is the man-worship of modern heathenism. This +humanitarianism is +ashamed of no absurdity, when it sinks to the worship of licentiousness +and baseness personified."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The senseless aberrations of modern culture do not excuse +saint-worship. And you certainly do not wish to excuse it in that way. +There is, however, a reasonable veneration of human greatness. +Monuments are erected to great men. We behold them and are reminded of +their genius, their services; and there it stops. It occurs to no +reasonable man to venerate these men on his knees, as is done with the +saints."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The bending of the knee, according to the teaching of your +church, +does not signify adoration, but only veneration," replied Klingenberg. +"Before no Protestant in the world would I bend the knee; before St. +Benedict and St. Vincent de Paul I would willingly, out of mere +admiration and esteem for their greatness of soul and their purity of +morals. If a Catholic kneels before a saint to ask his prayers, what is +there offensive in that? It is an act of religious conviction. But I +will not enter into the religious question. This you can learn better +from your Catholic brethren--say from the Angel of Salingen, for +example, who appears to have such veneration for the saints."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will not enter into the religious question; yet you +defend +saint-worship, which is something religious."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not defend it on religious grounds, but from history, +reason, and +justice. History teaches that this veneration had, and still has, the +greatest moral influence on human society. The spirit of veneration +consists in imitating the example of the person venerated. Without this +spirit, saint-worship is an idle ceremony. But that true veneration of +the saints elevates and ennobles, you cannot deny. Let us take the +queen of saints, Mary. What makes her worthy of veneration? Her +obedience to the Most High, her humility, her strength of soul, her +chastity. All these virtues shine out before the spiritual eyes of her +worshippers as models and patterns of life. I know a lady, very +beautiful, very wealthy; but she is also very humble, very pure, for +she is a true worshipper of Mary. Would that our women would venerate +Mary and choose her for a model! There would then be no coquettes, no +immodest women, no enlightened viragoes. Now, as saint-worship is but +taking the virtues of the saints as models for imitation, you must +admit that veneration in this sense has the happiest consequences to +human society."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I admit it--to my great astonishment, I must admit it," said +Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us take a near example," continued Klingenberg. "I told +you of the +singular qualities of Angela. As she passed, I beheld her with wonder. +I must confess her beauty astonished me. But this astonishing beauty, +it appears to me, is less in her charming features than in the purity, +the maidenly dignity of her character. Perhaps she has to thank, for +her excellence, that same correct taste which leads her to venerate +Mary. Would not Angela make an amiable, modest, dutiful wife and +devoted mother? Can you expect to find this wife, this mother among +those given to fashions--among women filled with modern notions?"</p> + +<p class="normal">While Klingenberg said this, a deep emotion passed over +Richard's face. +He did not answer the question, but let his head sink on his breast.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here is Frankenhöhe," said the doctor. "As you make no more +objections, I suppose you agree with me. The saints are great, +admirable men; therefore they deserve monuments. They are models of +virtue and the greatest benefactors of mankind; therefore they deserve +honor. '<i>Quod erat demonstrandum.</i>'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only wonder, doctor, that you, a Protestant, can defend +such views."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will allow Protestants to judge reasonably," replied +Klingenberg. +"My views are the result of careful study and impartial reflection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am also astonished--pardon my candor--that with such views +you can +remain a Protestant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is a great difference between knowing and willing, my +young +friend. I consider conversion an act of great heroism, and also as a +gift of the highest grace."</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Richard wrote in his diary:</p> +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"If Angela should be what the doctor considers her! According to my +notions, such a being exists only in the realm of the ideal. But if +Angela yet realizes this ideal? I must be certain. I will visit +Siegwart to-morrow."</p> +</div> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<h3>THE BUREAUCRAT AND THE SWALLOWS.</h3> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank returned to the city. Before he went he took +advantage of +the absence of Richard, who had gone out about nine o'clock, to +converse with Klingenberg about matters of importance. They sat in the +doctor's studio, the window of which was open. Frank closed it before +he began the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dear friend, I must speak to you about a very distressing +peculiarity +of my son. I do so because I know your influence over him, and I hope +much from it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg listened with surprise, for Herr Frank had begun +in great +earnestness and seemed greatly depressed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"On our journey from the city, I discovered in Richard, to my +great +surprise, a deep-seated antipathy, almost an abhorrence of women. He is +determined never to marry. He considers marriage a misfortune, inasmuch +as it binds a man to the whims and caprices of a wife. If I had many +sons, Richard's idiosyncrasy would be of little consequence; but as he +is my only son and very stubborn in his preconceived opinions, you will +see how very distressing it must be to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the cause of this antipathy of your son to women?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank related Richard's account of his meeting with +Isabella and +his knowledge of the unhappy marriage of his friend Emil.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you not think that experiences of this kind must repel a +noble-minded young man?" said the doctor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Admitted! But Isabella and Laura are exceptions, and +exceptions by no +means justify my son's perverted judgment of women. I told him this. +But he still declared that Isabella and Laura were the rule and not the +exception; that the women of the present day follow a perverted taste; +and that the wearing of crinoline, a costume he detests, proves this."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know," said the doctor, "that Richard abominates crinoline. +Last +year he expressed his opinion about it, and I had to agree with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My God!" said the father, astonished, "you certainly would +not +encourage my son in his perverted opinion?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," returned the doctor quietly; "but you must not expect me +to +condemn sound opinions. His judgment of woman is prejudiced--granted. +But observe well, my dear Frank. This judgment is at the same time a +protest of a noble nature against the age of crinoline. Your son +expects much of women. Superficiality, vanity, passion for dress, +fickleness, and so forth, do not satisfy his sense of propriety. +Marriage, to him, is an earnest, holy union. He would unite himself to +a well-disposed woman, to a noble soul who would love her husband and +her duties, but not to a degenerate specimen of womankind. Such I +conceive to have been the reasons which have produced in your son this +antipathy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe you judge rightly," answered Frank. "But it must +appear +clear to Richard that his views are unjust, and that there are always +women who would realize his expectations."</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor thought for a moment, and a significant smile +played over +his features.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This must become clear to him--yes, and it will become clear +to him +sooner, perhaps, than you expect," said the doctor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not understand you, doctor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yesterday we met Angela," said Klingenberg. "This Angela is +an +extraordinary being of dazzling beauty; almost the incarnation of +Richard's ideal. I told him of her fine qualities, which he was +inclined to question. But happily! was able to establish these +qualities by facts. Now, as Angela lives but a mile from here and as +the simple customs of the country render access to the family easy, I +have not understood the character of your son if he does not take +advantage of this opportunity to become more intimately acquainted with +Angela, even if his object were only to confirm his former opinions of +women. If he knew Angela more intimately, it is my firm conviction that +his aversion would soon change into the most ardent affection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who is this Angela?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The daughter of your neighbor, Siegwart."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank looked at the doctor with open mouth and staring eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Siegwart's daughter!" he gasped. "No, I will never consent to +such a +connection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well--because the Siegwart family are not agreeable to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is no reason. Siegwart is an excellent man, rich, +upright, and +respected by the whole neighborhood. Why does he happen to appear so +unfavorably in your eyes?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank was perplexed. He might have reasons and yet be ashamed +to give +them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah!" said the doctor, smiling, "it is now for you to lay +aside +prejudice."</p> + +<p class="normal">"An explanation is not possible," said Frank. "But my son will +rather +die a bachelor than marry Siegwart's daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg shrugged his shoulders. There was a long pause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I renew my request, my friend," urged Frank. "Convince my son +of his +errors."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will try to meet your wishes," returned Klingenberg. +"Perhaps this +daughter of Siegwart will afford efficient aid."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My son's liberty will not be restricted. He may visit the +Siegwart +family when he wishes. But in matters where the mature mind of the +father has to decide, I shall always act according to my better +judgment."</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor again shrugged his shoulders. They shook hands, and +in ten +minutes after Herr Frank was off for the train. Richard had left +Frankenhöhe two hours before. He passed quickly through the vineyard. A +secret power seemed to impel the young man. He glanced often at +Siegwart's handsome dwelling, and hopeful suspense agitated his +countenance. When he reached the lawn, he slackened his pace. He would +reflect, and understand clearly the object of his visit. He came to +observe Angela, whose character had made such a strong impression on +him and who threatened to compel him to throw his present opinions of +women to the winds. He would at the same time reflect on the +consequences of this possible change to his peace and liberty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela is beautiful, very beautiful, far more so than a +hundred others +who are beautiful but wear crinoline." He had written in his diary:</p> + +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"Of what value is corporal beauty that fades when it is +disfigured by +bad customs and caprices? I admit that I have never yet met any woman +so graceful and charming as Angela; but this very circumstance warns me +to be careful that my judgment may not be dazzled. If it turns out that +Angela sets herself up as a religious coquette or a Pharisee, her fine +figure is only a deceitful mask of falsehood, and my opinion would +again be verified. I must make observations with great care."</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">Frank reviewed these resolutions as he passed slowly over the +lawn, +where some servants were employed, who greeted him respectfully as he +passed. In the hall he heard a man's voice that came from the same room +he had entered on his first visit. The door was open, and the voice +spoke briskly and warmly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank stopped for a moment and heard the voice say,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Miss Angela is as lovely as ever."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words vibrated disagreeably in Richard's soul, and urged +him to +know the man from whom they came.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Siegwart went to meet the visitor and offered him his +hand. The +other gentleman remained sitting, and looked at Frank with stately +indifference.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Frank, my esteemed neighbor of Frankenhöhe," said +Siegwart, +introducing Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">The gentleman rose and made a stiff bow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Assessor von Hamm," continued the proprietor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank made an equally stiff and somewhat colder bow.</p> + +<p class="normal">The three sat down.</p> + +<p class="normal">While Siegwart rang the bell, Richard cast a searching glance +at the +assessor who had said, "Angela is as lovely as ever."</p> + +<p class="normal">The assessor had a pale, studious color, regular features in +which +there was an expression of official importance. Frank, who was a fine +observer, thought he had never seen such a perfect and sharply defined +specimen of the bureaucratic type. Every wrinkle in the assessor's +forehead told of arrogance and absolutism. The red ribbon in the +buttonhole of Herr von Hamm excited Frank's astonishment. He thought it +remarkable that a young man of four or five and twenty could have +merited the ribbon of an order. He might infer from this that +decorations and merit do not necessarily go together.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How glad I am that you have kept your word!" said Siegwart to +Frank +complacently. "How is your father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well; he goes this morning to the city, where business +calls +him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have often admired your father's attentions to Dr. +Klingenberg," +said Siegwart after a short pause. "He has for years had Frankenhöhe +prepared for the accommodation of the doctor. You are Klingenberg's +constant companion, and I do not doubt but such is the wish of your +father. And your father tears himself from his business and comes +frequently from the city to see that the doctor's least wish is +realized. I have observed this these last eight years, and I have often +thought that the doctor is to be envied, on account of this noble +friendship."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know, I suppose, that the doctor saved my father when his +life was +despaired of?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know; but there are many physicians who have saved lives +and who do +not find such a noble return."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words of acknowledgment had something in them very +offensive to +the assessor. He opened and shut his eyes and mouth, and cast a +grudging, envious look at Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">The servant brought a glass.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Try this wine," said Siegwart; "my own growth," he added with +some +pride.</p> + +<p class="normal">They touched glasses. Hamm put his glass to his lips, without +drinking; +Frank tasted the noble liquor with the air of a connoisseur; while +Siegwart's smiling gaze rested on him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excellent! I do not remember to have drank better Burgundy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Real Burgundy, neighbor--real Burgundy. I brought the vines +from +France."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you not think the vines degenerate with us?" said Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They have not degenerated yet. Besides, proper care and +attention make +up for the unsuitableness of our soil and climate.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would oblige me, Herr Siegwart, if you would preserve me +some +shoots when you next trim them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With pleasure. I had them set last year; they shot forth fine +roots, +and I can let you have any number of shoots."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it not too late to plant them?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just the right time. Our vine-growers generally set them too +early. It +should be done in May, and not in April. Shall I send them over?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are too kind, Herr Siegwart. My request must certainly +destroy +your plan in regard to those shoots."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all; I have all I can use. It gives me great pleasure +to be +able to accommodate a neighbor. It's settled; I'll send over the +Burgundies this evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was clear to Hamm that Siegwart desired to be agreeable to +the +wealthy Frank. The assessor opened and shut his eyes and mouth, and +fidgeted about in his chair. While he inwardly boiled and fretted, he +very properly concluded that he must consider himself offended. From +the moment of Frank's arrival, the proprietor had entirely forgotten +him. He was about to leave, in order not to expose his nerves to +further excitement, when chance afforded him an opportunity to give +vent to his ill-humor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Two boys came running into the room. They directed their +bright eyes to +Siegwart, and their childish, joyful faces, seemed to say,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here we are again; you know very well what we want."</p> + +<p class="normal">One of them carried a tin box in his hand; there was a lock on +the box, +and a small opening in the top--evidently a money-box.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gelobt sei Jesus Christus," said the children, and remained +standing +near the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In Ewigkeit," returned Siegwart. "Are you there again, my +little ones? +That's right; come here, Edward." And Siegwart took out his purse and +dropped a few pennies into the box.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A savings-box? Who gave the permission?" said the assessor in +a tone +that frightened the children, astonished Richard, and caused Siegwart +to look with embarrassment at the questioner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the pope, Herr von Hamm," said Siegwart.</p> + +<p class="normal">The official air of the assessor became more severe.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The ordinances make no exceptions," retorted Hamm. "The +ordinances +forbid all collections that are not officially permitted." And he eyed +the box as if he had a notion to confiscate it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps the lads noticed this, for they moved backward to the +door and +suddenly disappeared from the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg pardon, Herr Assessor," said Siegwart. "The Peter-pence +is +collected in the whole Catholic world, and the Catholics of Salingen +thought they ought to assist the head of their church, who is so sorely +pressed, and who has been robbed of his possessions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I answer--the ordinances make no exceptions; the Peter-pence +comes +under the ordinances. I find myself compelled to interpose against this +trespass."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the Peter-pence is collected in the whole country, Herr +von Hamm! +Why, even in the public journals we read the results of this +collection, and I have never heard that the government forbade the +Peter-pence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave the government out of the question. I stand on my +instructions. +The government forbids all collections unless permission is granted. +You must not expect an official to connive at an open breach of the +ordinances. I will do my duty and remind the burgomaster of Salingen +that he has not done his."</p> + +<p class="normal">The occurrence was very annoying to Siegwart; this could be +seen in his +troubled countenance. He thought of the reproof of the timid +burgomaster, and feared that the collection might in future be stopped.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have the authority, Herr Assessor, to permit it; I beg +you will do +so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The request must be made in written official form," said +Hamm. "You +know, Herr Siegwart, that I am disposed to comply with your wishes, but +I regret I cannot do so in the present case; and I must openly confess +I oppose the Peter-pence on principle. The temporal power of the pope +has become unnecessary. Why support an untenable dominion?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I consider the temporal power of the pope to be a necessity," +said +Siegwart emphatically. "If the pope were not an independent prince, but +the subject of another ruler, he would in many things have to govern +the church according to the mind and at the command of his superior. +Sound common sense tells us that the pope must be free."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, as far as I am concerned," returned Hamm. "But why +drain +the money out of the country for an object that cannot be accomplished? +I tell you that the political standing of the bankrupt papal government +will not be saved by the Peter-pence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Permit me to observe, Herr Assessor, that I differ with you +entirely. +The papal government is by no means bankrupt--quite the contrary. Until +the breaking out of the Franco-Sardinian revolution, its finances were +as well managed and flourishing as those of any state in Europe. I will +convince you of this in a moment." He went to the bookcase and handed +the assessor a newspaper. "These statistics will convince you of the +correctness of my assertion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As the documents to prove these statements are wanting, I +have great +reason to doubt their correctness," said Hamm. "Paper will not refuse +ink, and in the present case the pen was evidently driven by a friendly +hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why do you draw this conclusion?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the contradictions between this account of the papal +finances and +that given by all independent editors."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Permit me to call that editor not 'an independent,' but a +'friend of +the church.' The enemies of the church will not praise a church which +they hate. The papal government is the most calumniated government on +earth; and calumny and falsehood perform wonders in our times. The +Italian situation furnishes at present a most striking illustration. +The king of Piedmont has been raised to the rulership of Italy by the +unanimous voice of the people--so say the papers. But the revolution in +the greater part of Italy at the present time proves that the unanimous +voice of the people was a sham, and that the Piedmontese government is +hated and despised by the majority of the Italians. It is the same in +many other things. If falsehood and calumny were not the order of the +day, falsehood and calumny would not sit crowned on the throne."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Right!" said Richard. "It is indisputable. It is nothing but +the +depravity of the times that enables the emperor to domineer over the +world."</p> + +<p class="normal">Siegwart heard Frank's observation with pleasure. Hamm read +this in the +open countenance of the proprietor, and he made a movement as though he +would like to tramp on Frank's toes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I admit the flourishing condition of the former Papal +States," said +Hamm, with a mock smile. "I will also admit that the former subjects of +the pope, who have been impoverished by the hungry Piedmontese, desire +the milder papal government. 'There is good living under the crozier,' +says an old proverb. But what does all this amount to? Does the +beautiful past overthrow the accomplished facts of the present? The +powers have determined to put an end to papal dominion. The powers have +partly accomplished this. Can the Peter-pence change the programme of +the powers? Certainly not. The papal government must go the way of all +flesh, and if the Catholics are taxed for an unattainable object, it +is, in my opinion, unjust, to say the least."</p> + +<p class="normal">The proprietor shook his head thoughtfully. "We consider the +question +from very different stand-points," said he. "Pius IX. is the head of +the church--the spiritual father of all Catholics. The revolution has +robbed him of his revenues. Why should not Catholics give their father +assistance?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I ask," said Hamm, "why give the pope alms when the +powers are +ready to give him millions?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"On what conditions, Herr Assessor?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well--on the very natural condition that he will acknowledge +accomplished facts."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You find this condition so natural!" said Siegwart, somewhat +excited. +"Do you forget the position of the pope? Remember that on those very +principles of which the pope is the highest representative, was built +the civilization of the present. The pope condemns robbery, injustice, +violence, and all the principles of modern revolution. How can the pope +acknowledge as accomplished facts, results which have sprung from +injustice, robbery, and violence? The moment the pope does that, he +ceases to be the first teacher of the people and the vicar of Christ on +earth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You take a strong religious position, my dear friend," said +Hamm, +smiling compassionately.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do, most assuredly," said the proprietor with emphasis. +"And I am +convinced that my position is the right one."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hamm smiled more complacently still. Frank observed this +smile; and the +contemptuous manner of the official toward the open, kind-hearted +proprietor annoyed him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pius IX. is at any rate a noble man," said he, looking +sharply at the +assessor, "There exists a critical state of uncertainty in all +governments. All the courts and principalities look to Paris, and the +greatest want of principle seems to be in the state taxation. The +pope alone does not shrink; he fears neither the anger nor the threats +of the powers. While thrones are tumbling, and Pius IX. is not master +in his own house, that remarkable man does not make the least +concession to the man in power. The powers have broken treaties, +trampled on justice, and there is no longer any right but the right of +revolution--of force. There is nothing any longer certain; all is +confusion. The pope alone holds aloft the banner of right and justice. +In his manifestoes to the world, he condemns error, falsehood, and +injustice. The pope alone is the shield of those moral forces which +have for centuries given stability and safety to governments. This +firmness, this confidence in the genius of Christianity, this +unsurpassed struggle of Pius, deserves the highest admiration even of +those who look upon the contest with indifference."</p> + +<p class="normal">Siegwart listened and nodded assent. Hamm ate sardines, +without paying +the least attention to the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Roman love of power is well known, and Rome has at all +times made +the greatest sacrifices for it," said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">The proprietor drummed with his fingers on the table. Frank +thought he +observed him suppressing his anger, before he answered,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rome does not contend for love of dominion. She contends for +the +authority of religion, for the maintenance of those eternal principles +without which there is no civilization. This even Herder, who is far +from being a friend of Rome, admits when he says, 'Without the church, +Europe would, perhaps, be a prey to despots, a scene of eternal +discord, and a Mogul wilderness.' Rome's battle is, therefore, very +important, and honorable. Had it not been for her, you would not have +escaped the bloody terrorisms of the power-seeking revolution. Think of +French liberty at present, think of the large population of Cayenne, of +the Neapolitan prisons, where thousands of innocent men hopelessly +languish."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have not understood me, my dear Siegwart. Take an example +for +illustration. The press informs us almost daily of difficulties between +the government and the clergy. The cause of this trouble is that the +latter are separated from and wish to oppose the former. To speak +plainly, the Catholic clergy are non-conforming. They will not give up +that abnormal position which the moral force of past times conceded to +them. But in organized states, the clergy, the bishops, and the pastors +should be nothing more than state officials, whose rule of conduct is +the command of the sovereign."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is to make the church the servant of the state," said +Siegwart. +"Religion, stripped of her divine title, would be nothing more than the +tool of the minister to restrain the people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, yes," said the official very coolly. "Religion is +always a +strong curb on the rough, uneducated masses; and if religion restrains +the ignorant, supports the moral order and the government, she has +fulfilled her mission."</p> + +<p class="normal">The proprietor opened wide his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Religion, according to my belief, educates men not for the +state but +for their eternal destiny."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perfectly right, Herr Siegwart, according to your view of the +question. I admire the elevation of your religious convictions, which +all men cannot rise up to."</p> + +<p class="normal">A mock smile played on the assessor's pale countenance as he +said this. +Siegwart did not observe it; but Frank did.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I understand you rightly, Herr Assessor, the clergy are +only state +officials in clerical dress."</p> + +<p class="normal">The assessor nodded his head condescendingly, and continued to +soak a +sardine in olive-oil and take it between his knife and fork as Frank +began to speak. The fine-feeling Frank felt nettled at this contempt, +and immediately chastised Hamm for his want of politeness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I take your nod for an affirmative answer to my question," +said he. +"You will allow me to observe that your view of the position and +purpose of the clergy must lead to the most absurd consequences."</p> + +<p class="normal">The assessor turned an ashy color. He threw himself back on +the sofa +and looked at the speaker with scornful severity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My view is that of every enlightened statesman of the +nineteenth +century," said he proudly. "How can you, a mere novice in state +matters, come to such a conclusion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I come to it by sound thinking," said Frank haughtily. "If +the clergy +are only the servants of the state, they are bound in the exercise of +their functions to follow the instructions of the state."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very natural," said the official.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If the government think a change in the church necessary, say +the +separation of the school from the church, the abolition of festivals, +the appointing of infidel professors to theological chairs, the +compiling of an enlightened catechism--and all these relate to the +spirit of the times or the supposed welfare of the state--then the +clergy must obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is self-evident," said the assessor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You see I comprehend your idea of the supreme power of the +state," +continued Frank. "The state is supreme. The church must be deprived of +all independence. She must not constitute a state within a state. If it +seems good to a minister to abolish marriage as a sacrament, or the +confessional, or to subject the teaching of the clergy to a revision by +the civil authority, because a majority of the chambers wish it, or +because the spirit of the age demands it, then the opposition of the +clergy would be illegal and their resistance disobedience."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Naturally--naturally," said the official impatiently. "Come, +now, let +us have the proof of your assertion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Draw the conclusions from what I have said, Herr Assessor, +and you +have the most striking proof of the absurdity and ridiculousness of +your gagged state church," said Frank haughtily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How so, how so?" cried Hamm inquiringly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Simply thus: If the priest must preach according to the +august +instructions of the state and not according to the principles of +religious dogma, he would then preach Badish in Baden, Hessish in +Hesse, Bavarian in Bavaria, Mecklenburgish in Mecklenburg; in short, +there would be as many sects as there are states and principalities. +And these sects would be constantly changing, as the chambers or +ministerial instructions would command or allow. All religion would +cease; for it would be no longer the expression of the divine will and +revelation, but the work of the chambers and the princes. Such a +religion would be contemptible in the eyes of every thinking man. I +would not give a brass button for such a religion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You go too far, Herr Frank," said Hamm. "Religion has a +divine title, +and this glory must be retained."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then the clergy must be free."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, that is clear," said the assessor as he arose, +and, with a +smiling face, bowed lowly. Angela had entered the hall, and in +consequence of Hamm's greeting was obliged to come into the room. She +might have returned from a walk, for she wore a straw hat and a light +shawl was thrown over her shoulders. She led by the hand her little +sister Eliza, a charming child of four years.</p> + +<p class="normal">The sisters remained standing near the door. Eliza looked with +wondering eyes at the stranger, whose movements were very wonderful to +the mind of the little one, and whose pale face excited her interest.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela's glance seemed to have blown away all the official +dust that +remained in the soul of Hamm. The assessor was unusually agreeable. His +face lost its obstinate expression, and became light and animated. Even +its color changed to one of life and nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">To Richard, who liked to take notes, and whose visit to +Siegwart's had +no other object, the change that could be produced in a bureaucrat by +such rare womanly beauty was very amusing. He had arisen and stepped +back a little. He observed the assessor carefully till a smile between +astonishment and pity lit up his countenance. He then looked at Angela, +who stood motionless on the same spot. It seemed to require great +resignation on her part to notice the flattering speech and obsequious +attentions of the assessor. Richard observed that her countenance was +tranquil, but her manner more grave than usual. She still held the +little one by the hand, who pressed yet closer to her the nearer the +wonderful man came. Hamm's voice rose to a tone of enthusiasm, and he +took a step or two toward the object of his reverence, when a strange +enemy confronted him. Some swallows had come in with Angela. Till now +they were quiet and seemed to be observing the assessor; but when he +approached Angela, briskly gesticulating, the swallows raised their +well-known shrill cry of anxiety, left their perches and fluttered +around the official. Interrupted in the full flow of his eloquence, he +struck about with his hands to frighten them. The swallows only became +the noisier, and their fluttering about Hamm assumed a decidedly +warlike character. They seemed to consider him as a dangerous enemy of +Angela whom they wished to keep off. Richard looked on in wonder, +Siegwart shook his head and stroked his beard, and Angela smiled at the +swallows.</p> + +<p class="normal">"These are abominable creatures," cried Hamm warding them off. +"Why, +such a thing never happened to me before. Off with you! you troublesome +wretches."</p> + +<p class="normal">The birds flew out of the room, still screaming; and their +shrill cries +could be heard high up in the air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The swallows have a grudge against you," said Siegwart. "They +generally treat only the cats and hawks in this way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps they have been frightened at this red ribbon," +returned Hamm. +"I regret, my dear young lady, to have frightened your little pets. +When I come again, I will leave the object of their terror at home."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not deprive yourself of an ornament which has an +honorable +significance on account of the swallows, particularly as we do not know +whether it was really the red color that displeased them," said she.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think, then, Miss Angela, that there is something else +about me +they dislike?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know, Herr Assessor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! if I only knew the cause of their displeasure," said Hamm +enthusiastically. "You have an affection for the swallows, and I would +not displease any thing that you love."</p> + +<p class="normal">She answered by an inclination, and was about to leave the +room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela," said her father, "here is Herr Frank, to whom you +are under +obligations."</p> + +<p class="normal">She moved a step or two toward Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sir," said she gently, "you returned some things that were +valuable to +me; were it not for your kindness, they would probably have been lost. +I thank you."</p> + +<p class="normal">A formal bow was Frank's answer. Hamm stood smiling, his +searching +glance alternating between the stately young man and Angela. But in the +manner of both he observed nothing more than reserve and cold +formality.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela left the room. The assessor sat down on the sofa and +poured out +a glass of wine.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eliza sat on her father's knee. Richard observed the beautiful +child +with her fine features and golden silken locks that hung about her +tender face. The winning expression of innocence and gentleness in her +mild, childish eyes particularly struck him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A beautiful, lovely child," said he involuntarily, and as he +looked in +Siegwart's face he read there a deep love and a quiet, fatherly +fondness for the child.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eliza is not always as lovely and good as she is now," he +returned. +"She has still some little faults which she must get rid of."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that's what Angela said," chattered the little one. +"Angela said +I must be very good; I must love to pray; I must obey my father and +mother; then the angels who are in heaven will love me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you pray yet, my child," said Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I can say the 'Our Father' and the 'Hail Mary.' Angela +is +teaching me many nice prayers."</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked at the stranger a moment and said with childish +simplicity,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you pray too?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, my child," answered Frank, smiling; "but I doubt +whether my +prayers are as pleasing to God as yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela also said we should not lie," continued Eliza. "The +good God +does not love children who lie."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is true," said Frank. "Obey your sister Angela."</p> + +<p class="normal">Here the young man was affected by a peculiar emotion. He +thought of +Angela as the first instructor of the child; placed near this little +innocent, she appeared like its guardian angel. He saw clearly at this +moment the great importance of first impressions on the young, and +thought that in after life they would not be obliterated. He expressed +his thoughts, and Siegwart confirmed them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am of your opinion, Herr Frank. The most enduring +impressions are +made in early childhood. The germ of good must be implanted in the +tender and susceptible heart of the child and there developed. Many, +indeed most parents overlook this important principle of education. +This is a great and pernicious error. Man is born with bad +propensities; they grow with his growth and increase with his strength. +In early childhood, they manifest themselves in obstinacy, wilfulness, +excessive love of play, disobedience, and a disposition to lie. If +these outgrowths are plucked up and removed in childhood by careful, +religious training, it will be much easier to form the heart to habits +of virtue than in after years. Many parents begin to instruct their +children after they have spoiled them. Is this not your opinion, Herr +Assessor?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hamm was aroused by this sudden question. He had not paid any +attention +to the conversation, but had been uninterruptedly stroking his +moustache and gazing abstractedly into vacancy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What did you ask, my dear Siegwart? Whether I am of your +opinion? +Certainly, certainly, entirely of your opinion. Your views are always +sound, practical, and matured by great experience, as in this case."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I can't say you were always of my opinion," said +Siegwart +smiling; "have we not just been sharply disputing about the +Peter-pence?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"O my dear friend! as a private I agree with you entirely on +these +questions; but an official must frequently defend in a system of +government that which he privately condemns."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank perceived Hamm's object. We wished to do away with the +unfavorable impressions his former expressions might have made on the +proprietor. The reason of this was clear to him since he had discovered +the assessor's passion for Angela.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am rejoiced," said Siegwart, "that we agree at least in +that most +important matter, religion."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank remembered his father's remark, "The Siegwart family is +intensely +clerical and ultramontane." It was new and striking to him to see the +question of religion considered the most important. He concluded from +this, and was confirmed in his conclusions by the leading spirit of the +Siegwart family, that, in direct contradiction to modern ideas, +religion is the highest good.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless," said Siegwart, "I object to a system of +government that +is inimical to the church."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And so do I," sighed the assessor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard took his departure. At home, he wrote a few hasty +lines in his +diary and then went into the most retired part of the garden. Here he +sat in deep thought till the servant called him to dinner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has Klingenberg not gone out yet to-day?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, but he has been walking up and down his room for the last +two +hours."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank smiled. He guessed the meaning of this walk, and as they +both +entered the dining-room together his conjecture was confirmed.</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor entered somewhat abruptly and did not seem to +observe +Richard's presence. His eyes had a penetrating, almost fierce +expression and his brows were knit. He sat down to the table +mechanically, and ate what was placed before him. It is questionable +whether he knew what he was eating, or even that he was eating. He did +not speak a word, and Frank, who knew his peculiarities, did not +disturb him by a single syllable. This was not difficult, as he was +busily occupied with his own thoughts.</p> + +<p class="normal">After the meal was over, Klingenberg came to himself. "My dear +Richard, +I beg your pardon," said he in a tone of voice which was almost tender. +"Excuse my weakness. I have read this morning a scientific article that +upsets all my previous theories on the subject treated of. In the whole +field of human investigation there is nothing whatever certain, nothing +firmly established. What one to-day proves by strict logic to be true, +to-morrow another by still stronger logic proves to be false. From the +time of Aristotle to the present, philosophers have disagreed, and the +infallible philosopher will certainly never be born. It is the same in +all branches. I would not be the least astonished if Galileo's system +would be proved to be false. If the instruments, the means of acquiring +astronomical knowledge, continue to improve, we may live to learn that +the earth stands still and that the sun goes waltzing around our little +planet. This uncertainty is very discouraging to the human mind. We +might say with Faust,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<p class="t3">"'It will my heart consume</p> +<p class="t3">That we can nothing know.'"</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">"In my humble opinion," said Frank, "every investigator moves in a +limited circle. The most profound thinker does not go beyond these set +limits; and if he would boldly overstep them, he would be thrown back +by evident contradiction into that circle which Omnipotence has drawn +around the human intellect."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very reasonable, Richard; very reasonable. But the desire of +knowledge +must sometimes be satiated," continued the doctor after a short pause. +"If the human mind were free from the narrow limits of the deceptive +world of sense, and could see and know with pure spiritual eyes, the +barriers of which you speak would fall. Even the Bible assures us of +this. St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says, 'We see now through a +glass in an obscure manner, but then face to face; now I know in part, +but then I shall know as I am known.' I would admire St. Paul on +account of this passage alone if he never had written another. How +awful is the moral quality of the human soul taken in connection with +its future capacity for knowledge. And how natural, how evident, is the +connection. The human mind will receive knowledge from the source of +all knowledge--God, in proportion as it has been just and good. For +this reason our Redeemer calls the world of the damned 'outer +darkness,' and the world of the blessed, the 'kingdom of light.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"We sometimes see in that way even now," said Frank after a +pause. "The +wicked have ideas very different from those of the good. A frivolous +spirit mocks at and derides that which fills the good with happiness +and contentment. We might, then, say that even in this life man knows +as he is known."</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor cast an admiring glance at the young man. "We +entirely +agree, my young friend; wickedness is to the sciences what a poisonous +miasma and the burning rays of the sun are to the young plants. Yes, +vice begets atheism, materialism, and every other abortion of thought."</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg arose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will meet again at three," said he with a friendly nod.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard took from his room <i>Vogt's Physiological Letters</i>, +went into +the garden, and buried himself in its contents.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<h3>THE PROGRESSIVE PROFESSOR.</h3> + +<p class="normal">When Frank returned from the walk, he found a visitor at +Frankenhöhe.</p> + +<p class="normal">The visitor was an elegantly dressed young man, with a free, +self-important air about him.</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke fluently, and his words sounded as decisive as though +they +came from the lips of infallibility. At times this self-importance was +of such a boastful and arrogant character as to affect the observer +disagreeably.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is now vacation, and I do not know how to enjoy it better +than by a +visit to you," said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very flattering to me," answered Frank. "I hope you will be +pleased +with Frankenhöhe."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pleased?" returned the visitor, as he looked through the open +window +at the beautiful landscape. "I would like to dream away here the whole +of May and June. How charming it is! An empire of flowers and vernal +delights."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am surprised, Carl, that you have preserved such a love for +nature. +I thought you considered the professor's chair the culminating point of +attraction."</p> + +<p class="normal">Carl bowed his head proudly, and stood with folded arms before +the +smiling Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is evidently intended for flattery," said he. "The +professor's +chair is my vocation. He who does not hold his vocation as the acme of +all attraction is indeed a perfect man. Besides, it will appear to you, +who consider everything in the world, not excepting even the fair sex, +with blank stoicism--it will appear even to you that the rostrum is +destined to accomplish great things. Ripe knowledge in mighty +pulsations goes forth from the rostrum, and permeates society. The +rostrum governs and educates the rising young men who are destined to +assume leading positions in the state. The rostrum overthrows +antiquated forms of religious delusion, ennobles rational thought, +exact science, and deep investigation. The rostrum governs even the +throne; for we have princes in Germany who esteem liberty of thought +and progress of knowledge more than the art of governing their people +in a spirit of stupidity."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The glory of the rostrum I leave undisputed," said he. "But I +beg of +you to conceal from the doctor your scientific rule of faith. You may +get into trouble with the doctor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am very desirous of becoming acquainted with this paragon +of +learning--you have told me so much about him; and I confess it was +partly to see him that I made this visit. Get into trouble? I do not +fear the old syllogism-chopper in the least. A good disputation with +him is even desirable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you are forewarned. If you go home with a lacerated +back, it +will not be my fault."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A lacerated back?" said the professor quietly. "Does the +doctor like +to use <i>striking</i> arguments?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! no; but his sarcasm is as cutting as the slash of a +sword, and his +logical vehemence is like the stroke of a club."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will fight him with the same weapons," answered Carl, +throwing back +his head. "Shall I pay him my respects immediately?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The doctor admits no one. In his studio he is as inaccessible +as a +Turkish sultan in his harem. I will introduce you in the dining-room, +as it is now just dinner-time."</p> + +<p class="normal">They betook themselves to the dining-room, and soon after they +heard +the sound of a bell.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is just now called to table," said Richard. "He does not +allow the +servant to enter his room, and for that reason a bell has been hung +there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How particular he is!" said the professor.</p> + +<p class="normal">A door of the ante-room was opened, quick steps were heard, +and +Klingenberg hastily entered and placed himself at the table, as at a +work that must be done quickly, and then observed the stranger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor Lutz, professor of history in our university," said +Frank, +introducing him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor Lutz--professor of history," said Klingenberg +musingly. "Your +name is familiar to me, if I am not mistaken; are you not a +collaborator on Sybel's historical publication?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have that honor," answered the professor, with much +dignity.</p> + +<p class="normal">They began to eat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You read Sybel's periodical?" asked the professor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must not remain entirely ignorant of literary productions, +particularly the more excellent."</p> + +<p class="normal">Lutz felt much flattered by this declaration.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sybel's periodical is an unavoidable necessity at present," +said the +professor. "Historical research was in a bad way; it threatened to +succumb entirely to the ultramontane cause and the clerical party."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now Sybel and his co-laborers will avert that danger," said +the +doctor. "These men will do honor to historical research. The +ultramontanists have a great respect for Sybel. When he taught in +Munich, they did not rest till he turned his back on Isar-Athen. In my +opinion, Sybel should not have gone to Munich. The stupid Bavarians +will not allow themselves to be enlightened. So let them sit in +darkness, the stupid barbarians who have no appreciation for the +progress of science."</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor looked astonished. He could not understand how +an admirer +of Sybel's could be so prejudiced. Frank was alarmed lest the professor +might perceive the doctor's keen sarcasm--which he delivered with a +serious countenance--and feel offended. He changed the conversation to +another subject, in which Klingenberg did not take part.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have represented the doctor incorrectly," said the +professor, +after the meal. "He understands Sybel and praises his efforts--the best +sign of a clear mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Klingenberg is always just," returned Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the following afternoon, Lutz joined in the accustomed +walk. As they +were passing through the chestnut grove, a servant of Siegwart's came +up breathless, with a letter in his hand, which he gave to Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," said Frank after reading the letter, "I am +urgently +requested to visit Herr Siegwart immediately. With your permission I +will go."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, go," said Klingenberg. "I know," he added with a +roguish +expression, "that you would as lief visit that excellent man as walk +with us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard went off in such haste that the question occurred to +him why he +fulfilled with such zeal the wishes of a man with whom he had been so +short a time acquainted; but with the question Angela came before his +mind as an answer. He rejected this answer, even against his feelings, +and declared to himself that Siegwart's honorable character and +neighborly feeling made his haste natural and even obligatory. The +proprietor may have been waiting his arrival, for he came out to meet +him. Frank observed a dark cloud over the countenance of the man and +great anxiety in his features.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your forgiveness a thousand times, Herr Frank. I know +you go +walking with Herr Klingenberg at this hour, and I have deprived you of +that pleasure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No excuse, neighbor. It is a question which would give me +greater +pleasure, to serve you or to walk with Klingenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard smiled while saying these words; but the smile died +away, for +he saw how pale and suddenly anxious Siegwart had become. They had +entered a room, and he desired to know the cause of Siegwart's changed +manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A great and afflicting misfortune threatens us," began the +proprietor. +"My Eliza has been suddenly taken ill, and I have great fears for her +young life. Oh! if you knew how that child has grown into my heart." He +paused for a moment and suppressed his grief, but he could not hide +from Frank the tears that filled his eyes. Richard saw these tears, and +this paternal grief increased his respect for Siegwart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The delicate life of a young child does not allow of +protracted +medical treatment, of consultation or investigation into the disease or +the best remedies. The disease must be known immediately and efficient +remedies applied. There are physicians at my command, but I do not dare +to trust Eliza to them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I presume, Herr Siegwart, that you wish for Klingenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes--and through your mediation. You know that he only treats +the sick +poor; but resolutely refuses his services to the wealthy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not be uneasy about that. I hope to be able to induce +Klingenberg +to correspond with your wishes. But is Eliza really so sick, or does +your apprehension increase your anxiety?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will show you the child, and then you can judge for +yourself." They +went up-stairs and quietly entered the sick-room. Angela sat on the +little bed of the child, reading. The child was asleep, but the noise +of their entrance awoke her. She reached out her little round arms to +her father, and said in a scarcely audible whisper,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Papa--papa!"</p> + +<p class="normal">This whispered "papa" seemed to pierce the soul of Siegwart +like a +knife. He drew near and leant over the child.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will be well to-morrow, my sweet pet. Do you see, Herr +Frank has +come to see you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma!" whispered the child.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your mother will come to-morrow, my Eliza. She will bring you +something pretty. My wife has been for the last two weeks at her +sister's, who lives a few miles from here," said Siegwart, turning to +Frank. "I sent a messenger for her early this morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">While the father sat on the bed and held Eliza's hand in his, +Frank +observed Angela, who scarcely turned her eyes from the sick child. Her +whole soul seemed taken up with her suffering sister. Only once had she +looked inquiringly at Frank, to read in his face his opinion of the +condition of Eliza. She stood immovable at the foot of the bed, as +mild, as pure, and as beautiful as the guardian angel of the child.</p> + +<p class="normal">Both men left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will immediately seek the doctor, who is now on his walk," +said +Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shall I send my servant for him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is unnecessary," returned Frank. "And even if your +servant should +find the doctor, he would probably not be inclined to shorten his walk. +Our gardener, who works in the chestnut grove, will show me the way the +doctor took. In an hour and a half at furthest I will be back."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man pressed the outstretched hand of Siegwart, and +hastened +away.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the mean time the doctor and the professor had reached a +narrow, +wooded ravine, on both sides of which the rocks rose almost +perpendicularly. The path on which they talked passed near a little +brook, that flowed rippling over the pebbles in its bed. The branches +of the young beeches formed a green roof over the path, and only here +and there were a few openings through which the sun shot its sloping +beams across the cool, dusky way, and in the sunbeams floated and +danced dust-colored insects and buzzing flies.</p> + +<p class="normal">The learned saunterers continued their amusement without +altercation +until the professor's presumption offended the doctor and led to a +vehement dispute.</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg did not appear on the stage of publicity. He left +boasting +and self-praise to others, far inferior to him in knowledge. He +despised that tendency which pursues knowledge only to command, which +cries down any inquiry that clashes with their theories. The doctor +published no learned work, nor did he write for the periodicals, to +defend his views. But if he happened to meet a scientific opponent, he +fought him with sharp, cutting weapons.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not doubt of the final victory of true science over the +falsifying party spirit of the ultramontanes," said the professor. +"Sybel's periodical destroys, year by year, more and more the crumbling +edifice which the clerical zealots build on the untenable foundation of +falsified facts."</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg tore his cap from his head and swung it about +vehemently, +and made such long strides that the other with difficulty kept up with +him. Suddenly he stopped, turned about, and looked the professor +sharply in the eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You praise Sybel's publication unjustly," said he excitedly. +"It is +true Sybel has founded a historical school, and has won many imitators; +but his is a school destructive of morality and of history--a school of +scientific radicalism, a school of falsehood and deceitfulness. Sybel +and his followers undertake to mould and distort history to their +purposes. They slur over every thing that contradicts their theories. +To them the ultramontanes are partial, prejudiced men--or perhaps asses +and dunces; you are unfortunately right when you say Sybel's school +wins ground; for Sybel and his fellows have brought lying and +falsification to perfection. They have in Germany perplexed minds, and +have brought their historical falsifications to market as true ware."</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor could scarcely believe his own ears.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have given you freely and openly my judgment, which need +not offend +you, as it refers to principles, not persons."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not in the least," answered Lutz derisively. "I admit with +pleasure +that Sybel's school is anti-church, and even anti-Christian, if you +will. There is no honor in denying this. The denial would be of no use; +for this spirit speaks too loudly and clearly in that school. Sybel and +his associates keep up with the enlightenment and liberalism of our +times. But I must contradict you when you say this free tendency is +injurious to society; the seed of free inquiry and human enlightenment +can bring forth only good fruits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! we know this fruit of the new heathenism," cried the +doctor. +"There is no deed so dark, no crime so great, that it may not be +defended according to the anti-Christian principles of vicious +enlightenment and corrupt civilization. Sybel's school proves this with +striking clearness. Tyrants are praised and honored. Noble men are +defamed and covered with dirt."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This you assert, doctor; it is impossible to prove such a +declaration."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible! Not at all. Sybel's periodical exalts to the +seventh +heaven the tyrant Henry VIII. of England. You extol him as a +conscientious man who was compelled by scruples of conscience to +separate from his wife. You commend him for having but one mistress. +You say that the sensualities of princes are only of 'anecdotal +interest.' Naturally," added the doctor contemptuously, "a school that +cuts loose from Christian principles cannot consistently condemn +adultery. Fie! fie! Debauchees and men of gross sensuality might sit in +Sybel's enlightened school. Progress overthrows the cross, and erects +the crescent. We may yet live to see every wealthy man of the new +enlightenment have his harem. Whether society can withstand the +detestable consequences of this teaching of licentiousness and contempt +for Christian morality, is a consideration on which these progressive +gentlemen do not reflect."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I admit, doctor," said Lutz, "that the clear light of free, +impartial +science must needs hurt the eyes of a pious believer. According to the +opinions of the ultramontanes, Henry VIII. was a terrible tyrant and +bloodhound. Sybel's periodical deserves the credit of having done +justice to that great king."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you say so?" cried the doctor, with flaming eyes. "You, a +professor +of history in the university! You, who are appointed to teach our young +men the truth! Shame on you! What you say is nothing but stark +hypocrisy. I appeal to the heathen. You may consider religion from the +stand-point of an ape, for what I care; your cynicism, which is not +ashamed to equalize itself with the brute, may also pass. But this +hypocrisy, this fallacious representation of historical facts and +persons, this hypocrisy before my eyes--this I cannot stand; this must +be corrected."</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor actually doubled up his fists. Lutz saw it and saw +also the +wild fire in the eyes of his opponent, and was filled with apprehension +and anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">Erect and silent, fiery indignation in his flushed +countenance, stood +Klingenberg before the frightened professor. As Lutz still held his +tongue, the doctor continued,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You call Henry VIII. a 'great king,' you extol and defend +this 'great +king' in Sybel's periodical. I say Henry VIII. was a great scoundrel, a +blackguard without a conscience, and a bloodthirsty tyrant. I prove my +assertion. Henry VIII. caused to be executed two queens who were his +wives--two cardinals, twelve dukes and marquises, eighteen barons and +knights, seventy-seven abbots and priors, and over sixty thousand +Catholics. Why did he have them executed? Because they were criminals? +No; because they remained true to their consciences and to the religion +of their fathers. All these fell victims to the cruelty of Henry +VIII., whom you style a 'great king.' You glorify a man who for +blood-thirstiness and cruelty can be placed by the side of Nero and +Diocletian. That is my retort to your hypocrisy and historical +mendacity."</p> + +<p class="normal">The stern doctor having emptied his vials of wrath, now walked +on +quietly; Lutz with drooping head followed in silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sybel does not even stop with Henry VIII.," again began the +doctor. +"These enlightened gentlemen undertake to glorify even Tiberius, that +inhuman monster. They might as well have the impudence to glorify +cruelty itself. On the other hand, truly great men, such as Tilly, are +abandoned to the hatred of the ignorant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is unjust," said the professor hastily. "Sybel's +periodical in +the second volume says that Tilly was often calumniated by party +spirit; that the destruction of Magdeburg belongs to the class of +unproved and improbable events. The periodical proves that Tilly's +conduct in North Germany was mild and humane, that he signalized +himself by his simplicity, unselfishness, and conscientiousness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Does Sybel's periodical say all this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Word for word, and much more in praise of that magnanimous +man," said +Lutz. "From this you may know that science is just even to pious +heroes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg smiled characteristically, and in his smile was an +expression of ineffable contempt.</p> + +<p class="normal">He stopped before the professor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have just quoted what impartial historical research +informs us of +Tilly, in the second and third volumes. It is so. I remember perfectly +having read that favorable account. Now let me quote what the same +periodical says of the same Tilly in the seventeenth volume. There we +read that Tilly was a hypocrite and a blood-hound, whose name cannot be +mentioned without a shudder; furthermore, we are told that Tilly burned +Magdeburg, that he waged a ravaging war against men, women, children, +and property. You see, then, in the second and third volumes that Tilly +was a conscientious, mild man and pious hero; in the seventeenth +volume, that he was a tyrant and blood-hound. It appears from this with +striking clearness that the enlightened progressionists do not stick at +contradiction, mendacity, and defamation."</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor lowered his eyes and stood embarrassed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I leave you, 'Herr Professor,' to give a name to such a +procedure. +Besides, I must also observe that the strictly scientific method, as it +labels itself at present, does not stop at personal defamation. As +every holy delusion and religious superstition must be destroyed in the +hearts of the students, this lying and defamation extends to the +historical truths of faith. It is taught from the professors' chairs, +and confirmed by the journals, that confession is an invention of the +middle ages; while you must know from thorough research that confession +has existed up to the time of the apostles. You teach and write that +Innocent III. introduced the doctrine of transubstantiation in the +thirteenth century; while every one having the least knowledge of +history knows that at the council of 1215 it was only made a duty to +receive the holy communion at Easter, that the fathers of the first +ages speak of transubstantiation--that it has its foundation in +Scripture. You know as well as I do that indulgences were imparted even +in the first century; but this does not prevent you from teaching that +the popes of the middle ages invented indulgences from love of money, +and sold them from avarice. Thus the progressive science lies and +defames, yet is not ashamed to raise high the banner of enlightenment; +thus you lead people into error, and destroy youth! Fie! fie!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor turned and was about to proceed when he heard his +name +called. Frank hastened to him, the perspiration running from his +forehead, and his breast heaving from rapid breathing. In a few words +he made known Eliza's illness, and Siegwart's request.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know," said Klingenberg, "that I treat only the poor, who +cannot +easily get a physician."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make an exception in this case, doctor, I beg of you most +earnestly! +You respect Siegwart yourself for his integrity, and I also of late +have learned to esteem the excellent man, whose heart at present is +rent with anxiety and distress. Save this child, doctor; I beg of you +save it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg saw the young man's anxiety and goodness, and +benevolence +beamed on his still angry face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see," said he, "that no refusal is to be thought of. Well, +we will +go." And he immediately set off with long strides on his way back. +Richard cast a glance at the professor, who followed, gloomy and +spiteful. He saw the angry look he now and then turned on the hastening +doctor, and knew that a sharp contest must have taken place. But his +solicitude for Siegwart's child excluded all other sympathy. On the way +he exchanged only a few words with Lutz, who moved on morosely, and was +glad when Klingenberg and Richard separated from him in the vicinity of +Frankenhöhe.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ten minutes later they entered the house of Siegwart. The +doctor stood +for a moment observing the child without touching it. The little one +opened her eyes, and appeared to be frightened at the strange man with +the sharp features. Siegwart and Angela read anxiously in the doctor's +immovable countenance. As Eliza said "Papa," in a peculiar, feverish +tone, Klingenberg moved away from the bed. He cast a quick glance at +the father, went to the window and drummed with his fingers on the +glass. Frank read in that quick glance that Eliza must die. Angela must +also have guessed the doctor's opinion, for she was very much affected; +her head sank on her breast and tears burst from her eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Klingenberg took out his notebook, wrote something on a small +slip of +paper, and ordered the recipe to be taken immediately to the +apothecary. He then took his departure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you think of the child?" said Siegwart, as they +passed over +the yard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The child is very sick; send for me in the morning if it be +necessary."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank and the doctor went some distance in silence. The young +man +thought of the misery the death of Eliza would bring on that happy +family, and the pale, suffering Angela in particular stood before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is recovery not possible?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No. The child will surely die to-night. I prescribed only a +soothing +remedy. I am sorry for Siegwart; he is one of the few fathers who hang +with boundless love on their children--particularly when they are +young. The man must call forth all his strength to bear up against it."</p> + +<p class="normal">When Frank entered his room, he found Lutz in a very bad +humor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have judged that old bear much too leniently," began the +professor. "The man is a model of coarseness and intolerable bigotry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought so," said Frank. "I know you and I know the doctor; +and I +knew two such rugged antitheses must affect each other unpleasantly. +What occasioned your dispute?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! A thousand things," answered his friend ill-humoredly. +"The +old rhinoceros has not the least appreciation of true knowledge. He +carries haughtily the long wig of antiquated stupidity, and does not +see the shallowness of the swamp in which he wallows. The genius of +Christianity is to him the sublime. Where this stops, pernicious +enlightenment--which corrupts the people, turns churches into +ball-rooms, and the Bible into a book of fables--begins."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The doctor is not wrong there," said Frank earnestly. "Are +they not +endeavoring with all their strength to deprive the Bible of its divine +character? Does not one Schenkel in Heidelberg deny the divinity of +Christ? Is not this Schenkel the director of a theological faculty? Do +not some Catholic professors even begin to dogmatize and dispute the +authority of the holy see?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"We rejoice at the consoling fact that Catholic <i>savants</i> +themselves +break the fetters with which Rome's infallibility has bound in +adamantine chains the human mind!" cried Lutz with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It appears strange to me when young men--scarcely escaped +from the +school, and boasting of all modern knowledge--cast aside as old, +worthless rubbish what great minds of past ages have deeply pondered. +The see of Rome and its dogmas have ruled the world for eighteen +hundred years. Rome's dogmas overthrew the old world and created a new +one. They have withstood and survived storms that have engulfed all +else besides. Such strength excites wonder and admiration, but not +contempt."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I let your eulogy on Rome pass," said the professor. "But as +Rome and +her dogmas have overthrown heathenism, so will the irresistible +progress of science overthrow Christianity. Coming generations will +smile as complacently at the God of Christendom as we consider with +astonishment the great and small gods of the heathen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not desire the realization of your prophecy," said Frank +gloomily; "for it must be accompanied by convulsions that will +transform the whole world, and therefore I do not like to see an +anti-Christian tendency pervading science."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Tendency, tendency!" said Lutz, hesitating. "In science there +is no +tendency; there is but truth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Easy, friend, easy! Be candid and just. You will not deny +that the +tendency of Sybel's school is to war against the church?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, in so far as the church contends against truth and +thorough +investigation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good; and the friends of the church will contend against you +in so far +as you are inimical to the spirit of the church. And so, tendency on +one side, tendency on the other. But it is you who make the more noise. +As soon as a book opposed to you appears,--'Partial!' you say with +contemptuous mien; 'Odious!' 'Ecclesiastical!' 'Unreadable!' and it is +forthwith condemned. But it appears to me natural that a man should +labor and write in a cause which is to him the noblest cause."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am astonished, Richard! You did not think formerly as you +now do. +But I should not be surprised if your intercourse with the doctor is +not without its effects." This the professor said in a cutting tone. +Frank turned about and walked the room. The observation of his friend +annoyed him, and he reflected whether his views had actually undergone +any change.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You deceive yourself. I am still the same," said he. "You +cannot +mistrust me because I do not take part with you against the doctor."</p> + +<p class="normal">Carl sat for a time thinking.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is my presence at the table necessary?" said he. "I do not +wish to +meet the doctor again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would be little in you. You must not avoid the doctor. +You must +convince yourself that he does not bear any ill-will on account of that +scientific dispute. With all his rough bluntness, Klingenberg is a +noble man. Your non-appearance at table must offend him, and at the +same time betray your annoyance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I obey," answered Lutz. "Tomorrow I will go for a few days to +the +mountains. On my return I will remain another day with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank's assurance was confirmed. The doctor met the guest as +if nothing +unpleasant had happened. In the cool of the evening he went with the +young men into the garden, and spoke with such familiarity of Tacitus, +Livy, and other historians of antiquity that the professor admired his +erudition.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank wrote in his diary:</p> + +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"May 20th.--After mature reflection, I find that the views +which I +believed to be strongly founded begin to totter. What would the +professor say if he knew that not the doctor, but a country family, and +that, too, ultramontane, begin to shake the foundation of my views? +Would he not call me weak?"</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">He laid down the pen and sat sullenly reflecting.</p> + +<div class="quote"><p class="normal">"All my impressions of the ultramontane family be herewith +effaced," he +wrote further. "The only fact I admit is, that even ultramontanes also +can be good people. But this fact shall in no wise destroy my former +convictions."</p> +</div> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<h3>THE ULTRAMONTANE WAY OF THINKING.</h3> + +<p class="normal">On the following morning, no message was sent for the doctor. +The child +had died, as Klingenberg foretold. Frank thought of the great +affliction of the Siegwart family--Angela in tears, and the father +broken down with grief. It drove him from Frankenhöhe. In a quarter of +an hour he was at the house of the proprietor.</p> + +<p class="normal">A servant came weeping to meet him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot speak to my master," said she. "We had a bad +night. My +master is almost out of his mind; he has only just now lain down. Poor +Eliza! the dear, good child." And the tears burst forth again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When did the child die?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At four o'clock this morning; and how beautiful she still +looks in +death! You would think she is only sleeping. If you wish to see her, +just go up to the same room in which you were yesterday."</p> + +<p class="normal">After some hesitation, Frank ascended the stairs and entered +the room. +As he passed the threshold, he paused, greatly surprised at the sight +that met his view. The room was darkened, the shutters closed, and +across the room streamed the broken rays of the morning sun. On a +white-covered table burned wax candles, in the midst of which stood a +large crucifix; there was also a holy-water vase, and in it a green +branch. On the white cushions of the bed reposed Eliza, a crown of +evergreens about her forehead, and a little crucifix in her folded +hands. Her countenance was not the least disfigured; only about her +softly closed eyes there was a dark shade, and the lifelike freshness +of the lips had vanished. Angela sat near the bed on a low stool; she +had laid her head near that of her sister, and in consequence of a +wakeful night was fast asleep. Eliza's little head lay in her arms, and +in her hand she held the same rosary that he had found near the statue. +Frank stood immovable before the interesting group.</p> + +<p class="normal">The most beautiful form he had ever beheld he now saw in close +contact +with the dead. Earnest thoughts passed through his mind. The +fleetingness of all earthly things vividly occurred to him. Eliza's +corpse reminded him impressively that her sister, the charming Angela, +must meet the same inevitable fate. His eyes rested on the beautiful +features of the sufferer, which were not in the least disfigured by +bitter or gloomy dreams, and which expressed in sleep the sweetest +peace. She slept as gently and confidingly near Eliza as if she did not +know the abyss which death had placed between them. The only disorder +in Angela's external appearance was the glistening curls of hair that +hung loose over her shoulders on her breast.</p> + +<p class="normal">At length Frank departed, with the determination of returning +to make +his visit of condolence. After the accustomed walk with Klingenberg, he +went immediately back to Siegwart's.</p> + +<p class="normal">When he returned home, he wrote in his diary:</p> + +<p class="normal">"May 21st.--Surprising and wonderful!</p> + +<p class="normal">"When my uncle's little Agnes died, my aunt took ill, and my +uncle's +condition bordered on insanity; tortured by excruciating anguish, he +murmured against Providence. He accused God of cruelty and injustice, +because he took from him a child he loved so much, he lost all +self-control, and had not strength to bear the misfortune with +resignation. And now the Siegwart family are in the same circumstances; +the father is much broken down, much afflicted, but very resigned; his +trembling lips betray the affliction that presses on his heart, but +they make no complaints against Providence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'I thank you for your sympathy,' said he to me. 'The trial is +painful; +but God knows what he does. The Lord gave me the dear child; the Lord +has taken her away. His holy will be done.' So spoke Siegwart. While he +said this, a perceptible pain changed his manly countenance, and he lay +like a quivering victim on the altar of the Lord. Siegwart's wife, a +beautiful woman, with calm, mild eyes, wept inwardly. Her mother's +heart bled from a thousand wounds; but she showed the same self-control +and resignation as Siegwart did to the will of the Most High.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Angela? I do not understand her at all. She speaks of +Eliza as of +one sleeping, or of one who has gone to a place where she is happy. But +sometimes a spasm twitches her features; then her eyes rest on the +crucifix that stands amid the lighted candles. The contemplation of the +crucifix seems to afford her strength and vigor. This is a mystery to +me. I cannot conceive the mysterious power of that carved figure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Misery does not depress these people: it ennobles them. I +have never +seen the like. When I compare their conduct with that of those I have +known, I confess that the Siegwart family puts my acquaintance as well +as myself to shame.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What gives these people this strength, this calm, this +resignation? +Religion, perhaps. Then religion is infinitely more than a mere +conception, a mere external rule of faith.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am beginning to suspect that between heaven and earth there +exists, +for those who live for heaven, a warm, living union. It appears to me +that Providence does not, indeed, exempt the faithful from the common +lot of earthly affliction; but he gives them strength which transcends +the power of human nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have undertaken the task of putting Angela to the test, and +what do +I find? Admiration for her--shame for myself; and also the certainty +that my views of women must be restricted."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had scarcely written down these thoughts, when he bit +impatiently +the pen between his teeth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must not be hasty in our judgments," he wrote further. +"Perhaps it +is my ignorance of the depth of the human heart that causes me to +consider in so favorable a light the occurrences in the Siegwart +family.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps it is a kind of stupidity of mind, an unrefined +feeling, a +frivolous perception of fatality, that gives these people this quiet +and resignation. My judgment shall not be made up. Angela may conceal +beneath the loveliness of her nature characteristics and failings which +may justify my opinion of the sex, notwithstanding."</p> + +<p class="normal">With a peculiar stubbornness which struggles to maintain a +favorite +conviction, he closed the diary.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the second day after Eliza's death, the body was consigned +to the +earth. Frank followed the diminutive coffin, which was carried by four +little girls dressed in white. The youthful bearers had wreaths of +flowers on their heads and blue silk ribbons about their waists, the +ends of which hung down.</p> + +<p class="normal">After these followed a band of girls, also dressed in white +and blue. +They had flowers fixed in their hair, and in their hands they carried a +large wreath of evergreens and roses. The whole community followed the +procession--a proof of the great respect the proprietor enjoyed among +his neighbors. Siegwart's manner was quiet, but his eyes were inflamed. +As the coffin was lowered into the ground, the larks sang in the air, +and the birds in the bushes around joined their sweet cadences with the +not plaintive but joyful melodies which were sung by a choir of little +girls. The church ceremonies, like nature, breathed joy and triumph, +much to Richard's astonishment. He did not understand how these songs +of gladness and festive costumes could be reconciled with the open +grave. He believed that the feelings of the mourners must be hurt by +all this. He remained with the family at the grave till the little +mound was smoothed and finished above it. The people scattered over the +graveyard, and knelt praying before the different graves. The cross was +planted on Eliza's resting-place, and the girls placed the large wreath +on the little mound. Siegwart spoke words of consolation to his wife as +he conducted her to the carriage. Angela, sunk in sadness, still +remained weeping at the grave. Richard approached and offered her his +arm. The carriage proceeded toward Salingen and stopped before the +church, whose bells were tolling. The service began. Again was Richard +surprised at the joyful melody of the church hymns. The organ pealed +forth joyfully as on a festival. Even the priest at the altar did not +wear black, but white vestments. Frank, unfamiliar with the deep spirit +of the Catholic liturgy, could not understand this singular funeral +service.</p> + +<p class="normal">After service the family returned. Frank sat opposite to +Angela, who +was very sad, but in no way depressed. He even thought he saw now and +then the light of a peculiar joy in her countenance. Madame Siegwart +could not succeed in overcoming her maternal sorrow. Her tears burst +forth anew, and her husband consoled her with tender words.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank strove to divert Angela from her sad thoughts. As he +thought it +would not be in good taste to speak of ordinary matters, he expressed +his surprise at the manner of the burial.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your sister," said he, "was interred with a solemnity which +excited my +surprise, and, I confess, my disapprobation. Not a single hymn of +sorrow was sung, either at the grave or in the church. One would not +believe that those white-clad girls with wreaths of flowers on their +heads were carrying the soulless body of a beloved being to the grave. +The whole character of the funeral was that of rejoicing. How is this, +Fräulein Angela; is that the custom here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked at him somewhat astonished.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is the custom in the whole Catholic Church," she +replied. "At the +burial of children she excludes all sadness; and for that reason masses +of requiem in black vestments are never said for them; but masses of +the angels in white."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you not think the custom is in contradiction to the +sentiments of +nature--to the sorrowful feelings of those who remain?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I believe so," she answered tranquilly. "Human nature +grieves +about many things over which the spirit should rejoice."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words sounded enigmatically to Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not comprehend the meaning of your words, Fräulein +Angela."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grief at the death of a relative is proper for us, because a +beloved +person has been taken from our midst. But the church, on the contrary, +rejoices because an innocent, pure soul has reached the goal after +which we all strive--eternal happiness. You see, Herr Frank, that the +church considers the departure of a child from this world from a more +exalted point of view, and comprehends it in a more spiritual sense, +than the natural affection. While the heart grows weak from sadness, +the church teaches us that Eliza is happy; that she has gone before us, +and that we will be separated from her but for a short time; that +between us there is a spiritual union which is based on the communion +of saints. Faith teaches me that Eliza, rescued from all afflictions +and disappointments, is happy in the kingdom of the blessed. If I could +call her back, I would not do it; for this desire springs from egotism, +which can make no sacrifices to love."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her eyes were full of tears as she said these last words. But +that +peculiar joy which Richard had before observed, and the meaning of +which he now understood, again lighted up her countenance. He leaned +back in the carriage, and was forced to admit that the religious +conception of death was very consoling, even grand, when compared with +that conception which modern enlightenment has of it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The carriage moved slowly through the silent court-yard, which +lay as +gloomy under the clouds as though it had put on mourning for the dead. +The chickens sat huddled together in a corner, their heads sadly +drooping. Even the garrulous sparrows were silent, and through the +linden tops came a low, rustling sound like greetings from another +world.</p> + +<p class="normal">Assisted by Richard's hand, Angela descended from the +carriage. Her +father thanked him for his sympathy, and expressed a wish to see him +soon again in the family circle. As Richard glanced at Angela, he +thought he read in her look a confirmation of all her father said. +Siegwart's invitation was unnecessary. The young man was attracted more +strongly to the proprietor's house as Angela's qualities revealed +themselves to his astonished view more clearly. But Frank would not +believe in the spotlessness and sublime dignity of a Christian maiden. +He did not change his former judgment against the sex. His stubbornness +still persisted in the opinion that Angela had her failings, which, if +manifested, would obscure the external brilliancy of her appearance, +but which remained hidden from view. Continued observation alone would, +in Frank's opinion, succeed in disclosing the repulsive shadows.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps a proud determination to justify his former opinions +lay less +at the bottom of this obstinate tenacity than an unconscious stratagem. +The young man anticipated that his respect for Angela would end in +passionate affection as soon as she stood before him in the full, +serene power of her beauty. He feared this power, and therefore +combated her claims.</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor had returned from his excursion into the +mountains, and +related what he had seen and heard. "Such excursions on historic +grounds," said he, "are interesting and instructive to the historical +inquirer. What historical sources hint at darkly become distinct, and +many incredible things become clear and intelligible. Thus, I once read +in an old chronicle that the monks during choral service sung with such +enchanting sweetness that the empress and her ladies and knights who +were present burst into tears. I smiled at this passage from the +garrulous old chronicler, and thought that the fabulous spirit of the +middle ages had descended into the pen of the good man. How often have +I heard Mozart's divine music, how often have I been entranced by the +stormy, thrilling fantasies of Beethoven! But I was never moved to +tears, and I never saw even delicate ladies weep. Two days ago, I +wandered alone among the ruins of the abbey of Hagenroth. I stood in +the ruined church; above was the unclouded sky, and high round about me +the naked walls. Here and there upon the walls hung patches of plaster, +and these were painted. I examined the paintings and found them of +remarkable purity and depth of sentiment. I examined the painted +columns in the nave and choir, and found a beautiful harmony. I admired +the excellence of the colors, on which it has snowed, rained, and +frozen for three hundred and twenty years. I then examined the fallen +columns, the heavy capitals, the beauty of the ornaments, and from +these significant remnants my imagination built up the whole structure, +and the church loomed up before me in all its simple grandeur and +charming finish. I was forced to recognize and admire those artists who +knew how to produce such wonderful and charming effects by such simple +combinations. I thought on that passage of the chronicle, and I believe +if, at that moment, the simple, pure chant of the monks had echoed +through the basilica, I also would have been moved to tears. If the +monks knew, thought I, how to captivate and charm by their +architecture, why could they not do the same with music?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The stupid monks!" said Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you had spoken those words at my side in that tone as I +stood amid +those ruins, they would have sounded like malicious envy from the mouth +of the spirit of darkness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your admiration for the monks is indeed a great curiosity," +said +Frank, smiling. "Sybel's congenial friend a eulogist of the monks! That +indeed is as strange as a square circle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I admire the splendor of heathenism, must I not also +admire the +fascinating, still depth of Christian childhood? In heathenism as well +as in Christianity human genius accomplishes great and sublime things."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That, in its whole extent, I must dispute," said Frank. +"Where is the +splendor and greatness of heathenism? The heathen built palaces of +great magnificence, but crime stalked naked about in them. When the +lord of the palace killed his slaves for his amusement, there was no +law to condemn him. When lords and ladies at their epicurean feasts +would step aside into small apartments, there by artificial means to +empty their gorged stomachs, they did not offend either against heathen +decency or its law of moderation. The marble columns proudly supported +gilded arches; but when beneath those arches a human victim bled under +the knife of the priests, this was in harmony with the genius of +heathenism. The amphitheatres were immense halls, full of art and +magnificence, in which a hundred thousand spectators could sit and +behold with delight the lions and tigers devour slaves, or the +gladiators slaughtering each other for their amusement. No. True +greatness and real splendor I do not find in heathenism. Where heathen +greatness is, there terrible darkness, profound error, and horrible +customs abound. Christianity had to contend for three hundred years to +destroy the abominations of heathenism."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will not dispute about it now," said Lutz. "You shall not +destroy by +your criticism the beautiful impressions of my excursion. I also met +the Swedes on my tour. About thirty miles from here there is, among the +hills, a valley. The peasants call the place the 'murder-chamber.' I +suspected that the name might be associated with some historical event, +and, on inquiry, I found such to be the case. In the Thirty Years' War, +when Gustavus Adolphus, the pious hero, passed through the German +provinces murdering and robbing, the inhabitants of the neighborhood +fled with their wives, children, and property to this remote valley. +They imagined themselves hid in these woods and defiles from the +wandering Swedes, but they deceived themselves. Their hiding-place +was discovered, and every living thing--Cows, calves, and oxen +excepted--was put to the sword. 'The blood of the massacred,' said my +informer, 'flowed down the valley like a brook; and for fifty years the +neighborhood was desolate, because the Swedes had destroyed every +thing.' Such masterpieces of Swedish blood-thirstiness are found in +many places in Germany; and as the people celebrate them in song and +story, it is certain that the pious hero has won for himself +imperishable fame in the art of slaughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you not wish to have the 'murder-chamber' appear in +Sybel's +periodical?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; fable must be carefully separated from history; and in +this case I +want the inclination for the subject."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fabulous! I find in the 'murder-chamber' nothing but the true +Swedish +nature of that time."</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gustavus Adolphus may wander for ever about Germany as the +'pious +hero,' if for no other purpose than to annoy the ultramontanes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank thought of the Siegwart family.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe we are unjust in our judgments of the +ultramontanes," said +he. "I visit every day a family which my father declares not only to be +ultramontane, but even clerical, and on account of it will not +associate with them. But I saw there only the noble, good, and +beautiful." And he reported circumstantially what he knew of the +Siegwart family.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have observed carefully; and in particular no feature of +Angela +has escaped you. This Angela," he continued jocosely, "must be an +incarnate ideal of the other world, since she has excited the interest +of my friend, even though she wears crinoline."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But she does not wear crinoline," said Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not!" returned the professor, smiling. "Then it is just +right. The +Angel of Salingen belongs to the nine choirs of angels, and was sent to +the earth in woman's form to win my proud, woman-hating friend to the +fair sex."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My conversion to the highest admiration of women is by no +means +impossible; at least in one case," answered Richard, in the same +earnest tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am astonished!" said the professor. "My interest is +boundless. Could +I not see this wonderful lady?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not? It is eight o'clock. At this hour I am accustomed to +make my +visit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us go, by all means," urged Lutz.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the way Frank spoke of Angela's charitable practices, of +her love +for the poor, her pious customs, and of her deep religious sentiment, +which manifested itself in every thing; of her activity in household +matters, of her modesty and humility. All this he said in a tone of +enthusiasm. The professor listened with attention and smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">As they went through the gate into the large court-yard, they +saw +Angela standing under the lindens. She held a large dish in her hand. +About her pressed and crowded the representatives of all races and +nations of that multitude which material progress has raised from +slavish degradation. From Angela's hand rained golden corn among the +chattering brood, who, pressed by a ravenous appetite, hungrily shoved, +pushed, and upset each other. Even the chivalrous cocks had forgotten +their propriety, and greedily snatched up the yellow fruit without +gallantly cooing and offering the treasure to the females. Nimble ducks +glided between the legs of the turkeys and snatched up, quick as +lightning, the grains from their open bills. This did not please the +turkeys, who gobbled and struck their sharp bills into the bobbing +heads of the ducks. A solitary turkey cock alone scorned to participate +in the hungry pleasures of the common herd. He spread his wings stiffly +like a crinoline around his body, strutted about the yard, uttered a +gallant guttural gobble, and played the fine lady in style.</p> + +<p class="normal">Near the gate stood the stalls. They all had double doors, so +that the +upper part could be opened while the lower half remained closed. As the +two friends passed, they saw a massive head protruding through the open +half of one of those doors. The head was red, and was set upon the +powerful shoulders of a steer who had broken loose from his fastening +to take a walk about the yard. When he saw the strangers, he began to +snort, cock his ears, and shake his head, while his fiery eyes rolled +wildly in his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A handsome beast," said Frank, as he stopped. "How wide his +forehead, +how strong his horns, how powerful his chest!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"His head," said Lutz, "would be an expressive symbol for the +evangelist Luke."</p> + +<p class="normal">The steer was not pleased with these compliments. Bellowing +angrily he +rushed against the door, which gave way. Slowly and powerfully came +forth from the darkness of the stall the colossal limbs of the +dangerous beast. The friends, unexpectedly placed in the power of this +terrible enemy, stood paralyzed. They beheld the colossus lashing his +sides with his tail, lowering his head threateningly, and maliciously +stealing toward them like a cat stealing to a mouse till she gets +within a sure spring of it. The steer had evidently the same design on +strangers. He thought to crush them with his iron forehead and amuse +himself with tossing up their lifeless bodies. They saw this, clearly +enough, but there was no time for flight. The red steer in his mad +onset would certainly overtake and run them down. Luckily, the +professor remembered from the Spanish bull-fights how they must meet +these beasts, and he quickly warned his friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If he charges, slip quickly to one side."</p> + +<p class="normal">Scarcely had the words escaped his trembling lips, when the +steer gave +a short bellow, lowered his head, and, quick as an arrow, rushed upon +Frank. He jumped to one side, but slipped and fell to the ground. The +steer dashed against a wagon that was standing near, and broke several +of the spokes. Maddened at the failure of his charge, he turned quickly +about and saw Frank lying on the ground, and rejoiced over his helpless +victim. Richard commended his soul to God, but had enough presence of +mind not to move a limb; he even kept his eyes closed. The steer +snuffed about, and Frank felt his warm breath. The steer evidently did +not know how to begin with the lifeless thing, until he took it into +his head to stick his horns into the yielding mass. The young man was +lost--now the steer lowered his horns--now came the rescue.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela had only observed the visitor as the bellowing steer +rushed at +him. All this took but a minute. The servants were not then in the +yard; and before they could be called, Richard would be gored a dozen +times by the sharp weapons of the steer. The professor trembled in +every limb; he neither dared to cry for help, lest he might remind the +steer of his presence, nor to move from the place. He seemed destined +to be compelled to see his friend breathe out his life under the +torturing stabs.</p> + +<p class="normal">Before this happened, however, Angela's voice rang +imperatively through +the yard. The astonished steer raised his head, and when he saw the +frail form coming toward him with the dish in her hand, he gave forth a +friendly low, and had even the good grace to go a few steps to meet +her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Falk, what are you about?" said she reproachfully. "You are a +terrible +beast to treat visitors so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falk lowed his apology, and, as he perceived the contents of +the dish, +he awkwardly sank his mouth into it. Angela scratched his jaws, at +which he was so delighted that he even forgot the dish and held still +like a child. The professor looked on this scene with amazement--the +airy form before the murderous head of the steer. As Master Falk began +even to lick Angela's hand, the professor was very near believing in +miracles.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So now, be right good, Falk!" said she coaxingly; "now go +back where +you belong. Keep perfectly quiet, Herr Frank; do not move, and it will +be soon over."</p> + +<p class="normal">She patted the steer on the broad neck, and holding the dish +before +him, led him to the stall, into which he quickly disappeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank arose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are not hurt?" asked Lutz with concern.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not in the least," answered Frank, taking out his pocket +handkerchief +and brushing the dust from his clothes. The professor brought him his +hat, which had bounced away when he fell, and placed it on the head of +his trembling friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela returned after housing the steer. Frank went some steps +toward +her, as if to thank her on his knees for his life; but he concluded to +stand, and a sad smile passed over his countenance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fräulein Angela," said he, "I have the honor of introducing +to you my +friend, Herr Lutz, professor at our university."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It gives me pleasure to know the gentleman," said she. "But I +regret +that, through the negligence of Louis, you have been in great danger. +Great God! if I had not been in the yard." And her beautiful face +became as pale as marble.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard observed this expression of fright, and it shot +through his +melancholy smile like rays of the highest delight; but for his +preserver he had not a single word of thanks. Lutz, not understanding +this conduct, was displeased at his friend, and undertook himself to +return her thanks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have placed yourself in the greatest danger, Fräulein +Angela," +said he. "Had I been able when you went to meet the steer, I would have +held you back with both hands; but I must acknowledge that I was +palsied by fear."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I placed myself in no danger," she replied. "Falk knows me +well, and +has to thank me for many dainties. When father is away, I have to go +into the stalls to see if the servants have done their work. So all the +animals know me, and I can call them all by name."</p> + +<p class="normal">They went into the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is well that my parents are absent to-day, and that the +accident +was observed by no one; for my father would discharge the Swiss who has +charge of the animals, for his negligence. I would be sorry for the +poor man. I beg of you, therefore, to say nothing of it to my father. I +will correct him for it, and I am sure he will be more careful in +future."</p> + +<p class="normal">While she spoke, the eyes of the professor rested upon her, +and it is +scarcely doubtful that in his present judgment the splendor of the +rostrum was eclipsed. Frank sat silent, observing. He scarcely joined +in the conversation, which his friend conducted with great warmth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This occurrence," said Lutz, on his way home, "appears to me +like an +episode from the land of fables and wonders. First, the steer fight; +then the overcoming of the beast by a maiden; lastly, a maid of such +beauty that all the fair ones of romance are thrown in the shade. By +heaven, I must call all my learning to my aid in order to be able to +forget her and not fall in love up to the ears!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank said nothing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you did not even thank her!" said Lutz vehemently. "Your +conduct +was more than ungallant. I do not understand you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing without reason," said Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter! Your conduct cannot be justified," growled the +professor. +"I would like to know the reason that prevented you from thanking your +preserver for your life?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard stopped, looked quietly into the glowing countenance +of his +friend, and proceeded doubtingly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You shall know all, and then judge if my offensive conduct is +not +pardonable."</p> + +<p class="normal">He began to relate how he met Angela for the first time on the +lonely +road in the forest, how she then made a deep impression on him, what he +learned of her from the poor man and from Klingenberg, and how his +opinion of womankind had been shaken by Angela; then he spoke of his +object in visiting the Siegwart family, of his observations and +experience.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had about come to the conclusion, and the occurrence of +to-day +realizes that conclusion, that Angela possesses that admirable virtue +which, until now, I believed only to exist in the ideal world. If there +is a spark of vanity in her, I must have offended her. She must have +looked resentfully at me, the ungrateful man, and treated me sulkily. +But such was not the case; her eyes rested on me with the same +clearness and kindness as ever. My coarse unthankfulness did not offend +her, because she does not think much of herself, because she makes no +pretensions, because she does not know her great excellence, but +considers her little human weaknesses in the light of religious +perfection--in short, because she is truly humble. She will bury this +dauntless deed in forgetfulness. She does not wish the little and great +journals to bring her courage into publicity. Tell me a woman, or even +a man, who could be capable of such modesty? Who would risk life to +rescue a stranger from the horns of a ferocious steer without +hesitation, and not desire an acknowledgment of the heroic deed? How +great is Angela, how admirable in every act! I was unthankful; yes, in +the highest degree unthankful. But I placed myself willingly in this +odious light, in order to see Angela in full splendor. As I said," he +concluded quietly, "I must soon confess myself besieged--vanquished on +the whole line of observation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what then?" said the professor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I am convinced," said Richard, "that female worth +exists, shining +and brilliant, and that in the camp of the ultramontanes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A shaming experience for us," replied the professor. "You +make your +studies practical, you destroy all the results of learned investigation +by living facts. To be just, it must be admitted that a woman like what +you have described Angela to be only grows and ripens on the ground of +religious influences and convictions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And did you observe," said Richard, "how modestly she veiled +the +splendor of her brave action? She denied that there was any danger in +the presence of the steer, although it is well known that those beasts +in moments of rage forget all friendship. Angela must certainly have +felt this as she went to meet the horns of the infuriated animal to +rescue me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank visited daily, and sometimes twice a day, the Siegwart +family; he +was always received with welcome, and might be considered an intimate +friend. The family spirit unfolded itself clearer and clearer to his +view. He found that every thing in that house was pervaded by a +religious influence, and this without any design or haughty piety. The +assessor was destined to receive a striking proof of this.</p> + +<p class="normal">One afternoon a coach rolled into the court-yard. The family +were at +tea. The Assessor von Hamm entered, dressed entirely in black; even the +red ribbon was wanting in the button-hole.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have learned with grief of the misfortune that has +overtaken you," +said he after a very formal reception. "I obey the impulse of my heart +when I express my sincere sympathy in the great affliction you have +suffered in the death of the dear little Eliza."</p> + +<p class="normal">The tears came into the eyes of Madame Siegwart. Angela looked +straight +before her, as if to avoid the glance of the assessor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We thank you, Herr von Hamm," returned the proprietor. "We +were +severely tried, but we are reasonable enough to know that our family +cannot be exempted from the afflictions of human life."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hamm sat down, a cup was set before him, and Angela poured him +out a +cup of fragrant tea. The assessor acknowledged this service with his +sweetest smile, and the most obliged expression of thanks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right," he then said. "No one is exempt from the +stroke of +fate. Man must submit to the unavoidable. To the ancients, blind fate +was terrific and frightful. The present enlightenment submits with +resignation."</p> + +<p class="normal">If a bomb had plunged into the room and exploded upon the +table, it +could not have produced greater confusion than these words of the +assessor. Madame Siegwart looked at him with astonishment and shook her +head. The proprietor, embarrassed, sipped his tea. Angela's blooming +cheeks lost their color. Hamm did not even perceive the effect of his +fatal words, and Frank was scarcely able to hide his secret pleasure at +Hamm's sad mishap.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We know no fate, no blind, unavoidable destiny," said +Siegwart, who +could not forgive the assessor his unchristian sentiment. "But we know +a divine providence, an all-powerful will, without whose consent the +sparrow does not fall from the house-top. We believe in a Father in +heaven who, counts the hairs of our heads, and whose counsels rule our +destiny."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hamm smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You believe then, Herr Siegwart, that divine providence, or +rather +God, has aimed that blow at you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; so I believe."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me. I think you judge too hard of God. It is +inconsistent with +his paternal goodness to afflict your beloved child with such +misfortune."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Misfortune? It is to be doubted whether Eliza's death is a +misfortune. +Perhaps her early departure from this world is precisely her happiness; +and then we must reflect that God is master of life and death. It is +not for us to call the Almighty to account, even if his divine +ordinances should be counter to our wishes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I respect your religious convictions, Herr Siegwart. Permit +me, +however, to observe that God is much too exalted to have an eye to all +human trifles. He simply created the natural law; this he leaves to its +course. All the elements must obey these laws. Every creature is +subject to them; and when Eliza died, she died in consequence of the +course of these laws, but not through God's express will. Do you not +think that this view of our misfortunes reconciles us with the +conceptions we have of God's goodness?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I do not believe it, because such a view contradicts the +Christian +faith," replied Siegwart earnestly. "What kind of a God, what kind of a +Father would he be who would let every thing go as it might? He would +be less a father than the poorest laborer who supports his family in +the sweat of his brow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the whole army of misfortunes that daily overtake the +human +family? Does this army await the command of God?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not forget, Herr Assessor, that the most of these +misfortunes are +deserved; brought on by our sins and passions. If excesses would cease, +how many sources of nameless calamities would disappear! For the rest, +it is my firm conviction that nothing happens or can happen in the +whole universe without the express will of God, or at least by his +permission."</p> + +<p class="normal">The official shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This question is evidently of great importance to every man," +said +Frank. "Man is often not master of the course of his life; for it is +developed by a chain of circumstances, accidents, and providential +interferences that are not in man's power. I understand very well that +to be subject to blind chance, to an irrevocable fate, is something +disquieting and discouraging to man. Equally consoling, on the other +hand, is the Christian faith in the loving care of an all-powerful +Father, without whose permission a hair of our head cannot be touched. +But things of such great injustice, of such irresistible power, and of +such painful consequences happen on earth, that I cannot reconcile them +with divine love."</p> + +<p class="normal">While Frank spoke, Angela's eyes rested on him with the +greatest +attention; and when he concluded, she lowered her glance, and an +earnest, thoughtful expression passed over her countenance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are accidents that apparently are not the result of +man's +fault," said Siegwart. "Torrents sweep over the land and destroy all +the fruit of man's industry. Perhaps these torrents are only the +scourges which the justice of God waves over a lawless land. But I +admit that among the victims there are many good men. Storms wreck +ships at sea, and many human lives are lost. Avalanches plunge from the +Alps and bury whole towns in their resistless fall. It is such +accidents as these you have in view."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Precisely--exactly so. How will you reconcile all these with +the +fatherly goodness of God?" cried Hamm triumphantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The proprietor smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Permit me to ask a question, Herr Assessor. Why does the +state make +laws?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To preserve order."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I anticipated this natural reply," continued the proprietor. +"If +malefactors were not punished, thieves and desperadoes, their bad +practices being permitted, would have full play. Then all order would +vanish; human society would dissolve into a chaos of disorder. God also +created laws which are necessary for the preservation of the natural +order. Storms destroy ships. If there were no storms, all growth in the +vegetable kingdom would cease. Poisonous vapors would fill the air, and +every living thing must miserably die. Avalanches destroy villages. But +if it did not snow, the torrents would no longer run, the streams would +dry up and the wells would disappear, and man and beast would die of +thirst. You see, gentlemen, God cannot abolish that law of nature +without endangering the whole creation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That explains some, but not all," replied Hamm. "God is +all-powerful; +it would be but a trifle for him to protect us by his almighty power +from the destructive forces of the elements. Why does he not do so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The reason is clear," answered Angela's father: "God would +have +constantly to work miracles. Miracles are exceptions to the workings of +the laws of nature. Now, if God would constantly suppress the power, +and unceasingly interrupt the laws of nature, then there would be no +longer a law of nature. The supernatural would have devoured the +natural. The Almighty would have destroyed the present creation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter," said the official. "God might destroy the natural +forces +that are inimical to man; for all that exists is only of value because +of its use to man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then nothing whatever would remain. All would be lost," said +Siegwart. +"We speak and write much about earthly happiness that soon passes away. +We glorify the beauty of creation; but we forget that God's curse rests +on this earth, and it does not require great penetration to see this +curse in all things."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You believe, then, in the future destruction of the earth?" +asked +Hamm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Divine revelation teaches it," said Siegwart. "The Holy +Scriptures +expressly say there will be a new earth and a new heaven; and the Lord +himself assures us that the foundations of the earth will be overturned +and the stars shall fall from the heavens."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The stars fall from the heavens!" cried Hamm, laughing. "If +you could +only hear what the astronomers say about that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What the astronomers say is of no consequence. They did not +create the +heavenly bodies, and cannot give them boundaries; besides, we need not +take the falling of the stars literally. This expression may signify +their disappearance from the earth, perhaps the abolition of the laws +by which they have heretofore been moved, and the reconstruction of +those relations which existed between heaven and earth prior to the +fall. God will then do what you now demand of him, Herr von Hamm," +concluded Siegwart, smiling. "He will destroy the inimical power of +nature, so that the new earth will be free from thorns, tears, and +lamentations."</p> + +<p class="normal">Thus they continued to dispute, and the debate became so +animated that +even Angela entered the list in favor of providence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe," said she with charming blushes, "that the +miseries of this +earthly life can only be explained and understood in view of man's +eternal destiny. God spares the sinner through forbearance and mercy; +he sends trials and misfortunes to the good for their purification. God +demanded of Abraham the sacrifice of his only son; but when Abraham +showed obedience to the command, and consented to make that boundless +sacrifice, he was provided with another victim to offer sacrifice to +God."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fräulein Angela," exclaimed Hamm enthusiastically, "you have +solved +the problem. Your comprehensive remark reconciles even the innocent +sufferers with repulsive decrees. O Fräulein!"--and the assessor fell +into a tone of reverie--"were it permitted me to go through life by the +side of a partner who possesses your spirit and your conciliatory +mildness!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela looked down blushing. She was embarrassed, and dared +not raise +her eyes. Her first glance, after a few moments, was at Richard.</p> + + +<p class="normal">Frank wrote in his diary:</p> + +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"Even the preaching tone becomes her admirably. Morality and +religion +flow from her lips as from a pure fountain that vivifies her soul."</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">As yet he had not surrendered to Angela.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank sprang from an obstinate Westphalian stock; and that the +Westphalians have not exchanged their stiff necks for those of +shepherds, is sufficiently proved by their stubborn fight with the +powers who menaced their liberties. Had Frank been a good-natured +South-German or even Municher, he would long since have bowed head and +knees to the "Angel of Salingen." But he now maintained the last +position of his antipathy to women against Angela's superior powers.</p> + +<p class="normal">He visited the Siegwart family not twice, but thrice, even +four times a +day. He appeared suddenly and unexpectedly before Angela like a spy who +wished to detect faults.</p> + +<p class="normal">Just as he was going over the court, on one occasion, a tall +lad came +up to him. The boy came from the same fatal door through which Master +Falk had rushed out upon Richard with such bad intentions. The servant +held his hat in his right hand, and with his left fumbled the bright +buttons on his red vest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Frank, excuse me; I have something to say to you. I have +wanted +to speak to you for the last three days, but could not because my +master was always in the way. But now, as my master is in the fields, I +can state my trouble, if you will allow me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What trouble have you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am the Swiss through whose fault the steer came near doing +you a +great injury. It is inexplicable to me, even now, how the animal got +loose. But Falk is very cunning. I cannot be too watchful of him. His +head is full of schemes; and before you can turn around, he has played +one of his tricks. The chain has a clasp with a latch, and how he broke +it, he only knows."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is all right," replied Frank. "I believe you are not to +blame."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not to blame about the chain. But I am for the door +being open, +Miss Angela said; and she is perfectly right. Therefore, I beg your +pardon and promise you that nothing of the kind shall happen in +future."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The pardon is granted, on condition that you guard the steer +better."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Miss Angela said that too; and she required me to ask your +pardon, +which I have done."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela stood in the garden, hidden behind the rose-bushes, and +heard, +smiling, the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">As Frank passed over the yard, she came from the garden +carrying a +basketful of vegetables. At the same time a harvest-wagon, loaded with +rapes and drawn by four horses, came into the yard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your industry extends to the garden also, Miss Angela," said +Frank, +"Now I know no branch of housekeeping that you cannot take a part in."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My work is, however, insignificant," she returned. "In a +large house +there is always a great deal to do, and every one must try to be +useful."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your garden deserves all praise," continued Richard, eyeing +the +contents of the baskets. "What magnificent peas and beans!"</p> + +<p class="normal">For the first time Frank observed in her face something like +flattered +vanity, and he almost rejoiced at this small shadow on the celestial +form before him. But the supposed shadow was quickly changed into light +before his eyes. "Father brought these early beans into the +neighborhood; they are very tender and palatable. Father likes them, +and I am glad to be able to make him a salad this evening. He will be +astonished to see his young favorites of this year, eight days earlier +than formerly. There he comes; he must not see them now." She covered +them with some lettuce.</p> + +<p class="normal">And this was the shadow of flattered vanity! Childish joy, to +be able +to astonish her father with an agreeable dish.</p> + +<p class="normal">The loaded wagon stopped in the yard; the horses snorted and +pawed the +ground impatiently. The servants opened the barn-doors, and Frank saw +on all sides activity and haste to house the valuable crop.</p> + +<p class="normal">Siegwart shook hands with the visitor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The first blessing of the year," said the proprietor. "The +rapes have +turned out well. We had a fine blooming season, and the flies could not +do much damage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have often observed those little flies in the rape-fields," +said +Frank. "You can count millions of them; but I did not know that they +injured the crop."</p> + +<p class="normal">They both went into the house, where a bottle of Munich beer +awaited +them. Soon after, the servants went through the hall, and Frank heard +Angela's voice from the kitchen, where she was busily occupied. The +servants brought bread, plates, cheese, and jugs of light wine to the +servants' room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Neighbor," said Siegwart, "I invite you to-morrow afternoon +at four +o'clock to a family entertainment--providing it will be agreeable to +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The invitation was accepted.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must not expect much from the entertainment. It will, at +least, be +new to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank was much interested in the character of this +ultramontane +entertainment. He thought of a May party, a coronation party; but +rejected this idea, for Siegwart promised a family entertainment, and +this could not be a May party. He thought of all kinds of plays, and +what part Angela would take in them. But the play also seemed +improbable, and at last the subject of the invitation remained an +interesting mystery to him, the solution of which he awaited with +impatience.</p> + +<p class="normal">An hour before the appointed time Richard left Frankenhöhe, +after +Klingenberg had excused him from the daily walk. He took a roundabout +way along the edge of the forest; for he knew that the Siegwart family +would be at divine service, and he did not wish to arrive at the house +a moment before the time. Sunday stillness rested on all. The mountains +rose up a deep blue; the vari-colored fields were partly yellow; the +vineyards alone were of a deep green, and when the wind blew through +them it wafted with it the pleasant odors of the vine-blossoms.</p> + +<p class="normal">Madame Siegwart was just returning home from Salingen between +her two +children. Henry, a youth of seventeen and the future proprietor of the +property, had the same manners as his father. He walked leisurely on +the road-side, examining the blooming wheat and ripening corn. When he +discovered nests of vine weevils, he plucked them off and crushed the +eggs of the hated enemies of all wine-growers. Angela remained +constantly at her mother's side, and as she accidentally raised her +eyes to where Richard stood, he made a movement as though he was caught +disadvantageously.</p> + +<p class="normal">A short distance behind them came Siegwart, surrounded by some +men. +They often stopped and talked in a lively manner. Frank thought that +these men were also invited, and hoped to become acquainted with the +<i>élite</i> of Salingen. He was, however, disappointed; for a short +distance from Siegwart's house the men turned back to Salingen. They +had only accompanied the proprietor part of the way. The servants of +Siegwart also came hastening along the road, first the men-servants, +and some distance behind them the maid-servants. Frank had observed +this separation before, and thought it must be in consequence of the +strict orders of the master. Frank considered this narrow-minded, and +thought of finding fault with it, in true modern spirit. But then he +considered the results of his observations, which had extended to the +servants. He often admired the industry and regular conduct of these +people. He never heard any oath or rough expressions of passion; every +one knew his work, and performed it with care and attention. He +observed this regular order with admiration, particularly when he +thought of the disobedience, dissatisfaction, and untrustworthiness of +the generality of servants. Siegwart must possess a great secret to +keep these people in agreement and order; therefore he rejected his +former opinion of narrow-mindedness, and believed the proprietor must +have good reason for this separation of the sexes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank remained for a time under the shadow of an oak, looked +at his +watch, and finally descended the shortest way. He was expected by +Siegwart, and immediately conducted to the large room. The arrangement +of the room showed at a glance its use. There was a small altar at one +side, and religious pictures hung on the walls. There was also a +harmonium, and on the windows hung curtains on which were painted +scenes from sacred history. In the middle of the room there was a desk, +on which lay a book. To the right of the desk sat the men-servants, to +the left the maids, the Siegwart family in the centre. A smile passed +over Frank's countenance at the present religious entertainment--for +him, at least, a new sort of recreation. At his entrance the whole +assembly rose. He greeted Angela and her mother, pressed warmly the +hand of Henry, and took the seat allotted to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela ascended the pulpit, sat down and opened the book. She +read the +life of the servant St. Zitta, whom the church numbers among the +saints. Angela read in a masterly manner. The narrative tone of her +soft, melodious voice ran like a quickening stream through the soul. +Some passages she pronounced with plastic force, and into the delivery +of others she breathed warm life. All listened with great attention. +Zitta's childhood passed in quick review, then her hard lot with a +master difficult to please. The servants listened with astonishment. +They heard with pious attention of Zitta's pure conduct, of her +fidelity and humility, of her industry and self-denial. They all felt +personally their own deficiency in comparison with this shining model. +When Angela closed the book, Frank saw that the servants were deeply +impressed. Meditatively they left the room, as though they had heard a +striking sermon.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah!" thought Frank. "Now I know one of the means by which +Siegwart +influences his people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now comes the second part of the entertainment," said the +proprietor, +taking Richard's arm. "We will now go into the garden."</p> + +<p class="normal">On the way thither Frank saw under the lindens a long table +set with +food and wine, and at it sat the servants. Richard heard their +conversation in passing. They talked of St. Zitta and recounted the +striking facts of her life.</p> + +<p class="normal">Near the garden wall grew a vine-arbor, which caught the cool +air as it +passed and loaded it with pleasant odors. Thousands of the flowers of +the blooming vine appeared between the indented leaves. Each of these +diminutive flowers breathed forth a fragrance which for sweetness of +odor could not be surpassed.</p> + +<p class="normal">A young brood of goldfinches, who had taken possession of the +arbor, +now cleared off. They flew up on the dwarf trees, or hid among the +roses, which of all colors and kinds grew in the garden. The hungry +young ones cried incessantly, and tested severely the parental duty of +support. But the old ones were not ashamed of this duty. Here and there +they caught flies and other insects, and carried them to the young +ones, who stood with outstretched wings and flabby bills wide open. +Then the old ones would fly away again, light on the branches--mostly +on bean-stalks--make quick dodges, wave their tails, smack their +tongues, and seize as quick as lightning a harmless passing fly. The +sparrows did not behave so harmlessly. They pecked at the bright +shining cherries that hung in full clusters on the swaying branches. +Others of this sharp-billed gentry hopped about on the strawberry-beds, +and disfigured the large berries as they tore off great pieces of the +soft meat. One of them had even the boldness to hop about on the +decorated table that stood at the upper end of the arbor, to strike his +sharp bill into the buttered bread, make an examination of the +preserves, ogle the slices of ham, and admire the black bottles that +stood on the ground. He also took to flight as the company arrived. The +vine-blossoms seemed to send forth a sweeter fragrance as Angela, +bright and beaming, approached, leaning on the arm of her mother.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you have this edifying reading every Sunday?" asked +Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Regularly," answered the proprietor. "It is an old custom of +our +family, and I find it has such good results that I will not have it +abolished. The servants are not obliged to be present. They are free +after vespers, each one to employ himself as best suits him. But it +seldom happens that a servant or a maid is absent. They like to hear +the legends, and you may have remarked that they listen with great +attention to the reading."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have observed it," said Frank. "Miss Angela is also such an +excellent reader that only deaf people would not attend."</p> + +<p class="normal">She smiled and blushed a little at this praise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I consider it a strict obligation of employers to have a +supervision +over the conduct of the servants," said Madame Siegwart. "Many, perhaps +most, servants are treated like the slaves in old heathen times. They +work for their masters, are paid for it, and there the relation between +master and servant ends. This is why they neglect divine service on +Sundays and feast-days; their moral wants are not satisfied, their +natural inclinations are not purified by restraints of a higher order. +The servants sit in the taverns, where they squander their wages, and +the maids rove about and gossip. This is a great injustice to the +servants, and full of bad consequences. It cannot be questioned that +masters should shield their servants from error and keep them under +moral discipline."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Precisely my opinion," returned Frank. "If servants are +frequently +spoiled and general complaint is made of it, the masters are greatly in +fault. I have long since admired the conduct of your servants. I looked +upon Herr Siegwart as a kind of sorcerer, who conjured every thing +under his charge according to his will. Now a part of the sorcery is +clear to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you were favorable in your judgment," said the +proprietor, +laughing. "So you considered me a magician; others consider me an +ultramontanist, and that is something still worse."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard smiled and blushed slightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You no doubt have heard this honorable title applied to me, +Herr +Frank?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I have heard of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I scarcely deceive myself in supposing," continued +Siegwart +good-humoredly, "that your father has spoken to you of his neighbor, +the ultramontane."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not deceive yourself at all," answered Frank. "I +consider it a +great honor to have become better acquainted with the ultramontane."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have often wished to speak to you," continued the +proprietor, "of +the reason which called forth your father's displeasure with me. I +suppose, however, that you have heard it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father never spoke of it, and I am eager to know the +unfortunate +cause."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is as follows. About ten years ago your father, with some +other +gentlemen, wished to establish a great factory in this neighborhood. +The land on which it was to stand is a marsh lying near a pond, the +water of which was to be made of use to the factory. I tried with all +my power to prevent this design, and even for social and religious +reasons. Our neighborhood needed no factory. There are but few very +poor people, and these support themselves sufficiently well among the +farmers. Experience proves that factories have a bad effect on the +people in their neighborhood. Our people are firm believers. The +peasants keep conscientiously the Sundays and festivals. In all their +cares for the earthly they do not forget the eternal life. This +religious sentiment spreads happiness and peace over our quiet +neighborhood. The factory, which knows no Sunday, and the operatives, +who are sometimes very bad men, would have brought a harsh discordance +into the quiet harmony of the neighborhood. I considered these and +other injurious influences, and offered a higher price for the swamp +than your father and his friends. As there was no other convenient +place about, the enterprise had to be given up. Since that time your +father is offended with me because I made his favorite project +impossible. This is the way it stands. That it is painful to me, I need +not assure you. But according to my principles and views I could not do +otherwise. Now judge how far I am to be condemned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I speak freely," said Frank. "You have acted from principles +that one +must respect, and which my father would have respected if he had known +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">The proprietor could have observed that he had, in a long +letter, +justified himself to Herr Frank. But he suppressed the observation, as +he felt it would be painful to his son.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father," said Henry, "hunger and thirst are appeased. Can I +ride out +for an hour?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, my son; but not longer. Be back by supper-time."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man promised, and, after a friendly bow to Frank, +hastened +from the garden. The little circle continued some time in friendly +chat. The servants under the lindens became noisy and sang merry songs. +The maids sat around the tea-table in the kitchen and praised St. +Zitta.</p> + +<p class="normal">The cook appeared in the arbor and announced that Herr von +Hamm was in +the house, and wished to speak on important business to Herr and Madame +Siegwart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What can he want?" said the proprietor in surprise. "Excuse +me, Herr +Frank; the business will soon be over. I beg you to remain till we +return. Angela, prevent him from going."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela, smiling, looked after her retiring parents and then at +Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must keep you, Herr Frank. How shall I begin?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is very easy, Fräulein. Your presence is sufficient to +realize +your father's wish. A weak child of human nature cannot resist one who +can conquer steers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now you make a steer-catcher of me. Such a thing never +happened in +Spain; for there the steers are not so cultivated and docile as they +are with us."</p> + +<p class="normal">She took out her knitting.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is Sunday, Miss Angela!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you consider knitting unlawful after one has fulfilled +one's +religious duties?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The case is not clear to me," said Frank, smiling secretly at +the +earnestness of the questioner. "My casuistic knowledge is not +sufficient to solve such a question reasonably."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The church only forbids servile work," said she. "I consider +knitting +and sewing as something better than doing nothing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am rejoiced that you are not narrow-minded, Fräulein. But +this +little stocking does not fit your feet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is for little bare feet in Salingen," she replied, laying +the +finished stocking on the table and stroking it with both hands as a +work of love.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have heard of your beneficence," said Frank. "You knit, +sew, and +cook for the poor people. You are a refuge for all the needy and +distressed. How good in you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You exaggerate, Herr Frank. I do a little sometimes, but not +more than +I can do with the house-work, which is scarcely worth mentioning. I +make no sacrifice in doing it; on the contrary, the poor give me more +than I give them; for giving is to every one more pleasant than +receiving."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To every one, Fräulein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To every one who can give without denying herself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you are accustomed also to visit the sick, and the hovels +of +poverty are certainly not attractive."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed, Herr Frank, very attractive," she answered quickly. +"The +thanks of the poor sick are so affecting and elevating that one is paid +a thousand times for a little trouble."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank let the subject drop. Angela did not give charities from +pride or +the gratification of vanity, as he had been prepared to assume, but +from natural goodness and inclination of the heart. He looked at the +beautiful girl who sat before him industriously sewing, and was almost +angry at his failure to detect a fault in her pure nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you always adorn the statue of the Virgin on the +mountain?" said he +after a pause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; not now. The month of our dear Lady is over. I always +think with +pleasure of the happy hours when in the convent we adorned her altar +with beautiful flowers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must have a great reverence for Mary, or you would not +ascend the +mountain daily."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I admire the exalted virtues of Mary, and think with sorrow +of her +painful life on earth; and then, a weak creature needs much her +powerful protection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you expect, Miss Angela, by such attention as you show the +statue +to obtain protection of the saint?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I do not believe that. The adorning of the pictures of +saints +would be idle trifling if the heart wandered far from the spirit of the +saints. Our church teaches, as you know, that the real, true veneration +of the saints consists in imitating their virtues."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank sat reflecting. The examination and probation were +thoroughly +disgusting to him. Siegwart appeared in the garden, and came with quick +steps to the arbor. His countenance was agitated and his eyes glowed +with indignation. Without speaking a word, he drank off a glass of +wine. Frank saw how he endeavored not to exhibit his anger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has Herr von Hamm departed?" asked Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he is off again," said the proprietor. "Angela, your +mother has +something to say to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now guess what the assessor wanted?" said Siegwart, after his +daughter +had left the arbor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps he wanted the Peter-pence collection," said Frank, +smiling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No. Herr von Hamm wanted nothing more or less than to marry +my +daughter!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank was astonished. Although he long since saw through +Hamm's +designs, he did not expect so sudden and hasty a step.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And in what manner did he demand her?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is revolting," said the proprietor, much offended. "Herr +von Hamm +graciously condescends to us peasants. He showed that it would be a +great good fortune for us to give our daughter to the noble, the +official with brilliant prospects."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Hamm does not think little of himself," said Richard +drily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How did the man ever come to ask my daughter? He and Angela! +What +opposites!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which, of course, you made clear to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I reminded the gentleman that identity of moral and religious +principles alone could render matrimonial happiness possible. I +reminded him that Angela was an ultramontane, whose opinions would +daily annoy him, while his modern opinions must deeply offend Angela. +This I set before him briefly. Then I told him frankly and freely that +I did not wish to make either him or Angela unhappy, and at this he +went away angrily."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have done your duty," said Frank. "I am also of opinion +that +similar convictions in the great principles of life alone insure the +happiness of married life."</p> + +<p class="normal">When Richard came home, he wrote in his diary:</p> + +<div class="quote"> +<p class="normal">"June 4.--Unconditional surrender. What I supposed only to +exist in the +ideal world is realized in the daughter of an ultramontane. Angela, +compared to our crinolines, our flirts, our insipid coquettes--how +brilliant the light, how deep the shadow!</p> + +<p class="normal">"My visits to that family have no longer a purpose. I feel +they must be +discontinued for the sake of my peace. I dare not dream of a happiness +of which I am unworthy. But my future life will feel painfully the want +of a happiness the possibility of which I did not dream. This is a +punishment for presuming to penetrate the pure, glorious character of +the Angel of Salingen."</p> +</div> + +<p class="normal">He buried his face in his hands, and leaned on the table. He +remained +thus a long time; when he raised his head, his face was pale, and his +eyes were moist with tears.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<h3>POISONOUS FOOD.</h3> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Frank has not been here for four days," said Siegwart as +he +returned one day from the field. "He will not come to-day, for it is +already nine o'clock, I hope the young man is not ill."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ill? May God forbid!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At least, I know no other reason that could prevent him from +coming. +He has become a necessity to me; I seem to miss something."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela concealed her uneasiness in true womanly fashion. She +busied +herself about the room, dusted the furniture, arranged the vases, and +trimmed the flowers; but one could see that her mind was not in the +work.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would it not be well, father, to send and inquire after his +health?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would if we were certain that he was ill. I only made a +conjecture. +However, if he does not come to-morrow, I will send Henry over.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We owe him this attention; he is sensible, modest, and very +intelligent. We find at present in the cities and first families few +young men of so little assumption and so much goodness and manliness."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela pricked her finger. She had incautiously wandered into +the +thicket, as if she did not know that roses have thorns.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Many things tell of his kind-heartedness," she replied, with +averted +face. "He sends five dollars every week to the old blind woman in +Salingen; he often takes the money himself, and comforts the +unfortunate creature. The blind woman is full of enthusiasm about him. +He bought the cooper a full set of tools, that he might be able to +support his mother and seven little sisters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very praiseworthy," said the father.</p> + +<p class="normal">As Siegwart came home in the evening, Angela met him in the +yard. She +carried a basket and was about to go into the garden.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Frank is not unwell," said he; "I saw him in the field +and went +through the vineyard to meet him; but when he discovered my intention, +he turned about and hastened toward the house. That surprises me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela went into the garden. She stood on the bed and gazed at +the +lettuce. The empty basket awaited its contents, and in it lay the knife +whose bright blade glistened before the idle dreamer. She stood thus +meditating, lost in thought for a long time, which was certainly not +her custom.</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank had returned from the city, and was roughly +received by the +doctor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you spoken to your son?" said he sharply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No! I have just alighted from the carriage," answered Frank +in +astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor walked up and down the room, and Frank saw his face +growing +darker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You disturb me, good friend. How is Richard?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bad, very bad! And it is all your fault. You gave Richard +those +materialistic books which I threw out of the window. He has read the +trash--not read, but studied it; and now we have the consequences."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me, doctor. I did not give my son those books. He was +passing +the window when you threw them out, and took them to his room."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You knew that! Why did you leave him the miserable trash?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had no idea of the danger of these writings. Explain +yourself +further, I entreat."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must first see your son. But I bind it on your conscience +to use +the greatest precaution. Do not show the least surprise. We have to +deal with a dangerous disorder. Do not say a word about his changed +appearance. Then come back to me again."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greatly disturbed, the father passed to the room of his son. +Richard +sat on the sofa gazing at the floor. His cheeks had lost their bloom, +his face was emaciated, and his eyes deeply sunken. Vogt's +<i>Physiological Letters</i> lay open near him. He did not rise quickly and +joyfully to kiss his father, as was his custom. He remained sitting, +and smiled languidly at him. Herr Frank, grieved and perplexed, sat +down near him, and took occasion to pick up the book:</p> + +<p class="normal">"How are you, Richard?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, as you see."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are industrious. What book is this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A rare book, father--a remarkable book. One learns there to +know what +man is and what he is not. Until now, I did not know that cats, dogs, +monkeys, and all animals were of our race. Now I know; for it is +clearly demonstrated in that book."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You certainly do not believe such absurdities?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Believe? I believe nothing at all. Faith ends where proof +begins."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank read the open page.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All this sounds very silly," said he. "Vogt asserts that man +has no +soul, and proves it from the fact that men become idiotic. If the +functions of the brain are disturbed, the soul ceases, says Vogt. He +therefore concludes that the spirit consists in the brain. The man must +have been crazy when he wrote that. I am no scholar; but I see at the +first glance how false and groundless are Vogt's inferences. Every +reasonable man knows that the brain is the instrument of the mind, +which enables it to participate in the world of sense; now, when the +instrument is destroyed, the participation of the mind with the outward +world must cease. Although a man may be an expert on the violin, he +cannot play if the strings are broken or out of tune. But the player, +his ideas, the art, still remain. In like manner the spirit remains, +although it can no longer play on the injured or discordant fibres of +the brain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must read the whole book, father, and then those others +there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Richard, you must not read books that rob man of all +dignity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course not. I should do as the ostrich. When he is in +danger, he +sticks his head into the bushes not to see the danger. A prudent plan. +But I cannot close my eyes to the light, even if that light should +destroy my human respect."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greatly afflicted, Herr Frank returned to the doctor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Great God! in what a condition is my poor Richard!" said the +oppressed +father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will, I hope, be rescued. My stay at Frankenhöhe was to +end with +the month of May; but I cannot forsake a young man whom I love, in this +helpless state of mental delirium."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not understand the condition of my son; and your words +give me +great anxiety. Have the goodness to tell me what is the matter with +Richard, and how it came about."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would be very difficult to make your son's condition clear +to you. +In you there is only business, lucrative undertakings, speculative +combinations. The bustle of the money market is your world. You have no +idea of the power of an intellectual struggle. You know the thoughtful, +intellectual nature of your son; and here I begin. In the first place, +I will remind you that Richard wishes to be governed by the power of +deduction. With him fantasies and passions retreat before this force, +although usually in men of his years, and even in men with gray hair, +clearness of mind and keen penetration are often swept away by the +current of stormy passions. Richard's aversion to women is the result +of cool reflection and inevitable inference, and therefore on this +question I do not dispute his views. I know it would be useless, and I +know that the study of a pure feminine nature would overcome this +prejudice. The same force of logical inferences places Richard in this +unhappy condition. He read the writings of the materialist. There he +found the physiological proofs that man is a beast. From these proofs +Richard drew all the terrible consequences contained in those +destructive doctrines. As the intellectual life predominates in him, +and as he has a strong repugnance to materialistic madness, his nature +must be stirred in its profoundest depths. If Richard succumbs, he will +act in his habitual consistent manner. All moral basis lost, morality +would be foolishness to him, since it is useless for beasts to curb the +passions by moral laws. As with immortality disappears man's eternal +destiny, it would be foolish to 'fight the giant fight of duty.' If he +is convinced that man is a beast, he will live like a beast--although +he might cloak his conduct with the varnish of decency--and thus +suddenly would the sensible Richard stand before his astonished father +a ruined man. This is one view; there is still another," said the +doctor hesitatingly. "I remember in the course of my practice a suicide +who wrote on a slip of paper, 'What do I here? Eat, drink, sleep, +worry, and fret; much suffering, little joy; therefore--' and the man +sent a bullet through his head. This suicide thought logically. This +earthly life is insupportable; it is foolishness to a man who thinks +and is at the same time a materialist."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What prospects--horrible!" cried Herr Frank, wringing his +hands. +"Accursed be those books; and I am the cause of this misfortune!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The involuntary cause," said Klingenberg consolingly. "You +now have a +firm conviction of the devastating effects of those bad books. But how +many are there who consider every warning in this connection an +exhibition of prejudice or narrow-mindedness! How few readers are so +modest as to admit that they want the scientific culture to refute a +bad book, to separate the poison from the honey of sweet phrases and +winning style! How few can see that they cannot read those bad books +without detriment! No one would sit on a cask of powder and touch it +off for amusement; and yet those hellish books are more dangerous than +a cask full of powder. To me this is incomprehensible. Poisonous food +is always injurious; yet thousands and millions drink greedily from +this poisonous stream of bad reading which deluges all grades of +society."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will do immediately what must be done," said Herr Frank as +he +hastily rose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What will you do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take from my son those execrable books."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By no means," said Klingenberg. "This would be a +psychological +mistake. Richard would buy the same books again at the book-shop, and +read them secretly. A man who has the resolution of your son must be +won by honorable combat. Authority would here be badly applied. +Therefore I forbid you to interfere. You know nothing of the matter. +Treat him kindly, and have forbearance with his sensitiveness. That is +what I must require of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greatly afflicted, Herr Frank left the doctor. Overwhelming +himself +with reproaches, he wandered restlessly about the house and garden. He +saw Richard standing at the open window with folded arms, dreamy and +pale, his hair in disorder like a storm-beaten wheat-field--truly a +painful sight for the father. He went up to his room, where the small +library stood in its beautiful binding. A servant stood near him with a +basket. The works of Eugene Sue, Gutzkow, and like spirits fell into +the basket.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All to the fire!" commanded Herr Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor had compared bad literature to poisonous food. The +comparison was not inapt; at least, it gave Richard the appearance of a +man in whose body destructive poison was working. He was listless and +exhausted; in walking, his hands hung heavily by his side. His eyes +were directed to the ground, as if he were seeking something. If he saw +a snail, he stopped to examine the crawling creature. He sought to know +why the snail crawls about, and, to his astonishment, found that the +snail always followed an object; which is not always the case with man, +animal of the moment, who goes about without an object. If a +caterpillar accidentally got under his foot, he pushed it carefully +aside and examined if it had been hurt. It seemed to him logical that +creeping and flying things had the same claims to forbearance and +proper treatment as man, since according to Vogt and Büchner's striking +proofs, all creeping and flying things are not essentially different +from man.</p> + +<p class="normal">He paid particular attention to the spiders. If he came to a +place +where their web was stretched, he examined attentively the artistic +texture; he saw the firmly fastened knot on the twig which held the web +apart, the circular meshes, the cunning arrangement to catch the +wandering fly. He was convinced that such a spider would be a thousand +times more intelligent than Herr Vogt and Herr Büchner, with half as +big a head as those wise naturalists. The enterprising spirit of the +ants excited not less his admiration. He always found them busy and in +a bustle, to which a market-day could not be compared. Even London and +Paris were solitary in comparison to the throng in an ant-hill. They +dragged about large pieces of wood, as also leaves and fibres, to +construct their house, which was laid out with design and finished with +much care. If he pushed his cane into the hill, there forthwith arose a +great revolution. The inhabitants rushed out upon him, nipped him with +their pincers, and showed the greatest rage against the invader of +their kingdom, while others with great celerity placed the eggs in +safety. He observed that the ants gave no quarter, and considered every +one a mortal enemy who disturbed their state.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man sat on a stone and examined a snail that crawled +slowly +from the wet grass. It carried a gray house on its back, and beslimed +the way as it went, and stretched out its horns to discover the best +direction. Its delicate touch astonished Frank. When obstacles came in +its way which it did not see nor touch, it would perceive them by means +of a wonderful sensibility.</p> + +<p class="normal">How stupid did Richard appear to himself, beside a horned, +blind snail. +How many men only discover obstacles in their way when they have run +their heads against them, and how many wish to run their heads through +walls without any reason! He arose and looked toward Angela's home. He +was dejected, and heaved a sigh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All is of no avail. The activity of the animal world affords +no +diversion, the benumbing strokes of materialism lose their effect. The +rare becomes common, and does not attract attention. There walks an +angel in the splendor of superior excellence, and I endeavor in vain to +distract my mind from her by studying the animals. I follow willingly +the professors' exact investigations, into the labyrinth of their +studied arguments to make it appear that I am only an animal, that all +our sentiment is only imagination and fallacy. It is all in vain. Can +these gentlemen teach me how we can cease to have admiration for the +noble and exalted? Here man forcibly breaks through. Here self, +irresistible and disgusted with error, brings the nobility of human +nature to consciousness, and all the wisdom of boasted materialism +becomes idle nonsense."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank God! I see you again, my dear neighbor," said Siegwart +cordially. "Where have you kept yourself this last week? Why do you no +longer visit us? My whole house is excited about you. Henry is angry +because he cannot show you the horses he bought lately. My wife bothers +her head with all kinds of forebodings, and Angela urged me to send and +see if you were ill."</p> + +<p class="normal">A new life permeated Frank's whole being at these last words; +his +cheeks flushed and his languid eyes brightened up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know no good reason as an apology, dear friend. Be assured, +however, +that the apparent neglect does not arise from any coolness toward you +and your esteemed family." And he drew marks in the sand with his cane.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps your father took offence at your visits to us?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! no. No; I alone am to blame."</p> + +<p class="normal">Siegwart gave a searching glance at the pale face of the young +man who, +broken-spirited, stood before him, and whose mental condition he did +not understand, although he had a vague idea of it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will not press you further," said he cheerfully. "But, as a +punishment, you must now come with me. I received yesterday a fresh +supply of genuine Havanas, and you must try them."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took Richard by the arm, and the latter yielded to the +friendly +compulsion. They went through the vineyard. Frank broke from a twig a +folded leaf.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you know the cause of this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! yes; it is the work of the vine-weevil," answered +Siegwart. "These +mischief-makers sometimes cause great damage to the vineyards. Some +years I have their nests gathered and the eggs destroyed to prevent +their doing damage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You consider every thing with the eyes of an economist. But I +admire +the art, the foresight, and the intelligence of these insects."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Intelligence--foresight of an insect!" repeated Siegwart, +astonished. +"I see in the whole affair neither intelligence nor foresight."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But just look here," said Richard, carefully unfolding the +leaf. "What +a degree of considerate management is necessary to fix the leaf in such +order. The ribs of this leaf are stronger than the force of the beetle. +Yet he wished to fold the eggs in it. What does he do? He first pierces +the stem with his pincers; in consequence of this, the leaf curls up +and becomes soft and pliable to the frail feet of the insect. This is +the first act of reflection. The piercing of the stem had evidently as +its object to cause the leaf to roll up. Then he begins to work with a +perfection that would do honor to human skill. The leaf is rolled up in +order to put the eggs in the folds. Here is the first egg; he rolls +further--here is the second egg, some distance from the first, in order +to have sufficient food for the young worm--again an act of reflection; +lastly, he finishes the roll with a carefully worked point, to prevent +the leaf from unfolding--again an act of reflection."</p> + +<p class="normal">Siegwart heard all this with indifference. What Richard told +him he had +known for years. His employment in the fields revealed to his observing +mind wonderful facts in nature and in the animal world. The wisdom of +the vine-weevil gave him ho difficulty. He looked again in Frank's +deep-sunken eyes and noticed a peculiar expression, and in his +countenance great anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">He concluded that the work of the vine-weevil must have some +connection +with the young man's condition.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You see actions of reflection and design where I see only +unconscious +instinct."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank became nervous.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The common evasion of superficial examination!" cried he. +"Man must be +just even to the animals. Their works are artistic, intelligent, and +considerate. Why then deny to animals those powers which operate with +intelligence and reflection?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not for a moment dispute this power of the animals," +replied the +proprietor quickly. "You find mind in the animals?" interrupted Frank +hastily. "This conviction once reached, have you considered the +consequences that follow?"--and he became more excited. "Have you +considered that with this admission the whole world becomes a fabulous +structure, without any higher object? If the spider is equal to man, +then its torn web that flutters in the wind is worth as much as the +crumbling fragments of art which remain from classic antiquity. Virtue, +the careful restraining of the passions, is stark madness. The +disgusting ape, lustful and brutish, is as good as the purest virgin +who performs severe penances for her idle dreams. It is with justice +that the criminal scoffs at the good as bedlamites who, with fanatical +delusion, strive for castles in the air. Every outcast from society, +sunk and saturated in the basest vices, is precisely as good as the +purest soul and the noblest heart; for all distinction between right +and wrong, good and evil, is destroyed."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela's father gazed with solicitude into the perplexed look +and +distorted countenance of the young man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You deduce consequences, Herr Frank, that could not be drawn +from +my admissions," said he mildly. "There is no conscious power in +animals--no reflecting soul. The animal works with the power that is in +it, as light and heat in the fire, as in the lightning the destructive +force, as the exciting and purifying effects in the storm. The animal +does not act freely, like man; but from necessity--according to +instinct and laws which the Almighty has imposed, upon it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A gratuitous assumption! A shallow artifice," exclaimed +Frank. "The +animal shows understanding, design, and will; we must not deny him +these faculties."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If the lightning strikes my house and discovers with +infallible +certainty all the metal in the walls, even where the sharpest eye could +not detect it, must you recognize mental faculties in the lightning in +discovering the metal?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank hemmed and was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a botcher is the most learned chemist compared with the +root-fibres of the smallest plant," continued Siegwart. "Every plant +has its own peculiar life; this I observe every day. All plants do not +flourish alike in the same soil. They only flourish where they find the +necessary conditions for their peculiar life; where they find in the +air and earth the conditions necessary for their existence. Set ten +different kinds of plants together in a small plat of ground. The +different fibres will always seek and absorb only that material in the +earth which is proper to their kind; they will pass by the useless and +injurious substances. Now, where is the chemist who with such +certainty, such power of discrimination, and knowledge of substances, +can select from the inert clod the proper material? A chemist with such +knowledge does not exist. Now, must you admit that the fibres possess +as keen an understanding and as deep a knowledge of chemistry as the +man who is versed in chemistry?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would be manifest folly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well," concluded Siegwart quietly, "if the vine-weevil weaves +its +wrapper, the spider its web, the bird builds its nest, and the beaver +his house, they all do it in their way, as the root-fibres in theirs."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard remained silent, and they passed into the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela and her mother looked with astonishment and sympathy on +their +friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">Soon in the mild countenance of Madam Siegwart there appeared +nearly +the same expression as in the first days after the death of Eliza--so +much did the painful appearance of the young man afflict her. Angela +turned pale, her eyes filled, and she strove to hide her emotion. Frank +only looked at her furtively. Whatever he had to say to her, he said +with averted eyes. Siegwart expended all his powers of amusement; but +he did not succeed in cheering the young man. He continued depressed, +embarrassed, and sad, and constantly avoided looking at Angela. When +she spoke he listened to the sound of her voice, but avoided her look. +Presently a low barking was heard in the room and Hector, who had +growlingly received Frank at his first visit, but who in time had +become an acquaintance of his, lay stretched at full length dreaming. +Scarcely did Richard notice the dreaming animal when he exclaimed,</p> + +<p class="normal">"The dog dreams! See how his feet move in the chase, how he +opens his +nostrils, how he barks, how his limbs reach for the game! The dog +dreams he is in the chase."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have often observed Hector's dreams," said Siegwart coolly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank continued,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you considered the consequences that follow from the +dreams of +the dog? Dreams show a thinking faculty," said he hastily. "Animals, +then, think like men; thoughts are the children of the mind; therefore, +animals have minds. Animals and men are alike."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela started at these words. Her mother shook her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You conclude too hastily, my dear friend," said Siegwart +coolly. "You +must first know that animals dream like men. Men think, reflect, and +speak in dreams. The dreams of animals are very different from those +mental acts."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How will you explain it?" said Richard excitedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very easily. Hector is now in the chase. The dog's sense of +smell is +remarkable. By means of the fragrant wind Hector smells the partridges +miles away. He acts then just as in the dream; feet, nose, and limbs +come into activity. Suppose that in the surrounding fields there is a +covey of partridges. The air would indicate them to Hector's smelling +organs; these organs act, as in the waking state, on the brain of the +animal; the brain acts on the other organs. Where is there thought? +Have we not a purely material effect? The cough, the appetite, the +sneezing, the aversion--what have all these to do with mind or thought? +Nothing at all. The dream of the dog is an entirely muscular process, +the mere co-working of the muscular organs; as with us, digestion, the +flowing of the blood, the twitching of the muscles--facts with which +the mind has nothing to do."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your assertion is based on the assumption that partridges are +near," +said Richard; "and I will be obliged to you if, with Hector's +assistance, you convince me of this fact."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is unnecessary, my dear friend. Suppose there are no +partridges +in the neighborhood. The same affection of the brain which would be +produced by the smell of the partridges could be produced by accident. +If it is accidental, it will have the same effect in the sleeping +condition of the dog.<a name="div2_02" href="#div2Ref_02"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Affections accidentally arise in man the +causes of which are not known. We are uneasy, we know not why; we are +discouraged without any knowledge of the cause. We are joyful without +being able to give any reason for it. The mind can rise above all these +dispositions, affections, and humors; can govern, cast out, and +disperse them. Proof enough that a king lives in man--the breath of +God, which is not taken from the earth, and to which all matter must +yield if that power so wills."</p> + +<p class="normal">The dog stretched his strong legs without any idea of the +important +question to which he had given occasion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Frank," began Madam Siegwart earnestly, "I have learned +to +respect you, and have often wished that my son, at your years, would be +like you. I see now with painful astonishment that you defend opinions +which contradict your former expressions, and the sentiments we must +expect from a Christian. Will you not be so good as to tell me how you +have so suddenly changed your views?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Esteemed madam," answered Frank, with emotion, "I thank you +for this +undeserved motherly sympathy; but I beg of you not to believe that the +opinions I expressed are my firm convictions. No, I have not yet fallen +so deep that for me there is no difference between man and beast. I can +yet continue to believe that materialism is a crime against mankind. On +the other hand, I freely acknowledge that my mind is in great trouble; +that every firm position beneath my feet totters; that I have been +tempted to hold doctrines degrading to the individual and destructive +to society. I have been brought into this difficulty by reading books +whose seductive proofs I am not able to refute. Oh! I am miserable, +very miserable; my appearance must have shown you that already."</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked involuntarily at Angela; he saw tears in her eyes; +he bowed +his head and was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see your difficulties," said the proprietor. "They enter +early or +late into the mind of every man. It is good, in such uncertainties and +doubts, to lean on the authority of truth. This authority can only be +God, who is truth itself, who came down from heaven and brought light +into the darkness. We can prove, inquire, and speculate; but the +keenest human intellect is not always free from delusion. As there is +in man a spiritual tendency which raises him far above the visible and +material, God has been pleased to lead and direct that tendency by +revelation, that man may not err. I consider divine revelation a +necessity which God willed when he created the mind. As the mind has an +instinctive thirst after truth, God must, by the revelation of truth, +satisfy this thirst Therefore is revelation as old as the human race. +It reached its completion and perfection by the coming of the Lord, who +said, 'I am the truth;' and this knowledge of the truth remains in the +church through the guidance of the Spirit of truth, till the latest +generation. This is only my ultramontane conviction," said Siegwart, +smiling; "but it affords peace and certainty."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela had gone out, and now returned with a basket, in which +lay a +little dog, of a few days old, asleep. She set the basket carefully +down before Frank, so as not to awaken the sleeper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you appreciate the full worth of striking proofs, I am +glad to be +able to place one before you, in the shape of this little dog," said +she, appearing desirous of cheering her dejected friend. But Frank did +not receive from her cheerful countenance either strength or +encouragement, for he did not look up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This little dog is only eight days old," she continued; "its +eyes are +not yet open; it can neither walk nor bark; it can only growl a little; +and it does nothing but sleep and dream. I have noticed its dreams +since the first day of its birth. You can convince yourself of its +dreaming." She stooped over the basket and her soft hair disturbed the +sleeper.</p> + +<p class="normal">For a moment Frank saw and heard nothing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"See," she continued, "how its little feet move, and how its +body +jerks. Hear the low growl, and see the hairs round the mouth how they +twitch, how the nose shrinks and expands--all the same as in Hector. +The little thing knows nothing at all of the world--no more than a +child eight days old. We certainly, therefore, will not deceive +ourselves in assuming that all these movements are only muscular +twitchings; that neither the pup nor Hector dreams like a man."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank first looked at the dog in great surprise, and then +gazed +admiringly on Angela.</p> + +<p class="normal">"O fraulein! how I thank you."</p> + +<p class="normal">She appeared most lovely in his eyes. He suddenly turned +toward her +father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your house is a great blessing to me. It appears that the +pure +atmosphere of religious conviction which you breathe victoriously +combats all dark doubts, as light dissipates darkness."</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Angela stood in her room. She knew that the spirit of unbelief +pervaded +the world, taking possession of thousands and destroying all life and +effort. She saw Richard threatened by this spirit, and feared for his +soul. She became very anxious, and sank on her knees before the +crucifix and cried to heaven for succor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Night was upon all things. The black clouds, lowering deep and +heavy, +shut out all light from heaven. The wind swept the mountains, the +forest moaned, and thunder muttered in the distance. Klingenberg sat +before his folios. A fitful light glimmered from the room of Richard's +father. Richard himself came home late, took his supper, and retired +to his chamber; there he walked back and forth, thinking, contending +with himself, and speaking aloud. Before his door stood a dark +figure--immovable and listening.</p> + +<p class="normal">It knocked at the door of the elder Frank. Jacob, a servant +who had +grown gray in the service of the house, entered. Frank received him +with surprise, and awaited expectantly what he had to say.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are all wrong," said Jacob. "My poor young master has now +spoken +out clearly. He is not sick because of the foolish trash in the books. +He is in love, terribly in love."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! in love?" said Herr Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should just have heard how he complains and laments that +he is not +worthy of her. 'O Angela, Angela!' he cried at least a hundred times, +'could I only raise myself to your level, and make myself worthy! But +your soul, so pure, your character, so immaculate and good, thrusts me +away. I look up to you with admiration and longing, as the troubled +pilgrim on earth looks up to the peace and grandeur of heaven.' This is +the way he talked. He is to be pitied, sir."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So--so--in love, and with Siegwart's daughter," said Frank +sadly. "The +tragedy will change into comedy. Even if they were not so +unapproachably high, but like other people on earth, my son should +never take an ultramontane wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if he loves her so deeply, sir?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Be still; you know nothing about it. Has he lain down?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; or, at least, he is quiet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Continue to watch him. I must immediately make known to the +doctor +this love affair. He will be surprised to find the philosopher changed +into a love-sick visionary."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<h3>AVOWALS.</h3> + +<p class="normal">In the same deep valley where the brook rippled over the +pebbles in its +bed, where the mountain sides rose up abruptly, where the moss hung +from the old oaks, where Klingenberg plucked the tender beard of the +young professor of history, took place the meditated attack of the +doctor on the poison of materialism which was destroying the body and +soul of Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">Slowly and carefully the doctor advanced, as against an enemy +who will +defend his position to the last. But how was he astonished, when, being +attacked, Frank showed no disposition to defend that most highly +vaunted doctrine of modern science--materialism! This was almost as +puzzling to the doctor as the eternity of matter. Tired of skirmishing, +the doctor set to work to close with the enemy, and strike him down.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have looked only cursorily at the writings of the +materialists: you +have studied them carefully; and you will oblige me much if you would +give me the foundation on which the whole structure of materialism +rests."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The materialistic system is very simple," answered Frank. +"Materialists reject all existence that is not sensibly perceptible. +They deny the existence of invisible and supersensible things. There is +no spirit in man or anywhere else. Matter alone exists, because matter +alone manifests its existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I understand. The materialist will only be convinced by +seeing and +feeling. As a spirit is neither spiritual nor tangible, then there is +none. Is it not so, friend Richard?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have included in one sentence the whole of materialism," +said +Frank coolly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot understand," said Klingenberg hesitatingly, "how the +materialists can make assertions which are untenable to the commonest +understandings. Why, thought can neither be seen nor felt; yet it is an +existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thought is a function of the brain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then, it is incomprehensible how the sensible can beget the +supersensible. How matter--the brain--can produce the immaterial, the +spiritual."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At every step in materialism I meet insurmountable +difficulties," +continued the doctor. "I know perfectly the organization of the human +body, as well as the function and purpose of each part. The physician +knows the purpose of the lungs, heart, kidneys, and stomach, and all +the noble and ignoble parts of the body. But no physician knows the +origin of the activity of the organism. The blood stops, the pulse no +longer beats, the lungs, kidneys, nerves, and all the rest cease their +functions. The man is dead. Why? Because the activity, the movement, +the force is gone. What, then, is this vivifying force? In what does it +consist? What color, what taste, what form has it? No physician knows. +The vivifying principle is invisible, intangible perfectly immaterial. +Yet it exists. Therefore the fundamental dogma of materialism is false. +There are existences which can neither be felt, tasted, nor seen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The vivifying principle is also in animals," said Richard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; and in them also intangible and mysterious. +Materialism +cannot even stand before animal life; for even there the vivifying +principle is an immaterial existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The materialist stumbles at the existence of human spirit, +because he +cannot get a conception of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How could this be possible?" cried the doctor. "The +conception is a +picture in the mind, an apprehension of the senses. Spiritual being is +as unapproachable by the senses as the vivifying principle, of which +also man can form no conception. To deny existence because you cannot +have a conception of it, is foolish. The blind would have the same +right to deny the existence of colors, or the deaf that of music. And +who can have a conception of good, of eternity, of justice, of virtue? +No one. These are existences that do not fall under the senses. To be +logical, the materialist must conclude that there is nothing good, +nothing noble, no justice; for we have not yet seen nor felt nor smelt +these things. Virtuous actions we can, of course, see; but these +actions are not the cause but the consequence, not the thing working +but the thing wrought. As these actions will convince every thinking +man of the existence of virtue and justice, so must the workings of the +spirit prove its existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Precisely," replied Frank. "Materialism only surprises and +captivates +one like a dream of the night. It vanishes the moment it is seen. I +read the works of Vogt and Büchner only for diversion; my object was +perfectly gained."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You read for diversion! What did you wish to forget?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dark clouds that lowered over my mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you secrets that I, your old friend and well-meaning +adviser, +should not know?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank was confused; but his great respect for the doctor +forced him to +be candid.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know my views of women. When I tell you that Angela, the +well-known Angel of Salingen, has torn these opinions up by the roots, +you will not need further explanation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You found Angela what I told you? I am glad," said +Klingenberg. And +his disputative countenance changed to a pleasant expression. "I +suspected that the Angel of Salingen made a deep impression on you. I +did not guess; I read it in large characters on your cheeks. Have you +made an avowal?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; it will never come to that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not? Are you ashamed to confess that you love a beautiful +young +lady? That is childish and simple. There is no place here for shame. +You want a noble, virtuous wife. You have Angela in view. Woo her; do +not be a bashful boy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bashfulness might be overcome, but not the conviction that I +am +unworthy of her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Unworthy! Why, then? Shall I praise you? Shall I exhibit your +noble +qualities, and convince, you why you are worth more than any young man +that I know? You have not Angela's religious tone; but the strong +influence of the wife on the husband is well known. In two or three +years I shall not recognize in the ultramontane Richard Frank the +former materialist." And the doctor laughed heartily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is questionable," said the young man, "whether Angela's +inclination +corresponds to mine."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The talk of every true lover," said the doctor pleasantly. +"Pluck the +stars of Bethlehem, like Faust's Grethe, with the refrain, 'She loves, +she loves not--she loves.' But you are no bashful maiden; you are a +man. Propose to her. Angela's answer will show you clearly how she +feels."</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor was scarcely in his room when Richard's father +entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All as you foretold," said Klingenberg. "Your son is cured of +his +hatred of women by Angela. The materialistic studies were not in +earnest; they were only a shield held up against the coming passion. +The love question is so absorbing, and the sentiment so strong, that +Richard left me near Frankenhöhe to hasten over there. I expect from +your sound sense that you will place no obstacles in the way of your +son's happiness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I regret," said Frank coldly, "that I cannot be of the same +opinion +with you and Richard in this affair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make your son unhappy?" said Klingenberg. "Do you consider +the +possible consequences of your opposition?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you understand by possible consequences?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Melancholy, madness, suicide, frequently come from this. I +leave +tomorrow, and I hope to take with me the assurance that you will +sacrifice your prejudice to the happiness of Richard."</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Among the numerous inhabitants of Siegwart's yard was a hen +with a +hopeful progeny. The little chicks were very lively. They ran about +after insects till the call of the happy mother brought them to her. +Escaped from the shell some few days before, they had instead of +feathers delicate white down, so that the pretty little creatures +looked as though they had been rolled in cotton. They had black, quick +eyes, and yellow feet and bills. If a hawk flew in the air and the +mother gave a cry, the little ones knew exactly what it meant, and ran +under the protecting wings of the mother from the hawk, although they +had never seen one--had never studied in natural history the danger of +the enemy. If danger were near, she called, and immediately they were +under her wings. The whole brood now stopped under the lindens. The +little ones rested comfortably near the warm body of the mother. Now +here, now there, their little heads would pop out between the feathers. +One smart little chirper, whose ambition indicated that he would be the +future cock of the walk, undertook to stand on the back of the hen and +pick the heads of the others as they appeared through the feathers.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela came under the lindens, carrying a vessel of water and +some +crumbs in her apron for the little ones. She strewed the crumbs on the +ground, and the old hen announced dinner. The little ones set to work +very awkwardly. The old hen had to break the crumbs smaller between her +bill. Angela took one of the chickens in her hand and fondled it, and +carried it into the house. The hen went to the vessel to drink and the +whole brood followed. It happened that the one that stood on her back +fell into the water, and cried loudly; for it found that it had got +into a strange element of which it had no more idea than Vogt and +Büchner of the form of a spirit. At this critical moment Frank came +through the yard. He saw it fluttering about in the water, and stopped. +The old hen went clucking anxiously about the vessel. And although she +could without difficulty have taken the chicken out with her bill, yet +she did not do it. Richard observed this with great interest; but +showed no desire to save the little creature, which at the last gasp +floated like a bunch of cotton on the water.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela may have heard the noise of the hen, for she appeared +at the +door. She saw Frank standing near the lindens looking into the vessel. +At the same time she noticed the danger of one of her little darlings, +and hastened out. She took the body from the water and held it sadly in +her hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is dead, the little dear," said she sadly. "You could have +saved +it, Herr Frank, and you did not do it." She looked at Frank, and forgot +immediately, on seeing him, the object of her regrets. The young man +stood before her so dejected, so depressed and sad, that it touched her +heart. She knew what darkened his soul. She knew his painful struggle, +his great danger, and she could have given her life to save him. She +was moved, tears came into her eyes, and she hastened into the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">Siegwart was reading the paper when his daughter hastened in +such an +unusual way through the room and disappeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">This astonished him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter, Angela?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was no answer. He was about to go after her when Frank +entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can give you some curious news of the assessor," said the +proprietor +after some careless conversation. "The man is terribly enraged against +me and full of bad designs. The reason of this anger is known to you." +And he added, "Angela is in the next room, and she must know nothing of +his proposal."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank nodded assent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"About ten paces from the last house in Salingen," continued +Siegwart, +"I have had a pile of dirt thrown up. It was now and then sprinkled +with slops, to make manure of it. Herr Hamm has made the discovery that +the slops smell bad; that it annoys the inhabitants of the next house; +and he has ordered it to be removed."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard shook his head disapprovingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps Herr Hamm will come to the conclusion that, in the +interest of +the noses, all like piles must be removed from Salingen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But that is not all," said Siegwart. "It has been discovered +that the +common good forbids my keeping fowls, because my residence is +surrounded by fields and vineyards, where the fowls do great damage. +The Herr Assessor has had the goodness, accompanied by the guards, to +examine personally the amount of destruction. So I have got +instructions either to keep my fowls confined or to make away with +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mean and contemptible!" said Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela came into the room. Her countenance was smiling and +clear as +ever; but her swollen eyes did not escape Richard's observation. She +greeted the guest, and sat down in her accustomed place near the +window. Scarcely had she done this, when Frank stood up, went toward +her, and knelt down before the astonished girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Miss, I have greatly offended you, and beg your pardon."</p> + +<p class="normal">Siegwart looked on in surprise--now at his daughter, who was +perplexed; +now at the kneeling young man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For God's sake! Herr Frank, arise," said the confused Angela. +She was +about to leave the seat, but he caught her hand and gently replaced +her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I may approach so near to you, my present position is the +proper +one. Hear me! I have deeply offended you. I could with ease have saved +a creature that was dear to you, and I did not do it. My conduct has +brought tears to your eyes--hurt your feelings. When you went away to +regain your composure, and to show your offender a serene, reconciled +countenance, it made my fault more distressing. Forgive me; do not +consider me hard and heartless, but see in me an unfortunate who +forgets himself in musing."</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked into Frank's handsome face as he knelt before her, +in such +sadness, lowering his eyes like a guilty boy, and smiled sweetly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will forgive yon, Herr Frank, on one condition."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only speak. I am prepared for any penance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The condition is, that you burn those godless books that make +you +doubt about the noblest things in man, and that you buy no more."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I vow fulfilment, and assure you that the design of those +books, which +you rightly call godless, is recognized by me as a crime against the +dignity of man--and condemned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This rejoices no one more than me," said she with a tremulous +voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood up, bowed, and returned to his former place.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, my dear neighbor, how did this singular affair happen?" +said the +proprietor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank told him about the death of the chicken.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The love of the hen for her chickens is remarkable. She +protects them +with her wings and warns them of danger, which she knows by instinct. +How easy would it have been for the hen to have taken the young one +from the water with her bill--the same bill with which she broke their +food and gave it to them. But she did not do it, because it is strange +to her nature. This case is another striking proof that animals act +neither with understanding nor reflection. Acts beyond their instinct +are impossible to them. This would not be the case, if they had souls."</p> +<br> +<p class="normal">The old servant stood with an empty basket before the library +of the +son, as he had stood before that of the father. Büchner, Vogt, and +Czolbe fell into the fire. Jacob shook his head and regretted the +beautiful binding; but the evil spirits between the covers he willingly +consigned to the flames.</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Again the cars stopped at the station; again the two gentlemen +stood at +the open window of the car to receive their returning friends. The +travellers took a carriage and drove through the street.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Baron Linden has indeed gone headlong into misery," said Lutz +humorously. "Eight days ago the young pair swore eternal fidelity. It +was signed and sealed. Until to-day no could one know that they were on +the brink of misery."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard remembered his remark on the former occasion, and +wondered at +his sudden change of opinion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish them all happiness," said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Amen!" answered Lutz. "Richard, however, considers happiness +in +matrimony possible. So we may hope that he will not always remain a +bachelor. How is the Angel of Salingen? Have you seen her since that +encounter with the steer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The angel is well," said Richard, avoiding the glance of his +friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean by the 'Angel of Salingen'?" said the +father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thereby I understand the unmarried daughter of Herr Siegwart, +of +Salingen, named Angela, who richly deserves to be called the 'Angel of +Salingen.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank knit his brows darkly and drummed on his knees.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the encounter with the steer?" continued he.</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor related the occurrence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! you did not tell me any thing of that," said the father, +turning +to Frank. "An act of such great courage deserves to be mentioned."</p> + +<p class="normal">The carriage passed into the court of a stately mansion. The +servant +sprang from his seat and opened the carriage-door. The professor looked +at his watch.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Frank, will you allow your coachman to drive me to the +university? I must be at my post in ten minutes. I cannot go on foot in +that time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With pleasure, Herr Professor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Richard," said the other friend, "shall we meet at the opera +tonight?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Scarcely. I must to-day enter upon my usual business."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come, if possible. The evening promises great amusement, for +the +celebrated Santinilli dances."</p> + +<p class="normal">The accustomed routine of business began for Richard. He sat +in the +counting-room and worked with his habitual punctuality. Nevertheless +invidious spirits lured him toward Salingen, so that the figures +danced before his eyes, words had no meaning, and he was often lost in +day-dreams. The watchful father had observed this, and was perplexed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard's plan of studies also underwent a change. He left the +house +regularly at half-past five and returned at half-past six. The father, +desiring to know what this meant, set the faithful Jacob on the watch.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Richard," reported the spy, "hears mass at the +Capuchins."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank drummed a march on his knees.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So, so!" he hummed. "The ultramontanes understand +proselytizing. They +have turned the head of my son. If I live long enough, I may yet see +him turn Capuchin, build a cloister, and go about begging."</p> + +<p class="normal">When Herr Frank entered the counting-room, he found his son +busy at +work. He stood up and greeted his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have observed, Richard," he began after a time, "that you +go out +early every morning. What does it mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have imposed upon myself the obligation of hearing mass +every +morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How did you come to take that singular obligation upon +yourself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the conviction that religion is no empty idea, but a +power that +can give peace and consolation in all conditions of life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is evident that you have breathed ultramontane air. This +churchgoing is not forbidden--but no trifling or fanatical nonsense."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is my constant care, father, to give you no cause of +uneasiness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am rejoiced at this, my son; but I must observe that a +certain +gloomy, reserved manner of yours disturbs me. Your conduct is +exemplary, your industry praiseworthy, your habits regular; but you +keep yourself too much shut up; you do not give evening parties any +more. You do not visit the concert-hall or theatre. This is wrong; we +should enjoy life, and not move about like dreamers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no taste for amusements," answered Richard. "However, +if you +think a change would be good, I beg you to permit me to take a run out +to Frankenhöhe for a couple of days."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why to Frankenhöhe? I do not know any amusement there for +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have planted a small vineyard, as you know, and I would +like to see +how the Burgundies thrive."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Frank was not in a hurry to give the permission. He +thought and +drummed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You can go," he said resignedly. "I hope the mountain air +will cheer +you up."</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Herr Siegwart had remarked the same symptoms in his daughter +that Herr +Frank had in his son; but Angela did not give way to discontent. She +was always the same obedient daughter. The poor and sick of Salingen +could not complain of neglect. But she was frequently absent-minded, +gave wrong answers to questions, and sought solitude. If Frank was +mentioned, she revived; the least circumstance connected with him was +interesting to her. Her sharp-sighted father soon discovered the inmost +thoughts and feelings of his daughter. He thought of Herr Frank's +ill-humor toward him, and was disposed to regret the hour that Richard +entered his house.</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The Burgundies at Frankenhöhe were scarcely looked at. The +young man +hastened to Salingen. He found the landscape changed in a few weeks. +The fields had clothed themselves in yellow. The wheat-stalks bent +gracefully under their load. Everywhere industrious crowds were in the +fields. The stalks fell beneath the reapers. Men bound the sheaves. +Wagons stood here and there. The sheaves were raised into picturesque +stacks. The sun beamed down hot, and the sweltering weather wrote on +the foreheads of the men, "Adam, in the sweat of thy brow thou shalt +eat thy bread."</p> + +<p class="normal">In the proprietor's house all was still, the old cook sat +beneath the +lindens, and with spectacles on her nose tried to mend a stocking which +she held in her hand. She arose and smiled on Richard's approach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are all in the fields. We have much work, Herr Frank. +The grain +is ripe, and we have already gathered fifty wagon-loads. I am glad to +see you looking so much better. The family will also be glad. They +think a great deal of you--particularly Herr Siegwart."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Give them many kind greetings from me. I will come back in +the +evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Off so soon? Will you not say good-day to Miss Angela? She is +in the +garden. Shall I call her?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said he after a moment's reflection; "I will go into the +garden +myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">After unlatching the gate, he would have turned back, for he +became +nervous and embarrassed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela sat in the arbor; her embroidery-frame leaned against +the table, +and she was busily working. As she heard the creaking of footsteps on +the walk, she looked up and blushed. Frank raised his hat, and when the +young woman stood up before him in beauty and loveliness, his +nervousness increased, and he would gladly have escaped; but his spirit +was in the fetters of a strange power, and necessity supplied him with +a few appropriate remarks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I heard that the family were absent; but I did not wish to go +away +without saluting you. Miss Angela."</p> + +<p class="normal">She observed the bashful manner of the young man, and said +kindly, "I +am glad to see you again, Herr Frank," and invited him to sit down. He +looked about for a seat; but as there was none, he had to sit on the +same bench with her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you remain long at Frankenhöhe?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only to-day and to-morrow. Work requires dispatch, and old +custom has +so bound me to my occupation that the knowledge of work to be done +makes me feel uneasy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you work every day regularly in the counting-room?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am punctual to the hours, for the work demands regularity +and order. +There are every day some hours for recreation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what is the most pleasant recreation for you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Music and painting. I like them the best. But of late," he +added +hesitatingly, "unavoidable thoughts press on me, and many hours of +recreation pass in useless dreaming."</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela thought of his former mental troubles and looked +anxiously in +his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, you have promised me," she said softly, "to forget all +those +things in those bad books that disturbed your mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The fulfilment of no duty was lighter or more pleasant to me +than to +keep my promise to you, Angela."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice trembled. She leaned over her work and her cheeks +glowed. The +delicate fingers went astray; but Frank did not notice that the colors +in the embroidery were getting into confusion. There was a long pause. +Then Frank remembered the doctor's final admonition, "Be not like a +bashful boy; put aside all false shame and speak your mind;" and he +took courage.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no right to ask what disturbs and depresses you," said +she, in +a scarcely audible voice and without moving her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is you who have the best right, Angela! You have not only +saved my +life, but also my better convictions. You have purified my views, and +influenced my course of life. I was deeply in error, and you have shown +me the only way that leads to peace. This I see more clearly every day. +The church is no longer a strange, but an attractive place to me. All +this you have done without design. I tell you this because I think you +sympathize with me."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused; but the declaration of his love hovered on his +lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have not deceived yourself as to my sympathy," she +answered. "The +discovery that one so insignificant as myself has any influence with +you makes me glad."</p> + +<p class="normal">"O Angela! you are not insignificant in my eyes. You are more +than all +else on earth to me!" he cried. "You are the object of my love, of my +waking dreams. If you could give me your hand before the altar in +fidelity and love, my dearest wishes would be realized."</p> + +<p class="normal">She slowly raised her head, her modest countenance glowed in a +virginal +blush, and her eyes, which met Richard's anxious look, were filled with +tears. She lowered her head, and laid her hand in that of the young +man. He folded her in his arms, pressed her to his heart, and kissed +her forehead. The swallows flew about the arbor, twittered noisily, and +threatened the robber who was trying to take away their friend. The +sparrows, through the leaves of the vines, looked with wonder at the +table where Angela's head rested on the breast of her affianced.</p> + +<p class="normal">They arose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We cannot keep this from our parents, Richard. My parents +esteem you. +Their blessing will not be wanting to our union."</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly she paused, and stood silent and pale, as though +filled with a +sudden fear. Richard anxiously inquired the cause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know your father's opinion of us," she said, disturbed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not be troubled about that. Father will not object to my +arrangements. But even if he does, I am of age, and no power shall +separate me from you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Richard; no! I love you as my life; but without your +father's +consent, our union wants a great blessing. Speak to him in love; beg +him, beseech him, but do not annoy him on account of your selfishness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So it shall be. Your advice is good and noble. As long as +this +difficulty exists, I am uneasy. I will therefore go back. Speak to your +parents; give them my kind greeting, and tell them how proud I shall +feel to be acknowledged as their son." He again folded her in his arms +and hastened away.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old cook still sat under the lindens, and the stocking +lost many a +stitch as Frank, with a joyous countenance, passed her without +speaking, without having noticed her. She shook wonderingly her old +gray head.</p> + +<p class="normal">Angela sat in the arbor. Her work lay idly on the table. With +a +countenance full of sweetness she went to her room, and knelt and +prayed.</p> +<br> +<p class="normal">Herr Frank looked up astonished, as Richard, late in the +evening, +entered his chamber.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, father," said he joyfully and earnestly; +"something has +happened of great importance to me, and of great interest to you. I +could not delay an explanation, even at the risk of depriving you of an +hour's sleep."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, well! I am really interested," said Herr Frank, as he +threw +himself back on the sofa. "Your explanation must be something +extraordinary, for I have never seen you thus before. What is it, +then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For a right understanding of my position, it is necessary to +go back +to that May-day on which we went to Frankenhöhe. Your displeasure at my +well-grounded aversion to women you will remember."</p> + +<p class="normal">With childish simplicity he related the whole course of his +inner life +and trials at Frankenhöhe. He described the deep impression Angela had +made upon him. He took out his diary and read his observations, his +stubborn adherence to his prejudices, and the victory of a virtuous +maiden over them. The father listened with the greatest attention. He +admired the depth of his son's mind and the noble struggle of +conviction against the powerful influence of error. But when Richard +made known what had passed between himself and Angela, Herr Frank's +countenance changed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have told you all," said Richard, "with that openness which +a son +owes to his father. From the disposition and character of Angela, as +you have heard them, you must have learned to respect her, and have +been convinced that she and I will be happy. Therefore, father, I beg +your consent and blessing on our union."</p> + +<p class="normal">He arose and was about to kneel, when Herr Frank stopped him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Slowly, my son. With the exception of what happened to-day, I +am +pleased with your conduct. You have convinced yourself of the injustice +of your opinion of women. You have found a noble woman. I am willing to +believe that Angela is a magnificent and faultless creature, although +she have an ultramontane father. But my consent to your union with +Siegwart's daughter you will never receive. Now, Richard, you can +without trouble find a woman that will suit you, and who is as +beautiful and as noble-minded as the Angel of Salingen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I ask the reason of your refusal, father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are many reasons. First, I do not like the ultramontane +spirit +of the Siegwart family. Angela it educated in this spirit. You would be +bound to a wife whose narrow views would be an intolerable burden."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon, father! The extracts from my diary informed you that +I have +examined this ultramontane spirit very carefully, and that I was forced +at last to correct my opinions of the ultramontanes--to reject an +unjust prejudice."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The stained glass of passion has beguiled you into +ultramontane +sentiments; and further, remember that Siegwart is personally +objectionable to me." And he spoke of the failure of the factory +through Angela's father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Siegwart has told me of that enterprise, and, at the +same time, +gave me the reasons that induced him to prevent its realization. He +showed the demoralizing effects of factories. He showed that the +inhabitants of that neighborhood support themselves by farming; that +the religious sentiment of the country people is endangered by Sunday +labor and other evil influences that accompany manufacturing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you approved of this narrow-mindedness of the +ultramontane?" cried +Frank.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Siegwart's conduct is free from narrow-mindedness. You +yourself have +often said that faith and religion had much to fear from modern +manufactories. If Siegwart has made great sacrifices, if he has +interfered against his own interest in favor of faith and morality, he +deserves great respect for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has it gone so far? Do you openly take part with the +ultramontane +against your father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I take no part; I express frankly my views," answered Richard +tranquilly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The views of father and son are very different, and we may +thank your +intercourse with the ultramontanes for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your acquaintance, father, with that excellent family is very +desirable. You would soon be convinced that you ought to respect them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not desire their acquaintance. It is near midnight; go +to rest, +and forget the hasty step of to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will never regret what has taken place with forethought and +reflection," answered Richard firmly. "I again ask your consent to the +happiness of your son."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no! Once for all--never!" cried Frank hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">The son became excited. He was about to fly into a passion, +and to show +his father that he was not going to follow blind authority like an +inexperienced child, when he thought of what Angela said, "Speak to +your father in love;" and his rising anger subsided.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know, father," he said hesitatingly, "that my age permits +me to +choose a wife without reference to your will. As the consent is +withheld without valid reasons, I might do without it. But Angela has +urgently requested me not to act against your will, and I have promised +to comply with her wishes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela appears to have more sense than you. So she requested +this +promise from you? I esteem the young lady for this sentiment, although +she be a child of Siegwart, who shall never have my son for a +son-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man arose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It only remains for me to declare," said he calmly, "that to +Angela, +and to her alone, shall I ever belong in love and fidelity. If you +persevere in your refusal, I here tell you, on my honor, I shall never +choose another wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">He made a bow and left the room. It was long past midnight, +and Herr +Frank was still sitting on the sofa, drumming on his knees and shaking +his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"An accursed piece of business!" said he. "I know he will not +break his +word of honor under any circumstances. I know his stubborn head. But +this Siegwart, this clerical ultramontane fellow--it is incompatible; +mental progress and middle-age darkness, spiritual enlightenment and +stark confessionalism--it won't do. Angela certainly is not her father. +She is an innocent country creature; does not wear crinoline, dresses +in blue like a bluebell, has not a dainty stomach, and has no toilette +nonsense. The nuns, together with perverted views of the world, may, +perhaps, have taught her many principles that adorn an honorable woman; +but--but--" And Herr Frank threw himself back grumbling on the sofa.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the following day Richard wrote Angela a warm, impassioned +letter. +The vow of eternal love and fidelity was repeated. In conclusion, he +spoke of his father's refusal, but assured her that his consent would +yet be given.</p> + +<p class="normal">Many weeks passed. The letters of the lovers came and went +regularly +and without interruption. She wrote that her parents had not hesitated +a moment to give their consent. In her letters Richard admired her +tender feeling, her dove-like innocence and pure love. He was firm in +his conviction that she would make him happy, would be his loadstar +through life. He read her letters hundreds of times, and these readings +were his only recreation. He spoke not another word about the matter to +his father. He kept away from all society. He devoted himself to his +calling, and endeavored to purify his heart in the spirit of religion, +that he might approach nearer to an equality with Angela. The father +observed him carefully, and was daily more and more convinced that a +spiritual change was coming over his son. Murmuringly he endured the +church-going, and vexedly he shook his head at Richard's composure and +perseverance, which he knew time would not change. The more quietly the +son endured, the more disquieted Herr Frank became. "Sacrifice your +prejudices to your son's happiness," he heard the doctor saying; and he +felt ashamed when he thought of this advice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What cannot be cured must be endured," he was accustomed to +say for +some days, as often as he went into his room. "The queer fellow makes +it uncomfortable for me; this cannot continue; days and years pass +away. I am growing old, and the house of Frank must not die out."</p> + +<p class="normal">One morning he gave Richard charge of the establishment. "I +have +important business," said he. "I will be back to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">The father smiled significantly as he said this. Richard heard +from the +coachman that Herr Frank took a ticket for the station near +Frankenhöhe. He knew the great importance to him of this visit, and +prayed God earnestly to move his father's heart favorably. His +uneasiness increased hourly, and rendered all work impossible. He +walked up and down the counting-room like a man who feared bankruptcy, +and expected every moment the decision on which depended his happiness +for life. He went into the hall where the desks of the clerks stood in +long rows. He went to the desks, looked at the writing of the clerks, +and knew not what he did, where he went, or where he stood.</p> + +<p class="normal">The next day Herr Frank returned. Richard was called to the +library, +where his father received him with a face never more happy or +contented.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have visited your bride," he began, "because I had a +curiosity to +know personally the one who has converted my son to sound views of +womankind. I am perfectly satisfied with your taste, and also with +myself; for I have become reconciled with Siegwart, and find that he is +as willing to live with his neighbors in harmony as in discord. You now +have my blessing on your union. The marriage can take place when you +please; only it would please me if it came off as soon as possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard stood speechless with emotion, which so overcame him +that tears +burst from his eyes. He embraced his father, kissed him tenderly, and +murmured his thanks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will do, Richard," said Herr Frank, much affected. "Your +happiness moves me. May it last long. And I do not doubt it will; for +Angela is truly a woman the like of whom I have never met. Her +character is as clear and transparent as crystal; and her eyes possess +such power, and her smile such loveliness, that I fear for my freedom +when she is once in the house."</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Crisp, cold weather. The December winds sweep gustily through +the +streets of the city, driving the well-clad wanderer before them and +sporting with the weather-vanes. A carriage stops before the door of +the Director Schlagbein. Professor Lutz steps out and directs the +driver to await him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Emil Schlagbein, Richard's unhappy married friend, had moved +his +easy-chair near the stove and leaned his head against its back. He +looked as though despair had seized him and thrown him into it. Hasty +steps were heard in the ante-room, and Lutz stood before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Still in your working-clothes, Emil? Up! the tea-table of the +Angel of +Salingen awaits us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me; my head is confused, my heart is sad; grief wastes +my life +away."</p> + +<p class="normal">"War--always war; never peace!" said Lutz. "I fear, Emil, that +all the fault is not with your wife. You are too sensitive, too +particular about principles. Man must tolerate, and not be niggardly +in compliance. Take old Frank as a model. With Angela entered +ultramontanism into his house. Frank lives in peace with this +spirit--even on friendly terms. Angela reads him pious stories from the +legends of the saints. He goes with her to church, where he listens +with attention to the word of God. He hears mass as devoutly as a +Capuchin; not to say any thing of Richard, who runs a race with Angela +for the prize of piety. Could you not also make some sacrifice to the +whims of your wife?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela and Ida--day and night!" said the director bitterly. +"The two +Franks make no sacrifice to female whims. They appreciate her exalted +views, they admire her purity, her unspeakable modesty, her shining +virtues. The two Franks acted reasonably when they adopted the +principles that produced such a woman. Angela never speaks to her +husband in defiance and bad temper. If clouds gather in the matrimonial +heaven, she dissipates them with the breath of love. Is the sacrifice +of a wish wanted? Angela makes it. Is her pure feeling offended by +Richard's faults? She kisses them away and raises him to her level. +My wife--is she not just the opposite in every thing? Is she not +quick-tempered, bitter, loveless, extravagant, and stiff-necked? Has +she a look--I will not say of love--but even of respect for me? Do not +all her thoughts and acts look to the pleasures of the toilette, the +opera, balls, and concerts? O my poor children! who grow up without a +mother, in the hands of domestics. How is any concession possible here? +Must not my position, my self-respect, the last remnant of manly +dignity go to the wall?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your case is lamentable, friend! Your principles and those of +your +wife do not agree. Concession to the utmost point of duty, joined with +prudent reform in many things, may, perhaps, bring back, harmony and a +good understanding between you. You praise Angela: follow her example. +She abominates the air of the theatre. The opera-glasses of the young +men levelled at her offend her deeply, and bring to her angelic +countenance the blush of shame. Her fine religious feeling is offended +at many words, gestures, and dances which a pious Christian woman +should not hear and see. Yet she goes to the opera because Richard +wishes it. Her husband will at last observe this heroism of love, and +sacrifice the opera to it. What Angela cannot obtain by prayers and +representations, she gains by the all-conquering weapons of love. In +like manner and for a like object yield to your wife. She is, at least, +not a firebrand. Love must overcome her stubbornness."</p> + +<p class="normal">Schlagbein shook his head sadly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A father cannot do what is inconsistent with paternal duty," +said he. +"Shall I join in the course of my wife? Whither does this course lead? +To the destruction of all family ties, to financial bankruptcy--to +dishonor. For home my wife has no mind, no understanding. My means she +throws carelessly into the bottomless pit of pleasure-seeking and love +of dress. She does not think of the future of her children. Every day +brings to her new desires for prodigality. If her wishes are fulfilled, +ruin is unavoidable. If they are not fulfilled, she sits ill-humored +and obstinate in her room, and leaves the care of the house to her +domestics, and the children to the nurses. How often have I consented +to her vain desire for show, only to see her extravagant wishes thereby +increased. She is without reason."</p> + +<p class="normal">The unfortunate man's head sunk upon his breast. Lutz stood +still +without uttering a word.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Angela is a noble woman," continued Emil, "she is the +spirit of +order, the angel of peace and love. Just hear Richard's father. He +revels in enthusiasm about her. 'My Richard is the happiest man in the +world,' said he to me lately. 'I myself must be thankful to him for his +prudent choice. Abounding in every thing, my house was empty and +desolate before Angela came; but now every thing shines in the sun of +her orderly housekeeping, of her tender care. Although served with +fidelity, I have been until the present almost neglected. But now that +the angel hovers over me, observes my every want, and with her smile +lights my old age, I am perfectly happy.' Has my wife a single +characteristic of this noble woman?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Angela is unapproachable in the little arts that win the +heart and +drive away melancholy," said Lutz. "A few weeks ago, Herr Frank came +home one day from the counting-room all out of sorts. He sat silently +in his easy-chair drumming on his knee. Angela noticed his ill-humor. +She sought to dissipate it--to cheer him; but she did not succeed. She +then arose, and, going to him, said with unspeakable affection, +'Father, may I play and sing for you the "Lied der Kapelle?"' Herr +Frank looked in her face, and smiled as he replied, 'Yes, my angel' +When her sweet voice resounded in the next room in beautiful accord +with the accompaniment, which she played most feelingly, the old man +revived and joined in her song with his trembling bass."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How often we have twitted Richard with his views of modern +women," +said Emil. "It was his cool judgment, perhaps, that saved him from a +misfortune like mine."</p> + +<p class="normal">Just then a carriage stopped before the house. Emil went +uneasily to +the window, and Lutz followed him. Bandboxes and trunks were taken from +the house. The professor looked inquiringly at his friend, whose hand +appeared to tremble as it rested on the window-glass.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does this mean, Emil?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My wife is going to her aunt's for an indefinite time. She +leaves me +to enjoy the pleasures of Christmas alone. The children also remain +here; they might be in her way."</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor pitied his unhappy friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Emil," said he, almost angrily, "it is for you to determine +how a man +should act in regard to the freaks and caprices of his wife. But you +should not steep yourself in gall, even though your wife turn into a +river of bitterness. Drive away sadness and be happy. Do not let your +present humor rob you of every thing. Forget what you cannot change."</p> + +<p class="normal">A beautiful woman approached the carriage. Schlagbein turned +away from +the sight. Lutz observed the departing wife and mother. She did not +look up at the window where her husband was. She got into the carriage +without even saying farewell. She sat in the midst of bandboxes, +surrounded by finery and tinsel; and as the wheels rolled over the +pavement, the director groaned in his chair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A happy journey to you, Xantippe!" cried the angry professor. +"Emil, +be a man. Dress yourself; forget at the Angel of Salingen's your +domestic devil."</p> + +<p class="normal">Schlagbein moved his head disconsolately.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What have the wretched to do in the home of the happy? There +I shall +only see more clearly that I suffer and am miserable."</p> + +<p class="normal">Lutz, out of humor, threw himself into the carriage. With +knitted brows +he buried himself in one of its corners. That professional head was +perplexed with a question which ordinary men would have quickly seen +through and settled. Frank's happiness and Schlagbein's misery stood as +two irrefutable facts before the mind of the professor. Now came the +question. Why this happiness, why this misery? The dashing Ida he had +known for years; also her enlightened views of life, and her flexible +principles, perfectly conformable to the spirit of progress. Whence, +then, the dissoluteness of her desires, the bitterness of her humor, +the heartlessness of the wife, the callousness of the mother?</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor continued his musing. He gave a scrutinizing +glance at +the marriages of all his acquaintances. Everywhere he found a clouded +sky, and, in the semi-darkness, lightning and thunder. Only one +marriage stood before him bright and clear in the sunlight of +happiness, in the raiment of peace, and that was ultramontane. That +ultramontane principles had produced this happiness and peace, the +professor's industrious mind saw with clearness. He raised his head and +said solemnly, "Marriage is an image of religion. It proceeds from the +lips of God, and is perfected at the altar. The marriage duties are +children of the religious sentiment, fetters of the divine law. Ida was +faithful and true so long as it agreed with the longings of her heart. +But with the cooling of affection died love and fidelity. She +recognizes no religious duty, because she has progressed to liberty and +independence. From this follows with striking clearness the +incompatibility of Christian marriage with the spirit of the age. +Marriage will be a thing of the past as soon as intellectual maturity +conquers in the contest with religion. Sound sense, liberty of emotion +and inclination will supplant the terrible marriage yoke."</p> + +<p class="normal">The professor paused and examined his conclusion. It smiled +upon him +like a true child of nature. It clothed itself in motley flesh, and +passed through green meadows and shady forests. It pointed +encouragingly to the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, long +in possession of intellectual maturity. Sensual marriages, intended to +last only for weeks or months, danced around the professor. Cannibal +hordes, who extended to him their brotherly paws and claws, pressed +about him. In astonishment, he contemplated his conclusion; it made +beastly grimaces, knavish and jeering, and he dashed into fragments the +provoking mockery.</p> + +<p class="normal">In strong contrast to the animal kingdom, stood before him +again the +Christian marriage. He cunningly tried to give his new conclusion human +shape; but here the carriage stopped, and the speculation vanished +before the clear light in the house of the "Angel of Salingen."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>FOOTNOTE TO ANGELA.</h3> +<br> +<p class="hang1"><a name="div2Ref_02" href="#div2_02">Footnote 2</a>: This +argument is not conclusive, nor is it at all necessary. Animals have memory; and +there is no more reason why their waking sensations, emotions, and acts should +not repeat themselves in dreams than there is in the case of men. The difference +between the soul of man and the soul of the brute is constituted by the presence +of the gift of reason, or the faculty of knowing necessary and universal truths +in the former, and its absence in the latter.--Ed. Catholic World.</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Progressionists, and Angela., by +Conrad von Bolanden + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PROGRESSIONISTS, AND ANGELA. *** + +***** This file should be named 33573-h.htm or 33573-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/5/7/33573/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Progressionists, and Angela. + +Author: Conrad von Bolanden + +Release Date: August 29, 2010 [EBook #33573] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PROGRESSIONISTS, AND ANGELA. *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + +Transcriber's notes: + 1. Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/progressionists00bolagoog + + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + + + + + + THE + + + + PROGRESSIONISTS, + + + + AND + + + + ANGELA. + + + + _TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF CONRAD VON BOLANDEN_. + + + * * * * * + + + New York: + THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY, + 9 WARREN STREET. + 1873. + + + + + + + * * * * * + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by + THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. + + * * * * * + + + + + + THE PROGRESSIONISTS. + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + THE WAGER + + +The balcony of the _palais_ Greifmann contains three persons who +together represent four million florins. It is not often that one sees +a group of this kind. The youthful landholder, Seraphin Gerlach, is +possessor of two millions. His is a quiet disposition; very calm, and +habitually thoughtful; innocence looks from his clear eye upon the +world; physically, he is a man of twenty-three; morally, he is a child +in purity; a profusion of rich brown hair clusters about his head; his +cheeks are ruddy, and an attractive sweetness plays round his mouth. + +The third million belongs to Carl Greifmann, the oldest member of the +group, head _pro tem_. of the banking-house of the same name. This +gentlemen is tall, slender, animated; his cheeks wear no bloom; they +are pale. His carriage is easy and smooth. Some levity is visible in +his features, which are delicate, but his keen, glancing eye is +disagreeable beside Seraphin's pure soul-mirror. Greifmann's sister +Louise, not an ordinary beauty, owns the fourth million. She is seated +between the young gentlemen; the folds of her costly dress lie heaped +around her; her hands are engaged with a fan, and her eyes are sending +electric glances into Gerlach's quick depths. But these flashing beams +fail to kindle; they expire before they penetrate far into those +depths. His eyes are bright, but they refuse to gleam with intenser +fire. Strange, too, for a twofold reason; first, because glances from +the eyes of beautiful women seldom suffer young men to remain cool; +secondly, because a paternal scheme designs that Louise shall be +engaged and married to the fire-proof hero. + +Millions of money are rare; and should millions strive to form an +alliance, it is in conformity with the genius of every solid banking +establishment to view this as quite a natural tendency. + +For eight days Mr. Seraphin has been on a visit at the _palais_ +Greifmann, but as yet he has yielded no positive evidence of intending +to join his own couple of millions with the million of Miss Louise. + +Whilst Seraphin converses with the beautiful young lady, Carl Greifmann +cursorily examines a newspaper which a servant has just brought him on +a silver salver. + +"Every age has its folly," suddenly exclaims the banker. "In the +seventeenth century people were busy during thirty years cutting one +another's throats for religion's sake--or rather, in deference to the +pious hero of the faith from Sweden and his fugleman Oxenstiern. In the +eighteenth century, they decorated their heads with periwigs and +pigtails, making it a matter of conjecture whether both ladies and +gentlemen were not in the act of developing themselves from monkeydom +into manhood. + +"Elections are the folly of our century. See here, my good fellow, look +what is written here: In three days the municipal elections will come +off throughout the country--in eighteen days the election of delegates. +For eighteen days the whole country is to labor in election throes. +Every man twenty-one years of age, having a wife and a homestead, is to +be employed in rooting from out the soil of party councilmen, mayors, +and deputies. + +"And during the period these rooters not unfrequently get at +loggerheads. Some are in favor of Streichein the miller, because +Streichein has lavishly greased their palms; others insist upon +re-electing Leimer the manufacturer, because Leimer threatens a +reduction of wages if they refuse to keep him in the honorable +position. In the heat of dispute, quite a storm of oaths and ugly +epithets, yes, and of blows too, rages, and many is the voter who +retires from the scene of action with a bloody head. The beer-shops are +the chief battle-fields for this sort of skirmishing. Here, zealous +voters swill down hogsheads of beer: brewers drive a brisk trade during +elections. But you must not think, Seraphin, that these absurd election +scenes are confined to cities. In rural districts the game is conducted +with no less interest and fury. There is a village not far away, where +a corpulent ploughman set his mind on becoming mayor. What does he, to +get the reins of village government into his great fat fist? Two days +previous to the election he butchers three fatted hogs, has several +hundred ringlets of sausage made, gets ready his pots, and pans for +cooking and roasting, and then advertises: eating and drinking _ad +libitum_ and _gratis_ for every voter willing to aid him to ascend the +mayor's throne. He obtained his object. + +"Now, I put the question to you, Seraphin, is not this sort of election +jugglery far more ridiculous and disgusting than the most preposterous +periwigs of the last century?" + +"Ignorance and passion may occasion the abuse of the best +institutions," answered the double millionaire. "However, if beer and +pork determine the choice of councilmen and mayors, voters have no +right to complain of misrule. It would be most disastrous to the state, +I should think, were such corrupt means to decide also the election of +the deputies of our legislative assembly." + +The banker smiled. + +"The self-same man[oe]uvring, only on a larger scale," replied he. Of +course, in this instance, petty jealousies disappear. Streichein the +miller and Leimer the manufacturer make concessions in the interest of +the common party. All stand shoulder to shoulder in the cause of +_progress_ against Ultramontanes and democrats, who in these days have +begun to be troublesome. + +"Whilst at municipal elections office-seekers employed money and +position for furthering their personal aims, at deputy elections +_progress_ men cast their means into a common cauldron, from which the +mob are fed and made to drink in order to stimulate them with the +spirit of _progress_ for the coming election. At bottom it amounts to +the same--the stupefaction of the multitude, the rule of a minority, in +which, however, all consider themselves as having part, the folly of +the nineteenth century." + +"This is an unhealthy condition of things, which gives reason to fear +the corruption of the whole body politic," remarked the landholder with +seriousness. "The seats of the legislative chamber should be filled not +through bribery and deception of the masses, nor through party passion, +but through a right appreciation of the qualifications that fit a man +for the office of deputy." + +"I ask your pardon, my dear friend," interposed the banker with a +laugh. "Being reared by a mother having a rigorous faith has prompted +you to speak thus, not acquaintance with the spirit of the age. Right +appreciation! Heavens, what _naivete_! Are you not aware that +_progress_, the autocrat of our times, follows a fixed, unchanging +programme? It matters not whether Tom or Dick occupies the cushions of +the legislative hall; the main point is to wear the color of +_progress_, and for this no special qualifications are needed. I will +give you an illustration of the way in which these things work. Let us +suppose that every member is provided with a trumpet which he takes +with him to the assembly. To blow this trumpet neither skill, nor quick +perception, nor experience, nor knowledge--neither of these +qualifications is necessary. Now, we will suppose these gentlemen +assembled in the great hall where the destinies of the country are +decided; should abuses need correction, should legislation for church +or state be required, they have only to blow the trumpet of _progress_. +The trumpet's tone invariably accords with the spirit of progress, for +it has been attuned to it. Should it happen that at a final vote upon a +measure the trumpets bray loudly enough to drown the opposition of +democrats and Ultramontanes, the matter is settled, the law is passed, +the question is decided." + +"Evidently you exaggerate!" said Seraphin with a shake of the head. +"Your illustration beats the enchanted horn of the fable. Do not you +think so. Miss Louise?" + +"Brother's trumpet story is rather odd, 'tis true, yet I believe that +at bottom such is really the state of things." + +"The instrument in question is objectionable in your opinion, my +friend, only because you still bear about you the narrow conscience of +an age long since buried. As you never spend more than two short winter +months in the city, where alone the life-pulse of our century can be +felt beating, you remain unacquainted with the present and its spirit. +The rest of the year you pass in riding about on your lands, suffering +yourself to be impressed by the stern rigor of nature's laws, and +concluding that human society harmonizes in the same manner with the +behests of fixed principles. I shall have to brush you up a little. I +shall have to let you into the mysteries of progress, so that you may +cease groping like a blind man in the noonday of enlightenment. Above +all, let us have no narrow-mindedness, no scrupulosity, I beg of you. +Whosoever nowadays walks the grass-grown paths of rigorism is a doomed +man." + +Whilst he was saying this, a smile was on the banker's countenance. +Seraph in mused in silence on the meaning and purpose of his +extraordinary language. + +"Look down the street, if you please," continued Carl Greifmann. "Do +you observe yon dark mass just passing under the gas-lamp?" + +"I notice a pretty corpulent gentleman," answered Seraphin. + +"The corpulent gentleman is Mr. Hans Shund, formerly treasurer of this +city," explained Greifmann. "Many years ago, Mr. Shund put his hand +into the public treasury, was detected, removed for dishonesty, and +imprisoned for five years. When set at liberty, the ex-treasurer made +the loaning of money on interest a source of revenue. He conducted this +business with shrewdness, ruined many a family that needed money and in +its necessity applied to him, and became rich. Shund the usurer is +known to all the town, despised and hated by everybody. Even the dogs +cannot endure the odor of usury that hangs about him; just see--all the +dogs bark at him. Shund is moreover an extravagant admirer of the +gentler sex. All the town is aware that this Jack Falstaff contributes +largely to the scandal that is afloat. The pious go so far as to +declare that the gallant Shund will be burned and roasted in hell for +all eternity for not respecting the sixth commandment. Considered in +the light of the time honored morality of Old Franconia, Shund, the +thief, the usurer and adulterer, is a low, good-for-nothing scoundrel, +no question about it. But in the light of the indulgent spirit of the +times, no more can be said than that he has his foibles. He is about to +pass by on the other side, and, as a well-bred man, will salute us." + +Seraphin had attentively observed the man thus characterized, but with +the feelings with which one views an ugly blotch, a dirty page in the +record of humanity. + +Mr. Shund lowered his hat, his neck and back, with oriental +ceremoniousness in presence of the millions on the balcony. Carl +acknowledged the salute, and even Louise returned it with a friendly +inclination of the head. + +The landholder, on the contrary, was cold, and felt hurt at Greifmann's +bowing to a fellow whom he had just described as a scoundrel. That +Louise, too, should condescend to smile to a thief, swindler, usurer, +and immoral wretch! In his opinion, Louise should have followed the +dictates of a noble womanhood, and have looked with honest pity on the +scapegrace. She, on the contrary, greeted the bad man as though he were +respectable, and this conduct wounded the young man's feelings. + +"Apropos of Hans Shund, I will take occasion to convince you of the +correctness of my statements," said Carl Greifmann. "Three days hence, +the municipal election is to come off. Mr. Shund is to be elected +mayor. And when the election of deputies takes place, this same Shund +will command enough of the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens +to be elected to the legislative assembly, thief and usurer though he +be. You will then, I trust, learn to understand that the might of +progress is far removed from the bigotry that would subject a man's +qualifications to a microscopic examination. The enlarged and liberal +principles prevailing in secular concerns are opposed to the +intolerance that would insist on knowing something of an able man's +antecedents before consenting to make use of him. All that Shund will +have to do will be to fall in under the glorious banner of the spirit +of the age; his voting trumpet will be given him; and forthwith he will +turn out a finished mayor and deputy. Do you not admire the power and +stretch of _liberalism_?" + +"I certainly do admire your faculty for making up plausible stories," +answered Seraphin. + +"Plausible stories? Not at all! Downright earnest, every word of it. +Hans Shund, take my word for it, will be elected mayor and member of +the assembly." + +"In that event," replied the landholder, "Shund's disreputable +antecedents and disgusting conduct at present must be altogether a +secret to his constituents." + +"Again you are mistaken, my dear friend. This remark proceeds from your +want of acquaintance with the genius of our times. This city has thirty +thousand inhabitants. Every adult among them has heard of Hans Shund +the thief, usurer, and companion of harlots. And I assure you that not +a voter, not a progressive member of our community, thinks himself +doing what is at all reprehensible by conferring dignity and trust on +Hans Shund. You have no idea how comprehensive is the soul of +liberalism." + +"Let us quit a subject that appears to me impossible, nay, even +unnatural," said Gerlach. + +"No, no; for this very reason you need to be convinced," insisted the +banker with earnestness. "My prospective--but hold--I was almost guilty +of a want of delicacy. No matter, my _actual_ friend, landholder and +millionaire, must be made see with his eyes and touch with his fingers +what marvels _progress_ can effect. Let us make a bet: Eighteen days +from now Hans Shund will be mayor and member for this city. I shall +stake ten thousand florins. You may put in the pair of bays that won +the best prizes at the last races." + +Seraphin hesitated. + +"Come on!" urged the banker. "Since you refuse to believe my +assertions, let us make a bet. May be you consider my stakes too small +against yours? Very well, I will say twenty thousand florins." + +"You will be the loser, Greifmann! Your statements are too +unreasonable." + +"Never mind; if I lose, you will be the winner. Do you take me up?" + +"Pshaw, Carl! you are too sure," said Louise reproachfully. + +"My feeling so sure is what makes me eager to win the finest pair of +horses I ever saw. Is it possible that you are a coward?" + +The landholder's face reddened. He put his right hand in the banker's. +"My dear fellow," exclaimed he jubilantly, "I have just driven a +splendid bargain. To convince you of the entire fairness of the +transaction, you are to be present at the manipulation that is to +decide. Even though you lose the horses, your gain is incalculable, for +it consists in nothing less than being convinced of the wonderful +nature and of the omnipotence of progress. I repeat, then, that, +wherever progress reigns, the elections are the supreme folly of the +nineteenth century; for in reality there is no electing; but what +progress decrees, that is fulfilled." + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + THE LEADERS. + + +The banker was seated at his office table working for his chance in the +wager with the industry of a thorough business man. Whilst he was +engaged in writing notes, a smile indicative of certainty of success +lit up his countenance; for he was thoroughly familiar with the figures +that entered into his calculations, and, withal, Hans Shund invested +with offices and dignity could not but strike him as a comical anomaly. +"Happy thought! My father travels half of the globe; many wonderful +things come under his observation, no doubt, but the greatest of all +prodigies is to be witnessed right here: Hans Shund, the thief, +swindler, usurer, wanton--mayor and law-maker! And it is the venerable +sire _Progress_ that alone could have begotten the prodigy of a Hans +Shund invested with honors. My Lord Progress is therefore himself a +prodigy--a very extraordinary offspring of the human mind, the +culminating point of enlightenment. Admitting humanity to be ten +thousand million years old, or even more, as the most learned of +scientific men have accurately calculated it, during this rather long +series of years nature never produced a marvel that might presume to +claim rank with progress. Progress is the acme of human culture--about +this there can be no question. Yes, indeed, _the acme_." And he +finished the last word in the last note. "Humanity will therefore have +to face about and begin again at the beginning; for after progress +nothing else is possible." He rang his bell. + +"Take these three notes to their respective addresses immediately," +said he to the servant who had answered the ring. Greifmann stepped +into the front office, and gave an order to the cashier. Returning to +his own cabinet, he locked the door that opened into the front office. +He then examined several iron safes, the modest and smooth polish of +which suggested neither the hardness of their iron nature nor the +splendor of their treasures. + +"Gold or paper?" said the banker to himself. After some indecision, he +opened the second of the safes. This he effected by touching several +concealed springs, using various keys, and finally shoving back a huge +bolt by means of a very small blade. He drew out twenty packages of +paper, and laid them in two rows on the table. He undid the tape +encircling the packages, and then it appeared that every leaf of both +rows was a five-hundred florin banknote. The banker had exposed a +considerable sum on the table. A sudden thought caused him to smile, +and he shoved the banknotes where they came more prominently into view. + +The blooming double millionaire entered. + +"Sit down a moment, friend Seraphin, and listen to a short account of +my scheme. I have said before that our city is prospering and growing +under the benign sceptre of progress. The powers and honors of the +sceptre are portioned among three leaders. Everything is directed and +conducted by them--of course, in harmony with the spirit of the times. +I have summoned the aforesaid magnates to appear. That the business may +be despatched with a comfortable degree of expedition, the time when +the visit is expected has been designated in each note; and those +gentlemen are punctual in all matters connected with money and the +bank. You can enter this little apartment, next to us, and by leaving +the door open hear the conversation. The mightiest of the corypheuses +is Schwefel, the straw-hat manufacturer. This potentate resides at a +three-minutes walk from here, and can put in an appearance at any +time." + +"I am on tiptoe!" said Gerlach. "You promise what is so utterly +incredible, that the things you are preparing to reveal appear to me +like adventures belonging to another world." + +"To another world!--quite right, my dear fellow! I am indeed about to +display to your astounded eyes some wonders of the world of progress +that hitherto have been entirely unknown to you. Within eighteen days +you shall, under my tutorship, receive useful and thorough instruction. +This promise I can make you, as we are just in face of the elections, a +time when minds put aside their disguises, when they not unfrequently +shock one another, and when many secrets come to light!" + +"You put me under many obligations!" + +"Only doing my duty, my most esteemed! We are both aware that, +according to the wishes of parents and the desired inclinations of +parties known, our respective millions are to approach each other in +closer relationship. To do a relative of mine _in spe_ a favor, gives +me unspeakable satisfaction. I shall proceed with my course of +instruction. See here! Every one of these twenty packages contains +twenty five-hundred florin banknotes. Consequently, both rows contain +just two hundred thousand florins--an imposing sum assuredly, and, for +the purpose of being imposing, the two hundred thousand have been laid +upon this table. Explanation: the mightiest of the spirits of progress +is--Money. + +"All forces, all sympathies, revolve about money as the heavenly bodies +revolve about the sun. For this reason the mere proximity of a +considerable sum of money acts upon every man of progress like a +current of electricity: it carries him away, it intoxicates his senses. +The leaders whom I have invited will at once notice the collection of +five-hundred florin notes: in the rapidity of calculating, they will +overestimate the amount, and obtain impressions in proportion, somewhat +like the Jews that prostrated themselves in the dust in adoration of +the golden calf. As for me, my dear fellow, I shall carry on my +operations in the auspicious presence of this power of two hundred +thousands. Such a display of power will produce in the leaders a frame +of mind made up of veneration, worship, and unconditional +submissiveness. Every word of mine will proceed authoritatively from +the golden mouth of the two hundred thousands, and my proposals it will +be impossible for them to reject. But listen! The door of the ante-room +is being opened. The mightiest is approaching. Go in quick." He pressed +the spring of a concealed door, and Seraphin disappeared. + +When the straw-hat manufacturer entered, the banker was sitting before +the banknotes apparently absorbed in intricate calculations. + +"Ah Mr. Schwefel! pardon the liberty I have taken of sending for you. +The pressure of business," motioning significantly towards the +banknotes, "has made it impossible for me to call upon you." + +"No trouble, Mr. Greifmann, no trouble whatever!" rejoined the +manufacturer with profound bows. + +"Have the goodness to take a seat!" And he drew an arm-chair quite +near to where the money lay displayed. Schwefel perceived they were +five-hundreds, estimated the amount of the pile in a few rapid glances, +and felt secret shudderings of awe passing through his person. + +"The cause of my asking you in is a business matter of some magnitude," +began the banker. "There is a house in Vienna with which we stand in +friendly relations, and which has very extensive connections in +Hungary. The gentlemen of this house have contracts for furnishing +large orders of straw hats destined mostly for Hungary, and they wish +to know whether they can obtain favorable terms of purchase at the +manufactories of this country. It is a business matter involving a +great deal of money. Their confidence in the friendly interest of our +firm, and in our thorough acquaintance with local circumstances, has +encouraged them to apply to us for an accurate report upon this +subject. They intimate, moreover, that they desire to enter into +negotiations with none but solid establishments, and for this reason +are supposed to be guided by our judgment. As you are aware, this +country has a goodly number of straw-hat manufactories. I would feel +inclined, however, as far as it may be in my power, to give your +establishment the advantage of our recommendation, and would therefore +like to get from you a written list of fixed prices of all the various +sorts." + +"I am, indeed, under many obligations to you, Mr. Greifmann, for your +kind consideration," said the manufacturer, nodding repeatedly. "Your +own experience can testify to the durability of my work, and I shall +give the most favorable rates possible." + +"No doubt," rejoined the banker with haughty reserve. "You must not +forget that the straw-hat business is out of our line. It is incumbent +on us, however, to oblige a friendly house. I shall therefore make a +similar proposal to two other large manufactories, and, after +consulting with men of experience in this branch, shall give the house +in Vienna the advice we consider most to its interest, that is, shall +recommend the establishment most worthy of recommendation." + +Mr. Schwefel's excited countenance became somewhat lengthy. + +"You should not fail of an acceptable acknowledgment from me, were you +to do me the favor of recommending my goods," explained the +manufacturer. + +The banker's coldness was not in the slightest degree altered by the +implied bribe. He appeared not even to have noticed it. "It is also my +desire to be able to recommend you," said he curtly, carelessly taking +up a package of the banknotes and playing with ten thousand florins as +if they were so many valueless scraps of paper. "Well, we are on the +eve of the election," remarked he ingenuously. "Have you fixed upon a +magistrate and mayor?" + +"All in order, thank you, Mr. Greifmann!" + +"And are you quite sure of the order?" + +"Yes; for we are well organized, Mr. Greifmann. If it interests you, I +will consider it as an honor to be allowed to send you a list of the +candidates." + +"I hope you have not passed over ex-treasurer Shund?" + +This question took Mr. Schwefel by surprise, and a peculiar smile +played on his features. + +"The world is and ever will be ungrateful," continued the banker, as +though he did not notice the astonishment of the manufacturer. "I could +hardly think of an abler and more sterling character for the office of +mayor of the city than Mr. Shund. Our corporation is considerably in +debt. Mr. Shund is known to be an accurate financier, and an economical +householder. We just now need for the administration of our city +household a mayor that understands reckoning closely, and that will +curtail unnecessary expenses, so as to do away with the yearly +increasing deficit in the budget. Moreover, Mr. Shund is a noble +character; for he is always ready to aid those who are in want of +money--on interest, of course. Then, again, he knows law, and we very +much want a lawyer at the head of our city government. In short, the +interests of this corporation require that Mr. Shund be chosen chief +magistrate. It is a subject of wonder to me that progress, usually so +clear-sighted, has heretofore passed Mr. Shund by, despite his numerous +qualifications. Abilities should be called into requisition for the +public weal. To be candid, Mr. Schwefel, nothing disgusts me so much as +the slighting of great ability," concluded the banker contemptuously. + +"Are you acquainted with Shund's past career?" asked the leader +diffidently. + +"Why, yes! Mr. Shund once put his hand in the wrong drawer, but that +was a long time ago. Whosoever amongst you is innocent, let him cast +the first stone at him. Besides, Shund has made good his fault by +restoring what he filched. He has even atoned for the momentary +weakness by five years of imprisonment." + +"'Tis true; but Shund's theft and imprisonment are still very fresh in +people's memory," said Schwefel. "Shund is notorious, moreover, as a +hard-hearted usurer. He has gotten rich through shrewd money +speculations, but he has also brought several families to utter ruin. +The indignation of the whole city is excited against the usurer; and, +finally, Shund indulges a certain filthy passion with such effrontery +and barefacedness that every respectable female cannot but blush at +being near him. These characteristics were unknown to you, Mr. +Greifmann; for you too will not hesitate an instant to admit that a man +of such low practices must never fill a public office." + +"I do not understand you, and I am surprised!" said the millionaire. +"You call Shund a usurer, and you say that the indignation of the whole +town is upon him. Might I request from you the definition of a usurer?" + +"They are commonly called usurers who put out money at exorbitant, +illegal interest." + +"You forget, my dear Mr. Schwefel, that speculation is no longer +confined to the five per cent. rate. A correct insight into the +circumstances of the times has induced our legislature to leave the +rate of interest altogether free. Consequently, a usurer has gotten to +be an impossibility. Were Shund to ask fifty per cent, and more, he +would be entitled to it." + +"That is so; for the moment I had overlooked the existence of the law," +said the manufacturer, somewhat humiliated. "Yet I have not told you +all concerning the usurer. Beasts of prey and vampires inspire an +involuntary disgust or fear. Nobody could find pleasure in meeting a +hungry wolf, or in having his blood sucked by a vampire. The usurer is +both vampire and wolf. He hankers to suck the very marrow from the +bones of those who in financial straits have recourse to him. When an +embarrassed person borrows from him, that person is obliged to mortgage +twice the amount that he actually receives. The usurer is a heartless +strangler, an insatiable glutton. He is perpetually goaded on by +covetousness to work the material ruin of others, only so that the ruin +of his neighbor may benefit himself. In short, the usurer is a monster +so frightful, a brute so devoid of conscience, that the very sight of +him excites horror and disgust. Just such a monster is Shund in the +eyes of all who know him--and the whole city knows him. Hence the man +is the object of general aversion." + +"Why, this is still worse, still more astonishing!" rejoined the +millionaire with animation. "I thought our city enlightened. I should +have expected from the intelligence and judgment of our citizens +that they would have deferred neither to the sickly sentimentalism +of a bigoted morality nor to the absurdity of obsolete dogmas. If +your description of the usurer, which might at least be styled +poetico-religious, is an expression of the prevailing spirit of this +city, I shall certainly have to lower my estimate of its intelligence +and culture." + +The leader hastened to correct the misunderstanding. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Greifmann! You may rest assured that we +can boast all the various conquests made by modern advancement. +Religious enthusiasm and foolish credulity are poisonous plants that +superannuated devotees are perhaps still continuing to cultivate here +and there in pots, but which the soil will no longer produce in the +open air. The sort of education prevailing hereabout is that which has +freed itself from hereditary religious prejudices. Our town is blessed +with all the benefits of progress, with liberty of thought, and freedom +from the thraldom of a dark, designing priesthood." + +"How comes it, then, that a man is an object of contempt for acting in +accordance with the principles of this much lauded progress?" asked the +millionaire, with unexpected sarcasm. "We are indebted to progress for +the abolition of a legal rate of interest. Shund takes advantage of +this conquest, and for doing so citizens who boast of being progressive +look upon him with aversion. A further triumph secured by progress is +freedom from the tyranny of dogmas and the tortures of a conscience +created by a contracted morality. This beautiful fruit of the tree of +enlightened knowledge Shund partakes of and enjoys; and for this he has +the distinction of passing for a vampire. And because he displays the +spirit of an energetic business man, because his capacity for +speculating occasionally overwhelms blockheads and dunces, he is +decried as a ravenous wolf. It is sad! If your statements are correct, +Mr. Schwefel, our city ought not to boast of being progressive. Its +citizens are still groping in the midnight darkness of religious +superstition, scarcely even united with modern intellectual +advancement. And to me the consciousness is most uncomfortable of +breathing an atmosphere poisoned by the decaying remnants of an age +long since buried." + +"My own personal views accord with yours," protested Schwefel candidly. +"The subversion of the antiquated, absurd articles of faith and moral +precept necessarily entails the abrogation of the consequences that +flow from them for public life. For centuries the cross was a symbol of +dignity, and the doctrine of the Crucified resulted in holiness. +Paganism, on the contrary, looked upon the gospel as foolishness, as a +hallucination, and upon the cross as a sign of shame. I belong to the +classic ranks, and so do millions like myself--among them Mr. Shund. +Viewed in the light of progress, Shund is neither a vampire nor a wolf; +at the worst, he is merely an ill used business man. They who suffer +themselves to be humbugged and fleeced by him have their own stupidity +to thank for it. This exposition will convince you that I stand on a +level with yourself in the matter of advanced enlightenment. +Nevertheless, you overlook, Mr. Greifmann, that, so far as the masses +of the people are concerned, reverence for the cross and the holiness +of its doctrines continue to prevail. The acquisitions of progress are +not yet generally diffused. The mines of modern intellectual culture +are being provisionally worked by a select number of independent, bold +natures. The multitude, on the other hand, still continue folding about +them the winding-sheet of Christianity. The views, customs, principles, +and judgments of men are as yet widely controlled by Christian +elements. Our city does homage to progress, pretty nearly, however, in +the manner of a blind man that discourses of colors." + +"I do not catch the drift of your simile of the blind man and colors," +interrupted Greifmann. + +"I wanted to intimate that thousands swear allegiance to progress +without comprehending its nature. Very many imagine progress to be a +struggle in behalf of Germany against the enfeebling system of +innumerable small states, or a battling against religious rigorism and +priest-rule in secular concerns. In unpretending guises like these, the +spirit of the age circulates among the crowd travestied in the +fashionable epithet _progressive_. Were you, however, to remove the +shell from around the kernel of progress, were you to exhibit it to the +multitude undisguised as the nullification of religion, as the denial +of the God of Christians, as the rejection of immortality, and of an +essential difference between man and the beast--were you to venture +thus far, you would see the millions flying in consternation before the +monster Progress. Now, just because the multitude, although +progressive-minded, everywhere judges men by Christian standards, very +often, too, unconsciously, therefore Shund has to pass, not for an able +speculator, but for a miserable usurer and an unconscionable +scoundrel." + +"For this very cause, the liberal leaders of this city should stand up +for Shund," opposed the banker. "Just appreciation and respect should +not be denied a deserving man. To speak candidly, Mr. Schwefel, what +first accidentally arrested my attention, now excites my most lively +interest. I wish to see justice done Mr. Shund, to see his uncommon +abilities recognized. You must set his light upon a candlestick. You +must have him elected mayor and member of the legislature; in both +capacities he will fill his position with distinction. I repeat, our +deeply indebted city stands in want of a mayor that will reckon closely +and economize. And in the legislative assembly Shund's fluency will +talk down all opposition, his readiness of speech will do wonders. Were +it only to spite the stupid mob, you must put Shund in nomination." + +"It will not do, Mr. Greifmann! it is impracticable! We have to proceed +cautiously and by degrees. Our policy lies in conducting the +unsophisticated masses from darkness into light, quite gradually, inch +by inch, and with the utmost caution. A sudden unveiling of the inmost +significance of the spirit of the age would scare the people, and drive +them back heels over head into the clerical camp." + +"I do not at all share your apprehensions," contended the millionaire. +"Our people are further advanced than you think. Make the trial. Your +vast influence will easily manage to have Shund returned mayor and +delegate." + +"Undoubtedly, but my standing would be jeopardized," rejoined Schwefel. + +"That is a mistake, sir! You employ four hundred families." + +"Four hundred and seventy now," said the manufacturer, correcting him +blandly. + +"Four hundred and seventy families, therefore, are getting a living +through you, consequently you have four hundred and seventy voters at +your command. Add to these a considerable force of mechanics who earn +wages in your employ. You have, moreover, a number of warm friends who +also command a host of laborers and mechanics. Hence you risk neither +standing nor influence, that is," added he with a smile, "unless +perhaps you dread the anathemas of Ultramontanes and impostors." + +"The pious wrath of believers has no terrors deserving notice," +observed the leader with indifference. + +"And yet all this time Shund's remarkable abilities have not been able +to win the slightest notice on the part of progressive men--it is +revolting!" cried the banker. "Mr. Schwefel, I will speak plainly, +trusting to your being discreet; I will recommend your factory at +Vienna, but only on condition that you have Hans Shund elected mayor +and member of the legislature." + +"This is asking a great deal--quite flattering for Shund and very +tempting to me," said the leader with a bright face and a thrice +repeated nod to the banker. "Since, however, what you ask is neither +incompatible with the spirit of the times nor dishonorable to the sense +of a liberal man, I accept your offer, for it is no small advantage for +me from a business point of view." + +"Capital, Mr. Schwefel! Capital, because very sensible!" spoke Carl +Greifmann approvingly. A short groan, resembling the violent bursting +forth of suppressed indignation, resounded from the adjoining +apartment. The banker shuffled on the floor and drowned the groan by +loudly rasping his throat. + +"One condition, however, I must insist upon," continued the +manufacturer of straw hats. "My arm might prove unequal to a task that +will create no ordinary sensation. But if you succeeded in winning over +Erdblatt and Sand to the scheme, it would prosper without fail and +without much noise." + +"I shall do so with pleasure, Mr. Schwefel! Both those gentlemen will, +in all probability, call on me today in relation to matters of +business. It will be for me a pleasing consciousness to have aided in +obtaining merited recognition for Hans Shund." + +"Our agreement is, however, to be kept strictly secret from the +public." + +"Of course, of course!" + +"You will not forget, at the same time, Mr. Greifmann, that our very +extraordinary undertaking will necessitate greater than ordinary +outlay. It is a custom among laborers not to work on the day before +election, and the same on election day itself. Yet, in order to keep +them in good humor, they must get wages the same as if they had worked. +This is for the manufacturer no insignificant disadvantage. Moreover, +workingmen and doubtful voters, require to be stimulated with beer +gratis--another tax on our purses." + +"How high do these expenses run?" asked the millionaire. + +"For Sand, Erdblatt, and myself, they never fall short of twelve +hundred florins." + +"That would make each one's share of the costs four hundred florins." + +Taking a five-hundred florin banknote between his thumb and forefinger, +the banker reached it carelessly to the somewhat puzzled leader. + +"My contribution to the promotion of the interests of progress! I shall +give as much to Messrs. Sand and Erdblatt." + +"Many thanks, Mr. Greifmann!" said Schwefel, pocketing the money with +satisfaction. + +The millionaire drew himself up. "I have no doubt," said he, in his +former cold and haughty tone, "that my recommendation will secure your +establishment the custom already alluded to." + +"I entertain a similar confidence in your influence, and will take the +liberty of commending myself most respectfully to your favor." Bowing +frequently, Schwefel retreated backwards towards the door, and +disappeared. Greifmann stepped to the open entrance of the side +apartment. There sat the youthful landholder, his head resting heavily +on his hand. He looked up, and Carl's smiling face was met by a pair of +stern, almost fierce eyes. + +"Have you heard, friend Seraphin?" asked he triumphantly. + +"Yes--and what I have heard surpasses everything. You have bargained +with a member of that vile class who recognize no difference between +honor and disgrace, between good and evil, between self-respect and +infamy, who know only one god--which is money." + +"Do not show yourself so implacable against these _vile_ beings, my +dearest! There is much that is useful in them, at any rate they are +helping me to the finest horses belonging to the aristocracy." + +A stealthy step was heard at the door of the cabinet. + +"Do you hear that timid rap?" asked the banker. "The rapper's heart is +at this moment in his knuckles. It is curious how men betray in trifles +what at the time has possession of their feelings. The mere rapping +gives a keen observer an insight into the heart of a person whom he +does not as yet see. Listen--" Rapping again, still more stealthily and +imploringly. "I must go and relieve the poor devil, whom nobody would +suspect for a mighty leader. Now, Mr. Seraphin, Act the Second. Come +in!" + +The man who entered, attired in a dress coat and kids, was Erdblatt, a +tobacco merchant, spare in person, and with restless, spering eyes. The +millionaire greeted him coldly, then pointed him to the chair that had +been occupied by Schwefel. The impression produced by the two hundred +thousands on the man of tobacco was far more decided than in the case +of the manufacturer of straw hats. Erdblatt was restless in his chair, +and as the needle is attracted by the pole, so did Erdblatt's whole +being turn towards the money. His eyes glanced constantly over the +paper treasures, and a spasmodic jerking seized upon his fingers. But +he soon sat motionless and stiff, as if thunderstruck at Greifmann's +terrible words. + +"Your substantial firm," began the mighty man of money, after some few +formalities, "has awaked in me a degree of attention which the ordinary +course of business does not require. I have to-day received notice from +an English banking-house that in a few days several bills first of +exchange, amounting to sixty thousand florins, will be presented to be +paid by you." + +Erdblatt was dumfounded and turned pale. + +"The amount is not precisely what can be called insignificant," +continued Greifmann coolly, "and I did not wish to omit notifying you +concerning the bills, because, as you are aware, the banking business +is regulated by rigorous and indiscriminating forms." + +Erdblatt took the hint, turned still more pale, and uttered not a word. + +"This accumulation of bills of exchange is something abnormal," +proceeded Greifmann with indifference. "As they are all made payable on +sight, you are no doubt ready to meet this sudden rush with proud +composure," concluded the banker, with a smile of cold politeness. + +But the dumfounded Erdblatt was far from enjoying proud composure. His +manner rather indicated inability to pay and panic terror. "Not only is +the accumulation of bills of exchange to the amount of sixty thousand +florins something abnormal, but it also argues carelessness," said he +tersely. "Were it attributable to accident, I should not complain; but +it has been occasioned by jealous rivalry. Besides, they are bills +first of exchange--it is something never heard of before--it is +revolting--there is a plot to ruin me! And I have no plea to allege for +putting off these bills, and I am, moreover, unable to pay them." + +The banker shrugged his shoulders coldly, and his countenance became +grave. + +"Might I not beg you to aid me, Mr. Greifmann?" said he anxiously. "Of +course, I shall allow you a high rate of interest." + +"That is not practicable with bills of exchange," rejoined the banker +relentlessly. + +"When will the bills be presented?" asked the leader, with increasing +anxiety. + +"Perhaps as early as to-morrow," answered Greifmann, still more +relentless. + +The manufacturer of tobacco was near fainting. + +"I cannot conceive of your being embarrassed," said the banker coldly. +"Your popularity and influence will get you assistance from friends, in +case your exchequer happens not to be in a favorable condition." + +"The amount is too great; I should have to borrow in several quarters. +This would give rise to reports, and endanger the credit of my firm." + +"You are not wrong in your view," answered the banker coldly. +"Accidents may shake the credit of the most solid firm, and other +accidents may often change trifling difficulties into fatal +catastrophes. How often does it not occur that houses of the best +standing, which take in money at different places, are brought to the +verge of bankruptcy through public distrust?" + +The words of the money prince were nowise calculated to reassure Mr. +Erdblatt. + +"Be kind enough to accept the bills, and grant me time," pleaded he +piteously. + +"That, sir, would be contrary to all precedents in business," rejoined +Greifmann, with an icy smile. "Our house never deviates from the paths +of hereditary custom." + +"I could pay in ten thousand florins at once," said Erdblatt once more. +"Within eight weeks I could place fifty thousand more in your hands." + +"I am very sorry, but, as I said, this plan is impracticable," opposed +Greifmann. "Yet I have half a mind to accept those bills, but only on a +certain condition." + +"I am willing to indemnify you in any way possible," assured the +tobacco merchant, with a feeling of relief! + +"Hear the condition stated in a few words. As you know, I live +exclusively for business, never meddle in city or state affairs. +Moreover, labor devoted by me to political matters would be +superfluous, in view of the undisputed sway of liberalism. +Nevertheless, I am forced to learn, to my astonishment, that progress +itself neglects to take talent and ability into account, and exhibits +the most aristocratic nepotism. The remarkable abilities of Mr. Shund +are lost, both to the city and state, merely because Mr. Shund's +fellow-citizens will not elect him to offices of trust. This is unjust; +to speak plainly, it is revolting, when one considers that there is +many a brainless fellow in the City Council who has no better +recommendation than to have descended from an old family, and whose +sole ability lies in chinking ducats which he inherited but never +earned. Shund is a genius compared with such boobies; but genius does +not pass current here, whilst incapacity does. Now, if you will use +your influence to have Shund nominated for mayor of this city, and for +delegate to the legislature, and guarantee his election, you may +consider the bills of exchange as covered." + +Not even the critical financial trouble by which he was beset could +prevent an expression of overwhelming surprise in the tobacco man's +face. + +"I certainly cannot have misunderstood you. You surely mean to speak of +Ex-Treasurer Shund, of this place?" + +"The same--the very same." + +"But, Mr. Greifmann, perhaps you are not aware--" + +"I am aware of everything," interrupted the banker. "I know that many +years ago Mr. Shund awkwardly put his hand into the city treasury, that +he was sent to the penitentiary, that people imagine they still see him +in the penitentiary garb, and, finally, that in the stern judgment of +the same people he is a low usurer. But usury has been abrogated by +law. The theft Shund has not only made good by restoring what he stole, +but also atoned for by years of imprisonment. Now, why is a man to be +despised who has indeed done wrong, but not worse than others whose +sins have long since been forgotten? Why condemn to obscurity a man +that possesses the most brilliant kind of talent for public offices? +The contempt felt for Shund on the part of a population who boast of +their progress is unaccountable--may be it would not be far from the +truth to believe that some influential persons are jealous of the +gifted man," concluded the banker reproachfully. + +"Pardon me, please! The _thief_ and _usurer_ it might perhaps be +possible to elect," conceded Erdblatt. "But Shund's disgusting and +shameless amours could not possibly find grace with the moral sense of +the public." + +"Yes, and the origin of this _moral sense_ is the sixth commandment of +the Jew Moses," said the millionaire scornfully. "I cannot understand' +how you, a man of advanced views; can talk in this manner." + +"You misinterpret my words," rejoined the leader deprecatingly. "To me, +personally, Shund exists neither as a usurer nor as a debauchee. +Christian modes of judging are, of course, relegated among absurdities +that we have triumphed over. In this instance, however, there is no +question of my own personal conviction, but of the conviction of the +great multitude. And in the estimation of the multitude unbridled +liberty is just as disgraceful as the free enjoyment of what, +_morally_, is forbidden." + +"You are altogether in the same rut as Schwefel." + +"Have you spoken with Schwefel on this subject?" asked Erdblatt +eagerly. + +"Only a moment ago. Mr. Schwefel puts greater trust in his power than +you do in yours, for he agreed to have Shund elected mayor and +delegate. Mr. Schwefel only wishes you and Sand would lend your aid." + +"With pleasure! If Schwefel and Sand are won over, then all is right." + +"From a hint of Schwefel's," said Greifmann, taking up a +five-hundred-florin banknote from the table, "I infer that the election +canvass is accompanied with some expense. Accept this small +contribution. As for the bills of exchange, the matter is to rest by +our agreement." + +Erdblatt also backed out of the cabinet, bowing repeatedly as he +retreated. + +Seraphin rushed from his hiding-place in great excitement. + +"Why, Greifmann, this is terrible! Do you call that advanced education? +Do you call that progress? Those are demoralized, infernal beings. I +spit upon them! And are these the rabble that are trying to arrogate to +themselves the leadership of the German people?--rabble who ignore the +Deity, the human soul, and morality generally! But what completely +unsettles me is your connivance--at least, your connection with these +infernal spirits." + +"But be easy, my good fellow, be easy! _I_ connected with tobacco and +straw?" + +"At all events, you have been ridiculing the ten commandments and +Christian morals and faith." + +"Was I not obliged to do so in order to show how well the thief, +usurer, and filthy dog Shund harmonizes with the spirit of progress? +Can he who wishes to make use of the devil confer with the devil in the +costume of light? Not at all; he must clothe himself in the mantle of +darkness. And you must not object to my using the demon Progress for +the purpose of winning your span of horses and saving my stakes. Let us +not have a disgraceful altercation. Consider me as a stage actor, +whilst you are a spectator that is being initiated into the latest +style of popular education. Ah, do you hear? The last one is drawing +near. Be pleased to vanish." + +The third leader, house-builder Sand, appeared. The greater portion of +his face is hidden by a heavy black beard; in one hand he carries a +stout bamboo cane; and it is only after having fully entered, that he +deliberately removes his hat. + +"I wish you a pleasant morning, Mr. Greifmann. You have sent for me: +what do you want?" + +The banker slowly raised his eyes from the latest exchange list to the +rough features of the builder, and remembering that the man had risen +up from the mortarboard to his present position, and had gained wealth +and influence through personal energy, he returned the short greeting +with a friendly inclination of the head. + +"Will you have the goodness to be seated, Mr. Sand?" + +The man of the black beard took a seat, and, having noticed the +handsome collection of banknotes, his coarse face settled itself into a +not very attractive grin. + +"I want to impart to you my intention of erecting a villa on the +Sauerberg, near the middle of our estate at Wilheim," continued the +millionaire. + +"Ah, that is a capital idea!" And the man of the beard became very +deeply interested. "The site is charming, no view equal to it; healthy +location, vineyards round about, your own vineyards moreover. I could +put you up a gem there." + +"That is what I think, Mr. Sand! My father, who has been abroad for the +last three months, is quite satisfied with the plan; in fact, he is the +original projector of it." + +"I know, I know! your father has a taste for what is grand. We shall +try and give him satisfaction, which, by the bye, is not so very easy. +But you have the money, and fine fortunes can command fine houses." + +"What I want principally is to get you to draw a plan, consulting your +own taste and experience in doing so. You will show it to me when +ready, and I will tell you whether I like it or not." + +"Very well, Mr. Greifmann, very well! But I must know beforehand what +amount of money you are willing to spend upon the house; for all +depends upon the cost." + +"Well," said the millionaire, after some deliberation, "I am willing to +spend eighty thousand florins on it, and something over, perhaps." + +"Ah, well, for that amount of money something can be put up--something +small but elegant. Are you in a hurry with the building?" + +"To be sure! As soon as the matter is determined upon, there is to be +no delay in carrying it out." + +"I am altogether of your opinion, Mr. Greifmann--I agree with you +entirely!" assented the builder, with an increase of animation. "I +shall draw up a plan for a magnificent house. If it pleases you, all +hands shall at once be set at work, and by next autumn you shall behold +the villa under roof." + +"Of course you are yourself to furnish all the materials," added the +banker shrewdly. "When once the plan will have been settled upon, you +can reach me an estimate of the costs, and I will pay over the money." + +"To be sure, Mr. Greifmann--that is the way in which it should be done, +Mr. Greifmann!" responded the man of the black beard with a satisfied +air. "You are not to have the slightest bother. I shall take all the +bother upon myself." + +"That, then is agreed upon! Well, now, have you learned yet who is to +be the next mayor?" + +"Why, yes, the old one is to be reelected!" + +"Not at all! We must have an economical and intelligent man for next +mayor. Of this I am convinced, because the annual deficit in the +treasury is constantly on the increase." + +"Alas, 'tis true! And who is the man of economy and intelligence to +be?" + +"Mr. Hans Shund." + +"Who--what? Hans Shund? The thief, the usurer, the convict, the +debauchee? Who has been making a fool of you?" + +"Pardon me, sir! I never suffer people to make a fool of me!" rejoined +the banker with much dignity. + +"Yes, yes--somebody has dished up a canard for you. What, that +good-for-nothing scoundrel to be elected mayor! Never in his life! Hans +Shund mayor--really that is good now--ha, ha!" + +"Mr. Sand, you lead me to suspect that you belong to the party of +Ultramontanes." + +"Who--_I_ an Ultramontane? That is ridiculous! Sir, I am at the head of +the men of progress--I am the most liberal of the liberals--that, sir, +is placarded on every wall." + +"How come you, then, to call Mr. Sand a good-for-nothing scoundrel?" + +"Simply for this reason, because, he is a usurer and a dissipated +wretch." + +"Then I am in the right, after all! Mr. Sand belongs to the ranks of +the _pious_," jeered the banker. + +"Mr. Greifmann, you are insulting!" + +"Nothing is further from my intention than to wound your feelings, my +dear Mr. Sand! Be cool and reasonable. Reflect, if you please. Shund, +you say, puts out money at thirty per cent. and higher, and therefore +he is a usurer. Is it not thus that you reason?" + +"Why, yes! The scoundrel has brought many a poor devil to ruin by means +of his Jewish speculations!" + +"Your pious indignation," commended the millionaire, "is praiseworthy, +because it is directed against what you mistake for a piece of +scoundrelism. Meanwhile, please to calm down your feelings, and let +your reason resume her seat of honor so that you may reflect upon my +words. You know that in consequence of recent legislation every +capitalist is free to put out money at what rate soever he pleases. +Were Shund to ask _fifty_ per cent., he would not be stepping outside +of the law. He would then be, as he now is, an honest man. Would he +not?" + +"It is as you say, so far as the law is concerned!" + +"Furthermore, if after prudently weighing, after wisely calculating, +the _pros_ and _cons_, Shund concludes to draw in his money, and in +consequence many a poor devil is ruined, as you say, surely no +reasonable man will on that account condemn legally authorized +speculation!" + +"Don't talk to me of legally authorized speculation. The law must not +legalize scoundrelism; but whosoever by cunning usury brings such to +ruin is and ever will be a scoundrel." + +"Why a scoundrel, Mr. Sand? Why, pray?" + +"Surely it is clear enough--because he has ruined men!" + +"Ruined! How? Evidently through means legally permitted. Therefore, +according to your notion the law _does_ legalize scoundrelism; at least +it allows free scope to scoundrels. Mr. Sand, no offence intended: I am +forced, however, once more to suspect that you do, perhaps without +knowing it, belong to the _pious_. For they think and feel just as you +do, that is, in accordance with so-called laws of morality, religious +views and principles. That, judged by such standards, Shund is a +scoundrel who hereafter will be burned eternally in hell, I do not +pretend to dispute." + +"At bottom, I believe you are in the right, after all--yes, it is as +you say," conceded the leader reluctantly. "Ahem--and yet I am surprised +at your being in the right. I would rather, however that you were in +the right, because I really do not wish to blame anybody or judge him +by the standard of the Ultramontanes." + +"That tone sounds genuinely progressive, and it does honor to +your judgment!" lauded the banker. "Again, you called Shund a +good-for-nothing scoundrel because he loves the company of women. Mr. +Sand, do you mean to vindicate the sacred nature of the sixth +commandment in an age that has emancipated itself from the thrall of +symbols and has liberated natural inclinations from the servitude of a +bigoted priesthood?--you, who profess to stand at the head and front of +the party of progress?" + +"It is really odd--you are in the right again! Viewed from the +standpoint of the times, contemplated in the light of modern +intellectual culture, Shund must not really be called good-for-nothing +for being a usurer and an admirer of women. + +"Shund's qualifications consequently fit him admirably for the office +of mayor. He will be economical, he will make the expenditures balance +with the revenue. Even in the legislature, Shund's principles and +experience will be of considerable service to the country and to the +cause of progress. I am so much in favor of the man that I shall award +you the building of my villa only on condition that you will use all +your influence for the election of Shund to the office of mayor and to +the legislature." + +"Mayor--assemblyman, too--ahem! that will be hard to do." + +"By no means! Messrs. Schwefel and Erdblatt will do their best for the +same end." + +"Is that so, really? In that case there is no difficulty! Mr. +Greifmann, consider me the man that will build your villa." + +"The canvass will cost you some money--here, take this, my contribution +to the noble cause," and he gave him a five-hundred-florin banknote. + +"That will suffice, Mr. Greifmann, that will suffice. The plan you +cannot have until after the election, for Shund will give us enough to +do." + +"Everything is possible to you, Mr. Sand! Whatever Caesar, Lepidus, and +Antony wish at Rome, that same must be." + +"Very true, very true." And the last of the leaders disappeared. + +"I would never have imagined the like to be possible," spoke the +landholder, entering. "They all regard Shund as a low, abandoned +wretch, and yet material interest determines every one of them to +espouse the cause of the unworthy, contemptible fellow. It is +extraordinary! It is monstrous!" + +"You cannot deny that progress is eminently liberal," replied the +banker, laughing. + +"Nor will I deny that it possesses neither uprightness nor conscience, +nor, especially, morals," rejoined the young man with seriousness. + +Carl saw with astonishment Seraphin's crimsoned cheeks and flaming +eyes. + +"My dear fellow, times and men must be taken as they are, not as they +should be," said the banker. "Interest controls both men and things. At +bottom, it has ever been thus. In the believing times of the middle +ages, men's interest lay in heaven. All their acts were done for +heaven; they considered no sacrifice as too costly. Thousands quit +their homes and families to have their skulls cloven by the Turks, or +to be broiled by the glowing heats of Palestine. For the interests of +heaven, thousands abandoned the world, fed on roots in deserts, +gave up all the pleasures of life. At present, the interest lies in +this world, in material possessions, in money. Do not therefore get +angry at progress if it refuses to starve itself or to be cut down by +Moorish scimitars, but, on the other hand, has strength of mind and +self-renunciation enough to promote Hans Shund to honors and offices." + +Seraphin contemplated Greifmann, who smiled, and hardly knew how to +take him. + +"An inborn longing for happiness has possession of all men," said he +with reserve. "The days of faith were ruled by moral influences; the +spirit of this age is ruled by base matter. Between the moral struggles +of the past strong in faith, and the base matter of the present, there +is, say what you will, a notable difference." + +"Doubtless!" conceded Greifmann. "The middle ages were incontestably +the grandest epoch of history. I am actuated by the honest intention of +acquainting you with the active principles of the present." + +"Yes, and you have been not immaterially aided by luck. But for the +order from Vienna for straw hats, the bills of exchange, and that +villa, you would hardly have attained your aim." + +Greifmann smiled. + +"The straw-hat story is merely a mystification, my dear friend. When +the end will have been reached, when Hans Shund will have been elected +mayor and assemblyman, a few lines will be sufficient to inform Mr. +Schwefel that the house in Vienna has countermanded its order. Nor is +any villa to be constructed. I shall pay Sand for his drawings, and +this will be the end of the project. The matter of the bills of +exchange is not a hoax, and I am still free to proceed against Erdblatt +in the manner required by the interests of my business." + +Seraphin stood before the ingenuous banker, and looked at him aghast. + +"It is true," said Greifmann gaily, "I have laid out fifteen hundred +florins, but I have done so against one hundred per cent.; for they are +to secure me victory in our wager." + +"Your professional routine is truly admirable," said Gerlach. + +"Not exactly that, but practical, and not at all sentimental, my +friend." + +"I shall take a walk through the garden to get over my astonishment," +concluded Gerlach; and he walked away from the astute man of money. + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + SERAPHIN AND LOUISE. + + +Sombre spirits flitted about the head of the young man with the +blooming cheeks and light eyes. He was unable to rid himself of a +feeling of depression; for he had taken a step into the domain of +progress, and had there witnessed things which, like slimy reptiles, +drew a cold trail over his warm heart. Trained up on Christian +principles, schooled by enlightened professors of the faith, and +watched over with affectionate vigilance by a pious mother, Seraphin +had had no conception of the state of modern society. For this reason, +both Greifmann _Senior_ and Gerlach _Senior_ committed a blunder in +wishing to unite by marriage three millions of florins, the owners of +which not merely differed, but were the direct opposites of each other +in disposition and education. + +Louise belonged to the class of emancipated females who have in vain +attempted to enhance the worth of noble womanhood by impressing on +their own sex the sterner type of the masculine gender. In Louise's +opinion, the beauty of woman does not consist in graceful gentleness, +amiable concession and purity, but in proudly overstepping the bounds +set for woman by the innate modesty of her sex. The beautiful young +lady had no idea of the repulsiveness of a woman who strives to make a +man of herself, but she was sure that the cause and origin of woman's +degradation is religion. For it was to Eve that God had said: "Thou +shalt be under thy husband's power, and he shall have dominion over +thee." Louise considered this decree as revolting, and she detested the +book whose authority among men gives effect to its meaning. On the +other hand, she failed to observe that woman's sway is powerful and +acknowledged wherever it exerts itself over weak man through affection +and grace. Quite as little did Miss Louise observe that men assume the +stature of giants so soon as women presume to appear in relation to +them strong and manlike. Least of all did she discover anything +gigantic in the kind-hearted Seraphin. In the consciousness of her +fancied superiority of education, she smiled at the simplicity of his +faith, and, as the handsome young gentleman appeared by no means an +ineligible _parti_, she believed it to be her special task to train her +prospective husband according to her own notions. She imagined this +course of training would prove an easy undertaking for a lady whose +charms had been uniformly triumphant over the hearts of gentlemen. But +one circumstance appeared to her unaccountable--that was Seraphin's +cold-bloodedness and unshaken independence. For eight days she had +plied her arts in vain, the most exquisite coquetry had been wasted to +no purpose, even the irresistible fire of her most lovely eyes had +produced no perceptible impression on the impregnable citadel of the +landholder's heart. + +"He is a mere child as yet, the most spotless innocence," she would +muse hopefully. "He has been sheltered under a mother's wings like a +pullet, and for this I am beholden to Madame Gerlach, for she has +trained up an obedient husband for me." + +Seraphin sauntered through the walks of the garden, absorbed in gloomy +reflections on the leaders of progress. Their utter disregard of honor +and unparalleled baseness were disgusting to him as an honorable man, +whilst their corruption and readiness for deeds of meanness were +offensive to him as a Christian. Regarding Greifmann, also, he +entertained misgivings. Upon closer examination, however, the +unsuspecting youth thought he discovered in the banker's manner of +treating the leaders and their principles a strong infusion of ridicule +and irony. Hence, imposed upon by his own good nature, he concluded +that Greifmann ought not in justice to be ranked among the hideous +monstrosities of progress. + +With head sunk and rapt in thought, Gerlach strayed indefinitely amid +the flowers and shrubbery. All at once he stood before Louise. The +young lady was seated under a vine-covered arbor; in one hand she held +a book, but she had allowed both hand and book to sink with graceful +carelessness upon her lap. For some time back she had been observing +the thoughtful young man. She had been struck by his manly carriage and +vigorous step, and had come to the conclusion that his profusion of +curling auburn hair was the most becoming set-off to his handsome +countenance. She now welcomed the surprised youth with a smile so +winning, and with a play of eyes and features so exquisite, that +Seraphin, dazzled by the beauty of the apparition, felt constrained to +lower his eyes like a bashful girl. What probably contributed much to +this effect was the circumstance of his being at the time in a rather +vacant and cheerless state of mind, so that, coming suddenly into the +presence of this brilliant being, he experienced the power of the +contrast. She appeared to him indescribably beautiful, and he wondered +that this discovery had not forced itself upon him before. +Unfortunately, the young gentleman possessed but little of the +philosophy which will not suffer itself to be deceived by seductive +appearances, and refuses to recognize the beautiful anywhere but in its +agreement with the true and good. + +Louise perceived in an instant that now was at hand the long-looked-for +fulfilment of her wishes. The certainty which she felt that the +conquest was achieved diffused a bewitching loveliness over her person. +Seraphin, on the other hand, stood leaning against the arbor, and +became conscious with fear and surprise of a turmoil in his soul that +he had never before experienced. + +"I have been keeping myself quiet in this shady retreat," said she +sweetly, "not wishing to disturb your meditations. Carl's wager is a +strange one, but it is a peculiarity of my brother's occasionally to +manifest a relish for what is strange." + +"You are right--strange, very strange!" replied Seraphin, evidently in +allusion to his actual state of mind. The beautiful young lady, +perceiving the allusion, became still more dazzling. + +"I should regret very much that the wager were lost by a guest of ours, +and still more that you were deprived of your splendid race-horses. I +will prevail on Carl not to take advantage of his victory." + +"Many thanks, miss; but I would much rather you would not do so. If I +lose the wager, honor and duty compel me to give up the stakes to the +winner. Moreover, in the event of my losing, there would be another +loss far more severe for me than the loss of my racers." + +"What would that be?" inquired she with some amazement. + +"The loss of my good opinion of men," answered he sadly. "What I have +heard, miss, is base and vile beyond description." And he recounted for +her in detail what had taken place. + +"Such things are new to you, Mr. Seraphin; hence your astonishment and +indignation." + +The youth felt his soul pierced because she uttered not a word of +disapproval against the villainy. + +"Carl's object was good," continued she, "in so far as his man[oe]uvre +has procured you an insight into the principles by which the world is +just now ruled." + +"I would be satisfied to lose the wager a thousand times, and even +more, did I know that the world is not under such rule." + +"It is wrong to risk one's property for the sake of a delusion," said +she reprovingly. "And it would be a gross delusion not to estimate men +according to their real worth. A proprietor of fields and woodland, +who, faithful to his calling, leads an existence pure and in accord +with nature's laws, must not permit himself to be so far misled by the +harmlessness of his own career as to idealize the human species. For +were you at some future day to become more intimately acquainted with +city life and society, you would then find yourself forced to smile at +the views which you once held concerning the present." + +"Smile at, my dear miss? Hardly. I should rather have to mourn the +destruction of my belief. Moreover, it is questionable whether I could +breathe in an atmosphere which is unhealthy and destructive of all the +genuine enjoyments of life!" + +"And what do you look upon as the genuine enjoyments of life?" asked +she with evident curiosity. + +He hesitated, and his childlike embarrassment appeared to her most +lovely. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Seraphin! I have been indiscreet, for such a +question is allowable to those only who are on terms of intimacy." And +the beauty exhibited a masterly semblance of modesty and amiability. +The artifice proved successful, the young man's diffidence fled, and +his heart opened. + +"You possess my utmost confidence, most esteemed Miss Greifmann! +Intercourse with good, or at least honorable, persons appears to me to +be the first condition for enjoying life. How could any one's existence +be cheerful in the society of people whose character is naught and +whose moral sense expired with the rejection of every religious +principle?" + +"Yet perhaps it might, Mr. Seraphin!" rejoined she, with a smile of +imagined superiority. "Refinement, the polished manners of society, may +be substituted for the rigor of religious conviction." + +"Polished manners without moral earnestness are mere hypocrisy," +answered he decidedly. "A wolf, though enveloped in a thousand +lambskins, still retains his nature." + +"How stern you are!" exclaimed she, laughing. "And what is the second +condition for the true enjoyment of life, Mr. Seraphin?" + +"It is evidently the accord of moral consciousness with the behests of +a supreme authority; or to use the ordinary expression, a good +conscience," answered the millionaire earnestly. + +A sneering expression spontaneously glided over her countenance. She +felt the hateful handwriting of her soul in her features, turned +crimson, and cast down her eyes in confusion. The young man had not +observed the expression of mockery, and could not account for her +confusion. He thought he had perhaps awkwardly wounded her +sensitiveness. + +"I merely meant to express my private conviction," said Mr. Seraphin +apologetically. + +"Which is grand and admirable," lauded she. + +Her approbation pleased him, for his simplicity failed to detect the +concealed ridicule. After a walk outside of the city which Gerlach took +towards evening, in the company of the brother and sister, Carl +Greifmann made his appearance in Louise's apartment. + +"You have at last succeeded in capturing him," began he with a chuckle +of satisfaction. "I was almost beginning to lose confidence in your +well-tried powers. This time you seemed unable to keep the field, to +the astonishment of all your acquaintances. They never knew you to be +baffled where the heart of a weak male was to be won." + +"What are you talking about?" + +"About the fat codfish of two million weight whom you have been +successful in angling." + +"I do not understand you, most mysterious brother!" + +"You do not understand me, and yet you blush like the skies before a +rainstorm! What means the vermilion of those cheeks, if you do not +understand?" + +"I blush, first, on account of my limited understanding, which cannot +grasp your philosophy; and, secondly, because I am amazed at the +monstrous figures of your language." + +"Then I shall have to speak without figures and similes upon a subject +which loses a great deal in the light of bare reality, which, I might +indeed say, loses all, dissolves into vapor, like will-o'-the-wisps and +cloud phantoms before the rising sun. I hardly know how to mention +the subject without figures, I can hardly handle it except with +poetic figures," exclaimed he gaily, seating himself in Louise's +rocking--chair, rocking himself. "Speaking in the commonest prose, my +remarks refer to the last victim immolated to your highness--to the +last brand kindled by the fire of your eyes. To talk quite broadly, I +mean the millionaire and landholder Seraphin Gerlach, who is head and +ears in love with you. Considered from a business and solid point of +view, it is exceedingly flattering for the banker's brother to see his +sister adored by so considerable a sum of money." + +"Madman, you profane the noblest feelings of the heart," she chidingly +said, with a smile. + +"I am a man of business, my dear child, and am acquainted with no +sanctuary but the exchange. Relations of a tender nature, noble +feelings of the heart, lying as they do without the domain of +speculation, are to me something incomprehensible and not at all +desirable. On the other hand, I entertain for two millions of money a +most prodigious sympathy, and a love that casts the flames of all your +heroes and heroines of romance into the shade. Meanwhile, my sweet +little sister, there are two aspects to everything. An alliance between +our house and two millions of florins claims admiration, 'tis true; yet +it is accompanied with difficulties which require serious reflection." +The banker actually ceased rocking and grew serious. + +"Might I ask a solution of your enigma?" + +"All jesting aside, Louise, this alliance is not altogether free from +risks," answered he. "Just consider the contrast between yourself and +Seraphin Gerlach's good nature is touching, and his credulous +simplicity is calculated to excite apprehension. Guided, imposed upon, +entirely bewitched by religious phantasms, he gropes about in the +darkness of superstition. You, on the contrary, sneer at what Seraphin +cherishes as holy, and despise such religious nonsense. Reflect now +upon the enormous contrast between yourself and the gentleman whom fate +and your father's shrewdness have selected for your husband. Honestly, +I am in dread. I am already beginning to dream of divorce and every +possible tale of scandal, which would not be precisely propitious for +our firm." + +"What contradictions!" exclaimed the beauty with self-reliance. "You +just a moment ago announced my triumph over Seraphin, and now you +proclaim my defeat." + +"Your defeat! Not at all! But I apprehend wrangling and discord in your +married life." + +"Wrangling and discord because Seraphin loves me?" + +"No--not exactly--but because he is a believer and you are an +unbeliever; in short, because he does not share your aims and views." + +"How short-sighted you are! As you conceive of it, love is not a +passion; at most, only, a cool mood which cannot be modified by the +lovers themselves. Your apprehension would be well grounded concerning +that kind of love. But suppose love were something quite different? +Suppose it were a passion, a glowing, dazzling, omnipotent passion, and +that Seraphin really loved me, do you think that I would not skilfully +and prudently take advantage of this passion? Cannot a woman exert a +decisive and directing influence over the husband who loves her +tenderly? I have no fears because I do not view love with the eyes of a +trader. I hope and trust with the adjurations of love to expel from +Seraphin all superstitious spirits." + +"How sly! Surely nothing can surpass a daughter of Eve in the matter of +seductive arts!" exclaimed he, laughing. "Hem--yes, indeed, after what +I have seen to-day, it is plain that the Adam Seraphin will taste of +the forbidden fruit of ripened knowledge, persuaded by this tenderly +beloved Eve. Look at him: there he wanders in the shade of the garden, +sighing to the rose-bushes, dreaming, of your majesty, and little +suspecting that he is threatened with conversion and redemption from +the kingdom of darkness." + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + HANS SHUND. + + +Hans Shund returned home from business in high feather. Something +unusual must have happened him, for his behavior was exceptional. +Standing before his desk, he mechanically drew various papers from his +pockets, and laid them in different drawers and pigeon-holes. The +mechanical manner of his behavior was what was exceptional, for usually +Hans Shund bestowed particular attention upon certain papers; his +soul's life was in those papers. Moreover, on the present occasion, he +kept shaking his head as if astonishment would not suffer him to remain +quiet. Yet habitually Hans Shund never shook his head, for that +proceeding betrays interior emotion, and Shund's neck was as hardened +and stiff as his usurer's soul. The other exceptional feature of his +behavior was a continuous growing, which at length waxed into a genuine +soliloquy. But Hans Shund was never known to talk to himself, for +talking to one's self indicates a kindly disposition, whilst Shund had +no disposition whatever, as they maintain who knew him; or, if he had +ever had one, it had smouldered into a hard, impenetrable crust of +slag. + +"Strange--remarkably strange!" said he. "Hem! what can it mean? How am +I to account for it? Has the usurer undergone a transformation during +the night?" And a hideous grin distorted his face. "Am I metamorphosed, +am I enchanted, or am I myself an enchanter? Unaccountable, marvellous, +unheard of!" + +The papers had been locked up in the desk. A secret power urged him up +and down the room, and finally into the adjoining sitting-room, where +Mrs. Shund, a pale, careworn lady, sat near a sewing-stand, intent on +her lonely occupation. + +"Wife, queer things have befallen me. Only think, all the city notables +have raised their hats to your humble servant, and have saluted me in a +friendly, almost an obsequious manner. And this has happened to me +to-day--to me, the hated and despised usurer! Isn't that quite amazing? +Even the city regent, Schwefel's son, took off his hat, and bowed as if +I were some live grandee. How do you explain that prodigy?" + +The careworn woman kept on sewing without raising her head. + +"Why don't you answer me, wife? Don't you find that most astonishing?" + +"I am incapable of being astonished, since grief and care have so +filled my heart that no room is left in it for feelings of any other +kind." + +"Well, well! what is up again?" asked he, with curiosity. + +She drew a letter written in a female hand from one of the drawers of +the sewing-stand. + +"Read this, villain!" + +Hastily snatching the letter, he began to read. + +"Hem," growled he indifferently. "The drab complains of being +neglected, of not getting any money from me. That should not be a cause +of rage for you, I should think. The drab is brazen enough to write to +you to reveal my weaknesses, all with the amicable intention of getting +up a thundergust in our matrimonial heaven. Do learn sense, wife, and +stop noticing my secret enjoyments." + +"Fie, villain. Fie upon you, shameless wretch!" cried she, trembling in +every limb. + +"Listen to me, wife! Above all things, let us not have a scene, an +unnecessary row," interrupted he. "You know how fruitless are your +censures. Don't pester me with your stale lectures on morals." + +"Nearly every month I get a letter of that sort written in the most +disreputable purlieus of the town, and addressed to my husband. It is +revolting! Am I to keep silent, shameless man--_I_ your wedded wife? Am +I to be silent in presence of such infamous deeds?" + +"Rather too pathetic, wife! Save your breath. Don't grieve at the +liberties which I take. Try and accustom yourself to pay as little +attention to my conduct as I bestow upon yours. When years ago I +entered the contract with you vulgarly denominated marriage, I did it +with the understanding that I was uniting myself to a subject that was +willing to share with me a life free from restraints; I mean, a life +free from the odor of so-called hereditary moral considerations and of +religious restrictions. Accustom yourself to this view of the matter, +rise to my level, enjoy an emancipated existence." + +He spoke and left the room. In his office he read the letter over. + +"This creature is insatiable!" murmured he to himself. "I shall have to +turn her off and enter into less expensive connections. I am talking +with myself to-day--queer, very queer!" + +A heavy knock was heard at the door. + +"Come in!" + +A man and woman scantily clad entered the room. The sight of the +wretched couple brought a fierce passion into the usurer's countenance. +He seemed suddenly transformed into a tiger, bloodthirstily crouching +to seize his prey. + +"What is the matter. Holt?" + +"Mr. Shund," began the man in a dejected tone, "the officer of the law +has served the writ upon us: it is to take effect in ten days." + +"That is, unless you make payment," interrupted Shund. + +"We are not able to pay just now, Mr. Shund, it is impossible. I wished +therefore to entreat you very earnestly to have patience with us poor +people." + +The woman seconded her husband's petition by weeping bitterly, wringing +her hands piteously. The usurer shook his head relentlessly. + +"Patience, patience, you say. For eight years I have been using +patience with you; my patience is exhausted now. There must be limits +to everything. There is a limit to patience also. I insist upon your +paying." + +"Consider, Mr. Shund, I am the father of eight children. If you insist +on payment now and permit the law to take its course, you will ruin a +family of ten persons. Surely your conscience will not permit you to do +this?" + +"Conscience! What do you mean? Do not trouble me with your nonsense. +For me, conscience means to have; for you, it means you must. +Therefore, pay." + +"Mr. Shund, you know it is yourself that have reduced us to this +wretched condition!" + +"You don't say I did! How so?" + +"May I remind you, Mr. Shund, may I remind you of all the circumstances +by which this was brought about? How it happened that from a man of +means I have been brought to poverty?" + +"Go on, dearest Holt--go on; it will be interesting to me!" The usurer +settled himself comfortably to hear the summary of his successful +villanies from the mouth of the unfortunate man with the same +satisfaction with which a tiger regales itself on the tortures of its +victim. + +"Nine years ago, Mr. Shund, I was not in debt, as you know. I labored +and supported my family honestly, without any extraordinary exertion. A +field was for sale next to my field at the Rothenbush. You came at the +time--it is now upwards of eight years, and said in a friendly way, +'Holt, my good man, buy that field. It lies next to yours, and you +ought not to let the chance slip.' I wanted the field, but had no +money. This I told you. You encouraged me, saying, 'Holt, my good man, +I will let you have the money--on interest, of course; for I am a man +doing business, and I make my living off my money. I will never push +you for the amount. You may pay it whenever and in what way you wish. +Suit yourself.' You gave me this encouragement at the time. You loaned +me nine hundred and fifty florins--in the note, however, you wrote one +thousand and fifty, and, besides, at five per cent. For three years I +paid interest on one thousand and fifty, although you had loaned me +only nine hundred and fifty. All of a sudden--I was just in trouble at +the time, for one of my draught-cattle had been crippled, and the +harvest had turned out poorly, you came and demanded your money. I had +none. 'I am sorry,' said you, 'I need my money, and could put it out at +much higher interest.' I begged and begged. You threatened to sue me. +Finally, after much begging, you proposed that I should sell you the +field, for which three years previous I had paid nine hundred and fifty +florins, for seven hundred florins, alleging that land was no longer as +valuable as it had been. You were willing to rent me the field at a +high rate. And to enable me to get along, you offered to lend me +another thousand, but drew up a note for eleven hundred florins at ten +per cent., because, as you pretended, money was now bringing ten per +cent. since the law regulating interest had been abrogated. For a long +while I objected to the proposal, but found myself forced at last to +yield because you threatened to attach my effects. From this time I +began to go downhill, I could no longer meet expenses, my family was +large, and I had to work for you to pay up the interest and rent. But +for some time back I had been unable to do as I wished. I could not +even sell any of my own property; for you were holding me fast, +and I was obliged to mortgage everything to you for a merely nominal +price. My cottage, my barn, my garden, and the field in front of my +house--worth at least two thousand florins--I had to give you a +mortgage upon for one thousand. The rest of my immovable property, +fields and meadows, you took. Nothing was left to me but the little hut +and what adjoined it. With respects, Mr. Shund, you had long since +sucked the very marrow from my bones, next you put the rope about my +neck, and now you are about to hang me." + +"Hang you? Ha--ha! That's good, Holt! You are in fine humor," cried the +usurer, after hearing with a relish the simple account of his atrocious +deeds. "I have no hankering for your neck. Pay up, Holt, pay up, that +is all I want. Pay me over the trifle of a thousand florins and the +interest, and the house with everything pertaining to it shall be +yours. But if you cannot pay up, it will have to be sold at auction, so +that I may get my money." + +"For heaven's sake, Mr. Shund, be merciful," entreated the wife. "We +have saved up the interest with much trouble; every farthing of it you +are to receive. For God's sake, do not drive us from our home, Mr. +Shund, we will gladly toil for you day and night. Take pity, Mr. Shund, +do take pity on my poor children!" + +"Stop your whining. Pay up, money alone has any value in my +estimation--pay, all the rest is fudge. Pay up!" + +"God knows, Mr. Shund," sobbed the woman, wringing her hands, "I would +give my heart's blood to keep my poor children out of misery--with my +life I would be willing to pay you. Oh! do have some commiseration, do +be merciful! Almighty God will requite you for it." + +"Almighty God, nonsense! Don't mention such stuff to me. Stupid palaver +like that might go down with some bigoted fool, but it will not affect +a man of enlightenment. Pay up, and there's an end of it!" + +"Is it your determination then, Mr. Shund, to cast us out mercilessly +under the open sky?" inquired the countryman with deep earnestness. + +"I only want what belongs to me. Pay over the thousand florins with the +interest, and we shall be quits. That's my position, you may go." + +In feeling words the woman once more appealed to Hans Shund. He +remained indifferent to her pleading, and smiled scornfully whenever +she adduced religious considerations to support her petition. Suddenly +Holt took her by the arm and drew her towards the door. + +"Say no more, wife, say no more, but come away. You could more easily +soften stones than a man who has no conscience and does not believe in +God." + +"There you have spoken the truth," sneered Shund. + +"You sneer, Mr. Shund," and the man's eyes glared. "Do you know to whom +you owe it that your head is not broken?" + +"What sort of language is that?" + +"It is the language of a father driven to despair. I tell you"--and the +countryman raised his clenched fists--"it is to the good God that you +are indebted for your life; for, if I believed as little in an almighty +and just God as you, with this pair of strong hands I would wring your +neck. Yes, stare at me! With these hands I would strangle Shund, who +has brought want upon my children and misery upon me. Come away, wife, +come away. He is resolved to reduce us to beggary as he has done to so +many others. Do your worst, Mr. Shund, but there above we shall have a +reckoning with each other." + +He dragged his wife out of the room, and went away without saluting, +but casting a terrible scowl back upon Hans Shund. + +For a long while the usurer sat thoughtfully, impressed by the ominous +scowl and threat, which were not empty ones, for rage and despair swept +like a rack over the man's countenance. Mr. Shund felt distinctly that +but for the God of Christians he would have been murdered by the +infuriated man. He discovered, moreover, that religious belief is to be +recommended as a safeguard against the fury of the mob. On the other +hand, he found this belief repugnant to a usurer's conscience and a +hindrance to the free enjoyment of life. Hans Shund thus sat making +reflections on religion, and endeavoring to drown the echo which Holt's +summons before the supreme tribunal had awakened in a secret recess of +his soul, when hasty steps resounded from the front yard and the door +was suddenly burst open. Hans' agent rushed in breathless, sank upon +the nearest chair, and, opening his mouth widely, gasped for breath. + +"What is the matter, Braun?" inquired Shund in surprise. "What has +happened?" + +Braun flung his arms about, rolled his eyes wildly, and labored to get +breath, like a person that is being smothered. + +"Get your breath, you fool!" growled the usurer. "What business had you +running like a maniac? Something very extraordinary must be the matter, +is it not?" + +Braun assented with violent nodding. + +"Anything terrible?" asked he further. + +More nodding from Braun. The usurer began to feel uneasy. Many a +nefarious deed stuck to his hands, but not one that had not been +committed with all possible caution and secured against any afterclaps +of the law. Yet might he not for once have been off his guard? "What +has been detected? Speak!" urged the conscience-stricken villain +anxiously. + +"Mr. Shund, you are to be--in this place--" + +"Arrested?" suggested the other, appalled, as the agent's breath failed +him again. + +"No--mayor!" + +Shund straightened himself, and raised his hands to feel his ears. + +"I am surely in possession of my hearing! Are you gone mad, fellow?" + +"Mr. Shund, you are to be mayor and member of the legislature. It is a +settled fact!" + +"Indeed, 'tis quite a settled fact that you have lost your wits. It is +a pity, poor devil! You once were useful, now you are insane; quite a +loss for me! Where am I to get another bloodhound as good as you? Your +scent was keen, you drove many a nice bit of game into my nets. Hem--so +many instances of insanity in these enlightened times of ours are +really something peculiar. Braun, dearest Braun, have you really lost +your mind entirely? Completely deranged?" + +"I am not insane, Mr. Shund. I have been assured from various sources +that you are to be elected mayor and delegate to the legislative +assembly." + +"Well, then, various persons have been running a rig upon you." + +"Running a rig upon me, Mr. Shund? Bamboozle me--me who understand and +have practised bamboozling others for so long?" + +"Still, I maintain that people have been playing off a hoax on you--and +what an outrageous hoax it is, too! + +"I believe a hoax? Just listen to me. I have never been more +clearheaded than I am to-day. Acquaintances and strangers in different +quarters of the town have assured me that it is a fixed fact that you +are to be mayor of this city and member of the legislative assembly. +Now, were it a hoax, would you not have to presuppose that both +acquaintances and strangers conspired to make a fool of me? Yet such a +supposition is most improbable." + +"Your reasoning is correct, Braun. Still, such a conspiracy must really +have been gotten up. _I_ mayor of this city? _I_? Reflect for an +instant, Braun. You know what an enviable reputation I bear throughout +the city. Many persons would go a hundred paces out of their direction +to avoid me, specially they who owe or have owed me anything. Moreover, +who appoints the mayor? The men who give the keynote, the leaders of +the town. Now, these men would consider themselves defiled by the +slightest contact with the outlawed usurer--which, of course, is very +unjust and inconsistent on the part of those gentlemen--for my views +are the same as theirs." + +"Spite of all that, I put faith in the report, Mr. Shund. Schwefel's +bookkeeper also, when I met him, smiled significantly, and even raised +his hat." + +"Hold on, Braun, hold! The deuce--it just now occurs to me--you might +not be so much mistaken after all. Strange things have happened to me +also. Gentlemen who are intimate with our city magnates have saluted me +and nodded to me quite confidentially; I was unable to solve this +riddle, now it's clear. Braun, you are right, your information is +perfectly true." And Mr. Shund rubbed his hands. + +"Don't forget, Mr. Shund, that I first brought you the astounding +intelligence, the joyful tidings, the information on which the very +best sort of speculations may be based." + +"You shall be recompensed, Braun! Go over to the sign of the Bear, and +drink a bottle of the best, and I will pay for it." + +"At a thaler a bottle?" + +"That quality isn't good for the health, my dear fellow! You may drink +a bottle at forty-eight kreutzers on my credit. But no--I don't wish to +occasion you an injury, nor do I wish to see you disgraced. You shall +not acquire the name of a toper in my employ. You may therefore call +for a pint glass at twelve kreutzers a glass. Go, now, and leave me to +myself." + +When the agent was gone, Hans Shund rushed about the room as if out of +his mind. + +"Don't tell me that miracles no longer occur!" cried he. "_I_, the +discharged treasurer--_I_, the thief, usurer, and profligate, at the +mere sight of whom every young miss and respectable lady turn up their +noses a thousand paces off--_I_ am chosen to be mayor and assemblyman! +How has this come to pass? Where lie the secret springs of this +astonishing event?" And he laid his finger against his nose in a brown +study. "Here it is--yes, here! The thinkers of progress have at length +discovered that a man who from small beginnings has risen to an +independent fortune, whose shrewdness and energy have amassed enormous +sums, ought to be placed at the head of the city administration in +order to convert the tide of public debt into a tide of prosperity. +Yes, herein lies the secret. Nor are the gentlemen entirely mistaken. +There are ways and means of making plus out of minus, of converting +stones into money. But the gentlemen have taken the liberty of +disposing of me without my previous knowledge and consent. I have not +even been asked. Quite natural, of course. Who asks a dog for +permission to stroke him? This is, I own, an unpleasant aftertaste. +Hem, suppose I were too proud to accept, suppose I wanted to bestow my +abilities and energies on my own personal interests. Come, now, old +Hans, don't be sensitive! Pride, self-respect, character, sense of +honor, and such things are valuable only when they bring emolument. +Now, the mayor of a great city has it in his power to direct many a +measure eminently to his own interest." + +Another knock was heard at the door, and the usurer, taken by surprise, +saw before him the leader Erdblatt. + +"Have you been informed of a fact that is very flattering to you?" +began the tobacco manufacturer. + +"Not the slightest intimation of a fact of that nature has reached me," +answered Shund with reserve. + +"Then I am very happy to be the first to give you the news," assured +Erdblatt. "It has been decided to promote you at the next election to +the office of mayor and of delegate to the legislative assembly." + +A malignant smile flitted athwart Shund's face. He shook his sandy head +in feigned astonishment, and fixed upon the other a look that was the +next thing to a sneer. + +"There are almost as many marvels in your announcement as words. You +speak of a decision and of a fact which, however, without my humble +co-operation, are hardly practicable. I thought all along that the +disposition of my person belonged to myself. How could anything be +resolved upon or become a fact in which I myself happen to have the +casting vote?" + +"Your cordial correspondence with the flattering intention of your +fellow-citizens was presumed upon; moreover, you were to be agreeably +surprised," explained the progressionist leader. + +"That, sir, was a very violent presumption! I am a free citizen, and am +at liberty to dispose of my time and faculties as I please. In the +capacity of mayor, I should find myself trammelled and no longer +independent on account of the office. Moreover, a weighty +responsibility would then rest upon my shoulders, especially in the +present deplorable circumstances of the administration. Could I prevail +on my myself to accept the proffered situation, it would become my duty +to attempt a thorough reform in the thoughtless and extravagant +management of city affairs. You certainly cannot fail to perceive that +a reformer in this department would be the aim of dangerous +machinations. And lastly, sir, why is it that I individually have been +selected for appointments which are universally regarded as honorable +distinctions in public life? I repeat, why are they to be conferred, +upon me in particular who cannot flatter myself with enjoying very high +favor among the people of this city?" And there glistened something +like revengeful triumph in Shund's feline, eyes. "When you will have +given a satisfactory solution to these reflections and questions, it +may become possible for me to think of assenting to your proposal." + +Erdblatt had not anticipated a reception of this nature, and for a +moment he sat nonplussed. + +"I ask your pardon, Mr. Shund, you have taken the words fact and +decision in too positive a sense. What is a decided fact is that the +leaders of progress assign the honorable positions mentioned to you. Of +course it rests with you to accept or decline them. The motive of our +decision was, if you will pardon my candor, your distinguished talent +for economizing. It is plain to us that a man of your abilities and +thorough knowledge of local circumstances could by prudent management +and, by eliminating unnecessary expenditure, do much towards relieving +the deplorable condition of the city budget. We thought, moreover, that +your well-known philanthropy would not refuse the sacrifices of +personal exertion and unremitting activity for the public good. +Finally, as regards the disrespect to which you have alluded, I assure +you I knew nothing of it. The stupid and mad rabble may perhaps have +cast stones at you, but can or will you hold respectable men +responsible for their deeds? Progress has ever proudly counted you in +its ranks. We have always found you living according to the principles +of progress, despising the impotent yelping of a religiously besotted +mob. Be pleased to consider the tendered honors as amends for the +insults of intolerant fanatics in this city." + +"Your explanation, sir, is satisfactory. I shall accept. I am +particularly pleased to know that my conduct and principles are in +perfect accord with the spirit of progress. I am touched by the +flattering recognition of my greatly misconstrued position." + +The leader bowed graciously. + +"There now remains for me the pleasant duty," said he, "of requesting +you to honor with your presence a meeting of influential men who are to +assemble this evening in Mr. Schwefel's drawing-room. Particulars are +to be discussed there. The ultramontanes and democrats are turbulent +beyond all anticipation. We shall have to proceed with the greatest +caution about the delegate elections." + +"I shall be there without fail, sir! Now that I have made up my mind to +devote my experience to the interests of city and state, I cheerfully +enter into every measure which it lies in my power to further." + +"As you are out for the first time as candidate for the assembly," said +Erdblatt, "a declaration of your political creed addressed to a meeting +of the constituents would not fail of a good effect." + +"Agreed, sir! I shall take pleasure in making known my views in a +public speech." + +Erdblatt rose, and Mr. Hans Shund was condescending enough to reach the +mighty chieftain his hand as the latter took his leave. + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + ELECTIONEERING. + + +The four millions of the balcony are at present standing before two +suits of male apparel of the kind worn by the working class, +contemplating them with an interest one would scarcely expect from +millionaires in materials of so ordinary a quality. Spread out on the +elegant and costly table cover are two blouses of striped gray at +fifteen kreutzers a yard. There are, besides, two pairs of trowsers of +a texture well adapted to the temperature of the month of July. There +are also two neckties, sold at fairs for six kreutzers apiece. And, +lastly, two cheap caps with long broad peaks. These suits were intended +to serve as disguises for Seraphin and Carl on this evening, for the +banker did not consider it becoming gentlemen to visit electioneering +meetings, dressed in a costume in which they might be recognized. As +Greifmann's face was familiar to every street-boy, he had provided +himself with a false beard of sandy hue to complete his _incognito_. +For Seraphin this last adjunct was unnecessary, for he was a stranger, +was thus left free to exhibit his innocent countenance unmasked for the +gratification of curious starers. + +"This will be a pleasant change from the monotony of a banking house +existence," said the banker gleefully. "I enjoy this masquerade: it +enables me to mingle without constraint among the unconstrained. You +are going to see marvellous things to-night, friend Seraphin. If your +organs of hearing are not very sound, I advise you to provide yourself +with some cotton, so that the drums of your ears may not be endangered +from the noise of the election skirmish." + +"Your caution is far from inspiring confidence," said Louise with some +humor. "I charge it upon your soul that you bring back Mr. Gerlach safe +and sound, for I too am responsible for our guest." + +"And I, it seems, am less near to you than the guest, for you feel no +anxiety about me," said the brother archly. + +"Eight o'clock--it is our time." + +He pulled the bell. A servant carried off the suits to the gentlemen's +rooms. + +"May I beseech the men in blouses for the honor of a visit before they +go?" + +"You shall have an opportunity to admire us," said Carl. The +transformation of the young men was more rapidly effected than the +self-satisfied mustering of Louise before the large mirror which +reflected her elegant form entire. She laughingly welcomed her brother +in his sandy beard, and fixed a look of surprise upon Seraphin, whose +innocent person appeared to great advantage in the simple costume. + +"Impossible to recognize you," decided the young lady. "You, brother +Redbeard, look for all the world like a cattle dealer." + +"The gracious lady has hit it exactly," said the banker with an assumed +voice. "I am a horse jockey, bent on euchreing this young gentleman out +of a splendid pair of horses." + +"Friend Seraphin is most lovely," said she in an undertone. "How well +the country costume becomes him!" And her sparkling eyes darted +expressive glances at the subject of her compliments. + +For the first time she had called him friend, and the word friend made +him more happy than titles and honors that a prince might have +bestowed. He felt his soul kindle at the sight of the lovely being +whose delicate and bewitching coquetry the inexperienced youth failed +to detect, but the influence of which he was surely undergoing. His +cheeks glowed still more highly, and he became uneasy and embarrassed. + +"Your indulgent criticism is encouraging, Miss Louise," replied he. + +"I have merely told the truth," replied she. + +"But our hands--what are we to do with our hands?" interposed Carl. +"Soft white hands like these do not belong to drovers. First of all, +away with diamonds and rubies. Gold rings and precious stones are not +in keeping with blouses. Nor will it do, in hot weather like this, to +bring gloves to our aid--that's too bad! What _are_ we to do?" + +"Nobody will notice our hands," thought Seraphin. + +"My good fellow, you do not understand the situation. We are on the eve +of the election. Everybody is out electioneering. Whoever to-day visits +a public place must expect to be hailed by a thousand eyes, stared at, +criticised, estimated, appraised, and weighed. The deuce take these +hands! Good advice would really be worth something in this instance." + +"To a powerful imagination like your own," added Louise playfully. She +disappeared for a moment and then returned with a washbowl. Pouring the +contents of her inkstand into the water, she laughingly pointed them to +the dark mass. + +"Dip your precious hands in here, and you will make them correspond +with your blouses in color and appearance." + +"How ingenious she is!" cried Carl, following her direction. + +"Most assuredly nothing comes up to the ingenuity of women. We are +beautifully tattooed, our hands are horrible! We must give the stuff +time to dry. Had I only thought of it sooner, Louise, you should have +accompanied us disguised as a drover's daughter, and have drunk a +bumper of wine with us. The adventure might have proved useful to you, +and served as an addition to the sum of your experiences in life." + +"I will content myself with looking on from a distance," answered she +gaily. "The extraordinary progressionist movement that is going on +to-day might make it a difficult task even for a drover's daughter to +keep her footing." + +The two millionaires sallied forth, Carl making tremendous strides. +Seraphin followed mechanically, the potent charm of her parting glances +hovering around him. + +"We shall first steer for the sign of the 'Green Hat,'" said Greifmann. +"There you will hear a full orchestra of progressionist music, +especially trumpets and drums, playing flourishes on Hans Shund. 'The +Green Hat' is the largest beer cellar in the town, and the proprietor +ranks among the leaders next after housebuilder Sand. All the +representatives of the city _regime_ gather to-day at the establishment +of Mr. Belladonna--that's the name of the gentleman of the 'Green Hat.' +Besides the leaders, there will be upward of a thousand citizens, big +and small, to hold a preliminary celebration of election day. There +will also be 'wild men' on hand," proceeded Carl, explaining. "These +are citizens who in a manner float about like atoms in the bright +atmosphere of the times without being incorporated in any brilliant +body of progress. The main object of the leaders this evening is to +secure these so-called 'wild men' in favor of their ticket for the city +council. Glib-tongued agents will be employed to spread their nets to +catch the floating atoms--to tame these savages by means of smart +witticisms. When, at length, a prize is captured and the tide of +favorable votes runs high, it is towed into the safe haven of agreement +with the majority. Resistance would turn out a serious matter for a +mechanic, trader, shopkeeper, or any man whose position condemns him to +obtain his livelihood from others. Opposition to progress dooms every +man that is in a dependent condition to certain ruin. For these reasons +I have no misgivings about being able to convince you that elections +are a folly wherever the banner of progress waves triumphant." + +"The conviction with which you threaten me would be anything but +gratifying, for I abhor every form of terrorism," rejoined Seraphin. + +"Very well, my good fellow! But we must accustom ourselves to take +things as they are and not as they ought to be. Therefore, my youthful +Telemachus, you are under everlasting obligations to me, your +experienced Mentor, for procuring you an opportunity of becoming +acquainted with the world, and constraining you to think less well of +men than your generous heart would incline you to do." + +They had reached the outskirts of the city. A distant roaring, +resembling the sound of shallow waters falling, struck upon the ears of +the maskers. The noise grew more distinct as they advanced, and finally +swelled into the brawling and hum of many voices. Passing through a +wide gate-way, the millionaires entered a square ornamented with +maple-trees. Under the trees, stretching away into the distance, were +long rows of tables lit up by gaslights, and densely crowded with men +drinking beer and talking noisily. The middle of the square was +occupied by a rotunda elevated on columns, with a zinc roof, and +bestuck in the barbarous taste of the age with a profusion of tin +figures and plaster-of-paris ornaments. Beneath the rotunda, around a +circular table, sat the leaders and chieftains of progress, conspicuous +to all, and with a flood of light from numerous large gas-burners +streaming upon them. Between Sand and Schwefel was throned Hans Shund, +extravagantly dressed, and proving by his manner that he was quite at +his ease. Nothing in his deportment indicated that he had so suddenly +risen from general contempt to universal homage. Mr. Shund frequently +monopolized the conversation, and, when this was the case, the company +listened to his sententious words with breathless attention and many +marks of approbation. + +Mentor Greifmann conducted his ward to a retired corner, into which the +rays of light, intercepted by low branches, penetrated but faintly, and +from which a good view of the whole scene could be enjoyed. + +"Do you observe Hans there under the baldachin surrounded by his +vassals?" rouned Carl into his companion's ear. "Even you will be made +to feel that progress can lay claim to a touching spirit of magnanimity +and forgiveness. It is disposed to raise the degraded from the dust. +The man who only yesterday was engaged in shoving a car, sweeping +streets, or even worse, to-day may preside over the great council, +provided only he has the luck to secure the good graces of the princes +of progress. Hans Shund, thief, usurer, and nightwalker, is a most +striking illustration of my assertion." + +"What particularly disgusts and incenses me," replied the double +millionaire gravely, "is that, under the _regime_ of progress, they who +are degraded, immoral, and criminal, may rise to power without any +reformation of conduct and principles." + +"What you say is so much philosophy, my dear fellow, and philosophy is +an antique, obsolete kind of thing that has no weight in times when +continents are being cut asunder and threads of iron laid around the +globe. Moreover, such has ever been the state of things. In the dark +ages, also, criminals attained to power. Just think of those bloody +monarchs who trifled with human heads, and whose ministers, for the +sake of a patch of territory, stirred up horrible wars. Compared with +such monsters, Hans Shund is spotless innocence." + +"Quite right, sir," rejoined the landholder, with a smile. "Those +bloody kings and their satanic ministers were monsters--but only--and I +beg you to mark this well--only when judged by principles which modern +progress sneers at as stupid morality and senseless dogma. I even find +that those princely monsters and their conscienceless ministers shared +the species of enlightenment that prides itself on repudiating all +positive religion and moral obligations." + +"Thunder and lightning, Seraphin! were not you sitting bodily before +me, I should believe I was actually listening to a Jesuit. But be +quiet! It will not do to attract notice. Ah! splendid. There you see +some of the 'wild men,'" continued he, pointing to a table opposite. +"The fellow with the bald head and fox's face is an agent, a salaried +bellwether, a polished electioneer. He has the 'wild men' already +half-tamed. Watch how cleverly he will decoy them into the +progressionist camp. Let us listen to what he has to say; it will amuse +you, and add to your knowledge of the developments of progress." + +"We want men for the city council," spoke he of the bald head, "that +are accurately and thoroughly informed upon the condition and +circumstances of the city. Of what use would blockheads be but to fuss +and grope about blindly? What need have we of fellows whose stupidity +would compromise the public welfare? The men we want in our city +council must understand what measures the social, commercial, and +industrial interests of a city of thirty thousand inhabitants require +in order that the greatest good of the largest portion of the community +may be secured. Nor is this enough," proceeded he with increasing +enthusiasm. "Besides knowledge, experience, and judgment, they must +also be gifted with the necessary amount of energy to carry out +whatever orders the council has thought fit to pass. They must be +resolute enough to break down every obstacle that stands in the way of +the public good. Now, who are the men to render these services? None +but independent men who by their position need have no regard to others +placed above them--free-spirited and sensible men, who have a heart for +the people. Now, gentlemen, have you any objections to urge against my +views?" + +"None, Mr. Spitzkopf! Your views are perfectly sound," lauded a +semi-barbarian. "We have read exactly what you have been telling us in +the evening paper." + +"Of course, of course!" cried Mr. Spitzkopf. "My views are so evidently +correct that a thinking man cannot help stumbling upon them. None but +the slaves of priests, the wily brood of Jesuits, refuse to accept +these views," thundered the orator with the bald head. "And why do they +refuse to accept them? Because they are hostile to enlightenment, +opposed to the common good, opposed to the prosperity of mankind, in a +word, because they are the bitter enemies of progress. But take my word +for it, gentlemen, our city contains but a small number of these +creatures of darkness, and those few are spotted," emphasized he +threateningly. "Therefore, gentlemen," proceeded he insinuatingly, "I +am convinced, and every man of intelligence shares my conviction, that +Mr. Shund is eminently fitted for the city council--eminently! He would +be a splendid acquisition in behalf of the public interests! He +understands our local concerns thoroughly, possesses the experience of +many years, is conversant with business, knows what industrial pursuits +and social life require, and, what is better still, he maintains an +independent standing to which he unites a rare degree of activity. Were +it possible to prevail on Mr. Shund to take upon himself the cares of +the mayoralty, the deficit of the city treasury would soon be wiped +out. We would all have reason to consider ourselves fortunate in seeing +the interests of our city confided to such a man." + +The "wild men" looked perplexed. + +"Right enough, Mr. Spitzkopf," explained a timid coppersmith. "Shund is +a clever, well-informed man. Nobody denies this. But do you know that +it is a question whether, besides his clever head, he also possesses a +conscience in behalf of the commonwealth?" + +"The most enlarged sort of a conscience, gentlemen--the warmest kind of +a heart!" exclaimed the bald man in a convincing tone. "Don't listen to +stories that circulate concerning Shund. There is not a word of truth +in them. They are sheer misconstructions--inventions of the priests and +of their helots." + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Spitzkopf, they are not all inventions," +opposed the coppersmith. "In the street where I live, Shund keeps up a +certain connection that would not be proper for any decent person, not +to say for a married man." + +"And does that scandalize you?" exclaimed the bald-headed agent +merrily. "Mr. Shund is a jovial fellow, he enjoys life, and is rich. +Mr. Shund will not permit religious rigorism to put restraints upon his +enjoyments. His liberal and independent spirit scorns to lead a +miserable existence under the rod of priestly bigotry. And, mark ye, +gentlemen, this is just what recommends him to all who are not +priest-ridden or leagued with the hirelings of Rome," concluded the +electioneer, casting a sharp look upon the coppersmith. + +"But I am a Lutheran, Mr. Spitzkopf," protested the coppersmith. + +"There are hypocrites among the Lutherans who are even worse than the +Romish Jesuits," retorted the man with the bald head. "Consider, +gentlemen, that the leading men of our city have, in consideration of +his abilities, concluded to place Mr. Shund in the position which he +ought to occupy. Are you going, on to-morrow, to vote against the +decision of the leading men? Are you actually going to make yourselves +guilty of such an absurdity? You may, of course, if you wish, for every +citizen is free to do as he pleases. But the men of influence are also +at liberty to do as they please. I will explain my meaning more fully. +You, gentlemen, are, all of you, mechanics--shoemakers, tailors, +blacksmiths, carpenters, etc. From whom do you get your living? Do you +get it from the handful of hypocrites and men of darkness? No; you get +your living from the liberals, for they are the moneyed men, the men of +power and authority. It is they who scatter money among the people. You +obtain employment, you get bread and meat, from the liberals. And now +to whom, do you think, will the liberals give employment? They will +give it to such as hold their views, and not--mark my word--to such as +are opposed to them. The man, therefore, that is prepared recklessly to +ruin his business has only to vote against Mr. Shund." + +"That will do the business, that will fetch them," said Greifmann. +"Just look how dumfounded the poor savages appear!" + +"It is brutal terrorism!" protested Seraphin indignantly. + +"But don't misunderstand me. Mr. Spitzkopf! I am neither a hypocritical +devotee nor a Jesuit!" exclaimed the coppersmith deprecatingly. "If +Shund is good enough for them," pointing to the leaders under the +rotunda, "he is good enough for me." + +"For me, too!" exclaimed a tailor. + +"There isn't a worthier man than Shund," declared a shopkeeper. + +"And not a cleverer," said a carpenter. + +"And none more demoralized," lauded a joiner, unconscious of the import +of his encomium. + +"That's so, and therefore I am satisfied with him," assured a +shoemaker. + +"So am I--so am I," chorussed the others eagerly. + +"That is sensible, gentlemen," approved the bald man. "Just keep in +harmony with liberalism and progress, and you will never be the worse +for it, gentlemen. Above all, beware of reaction--do not fall back into +the immoral morasses of the middle ages. Let us guard the light and +liberty of our beautiful age. Vote for these men," and he produced a +package of printed tickets, "and you will enjoy the delightful +consciousness of having disposed of your vote in the interests of the +common good." + +Spitzkopf distributed the tickets on which were the names of the +councilmen elect. At the head of the list appeared in large characters +the name of Mr. Hans Shund. + +"The curtain falls, the farce is ended," said Greifmann. "What you have +here heard and seen has been repeated at every table where 'wild men' +chanced to make their appearance. Everywhere the same arguments, the +same grounds of conviction." + +Seraphin had become quite grave, and cast his eyes to the ground in +silence. + +"By Jove, the rogue is going to try his hand on us!" said Carl, nudging +the thoughtful young man. "The bald-headed fellow has spied us, and is +getting ready to bag a couple of what he takes to be 'wild men.' Come, +let us be off." + +They left the beer cellar and took the direction of the city. + +"Now let us descend a little lower, to what I might call the amphibia +of society," said Greifmann. "We are going to visit a place where +masons, sawyers, cobblers, laborers, and other small fry are in the +habit of slaking their thirst. You will there find going on the same +sort of electioneering, or, as you call it, the same sort of terrorism, +only in a rougher style. There beer-jugs occasionally go flying about, +and bloody heads and rough-and-tumble, fights may be witnessed." + +"I have no stomach for fisticuffs and whizzing beer-mugs," said +Gerlach. + +"Never mind, come along. I have undertaken to initiate you into the +mysteries of elections, and you are to get a correct idea of the life +action of a cultivated state." + +They entered an obscure alley where a fetid, sultry atmosphere assailed +them. Greifmann stopped before a lofty house, and pointed to a +transparency on which a brimming beer-tankard was represented. A wild +tumult was audible through the windows, through which the cry of +"Shund!" rose at times like the swell of a great wave from the midst of +corrupted waters. As they were passing the doorway a dense fog of +tobacco smoke mingled with divers filthy odors assailed their nostrils. +Seraphin, who was accustomed to inhaling the pure atmosphere of the +country, showed an inclination to retreat, and had already half-way +faced about when his companion seized and held him. "Courage, my +friend! wade into the slough boldly," cried he into the struggling +youth's ear. "Hereafter, when you will be riding through woodland and +meadows, the recollection of this subterranean den will enable you to +appreciate the pure atmosphere of the country twice as well. Look at +those sodden faces and swollen heads. Those fellows are literally +wallowing and seething in beer, and they feel as comfortable as ten +thousand cannibals. It is really a joy to be among men who are +natural." + +The millionaires, having with no little difficulty succeeded in finding +seats, were accosted by a female waiter. + +"Do the gentlemen wish to have election beer?" + +"No," replied Gerlach. + +His abrupt tone in declining excited the surprise of the fellows who +sat next to them. Several of them stared at the landholder. + +"So you don't want any election beer?" cried a fellow who was pretty +well fired. + +"Why not? May be it isn't good enough for you?" + +"Oh, yes! oh, yes!" replied the banker hastily. "You see, Mr. Shund"-- + +"That's good! You call me Shund," interrupted the fellow with a coarse +laugh. "My name isn't Shund--my name is Koenig--yes, Koenig--with all +due respect to you." + +"Well, Mr. Koenig--you see, Mr. Koenig, we decline drinking election +beer because we are not entitled to it--we do not belong to this +place." + +"Ah, yes--well, that's honest!" lauded Koenig. "Being that you are a +couple of honest fellows, you must partake of some of the good things +of our feast. I say, Kate," cried he to the female waiter, "bring these +gentlemen some of the election sausages." + +Greifmann, perceiving that Seraphin was about putting in a protest, +nudged him. + +"What feast are you celebrating to-day?" inquired the banker. + +"That I will explain to you. We are to have an election here to-morrow; +these men on the ticket, you see, are to be elected." And he drew forth +one of Spitzkopf's tickets. "Every one of us has received a ticket like +this, and we are all going to vote according to the ticket--of course, +you know, we don't do it for nothing. To-day and to-morrow, what we eat +and drink is free of charge. And if Satan's own grandmother were on the +ticket, I would vote for her." + +"The first one on the list is Mr. Hans Shund. What sort of a man is +he?" asked Seraphin. "No doubt he is the most honorable and most +respectable man in the place!" + +"Ha! ha! that's funny! The most honorable man in the place! Really you +make me laugh. Never mind, however, I don't mean to be impolite. You +are a stranger hereabout, and cannot, of course, be expected to know +anything of it. Shund, you see, was formerly--that, is a couple of days +ago--Shund was a man of whom nobody knew any good. For my part, I +wouldn't just like to be sticking in Shund's hide. Well, that's the way +things are: you know it won't do to babble it all just as it is. But +you understand me. To make a long story short, since day before +yesterday Shund is the honestest man in the world. Our men of money +have made him that, you know," giving a sly wink. "What the men of +money do, is well done, of course, for the proverb says, 'Whose bread I +eat, his song I sing.'" + +"Shut your mouth, Koenig! What stuff is that you are talking there?" +said another fellow roughly. "Hans Shund is a free-spirited, clever, +first-class, distinguished man. Taken altogether, he is a liberal man. +For this reason he will be elected councilman to-morrow, then mayor of +the city, and finally member of the assembly." + +"That's so, that's so, my partner is right," confirmed Koenig. "But +listen, Flachsen, you will agree that formerly--you know, formerly--he +was an arrant scoundrel." + +"Why was he? Why?" inquired Flachsen. + +"Why? Ha, ha! I say, Flachsen, go to Shund's wife, she can tell you +best. Go to those whom he has reduced to beggary, for instance, to Holt +over there. They all can tell you what Shund is, or rather what he has +been. But don't get mad, brother Flachsen! Spite of all that, I shall +vote for Shund. That's settled." And he poured the contents of his +beer-pot down his throat. + +"As you gentlemen are strangers, I will undertake to explain this +business for you," said Flachsen, who evidently was an agent for the +lower classes, and who did his best to put on an appearance of learning +by affecting high-sounding words of foreign origin. + +"Shund is quite a rational man, learned and full of intelligence. But +the priests have calumniated him horribly because he will not howl with +them. For this reason we intend to elect him, not for the sake of the +free beer. When Shund will have been elected, a system of economy will +be inaugurated, taxes will be removed, and the encyclical letter with +which the Pope has tried to stultify the people, together with the +syllabus, will be sent to the dogs. And in the legislative assembly the +liberal-minded Shund will manage to have the priests excluded from the +schools, and we will have none but secular schools. In short, the +dismal rule of the priesthood that would like to keep the people in +leading-strings will be put an end to, and liberal views will control +our affairs. As for Shund's doings outside of legitimate wedlock, that +is one of the boons of liberty--it is a right of humanity; and when +Koenig lets loose against Shund's money speculations, he is only +talking so much bigoted nonsense." + +Flachsen's apologetic discourse was interrupted by a row that took +place at the next table. There sat a victim of Shund's usury, the +land-cultivator Holt. He drank no beer, but wine, to dispel gloomy +thoughts and the temptations of desperation. It had cost him no +ordinary struggle to listen quietly to eulogies passed on Shund. He had +maintained silence, and had at times smiled a very peculiar smile. His +bruised heart must have suffered a fearful contraction as he heard men +sounding the praises of a wretch whom he knew to be wicked and devoid +of conscience. For a long time he succeeded in restraining himself. But +the wine he had drunk at last fanned his smouldering passion into a hot +flame of rage, and, clenching his fist, he struck the table violently. + +"The fellow whom you extol is a scoundrel!" cried he. + +"Who is a scoundrel?" roared several voices. + +"Your man, your councilman, your mayor, is a scoundrel! Shund is a +scoundrel!" cried the ruined countryman passionately. + +"And you, Holt, are a fool!" + +"You are drunk, Holt!" + +"Holt is an ass," maintained Flachsen. "He cannot read, otherwise he +would have seen in the _Evening Gazette_ that Shund is a man of honor, +a friend of the people, a progressive man, a liberal man, a brilliant +genius, a despiser of religion, a death-dealer to superstition, +a--a--I don't remember what all besides. Had you read all that in the +evening paper, you fool, you wouldn't presume to open your foul mouth +against a man of honor like Hans Shund. Yes, stare; if you had read the +evening paper, you would have seen the enumeration of the great +qualities and deeds of Hans Shund in black and white." + +"The evening paper, indeed!" cried Holt contemptuously. "Does the +evening paper also mention how Shund brought about the ruin of the +father of a family of eight children?" + +"What's that you say, you dog?" yelled a furious fellow. "That's a lie +against Shund!" + +"Easy, Graeulich, easy," replied Holt to the last speaker, who was +about to set upon him. "It is not a lie, for I am the man whom Shund +has strangled with his usurer's clutches. He has reduced me to +beggary--me and my wife and my children." + +Graeulich lowered his fists, for Holt spoke so convincingly, and the +anguish in his face appealed so touchingly, that the man's fury was in +an instant changed to sympathy. Holt had stood up. He related at length +the wily and unscrupulous proceedings through which he had been brought +to ruin. The company listened to his story, many nodded in token of +sympathy, for everybody was acquainted with the ways of the hero of the +day. + +"That's the way Shund has made a beggar of me," concluded Holt. "And I +am not the only one, you know it well. If, then, I call Shund a usurer, +a scoundrel, a villain, you cannot help agreeing with me." + +Flachsen noticed with alarm that the feeling of the company was +becoming hostile to his cause. He approached the table, where he was +met by perplexed looks from his aids. + +"Don't you perceive," cried he, "that Holt is a hireling of the +priests? Will you permit yourselves to be imposed upon by this salaried +slave? Hear me, you scapegrace, you rascal, you ass, listen to what I +have to tell you! Hans Shund is the lion of the day--the greatest man +of this century! Hans Shund is greater than Bismarck, sharper than +Napoleon. Out of nothing God made the universe: from nothing Hans Shund +has got to be a rich man. Shund has a mouthpiece that moves like a +mill-wheel on which entire streams fall. In the assembly Shund will +talk down all opposition. He will talk even better than that fellow +Voelk, over in Bavaria, who is merely a lawyer, but talks upon +everything, even things he knows nothing about. And do you, lousy +beggar, presume to malign a man of this kind? If you open that filthy +mouth of yours once more, I will stop it for you with paving-stones." + +"Hold, Flachsen, hold! _I_ am not the man that is paid; you are the one +that is paid," retorted the countryman indignantly. "My mouth has not +been honey-fed like yours. Nor do I drink your election beer or eat +your election sausages. But with my last breath I will maintain that +Shund is a scoundrel, a usurer, a villain." + +"Out with the fellow!" cried Flachsen. "He has insulted us all, for we +have all been drinking election beer. Out with the helot of the +priests!" + +The progressionist mob fell upon the unhappy man, throttled him, beat +him, and drove him into the street. + +"Let us leave this den of cutthroats," said Gerlach, rising. + +Outside they found Holt leaning against a wall, wiping the blood from +his face. Seraphin approached him. "Are you badly hurt, my good man?" +asked he kindly. The wounded man, looking up, saw a noble countenance +before him, and, whilst he continued to gaze hard at Seraphin's fine +features, tears began to roll from his eyes. + +"O God! O God!" sighed he, and then relapsed into silence. But in the +tone of his words could be noticed the terrible agony he was suffering. + +"Is the wound deep--is it dangerous?" asked the young man. + +"No, sir, no! The wound on my forehead is nothing--signifies nothing; +but in here," pointing to his breast--"in here are care, anxiety, +despair. I am thankful, sir, for your sympathy; it is soothing. But you +may go your way; the blows signify nothing." + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + +Gerlach whispered something to the banker. Holt pressed his +pocket-handkerchief to the wound. + +"Please yourself!" said the banker loudly, in a business tone. Seraphin +again approached the beaten man. + +"Will you please, my good man, to accompany us?" + +"What for, sir?" + +"Because I would like to do something towards healing up your wound; I +mean the wound in there." + +Holt stood motionless before the stranger, and looked at him. + +"I thank you, sir; there is no remedy for me; I am doomed!" + +"Still, I will assist you. Follow me." + +"Who are you, sir, if I may ask the question?" + +"I am a man whom Providence seems to have chosen to rescue the prey +from the jaws of a usurer. Come along with us, and fear nothing." + +"Very well, I will go in the name of God! I do not precisely know your +object, and you are a stranger to me. But your countenance looks +innocent and kind, therefore I will go with you." + +They passed through alleys and streets. + +"Do you often visit that tavern?" inquired Seraphin. + +"Not six times in a year," answered Holt. "Sometimes of a Sunday I +drink half a glass of wine, that's all. I am poor, and have to be +saving. I would not have gone to the tavern to-day but that I wanted to +get rid of my feelings of misery." + +"I overheard your story," rejoined Seraphin. "Shund's treatment of you +was inhuman. He behaved towards you like a trickish devil." + +"That he did! And I am ruined together with my family," replied the +poor man dejectedly. + +"Take my advice, and never abuse Shund. You know how respectable he has +suddenly got to be, how many influential friends he has. You can easily +perceive that one cannot say anything unfavorable of such a man without +great risk, no matter were it true ten times over." + +"I am not given to disputing," replied Holt. "But it stirred the bile +within me to hear him extolled, and it broke out. Oh! I have learned to +suffer in silence. I haven't time to think of other matters. After God, +my business and my family were my only care. I attended to my +occupation faithfully and quietly as long as I had any to attend to, +but now I haven't any to take care of. O God! it is hard. It will bring +me to the grave." + +"You are a land cultivator?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Shund intends to have you sold out?" + +"Yes; immediately after the election he intends to complete my ruin." + +"How much money would you need in order with industry to get along?" + +"A great deal of money, a great deal--at least a thousand florins. I +have given him a mortgage for a thousand florins on my house and what +was left to me. A thousand florins would suffice to help me out of +trouble. I might save my little cottage, my two cows, and a field. I +might then plough and sow for other people. I could get along and +subsist honestly. But as I told you, nothing less than a thousand +florins would do; and where am I to get so much money? You see there is +no hope for me, no help for me. I am doomed!" + +"The mortgaged property is considerable," said Gerlach. "A house, even +though a small one, moreover, a field, a barn, a garden, all these +together are surely worth a much higher price. Could you not borrow a +thousand florins on it and pay off the usurer?" + +"No, sir. Nobody would be willing to lend me that amount of money upon +property mortgaged to a man like Shund. Besides, my little property is +out of town, and who wants to go there? I, for my part, of course, like +no spot as much, for it is the house my father built, and I was born +and brought up there." + +The man lapsed into silence, and walked at Seraphin's side like one +weighed down by a heavy load. The delicate sympathy of the young man +enabled him to guess what was passing in the breast of the man under +the load. He knew that Holt was recalling his childhood passed under +the paternal roof; that little spot of home was hallowed for him by +events connected with his mother, his father, his brothers and sisters, +or with other objects more trifling, which, however, remained fresh and +bright in memory, like balmy days of spring. + +From this consecrated spot he was to be exiled, driven out with wife +and children, through the inhumanity and despicable cunning of an +usurer. The man heaved a deep sigh, and Gerlach, watching him sidewise, +noticed his lips were compressed, and that large tears rolled down his +weather-browned cheeks. The tender heart of the young man was deeply +affected at this sight, and the millionaire for once rejoiced in the +consciousness of possessing the might of money. + +They halted before the Palais Greifmann. Holt noticed with surprise how +the man in blouse drew from his waistcoat pocket a small instrument +resembling a toothpick, and with it opened a door near the carriage +gate. Had not every shadow of suspicion been driven from Holt's mind by +Seraphin's appearance, he would surely have believed that he had fallen +into the company of burglars, who entrapped him to aid in breaking into +this palace. + +Reluctantly, after repeated encouragement from Gerlach, he crossed the +threshold of the stately mansion. He had not quite passed the door when +he took off his cap, stared at the costly furniture of the hall through +which they were passing, and was reminded of St. Peter's thought as the +angel was rescuing him from the clutches of Herod. Holt imagined he saw +a vision. The man who had unlocked the door disappeared. Seraphin +entered an apartment followed by Shund's victim. + +"Do you know where you are?" inquired the millionaire. + +"Yes, sir, in the house of Mr. Greifmann the banker." + +"And you are somewhat surprised, are you not?" + +"I am so much astonished, sir, that I have several times pinched my +arms and legs, for it all seems to me like a dream." + +Seraphin smiled and laid aside his cap. Holt scanned the noble features +of the young man more minutely, his handsome face, his stately bearing, +and concluded the man in the blouse must be some distinguished +gentleman. + +"Take courage," said the noble looking young man in a kindly tone. "You +shall be assisted. I am convinced that you are an honest, industrious +man, brought to the verge of ruin through no fault of your own. Nor do +I blame you for inadvertently falling into the nets of the usurer, for +I believe your honest nature never suspected that there could exist so +fiendish a monster as the one that lives in the soul of an usurer." + +"You may rely upon it, sir. If I had had the slightest suspicion of +such a thing, Shund never would have got me into his clutches." + +"I am convinced of it. You are partially the victim of your own good +nature, and partially the prey of the wild beast Shund. Now listen to +me: Suppose somebody were to give you a thousand florins, and to say: +'Holt, take this money, 'tis yours. Be industrious, get along, be a +prudent housekeeper, serve God to the end of your days, and in future +beware of usurers'--suppose somebody were to address you in this way, +what would you do?" + +"Supposing the case, sir, although it is not possible, but supposing +the case, what would I do? I would do precisely what that person would +have told me, and a great deal more. I would work day and night. Every +day, at evening prayer, I would get on my knees with my wife and +children, and invoke God's protection on that person. I would do that, +sir; but, as I said, the case is impossible." + +"Nevertheless, suppose it did happen," explained Seraphin in a +preliminary way. "Give me your hand that you will fulfil the promise +you have just given." + +For a moment Seraphin's hand lay in a callous, iron palm, which pressed +his soft fingers in an uncomfortable but well-meant grasp. + +"Well, now follow me," said Gerlach. + +He led the way; Holt followed with an unsteady step like a drunken man. +They presented themselves before the banker's counter. The latter was +standing behind the trellis of his desk, and on a table lay ten rolls +of money. + +"You have just now by word and hand confirmed a promise," said Gerlach, +turning to the countryman, "which cannot be appreciated in money, for +that promise comprises almost all the duties of the father of a family. +But to make the fulfilment of the promise possible, a thousand florins +are needed. Here lies the money. Accept it from me as a gift, and be +happy." + +Holt did not stir. He looked from the money at Gerlach, was motionless +and rigid, until, at last, the paralyzing surprise began to resolve +itself into a spasmodic quivering of the lips, and then into a mighty +flood of tears. Seizing Seraphin's hands, he kissed them with an +emotion that convulsed his whole being. + +"That will do now," said the millionaire, "take the money, and go +home." + +"My God! I cannot find utterance," said Holt, stammering forth the +words with difficulty. "Good heaven! is it possible? Is it true? I am +still thinking 'tis only a dream." + +"Downright reality, my man!" said the banker. "Stop crying; save your +tears for a more fitting occasion. Put the rolls in your pocket, and go +home." + +Greifmann's coldness was effective in sobering down the man intoxicated +with joy. + +"May I ask, sir, what your name is, that I may at least know to whom I +owe my rescue?" + +"Seraphin is my name." + +"Your name sounds like an angel's, and you are an angel to me. I am not +acquainted with you, but God knows you, and he will requite you +according to your deeds." + +Gerlach nodded gravely. The banker was impatient and murmured +discontentedly. Holt carefully pocketed the rolls of money, made an +inclination of gratitude to Gerlach, and went out. He passed slowly +through the hall. The porter opened the door. Holt stood still before +him. + +"I ask your pardon, but do you know Mr. Seraphin?" asked he. + +"Why shouldn't I know a gentleman that has been our guest for the last +two weeks?" + +"You must pardon my presumption, Mr. Porter. Will Mr. Seraphin remain +here much longer?" + +"He will remain another week for certain." + +"I am very much obliged to you," said Holt, passing into the street and +hurrying away. + +"Your intended has a queer way of applying his money," said the banker +to his sister the next morning. And he reported to her the story of +Seraphin's munificence. "I do not exactly like this sort of kindness, +for it oversteps all bounds, and undoubtedly results from religious +enthusiasm." + +"That, too, can be cured," replied Louise confidently. "I will make him +understand that eternity restores nothing, that consequently it is +safer and more prudent to exact interest from the present." + +"'Tis true, the situation of that fellow Holt was a pitiable one, and +Hans Shund's treatment of him was a masterpiece of speculation. He had +stripped the fellow completely. The stupid Holt had for years been +laboring for the cunning Shund, who continued drawing his meshes more +and more tightly about him. Like a huge spider, he leisurely sucked out +the life of the fly he had entrapped." + +"Your hostler says there was light in Seraphin's room long after +midnight. I wonder what hindered him from sleeping?" + +"That is not hard to divine. In all probability he was composing a +sentimental ditty to his much adored," answered Carl teasingly. +"Midnight is said to be a propitious time for occupations of that +sort." + +"Do be quiet, you tease! But I too was thinking that he must have been +engaged in writing. May be he was making a memorandum of yesterday's +experience in his journal." + +"May be he was. At all events, the impressions made on him were very +strong." + +"But I do not like your venture; it may turn out disastrous," + +"How can it, my most learned sister?" + +"You know Seraphin's position," explained she. "He has been reared in +the rigor of sectarian credulity. The spirit of modern civilization +being thus abruptly placed before his one-sided judgment without +previous preparation may alarm, nay, may even disgust him. And when +once he will have perceived that the brother is a partisan of the +horrible monster, is it probable that he will feel favorably disposed +towards the sister whose views harmonize with those of her brother?" + +"I have done nothing to justify him in setting me down for a partisan. +I maintain strict neutrality. My purpose is to accustom the weakling to +the atmosphere of enlightenment which is fatal to all religious +phantasms. Have no fear of his growing cold towards you," proceeded he +in his customary tone of irony. "Your ever victorious power holds +him spell-bound in the magic circle of your enchantment. Besides, +Louise," continued he frowning, "I do not think I could tolerate a +brother-in-law steeped over head and ears in prejudices. You yourself +might find it highly uncomfortable to live with a husband of this +kind." + +"Uncomfortable! No, I would not. I would find it exciting, for it would +become my task to train and cultivate an abnormal specimen of the male +gender." + +"Very praiseworthy, sister! And if I now endeavor by means of living +illustrations to familiarize your intended with the nature of modern +intellectual enlightenment, I am merely preparing the way for your +future labors." + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + MASTERS AND SLAVES. + + +Under the much despised discipline of religious requirements, the child +Seraphin had grown up to boyhood spotless in morals, and then had +developed himself into a young man of great firmness of character, +whose faith was as unshaken as the correctness of his behavior was +constant. + +The bloom of his cheeks, the innocent brightness of his eye, the +suavity of his disposition, were the natural results of the training +which his heart had received. No foul passion had ever disturbed the +serenity of his soul. When under the smiling sky of a spring morning he +took his ride over the extensive possessions of his father, his +interior accorded perfectly with the peace and loveliness of the sights +and sounds of blooming nature around him. On earth, however, no spring, +be it ever so beautiful, is entirely safe from storms. Evil spirits lie +in waiting in the air, dark powers threaten destruction to all blossoms +and all incipient life. And the more inevitable is the dread might of +those lurking spirits, that in every blossom of living plant lies +concealed a germ of ruin, sleeps a treacherous passion--even in the +heart of the innocent Seraphin. + +The strategic arts of the beautiful young lady received no small degree +of additional power from the genuine effort made by her to please the +stately double millionaire. In a short time she was to such an extent +successful that one day Carl rallied her in the following humorous +strain: "Your intended is sitting in the arbor singing a most dismal +song! You will have to allow him a little more line, Louise, else you +run the risk of unsettling his brain. Moreover, I cannot be expected to +instruct a man in the mysteries of progress, if he sees, feels, and +thinks nothing but Louise." + +The banker had not uttered an exaggeration. It sometimes happens that a +first love bursts forth with an impetuosity so uncontrollable, that, +for a time, every other domain of the intellectual and moral nature of +a young man is, as it were, submerged under a mighty flood. This +temporary inundation of passion cannot, of course, maintain its high +tide in presence of calm experience, and the sunshine of more ripened +knowledge soon dries up its waters. But Seraphin possessed only the +scanty experience of a young man, and his knowledge of the world was +also very limited. Hence, in his case, the stream rose alarmingly high, +but it did not reach an overflow, for the hand of a pious mother had +thrown up in the heart of the child a living dike strong enough to +resist the greatest violence of the swell. The height and solidity of +the dike increased with the growth of the child; it was a bulwark of +defence for the man, who stood secure against humiliating defeats +behind the adamantine wall of religious principles--yet only so long as +life sought protection behind this bulwark. Faith uttered a serious +warning against an unconditional surrender of himself to the object of +his attachment. For he could not put to rest some misgivings raised in +his mind by the strange and, to him, inexplicable attitude which Louise +assumed upon the highest questions of human existence. The uninitiated +youth had no suspicion of the existence of that most disgusting product +of modern enlightenment, the _emancipated_ female. Had he discovered in +Louise the emancipated woman in all the ugliness of her real nature, he +would have conceived unutterable loathing for such a monstrosity. And +yet he could not but feel that between himself and Louise there yawned +an abyss, there existed an essential repulsion, which, at times, gave +rise within him to considerable uneasiness. + +To obtain a solution of the enigma of this antipathy, the young +gentleman concluded to trust entirely to the results of his +observations, which, however, were far from being definitive; for his +reason was imposed upon by his feelings, and, from day to day, the +charms of the beautiful woman were steadily progressing in throwing a +seductive spell over his judgment. The banker's daughter possessed a +high degree of culture; she was a perfect mistress of the tactics +employed on the field of coquetry; her tact was exquisite; and she +understood thoroughly how to take advantage of a kindly disposition and +of the tenderness inspired by passion. How was the eye of Seraphin, +strengthened neither by knowledge nor by experience, to detect the true +worth of what lay hidden beneath this fascinating delusion? + +Here again his religious training came to the rescue of the +inexperienced youth, by furnishing him with standards safe and +unfalsified, by which to weigh and come to a conclusion. + +Louise's indifference to practices of piety annoyed him. She never +attended divine service, not even on Sundays. He never saw her with a +prayer-book, nor was a single picture illustrative of a moral subject +to be found hung up in her apartment. Her conversation, at all times, +ran upon commonplaces of everyday concern, such as the toilet, theatre, +society. He noticed that whenever he ventured to launch matter of a +more serious import upon the current of conversation, it immediately +became constrained and soon ceased to flow. Louise appeared to his +heart at the same time so fascinating and yet so peculiar, so seductive +and yet so repulsive, that the contradictions of her being caused him +to feel quite unhappy. + +He was again sitting in his room thinking about her. In the interview +he had just had with her, the young lady had exerted such admirable +powers of womanly charms that the poor young man had had a great deal +of trouble to maintain his self-possession. Her ringing, mischievous +laugh was still sounding in his ears, and the brightness of her +sparkling, eyes was still lighting up his memory. And the unsuspecting +youth had no Solomon at his side to repeat to him: "My son, can a man +hide fire in his bosom, and his garments not burn? Or can he walk upon +hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?... She entangleth him with many +words, and she draweth him away with the flattery of her lips. +Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb +playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to +bonds, till the arrow pierce his liver. As if a bird should make haste +to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger. Now, +therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let +not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with +her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have +been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, reaching even to the +inner chambers of death."[1] + +For Seraphin, however, no Solomon was at hand who might give him +counsel. Sustained by his virtue and by his faith alone, he struggled +against the temptress, not precisely of the kind referred to by +Solomon, but still a dangerous one from the ranks of progress. + +Greifmann had notified him that the general assembly election was to be +held that day, that Mayor Hans Shund would certainly be returned as a +delegate, and that he intended to call for Gerlach, and go out to watch +the progress of the election. + +Seraphin felt rather indifferent respecting the election; but he would +have considered himself under weighty obligation to the brother for an +explanation of the peculiar behavior of the sister at which he was so +greatly perplexed. + +Carl himself he had for a while regarded as an enigma. Now, however, he +believed that he had reached a correct conclusion concerning the +brother. It appeared to him that the principal characteristic of Carl's +disposition was to treat every subject, except what strictly pertained +to business, in a spirit of levity. To the faults of others Carl was +always ready to accord a praiseworthy degree of indulgence, he never +uttered harsh words in a tone of bitterness, and when he pronounced +censure, his reproof was invariably clothed in some form of pleasantry. +In general, he behaved like a man not having time to occupy himself +seriously with any subject that did not lie within the particular +sphere of his occupation. Even their wager he managed like a matter of +business, although the landowner could not but take umbrage at the +banker's ready and natural way of dealing with men whose want of +principle he himself abominated. Greifmann seemed good-natured, minute, +and cautious in business, and in all other things exceedingly liberal +and full of levity. Such was the judgment arrived at by Seraphin, +inexperienced and little inclined to fault-finding as he was, +respecting a gentleman who stood at the summit of modern culture, who +had skill in elegantly cloaking great faults and foibles, and whose +sole religion consisted in the accumulation of papers and coins of +arbitrary value. + +Gerlach's servant entered, and disturbed his meditation. + +"There is a man here with a family who begs hard to be allowed to speak +with you." + +"A man with a family!" repeated the millionaire, astonished. "I know +nobody round here, and have no desire to form acquaintances." + +"The man will not be denied. He says his name is Holt, and that he has +something to say to you." + +"Ah, yes!" exclaimed Seraphin, with a smile that revealed a pleasant +surprise. "Send the man and those who are with him in to me." + +Closing a diary, in which he was recording circumstantially the +experiences of his present visit, he awaited the visitors. A loud knock +from a weighty fist reminded him of a pair of callous hands, then Holt, +followed by his wife and children, presented himself before his +benefactor. They all made a small courtesy, even the flaxen-headed +little children, and the bright, healthy babe in the arms of the mother +met his gaze with the smile of an angel. The dark spirits that were +hovering around him, torturing and tempting, instantly vanished, and he +became serene and unconstrained whilst conversing with these simple +people. + +"You must excuse us, Mr. Seraphin," began Holt. "This is my wife, and +these are seven of my children. There is one more; her name is +Mechtild. She had to stay at home and mind the house. She will pay you +an extra visit, and present her thanks. We have called that you might +become acquainted with the family whom you have rescued, and that we +might thank you with all our hearts." + +After this speech, the father gave a signal, whereupon the little ones +gathered around the amiable young man, made their courtesies, and +kissed his hands. + +"May God bless you, Mr. Seraphin!" first spoke a half-grown girl. + +"We greet you, dear Seraphin!" said another, five years old. + +"We pray for you every day, Mr. Seraphin," said the next in succession. + +"We are thankful to you from our hearts, Mr. Seraphin," spoke a small +lad, in a tone of deep earnestness. + +And thus did every child deliver its little address. It was touching to +witness the noble dignity of the children, which may, at times, be +found beautifully investing their innocence. Gerlach was moved. He +looked down upon the little ones around him with an expression of +affectionate thankfulness. Holt's lips also quivered, and bright tears +of happiness streamed from the eyes of the mother. + +"I am obliged to you, my little friends, for your greetings and for +your prayers," spoke the millionaire. "You are well brought up. +Continue always to be good children, such as you now are; have the fear +of God, and honor your parents." + +"Mr. Seraphin," said Holt, drawing a paper from his pocket, "here is +the note that I have redeemed with the money you gave me. I wanted to +show it to you, so that you might know for certain that the money had +been applied to the proper purpose." + +Gerlach affected to take an interest in the paper, and read over the +receipt. + +"But there is one thing, Mr. Seraphin," continued Holt, "that grieves +me. And that is, that there is not anything better than mere words with +which I can testify my gratitude to you. I would like ever so much to +do something for you--to do something for you worth speaking of. Do you +know, Mr. Seraphin, I would be willing to shed the last drop of my +blood for you?" + +"Never mind that, Holt! It is ample recompense for me to know that I +have helped a worthy man out of trouble. You can now, Mrs. Holt, set to +work with renewed courage. But," added he archly, "you will have to +watch your husband that he may not again fall into the clutches of +beasts of prey like Shund." + +"He has had to pay dearly for his experience, Mr. Seraphin. I used +often to say to him: 'Michael, don't trust Shund. Shund talks too much, +he is too sweet altogether, he has some wicked design upon us--don't +trust him.' But, you see, Mr. Seraphin, my husband thinks that all +people are as upright as he is himself, and he believed that Shund +really meant to deal fairly as he pretended. But Michael's wits are +sharpened now, and he will not in future be so ready to believe every +man upon his word. Nor will he, hereafter, borrow one single penny, and +he will never again undertake to buy anything unless he has the money +in hand to pay for it." + +"In what street do you live?" inquired Gerlach. + +"Near the turnpike road, Mr. Seraphin. Do you see that knoll?" He +pointed through the window in a direction unobstructed by the trees of +the garden. "Do you see that dense shade-tree, and yon whitewashed wall +behind the tree? That is our walnut-tree--my grandfather planted it. +And the white wall is the wall of our house." + +"I have passed there twice--the road leads to the beech grove," said +the millionaire. "I remarked the little cottage, and was much pleased +with its air of neatness. It struck me, too, that the barn is larger +than the dwelling, which is a creditable sign for a farmer. Near the +front entrance there is a carefully cultivated flower garden, in which +I particularly admired the roses, and further off from the road lies an +apple orchard." + +"All that belongs to us. That is what you have rescued and made a +present of to us," replied the land cultivator joyfully. "Everybody +stops to view the roses; they belong to our daughter Mechtild." + +"The soil is good and deep, and must bring splendid crops of wheat. I, +too, am a farmer, and understand something about such matters. But it +appeared to me as though the soil were of a cold nature. You should use +lime upon it pretty freely." + +In this manner he spent some time conversing with these good and simple +people. Before dismissing them, he made a present to every one of the +children of a shining dollar, having previously overcome Holt's protest +against this new instance generosity. + +Old and young then courtesied once more, and Gerlach was left to +himself in a mood differing greatly from that in which the visitors had +found him. + +He had been conversing with good and happy people, and revelled in the +consciousness of having been the originator of their happiness. + +Suddenly Greifmann's appearance in the room put to flight the bright +spirits that hovered about him, and the sunshine that had been lighting +up the apartment was obscured by dark shadows as of a heavy mass of +clouds. + +"What sort of a horde was that?" asked he. + +"They were Holt and his family. The gratitude of these simple people +was touching. The innocent little ones gave me an ovation of which a +prince might be envious, for the courts of princes are never graced by +a naturalness at once so sincere and so beautiful. It is an intense +happiness for me to have assured the livelihood of ten human beings +with so paltry a gift." + +"A mere matter of taste, my most sympathetic friend!" rejoined the +banker with indifference. "You are not made of the proper stuff to be a +business man. Your feelings would easily tempt you into very +unbusinesslike transactions. But you must come with me! The hubbub of +the election is astir through all the streets and thoroughfares. I am +going out to discharge my duties as a citizen, and I want you to +accompany me." + +"I have no inclination to see any of this disgusting turmoil," replied +Gerlach. + +"Inclination or disinclination is out of the question when interest +demands it," insisted the banker. "You must profit by the opportunity +which you now have of enriching your knowledge of men and things, or +rather of correcting it; for heretofore your manner of viewing things +has been mere ideal enthusiasm. Come with me, my good fellow!" + +Seraphin followed with interior reluctance. Greifmann went on to impart +to him the following information: + +"During the past night, there have sprung up, as if out of the earth, a +most formidable host, ready to do battle against the uniformly +victorious army of progress--men thoroughly armed and accoutred, real +crusaders. A bloody struggle is imminent. Try and make of your heart a +sort of monitor covered with plates of iron, so that you may not be +overpowered by the horrifying spectacle of the election affray. I am +not joking at all! True as gospel, what I tell you! If you do not want +to be stifled by indignation at sight of the fiercest kind of +terrorism, of the most revolting tyranny, you will have to lay aside, +at least for to-day, every feeling of humanity." + +Gerlach perceived a degree of seriousness in the bubbling current of +Greifmann's levity. + +"Who is the enemy that presumes to stand in the way of progress?" +enquired he. + +"The ultramontanes! Listen to what I have to tell you. This morning +Schwefel came in to get a check cashed. With surprise I observed that +the manufacturer's soul was not in business? 'How are things going?' +asked I when we had got through. + +"'I feel like a man,' exclaimed he, 'that has just seen a horrible +monster! Would you believe it, those accursed ultramontanes have been +secretly meddling in the election. They have mustered a number of +votes, and have even gone so far as to have a yellow ticket printed. +Their yellow placards were to be seen this morning stuck up at every +street corner--of course they were immediately torn down.' + +"'And are you provoked at that, Mr. Schwefel! You certainly are not +going to deny the poor ultramontanes the liberty of existing, or, at +least, the liberty of voting for whom they please?' + +"'Yes, I am, I am! That must not be tolerated,' cried he wildly. 'The +black brood are hatching dark schemes, they are conspiring against +civilization, and would fain wrest from us the trophies won by +progress. It is high time to apply the axe to the root of the +upas-tree. Our duty is to disinfect thoroughly, to banish the +absurdities of religious dogma from our schools. The black spawn will +have to be rendered harmless: we must kill them politically.' + +"'Very well,' said I. 'Just make negroes of them. Now that in America +the slaves are emancipated, Europe would perhaps do well to take her +turn at the slave-trade.' But the fellow would not take my joke. He +made threatening gesticulations, his eyes gleamed like hot coals, and +he muttered words of a belligerent import. + +"'The ultramontane rabble are to hold a meeting at the "Key of +Heaven,"' reported he. 'There the stupid victims of credulity are to be +harangued by several of their best talkers. The black tide is +afterwards to diffuse itself through the various wards where the voting +is to take place. But let the priest-ridden slaves come, they will have +other memoranda to carry home with them beside their yellow rags of +tickets.' + +"You perceive, friend Seraphin, that the progress men mean mischief. We +may expect to witness scenes of violence." + +"That is unjustifiable brutality on the part of the progressionists," +declared Gerlach indignantly. "Are not the ultramontanes entitled to +vote and to receive votes? Are they not free citizens? Do they not +enjoy the same privileges as others? It is a disgrace and an outrage +thus to tyrannize over men who are their brothers, sons of Germania, +their common mother." + +"Granted! Violence is disgraceful. The intention of progress, however, +is not quite as bad as you think it. Being convinced of its own +infallibility, it cannot help feeling indignant at the unbelief of +ultramontanism, which continues deaf to the saving truths of the +progressionist gospel. Hence a holy zeal for making converts urges +progress so irresistibly that it would fain force wanderers into the +path of salvation by violence. This is simply human, and should not be +regarded as unpardonable. In the self-same spirit did my namesake +Charles the Great butcher the Saxons because the besotted heathens +presumed to entertain convictions differing from his own. And those who +were not butchered had to see their sacred groves cut down, their +altars demolished, their time-honored laws changed, and had to resign +themselves to following the ways which he thought fit to have opened +through the land of the Saxons. You cannot fail to perceive that +Charles the Great was a member of the school progress." + +"But your comparison is defective," opposed the millionaire. "Charles +subdued a wild and bloodthirsty horde who made it a practice to set +upon and butcher peaceful neighbors. Charles was the protector of the +realm, and the Saxons were forced to bend under the weight of his +powerful arm. If Charles, however, did violence to the consciences of +his vanquished enemies, and converted them to Christianity with the +sword and mace, then Charles himself is not to be excused, for moral +freedom is expressly proclaimed by the spirit of Christianity." + +"There is no doubt but that the Saxons were blundering fools for +rousing the lion by making inroads into Charles' domain. The +ultramontanes, are, however, in a similar situation. They have attacked +the giant Progress, and have themselves to blame for the consequences." + +"The ultramontanes have attacked nobody," maintained Gerlach. "They are +merely asserting their own rights, and are not putting restrictions on +the rights of other people. But progress will concede neither rights +nor freedom to others. It is a disgusting egotist, an unscrupulous +tyrant, that tries to build up his own brutal authority on the ruins of +the rights of others." + +"Still, it would have been far more prudent on the part of the +ultramontanes to keep quiet, seeing that their inferiority of numbers +cannot alter the situation. The indisputable rights of the ascendency +are in our days with the sceptre and crown of progress." + +"A brave man never counts the foe," cried Gerlach. "He stands to his +convictions, and behaves manfully in the struggle." + +"Well said!" applauded the banker, "And since progress also is forced +by the opposition of principles to man itself for the contest, it will +naturally beat up all its forces in defence of its conviction. Here we +are at the 'Key of Heaven,' where the ultramontanes are holding their +meeting. Let us go in, for the proverb says, _Audiatur et altera +pars_--the other side should also get a hearing." + +They drew near to a lengthy old building. Over the doorway was a pair +of crossed keys hewn out of stone, and gilt, informing the stranger +that it was the hostelry of the "Key of Heaven," where, since the days +of hoar antiquity, hospitality was dispensed to pilgrims and +travellers. The principal hall of the house contained a gathering of +about three hundred men. They were attentively listening to the words +of a speaker who was warmly advocating the principles of his party. The +speaker stood behind a desk which was placed upon a platform at the far +end of the hall. + +Seraphin cast a glance over the assembly. He received the painful +impression of a hopeless minority. Barely forty votes would the +ultramontanes be able to send to each of the wards. To compensate for +numbers, intelligence and faith were represented in the meeting. +Elegant gentlemen with intellectual countenances sat or stood in the +company of respectable tradesmen, and the long black coats of the +clergy were not few in number. On a table lay two packages of yellow +tickets to be distributed among the members of the assembly. At the +same table sat the chairman, a commissary of police named Parteiling, +whose business it was to watch the proceedings, and several other +gentlemen. + +"Compared with the colossal preponderance of progress, our influence is +insignificant, and, compared with the masses of our opponents our +numerical strength is still less encouraging," said the speaker. "If in +connection with this disheartening fact you take into consideration the +pressure which progress has it in its power to exert on the various +relations of life through numerous auxiliary means, if you remember +that our opponents can dismiss from employment all such as dare uphold +views differing from their own, it becomes clear that no ordinary +amount of courage is required to entertain and proclaim convictions +hostile to progress." + +Seraphin thought of Spitzkopf's mode of electioneering, and of the +terrible threats made to the "wild men," and concluded the incredible +statement was lamentably correct. + +"Viewing things in this light," proceeded the orator, "I congratulate +the present assembly upon its unusual degree of pluck, for courage is +required to go into battle with a clear knowledge of the overwhelming +strength of the enemy. We have rallied round the banner of our +convictions notwithstanding that the numbers of the enemy make victory +hopeless. We are determined to cast our votes in support of religion +and morality in defiance of the scorn, blasphemy, and violence which +the well-known terrorism of progress will not fail to employ in order +to frighten us from the exercise of our privilege as citizens. We must +be prepared, gentlemen, to hear a multitude of sarcastic remarks and +coarse witticisms, both in the streets and at the polls. I adjure you +to maintain the deportment alone worthy of our cause. A gentleman never +replies to the aggressions of rudeness, and should you wish to take the +conduct of our opponents in gay good-humor, just try, gentlemen, to +fancy that you are being treated to some elegant exhibition of the +refinement and liberal culture of the times." + +Loud bursts of hilarity now and then relieved the seriousness of the +meeting. Even Greifmann would clap applause and cry, "Bravo!" + +"Let us stand united to a man, prepared against all the wiles of +intimidation and corruption, undismayed by the onset of the enemy. The +struggle is grave beyond expression. For you are acquainted with the +aims and purposes of the liberals. Progress would like to sweep away +all the religious heritages that our fathers held sacred. Education is +to be violently wrested from under the influence of the church; the +church herself is to be enslaved and strangled in the thrall of the +liberal state. I am aware that our opponents pretend to respect +religion--but the religion of would-be progress is infidelity. Divine +revelation, of which the church is the faithful guardian, is rejected +with scorn by liberalism. Look at the tone of the press and the style +of the literature of the day. You have only to notice the derision and +fierceness with which the press daily assails the mysteries and dogmas +of religion, the Sovereign Pontiff, the clergy, religious orders, the +ultramontanes, and you cannot long remain in the dark concerning the +aim and object of progress. Christ or Antichrist is the watchword of +the day, gentlemen! Hence the imperative duty for us to be active at +the elections; for the legislature has the presumption to wish to +dictate in matters belonging exclusively to the jurisdiction of the +church. We are threatened with school laws the purpose of which is to +unchristianize our children, to estrange them from the spirit of +religion. No man having the sentiment of religion can remain +indifferent in presence of this danger, for it means nothing less than +the defection from Christianity of the masses of the coming generation. + +"Gentlemen, there is a reproach being uttered just now by the +progressionist press, which, far from repelling, I would feel proud to +deserve. A priest should have said, so goes the report, that it is a +mortal sin to elect a progressionist to the chamber of deputies. Some +of the writers of our press have met this reproach by simply denying +that a priest ever expressed himself in those terms. But, gentlemen, +let us take for granted that a priest did actually say that it is a +mortal sin to elect a progressionist to the chamber of deputies, is +there anything opposed to morality in such a declaration? + +"By no means, if you remember that it is to be presumed the +progressionist will use his vote in the assembly to oppose religion. +Mortal sin, gentlemen, is any wilful transgression of God's law in +grave matters. Now I put it to you: Does he gravely transgress the law +of God who controverts what God has revealed, who would exclude God and +all holy subjects from the schools, who would rob the church of her +independence, and make of her a mere state machine unfit for the +fulfilment of her high mission? There is not one of you but is ready to +declare: 'Yes, such an one transgresses grievously the law of God.' +This answer at the same time solves the other question, whether it is a +mortal sin to put arms in the hands of an enemy of religion that he may +use them against faith and morality. Would that all men of Christian +sentiment seriously adverted to this connection of things and acted +accordingly, the baneful sway of the pernicious spirit that governs the +age would soon be at an end; for I have confidence in the sound sense +and moral rectitude of the German people. Heathenism is repugnant to +the deeply religious nature of our nation; the German people do not +wish to dethrone God, nor are they ready to bow the knee before the +empty idol of a soulless enlightenment." + +Here the speaker was interrupted by a tumult. A band of factorymen, +yelling and laughing, rushed into the hall to disturb the meeting. All +eyes were immediately turned upon the rioters. In every countenance +indignation could be seen kindling at this outrage of the liberals. The +commissary of police alone sat motionless as a statue. The +progressionist rioters elbowed their way into the crowd, and, when the +excitement caused by this strategic movement had subsided, the speaker +resumed his discourse. + +"For a number of years back our conduct has been misrepresented and +calumniated. They call us men of no nationality, and pretend that we +get our orders from Rome. This reproach does honor neither to the +intelligence nor to the judgment of our opponents. Whence dates the +division of Germany into discordant factions? When began the present +faint and languishing condition of our fatherland? From the moment when +it separated from Rome. So long as Germany continued united in the bond +of the same holy faith, and the voice of the head of the church was +hearkened to by every member of her population, her sovereigns held the +golden apple, the symbol of universal empire. Our nation was then the +mightiest, the proudest, the most glorious upon earth. The church who +speaks through the Sovereign Pontiff had civilized the fierce sons of +Germany, had conjured the hatred and feuds of hostile tribes, had +united the interests and energies of our people in one holy faith, and +had ennobled and enriched German genius through the spirit of religion. +The church had formed out of the chaos of barbarism the Holy Roman +Empire of the German nation--that gigantic and wonderful organization +the like of which the world will never see again. But the church has +long since been deprived of the leadership in German affairs, and what +in consequence is now the condition of our fatherland? It is divided +into discordant factions, it is an ailing trunk, with many members, but +without a head. + +"It is rather amusing that the ultramontanes should be charged with +receiving orders from Rome, for the voice of the Father of Christianity +has not been heard for many years back, in the council of state." + +"Hurrah for the Syllabus!" cried Spitzkopf, who was at the head of the +rioters. "Hurrah for the Syllabus!" echoed his gang, yelling and +stamping wildly. + +The ultramontanes were aroused, eyes glared fiercely, and fists were +clenched ready to make a summary clearing of the hall. But no scuffle +ensued; the ultramontanes maintained a dignified bearing. The speaker +calmly remained in his place, and when the tumult had ceased he again +went on with his discourse. + +"Such only," said he, "take offence at the Syllabus as know nothing +about it. There is not a word in the Syllabus opposed to political +liberty or the most untrammelled self-government of the German people. +But it is opposed to the fiendish terrorism of infidelity. The Syllabus +condemns the diabolical principles by which the foundations of the +Christian state are sapped and a most disastrous tyranny over +conscience is proclaimed." + +"Hallo! listen to that," cried one of the liberals, and the yelling was +renewed, louder, longer, and more furious than before. + +The chairman rang his bell. The revellers relapsed into silence. + +"Ours is not a public meeting, but a mere private gathering," explained +the chairman. "None but men of Christian principles have been invited. +If others have intruded violently, I request them to leave the room, +or, at least, to refrain from conduct unbecoming men of good-breeding." + +Spitzkopf laughed aloud, his comrades yelled and stamped. + +"Let us go!" said Greifmann to Gerlach in an angry tone. + +"Let us stay!" rejoined the latter with excitement. "The affair is +becoming interesting. I want to see how this will end." + +The banker noticed Gerlach's suppressed indignation; he observed it in +the fire of his eyes and the expression of unutterable contempt that +had spread over his features, and he began to consider the situation as +alarming. He had not expected this exhibition of brutal impertinence. +In his estimation an infringement of propriety like the one he had just +witnessed was a far more heinous transgression than the grossest +violations in the sphere of morals. He judged of Gerlach's impressions +by this standard of appreciation, and feared the behavior of the +progressionist mob would produce an effect in the young man's mind far +from favorable to the cause which they represented. He execrated the +disturbance of the liberals, and took Seraphin's arm to lead him away. + +"Come away, I beg of you! I cannot imagine what interest the rudeness +of that uncultivated horde can have for you." + +"Do not scorn them, for they are honestly earning their pay," rejoined +Gerlach. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Those fellows are whistling, bawling, stamping, and yelling in the +employ of progress. You are trying to give me an insight into the +nature of modern civilization: could there be a better opportunity than +this?" + +"There you make a mistake, my dear fellow! Enlightened progress is +never rude." + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +The tumult continued. As soon as the orator attempted to speak, his +voice was drowned by cries and stamping. + +"Commissary!" cried the chairman to that officer, "I demand that you +extend to our assembly the protection of the law." + +"I am here simply to watch the proceedings of your meeting," replied +Parteiling with cool indifference. "Everybody is at liberty in meetings +to signify his approval or disapproval by signs. No act forbidden by +the law has been committed by your opponents, in my opinion." + +"Bravo! bravo! Three cheers for the commissary!" + +All at once the noise was subdued to a whisper of astonishment. A +miracle was taking place under the very eyes of progress. Banker +Greifmann, the moneyed prince and liberal, made his appearance upon the +platform. The rioters saw with amazement how the mighty man before whom +the necks of all such as were in want of money bowed--even the necks of +the puissant leaders--stepped before the president of the assembly, how +he politely bowed and spoke a few words in an undertone. They observed +how the chairman nodded assent, and then how the banker, as if to +excite their wonder to the highest pitch, mounted to the speaker's +desk. + +"Gentlemen," began Carl Greifmann, "although I have not the honor of +sharing your political views, I feel myself nevertheless urged to +address a few words to you. In the name of true progress, I ask this +honorable assembly's pardon for the disturbance occasioned a moment ago +by a band of uncultivated rioters, who dare to pretend that they are +acting in the cause and with the sanction of progress. I solemnly +protest against the assumption that their disgraceful and outrageous +conduct is in accordance with the spirit of the party which they +dishonor. Progress holds firmly to its principles, and defends them +manfully in the struggle with its opposers, but it is far from making +itself odious by rudely overstepping the bounds of decency set by +humanity and civilization. In political contests, it may be perfectly +lawful to employ earnest persuasion and even influences that partake of +the rigor of compulsion, but rudeness, impertinence, is never +justifiable in an age of civilization. Commissary Parteiling discovers +no legally prohibited offence in the expression of vulgarity and +lowness--may be. Nevertheless, a high misdemeanor has been perpetrated +against decorum and against the deference which man owes to man. Should +the slightest disturbance be again attempted, I shall use the whole +weight of my influence in prosecuting the guilty parties, and convince +them that even in the spirit of progress they are offenders and can be +reached by punishment." + +He spoke, and retired to the other end of the hall, followed by loud +applause from the ultramontanes. Nor were the threats of the mighty man +uttered in vain. Spitzkopf hung his head abashed. The other revellers +were tamed, they listened demurely to the speakers, ceased their +contemptuous hootings, and stood on their good behavior. Greifmann's +proceeding had taken Seraphin also by surprise, and the power which the +banker possessed over the rioters set him to speculating deeply. He saw +plainly that Louise's brother commanded an extraordinary degree of +respect in the camp of the enemies of religion, and the only cause that +could sufficiently account for the fact was a community of principles +of which they were well aware. Hence the opinion he had formed of +Greifmann was utterly erroneous, concluded Gerlach, The banker was +not a mere secluded business man--he was not indifferent about the +great questions of the age. Then there was another circumstance +that perplexed the ruddy-cheeked millionaire to no inconsiderable +degree--Greifmann's unaccountable way of taking things. The tyrannical +mode of electioneering which they had witnessed at the sign of the +"Green Hat" had not at all disgusted Greifmann. Spitzkopf's threats had +not excited his indignation. He had with a smiling countenance looked +on whilst the most brutal species of terrorism was being enacted before +him, he had not expressed a word of contempt at the constraint which +they who held the power inhumanly placed on the political liberty of +their dependents. On the other hand, his indignation was aroused by a +mere breach of good behavior, an offence which in Gerlach's estimation +was as nothing compared with the other instances of progressionist +violence. The banker seemed to him to have strained out a gnat after +having swallowed a whole drove of camels. The youth's suspicions being +excited, he began to study the strainer of gnats and swallower of +camels more closely, and soon the banker turned out in his estimation a +hollow stickler for mere outward decency, devoid of all deeper merit. +He now recollected also Greifmann's dealings with the leaders of +progress, and those transactions only confirmed his present views. What +he had considered as an extraordinary degree of shrewdness in the man +of business, which enabled him to take advantage of the peculiar +convictions and manner of thinking of other men, was now to his mind a +real affinity with their principles, and he could not help being +shocked at the discovery. + +He hung his head in a melancholy mood, and his heart protested +earnestly against the inference which was irresistibly forcing itself +upon his mind, that the sister shared her brother's sentiments. + +"This doubt must be cleared up, cost what it may," thought he. "My God, +what if Louise also turned out to be a progressionist, a woman without +any faith, an infidel! No, that cannot be! Yet suppose it really were +the case--suppose she actually held principles in common with such vile +beings as Schwefel, Sand, Erdblatt, and Shund? Suppose her moral nature +did not harmonize with the beauty of her person--what then?" He +experienced a spasmodic contraction in his heart at the question, he +hesitated with the answer, but, his better self finally getting the +victory, he said: "Then all is over. The impressions of a dream; +however delightful, must not influence a waking man. My father's +calculation was wrong, and I have wasted my kindness on an undeserving +object." + +So completely wrapt up was he in his meditations that he heard not a +word of the speeches, not even the concluding remarks of the president. +Greifmann's approach roused him, and they left the hall together. + +"That was ruffianly conduct, of which progress would have for ever to +be ashamed," said the banker indignantly, "They bayed and yelped like a +pack of hounds. At their first volley I was as embarrassed and confused +as a modest girl would be at the impertinence of some young scapegrace. +Fierce rage then hurried me to the platform, and my words have never +done better service, for they vindicated civilization." + +"I cannot conceive how a trifle could thus exasperate you." + +Greifmann stood still and looked at his companion in astonishment. + +"A trifle!" echoed he reproachfully. "Do you call a piece of wanton +impudence, a ruffianly outrage against several hundreds of men entitled +to respect, a trifle? + +"I do, compared with other crimes that you have suffered to pass +unheeded and uncensured," answered Gerlach. "You had not an indignant +word for the unutterable meanness of those three leaders, who were +immoral and unprincipled enough to invest a notorious villain with +office and honors. Nor did you show any exasperation at the brutal +terrorism practised by men of power in this town over their weak and +unfortunate dependents." + +"Take my advice, and be on your guard against erroneous and +narrow-minded judgments. The leaders merely had a view to their own +ends, but they in no manner sinned against propriety. The raising a man +of Shund's abilities to the office of mayor is an act of prudence--by +no means an offence against humanity." + +"Yet it was an outrage to moral sentiment," opposed Seraphin. + +"See here, Gerlach, moral sentiment is a very elastic sort of thing. +Sentiment goes for nothing in practical life, and such is the character +of life in our century." + +"Well, then, the mere sense of propriety is not worth a whit more." + +"I ask your pardon! Propriety belongs to the realm of actualities or of +practical experiences, and not to the shadowland of sentiment. +Propriety is the rule that regulates the intercourse of men, it is +therefore a necessity, nothing else will serve as a substitute for it, +and it must continue to be so regarded as long as a difference is +recognized between rational man and the irrational brute." + +"The same may be said with much more reason of morality, for it also is +a rule, it regulates our actions, it determines the ethic worth or +worthlessness of a man. Mere outward decorum does not necessarily argue +any interior excellence. The most abandoned wretch may be distinguished +for easy manners and elegant deportment, yet he is none the less a +criminal. A dog may be trained to many little arts, but for all that it +continues to be a dog. + +"It is delightful to see you breaking through that uniform patience of +yours for once and showing a little of the fire of indignation," said +the banker pleasantly. "I shall tell Louise of it, I know she will be +glad to learn that Seraphin too is susceptible of a human passion. But +this by the way. Now watch how I shall meet your arguments. That very +moral sentiment of which you speak has caused and is still causing the +most enormous crimes against humanity, and the laws of morality are as +changeable as the wind. When an Indian who has not been raised from +barbarism by civilization dies, the religious custom of the country +requires that his wife should permit herself to be burned alive on the +funeral pyre of her husband. Moral sentiment teaches the uncivilized +woman that it is a horrible crime to refuse to devote herself to this +cruel death. The pious Jews used to stone every woman to death who was +taken in adultery--in our day, such a deed of blood would be revolting +to moral sentiment, and would claim tears from the eyes of cultivated +people. I could mention many other horrors that were practised more or +less remotely in the past, and were sanctioned by the prevailing moral +sentiment. Here is my last instance: according to laws of morality, the +usurer was at one time a monster, an arch-villain--at present, he is +merely a man of great enterprise. Propriety, on the other hand, +enlightenment, and polish are absolute and unalterable. Whilst rudeness +and impertinence will ever be looked upon as disgusting, good manners +and politeness will be considered as commendable and beautiful." + +Seraphin could not but admire the skill with which Greifmann jumbled +together subjects of the most heterogeneous nature. But he could not, +at the same time, divest himself of some alarm at the banker's +declarations, for they betrayed a soul-life of little or absolutely no +moral worth. Money, interest, and respectability constituted the only +trinity in which the banker believed. Morality, binding the conscience +of man, a true and only God, and divine revelation, were in his opinion +so many worn-out and useless notions, which the progress of mankind had +successfully got beyond. + +"When those who hold power take advantage of it at elections, they in +no manner offend against propriety," proceeded Carl. "Progress has +convictions as well as ultramontanism. If the latter is active, why +should not the former be so too? If, on the side of progress, the weak +and dependent permit themselves to be cowed and driven, it is merely an +advantage for the powerful, and for the others it is a weakness or +cowardice. For this reason, the mode of electioneering pursued by +Spitzkopf and his comrades amused but nowise shocked me, for they were +not acting against propriety." + +Seraphin saw it plainly: for Carl Greifmann there existed no +distinction between good and evil; he recognized only a cold and empty +system of formalities. + +The two young men issued from a narrow street upon the market-place. +This was occupied by a large public building. In the open space stood a +group of men, among whom Flachsen appeared conspicuous. He was telling +the others about Greifmann's speech at the meeting of the +ultramontanes. They all manifested great astonishment that the +influential moneyed prince should have appeared in such company, and, +above all, should have made a speech in their behalf. + +"He declared it was vulgar, impudent, ruffianly, to disturb a +respectable assembly," reported Flachsen. "He said he knew some of us, +and that he would have us put where the dogs would not bite us if we +attempted to disturb them again. That's what he said; and I actually +rubbed my eyes to be quite sure it was banker Greifmann that was +speaking, and really it was he, the banker Greifmann himself, bodily, +and not a mere apparition." + +"I must say the banker was right, for it isn't exactly good manners to +howl, stamp, and whistle to annoy one's neighbors," owned another. + +"But we were paid for doing it, and we only carried out the orders +given by certain gentlemen." + +"To be sure! Men like us don't know what good breeding is--it's for +gentlemen to understand that," maintained a third. "We do what men of +good breeding hire us to do, and if it isn't proper, it matters nothing +to us--let the gentlemen answer for it." + +"Bravo, Stoffel, bravo!" applauded Flachsen. "Yours is the right sort +of servility, Stoffel! You are a real human, servile, and genuine +reactive kind of a fellow--so you are. I agree with you entirely. The +gentlemen do the paying, and it is for them to answer for what happens. +We are merely servants, we are hirelings, and what need a hireling care +whether that which his master commands is right or not? The master is +responsible, not the hireling. What I am telling you belongs to the +exact sciences, and the exact sciences are at the pinnacle of modern +acquisitions. Hence a hireling who without scruple carries out the +orders of his master is up to the highest point of the age--such a +fellow has taken his stand on servility. Hallo! the election has +commenced. Be off, every man of you, to his post. But mind you don't +look too deep into the beer-pots before the election is over. Keep your +heads level, be cautious, do your best for the success of the green +ticket. Once the election is carried, you may swill beer till you can +no longer stand. The gentlemen will foot the bill, and assume all +responsibilities." + +They dispersed themselves through the various drinking-shops of the +neighborhood. + +Near the door of the building in which the voting was to take place +stood a number of progressionist gentlemen. They all wore heavy beards, +smoked cigars, and peered about restlessly. To those of their party who +chanced to pass they nodded and smiled knowingly, upon doubtful voters +they smiled still more blandly, added some pleasant words, and pressed +the acceptance of the green ticket, but for ultramontane voters they +had only jeers and coarse witticisms. As Greifmann approached they +respectfully raised their hats. The banker drew Gerlach to one side, +and stood to make observations. + +"What swarms there are around the drinking-shops," remarked Greifmann. +"It is there that the tickets are filled under the persuasive influence +of beer. The committee provide the tickets which the voters have filled +with the names of the candidates by clerks who sit round the tables at +the beer-shops. It is quite an ingenious arrangement, for beer will +reconcile a voter to the most objectionable kind of a candidate." + +A crowd of drunken citizens coming out of the nearest tavern +approached. Linked arm-in-arm, they swayed about and staggered along +with an unsteady pace. Green tickets bearing the names of the +candidates whom progress had chosen to watch over the common weal could +be seen protruding from the pockets of their waistcoats. Gerlach, +seeing the drunken mob and recollecting the solemn and important nature +of the occasion, was seized with loathing and horror at the corruption +of social life revealed in the low means to which the party of progress +had recourse to secure for its ends the votes of these besotted and +ignorant men. + +Presently Schwefel stepped up and saluted the young men. + +"Do you not belong to the committee in charge of the ballot-box?" +inquired Greifmann. + +"No, sir, I wished to remain entirely untrammelled this morning," +answered the leader with a sly look and tone. "This is going to be an +exciting election, the ultramontanes are astir, and it will be +necessary for me to step in authoritatively now and then to decide a +vote. Moreover, the committee is composed exclusively of men of our +party. Not a single ultramontane holds a seat at the polls." + +"In that case there can be no question of failure," said the banker. +"Your office is closed to-day, no doubt?" + +"Of course!" assented the manufacturer of straw hats. "This day is +celebrated as a free day by the offices of all respectable houses. Our +clerks are dispersed through the taverns and election districts to use +their pens in filling up tickets." + +"I am forced to return to my old assertion: an election is mere folly, +useless jugglery," said the banker, turning to Seraphin. "Holding +elections is no longer a rational way of doing, it is no longer a +business way of proceeding, it is yielding to stupid timidity. Mr. +Schwefel, don't you think elections are mere folly?" + +"I confess I have never considered the subject from that point of +view," answered the leader cautiously. "But meanwhile--what do you +understand by that?" + +"Be good enough to attend to my reasoning for a moment. Progress is in +a state of complete organization. What progress wills, must be. Another +party having authority and power cannot subsist side by side with +progress. Just see those men staggering and blundering over the square +with green tickets in their hands! To speak without circumlocution, +look at the slaves doing the behests of their masters. What need of +this silly masquerade of an election? Why squander all this money, +waste all this beer and time? Why does not progress settle this +business summarily? Why not simply nominate candidates fit for the +office, and then send them directly to the legislature? This mode would +do away with all this nonsensical ado, and would give the matter a +prompt and business cast, conformable to the spirit of the age." + +"This idea is a good one, but we have an election law that would stand +in the way of carrying it out." + +"Bosh--election law!" sneered the banker. "Your election law is a mere +scarecrow, an antiquated, meaningless instrument. Do away with the +election law, and follow my suggestion." + +"That would occasion a charming row on the part of the ultramontanes," +observed the leader laughing. + +"Was the lion ever known to heed the bleating of a sheep? When did +progress ever pay any attention to a row gotten up by the +ultramontanes?" rejoined Greifmann. "Was not the fuss made in Bavaria +against the progressionist school-law quite a prodigious one? Did not +our own last legislature make heavy assaults on the church? Did not the +entire episcopate protest against permitting Jews, Neo-pagans, and +Freemasons to legislate, on matters of religion? But did progress +suffer itself to be disconcerted by episcopal protests and the +agonizing screams of the ultramontanes? Not at all. It calmly pursued +the even tenor of its way. Be logical, Mr. Schwefel: progress reigns +supreme and decrees with absolute authority--why should it not +summarily relegate this election law among the things that were, but +are no more?" + +"You are right, Greifmann!" exclaimed Gerlach, in a feeling of utter +disgust. "What need has the knout of Russian despotism of the sanction +of constitutional forms? Progress is lord, the rest are slaves!" + +"You have again misunderstood me, my good fellow. I am considering the +actual state of things. Should ultramontanism at any time gain the +ascendency, then it also will be justified in behaving in the same +manner." + +Upon more mature consideration, Gerlach found himself forced to admit +that Greifmann's view, from the standpoint of modern culture, was +entirely correct. Progress independently of God and of all positive +religion could not logically be expected to recognize any moral +obligations, for it had not a moral basis. Everything was determined by +the force of circumstances; the autocracy of party rule made anything +lawful. Laws proceeded not from the divine source of unalterable +justice, but from the whim of a majority--fashioned and framed to suit +peculiar interests and passions. + +"We have yet considerable work to do to bring all to thinking as +clearly and rationally as you, Mr. Greifmann," said the leader with a +winning smile. + +Schwefel accompanied the millionaires into a lengthy hall, across the +lower end of which stood a table. There sat the commissary of elections +surrounded by the committee, animated gentlemen with great beards, who +were occupied in distributing tickets to voters or receiving tickets +filled up. The extraordinary good-humor prevailing among these +gentlemen was owing to the satisfactory course of the election, for +rarely was any ultramontane paper seen mingling in the flood that +poured in from the ranks of progress. The sides of the hall were hung +with portraits of the sovereigns of the land, quite a goodly row. The +last one of the series was youthful in appearance, and some audacious +hand had scrawled on the broad gilt frame the following ominous words: +"May he be the last in the succession of expensive bread-eaters." Down +the middle of the hall ran a baize-covered table, on which were +numerous inkstands. Scattered over the table lay a profusion of green +bills; the yellow color of the ultramontane bills was nowhere to be +seen. The table was lined by gentlemen who were writing. They were not +writing for themselves, but for others, who merely sighed their names +and then handed the tickets to the commissary. Several corpulent +gentlemen also occupied seats at the table, but they were not engaged +in writing. These gentlemen, apparently unoccupied, wore massive gold +watch-chains and sparkling rings, and they had a commanding and stern +expression of countenance. They were observing all who entered, to see +whether any man would be bold enough to vote the yellow ticket. People +of the humbler sort, mechanics and laborers, were constantly coming in +and going out. Bowing reverently to the portly gentlemen, they seated +themselves and filled out green tickets with the names of the liberal +candidates. Most of them did not even trouble themselves to this +degree, but simply laid their tickets before the penman appointed for +this special service. All went off in the best order. The process of +the election resembled the smooth working of an ingenious piece of +machinery. And there was no tongue there to denounce the infamous +terrorism that had crushed the freedom of the election or had bought +the votes of vile and venal men with beer. + +Seraphin stood with Greifmann in the recess of a window looking on. + +"Who are the fat men at the table?" inquired he. + +"The one with the very black beard is house-builder Sand, the second is +Eisenhart, machine-builder, the third is Erdfloh, a landowner, the +fourth and fifth are tobacco merchants. All those gentlemen are +chieftains of the party of progress." + +"They show it," observed Gerlach. "Their looks, in a manner, command +every man that comes in to take the green ticket, and I imagine I can +read on their brows: 'Woe to him who dares vote against us. He shall be +under a ban, and shall have neither employment nor bread.' It is +unmitigated tyranny! I imagine I see in those fat fellows so many +cotton-planters voting their slaves." + +"That is a one-sided conclusion, my most esteemed," rejoined the +banker. "In country villages, the position here assumed by the magnates +of progress is filled by the lords of ultramontanism, clerical +gentlemen in cassocks, who keep a sharp eye on the fingers of their +parishioners. This, too, is influencing." + +"But not constraining," opposed the millionaire promptly. "The clergy +exert a legitimate influence by convincing, by advancing solid grounds +for their political creed. They never have recourse to compulsory +measures, nor dare they do so, because it would be opposed to the +Gospel which they preach. The autocrats of progress, on the contrary, +do not hesitate about using threats and violence. Should a man refuse +to bow to their dictates, they cruelly deprive him of the means of +subsistence. This is not only inhuman, but it is also an accursed +scheme for making slaves of the people and robbing them of principle." + +"Ah! look yonder--there is Holt." + +The land cultivator had walked into the hall head erect. He looked +along the table and stood undecided. One of the ministering spirits of +progress soon fluttered about him, offering him a green ticket. Holt +glanced at it, and a contemptuous smile spread over his face. He next +tore it to pieces, which he threw on the floor. + +"What are you about?" asked the angel of progress reproachfully. + +"I have reduced Shund and his colleagues to fragments," answered Holt +dryly, then approaching the commissary he demanded a yellow ticket. + +"Glorious!" applauded Gerlach. "I have half a mind to present this true +German _man_ with another thousand as a reward for his spirit." + +The fat men had observed with astonishment the action of the land +cultivator. Their astonishment turned to rage when Holt, leisurely +seating himself at the table, took a pen in his mighty fist and began +filling out the ticket with the names of the ultramontane candidates. +Whilst he wrote, whisperings could be heard all through the hall, and +every eye was directed upon him. After no inconsiderable exertion, the +task of filling out the ticket was successfully accomplished, and Holt +arose, leaving the ticket lying upon the table. In the twinkling of an +eye a hand reached forward to take it up. + +"What do you mean, sir?" asked Holt sternly. + +"That yellow paper defiles the table," hissed the fellow viciously. + +"Hand back that ticket," commanded Holt roughly. "I want it to be +here. The yellow ticket has as good a right on this table as the green +one--do you hear me?" + +"Slave of the priests!" sputtered his antagonist. + +"If I am a slave of the priests, then you are a slave of that villain +Shund," retorted Holt. "I am not to be browbeaten--by such a fellow as +you particularly--least of all by a vile slave of Shund's." He spoke, +and then reached his ticket to the commissary. + +"That is an impudent dog," growled leader Sand. "Who is he?" + +"He is a countryman of the name of Holt," answered he to whom the query +was addressed. + +"We must spot the boor," said Erdfloh. "His swaggering shall not avail +him anything." + +Holt was not the only voter that proved refractory. Mr. Schwefel, also, +had a disagreeable surprise. He was standing near the entrance, +observing with great self-complacency how the workmen in his employ +submissively cast their votes for Shund and his associates. Schwefel +regarded himself as of signal importance in the commonwealth, for he +controlled not less than four hundred votes, and the side which it was +his pleasure to favor could not fail of victory. The head of the great +leader seemed in a manner encircled with the halo of progress: whilst +his retainers passed and saluted him, he experienced something akin to +the pride of a field-marshal reviewing a column of his victorious army. + +Just then a spare little man appeared in the door. His yellowish, +sickly complexion gave evidence that he was employed in the +sulphurating of straw. At sight of the commander the sulphur-hued +little man shrank back, but his startled look did not escape the +restless eye of Mr. Schwefel. He beckoned to the laborer. + +"Have you selected your ticket, Leicht?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Let me see the ticket." + +The man obeyed reluctantly. Scarcely had Schwefel got a glimpse of the +paper when his brows gathered darkly. + +"What means this? Have you selected the yellow ticket and not the green +one?" + +Leicht hung his head. He thought of the consequences of this detection, +of his four small children, of want of employment, of hunger and bitter +need--he was almost beside himself. + +"If you vote for the priests, you may get your bread from the priests," +said Schwefel. "The moment you hand that ticket to the commissary, you +may consider yourself discharged from my employ." With this he angrily +turned his back upon the man. Leicht did not reach in his ticket to the +commissary. Staggering out of the hall, he stood bewildered hear the +railing of the steps, and stared vaguely upon the men who were coming +and going. Spitzkopf slipped up to him. + +"What were you thinking about, man?" asked he reproachfully. "Mr. +Schwefel is furious--you are ruined. Sheer stupidity, nothing but +stupidity in you to wish to vote in opposition to the pleasure of the +man from whom you get your bread and meat! Not only that, but you have +insulted the whole community, for you have chosen to vote against +progress when all the town is in favor of progress. You will be put on +the spotted list, and the upshot will be that you will not get +employment in any factory in town. Do you want to die of hunger, +man--do you want your children to die of hunger?" + +"You are right--I am ruined," said the laborer listlessly. "I couldn't +bring myself to write Shund's name because he reduced my brother-in-law +to beggary--this is what made me select the yellow ticket." + +"You are a fool. Were Mr. Schwefel to recommend the devil, your duty +would be to vote for the devil. What need you care who is on the +ticket? You have only to write the names on the ticket--nothing more +than that. Do you think progress would nominate men that are unfit--men +who would not promote the interests of the state, who would not further +the cause of humanity, civilization, and liberty? You are a fool for +not voting for what is best for yourself." + +"I am sorry now, but it's too late." sighed Leicht. "I wouldn't have +thought, either, that Mr. Schwefel would get angry because a man wanted +to vote to the best of his judgment." + +"There you are prating sillily again. Best of your judgment!--you +mustn't have any judgment. Leave it to others to judge; they have more +brains, more sense, more knowledge than you. Progress does the +thinking: our place is to blindly follow its directions." + +"But, Mr. Spitzkopf, mine is only the vote of a poor man; and what +matters such a vote?" + +"There is your want of sense again. We are living in a state that +enjoys liberty. We are living in an age of intelligence, of moral +advancement, of civilization and knowledge, in a word, we are living in +an age of progress; and in an age of this sort the vote of a poor man +is worth as much as that of a rich man." + +"If only I had it to do over! I would give my right hand to have it to +do over!" + +"You can repair the mischief if you want." + +"Instruct me how, Mr. Spitzkopf; please tell me how!" + +"Very well, I will do my best. As you acted from thoughtlessness and no +bad intention, doubtless Mr. Schwefel will suffer himself to be +propitiated. Go down into the court, and wait till I come. I shall get +you another ticket; you will then vote for progress, and all will be +satisfactory." + +"I am a thousand times obliged to you, Mr. Spitzkopf--a thousand times +obliged!" + +The agent went back to the hall. Leicht descended to the courtyard, +where he found a ring of timid operators like himself surrounding the +sturdy Holt. They were talking in an undertone. As often as a +progressionist drew near, their conversation was hushed altogether. +Holt's voice alone resounded loudly through the court, and his huge +strong hands were cutting the air in animated gesticulations. + +"This is not a free election; it is one of compulsion and violence," +cried he. "Every factoryman is compelled to vote as his employer +dictates, and should he refuse the employer discharges him from the +work. Is not this most despicable tyranny! And these very tyrants of +progress are perpetually prating about liberty, independence, +civilization! That's a precious sort of liberty indeed!" + +"A man belonging to the ultramontane party cannot walk the streets +to-day without being hooted and insulted," said another. "Even up +yonder in the hall, those gentlemen who are considered so cultivated +stick their heads together and laugh scornfully when one of us draws +near." + +"That's so--that's so, I have myself seen it," cried Holt. "Those +well-bred gentlemen show their teeth like ferocious dogs whenever they +see a yellow ticket or an ultramontane. I say, Leicht, has anything +happened you? You look wretched!" Leicht drew near and related what had +occurred. The honest Holt's eyes gleamed like coals of fire. + +"There's another piece of tyranny for you," cried he. "Leicht, my poor +fellow, I fancy I see in you a slave of Schwefel's. From dawn till late +you are compelled to toil for the curmudgeon, Sundays not excepted. +Your church is the factory, your religion working in straw, and your +God is your sovereign master Schwefel. You are ruining your health amid +the stench of brimstone, and not so much as the liberty of voting as +you think fit is allowed you. It's just as I tell you--you factorymen +are slaves. How strangely things go on in the world! In America slavery +has been abolished; but lo! here in Europe it is blooming as freshly as +trees in the month of May. But mark my word, friends, the fruit is +deadly; and when once it will have ripened, the great God of heaven +will shake it from the trees, and the generation that planted the trees +will have to eat the bitter fruit." + +Leicht shunned the society of the ultramontanes and stole away. +Presently Spitzkopf appeared with the ticket. + +"Your ticket is filled out. Come and sign your name to it." Schwefel +was again standing near the entrance, and he again beckoned the laborer +to approach. "I am pacified. You may now continue working for me." + +Carl and Seraphin returned to the Palais Greifmann. Louise received +them with numerous questions. The banker related what had passed; +Gerlach strode restlessly through the apartment. + +"The most curious spectacle must have been yourself," said the young +lady. "Just fancy you on the rostrum at the 'Key of Heaven'! And very +likely the ungrateful ultramontanes would not so much as applaud." + +"Beg pardon, they did, miss!" assured Seraphin. "They applauded and +cried bravo." + +"Really? Then I am proud of a brother whose maiden speech produced such +marvellous effects. May be we shall read of it in the daily paper. +Everybody will be surprised to hear of the banker Greifmann making a +speech at the 'Key of Heaven.'" Carl perceived the irony and stroked +his forehead. + +"But what can you be pondering over, Mr. Seraphin?" cried she to him. +"Since returning from the turmoil of the election, you seem unable to +keep quiet." He seated himself at her side, and was soon under the +spell of her magical attractions. + +"My head is dizzy and my brain confused," said he. "On every hand I see +nothing but revolt against moral obligation, sacrilegious disregard of +the most sacred rights of man. The hubbub still resounds in my ears, +and my imagination still sees those fat men at the table with their +slaveholder look--the white slaves doing their masters' bidding--the +completest subjugation in an age of enlightenment--all this presents +itself to me in the most repulsive and lamentable guise." + +"You must drive those horrible phantoms from your mind," replied +Louise. + +"They are not phantoms, but the most fearful reality." + +"They are phantoms, Mr. Seraphin, so far as your feelings exaggerate +the evils. Those factory serfs have no reason to complain. There is +nothing to be done but to put up with a situation that has +spontaneously developed itself. It is useless to grow impatient because +difference of rank between masters and servants is an unavoidable evil +upon earth." A servant entered to call them to dinner. + +At her side he gradually became more cheerful. The brightness of her +eyes dispelled his depression, and her delicate arts put a spell upon +his young, inexperienced heart. And when, at the end of the meal, they +were sipping delicious wine, and her beautiful lips lisped the +customary health, the subdued tenderness he had been feeling suddenly +expanded into a strong passion. + +"After you will have done justice to your diary," said she at parting, +"we shall take a drive, and then go to the opera." + +Instead of going to his room, Seraphin went into the garden. He almost +forgot the occurrences of the day in musing on the inexplicable +behavior of Louise. Again she had not uttered a word of condemnation of +the execrable doings of progress, and it grieved him deeply. A +suspicion flitted across his mind that perhaps Louise was infected with +the frivolous and pernicious spirit of the age, but he immediately +stifled the terrible suggestion as he would have hastened to crush a +viper that he might have seen on the path of the beautiful lady. He +preferred to believe that she suppressed her feelings of disgust out of +regard for his presence, that she wisely avoided pouring oil upon the +flames of his own indignation. Had she not exerted herself to dispel +his sombre reflections? He was thus espousing the side of passion +against the appalling truth that was beginning faintly to dawn upon his +anxious mind. + +But soon the spell was to be broken, and duty was to confront him with +the alternative of either giving up Louise, or defying the stern +demands of his conscience. + +The brother and sister, thinking their guest engaged with his diary, +walked into the garden. They directed their steps towards the arbor +where Gerlach had seated himself. + +He was only roused to consciousness of their proximity by the unusually +loud and excited tone in which Louise spoke. He could not be mistaken; +it was the young lady's voice--but oh! the import of her words. He +looked through an opening in the foliage, and sat thunderstruck. + +"You have been attempting to guide Gerlach's overexalted spirit into a +more rational way of thinking, but the very opposite seems to be the +result. Intercourse with the son of a strait-laced mother is infecting +you with sympathy for ultramontanism. Your speech to-day," continued +she caustically, "in yon obscure meeting is the subject of the talk of +the town. I am afraid you have made yourself ridiculous in the minds of +all cultivated people. The respectability of our family has suffered." + +"Of our family?" echoed he, perplexed. + +"We are compromitted," continued she with excitement. "You have given +our enemies occasion to set us down for members of a party who stupidly +oppose the onward march of civilization." + +"Cease your philippic," broke in the brother angrily. "Bitterness is an +unmerited return for my efforts to serve you." + +"To serve me?" + +"Yes, to serve you. The disturbing of that meeting made a very +unfavorable impression on your intended. He scorned the noisy mob, and +was roused by what, from his point of view, could not pass for anything +better than unpardonable impudence. To me it might have been a matter +of indifference whether your intended was pleased or displeased with +the fearless conduct of progress. But as I knew both you and the family +felt disposed to base the happiness of your life on his couple of +millions, as moreover I feared my silence might be interpreted by the +shortsighted young gentleman for complicity in progressionist ideas, I +was forced to disown the disorderly proceeding. In so doing I have not +derogated one iota from the spirit of the times; on the contrary, I +have bound a heavy wreath about the brow of glorious humanity." + +"But you have pardoned yourself too easily," proceeded she, unappeased. +"The very first word uttered by a Greifmann in that benighted assembly +was a stain on the fair fame of our family. We shall be an object of +contempt in every circle. 'The Greifmanns have turned ultramontanes +because Gerlach would have refused the young lady's hand had they not +changed their creed,' is what will be prated in society. A flood of +derision and sarcasm will be let loose upon us. I an ultramontane?" +cried she, growing more fierce; "I caught in the meshes of religious +fanaticism? I accept the Syllabus--believe in the Prophet of Nazareth? +Oh! I could sink into the earth on account of this disgrace! Did I for +an instant doubt that Seraphin may be redeemed from superstition and +fanaticism, I would renounce my union with him--I would spurn the +tempting enjoyments of wealth, so much do I hate silly credulity." + +Seraphin glanced at her through the gap in the foliage. Not six paces +from him, with her face turned in his direction, stood the infuriate +beauty. How changed her countenance! The features, habitually so +delicate and bright, now looked absolutely hideous, the brows were +fiercely knit, and hatred poured like streams of fire from her eyes. +Sentiments hitherto skilfully concealed had taken visible shape, ugly +and repulsive to the view of the innocent youth. His noble spirit +revolted at so much hypocrisy and falsehood. What occurred before him +was at once so monstrous and so overwhelming that he did not for an +instant consider that in case they entered the arbor he would be +discovered. He was not discovered, however. Louise and Carl retraced +their steps. For a short while the voice of Louise was still audible, +then silence reigned in the garden. + +Seraphin rose from his seat. There was a sad earnestness in his face, +and the vanishing traces of deep pain, which however were soon +superseded by a noble indignation. + +"I have beheld the genuine Louise, and I thank God for it. It is as I +feared, Louise is a progressionist, an infidel that considers it +disgraceful to believe in the Redeemer. Out upon such degeneracy! She +hates light, and how hideous this hatred makes her. Not a feature was +left of the charming, smiling, winning Louise. Good God! how horrible +had her real character remained unknown until after we were married! +Chained for life to the bitter enemy of everything that I hold dear and +venerate as holy--think of it! With eyes bandaged, I was but two paces +from an abyss that resembles hell--thank God! the bandage has fallen--I +see the abyss, and shudder. + +"'The ultramontane Seraphin'--'the fanatical Gerlach'--'the +shortsighted Gerlach,' whose fortune the young lady covets that she may +pass her life in enjoyment--a heartless girl, in whom there is not a +spark of love for her intended husband--how base! + +"'Ultramontane'?--'fanatical'?--yes! 'Shortsighted?' by no means. One +would need the suspicious eyes of progress to see through the hypocrisy +of this lady and her brother--a simple, trusting spirit like mine +cannot penetrate such darkness. At any rate, they shall not find me +weak. The little flame that was beginning to burn within my heart has +been for ever extinguished by her unhallowed lips. She might now +present herself in the garb of an angel, and muster up every seductive +art of womanhood, 'twould not avail; I have had an insight into her +real character, and giving her up costs me not a pang. It is not hollow +appearances that determine the worth of woman, but moral excellence, +beautiful virtues springing from a heart vivified by faith. No, giving +her up shall not cost me one regretful throb." + +He hastened from the garden to his room and rang the bell. + +"Pack my trunks this very day, John," said he to his servant. "Tomorrow +we shall be off." + +He then entered in his diary a circumstantial account of the unmasked +beauty. He also dwelt at length upon the painful shock his heart +experienced when the bright and beautiful creature he had considered +Louise to be suddenly vanished before his soul. As he was finishing the +last line, John reappeared with a telegraphic despatch. He read it, and +was stunned. + +"Meet your father at the train this evening." He looked at the concise +despatch, and fancied he saw his father's stern and threatening +countenance. + +The contemplated match had for several years been regarded by the +families of Gerlach and Greifmann as a fixed fact. Seraphin was aware +how stubbornly his father adhered to a project that he had once set his +mind upon. Here now, just as the union had became impossible and as the +youth was about to free himself for ever from an engagement that was +destructive of his happiness, the uncompromising sire had to appear to +enforce unconditional obedience to his will. A fearful contest awaited +Seraphin, unequal and painful; for a son, accustomed from childhood to +revere and obey his parents, was to maintain this contest against his +own father. Seraphin paced the room and wrung his hands in anguish. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + AN ULTRAMONTANE SON. + + +Greifmann and Gerlach had driven to the railway station. The express +train thundered along. As the doors of the carriages flew open, +Seraphin peered through them with eyes full of eager joy. He thought no +more of the fate that threatened him as the sequel of his father's +arrival; his youthful heart exulted solely in the anticipation of the +meeting. A tall, broad-shouldered gentleman, with severe features and +tanned complexion, alighted from a _coupe_. It was Mr. Conrad Gerlach. +Seraphin threw his arms around his father's neck and kissed him. The +banker made a polite bow to the wealthiest landed proprietor of the +country, in return for which Mr. Conrad bestowed on him a cordial shake +of the hand. + +"Has your father returned?" + +"He cannot possibly reach home before September," answered the banker. +The traveller stepped for a moment into the luggage-room. The gentlemen +then drove away to the Palais Greifmann. During the ride, the +conversation was not very animated. Conrad's curt, grave manner and +keen look, indicative of a mind always hard at work, imposed reserve, +and rapidly dampened his son's ingenuous burst of joy. Seraphin cast a +searching glance upon that severe countenance, saw no change from its +stern look of authority, and his heart sank before the appalling +alternative of either sacrificing the happiness of his life to his +father's favorite project, or of opposing his will and braving the +consequences of such daring. Yet he wavered but an instant in the +resolution to which he had been driven by necessity, and which, it was +plain from the lines of his countenance, he had manhood enough to abide +by. + +Mr. Conrad maintained his reserve, and asked but few questions. Even +Carl, habitually profuse, studied brevity in his answers, as he knew +from experience that Gerlach, Senior, was singularly averse to the use +of many words. + +"How is business?" + +"Very dull, sir; the times are hard." + +"Did you sustain any losses through the failures that have recently +taken place in town?" + +"Not a farthing. We had several thousands with Wendel, but fortunately +drew them out before he failed." + +"Very prudent. Has your father entered into any new connections in the +course of his travels?" + +"Several, that promise fairly." + +"Is Louise well?" + +"Her health is as good as could be wished." + +"General prosperity, then, I see, for you both look cheerful, and +Seraphin is as blooming as a clover field. + +"How is dear mother?" + +"Quite well. She misses her only child. She sends much love." + +The carriage drew up at the gate. The young lady was awaiting the +millionaire at the bottom of the steps. While greetings were exchanged +between them, a faint tinge of warmth could be noticed on the cold +features of the land-owner. A smile formed about his mouth, his +piercing eyes glanced for an instant at Seraphin, and instantly the +smile was eclipsed under the cloud of an unwelcome discovery. + +"I am on my way to the industrial exhibition," said he, "and I thought +I would pay you a visit in passing. I wish you not to put yourself to +any inconvenience, my dear Louise. You will have the goodness to make +me a little tea, this evening, which we shall sip together." + +"I am overjoyed at your visit, and yet I am sorry, too." + +"Sorry! Why so?" + +"Because you are in such a hurry." + +"It cannot be helped, my child. I am overwhelmed with work. Harvest has +commenced; no less than six hundred hands are in the fields, and I am +obliged to go to the exhibition. I must see and test some new machinery +which is said to be of wonderful power." + +"Well, then, you will at least spare us a few days on your return?" + +"A few days! You city people place no value on time. We of the country +economize seconds. Without a thought you squander in idleness what +cannot be recalled." + +"You are a greater rigorist than ever," chided she, smiling. + +"Because, my child, I am getting older. Seraphin, I wish to speak a +word with you before tea." + +The two retired to the apartments which for years Mr. Conrad was +accustomed to occupy whenever he visited the Palais Greifmann. + +"The old man still maintains his characteristic vigor," said Louise. +"His face is at all times like a problem in arithmetic, and in place of +a heart he carries an accurate estimate of the yield of his farms. His +is a cold, repelling nature." + +"But strictly honest, and alive to gain," added Carl. "In ten years +more he will have completed his third million. I am glad he came; the +marriage project is progressing towards a final arrangement. He is now +having a talk with Seraphin; tomorrow, as you will see, the bashful +young gentleman, in obedience to the command of his father, will +present himself to offer you his heart, and ask yours in return." + +"A free heart for an enslaved one," said she jestingly. "Were there no +hope of ennobling that heart, of freeing it from the absurdities with +which it is encrusted, I declare solemnly I would not accept it for +three millions. But Seraphin is capable of being improved. His eye will +not close itself against modern enlightenment. Servility of conscience +and a baneful fear of God cannot have entirely extinguished his sense +of liberty." + +"I have never set a very high estimate on the pluck and moral force of +religious people," declared Greifmann. "They are a craven set, who are +pious merely because they are afraid of hell. When a passion gets +possession of them, the impotence of their religious frenzy at once +becomes manifest. They fall an easy prey to the impulses of nature, +and the supernatural fails to come to the rescue. It would be vain +for Seraphin to try to give up the unbelieving Louise, whom his +strait-laced faith makes it his duty to avoid. He has fallen a victim +to your fascinations; all the Gospel of the Jew of Nazareth, together +with all the sacraments and unctions of the church, could not loose the +coils with which you have encircled him." + +In this scornful tone did Carl Greifmann speak of the heroism of virtue +and of the energy of faith, like a blind man discoursing about colors. +He little suspected that it is just the power of religion that produces +characters, and that, on this very account, in an irreligious age, +characters of a noble type are so rarely met with; the warmth of faith +is not in them. + +"Mr. Schwefel desires to speak a word with you," said a servant who +appeared at the door. + +The banker nodded assent. + +"I ask your pardon for troubling you at so unseasonable an hour," began +the leader, after bowing lowly several times. "The subject is urgent, +and must be settled without delay. But, by the way, I must first give +you the good news: Mr. Shund is elected by an overwhelming majority, +and Progress is victorious in every ward." + +"That is what I looked for," answered the banker, with an air of +satisfaction. "I told you whatever Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus command, +must be done." + +"I am just from a meeting at which some important resolutions have been +offered and adopted," continued the leader. "The strongest prop of +ultramontanism is the present system of educating youth. Education +must, therefore, be taken out of the hands of the priests. But the +change will have to be brought about gradually and with caution. We +have decided to make a beginning by introducing common schools. A vote +of the people is to be taken on the measure, and, on the last day of +voting, a grand barbecue is to be given to celebrate our triumph over +the accursed slavery of religious symbols. The ground chosen by the +chief-magistrate for the celebration is the common near the Red Tower, +but the space is not large enough, and we will need your meadow +adjoining it to accommodate the crowd. I am commissioned by the +magistrate to request you to throw open the meadow for the occasion." + +The banker, believing the request prejudicial to his private interests, +looked rather unenthusiastic. Louise, who had been busy with the +teapot, had heard every word of the conversation, and the new +educational scheme had won her cordial approval. Seeing her brother +hesitated, she flew to the rescue: + +"We are ready and happy to make any sacrifice in the interest of +education and progress." + +"I am not sure that it is competent for me in the present instance to +grant the desired permission," replied Greifmann. "The grass would be +destroyed, and perhaps the sod ruined for years. My father is away from +home, and I would not like to take the responsibility of complying with +his honor's wish." + +"The city will hold itself liable for all damages," said Schwefel. + +"Not at all!" interposed the young lady hastily. "Make use of the +meadow without paying damages. If my brother refuses to assume the +responsibility, I will take it upon my self. By wresting education from +the clergy, who only cripple the intellect of youth, progress aims a +death-blow at mental degradation. It is a glorious work, and one full +of inestimable results that you gentlemen are beginning in the cause of +humanity against ignorance and superstition. My father so heartily +concurs in every undertaking that responds to the wants of the times, +that I not only feel encouraged to make myself responsible for this +concession, but am even sure that he would be angry if we refused. Do +not hesitate to make use of the meadow, and from its flowers bind +garlands about the temples of the goddess of liberty!" + +The leader bowed reverently to the beautiful advocate of progress. + +"In this case, there remains nothing else for me to do than to confirm +my sister's decision," said Greifmann. "When is the celebration to take +place?" + +"On the 10th of August, the day of the deputy elections. It has been +intentionally set for that day to impress on the delegates how genuine +and right is the sentiment of our people." + +"Very good," approved Greifmann. + +"In the name of the chief-magistrate, I thank you for the offering you +have so generously laid upon the shrine of humanity, and I shall hasten +to inform the gentlemen before they adjourn that you have granted our +request." And Schwefel withdrew from the gorgeously furnished +apartment. + +Meanwhile a fiery struggle was going on between Seraphin and his +father. He had briefly related his experience at the Palais Greifmann; +had even confessed his preference for Louise, and had, for the first +time in his life, incurred his father's displeasure by mentioning the +wager. And when he concluded by protesting that he could not marry +Louise, Conrad's suppressed anger burst forth. + +"Have you lost your senses, foolish boy? This marriage has been in +contemplation for years; it has been coolly weighed and calculated. In +all the country around, it is the only equal match possible. Louise's +dower amounts to one million florins, the exact value of the noble +estate of Hatzfurth, adjoining our possessions. You young people can +occupy the chateau, I shall add another hundred acres to the land, +together with a complete outfit of farming implements, and then you +will have such a start as no ten proprietors in Germany can boast of." + +Seraphin knew his father. All the old gentleman's thought and effort +was concentrated on the management of his extensive possessions. For +other subjects there was no room in the head and heart of the +landholder. He barely complied with his religious duties. It is true, +on Sundays Mr. Conrad attended church, but surrounded invariably by a +motley swarm of worldly cares and speculations connected with farming. +At Easter, he went to the sacraments, but usually among the last, and +after being repeatedly reminded by his wife. He took no interest in +progress, humanity, ultramontanism, and such other questions as vex the +age, because to trouble himself about them would have interfered with +his main purpose. He knew only his fields and woodlands--and God, in so +far as his providence blessed him with bountiful harvests. + +"What is the good of millions, father, if the very fundamental +conditions of matrimonial peace are wanting?" + +"What fundamental conditions?" + +"Louise believes neither in God nor in revelation. She is an infidel." + +"And you are a fanatic--a fanatic because of your one-sided education. +Your mother has trained you as priests and monks are trained. During +your childhood piety was very useful; it served as the prop to the +young tree, causing it to grow up straight and develop itself into a +vigorous stem. But you are now full-grown, and life makes other demands +on the man than on the boy; therefore, with your fanaticism. + +"To my dying hour I shall thank my mother for the care she has bestowed +on the child, the boy, and the young man. If her pious spirit has given +a right direction to my career, and watched faithfully over my steps, +the untarnished record of the son cannot but rejoice the heart of the +father--a record which is the undoubted product of religious training." + +"You are a good son, and I am proud of you," accorded Mr. Conrad with +candor. "Your mother, too, is a woman whose equal is not to be found. +All this is very well. But, if Louise's city manners and free way of +thinking scandalize you, you are sheerly narrow-minded. I have been +noticing her for years, and have learned to value her industry and +domestic virtues. She has not a particle of extravagance; on the +contrary, she has a decided leaning towards economy and thrift. She +will make an unexceptionable wife. Do you imagine, my son, my choice +could be a blind one when I fixed upon Louise to share the property +which, through years of toil, I have amassed by untiring energy?" + +"I do not deny the lady has the qualities you mention, my dear father." + + +"Moreover, she is a millionaire, and handsome, very handsome, and you +are in love with her--what more do you want?" + +"The most important thing of all, father. The very soul of conjugal +felicity is wanting, which is oneness of faith in supernatural truth. +What I adore, Louise denies; what I revere, she hates; what I practise, +she scorns. Louise never prays, never goes to church, never receives +the sacraments, in a word, she has not a spark of religion." + +"That will all come right," returned Mr. Conrad. "Louise will learn to +pray. You must not, simpleton, expect a banker's daughter to be for +ever counting her beads like a nun. Take my word for it, the weight of +a wife's responsibilities will make her serious enough." + +"Serious perhaps, but not religious, for she is totally devoid of +faith." + +"Enough; you shall marry her nevertheless," broke in the father. "It is +my wish that you shall marry her. I will not suffer opposition." + +For a moment the young man sat silent, struggling painfully with the +violence of his own feelings. + +"Father," said he, then, "you command what I cannot fulfil, because it +goes against my conscience. I beg you not to do violence to my +conscience; violence is opposed to your own and my Christian +principles. An atheist or a progressionist who does not recognize a +higher moral order, might insist upon his son's marrying an infidel for +the sake of a million. But you cannot do so, for it is not millions of +money that you and I look upon as the highest good. Do not, therefore, +dear father, interfere with my moral freedom; do not force me into a +union which my religion prohibits." + +"What does this mean?" And a dark frown gathered on the old gentleman's +forehead. "Defiance disguised in religious twaddle? Open rebellion? Is +this the manner in which my son fulfils the duty of filial obedience?" + +"Pardon me, father," said the youth with deferential firmness, "there +is no divine law making it obligatory upon a father to select a wife +for his son. Consequently, also, the duty of obedience on this point +does not rest upon the son. Did I, beguiled by passion or driven by +recklessness, wish to marry a creature whose depravity would imperil my +temporal and eternal welfare, your duty, as a father, would be to +oppose my rashness, and my duty, as a son, would be to obey you. Louise +is just such a creature; she is artfully plotting against my religious +principles, against my loyalty to God and the church. She has put upon +herself as a task to lead me from the darkness of superstition into the +light of modern advancement. I overheard her when she said to her +brother, 'Did I for an instant doubt that Seraphin may be reclaimed +from superstition, I would renounce my union with him, I would forego +all the gratifications of wealth, so much do I detest stupid +credulity.' Hence I should have to look forward to being constantly +annoyed by my wife's fanatical hostility to my religion. There never +would be an end of discord and wrangling. And what kind of children +would such a mother rear? She would corrupt the little ones, instil +into their innocent souls the poison of her own godlessness, and make +me the most wretched of fathers. For these reasons Miss Greifmann shall +not become my wife---no, never! I implore you, dear father, do not +require from me what my conscience will not permit, and what I shall on +no condition consent to," concluded the young man with a tone of +decision. + +Mr. Conrad had observed a solemn silence, like a man who suddenly +beholds an unsuspected phenomenon exhibited before him. Seraphin's +words produced, as it were, a burst of vivid light upon his mind, +dispelling the multitudinous schemes and speculations that nestled in +every nook and depth. The effect of this sudden illumination became +perceptible at once, for Mr. Gerlach lost the points of view which had +invariably brought before his vision the million of the Greifmanns, and +he began to feel a growing esteem for the stand taken by his son. + +"Your language sounds fabulous," said he. + +"Here, father, is my diary. In it you will find a detailed account of +what I have briefly stated." + +Gerlach took the book and shoved it into the breast-pocket of his coat. +In an instant, however, his imagination conjured up to him a picture of +the Count of Hatzfurth's splendid estate, and he went on coldly and +deliberately: "Hear me, Seraphin! Your marriage with Louise is a +favorite project upon which I have based not a few expectations. The +observations you have made shall not induce me to renounce this project +unconditionally, for you may have been mistaken. I shall take notes +myself and test this matter. If your view is confirmed, our project +will have been an air castle. You shall be left entirely unmolested in +your convictions." + +Seraphin embraced his father. + +"Let us have no scene; hear me out. Should it turn out, on the other +hand, that your judgment is erroneous, should Louise not belong to yon +crazy progressionist mob who aim to dethrone God and subvert the order +of society, should her hatred against religion be merely a silly +conforming to the fashionable impiety of the age, which good influences +may correct--then I shall insist upon your marrying her. Meanwhile I +want you to maintain a strict neutrality--not a step backward nor a +step in advance. Now to tea, and let your countenance betray nothing of +what has passed." He drew his son to his bosom and imprinted a kiss on +his forehead. + +The millionaires were seated around the tea-table. Mr. Conrad playfully +commended Louise's talent for cooking. Apparently without design he +turned the conversation upon the elections, and, to Seraphin's utter +astonishment, eulogized the beneficent power of liberal doctrines. + +"Our age," said he, "can no longer bear the hampering notions of the +past. In the material world, steam and machinery have brought about +changes which call for corresponding changes in the world of intellect. +Great revolutions have already commenced. In France, Renan has written +a _Life of Christ_, and in our own country Protestant convocations are +proclaiming an historical Christ who was not God, but only an +extraordinary man. You hardly need to be assured that I too take a deep +interest in the intellectual struggles of my countrymen, but an excess +of business does not permit me to watch them closely. I am obliged to +content myself with such reports as the newspapers furnish. I should +like to read Renan's work, which seems to have created a great +sensation. They say it suits our times admirably." + +The brother and sister were not a little astonished at the old +gentleman's unusual communicativeness. + +"It is a splendid book," exclaimed Louise--"charming as to style, and +remarkably liberal and considerate towards the worshippers of Christ." + +"So I have everywhere been told," said Mr. Conrad. + +"Have you read the book, Louise?" + +"Not less than four times, three times in French and once in German." + +"Do you think a farmer whose moments are precious as gold could forgive +himself the reading of Renan's book in view of the multitude of his +urgent occupations?" asked he, smiling. + +"The reading of a book that originates a new intellectual era is also a +serious occupation," maintained the beautiful lady. + +"Very true; yet I apprehend Renan's attempt to disprove to me the +divinity of Christ would remain unsuccessful, and it would only cause +me the loss of some hours of valuable time." + +"Read it, Mr. Gerlach, do read it. Renan's arguments are unanswerable." + +"So you have been convinced, Louise?" + +"Yes, indeed, quite." + +"Well, now, Renan is a living author, he is the lion of the day, and +nothing could be more natural than that the fair sex should grow +enthusiastic over him. But, of course, at your next confession you will +sorrowfully declare and retract your belief in Renan." + +The young lady cast a quick glance at Seraphin, and the brim of her +teacup concealed a proud, triumphant smile. + +"Our city is about taking a bold step," said Carl, breaking the +silence. "We are to have common schools, in order to take education +from the control of the clergy." And he went on to relate what Schwefel +had reported. + +"When is the barbecue to come off?" inquired Mr. Conrad. + +"On the 10th of August." + +"Perhaps I shall have time to attend this demonstration," said Gerlach. +"Hearts reveal themselves at such festivities. One gets a clear insight +into the mind of the multitude. You, Louise, have put progress under +obligations by so cheerfully advancing to meet it." + +After these words the landholder rose and went to his room. The next +morning he proceeded on his journey, taking with him Seraphin's diary. +The author himself he left at the Palais Greifmann in anxious +uncertainty about future events. + + + + + CHAPTER IX. + + FAITH AND SCIENCE OF PROGRESS. + + +Seraphin usually look an early ride with Carl. The banker was overjoyed +at the wager, about the winning of which he now felt absolute +certainty. He expressed himself confident that before long he would +have the pleasure of going over the road on the back of the best racer +in the country. "The noble animals," said he, "shall not be brought by +the railway; it might injure them. I shall send my groom for them to +Chateau Hallberg. He can ride the distance in two days." + +Seraphin could not help smiling at his friend's solicitude for the +horses. + +"Do not sell the bear's skin before killing the bear," answered he. "I +may not lose the horses, but may, on the contrary, acquire a pleasant +claim to twenty thousand florins." + +"That is beyond all possibility," returned the banker. "Hans Shund is +now chief-magistrate, has been nominated to the legislature, and in a +few days will be elected. Mr. Hans will appear as a shining light +to-morrow, when he is to state his political creed in a speech to his +constituents. Of course, you and I shall go to hear him. Next will +follow his election, then my groom will hasten to Chateau Hallberg to +fetch the horses. Are you sorry you made the bet?" + +"Not at all! I should regret very much to lose my span of bays. Still, +the bet will be of incalculable benefit to me. I will have learned +concerning men and manners what otherwise I could never have dreamed +of. In any event, the experience gained will be of vast service to me +during life. + +"I am exceedingly glad to know it, my dear fellow," assured Greifmann. +"Your acquaintance with the present has been very superficial. You have +learned a great deal in a few days, and it is gratifying to hear you +acknowledge the fact." + +The banker had not, however, caught Gerlach's meaning. + +But for the wager, Seraphin would not have become acquainted with +Louise's intellectual standpoint. He would probably have married her +for the sake of her beauty, would have discovered his mistake when it +could not be corrected, and would have found himself condemned to spend +his life with a woman whose principles and character could only annoy +and give him pain. As it was, he was tormented by the fear that his +father might not coincide in his opinion of the young lady. What if the +old gentleman considered her hostility to religion as a mere +fashionable mania unsupported by inner conviction, a girlish whim +changeable like the wind, which with little effort might be made to +veer round to the point or the most unimpeachable orthodoxy? He had not +uttered a word condemning Louise's infatuation about Renan. On taking +leave he had parted with her in a friendly, almost hearty, manner, +proof sufficient that the young lady's doubtful utterances at tea had +not deceived him. + +Upon reaching home, Gerlach sat in his room with his eyes thoughtfully +fixed upon a luminous square cast by the sun upon the floor. Quite +naturally his thoughts ran upon the marriage, and to the prospect of +having to maintain his liberty by hard contest with his inflexible +parent. He was unshaken in his resolution not to accede to the +projected alliance, and, when a will morally severe conceives +resolutions of this sort, they usually stand the hardest tests. So +absorbing were his reflections that he did not hear John announcing a +visitor. He nodded mechanically in reply to the words that seemed to +come out of the distance, and the servant disappeared. + +Soon after a country girl appeared entrance of the room. In both hands +she was carrying a small basket made of peeled willows, quite new. A +snow-white napkin was spread over the basket. The girl's dress was +neat, her figure was slender and graceful. Her hair, which was wound +about the head in heavy plaits, was golden and encircled her forehead +as with a _nimbus_. Her features were delicate and beautiful, and she +looked upon the young gentleman with a pair of deep-blue eyes. Thus +stood she for an instant in the door of the apartment. There was a +smile about her mouth and a faint flush upon her cheeks. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin!" said a sweet voice. + +The youth started at this salutation and looked at the stranger with +surprise. She was just then standing on the sunlit square, her hair +gleamed like the purest gold, and a flood of light streamed upon her +youthful form. He did not return the greeting. He looked at her as if +frightened, rose slowly, and bowed in silence. + +"My father sends some early grapes which he begs you to have the +goodness to accept." + +She drew nearer, and he received the basket from her hand. + +"I am very thankful!" said he. And, raising the napkin, the delicious +fruit smiled in his face. "These are a rarity this season. To whom am I +indebted for this friendly attention?" + +"The obligation is all on our side, Mr. Seraphin," she replied +trustfully to the generous benefactor of her family. "Father is sorry +that he cannot offer you something better." + +"Ah! you are Holt's daughter?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin." + +"Your name is Johanna, is it not?" + +"Mechtild, Mr. Seraphin." + +"Will you be so good as to sit down?" And he pointed her to a sofa. + +Mechtild, however, drew a chair and seated herself. + +He had noted her deportment, and could not but marvel at the graceful +action, the confiding simplicity, and well-bred self-possession of the +extraordinary country girl. As she sat opposite to him, she looked so +pure, so trusting and sincere, that his astonishment went on +increasing. He acknowledged to himself never to have beheld eyes whose +expression came so directly from the heart--a heart whose interior must +be equally as sunny and pure. + +"How are your good parents?" + +"They are very well, Mr. Seraphin. Father has gone to work with renewed +confidence. The sad--ah! the terrible period is past. You cannot +imagine, Mr. Seraphin, how many tears you have dried, how much misery +you have relieved!" + +The recollection of the ruin that had been hanging over her home +affected her painfully; her eyes glistened, and tears began to roll +down her cheeks. But she instantly repressed the emotion, and exhibited +a beautiful smile on her face. Seraphin's quick eye had observed both +the momentary feeling, and that she had resolutely checked it in order +not to annoy him by touching sorrowful chords. This trait of delicacy +also excited the admiration of the gentleman. + +"Your father is not in want of employment?" he inquired with interest. + +"No, sir! Father is much sought on account of his knowledge of farming. +Persons who have ground, but no team of their own, employ him to put in +crops for them." + +"No doubt the good man has to toil hard?" + +"That is true, sir; but father seems to like working, and we children +strive to help him as much as we can." + +"And do you like working?" + +"I do, indeed, Mr. Seraphin. Life would be worthless if one did not +labor. Man's life on earth is so ordered as to show him that he must +labor. Doing nothing is abominable, and idleness is the parent of many +vices." + +Another cause of astonishment for the millionaire. She did not converse +like an uneducated girl from the country. Her accurate, almost choice +use of words indicated some culture, and her concise observations +revealed both mind and reflection. He felt a strong desire to fathom +the mystery--to cast a glance into Mechtild's past history. + +"Have you always lived at home, or have you ever been away at school?" + +She must have detected something ludicrous in the question, for +suddenly a degree of archness might be observed in her amiable smile. + +"You mean, whether I have received a city education? No, sir! Father +used to speak highly of the clearness of my mind, and thought I might +even be made a teacher. But he had not the means to give me the +necessary amount of schooling. Until I was fourteen years old, I went +to school to the nuns here in town. I used to come in of mornings and +go back in the evening. I studied hard, and father and mother always +had the satisfaction of seeing me rewarded with a prize at the +examinations. I am very fond of books, and make good use of the convent +library. On Sundays, after vespers, I wait till the door of the +book-room is opened. I still spend my leisure time in reading, and on +Sundays and holidays I know no greater pleasure than to read nice +instructive books. At my work I think over what I have read, and I +continue practising composition according to the directions of the good +ladies of the convent." + +"And were you always head at school?" + +"Yes," she admitted, with a blush. + +"You have profited immensely by your opportunities," he said +approvingly. "And the desire for learning has not yet left you?" + +"This inordinate craving still continues to torment me," she +acknowledged frankly. + +"Inordinate--why inordinate?" + +"Because, my station and calling do not require a high degree of +culture. But it is so nice to know, and it is so nice to have refined +intercourse with each others. For seven years I admired the elegant +manners of the convent ladies, and I learned many a lesson from them." + +"How old are you now?" + +"Seventeen, Mr. Seraphin." + +"What a pity you did not enter some higher educational institution!" +said he. + +A pause followed. He looked with reverence upon the artless girl whom +God had so richly endowed, both in body and mind, Mechtild rose. + +"Please accept, also, my most heartfelt thanks for your generous aid," +she said, with emotion, "All my life long I shall remember you before +God, Mr. Seraphin. The Almighty will surely repay you what alas! we +cannot." + +She made a courtesy, and he accompanied her through all the apartments +as far as the front door. Here the girl, turning, bowed to him once +more and went away. + +Returning to his room, Seraphin stood and contemplated the grapes. +Strongly did the delicious fruit tempt him, but he touched not one. He +then pulled out a drawer, and hid the gifts as though it were a costly +treasure. For the rest of the day, Mechtild's bright form hovered near +him, and the sweet charm of her eyes, so full of soul, continually +worked on his imagination. When he again went into Louise's company, +the grace and innocence of the country girl gained ground in his +esteem. Compared with Mechtild's charming naturalness, Louise's manner +appeared affected, spoiled; through evil influences. The difference in +the expression of their eyes struck him especially. In Louise's eyes +there burned a fierce glow at times, which roused passion and stirred +the senses. Mechtild's neither glowed nor flashed; but from their +limpid depths beamed goodness so genuine and serenity so unclouded, +that Seraphin could compare them to nothing but two heralds of peace +and innocence. Louise's eyes, thought he, flash like two meteors of the +night; Mechtild's beam like two mild suns in a cloudless sky of spring. +As often as he entered the room where the grapes lay concealed, he +would unlock the drawer, examine the fragrant fruit, and handle the +basket which had been carried by her hands. He could not himself help +smiling at this childish action, and yet both great delicacy and deep +earnestness are manifested in honoring objects that have been touched +by pure hands, and in revering places hallowed by the presence of the +good. + +Next morning the banker asked his guest to accompany him to the church +of S. Peter, where Hans Shund was to address a large gathering. + +"In a church?" Gerlach exclaimed, with amazement. + +"Don't get frightened, my good fellow. The church is no longer in the +service of religion. It has been _secularized_ by the state, and is +customarily used as a hall for dancing. There will be quite a crowd, +for several able speakers are to discuss the question of common +schools. The church has been chosen for the meeting on account of the +crowd." + +The millionaires drove to the desecrated church. A tumultuous mass +swarmed about the portal. "Let us permit them to push us; we shall get +in most easily by letting them do so," said the banker merrily. Two +officious progressionists, recognizing the banker, opened a passage for +them through the throng. They reached the interior of the church, which +was now an empty space, stripped of every ornament proper to a house of +God. In the sanctuary could yet be seen, as if in mournful abandonment, +a large quadrangular slab, that had been the altar, and attached to one +of the side walls was an exquisite Gothic pulpit, which on occasions +like the present was used for a rostrum. Everywhere else reigned +silence and desolation. + +The nave was filled by a motley mass. The chieftains of progress, some +elegantly dressed, others exhibiting frivolous miens and huge beards, +crowded upon the elevation of the chancel. All the candidates for the +legislature were present, not for the purpose of proving their +qualifications for the office--progress never troubled itself about +those--but to air their views on the subject of education. There were +speakers on hand of acknowledged ability in the discussion of the +doctrines of progress, who were to lay the result of their +investigations before the people. + +Seraphia also noted some anxious faces in the crowd. They were +citizens, whose sons were alarmed at the thought of yielding up the +training of their children into the hands of infidelity. And near the +pulpit stood two priests, irreverently crowded against the wall, +targets for the scornful pleasantries of the wits of the mob. Leader +Schwefel was voted into the chair by acclamation. He thanked the +assembly in a short speech for the honor conferred, and then announced +that Mr. Till, member of the former assembly, would address the +meeting. Amid murmurs of expectation a short, fat gentleman climbed +into the pulpit. First a red face with a copper-tipped nose bobbed +above the ledge of the pulpit, next came a pair of broad shoulders, +upon which a huge head rested without the intermediary of a neck, +two puffy hands were laid upon the desk, and the commencement of a +well-rounded pauch could just be detected by the eye. Mr. Till, taking +two handfuls of his shaggy beard, drew them slowly through his fingers, +looked composedly upon the audience, and breathed hotly through mouth +and nostrils. + +"Gentlemen," he began, with a voice that struggled out from a mass of +flesh and fat, "I am not given to many words, you know. What need is +there of many words and long speeches? We know what we want, and what +we want we will have in spite of the machinations of Jesuits and the +whinings of an ultramontane horde. You all know how I acquitted myself +at the last legislature, and if you will again favor me with your +suffrages, I will endeavor once more to give satisfaction. You know my +record, and I shall remain staunch to the last." + +Cries of "Good!" from various directions. + +"Gentlemen! if you know my record, you must also be aware that I am +passionately fond of the chase. I even follow this amusement in the +legislative hall. Our country abounds in a sort of black game, and for +me it is rare sport to pursue this species of game in the assembly." + +A wild tumult of applause burst forth. Jeers and coarse witticisms were +bandied about on every side of the two clergymen, who looked meekly +upon these orgies of progress. + +"Gentlemen!" Till continued, "the _blacks_ are a dangerous kind of wild +beast. They have heretofore been ranging in a preserve, feeding on the +fat of the land. That is an abuse that challenges the wrath of heaven. +It must be done away with. The beasts of prey that in the dark ages +dwelt in castles have long since been exterminated, and their rocky +lairs have been reduced to ruins. Well, now, let us keep up the chase +in both houses of the legislature until the last of these _black_ +beasts is destroyed. Should you entrust to me again your interests, I +shall return to the seat of government, to aid with renewed energy in +ridding the land of these creatures that are enemies both of education +and liberty." + +Amid prolonged applause the fat man descended. The chieftains shook him +warmly by the hand, assuring him that the cause absolutely demanded his +being reelected. + +Gerlach was aghast at Till's speech. He hardly knew which deserved most +scorn, the vulgarity of the speaker or the abjectness of those who had +applauded him. Their wild enthusiasm was still surging through the +building, when Hans Shund mounted the pulpit. The chairman rang for +order; the tumult ceased. In mute suspense the multitude awaited the +great speech of the notorious usurer, thief, and debauchee. And indeed, +progress might well entertain great expectations, for Hans Shund had +read a pile of progressionist pamphlets, had extracted the strong +passages, and out of them had concocted a right racy speech. His speech +might with propriety have been designated the Gospel of Progress, for +Hans Shund had made capital of whatever freethinkers had lucubrated in +behalf of so-called enlightenment, and in opposition to Christianity. +The very appearance of the speaker gave great promise. His were not +coarse features and goggle eyes like Till's; his piercing feline eyes +looked intellectual. His face was rather pale, the result, no doubt, of +unusual application, and he had skilfully dyed his sandy hair. His +position as mayor of the city seemed also to entitle him to special +attention, and these several claims were enhanced by a white necktie, +white vest, and black cloth swallowtail coat. + +"Gentlemen," began the mayor with solemnity, "my honorable predecessor +in this place has told you with admirable sagacity that the kernel of +every political question is of a religious character. Indeed, religion +is linked with every important question of the day, it is the _ratio +ultima_ of the intellectual movement of our times. Men of thought and +of learning are all agreed as to the condition to which our social life +should be and must be brought. The friends of the people are actively +and earnestly at work trying to further a healthy development of our +social and political status. Nor have their efforts been utterly +fruitless. Progress has made great conquests; yet, gentlemen, these +conquests are far from being complete. What is it that is most hostile +to liberalism in morals, to enlightenment, and to humanity? It is the +antiquated faith of departed days. Have we not heard the language of +the Holy Father in the Syllabus? But the Holy Father at Rome, +gentlemen, is no father of ours--happily he is the father only of +stupid and credulous men." + +"Bravo! Well said!" resounded from the audience. Flaschen nudged +Spitzkopf, who sat next to him. "Shund is no mean speaker. Even that +fellow Voelk, of Bavaria, cannot compete with Shund." + +"Gentlemen, our good sense teaches us to smile with pity at the +infallible declarations of yon Holy Father. We are firmly convinced +that papal decrees can no more stop the onward march of civilization +than they can arrest the heavenly bodies in their journeys about the +sun. 'Tis true, an [oe]cumenical council is lowering like a black +storm-cloud. But let the council meet; let it declare the Syllabus an +article of faith; it will never succeed in destroying the treasures of +independent thought which creative intellects have been hoarding up for +centuries among every people. Since men of culture have ceased to yield +unquestioning submission, like dumb sheep, to the church, they have +begun to discover that nowhere are so many falsehoods uttered as in +pulpits." + +Tremendous applause, clapping, and swinging of hats, followed this +eloquent period. A distinguished gentleman, laying his hand upon Till's +shoulder, asked: "What calibre of ammunition do you use in hunting +_black_ game?" + +"Conical balls of two centimetres," replied Till, with no great wit. + +"Yon fellow in the pulpit fires shells of a hundredweight, I should +say. And if in the legislative assembly his shells all explode, not a +man of them will be left alive." + +Till thought this witticism so good that he set up a loud roar of +laughter, that could be heard above the general uproar. + +Stimulated by these marks of appreciation, Shund waxed still more +eloquent. "Gentlemen," cried he, "no body of men is more savagely +opposed to science and culture than a conventicle of so-called servants +of God. Were you to repeat the multiplication table several times over, +there would be as much prayer and sense in it as in what is designated +the Apostles' Creed." + +More cheering and boundless enthusiasm. "Gentlemen!" exclaimed the +speaker, with thundering emphasis and a hideous expression of hatred on +his face, "the significance of religious dogmas is simply a sort of +hom[oe]opathic concoction to which every succeeding age contributes +some drops of fanaticism. Subjected to the microscope of science, the +whole basis of the Christian church evaporates into thin mist. We must +shield our children against religious fables. Away with dogmas and saws +from the Bible; away with the Trinity; the divinity and humanity of +Jesus, and other such stuff! Away with apothegms such as this: _Christ +is my life, my death, and my gain._ Such things are opposed to nature. +Children's minds are thereby warped to untruthfulness and hyprocrisy. +In this manner the child is deprived of the power of thinking; loses +all interest in intellectual pursuits, and ceases to feel the need of +further culture. The times are favorable for a reformation. Our +imperial and royal rulers have at length realized that minds must be +set free. For this end it was as unavoidable for them to break with the +church and priesthood as it is necessary for us. If we cherish our +fatherland and the people, we must take the initiative. We are not +striving to effect a revolution; we want intellectual development, +profounder knowledge, and healthier morality. + + "Shall peace be seen beneath our skies, + The spirit's freedom first must rise," + +concluded the orator poetically, and he came down amidst a very +hurricane of applause. + +There followed a lull. In the audience, heads protruded and necks were +stretched that their possessors might obtain a glimpse of the great +Shund. In the chancel, the chiefs and leaders crowded around him, +smiling, bowing, and shaking his hand in admiration. + +"You have won the laurels," smirked a fellow from amidst a wilderness +of beard. + +"Your election to the Assembly is a certainty," declared another. + +"You carry deadly weapons against Christ," said a professor. + +Mr. Hans smiled, and nodded so often that he was seized with a pain in +the muscles of the face and neck. At length, the chairman's bell came +to the rescue. + +"The Rev. Mr. Morgenroth will now address the meeting." + +The clergyman mounted the rostrum, but scarcely had he appeared there, +when the crowd became possessed by a legion of hissing demons. + +"Gentlemen," began the fearless priest, "the duty of my calling as well +as personal conviction demands that I should enter a solemn protest +against the sundering of school and church." + +Further the priest was not allowed to proceed. Loud howling, hissing, +and whistling drowned his voice. The president called for order. + +"In the name of good-breeding, I beg this most honorable assembly to +hear the speaker out in patience," cried Mr. Schwefel. + +The mob relaxed into unwilling silence like a growling beast. + +"Not all the citizens of this town are affected with infidelity," the +reverend gentleman went on to say. "Many honorable gentlemen believe in +Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and in his church. These citizens wish +their children to receive a religious education; it would, therefore, +be unmitigated terrorism, tyrannical constraint of conscience, to force +Christian parents to bring up their children in the spirit of +unbelief." + +This palpable truth progress could not bear to listen to. A mad yell +was set up. Clenched fists were shaken at the clergyman, and fierce +threats thundered from all sides of the church. "Down with the priest!" +"Down with the accursed blackcoat!" "Down with the dog of a Jesuit!" +and similar exclamations resounded from all sides. The chairman rang +his bell in vain. The mob grew still more furious and noisy. The +clergyman was compelled to come down. + +"Such is the liberty, the education, the tolerance, the humanity of +progress," said he sadly to his colleague. + +Once more the bell of the chairman was heard amid the tumult. + +"Mr. Seicht, officer of the crown, will now address the meeting," +Schwefel announced. + +The audience were seized with amazement, and not without a cause. A +dignitary of a higher order, a member of the administration, ascended +the pulpit for the purpose of making an assault upon Christian +education. He was about to make war upon morals and faith, the true +supports of every solid government, the sources of the moral sentiment +and of the prosperity of human society. A remnant of honesty and a +lingering sense of justice may have raised a protest in Seicht's +mind against his undertaking; for his bearing was anything but +self-possessed, and he had the appearance of a wretch that was being +goaded on by an evil spirit. Besides, he had the habit peculiar to +bureaucrats of speaking in harsh, snarling tones. Seicht was conscious +of these peculiarities of his bureaucratic nature, and labored to +overcome them. The effort imparted to his delivery an air of constraint +and a sickening sweetness which were climaxed by the fearfully involved +style in which his speech was clothed. + +"Gentlemen," said Seicht, "in view of present circumstances, and in +consideration of the requirements of culture whose spirit is +incompatible with antiquated conditions, popular education, which in +connection with domestic training is the foundation of the future +citizen, must also undergo such changes as will bring it into harmony +with modern enlightened sentiment; and this is the more necessary as +the provisions of the law, which progress in its enlightenment and +clearness of perception cannot refuse to recognize as a fit model for +the imitation of a party dangerous to the state--I mean the party of +Jesuitism and ultramontranism--allow untrammelled scope for the +reformation of the school system, provided the proper clauses of the +law and the ordinances relating to this matter are not left out of +consideration. Accordingly, it is my duty to refer this honorable +meeting especially to the ministerial decree referring to common +schools, in accordance with which said common schools may be +established, after a vote of the citizens entitled to the elective +franchise, as soon as the need of this is felt; which in the present +instance cannot be contested, since public opinion has taken a decided +stand against denominational schools, in which youth is trained after +unbending forms of religion, and in doctrines that evidently conflict +with the triumph of the present, and with those exact sciences which +make up the only true gospel--the gospel of progress, which scarcely in +any respect resembles the narrow gospel of dubious dogmas--dubious for +the reason that they lack the spirit of advancement, and are +prejudicial to the investigation of the problems of a God, of material +nature, and of man." + +Here leader Sand thrust his fingers in his ears. + +"Thunder and lightning!" exclaimed he wrathfully, "what a shallow +babbler! What is he driving at? His periods are a yard long; and when +he has done, a man is no wiser than when he began. Gospel--gospel of +progress--fool--numskull--down! down!" + +"Quite a remarkable instance, this!" said Gerlach to the banker. +"Evidently this man is trying might and main to please, yet he only +succeeds in torturing his hearers." + +"I will explain this man to you," replied the banker. "Heretofore Mr. +Seicht has been a most complete exemplar of absolute bureaucracy. The +only divinity he knew were the statutes, the only heaven the bureau, +and the only safe way of reaching supreme felicity was, in his opinion, +to render unquestioning obedience to ministerial rescripts. Suddenly +Mr. Seicht heard the card-house of bureaucracy start in all its joints. +His divinity lost its worshippers, and his heaven lost all charms for +those who were seeking salvation. He felt the ground moving under him, +he realized the colossal might of progress, and hastened to commend +himself to this party by adopting liberal ideas. He is now aiming to +secure a seat in the house of delegates, which is subsequently to serve +him as a stepping-stone to a place in the cabinet. Just listen how the +man is agonizing! He is wasting his strength, however, and the attitude +of the audience is beginning to get alarming." + +For some time past, the chieftains in the chancel had been shaking +their heads at the efforts of this official advocate of progress. To +avoid being tortured by hearing, they had engaged in conversation. The +auditors in the nave of the church were also growing restive. The +speaker, however, continued blind to every hint and insinuation. At +last a tall fellow in the crowd swung his hat and cried, "Three cheers +for Mr. Seicht!" The whole nave joined in a deafening cheer. Seicht, +imagining the cheering to be a tribute to the excellence of his effort, +stopped for a moment to permit the uproar to subside, intending then to +go on with his speech; but no sooner had he resumed than the cheering +burst forth anew, and was so vigorously sustained that the man, at +length perceiving the meaning of the audience, came down amid peals of +derisive laughter. + +"Serves the gabbler right!" said Sand. "He's a precious kind of a +fellow! The booby thinks he can hoist himself into the chamber of +deputies by means of the shoulders of progress, and thence to climb up +higher. But it happens that we know whom we have to deal with, and we +are not going to serve as stirrups for a turn-coat official." + +The chairman wound up with a speech in which he announced that the vote +on the question of common schools would soon come off, and then +adjourned the meeting. + +The millionaires drew back to allow the crowd to disperse. Near them +stood Mr. Seicht, alone and dejected. The countenances of the +chieftains had yielded him no evidence on which to base a hope that his +speech had told, and that he might expect to occupy a seat in the +assembly. Moreover, Sand had rudely insulted the ambitious official to +his face. This he took exceedingly hard. All of a sudden, he spied the +banker in the chancel, and went over to greet him. Greifmann introduced +Gerlach. + +"I am proud," Mr. Seicht asseverated, "of the acquaintance of the +wealthiest proprietor of the country." + +"Pardon the correction, sir; my father is the proprietor." + +"No matter, you are his only son," rejoined Seicht. "Your presence +proves that you take an interest in the great questions of the day. +This is very laudable." + +"My presence, however, by no means proves that I concur in the object +of this meeting. Curiosity has led me hither." + +The official directed a look of inquiry at the banker. + +"Sheer curiosity," repeated this gentleman coldly. + +"Can you not, then, become reconciled to the spirit of progress?" asked +Seicht, with a smile revealing astonishment. + +"The value of my convictions consists in this, that I worship genuine +progress," replied the millionaire gravely. "The progress of this +community, in particular, looks to me like retrogression." + +"I am astonished at what you say," returned the official; "for surely +Shund's masterly speech has demonstrated that we are keeping pace with +the age." + +"I cannot see, sir, how fiendish hatred of religion can be taken for +progress. This horrible, bloodthirsty monster existed even in the days +of Nero and Tiberius, as we all know. Can the resurrection of it, now +that it has been mouldering for centuries, be seriously looked upon as +a step in advance? Rather a step backward, I should think, of eighteen +hundred years. Especially horrible and revolting is this latest +instance of tyranny, forcing parents who entertain religious sentiments +to send their children to irreligious schools. Not even Nero and +Tiberius went so far. On this point, I agree, there has been progress, +but it consists in putting a most unnatural constraint upon +conscience." + +Gerlach's language aroused the official. He was face to face with an +ultramontane. The mere sight of such an one caused a nervous twitching +in his person. He resorted at once to bureaucratic weapons in making +his onslaught. + +"You are mistaken, my dear sir--you are very much mistaken. The spirit +of the modern state demands that the schools of the multitude, +particularly public institutions, should be accessible to the children +of every class of citizens, without distinction of religious +profession. Consequently, the schools must be taken from under the +authority, direction, and influence of the church, and put entirely +under civil and political control. Such, too, is now the mind of our +rulers, besides that public sentiment calls for the change." + +"But, Mr. Seicht, in making such a change, the state despotically +infringes on the province of religion." + +"Not despotically, Mr. Gerlach, but legally; for the state is the +fountain-head of all right, and consequently possessed of unlimited +right." + +"You enunciate principles, sir, which differ vastly from what morality +and religion teach." + +"What signify morals--what signifies religion? Mere antiquated forms, +sir, with no living significance," explained Seicht, lavishly +displaying the treasures of the storehouse of progressionist wisdom. +"The past submitted quietly to the authority of religion, because there +existed then a low degree of intellectual culture. At present there is +only one authority--it is the preponderance of numbers and of material +forces. Consequently, the only real authority is the majority in power. +On the other hand, authorities based upon the supposed existence of a +supersensible world have lost their cause of being, for the reason that +exact science plainly demonstrates the nonexistence of an immaterial +world. _Cessante causa, cessat effectus_, the supersensible world, the +basis of religious authority, being gone, it logically results that +religious authority itself is gone. Hence the only real authority +existing in a state is the majority, and to this every citizen is +obliged to submit. You marvel, Mr. Gerlach. What I have said is not my +own personal view, but the expression of the principles which alone +pass current at the present day." + +"I agree in what you say," said the banker. "You have spoken from the +standpoint of the times. The controlling power is the majority." + +"Shund, then, accurately summed up the creed of the present age when he +said, 'Progress conquers death, destroys hell, rejects heaven, and +finds its god in the sweet enjoyment of life.' It is to be hoped that +all-powerful progress will next decree that there are no death and no +suffering upon earth, that all the hostile forces of nature have +ceased, that want and misery are no more, and that earth is a paradise +of sweet enjoyment for all." + +Mr. Seicht was rather taken aback by this satire. + +"Besides, gentlemen," proceeded Gerlach, "you will please observe that +the doctrine of state supremacy is a step backward of nearly two +thousand years. In Nero's day, but one source of right, namely, the +state, was recognized. In the head of the state, the emperor, were +centred all power, all authority, and all right. In his person, the +state was exalted into a divinity. Temples and altars were reared to +the emperor; sacrifices were offered to him; he was worshipped as a +deity. Even human sacrifices were not denied him if the imperial +divinity thought proper to demand them. And, now, to what condition did +these monstrous errors bring the world of that period? It became one +vast theatre of crime, immorality, and despotism. Slavery coiled itself +about men and things, and strangled their liberty. Matrimonial life +sank into the most loathsome corruption. Infanticide was permitted to +pass unpunished. The licentiousness of women was even greater than that +of men. Life and property became mere playthings for the whims of the +emperor and of his courtiers. Did the divine Caesar wish to amuse his +deeply sunken subjects, he had only to order the gladiators to butcher +one another, or some prisoners or slaves or Christians to be thrown to +tigers and panthers; this made a Roman holiday. Such, gentlemen, was +human society when it recognized no supersensible world, no God above, +no moral law. If our own progress proceeds much further in the path on +which it is marching, it will soon reach a similar fearful stage. We +already see in our midst the commencement of social corruption. We have +the only source of right proclaimed to be the divine state. Conscience +is being tyrannized over by a majority that rejects God and denies +future rewards and punishments. All the rest, even to the divine +despot, has already followed, or inevitably will follow. Therefore, Mr. +Seicht, the progress you so loudly boast of is mere stupid +retrogression, blind superstition, which falls prostrate before the +majority of a mob, and worships the omnipotence of the state." + +"Don't you think my friend has been uttering some very bitter truths?" +asked the banker, with a smile. + +"Pretty nearly so," replied the official demurely. "However, one can +detect the design, and cannot help getting out of humor." + +"What design?" asked Seraphin. + +"Of creating alarm against progress." + +"Indeed, sir, you are mistaken. I, too, am enthusiastic about progress, +but genuine progress. And because I am an advocate of real progress I +cannot help detesting the monstrosity which the age would wish to palm +off on men instead." + +The church was now cleared. Greifmann's carriage was at the door. The +millionaires drove off. + +"Pity for this Gerlach!" thought the official, as he strode through the +street. "He is lost to progress, for he is too solidly rooted in +superstition to be reclaimed. War against nature's claims; deny healthy +physical nature its rights; re-establish terror of the seven capital +sins; permit the priesthood to tyrannize over conscience; restore the +worship of an unmathematical triune God--no! no!" cried he fiercely, "I +shall all go to the devil!" + +A carriage whirled past him. He caste a glance into the vehicle, and +raised his hat to Mr. Hans Shund. + +The chief magistrate was on his way home from the town-hall. He could +not rest under the weight of his laurels; the inebriation of his +triumph drove him into the room where sat his lonely and careworn wife. + +"My election to the assembly is assured, wife." And he went on with a +minute account of the proceedings of the day. + +The pale, emaciated lady sat bowed in silence over her work, and did +not look up. + +"Well, wife, don't you take any interest in the honors won by your +husband? I should think you ought to feel pleased." + +"All my joys are swallowed up in an abyss of unutterable wretchedness," +replied she. "And my husband is daily deepening the gulf. Yesterday you +were again at a disreputable house. Your abominable deeds are heaped +mountain high--and am I to rejoice?" + +"A thousand demons, wife, I'm beginning to believe you have spies on +foot!" + +"I have not. But you are at the head of this city--your steps cannot +possibly remain unobserved." + +"Very well!" cried he, "it shall be my effort in the assembly to bring +about such a change that there shall no longer be any houses of +disrepute. Narrow-minded moralists shall not be allowed to howl any +longer. The time is at hand, old lady--so-called disreputable houses +are to become places of amusement authorized by law." + +He spoke and disappeared. + + + + + CHAPTER X. + + PROGRESS GROWS JOLLY. + + +The agitators of progress were again hurrying through the streets and +alleys of the town. They knocked at every door and entered every house +to solicit votes in favor of common schools. Thanks to the overwhelming +might of the party in power, they again carried their measure. +Dependent, utterly enslaved, many yielded up their votes without +opposition. It is true conscience tortured many a parent for voting +against his convictions, for sacrificing his children to a system with +which he could not sympathize; but not a man in a dependent position +had the courage to vindicate for his child the religious training which +was being so ruthlessly swept away. Even men in high office gave way +before the encroaching despotism, for in the very uppermost ranks of +society also progress domineered. + +One man only, fearless and firm, dared to put himself in the path of +the dominant power--the Rev. F. Morgenroth. From the pulpit, he +unmasked and scathed the unchristian design of debarring youth from +religious instruction, and of rearing a generation ignorant of God and +of his commandments. He warned parents against the evil, entreated them +to stand up conscientiously for the spiritual welfare of their +children, to reject the common schools, and to rescue the little ones +for the maternal guardianship of the church. + +His sermon roused the entire progressionist camp. The local press +fiercely assailed the intrepid clergyman. Lies, calumnies, and +scurrility were vomited against him and his profession. Hans Shund +seized the pen, and indited newspaper articles of such a character as +one would naturally look for from a thief, usurer, and debauchee. +Morgenroth paid no attention to their disgraceful clamor, but continued +his opposition undismayed. By means of placards, he invited the +Catholic citizens to assemble at his own residence, for the purpose of +consulting about the best mode of thwarting the designs of the +liberals. This unexpected fearlessness put the men of culture, +humanity, and freedom beside themselves with rage. They at once decided +upon making a public demonstration. The chieftains issued orders to +their bands, and these at the hour appointed for the meeting mustered +before the residence of the priest. A noisy multitude, uttering +threats, took possession of the churchyard. If a citizen attempted to +make his way through the mob to the house, he was loaded with vile +epithets, at times even with kicks and blows. But a small number had +gathered around the priest, and these showed much alarm; for outside +the billows of progress were surging and every moment rising higher. +Stones were thrown at the house, and the windows were broken. +Parteiling, the commissary of police, came to remonstrate with the +clergyman. + +"Dismiss the meeting," said he. "The excitement is assuming alarming +proportions." + +"Commissary, we are under the protection of the law and of civil rule," +replied Morgenroth. "We are not slaves and helots of progress. Are we +to be denied the liberty of discussing subjects of great importance in +our own houses?" + +A boulder coming through the window crushed the inkstand on the table, +and rolled on over the floor. The men pressed to one side in terror. + +"Your calling upon the law to protect you is utterly unreasonable under +present circumstances," said Parteiling. "Listen to the howling. Do you +want your house demolished? Do you wish to be maltreated? Will you have +open revolution? This all will surely follow if you persist in refusing +to dismiss the meeting. I will not answer for results." + +Stones began to rain more densely, and the howling grew louder and more +menacing. + +"Gentlemen," said Morgenroth to the men assembled, "since we are not +permitted to proceed with our deliberations, we will separate, with a +protest against this brutal terrorism." + +"But, commissary," said a much frightened man, "how are we to get away? +These people are infuriated; they will tear us in pieces." + +"Fear nothing, gentlemen; follow me," spoke the commissary, leading the +way. + +The ultramontanes were hailed with a loud burst of scornful laughter. +The commissary, advancing to the gate, beckoned silence. + +"In the name of the law, clear the place!" cried he. + +The mob scoffed and yelled. + +"Fetch out the slaves of the priest--make them run the gauntlet--down +with the Jesuits!" + +At this moment, a man was noticed elbowing his way through the crowd; +presently Hans Shund stepped before the embarrassed guardian of public +order. + +"Three cheers for the magistrate!" vociferated the mob. + +Shund made a signal. Profound silence followed. + +"Gentlemen," spoke the chief magistrate, in a tone of entreaty, "have +goodness to disperse." + +Repeated cheers were raised, then the accumulation of corrupt elements +began to dissolve and flow off into every direction. + +"I deeply regret this commotion of which I but a moment ago received +intelligence," said Shund. "The excitement of the people is +attributable solely to the imprudent conduct of Morgenroth." + +"To be sure--to be sure!" assented Parteiling. + +The place was cleared. The Catholics hurried home pursued and hooted by +straggling groups of rioters. + +The signs of the approaching celebration began to be noticeable on the +town-common. Booths were being erected, tables were being disposed in +rows which reached further than the eye could see, wagon-loads of +chairs and benches were being brought from all parts of town, men were +busy sinking holes for climbing-poles and treacherous turnstiles; but +the most attractive feature of all the festival was yet invisible--free +beer and sausages furnished at public cost. The rumor alone, however, +of such cheer gladdened the heart of every thirsty voter, and +contributed greatly to the establishment of the system of common +schools. Bands of music paraded the town, gathered up voters, and +escorted them to the polls. As often as they passed before the +residence of a progressionist chieftain, the bands struck up an air, +and the crowd cheered lustily. They halted in front of the priest's +residence also. The band played, "Today we'll taste the parson's +cheer," the mob roaring the words, and then winding up with whistling +and guffaws of laughter. This sort of disorderly work was kept up +during three days. Then was announced in the papers in huge type: "An +overwhelming majority of the enlightened citizens of this city have +decided in favor of common schools. Herewith the existence of these +schools is secured and legalized." + +On the fourth day, the celebration came off. The same morning Gerlach +senior arrived at the Palais Greifmann on his way home from the +Exposition. + +"I am so glad!" cried Louise. "I was beginning to fear you would not +come, and getting provoked at your indifference to the interests of our +people. We have been having stirring times, but we have come off +victorious. The narrow-minded enemies of enlightenment are defeated. +Modern views now prevail, and education is to be remodelled and put in +harmony with the wants of our century." + +"Times must have been stirring, for you seem almost frenzied, Louise," +said Conrad. + +"Had you witnessed the struggle and read the newspapers, you, too, +would have grown enthusiastic," declared the young lady. + +"Even quotations advanced," said the banker. "It astonished me, and +I can account for it only by assuming that the triumph of the +common-school system is of general significance and an imperative +desideratum of the times." + +"How can you have any doubt about it?" cried his sister. "Our town has +pioneered the way: the rest of Germany will soon adopt the same +system." + +Seraphin greeted his father. + +"Well, my son, you very likely have heard nothing whatever of this +hubbub about schools?" + +"Indeed, I have, father. Carl and I were in the midst of the commotion +at the desecrated church of S. Peter. We saw and heard what it would +have been difficult to imagine." He then proceeded to give his father a +minute account of the meeting. His powerful memory enabled him to +repeat Shund's speech almost verbatim. The father listened attentively, +and occasionally directed a glance of observation at the young lady. +When Shund's coarse ridicule of Christian morals and dogmas was +rehearsed, Mr. Conrad lowered his eyes, and a frown flitted over his +brow. For the rest, his countenance was, as usual, cold and stern. + +"This Mr. Shund made quite a strong speech," said he, in a nonchalant +way. + +"He rather intensified the colors of truth, 'tis true," remarked +Louise. "The masses, however, like high coloring and vigorous +language." + +A servant brought the banker a note. + +"Good! Shund is elected to the assembly! The span of bays belongs to +me," exulted Carl Greifmann. + +"Your bays Seraphin?" inquired the father. "How is this?" + +Mr. Conrad had twice been informed of the wager; he had learned it +first from Seraphin's own lips, then also he had read of it in his +diary; still he asked again, and his son detailed the story a third +time. + +"I should sooner have expected to see the heavens fall than to lose +that bet," added Seraphin. + +"When a notorious thief and usurer is elected to the chief magistracy +and to the legislative assembly, the victory gained is hardly a +creditable one to the spirit of progress, my dear Carl. Don't you think +so, Louise?" said the landholder. + +"You mustn't be too rigorous," replied the lady, with composure. "Rumor +whispers many a bit of scandal respecting Shund which does, indeed, +offend one's sense of propriety; for all that, however, Shund will play +his part brilliantly both in the assembly and in the town council. The +greatest of statesmen have had their foibles, as everybody knows." + +"Very true," said Gerlach dryly. "Viewed from the standpoint of very +humane tolerance, Shund's disgusting habits may be considered +justifiable." + +Seraphin left the parlor, and retired to his room. Here he wrestled +with violent feelings. His father's conduct was a mystery to him. +Opinions which conflicted with his own most sacred convictions, and +principles which brought an indignant flush to his cheek, were listened +to and apparently acquiesced in by his father. Shund's abominable +diatribe had not roused the old gentleman's anger; Louise's avowed +concurrence with the irreligious principles of the chieftain had not +even provoked his disapprobation. + +"My God, my God! can it be possible?" cried he in an agony of despair. +"Has the love of gain so utterly blinded my father? Can he have sunk so +low as to be willing to immolate me, his only child, to a base +speculation? Can he be willing for the sake of a million florins to +bind me for life to this erring creature, this infidel Louise? Can a +paltry million tempt him to be so reckless and cruel? No! no! a +thousand times no!" exclaimed he. "I never will be the husband of this +woman, never--I swear it by the great God of heaven! Get angry with me, +father, banish me from your sight--it would be more tolerable than the +consciousness of being the husband of a woman who believes not in the +Redeemer of the world. I have sworn--the matter is for ever settled." +He threw himself into an arm-chair, and moodily stared at the opposite +wall. By degrees, his excitement subsided, and he became quiet. + +In fancy, he beheld beside Louise's form another lovely one rise +up--that of the girl with the golden hair, the bright eyes, and the +winning smile. She had stood before him on this very floor, in her neat +and simple country garb, radiant with innocence and purity, adorned +with innate grace and uncommon beauty. And the lapse of days, far from +weakening, had deepened the impression of her first apparition. The +storm that had been raging in his interior was allayed by the +recollection of Mechtild, as the fury of the great deep subsides upon +the reappearance of the sun. Scarcely an hour had passed during which +he had not thought of the girl, rehearsed every word she had uttered, +and viewed the basket of grapes she had brought him. Again he pulled +out the drawer, and looked upon the gift with a friendly smile; then, +locking up the precious treasure, he returned to the parlor. + +He found the company on the balcony. The sound of trumpets and drums +came from a distance, and presently a motley procession was seen coming +up the nearest street. + +"You have just arrived in time to see the procession," cried Louise to +him. "It is going to defile past here, so we will be able to have a +good look at it." + +A dusky swarm of boys and half-grown youths came winding round the +nearest street-corner, followed immediately by the head of a mock +procession. In the lead marched a fellow dressed in a brown cloak, the +hood of which was drawn over his head. His waist was encircled with a +girdle from which dangled a string of pebbles representing a rosary. To +complete the caricature of a Capuchin, his feet were bare, excepting a +pair of soles which were strapped to them with thongs of leather. +In his hands he bore a tall cross rudely contrived with a couple +of sticks. The image of the cross was represented by a broken +mineral-water bottle. Behind the cross-bearer followed the procession +in a double line, consisting of boys, young men, factory-hands, drunken +mechanics, and such other begrimed and besotted beings as progress +alone can count in its ranks. The members of the procession were +chanting a litany; at the same time they folded their hands, made +grimaces, turned their eyes upwards, or played unseemly pranks with +genuine rosary beads. + +Next in the procession came a low car drawn by a watery-eyed mare which +a lad bedizened like a clown was leading by the bridle. In the car sat +a fat fellow whose face was painted red, and eyebrows dyed, and who +wore a long artificial beard. Over a prodigious paunch, also +artificial, he had drawn a long white gown, over which again he wore a +many-colored rag shaped like a cope. On his head he wore a high paper +cap, brimless; around the cap were three crowns of gilt paper to +represent the tiara of the pope. A sorry-looking donkey walked after +the car, to which it was attached by a rope. It was the _role_ of the +fellow in the car to address the donkey, make a sign of blessing over +it, and occasionally reach it straw drawn from his artificial paunch. +As often as he went through this man[oe]uvre, the crowd set up a +tremendous roar of laughter. The fat man in the car represented the +pope, and the donkey was intended to symbolize the credulity of the +faithful. + +This mock pope was not a suggestion of Shund's or of any other +inventive progressionist. The whole idea was copied from a caricature +which had appeared in a widely circulating pictorial whose only aim and +pleasure it has been for years to destroy the innate religious +nobleness of the German people by means of shallow wit and vulgar +caricatures. And this very sheet, leagued with a daily organ equally +degraded, can boast of no inconsiderable success. The rude and vulgar +applaud its witticisms, the low and infamous regale themselves with its +pictures, and its demoralizing influence is infecting the land. + +The principal feature of the procession was a wagon, hung with garlands +and bestuck with small flags, drawn by six splendid horses. In it sat a +youthful woman, plump and bold. Her shoulders were bare, the dress +being an exaggerated sample of the style _decollete_; above her head +was a wreath of oak leaves. She was attended by a number of young men +in masks. They carried drinking-horns, which they filled from time to +time from a barrel, and presented to the _bacchante_, who sipped from +them; then these gentlemen in waiting drank themselves, and poured what +was left upon the crowd. A band of music, walking in front of this +triumphal car, played airs and marches. Not even the mock pope was as +great an object of admiration as this shameless woman. Old and young +thronged about the wagon, feasting their lascivious eyes on this +beastly spectacle which represented that most disgusting of all +abominable achievements of progress--the emancipated woman. And perhaps +not even progress could have dared, in less excited times, so grossly +to insult the chaste spirit of the German people; but the social +atmosphere had been made so foul by the abominations of the election, +and the spirits of impurity had reigned so absolutely during the +canvass in behalf of common schools, that this immoral show was +suffered to parade without opposition. + +The very commencement of this sacrilegious mockery of religion had +roused Seraphin's indignation, and he had retired from the balcony. His +father, however, had remained, coolly watching the procession as it +passed, and carefully noting Louise's remarks and behavior. + +"What does that woman represent?" he asked. "A goddess of liberty, I +suppose?" + +"Only in one sense, I think," replied the progressionist young lady. +"The woman wearing the crown symbolizes, to my mind, the enjoyment of +life. She typifies heaven upon earth, now that exact science has done +away with the heaven of the next world." + +"I should think yon creature rather reminds one of hell," said Mr. +Conrad. + +"Of hell!" exclaimed Louise, in alarm. "You are jesting, sir, are you +not?" + +"Never more serious in my life, Louise. Notice the shameless +effrontery, the baseness and infamy of the creature, and you will be +forced to form conclusions which, far from justifying the expectation +of peace and happiness in the family circle, the true sphere of woman, +will suggest only wrangling, discord, and hell upon earth." + +The young lady did not venture to reply. A gentleman made his way +through the crowd, and waved his hat to the company on the balcony. The +banker returned the salutation. + +"Official Seicht," said he. + +"What! an officer of the government in this disreputable crowd!" +exclaimed Gerlach, with surprise. + +"He is on hand to maintain order," explained Greifmann. "You see some +policemen, too. Mr. Seicht sympathizes with progress. At the last +meeting, he made a speech in favor of common schools; he sounded the +praises of the gospel of progress, gave a toast at the banquet to the +gospel of progress, and has won for himself the title of evangelist of +progress. He once declared, too, that the very sight of a priest rouses +his blood, and they now pleasantly call him the parson-eater. He is +very popular." + +"I am amazed!" said Gerlach. "Mr. Seicht dishonors his office. He +advocates common schools, insults all the believing citizens of his +district, and runs with mock processions--a happy state of things, +indeed!" + +"His conduct is the result of careful calculation," returned Greifmann. +"By showing hostility to ultramontanism, he commends himself to +progress, which is in power." + +"But the government should not tolerate such disgraceful behavior on +the part of one of its officials," said Gerlach. "The entire official +corps is disgraced so long as this shallow evangelist of progress is +permitted to continue wearing the uniform." + +"You should not be so exacting," cried Louise. "Why will you not allow +officials also to float along with the current of progress until they +will have reached the Eldorado of the position to which they are +aspiring?" + +"The corruption of the state must be fearful indeed, when such +deportment in an officer is regarded as a recommendation," rejoined Mr. +Conrad curtly. + +A servant appeared to call them to table. + +"Would you not like to see the celebration?" inquired Louise. + +"By all means," answered Gerlach. "The excitement is of so unusual a +character that it claims attention. You will have to accompany us, +Louise." + +"I shall do so with pleasure. When sound popular sentiment thus +proclaims itself, I cannot but feel a strong desire to be present." + +The procession had turned the corner of a street where stood Holt and +two more countrymen looking on. The religious sentiment of these honest +men was deeply wounded by the profanation of the cross; and when, +besides, they heard the singing of the mock litany, their anger +kindled, their eyes gleamed, and they mingled fierce maledictions with +the tumult of the mob. Next appeared the mock pope, dispensing +blessings with his right hand, reaching straw to the donkey with his +left, and distorting his painted face into all sorts of farcical +grimaces. + +The peasants at once caught the significance of this burlesque. Their +countenances glowed with indignation. Avenging spirits took possession +of Mechtild's father; his strong, stalwart frame seemed suddenly to +have become herculean. His fist of iron doubled itself; there was +lightning in his eyes; like an infuriated lion, he burst into the +crowd, broke the line of the procession, and, directing a tremendous +blow at the head of the mock pope, precipitated him from the car. The +paper cap flew far away under the feet of the bystanders, and the false +beard got into the donkey's mouth. When the mock pope was down. Holt's +comrades immediately set upon him, and tore the many-colored rag from +his shoulders. Then commenced a great tumult. A host of furious +progressionists surrounded the sturdy countrymen, brandishing their +fists and filling the air with mad imprecations. + +"Kill the dogs! Down with the accursed ultramontanes!" + +Some of the policemen hurried up to prevent bloodshed. Mr. Seicht also +hurried to the scene of action, and his shrill voice could be heard +high above the noise and confusion. + +"Gentlemen, I implore you, let the law have its course, gentlemen!" +cried he. "Gentlemen, friends, do not, I beg you, violate the law! +Trust me, fellow-citizens--I shall see that the impertinence of these +ultramontanes is duly punished." + +They understood his meaning. Sticks and fists were immediately lowered. + +"Brigadier Forchhaem," cried Mr. Seicht, in a tone of +command--"Forchhaem, hither! Put handcuffs on these ultramontanes, +these disturbers of the peace--put irons on these revolutionists." + +Handcuffs were forthwith produced by the policemen. The towering, +broad-shouldered Holt stood quiet as a lamb, looked with an air of +astonishment at the confusion, and suffered himself to be handcuffed. +His comrades, however, behaved like anything but lambs. They laid about +them with hands and feet, knocking down the policemen, and giving +bloody mouths and noses to all who came within their reach. + +"Handcuff us!" they screamed, grinding their teeth, bleeding and +cursing. "Are we cutthroats?" The bystanders drew back in apprehension. +The confusion seemed to be past remedying. A thousand voices were +screaming, bawling, and crying at the same time; the circle around the +struggling countrymen was getting wider and wider; and when finally +they attempted to break through, the crowd took to flight, as if a +couple of tigers were after them. + +Many of the spectators found a pleasurable excitement in watching the +battle between the policemen and the peasants; but they would not move +a finger to aid the officers of the law in arresting the culprits. They +admired the agility and strength of the countrymen, and the more fierce +the struggle became, the greater grew their delight, and the louder +their merriment. + +Holt had been carried on with the motion of the crowd. When he dealt +the blow to the fellow in the car, he was beside himself with rage. The +genuine _furor teutonicus_ had taken possession of him so irresistibly +and so bewilderingly as to leave him utterly without any of the calm +judgment necessary to measure the situation. After his first adventure, +he had submitted to be handcuffed, and had watched the struggle between +Forchhaem and his own comrades in a sort of absence of mind. He had +stood perfectly quiet, his face had become pale, and his eyes looked +about strangely. The excitement of passion was now beginning to wear +off. He felt the cold iron of the manacles around his wrists, his eyes +glared, his face became crimson, the sinews of his powerful arm +stiffened, and with one great muscular convulsion he wrenched off the +handcuffs. Nobody had observed this sudden action, all eyes being +directed to the combatants. Shoving the part of the handcuff which +still hung to his wrist under the sleeve of his jacket, Holt +disappeared through the crowd. + +The resistance of the peasants was gradually becoming fainter. At +length they succumbed to overpowering force, and were handcuffed. + +"Where is the third one?" cried Seicht. "There were three of them." + +"Where is the third one? There were three of them," was echoed on every +hand, and all eyes sought for the missing one in the crowd. + +"The third one has run away, sir," reported Forchhaem. + +"What's his name?" asked Seicht. + +Nobody knew. + +A street boy, looking up at the official, ingenuously cried, "'Twas a +Tartar." + +Seicht looked down upon the obstreperous little informant. + +"A Tartar--do you know him?" + +"No; but these here know him," pointing to the captives. + +"What is the name of your comrade?" + +"We don't know him," was the surly reply. + +"Never mind, he will become known in the judicial examination. Off to +jail with these rebellious ultramontanes," the official commanded. + +Bound in chains, and guarded by a posse of police, these honest men, +whose religious sense had been so wantonly outraged as to have +occasioned an outburst of noble indignation, were marched through the +streets of the town and imprisoned. They were treated as criminals for +a crime, however, the guilt of which was justly chargeable to those +very rioters who were enjoying official protection. + +The procession moved on to the ground selected for the barbecue. A +motley mass, especially of factory-men, were hard at work upon the +scene. The booths, spread far and wide over the common, were thrown +open, and around them moved a swarm of thirsty beings drawing rations +of beer and sausages, with which, when they had received them, they +staggered away to the tables. Degraded-looking women were also to be +seen moving about unsteadily with brimming mugs of beer in their hands. +There were several bands of music stationed at different points around +the place. + +The chieftains of progress, perambulating the ground with an air of +triumph, bestowed friendly nods of recognition on all sides, and +condescendingly engaged in conversation with some of the rank and file. + +Hans Shund approached the awning where the woman with the bare +shoulders and indecent costume had taken a seat. She had captivated the +gallant chief magistrate, who hovered about her as a raven hovers over +a dead carcass. Moving off, he halted within hearing distance, and, +casting frequent glances back, addressed immodest jokes to those who +occupied the other side of the table, at which they laughed and +applauded immoderately. + +The men whom Seraphin had met in the subterranean den, on the memorable +night before the election, were also present: Flachsen, Graeulich, +Koenig, and a host of others. They were regaling themselves with +sausages which omitted an unmistakable odor of garlic, and were of a +very dubious appearance; interrupting the process of eating with +frequent and copious draughts from their beer-mugs. + +"Drink, old woman!" cried Graeulich to his wife. "Drink, I tell you! It +doesn't cost us anything to-day." + +The woman put the jug to her lips and drained it manfully. Other women +who were present screamed in chorus, and the men laughed boisterously. + +"Your old woman does that handsomely," applauded Koth. "Hell and +thunder! But she must be a real spitfire." + +Again they laughed uproariously. + +"I wish there were an election every day, what a jolly life this would +be!" said Koenig. "Nothing to do, eating and drinking gratis--what more +would you wish?" + +"That's the way the bigbugs live all the year round. They may eat and +drink what they like best, and needn't do a hand's turn. Isn't it +glorious to be rich?" cried Graeulich. + +"So drink, boys, drink till you can't stand! We are all of us big-bugs +to-day." + +"And if things were regulated as they should be," said Koth, "there +would come a day when we poor devils would also see glorious times. We +have been torturing ourselves about long enough for the sake of others. +I maintain that things will have to be differently regulated." + +"What game is that you are wishing to come at? Show your hand, old +fellow!" cried several voices. + +"Here's what I mean: Coffers which are full will have to pour some of +their superfluity into coffers which are empty. You take me, don't +you?" + +"'Pon my soul, I can't make you out. You are talking conundrums," +declared Koenig. + +"You blockhead, I mean there will soon have to be a partition. They who +have plenty will have to give some to those who have nothing." + +"Bravo! Long live Koth!" + +"That sort of doctrine is dangerous to the state," said Flachsen. "Such +principles bring about revolutions, and corrupt society." + +"What of society! You're an ass, Flachsen! Koth is right--partition, +partition!" was the cry all round the table. + +"As you will! I have nothing against it if only it were practicable," +expostulated Flachsen; "for I, too, am a radical." + +"It is practicable! All things are practicable," exclaimed Koth. "Our +age can do anything, and so can we. Haven't we driven religion out of +the schools? Haven't we elected Shund for mayor? It is the majority who +rule; and, were we to vote in favor of partition to-morrow, partition +would have to take place. Any measure can be carried by a majority, +and, since we poor devils are in the majority, as soon as we will have +voted for partition it will come without fail." + +"That's sensible!" agreed they all. "But then, such a thing has never +yet been done. Do you think it possible?" + +"Anything is possible," maintained Koth. "Didn't Shund preach that +there isn't any God, or hell, or devil? Was that ever taught before? If +the God of old has to submit to being deposed, the rich will have to +submit to it. I tell you, the majority will settle the business for the +rich. And if there's no God, no devil, and no life beyond, well then, +you see, I'm capable of laying my hand to anything. If voting won't do, +violence will. Do you understand?" + +"Bravo! Hurrah for Koth!" + +"There must be progress," cried Graeulich, "among us as well as others. +We are not going to continue all our lives in wretchedness. We must +advance from labor to comfort without labor, from poverty to wealth, +from want to abundance. Three cheers for progress--hurrah! hurrah!", +And the whole company joined in frantically. + +"There comes Evangelist Seicht," cried Koenig. "Though I didn't +understand one word of his speech, I believe he meant well. Although he +is an officer of the government, he cordially hates priests. A man may +say what he pleases against religion, and the church, and the Pope, and +the Jesuits, it rather pleases Seicht. He is a free and enlightened +man, is he. Up with your glasses, boys; if he comes near, let's give +him three rousing cheers." + +They did as directed. Men and women cheered lustily. Seicht very +condescendingly raised his hat and smiled as he passed the table. The +ovation put him in fine humor. Though he had failed in securing a +place in the assembly, perhaps the slight would be repaired in the +future. Such was the tenor of his thoughts whilst he advanced to the +climbing-pole, around which was assembled a crowd of boys. Quite a +variety of prizes, especially tobacco-pipes, was hanging from the +cross-pieces at the top of the mast. The pole was so smooth that more +than ordinary strength and activity were required to get to the top. +The greater number of those who attempted the feat gave out and slid +back without having gained a prize. There were also grown persons +standing around watching the efforts of the boys and young men. + +"It's my turn now," cried the fellow who had carried the cross in the +procession. + +"But, first, let me have one more drink--it'll improve the sliding." He +swallowed the drink hastily, then swaying about as he looked and +pointed upward, "Do you see that pipe with tassels to it?" he said. +"That's the one I'm going after." + +Throwing aside his mantle, he began to climb. + +"He'll not get up, he's drunk," cried a lad among the bystanders. +"Belladonna has given him two pints of double beer for carrying the +cross in the procession--that's what ails him." + +"Wait till I come down, I'll slap your jaws," cried the climber. + +The spectators were watching him with interest. He was obliged to pause +frequently to rest himself, which he did by winding his legs tightly +round the pole. At last he reached the top. Extending his arm to take +the pipe, it was too short. Climbing still higher, he stretched his +body to its greatest length, lost his hold, and fell to the ground. The +bystanders raised a great cry. The unfortunate youth's head had +embedded itself in the earth, streams of blood gushed from his mouth +and nostrils--he was lifeless. + +"He's dead! It's all over with him," was whispered around. + +"Carry him off," commanded Seicht, and then walked on. + +One of the bystanders loosed the cross-piece of the mock crucifix; the +corpse was then stretched across the two pieces of wood and carried off +the scene. As the body was carried past, the noise and revelry +everywhere ceased. + +"Wasn't that the one who carried the cross?" was asked. "Is he dead? +Did he fall from the pole? How terrible!" + +Even the progressionist revellers were struck thoughtful, so deeply is +the sense of religion rooted in the heart of man. Many a one among +them, seeing the pale, rigid face of the dead man, understood his fate +to be a solemn warning, and fled from the scene in terror. + +The progressionist element of the town was much flattered by the +presence at its orgies of the wealthiest property owner of the country. + +The women had already made the discovery that the millionaire's only +son, Mr. Seraphin Gerlach, was on the eve of marrying a member of the +highly respectable house of Greifmann, bankers. But it occasioned them +no small amount of surprise that the young gentleman was not in +attendance on the beautiful lady at the celebration. Louise's radiant +countenance gave no indication, however, that any untoward occurrence +had caused the absence of her prospective husband. The wives and +daughters of the chieftains were sitting under an awning sipping coffee +and eating cake. When Louise approached leaning on her brother's arm, +they welcomed her to a place in the circle of loveliness with many +courtesies and marks of respect. + +Mr. Conrad strolled about the place, studying the spirit which animated +the gathering. + + + + + CHAPTER XI. + + PROGRESS GROWS JOLLY. + + +In passing near the tables Gerlach overheard conversations which +revealed to him unmistakably the communistic aspirations and tendencies +prevailing among the lower orders, their fiendish hatred of religion +and the clergy, their corruption and appalling ignorance. On every hand +he perceived symptoms of an alarmingly unhealthy condition of society. +He heard blasphemies uttered against the Divinity which almost caused +his blood to run cold; sacred things were scoffed at in terms so coarse +and with an animus so plainly satanical that his hair rose on his head. +It was clear to him that the firmest supports, the only true +foundations of the social order, were tottering--rotted away by an +incurable corruption. + +In Gerlach's life, also, as in that of many other men, there had been a +period of mental struggle and of doubt. He, too, had at one time +himself face to face with questions the solution of which involved the +whole aim of his existence. During this period of mental unrest, he had +thought and studied much about faith and science, but not with a silly +parade of superficial scepticism. He had resolutely engaged in the soul +struggle, and had tried to end it for once and all. Supported by a good +early training and a disposition naturally noble, instructed and guided +by books of solid learning, he had come out from that crisis stronger +in faith and more correct in his views of human science. The scenes +which he was witnessing reminded him vividly of that turning-point in +his life; they were to him an additional proof that man's dignity +disappears as soon as he refuses to follow the divine guidance of +religion. Grave in mood, he returned to the table around which were +gathered the chieftains. The marks of respect shown to the millionaire +were numerous and flattering. Even the bluff Sand exerted himself +unusually in paying his respects to the wealthy landholder, and +Erdblatt, whose embarrassed financial condition enabled him beyond them +all to appreciate the worth of money, filled a glass with his own hand, +and reached it to Mr. Conrad with the deference of an accomplished +butler, Gerlach was pleased to speak in terms of praise of the +nut-brown beverage, which greatly tickled Belladonna, the fat brewer. +Naturally enough, the conversation turned upon the subject of the +celebration. + +"I confess I am not quite clear respecting the purpose of your city in +the matter of schools," said Mr. Conrad. "How do you intend to arrange +the school system?" + +"In such a way as to make it accord with the requirements of the times +and the progressive spirit of civilization," answered Hans Shund. "An +end must be put to priest rule in the schools. The establishment of +common schools will be a decided step towards this object. For a while, +of course, the priests will be allowed to visit the schools at +specified times, but their influence and control in school matters will +be greatly restricted. Education will be withdrawn from the church's +supervision, and after a few years we hope to reach the point when the +school-rooms will be closed altogether against the priests. There is +not a man of culture but will agree that children should not be +required to learn things which are out of date, and the import of which +must only excite smiles of compassion." + +"Whom do you intend to put in the place of the clergy?" inquired Mr. +Conrad. + +"We intend to impart useful information and a moral sense in harmony +with the spirit of the age," replied Hans Shund. + +"It seems to me the elementary branches have been very competently +taught heretofore in our schools, consequently I do not see the need of +a change on this head," said Gerlach. "But you have not understood my +question, I mean, who are to fill the office of instructors in morals +and in religion?" + +The chieftains looked puzzled, for such a question they had not +expected to hear from the wealthiest man of the country. + +"You see, Mr. Gerlach," said Sand bluntly, "religion must be done away +with entirely. We haven't any use for such trash. Children ought to +spend their time in learning something more sensible than the +catechism." + +"I am not disposed to believe that what you have just uttered is a +correct expression of the general opinion of this community on the +subject of the school question," returned the millionaire with some +warmth. "It is impossible to bring up youth morally without religion. +You are a housebuilder, Mr. Sand. What would you think of the man who +would expect you to build him a house without a foundation--a castle in +the air?" + +"Why, I would regard him as nothing less than a fool," cried Sand. + +"The case is identically the same with moral education. Morality is an +edifice which a man must spend his life in laboring at. Religion is the +groundwork of this edifice. Moral training without religion is an +impossibility. It would be just as possible to build a house in the +air, as to train up a child morally without a religious belief, without +being convinced of the existence of a holy and just God." + +"Facts prove the contrary," maintained Hans Shund. "Millions of persons +are moral who have no religious belief." + +"That's an egregious mistake, sir," opposed the landholder. "The +repudiation of a Supreme Being and the violent extinction of the idea +of the Divinity in the breast are of themselves grave offences against +moral conscience. I grant you that, in the eyes of the public, +thousands of men pass for moral who have no faith in religion. But +public opinion is anything but a criterion of certainty when the moral +worth of a man is to be determined. A man's interior is a region which +cannot be viewed by the eye of the public. You know yourselves that +there are men who pass for honorable, moral, pure men, whose private +habits are exceedingly filthy and corrupt." + +Hans Shund's color turned a palish yellow; the eyes of the chieftains +sank. + +"Besides, gentleman, it would be labor lost to try to educate youth +independently of religion. Man is by his very nature a religious being. +It is useless to attempt to educate the young without a knowledge of +God and of revealed religion; to be able to do so you would previously +have to pluck out of their own breasts the sense of right and wrong, +and out of their souls the idea of God, which are innate in both. Were +the attempt made, however, believe me, gentlemen, the yearning after +God, alive in the human breast, would soon impel the generation brought +up independently of religion to seek after false gods. For this very +reason we know of no people in history that did not recognize and +worship some divinity, were it but a tree or a stone, that served them +for an object of adoration. In my opinion, it would be far more +indicative of genuine progress to adhere to the God of Christians, who +is incontestably holy, just, omnipotent, and kind, whilst to return to +the sacred oaks of ancient Germany or to adopt the fetichism of +uncivilized tribes would be a most monstrous reaction, the most +degrading barbarism." + +The chieftains looked nonplussed. Earnest thinking and investigation +upon subjects pertaining to religion were not customary among the +disciples of progress. They looked upon religion as something so common +and trivial that anybody was free to argue upon and condemn it with a +few flippant or smart sayings; But the millionaire was now disclosing +views so new and vast, that their weak vision was completely dazzled, +and their steps upon the unknown domain became unsteady. + +Mr. Seicht, observing the embarrassment of the leaders, felt it his +duty to hasten to their relief. His polemical weapons were drawn from +the armory of bureaucracy. + +"The progressive development of humanity," said Mr. Seicht, "has +revealed an admirable substitute for all religious ideas. A state well +organized can exist splendidly without any religion. Nay, I do not +hesitate to maintain that religion is a drawback to the development of +the modern state, and that, therefore, the state should have nothing +whatever to do with religion. An invisible world should not exert an +influence upon a state--the wants of the times are the only rule to be +consulted." + +"What do you understand by a state, sir?" asked the millionaire. + +"A state," replied the official, "is a union of men whose public life +is regulated by laws which every individual is bound to observe." + +"You speak of laws; upon what basis are these laws founded?" + +"Upon the basis of humanity, morality, liberty, and right," answered +the official glibly. + +"And what do you consider moral and just?" + +"Whatever accords with the civilization of the age." + +A faint smile passed over the severe features of Mr. Conrad. + +"I was watching the procession," spoke he. "I have seen the religious +feelings of a large number of citizens publicly ridiculed and grossly +insulted. Was that moral? Was it just? You are determined to oust God +and religion from the schools; yet there are thousands in the country +who desire and endeavor to secure a religious education for their +children. Is it moral and just to utterly disregard the wishes of these +thousands? Does it accord with a profession of humanity and freedom to +put constraint on the consciences of fellow-citizens?" + +"The persons of whom you speak are a minority in the state, and the +minority is obliged to yield to the will of the majority," answered +Seicht. + +"It follows, then, that the basis of morality and justice is superior +numbers?" + +"Yes, it is! In a state, it appertains to the majority to determine and +regulate everything." + +"Gentlemen," spoke Gerlach with great seriousness, "as I was a moment +ago strolling over this place, I overheard language at several tables, +which was unmistakably communistic. Laborers and factory men were +maintaining that wealth is unequally distributed; that, whilst a small +number are immensely rich, a much greater number are poor and +destitute; that progress will have to advance to a point when an equal +division of property must be made. Now, the poor and the laboring +population are in the majority. Should they vote for a partition, +should they demand from us what hitherto we have regarded as +exclusively our own, we, gentlemen, will in consistency be forced to +accept the decree of the majority as perfectly moral and just--will we +not?" + +There was profound silence. + +"I, for my part, should most emphatically protest against such a ruling +of the majority," declared Greifmann. + +"Your protest would be contrary to morals and equity; for, according to +Mr. Seicht, only what the majority wills is moral and just," returned +the landowner. "And, in mentioning partition of property, I hinted at a +red monster which is not any longer a mere goblin, but a thing of real +flesh and bone. We are on the verge of a fearful social revolution +which threatens to break up society. If there is no holy and just God; +if he has not revealed himself, and man is not obliged to submit to his +will; if the only basis of right and of morals is the wish of the +majority, this terrible social revolution must be moral and just, for +the majority wills it and carries it out." + +"Of course, there must be a limit," said the official feebly. + +"The demands of the majority must be reasonable." + +"What do you understand by reasonable, sir?" + +"I call reasonable whatever accords with the sense of right, with sound +thinking, with moral ideas." + +"Sense of right--moral ideas? I beg you to observe that these notions +differ vastly from the sole authority of numbers. You have trespassed +upon God's kingdom in giving your explanation, for ideas are +supersensible; they are the thought of God himself. And the sense of +right was not implanted in the human breast by the word of a majority; +it was placed there by the Creator of man." + +The official was driven to the wall. The chieftains thoughtfully stared +at their beer-pots. + +"It is clear that the will of the majority alone cannot be accepted as +the basis of a state," said Schwefel. "The life of society cannot be +put at the mercy of the rude and fickle masses. There must be a moral +order, willed and regulated by a supreme ruler, and binding upon every +man. This is plain." + +"I agree with you, sir," said the millionaire. "Let us continue +building on Christian principles. As everybody knows, our civilization +has sprung from Christianity. If we tear down the altars and destroy +the seats from which lessons of Christian morality are taught, +confusion must inevitably follow. And I, gentlemen, have too exalted an +opinion of the German nation, of its earnest and religious spirit, to +believe that it can be ever induced to fall away completely from God +and his holy law. Infidelity is an unhealthy tendency of our times; it +is a pernicious superstition which sound sense and noble feeling will +ultimately triumph over. We will do well to continue advancing in +science, art, refinement, and industry, in true liberty and the right +understanding of truth; we will thus be making real progress, such +progress as I am proud to call myself a partisan of." + +The chieftains maintained silence. Some nodded assent. Hans Shund gave +an angry bite to his pipe-stem, and puffed a heavy cloud of smoke +across the table. + +"I have confidence in the enlightenment and good sense of our people," +said he. "You have called modern progress 'a pernicious superstition +and an unhealthy tendency of the times,' Mr. Gerlach," turning towards +the millionaire with a bow. "I regret this view of yours." + +"Which I have substantiated and proved," interrupted Gerlach. + +"True, sir! Your proofs have been striking, and I do not feel myself +competent to refute them. But I can point you to something more +powerful than argument. Look at this scene; see these happy people +meeting and enjoying one another's society in most admirable harmony +and order. Is not this spectacle a beautiful illustration and +vindication of the moral spirit of progress?" + +"These people are jubilant from the effect of beer, why shouldn't they +be? But, sir, a profound observer does not 'suffer himself to be +deceived by mere appearances.'" + +An uproar and commotion at a distance interrupted the millionaire. At +the same instant a policeman approached out of breath. + +"Your honor, the factorymen and the laborers are attacking one +another!" + +"What are you raising such alarm for," said Hans Shund gruffly. "It is +only a small squabble, such as will occur everywhere in a crowd." + +"I ask your honor's pardon: it is not a small squabble, it is a bloody +battle." + +"Well, part the wranglers." + +"We cannot manage them; there are too many of them. Shall I apply for +military?" + +"Hell and thunder--military!" cried Hans Shund, getting on his feet. +"Are you in your senses?" + +"Several men have already been carried off badly wounded," reported the +policeman further. "You have no idea how serious the affray is, and it +is getting more and more so; the friends of both sides are rushing in +to aid their own party. The police force is not a match for them." + +Women, screaming and in tears, were rushing in every direction. The +bands had ceased playing, and noise and confusion resounded from the +scene of action. Louise ran to take her brother's arm in consternation. +The wives and daughters of the chieftains huddled round their natural +protectors. + +"Hurry away and report this at the military post," was Seicht's order +to the policeman. "The feud is getting alarming. One moment!" + +Tearing a leaf from a memorandum book, he wrote a short note, which he +sent by the messenger. + +"Off to the post--be expeditious!" + +Louise hastened with her brother and Gerlach senior to their carriage, +and her feeling of security returned only when the noise of the combat +had died away in the distance. + +The next day the town papers contained the following notice: "The +beautiful celebration of yesterday, which, on account of its object, +will be long remembered by the citizens of this community, was +unfortunately interrupted by a serious conflict between the laborers +and factorymen. A great many were wounded during the _melee_, of whom +five have since died, and it required the interference of an armed +force to separate the combatants." + + + + + CHAPTER XII. + + BROWN BREAD AND BONNYCLABBER. + + +Seraphin had not gone to the celebration. He remained at home on the +plea of not feeling well. He was stretched upon a sofa, and his soul +was engaged in a desperate conflict. What it was impossible for himself +to look upon, had been viewed by his father with composure: the +burlesque procession, the public derision of holy practices, the +mockery of the Redeemer of the world, in whose place had been put a +broken bottle on the symbol of salvation. He himself had been stunned +by the spectacle; and his father? Was it his father? Again, his father +had accompanied the brother and sister to the infamous celebration. Was +not this a direct confirmation of his own suspicions? His father had +become a fearful enigma to his soul! And what if, upon his return from +the festival, the father were to come and insist upon the marriage with +Louise, declaring her advanced notions to be an insufficient ground for +renouncing a pet project? A wild storm was convulsing his interior. He +could not bear it longer, he was driven forth. Snatching his straw hat, +he rushed from the house, ran through the alleys and streets, out of +the town, onward and still onward. The August sun was burning, and its +heat, reflected from the road, was doubly intense. The perspiration was +rolling in large drops down the glowing face of the young man, whom +torturing thoughts still kept goading on. Holt's whitewashed dwelling +became visible on the summit of a knoll, and gleamed a friendly welcome +as he came near it--a welcome which seemed opportune for one who hardly +knew whither he was hastening. The walnut-tree which could be seen from +afar was casting an inviting shade over the table and bench that seemed +to be confidingly leaning against its stem. A flock of chickens were +taking a sand-bath under the table, flapping their wings, ruffling +their feathers, and wallowing in the dust. Seated on the sunny hillock, +the cottage appeared quiet, almost lonesome but for a ringing sound +which came from the adjoining field and was made by the sickle passing +through the corn. A broad-brimmed straw hat with a blue band could be +noticed from the road moving on over the fallen grain, and presently +Mechtild's slender form rose into view as she pushed actively onward +over the harvest field. Hasty steps resounded from the road. She raised +her head, and her countenance first indicated surprise, then +embarrassment. Whom did her eyes behold rushing wildly by, like a +fugitive, but the generous rescuer of her family from the clutches of +the usurer Shund. His hat was in his hand, his auburn locks were +hanging down over his forehead, his face aglow, his whole being seemed +to be absorbed in a mad pursuit. To her quick eye his features revealed +deep trouble and violent excitement She was frightened, and the sickle +fell from her hand. Not a day passed on which she would not think of +this benefactor. Perhaps there was not a being on earth whom she +admired and revered as much as she did him. All the pure and elevated +sentiments of an innocent and blooming girl, united to form a halo of +affection round the head of Seraphin. At evening prayer when her father +said, "Let us pray for our benefactor Seraphin," her soul sent up a +fervent petition to God, and she declared with joy that she was willing +to sacrifice all for him. But behold this noble object of her +admiration and affection suddenly presented before her in a state that +excited the greatest uneasiness. With his head sunk and his eyes +directed straight before him, he would have rushed past without +noticing the sympathizing girl, when a greeting clear and sweet as the +tone of a bell caused him to look up. He beheld Mechtild with her +beautiful eyes fixed upon him in an expression of anxiety. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin," she said again. + +"Good-morning," he returned mechanically, and staring about vaguely. +His bewilderment soon passed, however, and his gaze was riveted by the +apparition. + +She was standing on the other side of the ditch. The fear of some +unknown calamity had given to her beautiful face an expression of +tender solicitude, and whilst a smile struggled for possession of her +lips her look indicated painful anxiety. Mechtild's appearance soon +directed the young man's attention to his own excited manner. The dark +shadow disappeared from his brow, he wiped the perspiration from his +face, and began to feel the effect of his walk under the glowing heat +of midsummer. + +"Ah! here is the neat little white house, your pretty country home, +Mechtild," he said pleasantly. "If you had not been so kind as to wish +me good-morning, I should actually have passed by in an unpardonable +fit of distraction." + +"I was almost afraid to say good-morning, Mr. Seraphin, but--" She +faltered and looked confused. + +"But--what? You didn't think anything was wrong?" + +"No! But you were in such a hurry and looked so troubled, I got +frightened," she confessed with amiable uprightness. "I was afraid +something had happened you." + +"I am thankful for your sympathy. Nothing has happened me, nor, I +trust, will," he replied, with a scarcely perceptible degree of +defiance in his tone. "This is a charming situation. Corn-fields on all +sides, trees laden with fruit, the skirt of the woods in the +background--and then this magnificent view! With your permission, I +will take a moment's rest in the shade of yon splendid walnut-tree +planted by your great-grandfather." + +She joyfully nodded assent and stepped over the ditch. She shoved back +the bolt of the gate. Together they entered the yard, which a hedge +separated from the road. The cock crew a welcome to the stranger, and +led his household from the sand-bath into the sunshine near the barn. + +"This is a cool, inviting little spot," said the millionaire, as he +pointed to the shade of the walnut-tree. "No doubt you often sit here +and read?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin; but the dirty chickens have scattered dust all over +the bench and table. Wait a minute, you'll get your clothes dusty." + +She hurried into the house. His eyes followed her receding form, his +ears kept listening for her departing steps, he heard the opening and +closing of doors: presently she reappeared, dusted the bench and table +with a brush, and spread a white cloth over the table. Seraphin looked +on with a smile. + +"I do not wish to be troublesome, Mechtild!" + +"It is no trouble, Mr. Seraphin! Sit down, now, and rest yourself. I am +so sorry father and mother are not at home. They will be ever so glad +to hear that you have honored us with a visit." + +"Is nobody at home?" + +"Father is in town, and mother is at work with the children in the +harvest field." + +"Are you not afraid to stay here by yourself?" + +"What should I be afraid of? There are no ghosts in daytime," she said +with a bewitching archness; "and as for thieves, they never expect to +find anything worth having at our house." + +She was standing on the other side of the table, looking at him with a +beautiful smile. + +"Won't you have a seat on this bench?" said he, making room for her. +"You need rest more than I do. You have been working, and I am merely +an idle stroller. Do take a seat, Mechtild." + +"Thank you, Mr. Seraphin--I could not think of doing so! It would not +be becoming," she answered with some confusion. + +"Why not becoming?" + +"Because you are a gentleman, and I am only a poor girl." + +"Your objection on the score of propriety is not worth anything. Oblige +me by doing what I ask of you." + +"I will do so, Mr. Seraphin, since you insist upon it, but after a +while. I would like to offer you some refreshments beforehand, if you +will allow me." + +"With pleasure," he said, nodding assent. + +A second time she hurried away to the house, whilst he kept listening +to her footsteps. The extraordinary neatness and cleanliness which +could be seen everywhere about the little homestead did not escape his +observation. On all sides he fancied he saw the work of Mechtild. The +purity of her spirit, which beamed so mildly from her eyes and was +revealed in the beauty of her countenance and the grace of her person, +seemed embodied in the very odor of roses wafted over from the +neighboring flower garden. He was unconscious of the rapid growth +within his bosom of a deep and tender feeling. This feeling was casting +a warm glow, like softest sunshine, over all that he beheld. Not even +the chickens looked to him like other fowls of their kind; they were +ennobled by the reflection that they were objects of Mechtild's care, +that she fed them, that when they were still piping little pullets she +had held them in her lap and caressed them. He abandoned himself +completely to this sentiment; it carried him on like a smooth current; +and he could not tell, did not suspect even, why so wonderful a +reaction had in so short a time taken place in his interior. Beholding +himself seated under the walnut-tree surrounded only by evidences of +honorable poverty and rural thrift, and yet feeling a degree of +happiness and peace he had never known before, he fancied he was +performing a part in some fairy tale which he was dreaming with +his eyes open. And now the fairy appeared at the door having on a +snowy-white apron, and carrying a shallow basket from which could be +seen, protruding above the rest of its contents, a milk jar. She set +before him a pewter plate, bright as silver. Then she took out the jar +and a cup, next she laid a knife and spoon for him, and finished her +hospitable service with a huge loaf of bread. + +"Don't get dismayed at the bread, Mr. Seraphin! I am sorry I cannot set +something better before you. But it is well baked and will not hurt +you!" + +"You baked it yourself, did you not?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin!" + +He attacked the loaf resolutely. From the dimensions of the slice which +he cut off, it was plain that appetite and his confidence in her skill +were satisfactory. She raised the jar of bonnyclabber, which lurched +out in jerks upon his plate, whilst he kept gayly stirring it with the +spoon. Then she dipped a spoonful of rich cream out of the cup and +poured it into the refreshing contents of the plate. + +"Let me know when you want me to stop, Mr. Seraphin." Mechtild poured +spoonful after spoonful; he sat immovable, seemingly observing the +spoon, but in reality watching her soft plump fingers, then her +well-shaped hand, next her exquisitely arm, and, when finally he raised +his eyes to her face, they were met by a mischievous smile. The cup was +empty, and all the cream was in his plate. + +"May I go and fetch some more?" she asked. + +"No, Mechtild, no! Why, this is a regular yellow sea!" + +"You wouldn't cry 'enough!'" + +"I forgot about it," he replied, somewhat confused. "To atone for my +forgetfulness, I will eat it all." + +"I hope you will relish it, Mr. Seraphin!" + +"Thank you! Where is your plate?" + +"I had my dinner before you came." + +"Well, then, at any rate you must not continue standing. Won't you +share this seat with me?" + +She seated herself upon the bench, took off her hat, smoothed down her +apron, and appeared happy at seeing him eating heartily. + +"Don't you find that dish refreshing, Mr. Seraphin?" + +"You have done me a real act of charity," he replied. "This bread, is +excellent. Who taught you how to make bread?" + +"I learned from mother; but there isn't much art in making that sort of +bread, Mr. Seraphin. The food which people in the country eat does not +require artistic preparation. It only needs good, pure material, so +that it may give strength to labor." + +"I suppose you attend to the kitchen altogether, do you not?" + +"Yes, Mr. Seraphin. That's not very difficult, our meals are of the +plainest kind. We have meat once a week, on Sundays. When the work is +unusually hard, as in harvest time, we have meat oftener. We raise our +own meat and cure it." + +"You have assumed household cares at quite an early age, Mechtild." + +"Early? I am seventeen now, and am the oldest. Mother has a great deal +of trouble with the small ones, so the housework falls chiefly to my +share. It does not require any great exertion, however, to do it. Plain +and saving is our motto. Mother specially recommends four things: +industry, cleanliness, order, and economy. She advises me not to +neglect any one of these points when once I will have a household of my +own." + +"Do you think you will soon set up a separate household?" asked he with +some hesitation. + +"Not for some time to come, Mr. Seraphin, yet it must be done one day. +If my own inclination were consulted, I would prefer never to leave +home. I should like things to continue as they are. But a separation +must come. Death will pay us a visit as it has done to others, father +and mother will pass away, and the course of events will sever us from +one another." + +Her head sank, the brightness of her face became obscured beneath the +shadow of these sombre thoughts, and, when she again looked up, there +appeared in her eyes so touching and childlike a sadness that he felt +pained to the soul. And yet this revelation of tenderness pleased him, +for it made known to him a new phase of her amiable nature. + +For a long time he continued conversing with the artless girl. Every +word she uttered, no matter how trifling, had an interest for him. +Besides her charming artlessness, he had frequent occasions to admire +the wisdom of her language and her admirable delicacy. The setting sun +had already cast a subdued crimson over the hilltops, hours had sped +away, the chickens had gone to roost, still he remained riveted to the +spot by Mechtild's grace and loveliness. + +"Father is just coming," she said, pointing down the road. "How glad he +will be to find you here!" + +His head bent forward. Holt came wearily plodding up the road. His +right hand was hidden in the pocket of his pantaloons, and his head was +bowed, as if beneath a heavy weight. As Mechtild's clear voice rang +out, he raised his head, caught sight of his high-hearted benefactor, +and smiled in joyful surprise. + +"Welcome, Mr. Seraphin; a thousand times welcome!" he cried from the +other side of the road. "Why, this is an honor that I had not +expected!" + +He stood uncovered, holding his cap in the left hand, his right hand +was still concealed. Mechtild at once noticed her father's singular +behavior, and her eye watched anxiously for the hidden hand. + +"Your daughter has been so kind as to offer refreshments to a weary +wanderer," said Gerlach, "and it has been a great pleasure for me to +sit awhile. We have been chatting for several hours under this glorious +tree, and may be I am to blame for keeping her from her work." + +Holt's honest face beamed with satisfaction. He entirely forgot about +his secret, he drew his hand out of his pocket, Mechtild turned pale, +and a sharp cry escaped her lips. + +"For mercy's sake, father!" And she pointed to the broken chain. + +"What are you screaming for, foolish girl? Don't be alarmed, Mr. +Seraphin! this chain has got on my arm in an honorable cause. I will +tell you the whole story; I know you will not inform on me." + +Seating himself on the bench, he related the adventures of the day. + +The mock procession passed before Mechtild's imagination with the +vividness of reality. The narration transformed her. Her mildness was +changed to noble anger. She had heard of the vicar of Christ being +insulted, of holy things being scoffed at, of the Redeemer being +derided by a horde of wretches. With her arms akimbo, she drew up her +lithe and graceful form to its full height, and with flashing eyes +looked at her father while he related what had befallen him. Seraphin +could not help wondering at the transformation. Such a display of +spirit he had not been prepared to witness in a girl so gentle and +beautiful. When her father had ended his account, she seized his hand +passionately, pressed it warmly between her own hands, and kissed the +chain. + +"Father, dear father," she exclaimed in a burst of feeling, "I thank +you from my heart for acting as you did! Those wretches were scoffing +at our holy religion, but you behaved bravely in defence of the faith. +For this they put chains on you, as the heathen did to S. Peter and S. +Paul." + +Once more she kissed the chain, then, turning quickly, hastened across +the yard to the house. + +"Mechtild isn't like the rest of us," said Holt, smiling. "There's a +great deal of spirit in her. I have often noticed it. But I am not +astonished at her being roused at the mock procession--I was roused +myself. I declare, Mr. Seraphin, it is a shame, a crying shame, that +persons are permitted to rail at doctrines and things which we revere +as holy. One would almost believe Satan himself was in some people, +they take so fanatical a delight in scoffing at a religion which is +holy and enjoins nothing but what is good." + +"It is incontestable that infidelity hates and opposes God and +religion," replied Gerlach. "The boasted culture of those who find a +pleasure in grossly wounding the most sacred feelings of their +neighbors, is wicked and stupid." + +Mechtild returned with a file in her hand. + +"Right, my child! I was just thinking of the file myself. Here, cut the +catches of the lock." + +He laid his arm across the table. A few strokes of the file caused the +lock and remnant of chain to fall from his wrist. + +"We will keep this as a precious memento," said she. "Only think, +father, that wicked official ordered you to be manacled, and he is the +representative of authority. How can one respect or even pray for +authorities when they allow religion to be ridiculed?" + +"Pray for your enemies," answered the countryman gravely. + +"I will do so because God commands me; but I shall never again be able +to respect the official!" + +Her anger had fled; she appeared again all light and loveliness. He did +not fail to observe a searching look which she directed upon him, but +its meaning became clear to him only when, as he was taking leave, she +said in a tone of humility: "Pardon my vehemence, Mr. Seraphin! Don't +think me a bad girl." + +"There is nothing to be forgiven, Mechtild. You were indignant against +godless wretches, and they who are not indignant against evil cannot +themselves be good." + +"We are most heartily thankful for this visit," spoke Holt. "I need not +say that we will consider it a great happiness as often as you will be +pleased to come." + +"Good-night!" returned the young man, and he walked away. + +Deeply immersed in his thoughts, Seraphin went back to town. What he +was thinking about, his diary does not record. But the excitement under +which he had rushed forth was gone--dispelled by the magic of a rural +sorceress. He walked on quietly like a man who seems filled with +confidence in his own future. The recent painful impressions seemed to +his mind to lie far back in the past; their place was taken up by +beautiful anticipations which, like the aurora, shed soft and pleasing +light upon his path. He halted frequently in a dream-like reverie to +indulge the happiness with which his soul was flooded. The full moon, +just peering over the hills, shed around him a mystic brightness that +harmonized perfectly with the indefinable contentment of his heart, and +seemed to be gazing quizzingly into the countenance of the young man, +who almost feared to confess to himself that he had found an invaluable +treasure. + +As he stopped before the Palais Greifmann, all the bright spirits that +had hovered round about him on the way back from the little whitewashed +cottage, fled. He awoke from his dream, and, ascending the stairs with +a feeling of discomfort, he entered his apartment, where his father sat +awaiting him. + +"At last," spoke Mr. Conrad, looking up from a book. "You have kept me +waiting a long time, my son." + +"I was in need of a good long walk, father, to get over what I +witnessed this morning. The country air has dispelled all those +horrible impressions. There is only one thing more required to make me +feel perfectly well, dear father, which is that you will not insist on +my allying myself to people who are utterly opposed to my way of +thinking and feeling." + +"I understand and approve of your request, Seraphin. The impressions +made on me, too, are exceedingly disagreeable. The advancement of which +this town boasts is stupid, immoral, detestable. How this state of +society has come about, is inexplicable to me who live secluded in the +country. Society is diseased, fatally diseased. Many of the new views +professed are sheer superstition, and their morality is a mere cloak +for their corruption and wickedness. All the powers of progress +so-called are actively at work to subvert all the safeguards of +society. And what your diary reports of Louise, I have found fully +confirmed. Though it cost the sacrifice of a long cherished plan, a son +of mine shall never become the husband of a progressionist woman." + +"O father! how deeply do I thank you!" cried the youth, carried away by +his feelings. + +"I must decline being thanked, for I have not merited it," spoke Mr. +Conrad earnestly. "A father's duty determines very clearly what my +decision upon the matter of your marriage with Louise, ought to be. But +I am under obligations to you, my son, which justice compels me to +acknowledge. Your discernment and moral sense have prevented a great +deal of discord and unhappiness in our family. Continue good and true, +my Seraphin!" + +He pressed his son to his bosom and imprinted a kiss on his forehead. + +"To-morrow we shall start for home by the first train. Fortunately your +prudent behavior makes it easy for us to get away, and the final +breaking off of this engagement I will myself arrange with Louise's +father." + + + SERAPHIN GERLACH TO THE AUTHOR. + +Dear Sir: Two years ago, I took the liberty of sending you my diary, +with the request that you would be pleased to publish such portions of +its contents as might be useful, in the form of a tale illustrative of +the times. I made the request because I consider it the duty of a +writer who delineates the condition of society, to transmit to +posterity a faithful picture of the present social status, and I am +vain enough to believe that my jottings will be a modest contribution +towards such a tableau. + +The meagre account given by the diary of my intercourse with Mechtild, +will probably have enabled you to perceive the germ of a pure and true +relation likely to develop itself further. I shall add but a few items +to complete the account of the diary, knowing that poets, painters, and +artists have rigorously determined bounds, and that a twilight cannot +be represented when the sun is at the zenith. I am emboldened to use +this illustration because your unbounded admiration of pure womanhood +is well known to me, and because the brightness of Mechtild's +character, were it further described, would no more be compatible with +the sombre colorings in which a true picture of modern progress would +have to be exhibited, than the noonday sun with the shadows of evening. + +My memoranda concerning Mechtild, which, despite studied soberness, +betrayed a considerable degree of admiration, made known to my parents, +naturally enough, the secret of my heart. Hence it came that a quiet +smile passed over my father's face every time I commenced to speak of +Mechtild. Holt's manly deed at the mock procession had already gained +for him my father's esteem, and, as I spoke a great deal about Holt's +thoroughness as a cultivator, my father began to look upon him as a +very desirable man to employ. + +"We want an experienced man on the 'green farm,'" said father, one day. +"Offer the situation to Holt, and tell him to come to see me about it. +I want to talk with him." + +"Give the good man my compliments," said mother; "tell him I would be +much pleased to become acquainted with Mechtild, who sympathized with +you so kindly on that memorable day!" + +I wrote without delay. Holt came, and so did Mechtild. But few moments +were necessary to enable mother to detect the girl's fine qualities. +Father, too, was delightfully surprised at her modesty, the beauty of +her form, and grace of her manner. He visited the farm accompanied by +Holt. The cultivator's extraordinary knowledge, his practical manner of +viewing things, and the shrewdness of his counsels in regard to the +improvement of worn-out land and the cultivation of poor soil, +completely charmed my father. A contract containing very favorable +conditions for Holt was entered into, and three weeks later the family +took charge of the "green farm." + +Upon mother's suggestion, Mechtild was sent to an educational +institution, where she acquired in ten months' time the learning and +culture necessary for associating with cultivated people. + +Father and mother had received her on her return like a daughter. This +reception was given her not only in consideration of Holt's skilful and +faithful management of business, but also on account of Mechtild's own +splendid womanly character--perhaps, too, partly on account of my +unbounded admiration for the rare girl. + +"The girl is an ornament to her sex," lauded my father. "Her polished +manner and ease in company do not suffer one to suspect ever so +remotely that she at any time plied the reaping-hook, and came out of a +stubblefield to regale a weary wanderer with brown bread and +bonnyclabber. I am quite in harmony with, your secret wishes, my dear +Seraphin! At the same time, I am of opinion that a step promising so +much happiness ought not to be longer deferred. I think, then, you +should ask the father for his daughter without delay, so that I may +soon have the pleasure of giving you my blessing." + +From my father's arms, into which. I had thrown myself in thankfulness, +I hastened away to the "green farm," where Mechtild with maidenly +blushes, and Holt in speechless astonishment, heard and granted my +petition. + +I am now four months married. I am the blest husband of a wife whose +lovely qualities are daily showing themselves to greater advantage. +Mechtild presides over Chateau Hallberg like an angel of peace. Towards +my father and mother she conducts herself with filial reverence and +never-ceasing delicate attentions. Mother loves her unspeakably, and no +access of ill humor in father can withstand her charming smile and +prudent mirth. Concerning the banking-house of Greifmann, I have only +sad things to tell. Carl's father had entered into very considerable +speculations which failed and drove him into bankruptcy. Carl saw the +blow coming, and saved himself in a disgraceful manner. There was a +savings institution connected with the bank in which poor people and +servants deposited the savings of their hard labor. Carl appropriated +this fund and made off a short time before the failure of the house. +Thousands of poor persons were robbed of the little sums which they +were saving for old age, by denying themselves many even of the +necessaries of life. + +The maledictions and curses of these unfortunate people followed across +the ocean the thief whose modern culture and progressive humanity did +not hinder him from committing a crime which no Christian can be guilty +of without losing his claim to the title. Carl, however, still +continues to pass for a man of culture and humanity notwithstanding his +deed. And why should he not, since without faith in the Deity moral +obligations do not exist, and consequently every species of crime is +allowable? The old gentleman Greifmann died shortly after his ruin; +Louise lost her mind. + +My father felt the misfortune of the Greifmanns deeply, without, +however, regretting in the smallest degree the wise determination which +their godless principles and actions had driven him to. Formerly he +could never find time to take part in the elections. But now he is +constantly speaking about the duty of every respectable man to oppose +the infernal machinations and plans of would-be progress. He intends at +the next election to use all his influence for the election of +conscientious deputies, so that the evil may be put an end to which +consists in trying to undermine the foundations of society. + +Accept, dear sir, the assurance of the esteem with which I have the +honor to be + + Your most obedient servant, + Seraphin Gerlach. + +Chateau Hallberg, Jan. 4, 1872. + + + +FOOTNOTE TO THE PROGRESSIONISTS. + +[Footnote 1: Proverbs vi., vii.] + + + + + + + ANGELA. + + + + + + + A N G E L A. + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF + + + CONRAD VON BOLANDEN. + + + * * * * * + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + CRINOLINE. + + +An express train was just on the eve of leaving the railway station in +Munich. Two fashionably dressed gentlemen stood at the open door of a +railway carriage, in conversation with a third, who sat within. These +two young men bore on their features the marks of youthful dissipation, +indicating that they had not been sparing of pleasures. The one in the +carriage had a handsome, florid countenance, two clear, expressive +eyes, and thick locks of hair, which he now and then stroked back from +his fine forehead. He scarcely observed the conversation of the two +friends, who spoke of balls, dogs, horses, theatres, and ballet-girls. + +In the same carriage sat another traveller, evidently the father of the +young man. He was reading the newspaper--that is the report of the +money market--while his fleshy left hand dallied with the heavy gold +rings of his watch-chain. He had paid no attention to the conversation +till an observation of his son brought him to serious reflection. + +"By the bye," said one of the young men quickly, "I was nearly +forgetting to tell you the news, Richard! Do you know that Baron Linden +is engaged?" + +"Engaged? To whom?" said Richard carelessly. + +"To Bertha von Harburg. I received a card this morning, and immediately +wrote a famous letter of congratulation." + +Richard looked down earnestly, and shook his head. + +"I commiserate the genial baron," said he. "What could he be thinking +of, to rush headlong into this misfortune?" + +The father looked in surprise at his son; the hand holding the paper +sank on his knee. + +"Permit me, gentlemen," said the conductor; the doors were closed, the +friends nodded good-by, and the train moved off. + +"Your observation about Linden's marriage astonishes me, Richard. But +perhaps you were only jesting." + +"By no means," said Richard. "Never more earnest in my life. I +expressed my conviction, and my conviction is the result of careful +observation and mature reflection." + +The father's astonishment increased. + +"Observation--reflection--fudge!" said the father impatiently, as he +folded the paper and shoved it into his pocket. "How can a young man of +twenty-two talk of experience and observation! Enthusiastic nonsense! +Marriage is a necessity of human life. And you will yet submit to this +necessity." + +"True, if marriage be a necessity, then I suppose I must bow to the +yoke of destiny. But, father, this necessity does not exist. There are +intelligent men enough who do not bind themselves to woman's caprices." + +"Oh! certainly, there are some strange screech-owls in the world---some +enthusiasts. But certainly you do not wish to be one of them. You, who +have such great expectations. You, the only son of a wealthy house. +You, who have a yearly income of thousands to spend." + +"The income can be enjoyed more pleasantly, free and single, father." + +"Free and single--and enjoyed! Zounds! you almost tempt me to think ill +of you. Happily, I know you well. I know your strict morality, your +solidity, your moderate pretensions. All these amiable qualities please +me. But this view of marriage I did not expect; you must put away this +sickly notion." + +The young man made no answer, but leaned back in his seat with a +disdainful smile. + +Herr Frank gazed thoughtfully through the window. He reflected on the +determined character of his son, whose disposition, even when a child, +shut him out from the world, and who led an interior, meditative life. +Strict regularity and exact employment of time were natural to him. At +school, he held the first place in all branches. His ambition and +effort were to excel all others in knowledge. His singular questions, +which indicated a keen observation and capacity, had often excited the +surprise of his father. And while the companions of the youth hailed +with delight the time which released them from the benches of the +school and from their studies, Richard cheerfully bound himself to his +accustomed task, to appease his longing for knowledge. Approaching +manhood had not changed him in this regard. He was punctual to the +hours of business, and labored with zeal and interest, to the great joy +of his father. He recreated himself with music and, painting, or by a +walk in the open country, for whose beauties he had a keen +appreciation. The few shades of his character were, a proud +haughtiness, an unyielding perseverance in his determinations, and a +strength of conviction difficult to overcome. But perhaps these shades +were, after all, great qualities, which were to brighten up and polish +his maturity. This obstinacy the father was now considering, and, in +reference to his singular view of marriage, it filled him with great +anxiety. + +"But, Richard," began Herr Frank again, "how did you come to this +singular conclusion?" + +"By observation, and reflection--and also by experience, although you +deny my years this right." + +"What have you experienced and observed?" + +"I have observed woman as she is, and found that such a creature would +only make me miserable. What occupies their minds? Fineries, pleasures; +and trifles. The pivot of their existence turns on dress, ornaments, +balls, and the like. We live in an age of crinoline, and you know how I +abominate that dress; I admit my aversion is abnormal, perhaps +exaggerated, but I cannot overcome it. When I see a woman going through +the streets with swelling hoops, the most whimsical fancies come into +my mind. It reminds me of an inflated balloon, whose clumsy swell +disfigures the most beautiful form. It reminds me of a drunken gawk, +who swaggers along and carries the foolish gewgaw for a show. The +costume is indeed expressive. It reveals the interior disposition. +Crinoline is to me the type of the woman of our day--an empty, vain, +inflated something. And this type repels me." + +"Then you believe our women to be vain, pleasure-seeking, and destitute +of true womanhood, because they wear crinoline?" + +"No, the reverse. An overweening propensity to show and frivolity +characterizes our women, and therefore they wear crinoline in spite of +the protestations of the men." + +"Bah! Nonsense; you lay too much stress on fashion. I know many women +myself who complain of this fashion." + +"And afterward follow it. This precisely confirms my opinion. Women +have no longer sufficient moral force to disregard a disagreeable +restraint. Their vanity is still stronger than their inclinations to a +natural enjoyment of life." + +"Do you want a wife who would be sparing and saving; who, by her +frugality, would increase your wealth; who, by her social seclusion, +would not molest your cash-box?" + +"No; I want no wife," answered the young man, somewhat pettishly. "And +I am not alone in this. The young men are beginning to awaken. A sound, +natural feeling revolts against the vitiated taste of the women. +Alliances are forming everywhere. The last paper announced that, at +Marseilles, six thousand young men have, with joined hands, vowed never +to marry until the women renounce their ruinous costumes and costly +idleness, and return to a plain style of dress and frugal habits. I +object to this propensity to ease and pleasure--this desire of our +women for finery and the gratification of vanity. Not because this +inclination is expensive, but because it is objectionable. Every +creature has an object. But, if we consider the women of our day, we +might well ask, for what are they here? + +"For what are women here, foolish man?" interrupted Herr Frank. "Are +they to go about without any costume, like Eve before the fall? Are +they to know the trials of life, and not its joys? Are they to exist +like the women of the sultan, shut up in a harem? For what are they +here? I will tell you. They are here to make life cheerful. Does not +Schiller say, + + "'Honor to woman! she scatters rife + Heavenly roses, 'mid earthly life; + Love she weaves in gladdening bands; + Chastity's veil her charm attires; + Beautiful thoughts' eternal fires, + Watchful, she feeds with holy hands.'" + +Richard smiled. + +"Poetical fancy!" said he. "My unhappy friend Emil Schlagbein often +declaimed and sang with passion that same poem of Schiller's. Love +had even made a poet of him. He wrote verses to his Ida. And now, +scarcely three years married, he is the most miserable man in the +world--miserable through his wife. Ida has still the same finely carved +head as formerly; but that head, to the grief of Emil, is full of +stubbornness--full of whimsical nonsense. Her eyes have still the same +deep blue; but the charming expression has changed, and the blue not +unfrequently indicates a storm. How often has Emil poured out his +sorrows to me! How often complained of the coldness of his wife! A ball +missed--missed from necessity--makes her stupid and sulky for days. In +vain he seeks a cheerful look. When he returns home worried by the +cares of business, he finds no consolation in Ida's sympathy, but is +vexed by her stubbornness and offended by her coldness. Emil sprang +headlong into misery. I will beware of such a step." + +"You are unjust and prejudiced. Must all women, then, be Ida +Schlagbeins?" + +"Perhaps my Ida might be still worse," retorted Richard sharply. + +Herr Frank drummed on his knees, always a sign of displeasure. + +"I tell you, Richard," said he emphatically. "Your time will come yet. +You will follow the universal law, and this law will give the lie to +your one-sided view--to your contempt of woman." + +"That impulse, father, can be overcome, and habit becomes a second +nature. Besides--" + +"Besides--well, what besides?" + +"I would say that the time of which you speak is, in my case, happily +passed," answered Richard, still gazing through the window. "For me the +time of sentimental delusion has been short and decisive," he concluded +with a bitter smile. + +"Can I, your father, ask a clearer explanation?" + +The young man leaned back in his seat and looked at the opposite side +while he spoke. + +"Last summer I visited Baden-Baden. On old Mount Eberstein, which is so +picturesquely enthroned above the village, I fell in with a party. +Among the number was a young lady of rare beauty and great modesty. An +acquaintance gave me an opportunity of being introduced to her. We sat +in pleasant conversation under the black oaks until the approaching +twilight compelled us to return to the town. Isabella--such was the +name of the beauty--had made a deep impression on me. So deep that even +the detested crinoline that encircled her person in large hoops found +favor in my sight. Her manner was in no wise coquettish. She spoke with +deliberation and spirit. Her countenance had always the same +expression. Only when the young people, into whose heads the fiery wine +had risen, gave expression to sharp words, did Isabella look up and a +displeased expression, as of injured delicacy, passed over her +countenance. My presence seemed agreeable to her. My conversation may +have pleased her. As we descended the mountain, we came to a difficult +pass. I offered her my arm, which she took in the same unchanging, +quiet manner which made her so charming in my sight. I soon discovered +my affection for the stranger, and wondered how it could arise so +suddenly and become so impetuous. I was ashamed at abandoning so +quickly my opinion of women. But this feeling was not strong enough to +stifle the incipient passion. My mind lay captive in the fetters of +infatuation." + +He paused for a moment. The proud young man seemed to reproach himself +for his conduct, which he considered wanting in manly independence and +clear penetration. + +"On the following day," he continued, "there was to be a horse-race in +the neighborhood. Before we parted, it was arranged that we would be +present at it. I returned to my room in the hotel, and dreamed waking +dreams of Isabella. My friend had told me that she was the daughter of +a wealthy merchant, and that she had accompanied her invalid mother +here. This mark of love and filial affection was not calculated to cool +my ardor. Isabella appeared more beautiful and more charming still. We +went to the race. I had the unspeakable happiness of being in the same +car and sitting opposite her. After a short journey--to me, at least, +it seemed short--we arrived at the grounds where the race was to take +place. We ascended the platform. I sat at Isabella's side. She did not +for a moment lose her quiet equanimity. The race began. I saw little of +it, for Isabella was constantly before my eyes, look where I would. +Suddenly a noise--a loud cry--roused me from my dream. Not twenty paces +from where we sat, a horse had fallen. The rider was under him. The +floundering animal had crushed both legs of the unfortunate man. Even +now I can see his frightfully distorted features before me. I feared +that Isabella's delicate sensibility might be wounded by the horrible +sight. And when I looked at her, what did I see? A smiling face! She +had lost her quiet, weary manner, and a hard, unfeeling soul lighted up +her features! + +"'Do you not think this change in the monotony of the race quite +magnificent?' said she. + +"I made no answer. With an apology, I left the party and returned alone +to Baden." + +"Very well," said the father, "your Isabella was an unfeeling +creature--granted. But now for your application of this experience." + +"We will let another make the application, father. Listen a moment. In +Baden a bottle of Rhine wine, whose spirit is so congenial to sad and +melancholy feelings, served to obliterate the desolate remembrance. I +sat in the almost deserted dining-room. The guests were at the theatre, +on excursions in the neighborhood, or dining about the park. An old man +sat opposite me. I remarked that his eyes, when he thought himself +unobserved, were turned inquiringly on me. The sudden cooling of my +passion had perhaps left some marks upon me. The stranger believed, +perhaps, that I was an unlucky and desperate player. A player I had +indeed been. I had been about to stake my happiness on a beautiful +form. But I had won the game. + +"The wine soon cheered me up and I entered into conversation with the +stranger. We spoke of various things, and finally of the race. As there +was a friendly, confiding expression in the old man's countenance, I +related to him the unhappy fall of the rider, and dwelt sharply on the +impression the hideous spectacle made on Isabella. I told him that such +a degree of callousness and insensibility was new to me, and that this +sad experience had shocked me greatly. + +"'This comes,' said he, 'from permitting yourself to be deceived by +appearances, and because you do not know certain classes of society. If +you consider the beautiful Isabella with sensual eyes, you will run +great danger of taking appearances for truth--the false for the real. +Even the plainest exterior is often only sham. Painted cheeks, colored +eyebrows, false hair, false teeth; and even if these forms were not +false, but true--if you penetrate these forms, if, under the constraint +of graceful repose, we see modesty, purity, and even humility--there is +then still greater danger of deception. A wearied, enervated nature, +nerves blunted by the enjoyment of all kinds of pleasures, are +frequently all that remains of womanly nature. + +"'Do you wish to see striking examples of this? Go into the gaming +saloons--into, those horrible places where fearful and consuming +passions seethe; where desperation and suicide lurk. Go into the +corrupt, poisonous atmosphere of those gambling hells, and there you +will find women every day and every hour. Whence this disgusting sight? +The violent excitement of gambling alone can afford sufficient +attraction for those who have been sated with all kinds of pleasures. +Is a criminal to be executed? I give you my word of honor that women +give thousands of francs to obtain the best place, where they can +contemplate more conveniently the shocking spectacle and read every +expression in the distorted features of the struggling malefactor. + +"'Isabella was one of these exhausted, enervated creatures, and hence +her pleasure at the sight of the mangled rider.' + +"Thus spoke the stranger, and I admitted that he was right. At the same +time I tried to penetrate deeper into this want of sensibility. Like a +venturesome miner, I descended into the psychological depth. I +shuddered at what I there discovered, and at the inferences which +Isabella's conduct forced upon my mind. No, father, no," said he +impetuously, "I will have no such nuptials--I will never rush into the +miseries of matrimony!" + +"Thunder and lightning! are you a man?" cried Herr Frank. "Because +Emil's wife and Isabella are good-for-nothings, must the whole sex be +repudiated? Both cases are exceptions. These exceptions give you no +right to judge unfavorably of all women. This prejudice does no honor +to your good sense, Richard. It is only eccentricity can judge thus." + +The train stopped. The travellers went out, where a carriage awaited +them. + +"Is everything right?" said Herr Frank to the driver. + +"All is fixed, sir, as you required," + +"Is the box of books taken out?" + +"Yes, sir." + +The coach moved up the street. The dark mountain-side rose into view, +and narrow, deep valleys yawned beneath the travellers. Fresh currents +of air rushed down the mountain and Herr Frank inhaled refreshing +draughts. + +Richard gazed thoughtfully over the magnificent vineyards and luxuriant +orchards. + +The road grew steeper and the wooded summit of the mountain approached. +A light which Frank beheld with satisfaction glared out from it. Its +rays shot out upon the town that, amid rich vineyards, topped the +neighboring hill. + +"Our residence is beautifully located," said Herr Frank. "How cheerful +it looks up there! It is a home fit for princes." + +"You have indeed chosen a magnificent spot, father. Everything unites +to make Frankenhoehe a delightful place. The vineyards on the slopes of +the hills, the smiling hamlet of Salingen to the right. In the +background the stern mountain with its proud ruins on the summit of +Salburg, the deep valleys and the dark ravines, all unite in the +landscape: to the east that beautiful plain." + +These words pleased the father. His eyes rested long on the beautiful +property. + +"You have forgotten a reason for my happy choice," said he, while a +smile played on his features. "I mean the habit of my friend and +deliverer, who, for the last eight years, spends the month of May at +Frankenhoehe. You know the singular character of the doctor. Nothing in +the world can tear him from his books. He has renounced all pleasure +and enjoyment, to devote his whole time to his books. When Frankenhoehe +entices and captivates the man of science, so strict, so dead to the +world, it is, as I think, the highest compliment to our place." + +Richard did not question his father's opinion. He knew his unbounded +esteem for the learned doctor. + +The road grew steeper and steeper. The horses labored slowly along. The +pleasant hamlet of Salingen lay a short distance to the left. A single +house, separated from the village, and standing near the road in the +midst of vineyards, came into view. The features of Herr Frank darkened +as he turned his gaze from Frankenhoehe to this house. It was as though +some unpleasant recollection was associated with it. Richard looked at +the stately mansion, the large out-houses, the walled courts, and saw +that everything about it was neat and clean. + +"This must be a wealthy proprietor or influential landlord who lives +here," said Richard. "I have indeed seen this place in former years, +but it did not interest me. How inviting and pleasant it looks. The +property must have undergone considerable change; at least, I remember +nothing that indicated the place to be other than an ordinary +farmhouse." + +Herr Frank did not hear these observations. He muttered some bitter +imprecation. The coach gained the summit, left the road, and passed +through vineyards and chestnut groves to the house. + +Frankenhoehe was a handsome two-story house whose arrangements +corresponded to Frank's taste and means. Near it stood another, +occupied by the steward. A short distance from it were stables and +out-houses for purposes of agriculture. + +Herr Frank went directly to the house, and passed from room to room to +see if his instructions had been carried out. + +Richard went into the garden and walked on paths covered with yellow +sand. He strolled about among flower-beds that loaded the air with +agreeable odors. He examined the blooming dwarf fruit-trees and +ornamental plants. He observed the neatness and exact order of +everything. Lastly, he stood near the vineyard whence he could behold +an extensive view. He admired the beautiful, fragrant landscape. He +stood thoughtfully reflecting. His conversation made it evident to him +that his feelings and will did not agree with his father's wishes. He +saw that between his inclinations and his love for his father he must +undergo a severe struggle--a struggle that must decide his happiness +for life. The strangeness of his opinion of women did not escape him. +He tested his experience. He tried to justify his convictions, and yet +his father's claims and filial duty prevailed. + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + THE WEATHER-CROSS. + + +The next morning Richard was out with the early larks, and returned +after a few hours in a peculiar frame of mind. As he was entering his +room, he saw through the open door his father standing in the saloon. +Herr Frank was carefully examining the arrangements, as the servants +were carrying books into the adjoining room and placing them in a +bookcase. Richard, as he passed, greeted his father briefly, contrary +to his usual custom. At other times he used to exchange a few words +with his father when he bid him good-morning, and he let no occasion +pass of giving his opinion on any matter in which he knew his father +took an interest. + +The young man walked to the open window of his room, and gazed into the +distance. He remained motionless for a time. He ran his fingers through +his hair, and with a jerk of the head threw the brown locks back from +his forehead. He walked restlessly back and forth, and acted like a man +who tries in vain to escape from thoughts that force themselves upon +him. At length he went to the piano, and beat an impetuous impromptu on +the keys. + +"Ei, Richard!" cried Herr Frank, whom the wild music had brought to his +side. "Why, you rave! How possessed! One would think you had discovered +a roaring cataract in the mountains, and wished to imitate its +violence." + +Richard glanced quickly at his father, and finished with a tender, +plaintive melody. + +"Come over here and look at the rooms." + +Richard followed his father and examined carelessly the elegant rooms, +and spoke a few cold words of commendation. + +"And what do you say to this flora?" said Herr Frank pointing to a +stepped framework on which bloomed the most beautiful and rare flowers. + +"All very beautiful, father. The doctor will be much pleased, as he +always is here." + +"I wish and hope so. I have had the peacocks and turkeys sent away, +because Klingenberg cannot endure their noise. The library here will +always be his favorite object, and care has been taken with it. Here +are the best books on all subjects, even theology and astronomy." + +"Frankenhoehe is indeed cheerful as the heart of youth and quiet as a +cloister," said Richard "Your friend would indeed be ungrateful if this +attention did not gratify him." + +"I have also provided that excellent wine which he loves and enjoys as +a healthful medicine. But, Richard, you know Klingenberg's +peculiarities. You must not play as you did just now; you would drive +the doctor from the house." + +"Make yourself easy about that, father; I will play while he is on the +mountain." + +Richard took a book from the shelf, and glanced over it. Herr Frank +left him, and he immediately replaced the book and returned to his own +room. There he wrote in his diary: + + +"12th of May.--Man is too apt to be led by his inclination. And what is +inclination? A feeling caused by external impressions, or superinduced +by a disposition of the body. Inclination, therefore, is something +inimical to intellectual life. A vine that threatens to overgrow and +smother clear conviction. Never act from inclination, if you do not +wish to be unfaithful to conviction and guilty o a weakness." + + +He went into the garden, where he talked to the gardener about trees +and flowers. + +"Are you acquainted in Salingen, John?" + +"Certainly, sir. I was born there." + +"Do strangers sometimes come there to stop and enjoy the beautiful +neighborhood?" + +"Oh! no, sir; there is no suitable hotel there--only plain taverns; and +people of quality would not stop at them." + +"Are there people of rank in Salingen?" + +"Only farmers, sir. But--stay. The rich Siegwart appears to be such, +and his children are brought up in that manner." + +"Has Siegwart many children?" + +"Four--two boys and two girls. One son is at college. The other takes +care of the estate, and is at home. The oldest daughter has been at the +convent for three years. She is now nineteen years old. The second is +still a child." + +Richard went further into the garden; he looked over at Salingen, and +then at the mountains. His eye followed a path that went winding up the +mountain like a golden thread and led to the top. Then his eye rested +for a time on a particular spot in that yellow path. Richard remained +taciturn and reserved the rest of the day. He sat in his room and tried +to read, but the subject did not interest him. He often looked dreamily +from the book. He finally arose, took his hat and cane, and was soon +lost in the mountain. The next morning Richard went to the borders of +the forest, and looked frequently over at Salingen as it lay in rural +serenity before him. The pleasant hamlet excited his interest. He then +turned to the right and pursued the yellow path which he had examined +the day before, up the mountain. The birds sang in the bushes, and on +the branches of the tallest oak perched the black-bird whose morning +hymn echoed far and wide. The sweet notes of the nightingale joined in +the general concert, and the shrill piping of the hawk struck in +discordantly with the varied and beautiful song. Even unconscious +nature displayed her beauties. The dew hung in great drops on the +grass-blades and glittered like so many brilliants, and wild flowers +loaded the air with sweet perfumes. Richard saw little of these +beauties of spring. He ascended still higher. His mind seemed agitated +and burdened. He had just turned a bend in the road when he saw a +female figure approaching. His cheeks grew darker as his eyes rested on +the approaching figure. He gazed in the distance, and a disdainful +flush overspread his face. He approached her as he would approach an +enemy whose power he had felt, and whom he wished to conciliate. + +She was within fifty paces of him. Her blue dress fell in heavy folds +about her person. The ribbons of her straw bonnet, that hung on her +arm, fluttered in the breeze. In her left hand she held a bunch of +flowers. On her right arm hung a silk mantle, which the mild air had +rendered unnecessary. Her full, glossy hair was partly in a silk net +and partly plaited over the forehead and around the head, as is +sometimes seen with children. Her countenance was exquisitely +beautiful, and her light eyes now rested full and clear on the stranger +who approached her. She looked at him with the easy, natural +inquisitiveness of a child, surprised to meet such an elegant gentleman +in this place. + +Frank looked furtively at her, as though he feared the fascinating +power of the vision that so lightly and gracefully passed him. He +raised his hat stiffly and formally. This was necessary to meet the +requirement of etiquette. Were it not, he would perhaps have passed her +by without a salutation. She did not return his greeting with a stiff +bow, but with a friendly "good-morning;" and this too in a voice whose +sweetness, purity, and melody harmonized with the beautiful echoes of +the morning. + +Frank moved on hastily for some distance. He was about to look back, +but did not do so; and continued on his way, with contracted brows, +till a turn in the road hid her from his view. Here he stopped and +wiped the sweat from his forehead. His heart beat quickly, and he was +agitated by strong, emotions. He stood leaning on his cane and gazing +into the shadows of the forest. He then continued thoughtfully, and +ascended some hundred feet higher till he gained the top of the +mountain. The tall trees ceased; a variegated copsewood crowned the +summit, which formed a kind of platform. Human hands had levelled the +ground, and on the moss that covered it grew modest little violets. +Near the border of the platform stood a stone cross of rough material. +Near this cross lay the fragments of another large rock, that might +have been shattered by lightning years before. A few steps back of +this, on two square blocks of stone, stood a statue of the Virgin and +Child, of white stone very carefully wrought, but without much art. The +Virgin had a crown of roses on her head. The Child held a little bunch +of forget-me-nots in its hand, and as it held them out seemed to say, +"Forget me not." Two heavy vases that could not be easily overturned by +the wind, standing on the upper block, also contained flowers. All +these flowers were quite fresh, as if they had just been placed there. + +Richard examined these things, and wondered what they, meant in this +solitude of the mountain. The fresh flowers and the cleanliness of the +statue, on which no dust or moss could be seen, indicated a careful +keeper. He thought of the young woman whom he met. He had seen the same +kind of flowers in her hand, and doubtless she was the devotee of the +place. + +Scarcely had his thoughts taken this direction when he turned away and +walked to the border of the plot; and gazed at the country before him. +He looked down toward Frankenhoehe, whose white chimneys appeared above +the chestnut grove. He contemplated the plains with their luxuriant +fields reflecting every shade of green--the strips of forests that lay +like shadows in the sunny plain--numberless hamlets with church towers +whose gilded crosses gleamed in the sun. He gazed in the distance where +the mountain ranges vanished in the mist, and long he enjoyed the +magnificence of the view. He was aroused from his dreamy contemplation +by the sound of footsteps behind him. + +An old man with a load of wood on his shoulders came up to the place. +Breathing heavily, he threw down the wood and wiped the sweat from his +face. He saw the stranger, and respectfully touched his cap as he sat +down on the wood. + +Frank went to him. + +"You are from Salingen, I suppose," he began. + +"Yes, sir." + +"It is very hard for an old man like you to carry such a load so far." + +"It is indeed, but I am poor and must do it." + +Frank looked at the patched clothes of the old man, his coarse shoes, +his stockingless feet, and meagre body, and felt compassion for him. + +"For us poor people the earth bears but thistles and thorns." After a +pause, the old man continued, "We have to undergo many tribulations and +difficulties, and sometimes we even suffer from hunger. But thus it is +in the world. The good God will reward us in the next world for our +sufferings in this." + +These words sounded strangely to Richard. Raised as he was in the midst +of wealth, and without contact with poverty, he had never found +occasion to consider the lot of the poor; and now the resignation of +the old man, and his hope in the future, seemed strange to him. He was +astonished that religion could have such power--so great and strong--to +comfort the poor in the miseries of a hopeless, comfortless life. + +"But what if your hope in another world deceive you?" + +The old man looked at him with astonishment. + +"How can I be deceived? God is faithful. He keeps his promises." + +"And what has he promised you?" + +"Eternal happiness if I persevere, patient and just, to the end." + +"I wonder at your strong faith!" + +"It is my sole possession on earth. What would support us poor people, +what would keep us from despair, if religion did not?" + +Frank put his hand into his pocket, + +"Here," said he, "perhaps this money will relieve your wants." + +The old man looked at the bright thalers in his hand, and the tears +trickled down his cheeks. + +"This is too much, sir; I cannot receive six thalers from you." + +"That is but a trifle for me; put it in your pocket, and say no more +about it." + +"May God reward and bless you a thousand times for it!" + +"What does that cross indicate?" + +"That is a weather cross, sir. We have a great deal of bad weather to +fear. We have frequent storms here, in summer; they hang over the +mountain and rage terribly. Every ravine becomes a torrent that dashes +over the fields, hurling rocks and sand from the mountain. Our fields +are desolated and destroyed. The people of Salingen placed that cross +there against the weather. In spring the whole community come here in +procession and pray God to protect them from the storms." + +Richard reflected on this phenomenon; the confidence of these simple +people in the protection of God, whose omnipotence must intervene +between the remorseless elements and their victims, appeared to him as +the highest degree of simplicity. But he kept his thoughts to himself, +for he respected the religious sentiments of the old man, and would not +hurt his feelings. + +"And the Virgin, why is she there?" + +"Ah! that is a wonderful story, sir," he answered, apparently wishing +to evade an explanation. + +"Which every one ought not to know?" + +"Well--but perhaps the gentleman would laugh, and I would not like +that!" + +"Why do you think I would laugh at the story?" + +"Because you are a gentleman of quality, and from the city, and such +people do not believe any more in miracles." + +This observation of rustic sincerity was not pleasing to Frank. It +expressed the opinion that the higher classes ignore faith in the +supernatural. + +"If I promise you not to laugh, will you tell me the story?" + +"I will; you were kind to me, and you can ask the story of me. About +thirty years ago," began the old man after a pause, "there lived a +wealthy farmer at Salingen whose name was Schenck. Schenck was young. +He married a rich maiden and thereby increased his property. But +Schenck had many great faults. He did not like to work and look after +his fields. He let his servants do as they pleased, and his fields +were, of course, badly worked and yielded no more than half a crop. +Schenck sat always in the tavern, where he drank and played cards and +dice. Almost every night he came home drunk. Then he would quarrel with +his wife, who reproached him. He abused her, swore wickedly, and +knocked everything about the room, and behaved very badly altogether. +Schenck sank lower and lower, and became at last a great sot. His +property was soon squandered. He sold one piece after another, and when +he had no more property to sell, he took it into his head to sell +himself to the devil for money. He went one night to a cross-road, and +called the devil, but the devil would not come; perhaps because Schenck +belonged to him already, for the Scripture says, 'A drunkard cannot +enter the kingdom of heaven.' At last a suit was brought against him, +and the last of his property was sold, and he was driven from his home. +This hurt Schenck very much, for he always had a certain kind of pride. +He thought of the past times when he was rich and respected, and now he +had lost all respect with his neighbors. He thought of his wife and his +four children, whom he had made poor and miserable. All this drove him +to despair. He determined to put an end to himself. He bought a rope +and came up here one morning to hang himself. He tied the rope to an +arm of the cross, and had his head in the noose, when all at once he +remembered that he had not yet said his three 'Hail! Marys.' His mother +who was dead had accustomed him, when a child, to say every day three +'Hail! Marys.' Schenck had never neglected this practice for a single +day. Then he took his head out of the noose and said, 'Well, as I have +said the "Hail! Marys" every day, I will say them also to-day, for the +last time.' He knelt down before the cross and prayed. When he was +done, he stood up to hang himself. But he had scarcely stood on his +feet when he was snatched up by a whirlwind and carried through the air +till he was over a vineyard, where he fell without hurting himself. As +he stood up, an ugly man stood before him and said, 'This time you have +escaped me, but the next time I will get you.' The ugly man had horses' +hoofs in place of feet, and wore green clothes. He disappeared before +Schenck's eyes. Schenck swears that this ugly man was the devil. He +declares also that he has to thank the Mother of God, through whose +intercession he escaped the claws of the devil. Schenck had that statue +placed there in memory of his wonderful escape--that is why the Mother +of God is there." + +"A wonderful story indeed!" said Richard. "Although I do not laugh as +you see, yet I must assure that I do not believe the story." + +"I thought so," answered the old man. "But you can ask Schenck himself. +He is still living, and is now seventy. Since that day he has changed +entirely. He drinks nothing but water. He never enters a tavern, but +goes every day to church. From that time to this Schenck has very +industrious, and has saved a nice property." + +"That the drunkard reformed is most remarkable and best part of the +story," said Frank. "Drunkards very seldom reform. But," continued he +smiling, "the devil acted very stupidly in the affair. He should have +known that his appearance would have made a deep impression on the man, +and that he would not let himself be caught a second time." + +"That is true," said the old man. "I believe the devil was forced to +appear and speak so." + +"Forced? By whom?" + +"By Him before whom the devils believe and tremble. Schenck was to +understand that God delivered on account of his pious custom, and the +devil had to tell him his would not happen a second time." + +"How prudent you are in your superstition!" said Frank. + +"As the gentleman has been kind, it hurts me to hear him speak so." + +"Now," said Richard quickly, "I would not hurt your feelings. One may +be a good Christian without believing fables. And the flowers near the +statue. Has Schenck placed them there too?" + +"Oh! no--the Angel did that." + +"The Angel. Who is that?" said Frank, surprised. + +"The Angel of Salingen--Siegwart's angel." + +"Ah! angel is Angela, is it not?" + +"So she may be called. In Salingen they call her only Angel. And she is +indeed as lovely, good, and beautiful as an angel. She has a heart for +the poor, and she gives with an open hand and a smiling face that does +one good. She is like her father, who gives me as many potatoes as I +want, and seed for my little patch of ground." + +"Why does Angela decorate this statue?" + +"I do not know; perhaps she does it through devotion." + +"The flowers are quite fresh; does she come here every day?" + +"Every day during the month of May, and no longer." + +"Why no longer?" + +"I do not know the reason; she has done so for the last two years, +since she came home from the convent, and she will do so this year." + +"As Siegwart is so good to the poor, he must be rich." + +"Very rich--you can see from his house. Do you see that fine building +there next to the road? That is the residence of Herr Siegwart." + +It was the same building that had arrested Richard's attention as he +passed it some days before, and the sight of which had excited the +ill-humor of his father. Richard returned by a shorter way to +Frankenhoehe. He was serious and meditative. Arrived at home, he wrote +in his diary: + + +"May 13th.--Well, I have seen her. She exhibits herself as the 'Angel +of Salingen.' She is extremely beautiful. She is full of amiability and +purity of character. And to-day she did not wear that detestable +crinoline. But she will have other foibles in place of it. She +will, in some things at least, yield to the superficial tendencies of +her sex. Isabella was an ideal, until she descended from the height +where my imagination, deceived by her charms, had placed her. The +impression which Angela's appearance produced has rests on the same +foundation--deception. A better acquaintance will soon discover this. +Curious! I long to become better acquainted! + +"Religion is not a disease or hallucination, as many think. It is a +power. Religion teaches the poor to bear their hard lot with patience. +It comforts and keeps them from despair. It directs their attention to +an eternal reward, and this hope compensates them for all the +afflictions and miseries of this life. Without religion, human society +would fall to pieces." + + +A servant entered, and announced dinner. + +"Ah Richard!" said Herr Frank good-humoredly. "Half an hour late for +dinner, and had to be called! That is strange; I do not remember such a +thing to have happened before. You are always as punctual as a +repeater." + +"I was in the mountain and had just returned." + +"No excuse, my son. I am glad the neighborhood diverts you, and that +you depart a little from your regularity. Now everything is in good +order, as I desired, for my friend and deliverer. I have just received +a letter from him. He will be here in two days. I shall be glad to see +the good man again. If Frankenhoehe will only please him for a long +time!" + +"I have no doubt of that," said Richard. "The doctor will be received +like a friend, treated like a king, and will live here like Adam and +Eve in paradise." + +"Everything will go on as formerly. I will be coming and going on +account of business. You will, of course, remain uninterruptedly at +Frankenhoehe. You are high in the doctor's esteem. You interest him very +much. It is true you annoy him sometimes with your unlearned objections +and bold assertions. But I have observed that even vexation, when it +comes from you, is not disagreeable to him." + +"But the poor should not annoy him with their sick," said Richard. "He +never denies his services to the poor, as he never grants them to the +rich. Indeed, I have sometimes observed that he tears himself from his +books with the greatest reluctance, and it is not without an effort +that he does it." + +"But we cannot change it," said Herr Frank; "we cannot send the poor +away without deeply offending Klingenberg. But I esteem him the more +for his generosity." + +After dinner the father and son went into the garden and talked of +various matters; suddenly Richard stopped and pointing over to +Salingen, said, + +"I passed to-day that neat building that stands near the road. Who +lives there?" + +"There lives the noble and lordly Herr Siegwart," said Herr Frank +derisively. + +His tone surprised Richard. He was not accustomed to hear his father +speak thus. + +"Is Siegwart a noble?" + +"Not in the strict sense. But he is the ruler of Salingen. He rules in +that town, as absolutely as princes formerly did in their kingdoms." + +"What is the cause of his influence?" + +"His wealth, in the first place; secondly, his charity; and lastly, his +cunning." + +"You are not favorable to him?" + +"No, indeed! The Siegwart family is excessively ultramontane and +clerical. You know I cannot endure these narrow prejudices and this +obstinate adherence to any form of religion. Besides, I have a +particular reason for disagreement with Siegwart, of which I need not +now speak." + +"Excessively ultramontane and clerical!" thought Richard, as he went to +his room. "Angela is undoubtedly educated in this spirit. Stultifying +confessionalism and religious narrow-mindedness have no doubt cast a +deep shadow over the 'angel.' Now--patience; the deception will soon +banish." + +He took up Schlosser's History, and read a long time. But his eyes +wandered from the page, and his thoughts soon followed. + +The next morning at the same hour Richard went to the weather cross. He +took the same road and again he met Angela; she had the same blue +dress, the same straw hat on her arm, and flowers in her hand. She +beheld him with the same clear eyes, with the same unconstrained +manner--only, as he thought, more charming--as on the first day. He +greeted her coolly and formally, as before. She thanked him with the +same affability. Again the temptation came over him to look back at +her; again he overcame it. When he came to the statue, he found fresh +flowers in the vases. The child Jesus had fresh forget-me-nots in his +hand, and the Mother had a crown of fresh roses on her head. On the +upper stone lay a book, bound in blue satin and clasped with a silver +clasp. When he took it up, he found beneath it a rosary made of an +unknown material, and having a gold cross fastened at the end. He +opened the book. The passage that had been last read was marked with a +silk ribbon. It was as follows: + + +"My son, trust not thy present affection; it will be quickly changed +into another. As long as thou livest thou art subject to change, even +against thy will; so as to be sometimes joyful, at other times sad; now +easy, now troubled; at one time devout, at another dry; sometimes +fervent, at other times sluggish; one day heavy, another day lighter. +But he that is wise and well instructed in spirit stands above all +these changes, not minding what he feels in himself, nor on what side +the wind of instability blows; but that the whole bent of his soul may +advance toward its due and wished-for end; for thus he may continue one +and the self-same without being shaken, by directing without ceasing, +through all this variety of events, the single eye of his intention +toward me. And by how much more pure the eye of the intention is, with +so much greater constancy mayest thou pass through these divers storms. + +"But in many the eye of pure intention is dark; for men quickly look +toward something delightful that comes in their way. And it is rare to +find one who is wholly free from all blemish of self-seeking." + + +Frank remembered having written about the same thoughts in his diary. +But here they were conceived in another and deeper sense. + +He read the title of the book. It was _The Following of Christ_. + +He copied the title in his pocketbook. He then with a smile examined +the rosary, for he was not without prejudice against this kind of +prayer. + +He had no doubt Angela had left these things here, and he thought it +would be proper to return them to the owner. He came slowly down the +mountain reading the book. It was clear to him that _The Following of +Christ_ was a book full of very earnest and profound reflections. And +he wondered how so young a woman could take any interest in such +serious reading. He was convinced that all the ladies he knew would +throw such a book aside with a sneer, because its contents condemned +their lives and habits. Angela, then, must be of a different character +from all the ladies he knew, and he was very desirous of knowing better +this character of Angela. + +In a short time he entered the gate and passed through the yard to the +stately building where Herr Siegwart dwelt. He glanced hastily at the +long out-buildings--the large barns; at the polished cleanliness of the +paved court, the perfect order of every thing, and finally at the +ornamented mansion. Then he looked at the old lindens that stood near +the house, whose trunks were protected from injury by iron railings. In +the tops of these trees lodged a lively family of sparrows, who were at +present in hot contention, for they quarrelled and cried as loud and as +long as did formerly the lords in the parliament of Frankfort. The +beautiful garden, separated from the yard by a low wall covered with +white boards, did not escape him. Frank entered, upon a broad and very +clean path; as his feet touched the stone slabs, he heard, through the +open door, a low growl, and then a man's voice saying, "Quiet, Hector." + +Frank walked through the open door into a large room handsomely +furnished, and odoriferous with a multitude of flowers in vases. A man +in the prime of life sat on the sofa reading and smoking. He wore a +light-brown overcoat, brown trousers, and low, thick boots. He had a +fresh, florid complexion, red beard, blue eyes, and an expressive, +agreeable countenance. When Frank entered he arose, laid aside the +paper and cigar, and approached the visitor. + +"I found these things on the mountain near the weather-cross." said +Frank, after a more formal than affable bow. "As your daughter met me, +I presume they belong to her. I thought it my duty to return them." + +"These things certainly belong to my daughter," answered Herr Siegwart. +"You are very kind, sir. You have placed us under obligations to you." + +"I was passing this way," said Frank briefly. + +"And whom have we the honor to thank?" + +"I am Richard Frank." + +Herr Siegwart bowed. Frank noticed a slight embarrassment in his +countenance. He remembered the expressions his father had used in +reference to the Siegwart family, and it was clear to him that a +reciprocal ill feeling existed here. Siegwart soon resumed his friendly +manner, and invited him with much formality to the sofa. Richard felt +that he must accept the invitation at least for a few moments. Siegwart +sat on a chair in front of him, and they talked of various unimportant +matters. Frank admired the skill which enabled him to conduct, without +interruption, so pleasant a conversation with a stranger. + +While they were speaking, some house-swallows flew into the room. They +fluttered about without fear, sat on the open door, and joined their +cheerful twittering with the conversation of the men. Richard expressed +his admiration, and said he had never seen anything like it. + +"Our constant guests in summer," answered Siegwart. "They build their +nests in the hall, and as they rise earlier than we do, an opening is +left for them above the hall door, where they can go in and out +undisturbed when the doors are closed. Angela is in their confidence, +and on the best of terms with them. When rainy or cold days come during +breeding time they suffer from want of food. Angela is then their +procurator. I have often admired Angela's friendly intercourse with the +swallows, who perch upon her shoulders and hands." + +Richard looked indeed at the twittering swallows, but their friend +Angela passed before his eyes, so beautiful indeed that he no longer +heard what Siegwart was saying. + +He arose; Siegwart accompanied him. As they passed through the yard, +Frank observed the long row of stalls, and said, + +"You must have considerable stock?" + +"Yes, somewhat. If you would like to see the property, I will show you +around with pleasure." + +"I regret that I cannot now avail myself of your kindness; I shall do +so in a few days," answered Frank. + +"Herr Frank," said Siegwart, "may the accident which has given us the +pleasure of your agreeable visit, be the occasion of many visits in +future. I know that as usual you will spend the month of May at +Frankenhoehe. We are neighbors--this title, in my opinion, should +indicate a friendly intercourse." + +"Let it be understood, Herr Siegwart; I accept with pleasure your +invitation." + +On the way to Frankenhoehe Richard walked very slowly, and gazed into +the distance before him. He thought of the swallows that perched on +Angela's shoulders and hands. Their sweet notes still echoed in his +soul. + +The country-like quiet of Siegwart's house and the sweet peace that +pervaded it were something new to him. He thought of the simple +character of Siegwart, who, as his father said, was "ultramontane and +clerical," and whom he had represented to himself as a dark, reserved +man. He found nothing in the open, natural manner of the man to +correspond with his preconceived opinion of him. Richard concluded that +either Herr Siegwart was not an ultramontane, or the characteristics of +the ultramontanes, as portrayed in the free-thinking newspapers of the +day, were erroneous and false. + +Buried in such thoughts, he reached Frankenhoehe. As he passed through +the yard, he did not observe the carriage that stood there. But as he +passed under the window, he heard a loud voice, and some books were +thrown from the window and fell at his feet. He looked down in surprise +at the books, whose beautiful binding was covered with sand. He now +observed the coach, and smiled. + +"Ah! the doctor is here," said he. "He has thrown these unwelcome +guests out of the window. Just like him." + +He took up the books and read the titles, _Vogt's Pictures from Animal +Life_, _Vogt's Physiological Letters_, _Czolbe's Sensualism_. + +He took the books to his room and began to read them. Herr Frank, with +his joyful countenance, soon appeared. + +"Klingenberg is here!" said he. + +"I suspected as much already," said Richard. "I passed by just as he +threw the books out of the window with his usual impetuosity." + +"Do not let him see the books; the sight of them sets him wild." + +"Klingenberg walks only in his own room. I wish to read these books; +what enrages him with innocent paper?" + +"I scarcely know, myself. He examined the library and was much pleased +with some of the works. But suddenly he tore these books from their +place and hurled them through the window." + +"'I tolerate no bad company among these noble geniuses,' said he, +pointing to the learned works. + +"'Pardon me, honored friend,' said I, 'if, without my knowledge, some +bad books were included. What kind of writings are these, doctor?" + +"'Stupid materialistic trash,' said he. 'If I had Vogt, Moleschott, +Colbe, and Buechner here, I would throw them body and bones out of the +window.' + +"I was very much surprised at this declaration, so contrary to the +doctor's kind disposition. 'What kind of people are those you have +named?' said I. + +"'No people, my dear Frank,' said he. 'They are animals. This Vogt and +his fellows have excluded themselves from the pale of humanity, +inasmuch as they have declared apes, oxen, and asses to be their +equals.'" + +"I am now very desirous to know these books," said Richard. + +"Well, do not let our friend know your intention," urged Frank. + +Richard dressed and went to greet the singular guest. He was sitting +before a large folio. He arose at Richard's entrance and paternally +reached him both hands. + +Doctor Klingenberg was of a compact, strong build. He had unusually +long arms, which he swung back and forth in walking. His features were +sharp, but indicated a modest character. From beneath his bushy +eyebrows there glistened two small eyes that did not give an agreeable +expression to his countenance. This unfavorable expression was, +however, only the shell of a warm heart. + +The doctor was good-natured--hard on himself, but mild in his judgments +of others. He had an insatiable desire for knowledge, and it impelled +him to severe studies that robbed him of his hair and made him +prematurely bald. + +"How healthy you look, Richard!" said he, contemplating the young man. +"I am glad to see you have not been spoiled by the seething atmosphere +of modern city life." + +"You know, doctor, I have a natural antipathy to all swamps and +morasses. + +"That is right, Richard; preserve a healthy naturalness." + +"We expected you this morning." + +"And would go to the station to bring me. Why this ceremony? I am here, +and I will enjoy for a few weeks the pure, bracing mountain air. Our +arrangements will be as formerly--not so, my dear friend?" + +"I am at your service." + +"You have, of course, discovered some new points that afford fine +views?" + +"If not many, at least one--the weather cross," answered Frank. "A +beautiful position. The hill stands out somewhat from the range. The +whole plain lies before the ravished eyes. At the same time, there are +things connected with _that_ place that are not without their influence +on me. They refer to a custom of the ultramontanists that clashes with +modern ideas; I will have an opportunity of seeing whether your opinion +coincides with mine." + +"Very well; since we have already an object for our next walk--and this +is according to our old plan--tomorrow after dinner at three o'clock," +and saying this he glanced wistfully at the old folio. Frank, smiling, +observed the delicate hint and retired. + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM. + + +On the following day, Richard went to the weather-cross. He did not +meet Angela. She must have been unusually early; for the flowers had +evidently just been placed before the statue. + +He returned, gloomy, to the house, and wrote in his diary: + + + "May 14th. + +"She did not meet me to-day, and probably will not meet me again. I +should have left the book where it was; it might have awakened her +gratitude; for I think she left it purposely, to give me an opportunity +to make her acquaintance. + +"How many young women would give more than a book to get acquainted +with a wealthy party! The 'Angel' is very sensitive; but this +sensibility pleases me, because it is true womanly delicacy. + +"She will now avoid meeting me in this lonely road. But I will study +her character in her father's house. I will see if she does not confirm +my opinion of the women of our times. It was for this purpose alone +that I accepted Siegwart's invitation. Angela must not play Isabella; +no woman ever shall. Single, and free from woman's yoke, I will go +through the world." + + +He put aside the diary, and began reading Vogt's _Physiological +Letters_. + +At three o'clock precisely, Richard with the punctual doctor left +Frankenhoehe. They passed through the chestnut grove and through the +vineyard toward Salingen. The doctor pushed on with long steps, his +arms swinging back and forth. He was evidently pleased with the subject +he had been reading. He had, on leaving the house, shaken Richard by +the hand, and spoken a few friendly words, but not a syllable since. +Richard knew his ways; and knew that it would take some time for him to +thaw. + +They were passing between Siegwart's house and Salingen, when they +beheld Angela, at a distance, coming toward them. She carried a little +basket on her arm, and on her head she wore a straw hat with broad +fluttering ribbons. Richard fixed his eyes attentively on her. This +time, also, she did not wear hoops, but a dress of modest colors. He +admired her light, graceful movement and charming figure. The +blustering doctor moderated his steps and went slower the nearer he +came to Angela, and considered her with surprise. Frank greeted her, +touching his hat. She did not thank him, as before, with a friendly +greeting, but by a scarcely perceptible inclination of the head; nor +did she smile as before, but on this account seemed to him more +charming and ethereal than ever. She only glanced at him, and he +thought he observed a slight blush on her cheeks. + +These particulars were engrossing the young man's attention when he +heard the doctor say, + +"Evidently the Angel of Salingen." + +"Who?" said Richard in surprise. + +"The Angel of Salingen," returned Klingenberg. "You are surprised at +this appellation; is it not well-merited?" + +"My surprise increases, doctor; for exaggeration is not your fashion." + +"But she deserves acknowledgment. Let me explain. The maiden is the +daughter of the proprietor Siegwart, and her name is Angela. She is a +model of every virtue. She is, in the female world, what an image of +the Virgin, by one of the old masters, would be among the hooped gentry +of the present. As you are aware, I have been often called to the +cabins of the sick poor, and there the quiet, unostentatious labors of +this maiden have become known to me. Angela prepares suitable food for +the sick, and generally takes it to them herself. The basket on her arm +does service in this way. There are many poor persons who would not +recover unless they had proper, nourishing food. To these Angela is a +great benefactor. For this reason, she has a great influence over the +minds of the sick, and the state of the mind greatly facilitates or +impedes their recovery. + +"I have often entered just after she had departed, and the beneficial +influence of her presence could be still seen in the countenances of +the poor. Her presence diffused resignation, peace, contentment, and a +peculiar cheerfulness in the meanest and most wretched hovels of +poverty, where she enters without hesitation. This is certainly a rare +quality in so young a creature. She rejoices the hearts of the children +by giving them clothes, sometimes made by herself, or pictures and the +like. Her whole object appears to be to reconcile and make all happy. I +have just seen her for the first time; her beauty is remarkable, and +might well adorn an angel. The common people wish only to Germanize +'Angela' when they call her 'Angel.' But she is indeed an angel of +heaven to the poor and needy." + +Frank said nothing. He moved on in silence toward the weather-cross. + +"I have accidentally discovered a singular custom of your 'angel,' +doctor. There is at the weather-cross a Madonna of stone. Angela has +imposed upon herself the singular task of adorning this Madonna, daily, +with fresh flowers." + +"You are a profane fellow, Richard. You should not speak in such a +derisive tone of actions which are the out-flowings of pious +sentiment." + +"Every one has his hobby. What will not people do through ambition? I +know ladies who torture a piano for half the night, in order to catch +the tone of the prima-donna at the opera. I know women who undergo all +possible privations to be able to wear as fine clothes, as costly furs, +as others with whom they are in rivalry. This exhaustive night-singing, +these deprivations, are submitted to through foolish vanity. Perhaps +Angela is not less ambitious and vain than others of her sex. As she +cannot dazzle these country folk with furs or toilette, she dazzles +their religious sentiment by ostentatious piety." + +"Radically false!" said the doctor. "Charity and virtue are recognized +and honored not only in the country, but also in the cities. Why do not +your coquettes strive for this approval? Because they want Angela's +nobility of soul. And again, why should Angela wish to gain the +admiration of the peasants? She is the daughter of the wealthiest man +in the neighborhood. If such was her object, she could gratify her +ambition in a very different way." + +"Then Angela is a riddle to me," returned Richard. "I cannot conceive +the motives of her actions." + +"Which are so natural! The maiden follows the impulses of her own noble +nature, and these impulses are developed and directed by Christian +culture, and convent education. Angela was a long time with the nuns, +and only returned home two years ago. Here you have the very natural +solution of the riddle." + +"Are you acquainted with the Siegwart family?" + +"No; what I know of Angela I learned from the people of Salingen." + +They arrived at the platform. Klingenberg stood silent for some time +admiring the landscape. The view did not seem to interest Richard. His +eyes rested on Angela's home, whose white walls, surrounded by +vineyards and corn-fields, glistened in the sun. + +"It is worth while to come up here oftener," said Klingenberg. + +"Angela's work," said Richard as he drew near the statue. The doctor +paused a moment and examined the flowers. + +"Do you observe Angela's fine taste in the arrangement of the colors?" +said he. "And the forget-me-nots! What a deep religious meaning they +have." + +They returned by another way to Frankenhoehe. + +"Angela's pious work," began Richard after a long pause, "reminds me of +a religious custom against which modern civilization has thus far +warred in vain. I mean the veneration of saints. You, as a Protestant, +will smile at this custom, and I, as a Catholic, must deplore the +tenacity with which my church clings to this obsolete remnant of +heathen idolatry." + +"Ah! this is the subject you alluded to yesterday," said the doctor. "I +must, in fact, smile, my dear Richard! But I by no means smile at 'the +tenacity with which your church clings to the obsolete remnants of +heathen idolatry.' I smile at your queer idea of the veneration of the +saints. I, as a reasonable man, esteem this veneration, and recognize +its admirable and beneficial influence on human society." + +This declaration increased Frank's surprise to the highest degree. He +knew the clear mind of the doctor, and could not understand how it +happened that he wished to defend a custom so antagonistic to modern +thought. + +"You find fault," continued Klingenberg, "with the custom of erecting +statues to these holy men in the churches, the forest, the fields, the +houses, and in the market?" + +"Yes, I do object to that." + +"If you had objected to the lazy Schiller at Mayence, or the robber's +poet Schiller, as he raves at the theatre in Mannheim, or to the +conqueror and destroyer of Germany, Gustavus Adolphus, whose statue is +erected as an insult in a German city, then you would be right." + +"Schiller-worship has its justification," retorted Frank. "They erect +public monuments to the genial spirit of that man, to remind us of his +services to poetry, his aspirations, and his German patriotism." + +"It is praiseworthy to erect monuments to the poet. But do not talk of +Schiller's patriotism, for he had none. But let that pass; it is not to +the point. The question is, whether you consider it praiseworthy to +erect monuments to deserving and exalted genius?" + +"Without the least hesitation, I say yes. But I see what you are +driving at, doctor. I know the remorseless logic of your inferences. +But you will not catch me in your vise this time. You wish to infer +that the saints far surpassed Schiller in nobility and greatness of +soul, and that honoring them, therefore, is more reasonable, and more +justifiable, than honoring Schiller. I dispute the greatness of the +so-called saints. They were men full of narrowness and rigorism. They +despised the world and their friends. They carried this contempt to a +wonderful extent--to a renunciation of all the enjoyments of life, to +voluntary poverty and unconditional obedience. But all these are fruits +that have grown on a stunted, morbid tree, and are in opposition to +progress, to industry, and to the enlightened civilization of modern +times. The dark ages might well honor such men, but our times cannot. +Schiller, on the contrary, that genial man, taught us to love the +pleasures of life. By his fine genius and his odes to pleasure, he +frightened away all the spectres of these enthusiastic views of life. +He preached a sound taste and a free, unconstrained enjoyment of the +things of this beautiful earth. And for this reason precisely, because +he inaugurated this new doctrine, does he deserve monuments in his +honor." + +"How does it happen then, my friend," said the doctor, in a cutting +tone that was sometimes peculiar to him, "that you do not take +advantage of the modern doctrine of unconstrained enjoyment? Why have +you preserved fresh your youthful vigor, and not dissipated it at the +market of sensual pleasures? Why is your mode of life so often a +reproach to your dissolute friends? Why do you avoid the resorts of +refined pleasures? Why are the coquettish, vitiated, hollow +inclinations of a great part of the female sex so distasteful to you? +Answer me!" + +"These are peculiarities of my nature; individual opinions that have no +claim to any weight." + +"Peculiarities of your nature--very right; your noble nature, your pure +feelings rebel against these moral acquisitions of progress. I begin +with your noble nature. If I did not find this good, true self in you, +I would waste no more words. But because you are what you are, I must +convince you of the error of your views. Schiller, you say, and, with +him, the modern spirit, raised the banner of unrestrained enjoyment, +and this enjoyment rests on sensual pleasures, does it not?" + +"Well--yes." + +"I knew and know many who followed this banner--and you also know many. +Of those whom I knew professionally, some ended their days in the +hospital, of the most loathsome diseases. Some, unsatiated with the +whole round of pleasures, drag on a miserable life, dead to all energy, +and spiritless. They drank the full cup of pleasure, and with it +unspeakable bitterness and disgust. Some ended in ignominy and +shame--bankruptcy, despair, suicide. Such are the consequences of this +modern dogma of unrestrained enjoyments." + +"All these overstepped the proper bounds of pleasure," said Richard. + +"The proper bounds? Stop!" cried the doctor, "No leaps, Richard! Think +clearly and logically. Christianity also allows enjoyment, but--and +here is the point--in certain limits. Your progress, on the contrary, +proclaims freedom in moral principles, a disregard of all moral +obligations, unrestricted enjoyment--and herein consists the danger and +delusion. I ask, Are you in favor of restricted or unrestricted +enjoyment?" + +Frank hesitated. He felt already the thumbscrew of the irrepressible +doctor, and feared the inferences he would draw from his admissions. + +"Come!" urged Klingenberg, "decide." + +"Sound reason declares for restricted enjoyment," said Frank decidedly. + +"Good; there you leave the unlimited sphere which godless progress has +given to the thoughts and inclinations of men. You admit the obligation +of self-control, and the restraint of the grosser emotions. But let us +proceed; you speak of industry. The modern spirit of industry has +invoked a demon--or, rather, the demoniac spirit of the times has taken +possession of industry. The great capitalists have built thrones on +their money-bags and tyrannize over those who have no money. They crush +out the work-shop of the industrious and well-to-do tradesman, and +compel him to be their slave. Go into the factories of Elfeld, or +England; you can there see the slaves of this demon industry--miserable +creatures, mentally and morally stunted, socially perishing; not only +slaves, but mere wheels of the machines. This is what modern industry +has made of those poor wretches, for whom, according to modern +enlightenment, there is no higher destiny than to drag through life in +slavery, to increase the money-bags of their tyrants. But the +capitalists have perfect right, according to modern ideas; they only +use the means at their command. The table of the ten commandments has +been broken; the yoke of Christianity broken. Man is morally and +religiously free; and from this false liberalism the tyranny of +plutocracy and the slavery of the poor has been developed. Are you +satisfied with the development, and the principles that made it +possible?" + +"No," said Frank decidedly. "I despise that miserable industrialism +that values the product more than the man. My admissions are, however, +far from justifying the exaggerated notions of the saints." + +"Wait a bit!" cried Klingenberg hastily. "I have just indicated the +cause of this wretched egotism, and also a consequence--namely, the +power of great capitalists and manufacturers over an army of white +slaves. But this is by no means all. This demon of industry has +consequences that will ruin a great portion of mankind. Now mark what I +say, Richard! The richness of the subject allows me only to indicate. +The progressive development of industry brings forth products of which +past ages were ignorant, because they were not necessary for life. The +existence of these products creates a demand. The increased wants +increase the outlay, which in most cases does not square with the +income, and therefore the accounts of many close with a deficit The +consequences of this deficit for the happiness, and even for the morals +of the family, I leave untouched. The increased products beget luxury +and the desire for enjoyment; the ultimate consequences of which +enervate the individual and society. Hence the phenomenon, in England, +that the greater portion of the people in the manufacturing towns die +before the age of fifteen, and that many are old men at thirty. +Enervated and demoralized peoples make their existence impossible. They +go to the wall. This is a historical fact. Ergo, modern industry +separated from Christian civilization hastens the downfall of nations." + +"I cannot dispute the truth of your observations. But you have touched +only the dark side of modern industry, without mentioning its benefits. +If industry is a source of fictitious wants, it affords, on the other +hand, cheap prices to the poor for the most necessary wants of life; +for example, cheap materials for clothing." + +"Very cheap, but also very poor material," answered Klingenberg. "In +former times, clothing was dearer, but also better. They knew nothing +of the rags of the present fabrication. And it may be asked whether +that dearer material was not cheaper in the end for the poor. When this +is taken into consideration, the new material has no advantage over the +old. I will freely admit that the inventions of modern times do honor +to human genius. I acknowledge the achievements of industry, as such. I +admire the improvements of machinery, the great revolution caused by +the use of steam, and thousands of other wonders of art. No sensible +man will question the relative worth of all these. But all these are +driven and commanded by a bad influence, and herein lies the injury. We +must consider industrialism from this higher standpoint. What advantage +is it to a people to be clothed in costly stuffs when they are +enervated, demoralized, and perishing? Clothe a corpse as you will, a +corpse it will be still. And besides, the greatest material good does +not compensate the white factory-slaves for the loss of their liberty. +The Lucullan age fell into decay, although they feasted on young +nightingales, drank liquified pearls, and squandered millions for +delicacies and luxuries. The life of nations does not consist in the +external splendor of wealth, in easy comfort, or in unrestrained +passions. Morality is the life of nations, and virtue their internal +strength. But virtue, morality, and Christian sentiment are under the +ban of modern civilization. If Christianity does not succeed in +overcoming this demon spirit of the times, or at least confining it +within narrow limits, it will and must drive the people to certain +destruction. We find decayed peoples in the Christian era, but the +church has always rescued and regenerated them. While the acquisitions +of modern times--industrialism, enlightenment, humanitarianism, and +whatever they may be called--are, on the one hand, of little advantage +or of doubtful worth, they are, on the other hand, the graves of true +prosperity, liberty, and morality. They are the cause of shameful +terrorism and of degrading slavery, in the bonds of the passions and in +the claws of plutocracy." + +Frank made no reply. + +For a while they walked on in silence. + +"Let us," continued Klingenberg, "consider personally those men whose +molten images stand before us. Schiller's was a noble nature, but +Schiller wrote: + + "'No more this fight of duty, hence no longer + This giant strife will I! + Canst quench these passions evermore the stronger? + Then ask not virtue, what I must deny. + + "'Albeit I have sworn, yea, sworn that never + Shall yield my master will; + Yet take thy wreath; to me 'tis lost for ever! + Take back thy wreath, and let me sin my fill.' + +"Is this a noble and exalted way of thinking? Certainly not. Schiller +would be virtuous if he could clothe himself in the lustre of virtue +without sacrifice. The passionate impulses of the heart are stronger in +him than the sense of duty. He gives way to his passions. He renounces +virtue because he is too weak, too languid, too listless to encounter +this giant strife bravely like a strong man. Such is the noble +Schiller. In later years, when the fiery impulses of his heart had +subsided, he roused himself to better efforts and nobler aims. + +"Consider the prince of poets, Goethe. How morally naked and poor he +stands before us! Goethe's coarse insults to morality are well known. +His better friend, Schiller, wrote of him to Koerner, 'His mind is not +calm enough, because his domestic relations, which he is too weak to +change, cause him great vexation.' Koerner answered, 'Men cannot +violate morality with impunity.' Six years later, the 'noble' Goethe +was married to his 'mistress' at Weimar. Goethe's detestable political +principles are well known. He did not possess a spark of patriotism. He +composed hymns of victory to Napoleon, the tyrant, the destroyer and +desolator of Germany. These are the heroes of modern sentiment, the +advance guard of liberty, morality, and true manhood! And these heroes +so far succeeded that the noble Arndt wrote of his time, 'We are base, +cowardly, and stupid; too poor for love, too listless for anger, too +imbecile for hate. Undertaking everything, accomplishing nothing; +willing every thing, without the power of doing any thing.' So far has +this boasted freethinking created disrespect for revealed truth. So far +this modern civilization, which idealizes the passions, leads to +mockery of religion and lets loose the baser passions of man. If they +cast these representatives of the times in bronze, they should stamp on +the foreheads of their statues the words of Arndt: + +"'We are base, cowardly, and stupid; too poor for love, too listless +for anger, too imbecile for hate. Undertaking every thing, +accomplishing nothing; willing every thing, without the power of doing +any thing.'" + +"You are severe, doctor." + +"I am not severe. It is the truth." + +"How does it happen that a people so weak, feeble, and base could +overthrow the power of the French in the world?" + +"That was because the German people were not yet corrupted by that +shallow, unreal, hollow twaddle of the educated classes about humanity. +It was not the princes, not the nobility, who overthrew Napoleon. It +was the German people who did it. When, in 1813, the Germans rose, in +hamlet and city, they staked their property and lives for fatherland. +But it was not the enlightened poets and professors, not modern +sentimentality, that raised their hearts to this great sacrifice; not +these who enkindled this enthusiasm for fatherland. It was the +religious element that did it. The German warriors did not sing +Goethe's hymns to Napoleon, nor the insipid model song of 'Luetzows +wilder Jagd,' as they rushed into battle. They sang religious hymns, +they prayed before the altars. They recognized, in the terrible +judgment on Russia's ice-fields, the avenging hand of God. Trusting in +God, and nerved by religious exaltation, they took up the sword that +had been sharpened by the previous calamities of war. So the feeble +philanthropists could effect nothing. It was only a religious, healthy, +strong people could do that." + +"But the saints, doctor! We have wandered from them." + +"Not at all! We have thrown some light on inimical shadows; the light +can now shine. The lives of the saints exhibit something wonderful and +remarkable. I have studied them carefully. I have sought to know their +aims and efforts. I discovered that they imitated the example of +Christ, that they realized the exalted teachings of the Redeemer. You +find fault with their contempt for the things of this world. But it is +precisely in this that these men are great. Their object was not the +ephemeral, but the enduring. They considered life but as the entrance +to the eternal destiny of man--in direct opposition to the spirit of +the times, that dances about the golden calf. The saints did not value +earthly goods for more than they were worth. They placed them after +self-control and victory over our baser nature. Exact and punctual in +all their duties, they were animated by an admirable spirit of charity +for their fellow-men. And in this spirit they have frequently revived +society. Consider the great founders of orders--St. Benedict, St. +Dominic, St. Vincent de Paul! Party spirit, malice, and stupidity have +done their worst to blacken, defame, and calumniate them. And yet, in a +spirit of self-sacrifice, the sons of St. Benedict came among the +German barbarians, to bring to them the ennobling doctrines of +Christianity. It was the Benedictines who cleared the primeval forests, +educated their wild denizens, and founded schools; who taught the +barbarians handiwork and agriculture. Science and knowledge flourished +in the cloisters. And to the monks alone we are indebted for the +preservation of classic literature. What the monks did then they are +doing now. They forsake home, break all ties, and enter the wilderness, +there to be miserably cut off in the service of their exalted mission, +or to die of poisonous fevers. Name me one of your modern heroes, whose +mouths are full of civilization, humanity, enlightenment--name me one +who is capable of such sacrifice. These prudent gentlemen remain at +home with their gold-bags and their pleasures, and leave the stupid +monk to die in the service of exalted charity. It is the hypocrisy and +the falsehood of the modern spirit to exalt itself, and belittle true +worth. And what did St. Vincent de Paul do? More than all the gold-bags +together. St. Vincent, alone, solved the social problem of his time. He +was, in his time, the preserver of society, or rather, Christianity +through him. And to-day our gold-bags tremble before the apparition of +the same social problem. Here high-sounding phrases and empty +declamation do not avail. Deeds only are of value. But the inflated +spirit of the times is not capable of noble action. It is not the +modern state--not enlightened society, sunk in egotism and gold--that +can save us. Christianity alone can do it. Social development will +prove this." + +"I do not dispute the services of the saints to humanity," said Frank. +"But the question is, Whether society would be benefited if the +fanatical, dark spirit of the middle ages prevailed, instead of the +spirit of modern times?" + +"The fanatical, dark spirit of the middle ages!" cried the doctor +indignantly. "This is one of those fallacious phrases. The saints were +not fanatical or dark. They were open, cheerful, natural, humble men. +They did not go about with bowed necks and downcast eyes; but affable, +free from hypocrisy, and dark, sullen demeanor, they passed through +life. Many saints were poets. St. Francis sang his spiritual hymns to +the accompaniment of the harp. St. Charles played billiards. The holy +apostle, St. John, resting from his labors, amused himself in childish +play with a bird. Such were these men; severe toward themselves, mild +to others, uncompromising with the base and mean. They were all +abstinent and simple, allowing themselves only the necessary +enjoyments. They concealed from observation their severe mode of life, +and smiled while their shoulders bled from the discipline. Pride, +avarice, envy, voluptuousness, and all the bad passions, were strangers +to them; not because they had not the inclinations to these passions, +but because they restrained and overcame their lower nature. + +"I ask you, now, which men deserve our admiration--those who are +governed by unbounded selfishness, who are slaves to their passions, +who deny themselves no enjoyment, and who boast of their degrading +licentiousness; or those who, by reason of a pure life, are strong in +the government of their passions, and self-sacrificing in their charity +for their fellowmen?" + +"The preference cannot be doubtful," said Frank. "For the saints have +accomplished the greatest, they have obtained the highest thing, +self-control. But, doctor, I must condemn that saint-worship as it is +practised now. Human greatness always remains human, and can make no +claims to divine honor." + +The doctor swung his arms violently. "What does this reproach amount +to? Where are men deified? In the Catholic Church? I am a Protestant, +but I know that your church condemns the deification of men." + +"Doctor," said Frank, "my religious ignorance deserves this rebuke." + +"I meant no rebuke. I would only give conclusions. Catholicism is +precisely that power that combats with success against the deifying of +men. You have in the course of your studies read the Roman classics. +You know that divine worship was offered to the Roman emperors. So far +did heathen flattery go, that the emperors were honored as the sons of +the highest divinity--Jupiter. Apotheosis is a fruit of heathen growth; +of old heathenism and of new heathenism. When Voltaire, that idol of +modern heathen worship, was returning to Paris in 1778, he was in all +earnestness promoted to the position of a deity. This remarkable play +took place in the theatre. Voltaire himself went there. Modern +fanaticism so far lost all shame that the people kissed the horse on +which the philosopher rode to the theatre. Voltaire was scarcely able +to press through the crowd of his worshippers. They touched his +clothes--touched handkerchiefs to them--plucked hairs from his fur coat +to preserve as relics. In the theatre they fell on their knees before +him and kissed his feet. Thus that tendency that calls itself free and +enlightened deified a man--Voltaire, the most trifling scoffer, the +most unprincipled, basest man of Christendom. + +"Let us consider an example of our times. Look at Garibaldi in London. +That man permitted himself to be set up and worshipped. The saints +would have turned away from this stupidity with loathing indignation. +But this boundless, veneration flattered the old pirate Garibaldi. He +received 267,000 requests for locks of his hair, to be cased in gold +and preserved as relics. Happily he had not much hair. He should have +graciously given them his moustaches and whiskers." + +Frank smiled. Klingenberg's pace increased, and his arms swung more +briskly. + +"Such is the man-worship of modern heathenism. This humanitarianism is +ashamed of no absurdity, when it sinks to the worship of licentiousness +and baseness personified." + +"The senseless aberrations of modern culture do not excuse +saint-worship. And you certainly do not wish to excuse it in that way. +There is, however, a reasonable veneration of human greatness. +Monuments are erected to great men. We behold them and are reminded of +their genius, their services; and there it stops. It occurs to no +reasonable man to venerate these men on his knees, as is done with the +saints." + +"The bending of the knee, according to the teaching of your church, +does not signify adoration, but only veneration," replied Klingenberg. +"Before no Protestant in the world would I bend the knee; before St. +Benedict and St. Vincent de Paul I would willingly, out of mere +admiration and esteem for their greatness of soul and their purity of +morals. If a Catholic kneels before a saint to ask his prayers, what is +there offensive in that? It is an act of religious conviction. But I +will not enter into the religious question. This you can learn better +from your Catholic brethren--say from the Angel of Salingen, for +example, who appears to have such veneration for the saints." + +"You will not enter into the religious question; yet you defend +saint-worship, which is something religious." + +"I do not defend it on religious grounds, but from history, reason, and +justice. History teaches that this veneration had, and still has, the +greatest moral influence on human society. The spirit of veneration +consists in imitating the example of the person venerated. Without this +spirit, saint-worship is an idle ceremony. But that true veneration of +the saints elevates and ennobles, you cannot deny. Let us take the +queen of saints, Mary. What makes her worthy of veneration? Her +obedience to the Most High, her humility, her strength of soul, her +chastity. All these virtues shine out before the spiritual eyes of her +worshippers as models and patterns of life. I know a lady, very +beautiful, very wealthy; but she is also very humble, very pure, for +she is a true worshipper of Mary. Would that our women would venerate +Mary and choose her for a model! There would then be no coquettes, no +immodest women, no enlightened viragoes. Now, as saint-worship is but +taking the virtues of the saints as models for imitation, you must +admit that veneration in this sense has the happiest consequences to +human society." + +"I admit it--to my great astonishment, I must admit it," said Richard. + +"Let us take a near example," continued Klingenberg. "I told you of the +singular qualities of Angela. As she passed, I beheld her with wonder. +I must confess her beauty astonished me. But this astonishing beauty, +it appears to me, is less in her charming features than in the purity, +the maidenly dignity of her character. Perhaps she has to thank, for +her excellence, that same correct taste which leads her to venerate +Mary. Would not Angela make an amiable, modest, dutiful wife and +devoted mother? Can you expect to find this wife, this mother among +those given to fashions--among women filled with modern notions?" + +While Klingenberg said this, a deep emotion passed over Richard's face. +He did not answer the question, but let his head sink on his breast. + +"Here is Frankenhoehe," said the doctor. "As you make no more +objections, I suppose you agree with me. The saints are great, +admirable men; therefore they deserve monuments. They are models of +virtue and the greatest benefactors of mankind; therefore they deserve +honor. '_Quod erat demonstrandum._'" + +"I only wonder, doctor, that you, a Protestant, can defend such views." + +"You will allow Protestants to judge reasonably," replied Klingenberg. +"My views are the result of careful study and impartial reflection." + +"I am also astonished--pardon my candor--that with such views you can +remain a Protestant." + +"There is a great difference between knowing and willing, my young +friend. I consider conversion an act of great heroism, and also as a +gift of the highest grace." + + +Richard wrote in his diary: + + +"If Angela should be what the doctor considers her! According to my +notions, such a being exists only in the realm of the ideal. But if +Angela yet realizes this ideal? I must be certain. I will visit +Siegwart to-morrow." + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + THE BUREAUCRAT AND THE SWALLOWS. + + +Herr Frank returned to the city. Before he went he took advantage of +the absence of Richard, who had gone out about nine o'clock, to +converse with Klingenberg about matters of importance. They sat in the +doctor's studio, the window of which was open. Frank closed it before +he began the conversation. + +"Dear friend, I must speak to you about a very distressing peculiarity +of my son. I do so because I know your influence over him, and I hope +much from it." + +Klingenberg listened with surprise, for Herr Frank had begun in great +earnestness and seemed greatly depressed. + +"On our journey from the city, I discovered in Richard, to my great +surprise, a deep-seated antipathy, almost an abhorrence of women. He is +determined never to marry. He considers marriage a misfortune, inasmuch +as it binds a man to the whims and caprices of a wife. If I had many +sons, Richard's idiosyncrasy would be of little consequence; but as he +is my only son and very stubborn in his preconceived opinions, you will +see how very distressing it must be to me." + +"What is the cause of this antipathy of your son to women?" + +Herr Frank related Richard's account of his meeting with Isabella and +his knowledge of the unhappy marriage of his friend Emil. + +"Do you not think that experiences of this kind must repel a +noble-minded young man?" said the doctor. + +"Admitted! But Isabella and Laura are exceptions, and exceptions by no +means justify my son's perverted judgment of women. I told him this. +But he still declared that Isabella and Laura were the rule and not the +exception; that the women of the present day follow a perverted taste; +and that the wearing of crinoline, a costume he detests, proves this." + +"I know," said the doctor, "that Richard abominates crinoline. Last +year he expressed his opinion about it, and I had to agree with him." + +"My God!" said the father, astonished, "you certainly would not +encourage my son in his perverted opinion?" + +"No," returned the doctor quietly; "but you must not expect me to +condemn sound opinions. His judgment of woman is prejudiced--granted. +But observe well, my dear Frank. This judgment is at the same time a +protest of a noble nature against the age of crinoline. Your son +expects much of women. Superficiality, vanity, passion for dress, +fickleness, and so forth, do not satisfy his sense of propriety. +Marriage, to him, is an earnest, holy union. He would unite himself to +a well-disposed woman, to a noble soul who would love her husband and +her duties, but not to a degenerate specimen of womankind. Such I +conceive to have been the reasons which have produced in your son this +antipathy." + +"I believe you judge rightly," answered Frank. "But it must appear +clear to Richard that his views are unjust, and that there are always +women who would realize his expectations." + +The doctor thought for a moment, and a significant smile played over +his features. + +"This must become clear to him--yes, and it will become clear to him +sooner, perhaps, than you expect," said the doctor. + +"I do not understand you, doctor." + +"Yesterday we met Angela," said Klingenberg. "This Angela is an +extraordinary being of dazzling beauty; almost the incarnation of +Richard's ideal. I told him of her fine qualities, which he was +inclined to question. But happily! was able to establish these +qualities by facts. Now, as Angela lives but a mile from here and as +the simple customs of the country render access to the family easy, I +have not understood the character of your son if he does not take +advantage of this opportunity to become more intimately acquainted with +Angela, even if his object were only to confirm his former opinions of +women. If he knew Angela more intimately, it is my firm conviction that +his aversion would soon change into the most ardent affection." + +"Who is this Angela?" + +"The daughter of your neighbor, Siegwart." + +Frank looked at the doctor with open mouth and staring eyes. + +"Siegwart's daughter!" he gasped. "No, I will never consent to such a +connection." + +"Why not?" + +"Well--because the Siegwart family are not agreeable to me." + +"That is no reason. Siegwart is an excellent man, rich, upright, and +respected by the whole neighborhood. Why does he happen to appear so +unfavorably in your eyes?" + +Frank was perplexed. He might have reasons and yet be ashamed to give +them. + +"Ah!" said the doctor, smiling, "it is now for you to lay aside +prejudice." + +"An explanation is not possible," said Frank. "But my son will rather +die a bachelor than marry Siegwart's daughter." + +Klingenberg shrugged his shoulders. There was a long pause. + +"I renew my request, my friend," urged Frank. "Convince my son of his +errors." + +"I will try to meet your wishes," returned Klingenberg. "Perhaps this +daughter of Siegwart will afford efficient aid." + +"My son's liberty will not be restricted. He may visit the Siegwart +family when he wishes. But in matters where the mature mind of the +father has to decide, I shall always act according to my better +judgment." + +The doctor again shrugged his shoulders. They shook hands, and in ten +minutes after Herr Frank was off for the train. Richard had left +Frankenhoehe two hours before. He passed quickly through the vineyard. A +secret power seemed to impel the young man. He glanced often at +Siegwart's handsome dwelling, and hopeful suspense agitated his +countenance. When he reached the lawn, he slackened his pace. He would +reflect, and understand clearly the object of his visit. He came to +observe Angela, whose character had made such a strong impression on +him and who threatened to compel him to throw his present opinions of +women to the winds. He would at the same time reflect on the +consequences of this possible change to his peace and liberty. + +"Angela is beautiful, very beautiful, far more so than a hundred others +who are beautiful but wear crinoline." He had written in his diary: + + +"Of what value is corporal beauty that fades when it is disfigured by +bad customs and caprices? I admit that I have never yet met any woman +so graceful and charming as Angela; but this very circumstance warns me +to be careful that my judgment may not be dazzled. If it turns out that +Angela sets herself up as a religious coquette or a Pharisee, her fine +figure is only a deceitful mask of falsehood, and my opinion would +again be verified. I must make observations with great care." + + +Frank reviewed these resolutions as he passed slowly over the lawn, +where some servants were employed, who greeted him respectfully as he +passed. In the hall he heard a man's voice that came from the same room +he had entered on his first visit. The door was open, and the voice +spoke briskly and warmly. + +Frank stopped for a moment and heard the voice say, + +"Miss Angela is as lovely as ever." + +These words vibrated disagreeably in Richard's soul, and urged him to +know the man from whom they came. + +Herr Siegwart went to meet the visitor and offered him his hand. The +other gentleman remained sitting, and looked at Frank with stately +indifference. + +"Herr Frank, my esteemed neighbor of Frankenhoehe," said Siegwart, +introducing Frank. + +The gentleman rose and made a stiff bow. + +"The Assessor von Hamm," continued the proprietor. + +Frank made an equally stiff and somewhat colder bow. + +The three sat down. + +While Siegwart rang the bell, Richard cast a searching glance at the +assessor who had said, "Angela is as lovely as ever." + +The assessor had a pale, studious color, regular features in which +there was an expression of official importance. Frank, who was a fine +observer, thought he had never seen such a perfect and sharply defined +specimen of the bureaucratic type. Every wrinkle in the assessor's +forehead told of arrogance and absolutism. The red ribbon in the +buttonhole of Herr von Hamm excited Frank's astonishment. He thought it +remarkable that a young man of four or five and twenty could have +merited the ribbon of an order. He might infer from this that +decorations and merit do not necessarily go together. + +"How glad I am that you have kept your word!" said Siegwart to Frank +complacently. "How is your father?" + +"Very well; he goes this morning to the city, where business calls +him." + +"I have often admired your father's attentions to Dr. Klingenberg," +said Siegwart after a short pause. "He has for years had Frankenhoehe +prepared for the accommodation of the doctor. You are Klingenberg's +constant companion, and I do not doubt but such is the wish of your +father. And your father tears himself from his business and comes +frequently from the city to see that the doctor's least wish is +realized. I have observed this these last eight years, and I have often +thought that the doctor is to be envied, on account of this noble +friendship." + +"You know, I suppose, that the doctor saved my father when his life was +despaired of?" + +"I know; but there are many physicians who have saved lives and who do +not find such a noble return." + +These words of acknowledgment had something in them very offensive to +the assessor. He opened and shut his eyes and mouth, and cast a +grudging, envious look at Richard. + +The servant brought a glass. + +"Try this wine," said Siegwart; "my own growth," he added with some +pride. + +They touched glasses. Hamm put his glass to his lips, without drinking; +Frank tasted the noble liquor with the air of a connoisseur; while +Siegwart's smiling gaze rested on him. + +"Excellent! I do not remember to have drank better Burgundy." + +"Real Burgundy, neighbor--real Burgundy. I brought the vines from +France." + +"Do you not think the vines degenerate with us?" said Frank. + +"They have not degenerated yet. Besides, proper care and attention make +up for the unsuitableness of our soil and climate. + +"You would oblige me, Herr Siegwart, if you would preserve me some +shoots when you next trim them." + +"With pleasure. I had them set last year; they shot forth fine roots, +and I can let you have any number of shoots." + +"Is it not too late to plant them?" + +"Just the right time. Our vine-growers generally set them too early. It +should be done in May, and not in April. Shall I send them over?" + +"You are too kind, Herr Siegwart. My request must certainly destroy +your plan in regard to those shoots." + +"Not at all; I have all I can use. It gives me great pleasure to be +able to accommodate a neighbor. It's settled; I'll send over the +Burgundies this evening." + +It was clear to Hamm that Siegwart desired to be agreeable to the +wealthy Frank. The assessor opened and shut his eyes and mouth, and +fidgeted about in his chair. While he inwardly boiled and fretted, he +very properly concluded that he must consider himself offended. From +the moment of Frank's arrival, the proprietor had entirely forgotten +him. He was about to leave, in order not to expose his nerves to +further excitement, when chance afforded him an opportunity to give +vent to his ill-humor. + +Two boys came running into the room. They directed their bright eyes to +Siegwart, and their childish, joyful faces, seemed to say, + +"Here we are again; you know very well what we want." + +One of them carried a tin box in his hand; there was a lock on the box, +and a small opening in the top--evidently a money-box. + +"Gelobt sei Jesus Christus," said the children, and remained standing +near the door. + +"In Ewigkeit," returned Siegwart. "Are you there again, my little ones? +That's right; come here, Edward." And Siegwart took out his purse and +dropped a few pennies into the box. + +"A savings-box? Who gave the permission?" said the assessor in a tone +that frightened the children, astonished Richard, and caused Siegwart +to look with embarrassment at the questioner. + +"For the pope, Herr von Hamm," said Siegwart. + +The official air of the assessor became more severe. + +"The ordinances make no exceptions," retorted Hamm. "The ordinances +forbid all collections that are not officially permitted." And he eyed +the box as if he had a notion to confiscate it. + +Perhaps the lads noticed this, for they moved backward to the door and +suddenly disappeared from the room. + +"I beg pardon, Herr Assessor," said Siegwart. "The Peter-pence is +collected in the whole Catholic world, and the Catholics of Salingen +thought they ought to assist the head of their church, who is so sorely +pressed, and who has been robbed of his possessions." + +"I answer--the ordinances make no exceptions; the Peter-pence comes +under the ordinances. I find myself compelled to interpose against this +trespass." + +"But the Peter-pence is collected in the whole country, Herr von Hamm! +Why, even in the public journals we read the results of this +collection, and I have never heard that the government forbade the +Peter-pence." + +"Leave the government out of the question. I stand on my instructions. +The government forbids all collections unless permission is granted. +You must not expect an official to connive at an open breach of the +ordinances. I will do my duty and remind the burgomaster of Salingen +that he has not done his." + +The occurrence was very annoying to Siegwart; this could be seen in his +troubled countenance. He thought of the reproof of the timid +burgomaster, and feared that the collection might in future be stopped. + +"You have the authority, Herr Assessor, to permit it; I beg you will do +so." + +"The request must be made in written official form," said Hamm. "You +know, Herr Siegwart, that I am disposed to comply with your wishes, but +I regret I cannot do so in the present case; and I must openly confess +I oppose the Peter-pence on principle. The temporal power of the pope +has become unnecessary. Why support an untenable dominion?" + +"I consider the temporal power of the pope to be a necessity," said +Siegwart emphatically. "If the pope were not an independent prince, but +the subject of another ruler, he would in many things have to govern +the church according to the mind and at the command of his superior. +Sound common sense tells us that the pope must be free." + +"Certainly, as far as I am concerned," returned Hamm. "But why drain +the money out of the country for an object that cannot be accomplished? +I tell you that the political standing of the bankrupt papal government +will not be saved by the Peter-pence." + +"Permit me to observe, Herr Assessor, that I differ with you entirely. +The papal government is by no means bankrupt--quite the contrary. Until +the breaking out of the Franco-Sardinian revolution, its finances were +as well managed and flourishing as those of any state in Europe. I will +convince you of this in a moment." He went to the bookcase and handed +the assessor a newspaper. "These statistics will convince you of the +correctness of my assertion." + +"As the documents to prove these statements are wanting, I have great +reason to doubt their correctness," said Hamm. "Paper will not refuse +ink, and in the present case the pen was evidently driven by a friendly +hand." + +"Why do you draw this conclusion?" + +"From the contradictions between this account of the papal finances and +that given by all independent editors." + +"Permit me to call that editor not 'an independent,' but a 'friend of +the church.' The enemies of the church will not praise a church which +they hate. The papal government is the most calumniated government on +earth; and calumny and falsehood perform wonders in our times. The +Italian situation furnishes at present a most striking illustration. +The king of Piedmont has been raised to the rulership of Italy by the +unanimous voice of the people--so say the papers. But the revolution in +the greater part of Italy at the present time proves that the unanimous +voice of the people was a sham, and that the Piedmontese government is +hated and despised by the majority of the Italians. It is the same in +many other things. If falsehood and calumny were not the order of the +day, falsehood and calumny would not sit crowned on the throne." + +"Right!" said Richard. "It is indisputable. It is nothing but the +depravity of the times that enables the emperor to domineer over the +world." + +Siegwart heard Frank's observation with pleasure. Hamm read this in the +open countenance of the proprietor, and he made a movement as though he +would like to tramp on Frank's toes. + +"I admit the flourishing condition of the former Papal States," said +Hamm, with a mock smile. "I will also admit that the former subjects of +the pope, who have been impoverished by the hungry Piedmontese, desire +the milder papal government. 'There is good living under the crozier,' +says an old proverb. But what does all this amount to? Does the +beautiful past overthrow the accomplished facts of the present? The +powers have determined to put an end to papal dominion. The powers have +partly accomplished this. Can the Peter-pence change the programme of +the powers? Certainly not. The papal government must go the way of all +flesh, and if the Catholics are taxed for an unattainable object, it +is, in my opinion, unjust, to say the least." + +The proprietor shook his head thoughtfully. "We consider the question +from very different stand-points," said he. "Pius IX. is the head of +the church--the spiritual father of all Catholics. The revolution has +robbed him of his revenues. Why should not Catholics give their father +assistance?" + +"And I ask," said Hamm, "why give the pope alms when the powers are +ready to give him millions?" + +"On what conditions, Herr Assessor?" + +"Well--on the very natural condition that he will acknowledge +accomplished facts." + +"You find this condition so natural!" said Siegwart, somewhat excited. +"Do you forget the position of the pope? Remember that on those very +principles of which the pope is the highest representative, was built +the civilization of the present. The pope condemns robbery, injustice, +violence, and all the principles of modern revolution. How can the pope +acknowledge as accomplished facts, results which have sprung from +injustice, robbery, and violence? The moment the pope does that, he +ceases to be the first teacher of the people and the vicar of Christ on +earth." + +"You take a strong religious position, my dear friend," said Hamm, +smiling compassionately. + +"I do, most assuredly," said the proprietor with emphasis. "And I am +convinced that my position is the right one." + +Hamm smiled more complacently still. Frank observed this smile; and the +contemptuous manner of the official toward the open, kind-hearted +proprietor annoyed him. + +"Pius IX. is at any rate a noble man," said he, looking sharply at the +assessor, "There exists a critical state of uncertainty in all +governments. All the courts and principalities look to Paris, and the +greatest want of principle seems to be in the state taxation. The +pope alone does not shrink; he fears neither the anger nor the threats +of the powers. While thrones are tumbling, and Pius IX. is not master +in his own house, that remarkable man does not make the least +concession to the man in power. The powers have broken treaties, +trampled on justice, and there is no longer any right but the right of +revolution--of force. There is nothing any longer certain; all is +confusion. The pope alone holds aloft the banner of right and justice. +In his manifestoes to the world, he condemns error, falsehood, and +injustice. The pope alone is the shield of those moral forces which +have for centuries given stability and safety to governments. This +firmness, this confidence in the genius of Christianity, this +unsurpassed struggle of Pius, deserves the highest admiration even of +those who look upon the contest with indifference." + +Siegwart listened and nodded assent. Hamm ate sardines, without paying +the least attention to the speaker. + +"The Roman love of power is well known, and Rome has at all times made +the greatest sacrifices for it," said he. + +The proprietor drummed with his fingers on the table. Frank thought he +observed him suppressing his anger, before he answered, + +"Rome does not contend for love of dominion. She contends for the +authority of religion, for the maintenance of those eternal principles +without which there is no civilization. This even Herder, who is far +from being a friend of Rome, admits when he says, 'Without the church, +Europe would, perhaps, be a prey to despots, a scene of eternal +discord, and a Mogul wilderness.' Rome's battle is, therefore, very +important, and honorable. Had it not been for her, you would not have +escaped the bloody terrorisms of the power-seeking revolution. Think of +French liberty at present, think of the large population of Cayenne, of +the Neapolitan prisons, where thousands of innocent men hopelessly +languish." + +"You have not understood me, my dear Siegwart. Take an example for +illustration. The press informs us almost daily of difficulties between +the government and the clergy. The cause of this trouble is that the +latter are separated from and wish to oppose the former. To speak +plainly, the Catholic clergy are non-conforming. They will not give up +that abnormal position which the moral force of past times conceded to +them. But in organized states, the clergy, the bishops, and the pastors +should be nothing more than state officials, whose rule of conduct is +the command of the sovereign." + +"That is to make the church the servant of the state," said Siegwart. +"Religion, stripped of her divine title, would be nothing more than the +tool of the minister to restrain the people." + +"Well, yes," said the official very coolly. "Religion is always a +strong curb on the rough, uneducated masses; and if religion restrains +the ignorant, supports the moral order and the government, she has +fulfilled her mission." + +The proprietor opened wide his eyes. + +"Religion, according to my belief, educates men not for the state but +for their eternal destiny." + +"Perfectly right, Herr Siegwart, according to your view of the +question. I admire the elevation of your religious convictions, which +all men cannot rise up to." + +A mock smile played on the assessor's pale countenance as he said this. +Siegwart did not observe it; but Frank did. + +"If I understand you rightly, Herr Assessor, the clergy are only state +officials in clerical dress." + +The assessor nodded his head condescendingly, and continued to soak a +sardine in olive-oil and take it between his knife and fork as Frank +began to speak. The fine-feeling Frank felt nettled at this contempt, +and immediately chastised Hamm for his want of politeness. + +"I take your nod for an affirmative answer to my question," said he. +"You will allow me to observe that your view of the position and +purpose of the clergy must lead to the most absurd consequences." + +The assessor turned an ashy color. He threw himself back on the sofa +and looked at the speaker with scornful severity. + +"My view is that of every enlightened statesman of the nineteenth +century," said he proudly. "How can you, a mere novice in state +matters, come to such a conclusion." + +"I come to it by sound thinking," said Frank haughtily. "If the clergy +are only the servants of the state, they are bound in the exercise of +their functions to follow the instructions of the state." + +"Very natural," said the official. + +"If the government think a change in the church necessary, say the +separation of the school from the church, the abolition of festivals, +the appointing of infidel professors to theological chairs, the +compiling of an enlightened catechism--and all these relate to the +spirit of the times or the supposed welfare of the state--then the +clergy must obey." + +"That is self-evident," said the assessor. + +"You see I comprehend your idea of the supreme power of the state," +continued Frank. "The state is supreme. The church must be deprived of +all independence. She must not constitute a state within a state. If it +seems good to a minister to abolish marriage as a sacrament, or the +confessional, or to subject the teaching of the clergy to a revision by +the civil authority, because a majority of the chambers wish it, or +because the spirit of the age demands it, then the opposition of the +clergy would be illegal and their resistance disobedience." + +"Naturally--naturally," said the official impatiently. "Come, now, let +us have the proof of your assertion." + +"Draw the conclusions from what I have said, Herr Assessor, and you +have the most striking proof of the absurdity and ridiculousness of +your gagged state church," said Frank haughtily. + +"How so, how so?" cried Hamm inquiringly. + +"Simply thus: If the priest must preach according to the august +instructions of the state and not according to the principles of +religious dogma, he would then preach Badish in Baden, Hessish in +Hesse, Bavarian in Bavaria, Mecklenburgish in Mecklenburg; in short, +there would be as many sects as there are states and principalities. +And these sects would be constantly changing, as the chambers or +ministerial instructions would command or allow. All religion would +cease; for it would be no longer the expression of the divine will and +revelation, but the work of the chambers and the princes. Such a +religion would be contemptible in the eyes of every thinking man. I +would not give a brass button for such a religion." + +"You go too far, Herr Frank," said Hamm. "Religion has a divine title, +and this glory must be retained." + +"Then the clergy must be free." + +"Certainly, that is clear," said the assessor as he arose, and, with a +smiling face, bowed lowly. Angela had entered the hall, and in +consequence of Hamm's greeting was obliged to come into the room. She +might have returned from a walk, for she wore a straw hat and a light +shawl was thrown over her shoulders. She led by the hand her little +sister Eliza, a charming child of four years. + +The sisters remained standing near the door. Eliza looked with +wondering eyes at the stranger, whose movements were very wonderful to +the mind of the little one, and whose pale face excited her interest. + +Angela's glance seemed to have blown away all the official dust that +remained in the soul of Hamm. The assessor was unusually agreeable. His +face lost its obstinate expression, and became light and animated. Even +its color changed to one of life and nature. + +To Richard, who liked to take notes, and whose visit to Siegwart's had +no other object, the change that could be produced in a bureaucrat by +such rare womanly beauty was very amusing. He had arisen and stepped +back a little. He observed the assessor carefully till a smile between +astonishment and pity lit up his countenance. He then looked at Angela, +who stood motionless on the same spot. It seemed to require great +resignation on her part to notice the flattering speech and obsequious +attentions of the assessor. Richard observed that her countenance was +tranquil, but her manner more grave than usual. She still held the +little one by the hand, who pressed yet closer to her the nearer the +wonderful man came. Hamm's voice rose to a tone of enthusiasm, and he +took a step or two toward the object of his reverence, when a strange +enemy confronted him. Some swallows had come in with Angela. Till now +they were quiet and seemed to be observing the assessor; but when he +approached Angela, briskly gesticulating, the swallows raised their +well-known shrill cry of anxiety, left their perches and fluttered +around the official. Interrupted in the full flow of his eloquence, he +struck about with his hands to frighten them. The swallows only became +the noisier, and their fluttering about Hamm assumed a decidedly +warlike character. They seemed to consider him as a dangerous enemy of +Angela whom they wished to keep off. Richard looked on in wonder, +Siegwart shook his head and stroked his beard, and Angela smiled at the +swallows. + +"These are abominable creatures," cried Hamm warding them off. "Why, +such a thing never happened to me before. Off with you! you troublesome +wretches." + +The birds flew out of the room, still screaming; and their shrill cries +could be heard high up in the air. + +"The swallows have a grudge against you," said Siegwart. "They +generally treat only the cats and hawks in this way." + +"Perhaps they have been frightened at this red ribbon," returned Hamm. +"I regret, my dear young lady, to have frightened your little pets. +When I come again, I will leave the object of their terror at home." + +"You should not deprive yourself of an ornament which has an honorable +significance on account of the swallows, particularly as we do not know +whether it was really the red color that displeased them," said she. + +"You think, then, Miss Angela, that there is something else about me +they dislike?" + +"I do not know, Herr Assessor." + +"Oh! if I only knew the cause of their displeasure," said Hamm +enthusiastically. "You have an affection for the swallows, and I would +not displease any thing that you love." + +She answered by an inclination, and was about to leave the room. + +"Angela," said her father, "here is Herr Frank, to whom you are under +obligations." + +She moved a step or two toward Richard. + +"Sir," said she gently, "you returned some things that were valuable to +me; were it not for your kindness, they would probably have been lost. +I thank you." + +A formal bow was Frank's answer. Hamm stood smiling, his searching +glance alternating between the stately young man and Angela. But in the +manner of both he observed nothing more than reserve and cold +formality. + +Angela left the room. The assessor sat down on the sofa and poured out +a glass of wine. + +Eliza sat on her father's knee. Richard observed the beautiful child +with her fine features and golden silken locks that hung about her +tender face. The winning expression of innocence and gentleness in her +mild, childish eyes particularly struck him. + +"A beautiful, lovely child," said he involuntarily, and as he looked in +Siegwart's face he read there a deep love and a quiet, fatherly +fondness for the child. + +"Eliza is not always as lovely and good as she is now," he returned. +"She has still some little faults which she must get rid of." + +"Yes, that's what Angela said," chattered the little one. "Angela said +I must be very good; I must love to pray; I must obey my father and +mother; then the angels who are in heaven will love me." + +"Can you pray yet, my child," said Richard. + +"Yes, I can say the 'Our Father' and the 'Hail Mary.' Angela is +teaching me many nice prayers." + +She looked at the stranger a moment and said with childish simplicity, + +"Can you pray too?" + +"Certainly, my child," answered Frank, smiling; "but I doubt whether my +prayers are as pleasing to God as yours." + +"Angela also said we should not lie," continued Eliza. "The good God +does not love children who lie." + +"That is true," said Frank. "Obey your sister Angela." + +Here the young man was affected by a peculiar emotion. He thought of +Angela as the first instructor of the child; placed near this little +innocent, she appeared like its guardian angel. He saw clearly at this +moment the great importance of first impressions on the young, and +thought that in after life they would not be obliterated. He expressed +his thoughts, and Siegwart confirmed them. + +"I am of your opinion, Herr Frank. The most enduring impressions are +made in early childhood. The germ of good must be implanted in the +tender and susceptible heart of the child and there developed. Many, +indeed most parents overlook this important principle of education. +This is a great and pernicious error. Man is born with bad +propensities; they grow with his growth and increase with his strength. +In early childhood, they manifest themselves in obstinacy, wilfulness, +excessive love of play, disobedience, and a disposition to lie. If +these outgrowths are plucked up and removed in childhood by careful, +religious training, it will be much easier to form the heart to habits +of virtue than in after years. Many parents begin to instruct their +children after they have spoiled them. Is this not your opinion, Herr +Assessor?" + +Hamm was aroused by this sudden question. He had not paid any attention +to the conversation, but had been uninterruptedly stroking his +moustache and gazing abstractedly into vacancy. + +"What did you ask, my dear Siegwart? Whether I am of your opinion? +Certainly, certainly, entirely of your opinion. Your views are always +sound, practical, and matured by great experience, as in this case." + +"Well, I can't say you were always of my opinion," said Siegwart +smiling; "have we not just been sharply disputing about the +Peter-pence?" + +"O my dear friend! as a private I agree with you entirely on these +questions; but an official must frequently defend in a system of +government that which he privately condemns." + +Frank perceived Hamm's object. We wished to do away with the +unfavorable impressions his former expressions might have made on the +proprietor. The reason of this was clear to him since he had discovered +the assessor's passion for Angela. + +"I am rejoiced," said Siegwart, "that we agree at least in that most +important matter, religion." + +Frank remembered his father's remark, "The Siegwart family is intensely +clerical and ultramontane." It was new and striking to him to see the +question of religion considered the most important. He concluded from +this, and was confirmed in his conclusions by the leading spirit of the +Siegwart family, that, in direct contradiction to modern ideas, +religion is the highest good. + +"Nevertheless," said Siegwart, "I object to a system of government that +is inimical to the church." + +"And so do I," sighed the assessor. + +Richard took his departure. At home, he wrote a few hasty lines in his +diary and then went into the most retired part of the garden. Here he +sat in deep thought till the servant called him to dinner. + +"Has Klingenberg not gone out yet to-day?" + +"No, but he has been walking up and down his room for the last two +hours." + +Frank smiled. He guessed the meaning of this walk, and as they both +entered the dining-room together his conjecture was confirmed. + +The doctor entered somewhat abruptly and did not seem to observe +Richard's presence. His eyes had a penetrating, almost fierce +expression and his brows were knit. He sat down to the table +mechanically, and ate what was placed before him. It is questionable +whether he knew what he was eating, or even that he was eating. He did +not speak a word, and Frank, who knew his peculiarities, did not +disturb him by a single syllable. This was not difficult, as he was +busily occupied with his own thoughts. + +After the meal was over, Klingenberg came to himself. "My dear Richard, +I beg your pardon," said he in a tone of voice which was almost tender. +"Excuse my weakness. I have read this morning a scientific article that +upsets all my previous theories on the subject treated of. In the whole +field of human investigation there is nothing whatever certain, nothing +firmly established. What one to-day proves by strict logic to be true, +to-morrow another by still stronger logic proves to be false. From the +time of Aristotle to the present, philosophers have disagreed, and the +infallible philosopher will certainly never be born. It is the same in +all branches. I would not be the least astonished if Galileo's system +would be proved to be false. If the instruments, the means of acquiring +astronomical knowledge, continue to improve, we may live to learn that +the earth stands still and that the sun goes waltzing around our little +planet. This uncertainty is very discouraging to the human mind. We +might say with Faust, + + "'It will my heart consume + That we can nothing know.'" + +"In my humble opinion," said Frank, "every investigator moves in a +limited circle. The most profound thinker does not go beyond these set +limits; and if he would boldly overstep them, he would be thrown back +by evident contradiction into that circle which Omnipotence has drawn +around the human intellect." + +"Very reasonable, Richard; very reasonable. But the desire of knowledge +must sometimes be satiated," continued the doctor after a short pause. +"If the human mind were free from the narrow limits of the deceptive +world of sense, and could see and know with pure spiritual eyes, the +barriers of which you speak would fall. Even the Bible assures us of +this. St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says, 'We see now through a +glass in an obscure manner, but then face to face; now I know in part, +but then I shall know as I am known.' I would admire St. Paul on +account of this passage alone if he never had written another. How +awful is the moral quality of the human soul taken in connection with +its future capacity for knowledge. And how natural, how evident, is the +connection. The human mind will receive knowledge from the source of +all knowledge--God, in proportion as it has been just and good. For +this reason our Redeemer calls the world of the damned 'outer +darkness,' and the world of the blessed, the 'kingdom of light.'" + +"We sometimes see in that way even now," said Frank after a pause. "The +wicked have ideas very different from those of the good. A frivolous +spirit mocks at and derides that which fills the good with happiness +and contentment. We might, then, say that even in this life man knows +as he is known." + +The doctor cast an admiring glance at the young man. "We entirely +agree, my young friend; wickedness is to the sciences what a poisonous +miasma and the burning rays of the sun are to the young plants. Yes, +vice begets atheism, materialism, and every other abortion of thought." + +Klingenberg arose. + +"We will meet again at three," said he with a friendly nod. + +Richard took from his room _Vogt's Physiological Letters_, went into +the garden, and buried himself in its contents. + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + THE PROGRESSIVE PROFESSOR. + + +When Frank returned from the walk, he found a visitor at Frankenhoehe. + +The visitor was an elegantly dressed young man, with a free, +self-important air about him. + +He spoke fluently, and his words sounded as decisive as though they +came from the lips of infallibility. At times this self-importance was +of such a boastful and arrogant character as to affect the observer +disagreeably. + +"It is now vacation, and I do not know how to enjoy it better than by a +visit to you," said he. + +"Very flattering to me," answered Frank. "I hope you will be pleased +with Frankenhoehe." + +"Pleased?" returned the visitor, as he looked through the open window +at the beautiful landscape. "I would like to dream away here the whole +of May and June. How charming it is! An empire of flowers and vernal +delights." + +"I am surprised, Carl, that you have preserved such a love for nature. +I thought you considered the professor's chair the culminating point of +attraction." + +Carl bowed his head proudly, and stood with folded arms before the +smiling Frank. + +"That is evidently intended for flattery," said he. "The professor's +chair is my vocation. He who does not hold his vocation as the acme of +all attraction is indeed a perfect man. Besides, it will appear to you, +who consider everything in the world, not excepting even the fair sex, +with blank stoicism--it will appear even to you that the rostrum is +destined to accomplish great things. Ripe knowledge in mighty +pulsations goes forth from the rostrum, and permeates society. The +rostrum governs and educates the rising young men who are destined to +assume leading positions in the state. The rostrum overthrows +antiquated forms of religious delusion, ennobles rational thought, +exact science, and deep investigation. The rostrum governs even the +throne; for we have princes in Germany who esteem liberty of thought +and progress of knowledge more than the art of governing their people +in a spirit of stupidity." + +Frank smiled. + +"The glory of the rostrum I leave undisputed," said he. "But I beg of +you to conceal from the doctor your scientific rule of faith. You may +get into trouble with the doctor." + +"I am very desirous of becoming acquainted with this paragon of +learning--you have told me so much about him; and I confess it was +partly to see him that I made this visit. Get into trouble? I do not +fear the old syllogism-chopper in the least. A good disputation with +him is even desirable." + +"Well, you are forewarned. If you go home with a lacerated back, it +will not be my fault." + +"A lacerated back?" said the professor quietly. "Does the doctor like +to use _striking_ arguments?" + +"Oh! no; but his sarcasm is as cutting as the slash of a sword, and his +logical vehemence is like the stroke of a club." + +"We will fight him with the same weapons," answered Carl, throwing back +his head. "Shall I pay him my respects immediately?" + +"The doctor admits no one. In his studio he is as inaccessible as a +Turkish sultan in his harem. I will introduce you in the dining-room, +as it is now just dinner-time." + +They betook themselves to the dining-room, and soon after they heard +the sound of a bell. + +"He is just now called to table," said Richard. "He does not allow the +servant to enter his room, and for that reason a bell has been hung +there." + +"How particular he is!" said the professor. + +A door of the ante-room was opened, quick steps were heard, and +Klingenberg hastily entered and placed himself at the table, as at a +work that must be done quickly, and then observed the stranger. + +"Doctor Lutz, professor of history in our university," said Frank, +introducing him. + +"Doctor Lutz--professor of history," said Klingenberg musingly. "Your +name is familiar to me, if I am not mistaken; are you not a +collaborator on Sybel's historical publication?" + +"I have that honor," answered the professor, with much dignity. + +They began to eat. + +"You read Sybel's periodical?" asked the professor. + +"We must not remain entirely ignorant of literary productions, +particularly the more excellent." + +Lutz felt much flattered by this declaration. + +"Sybel's periodical is an unavoidable necessity at present," said the +professor. "Historical research was in a bad way; it threatened to +succumb entirely to the ultramontane cause and the clerical party." + +"Now Sybel and his co-laborers will avert that danger," said the +doctor. "These men will do honor to historical research. The +ultramontanists have a great respect for Sybel. When he taught in +Munich, they did not rest till he turned his back on Isar-Athen. In my +opinion, Sybel should not have gone to Munich. The stupid Bavarians +will not allow themselves to be enlightened. So let them sit in +darkness, the stupid barbarians who have no appreciation for the +progress of science." + +The professor looked astonished. He could not understand how an admirer +of Sybel's could be so prejudiced. Frank was alarmed lest the professor +might perceive the doctor's keen sarcasm--which he delivered with a +serious countenance--and feel offended. He changed the conversation to +another subject, in which Klingenberg did not take part. + +"You have represented the doctor incorrectly," said the professor, +after the meal. "He understands Sybel and praises his efforts--the best +sign of a clear mind." + +"Klingenberg is always just," returned Frank. + +On the following afternoon, Lutz joined in the accustomed walk. As they +were passing through the chestnut grove, a servant of Siegwart's came +up breathless, with a letter in his hand, which he gave to Frank. + +"Gentlemen," said Frank after reading the letter, "I am urgently +requested to visit Herr Siegwart immediately. With your permission I +will go." + +"Of course, go," said Klingenberg. "I know," he added with a roguish +expression, "that you would as lief visit that excellent man as walk +with us." + +Richard went off in such haste that the question occurred to him why he +fulfilled with such zeal the wishes of a man with whom he had been so +short a time acquainted; but with the question Angela came before his +mind as an answer. He rejected this answer, even against his feelings, +and declared to himself that Siegwart's honorable character and +neighborly feeling made his haste natural and even obligatory. The +proprietor may have been waiting his arrival, for he came out to meet +him. Frank observed a dark cloud over the countenance of the man and +great anxiety in his features. + +"I beg your forgiveness a thousand times, Herr Frank. I know you go +walking with Herr Klingenberg at this hour, and I have deprived you of +that pleasure." + +"No excuse, neighbor. It is a question which would give me greater +pleasure, to serve you or to walk with Klingenberg." + +Richard smiled while saying these words; but the smile died away, for +he saw how pale and suddenly anxious Siegwart had become. They had +entered a room, and he desired to know the cause of Siegwart's changed +manner. + +"A great and afflicting misfortune threatens us," began the proprietor. +"My Eliza has been suddenly taken ill, and I have great fears for her +young life. Oh! if you knew how that child has grown into my heart." He +paused for a moment and suppressed his grief, but he could not hide +from Frank the tears that filled his eyes. Richard saw these tears, and +this paternal grief increased his respect for Siegwart. + +"The delicate life of a young child does not allow of protracted +medical treatment, of consultation or investigation into the disease or +the best remedies. The disease must be known immediately and efficient +remedies applied. There are physicians at my command, but I do not dare +to trust Eliza to them." + +"I presume, Herr Siegwart, that you wish for Klingenberg." + +"Yes--and through your mediation. You know that he only treats the sick +poor; but resolutely refuses his services to the wealthy." + +"Do not be uneasy about that. I hope to be able to induce Klingenberg +to correspond with your wishes. But is Eliza really so sick, or does +your apprehension increase your anxiety?" + +"I will show you the child, and then you can judge for yourself." They +went up-stairs and quietly entered the sick-room. Angela sat on the +little bed of the child, reading. The child was asleep, but the noise +of their entrance awoke her. She reached out her little round arms to +her father, and said in a scarcely audible whisper, + +"Papa--papa!" + +This whispered "papa" seemed to pierce the soul of Siegwart like a +knife. He drew near and leant over the child. + +"You will be well to-morrow, my sweet pet. Do you see, Herr Frank has +come to see you?" + +"Mamma!" whispered the child. + +"Your mother will come to-morrow, my Eliza. She will bring you +something pretty. My wife has been for the last two weeks at her +sister's, who lives a few miles from here," said Siegwart, turning to +Frank. "I sent a messenger for her early this morning." + +While the father sat on the bed and held Eliza's hand in his, Frank +observed Angela, who scarcely turned her eyes from the sick child. Her +whole soul seemed taken up with her suffering sister. Only once had she +looked inquiringly at Frank, to read in his face his opinion of the +condition of Eliza. She stood immovable at the foot of the bed, as +mild, as pure, and as beautiful as the guardian angel of the child. + +Both men left the room. + +"I will immediately seek the doctor, who is now on his walk," said +Frank. + +"Shall I send my servant for him?" + +"That is unnecessary," returned Frank. "And even if your servant should +find the doctor, he would probably not be inclined to shorten his walk. +Our gardener, who works in the chestnut grove, will show me the way the +doctor took. In an hour and a half at furthest I will be back." + +The young man pressed the outstretched hand of Siegwart, and hastened +away. + +In the mean time the doctor and the professor had reached a narrow, +wooded ravine, on both sides of which the rocks rose almost +perpendicularly. The path on which they talked passed near a little +brook, that flowed rippling over the pebbles in its bed. The branches +of the young beeches formed a green roof over the path, and only here +and there were a few openings through which the sun shot its sloping +beams across the cool, dusky way, and in the sunbeams floated and +danced dust-colored insects and buzzing flies. + +The learned saunterers continued their amusement without altercation +until the professor's presumption offended the doctor and led to a +vehement dispute. + +Klingenberg did not appear on the stage of publicity. He left boasting +and self-praise to others, far inferior to him in knowledge. He +despised that tendency which pursues knowledge only to command, which +cries down any inquiry that clashes with their theories. The doctor +published no learned work, nor did he write for the periodicals, to +defend his views. But if he happened to meet a scientific opponent, he +fought him with sharp, cutting weapons. + +"I do not doubt of the final victory of true science over the +falsifying party spirit of the ultramontanes," said the professor. +"Sybel's periodical destroys, year by year, more and more the crumbling +edifice which the clerical zealots build on the untenable foundation of +falsified facts." + +Klingenberg tore his cap from his head and swung it about vehemently, +and made such long strides that the other with difficulty kept up with +him. Suddenly he stopped, turned about, and looked the professor +sharply in the eyes. + +"You praise Sybel's publication unjustly," said he excitedly. "It is +true Sybel has founded a historical school, and has won many imitators; +but his is a school destructive of morality and of history--a school of +scientific radicalism, a school of falsehood and deceitfulness. Sybel +and his followers undertake to mould and distort history to their +purposes. They slur over every thing that contradicts their theories. +To them the ultramontanes are partial, prejudiced men--or perhaps asses +and dunces; you are unfortunately right when you say Sybel's school +wins ground; for Sybel and his fellows have brought lying and +falsification to perfection. They have in Germany perplexed minds, and +have brought their historical falsifications to market as true ware." + +The professor could scarcely believe his own ears. + +"I have given you freely and openly my judgment, which need not offend +you, as it refers to principles, not persons." + +"Not in the least," answered Lutz derisively. "I admit with pleasure +that Sybel's school is anti-church, and even anti-Christian, if you +will. There is no honor in denying this. The denial would be of no use; +for this spirit speaks too loudly and clearly in that school. Sybel and +his associates keep up with the enlightenment and liberalism of our +times. But I must contradict you when you say this free tendency is +injurious to society; the seed of free inquiry and human enlightenment +can bring forth only good fruits." + +"Oh! we know this fruit of the new heathenism," cried the doctor. +"There is no deed so dark, no crime so great, that it may not be +defended according to the anti-Christian principles of vicious +enlightenment and corrupt civilization. Sybel's school proves this with +striking clearness. Tyrants are praised and honored. Noble men are +defamed and covered with dirt." + +"This you assert, doctor; it is impossible to prove such a +declaration." + +"Impossible! Not at all. Sybel's periodical exalts to the seventh +heaven the tyrant Henry VIII. of England. You extol him as a +conscientious man who was compelled by scruples of conscience to +separate from his wife. You commend him for having but one mistress. +You say that the sensualities of princes are only of 'anecdotal +interest.' Naturally," added the doctor contemptuously, "a school that +cuts loose from Christian principles cannot consistently condemn +adultery. Fie! fie! Debauchees and men of gross sensuality might sit in +Sybel's enlightened school. Progress overthrows the cross, and erects +the crescent. We may yet live to see every wealthy man of the new +enlightenment have his harem. Whether society can withstand the +detestable consequences of this teaching of licentiousness and contempt +for Christian morality, is a consideration on which these progressive +gentlemen do not reflect." + +"I admit, doctor," said Lutz, "that the clear light of free, impartial +science must needs hurt the eyes of a pious believer. According to the +opinions of the ultramontanes, Henry VIII. was a terrible tyrant and +bloodhound. Sybel's periodical deserves the credit of having done +justice to that great king." + +"Do you say so?" cried the doctor, with flaming eyes. "You, a professor +of history in the university! You, who are appointed to teach our young +men the truth! Shame on you! What you say is nothing but stark +hypocrisy. I appeal to the heathen. You may consider religion from the +stand-point of an ape, for what I care; your cynicism, which is not +ashamed to equalize itself with the brute, may also pass. But this +hypocrisy, this fallacious representation of historical facts and +persons, this hypocrisy before my eyes--this I cannot stand; this must +be corrected." + +The doctor actually doubled up his fists. Lutz saw it and saw also the +wild fire in the eyes of his opponent, and was filled with apprehension +and anxiety. + +Erect and silent, fiery indignation in his flushed countenance, stood +Klingenberg before the frightened professor. As Lutz still held his +tongue, the doctor continued, + +"You call Henry VIII. a 'great king,' you extol and defend this 'great +king' in Sybel's periodical. I say Henry VIII. was a great scoundrel, a +blackguard without a conscience, and a bloodthirsty tyrant. I prove my +assertion. Henry VIII. caused to be executed two queens who were his +wives--two cardinals, twelve dukes and marquises, eighteen barons and +knights, seventy-seven abbots and priors, and over sixty thousand +Catholics. Why did he have them executed? Because they were criminals? +No; because they remained true to their consciences and to the religion +of their fathers. All these fell victims to the cruelty of Henry +VIII., whom you style a 'great king.' You glorify a man who for +blood-thirstiness and cruelty can be placed by the side of Nero and +Diocletian. That is my retort to your hypocrisy and historical +mendacity." + +The stern doctor having emptied his vials of wrath, now walked on +quietly; Lutz with drooping head followed in silence. + +"Sybel does not even stop with Henry VIII.," again began the doctor. +"These enlightened gentlemen undertake to glorify even Tiberius, that +inhuman monster. They might as well have the impudence to glorify +cruelty itself. On the other hand, truly great men, such as Tilly, are +abandoned to the hatred of the ignorant." + +"This is unjust," said the professor hastily. "Sybel's periodical in +the second volume says that Tilly was often calumniated by party +spirit; that the destruction of Magdeburg belongs to the class of +unproved and improbable events. The periodical proves that Tilly's +conduct in North Germany was mild and humane, that he signalized +himself by his simplicity, unselfishness, and conscientiousness. + +"Does Sybel's periodical say all this?" + +"Word for word, and much more in praise of that magnanimous man," said +Lutz. "From this you may know that science is just even to pious +heroes." + +Klingenberg smiled characteristically, and in his smile was an +expression of ineffable contempt. + +He stopped before the professor. + +"You have just quoted what impartial historical research informs us of +Tilly, in the second and third volumes. It is so. I remember perfectly +having read that favorable account. Now let me quote what the same +periodical says of the same Tilly in the seventeenth volume. There we +read that Tilly was a hypocrite and a blood-hound, whose name cannot be +mentioned without a shudder; furthermore, we are told that Tilly burned +Magdeburg, that he waged a ravaging war against men, women, children, +and property. You see, then, in the second and third volumes that Tilly +was a conscientious, mild man and pious hero; in the seventeenth +volume, that he was a tyrant and blood-hound. It appears from this with +striking clearness that the enlightened progressionists do not stick at +contradiction, mendacity, and defamation." + +The professor lowered his eyes and stood embarrassed. + +"I leave you, 'Herr Professor,' to give a name to such a procedure. +Besides, I must also observe that the strictly scientific method, as it +labels itself at present, does not stop at personal defamation. As +every holy delusion and religious superstition must be destroyed in the +hearts of the students, this lying and defamation extends to the +historical truths of faith. It is taught from the professors' chairs, +and confirmed by the journals, that confession is an invention of the +middle ages; while you must know from thorough research that confession +has existed up to the time of the apostles. You teach and write that +Innocent III. introduced the doctrine of transubstantiation in the +thirteenth century; while every one having the least knowledge of +history knows that at the council of 1215 it was only made a duty to +receive the holy communion at Easter, that the fathers of the first +ages speak of transubstantiation--that it has its foundation in +Scripture. You know as well as I do that indulgences were imparted even +in the first century; but this does not prevent you from teaching that +the popes of the middle ages invented indulgences from love of money, +and sold them from avarice. Thus the progressive science lies and +defames, yet is not ashamed to raise high the banner of enlightenment; +thus you lead people into error, and destroy youth! Fie! fie!" + +The doctor turned and was about to proceed when he heard his name +called. Frank hastened to him, the perspiration running from his +forehead, and his breast heaving from rapid breathing. In a few words +he made known Eliza's illness, and Siegwart's request. + +"You know," said Klingenberg, "that I treat only the poor, who cannot +easily get a physician." + +"Make an exception in this case, doctor, I beg of you most earnestly! +You respect Siegwart yourself for his integrity, and I also of late +have learned to esteem the excellent man, whose heart at present is +rent with anxiety and distress. Save this child, doctor; I beg of you +save it." + +Klingenberg saw the young man's anxiety and goodness, and benevolence +beamed on his still angry face. + +"I see," said he, "that no refusal is to be thought of. Well, we will +go." And he immediately set off with long strides on his way back. +Richard cast a glance at the professor, who followed, gloomy and +spiteful. He saw the angry look he now and then turned on the hastening +doctor, and knew that a sharp contest must have taken place. But his +solicitude for Siegwart's child excluded all other sympathy. On the way +he exchanged only a few words with Lutz, who moved on morosely, and was +glad when Klingenberg and Richard separated from him in the vicinity of +Frankenhoehe. + +Ten minutes later they entered the house of Siegwart. The doctor stood +for a moment observing the child without touching it. The little one +opened her eyes, and appeared to be frightened at the strange man with +the sharp features. Siegwart and Angela read anxiously in the doctor's +immovable countenance. As Eliza said "Papa," in a peculiar, feverish +tone, Klingenberg moved away from the bed. He cast a quick glance at +the father, went to the window and drummed with his fingers on the +glass. Frank read in that quick glance that Eliza must die. Angela must +also have guessed the doctor's opinion, for she was very much affected; +her head sank on her breast and tears burst from her eyes. + +Klingenberg took out his notebook, wrote something on a small slip of +paper, and ordered the recipe to be taken immediately to the +apothecary. He then took his departure. + +"What do you think of the child?" said Siegwart, as they passed over +the yard. + +"The child is very sick; send for me in the morning if it be +necessary." + +Frank and the doctor went some distance in silence. The young man +thought of the misery the death of Eliza would bring on that happy +family, and the pale, suffering Angela in particular stood before him. + +"Is recovery not possible?" + +"No. The child will surely die to-night. I prescribed only a soothing +remedy. I am sorry for Siegwart; he is one of the few fathers who hang +with boundless love on their children--particularly when they are +young. The man must call forth all his strength to bear up against it." + +When Frank entered his room, he found Lutz in a very bad humor. + +"You have judged that old bear much too leniently," began the +professor. "The man is a model of coarseness and intolerable bigotry." + +"I thought so," said Frank. "I know you and I know the doctor; and I +knew two such rugged antitheses must affect each other unpleasantly. +What occasioned your dispute?" + +"What! A thousand things," answered his friend ill-humoredly. "The +old rhinoceros has not the least appreciation of true knowledge. He +carries haughtily the long wig of antiquated stupidity, and does not +see the shallowness of the swamp in which he wallows. The genius of +Christianity is to him the sublime. Where this stops, pernicious +enlightenment--which corrupts the people, turns churches into +ball-rooms, and the Bible into a book of fables--begins." + +"The doctor is not wrong there," said Frank earnestly. "Are they not +endeavoring with all their strength to deprive the Bible of its divine +character? Does not one Schenkel in Heidelberg deny the divinity of +Christ? Is not this Schenkel the director of a theological faculty? Do +not some Catholic professors even begin to dogmatize and dispute the +authority of the holy see?" + +"We rejoice at the consoling fact that Catholic _savants_ themselves +break the fetters with which Rome's infallibility has bound in +adamantine chains the human mind!" cried Lutz with enthusiasm. + +"It appears strange to me when young men--scarcely escaped from the +school, and boasting of all modern knowledge--cast aside as old, +worthless rubbish what great minds of past ages have deeply pondered. +The see of Rome and its dogmas have ruled the world for eighteen +hundred years. Rome's dogmas overthrew the old world and created a new +one. They have withstood and survived storms that have engulfed all +else besides. Such strength excites wonder and admiration, but not +contempt." + +"I let your eulogy on Rome pass," said the professor. "But as Rome and +her dogmas have overthrown heathenism, so will the irresistible +progress of science overthrow Christianity. Coming generations will +smile as complacently at the God of Christendom as we consider with +astonishment the great and small gods of the heathen." + +"I do not desire the realization of your prophecy," said Frank +gloomily; "for it must be accompanied by convulsions that will +transform the whole world, and therefore I do not like to see an +anti-Christian tendency pervading science." + +"Tendency, tendency!" said Lutz, hesitating. "In science there is no +tendency; there is but truth." + +"Easy, friend, easy! Be candid and just. You will not deny that the +tendency of Sybel's school is to war against the church?" + +"Certainly, in so far as the church contends against truth and thorough +investigation." + +"Good; and the friends of the church will contend against you in so far +as you are inimical to the spirit of the church. And so, tendency on +one side, tendency on the other. But it is you who make the more noise. +As soon as a book opposed to you appears,--'Partial!' you say with +contemptuous mien; 'Odious!' 'Ecclesiastical!' 'Unreadable!' and it is +forthwith condemned. But it appears to me natural that a man should +labor and write in a cause which is to him the noblest cause." + +"I am astonished, Richard! You did not think formerly as you now do. +But I should not be surprised if your intercourse with the doctor is +not without its effects." This the professor said in a cutting tone. +Frank turned about and walked the room. The observation of his friend +annoyed him, and he reflected whether his views had actually undergone +any change. + +"You deceive yourself. I am still the same," said he. "You cannot +mistrust me because I do not take part with you against the doctor." + +Carl sat for a time thinking. + +"Is my presence at the table necessary?" said he. "I do not wish to +meet the doctor again." + +"That would be little in you. You must not avoid the doctor. You must +convince yourself that he does not bear any ill-will on account of that +scientific dispute. With all his rough bluntness, Klingenberg is a +noble man. Your non-appearance at table must offend him, and at the +same time betray your annoyance." + +"I obey," answered Lutz. "Tomorrow I will go for a few days to the +mountains. On my return I will remain another day with you." + +Frank's assurance was confirmed. The doctor met the guest as if nothing +unpleasant had happened. In the cool of the evening he went with the +young men into the garden, and spoke with such familiarity of Tacitus, +Livy, and other historians of antiquity that the professor admired his +erudition. + +Frank wrote in his diary: + + +"May 20th.--After mature reflection, I find that the views which I +believed to be strongly founded begin to totter. What would the +professor say if he knew that not the doctor, but a country family, and +that, too, ultramontane, begin to shake the foundation of my views? +Would he not call me weak?" + + +He laid down the pen and sat sullenly reflecting. + + +"All my impressions of the ultramontane family be herewith effaced," he +wrote further. "The only fact I admit is, that even ultramontanes also +can be good people. But this fact shall in no wise destroy my former +convictions." + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + THE ULTRAMONTANE WAY OF THINKING. + + +On the following morning, no message was sent for the doctor. The child +had died, as Klingenberg foretold. Frank thought of the great +affliction of the Siegwart family--Angela in tears, and the father +broken down with grief. It drove him from Frankenhoehe. In a quarter of +an hour he was at the house of the proprietor. + +A servant came weeping to meet him. + +"You cannot speak to my master," said she. "We had a bad night. My +master is almost out of his mind; he has only just now lain down. Poor +Eliza! the dear, good child." And the tears burst forth again. + +"When did the child die?" + +"At four o'clock this morning; and how beautiful she still looks in +death! You would think she is only sleeping. If you wish to see her, +just go up to the same room in which you were yesterday." + +After some hesitation, Frank ascended the stairs and entered the room. +As he passed the threshold, he paused, greatly surprised at the sight +that met his view. The room was darkened, the shutters closed, and +across the room streamed the broken rays of the morning sun. On a +white-covered table burned wax candles, in the midst of which stood a +large crucifix; there was also a holy-water vase, and in it a green +branch. On the white cushions of the bed reposed Eliza, a crown of +evergreens about her forehead, and a little crucifix in her folded +hands. Her countenance was not the least disfigured; only about her +softly closed eyes there was a dark shade, and the lifelike freshness +of the lips had vanished. Angela sat near the bed on a low stool; she +had laid her head near that of her sister, and in consequence of a +wakeful night was fast asleep. Eliza's little head lay in her arms, and +in her hand she held the same rosary that he had found near the statue. +Frank stood immovable before the interesting group. + +The most beautiful form he had ever beheld he now saw in close contact +with the dead. Earnest thoughts passed through his mind. The +fleetingness of all earthly things vividly occurred to him. Eliza's +corpse reminded him impressively that her sister, the charming Angela, +must meet the same inevitable fate. His eyes rested on the beautiful +features of the sufferer, which were not in the least disfigured by +bitter or gloomy dreams, and which expressed in sleep the sweetest +peace. She slept as gently and confidingly near Eliza as if she did not +know the abyss which death had placed between them. The only disorder +in Angela's external appearance was the glistening curls of hair that +hung loose over her shoulders on her breast. + +At length Frank departed, with the determination of returning to make +his visit of condolence. After the accustomed walk with Klingenberg, he +went immediately back to Siegwart's. + +When he returned home, he wrote in his diary: + +"May 21st.--Surprising and wonderful! + +"When my uncle's little Agnes died, my aunt took ill, and my uncle's +condition bordered on insanity; tortured by excruciating anguish, he +murmured against Providence. He accused God of cruelty and injustice, +because he took from him a child he loved so much, he lost all +self-control, and had not strength to bear the misfortune with +resignation. And now the Siegwart family are in the same circumstances; +the father is much broken down, much afflicted, but very resigned; his +trembling lips betray the affliction that presses on his heart, but +they make no complaints against Providence. + +"'I thank you for your sympathy,' said he to me. 'The trial is painful; +but God knows what he does. The Lord gave me the dear child; the Lord +has taken her away. His holy will be done.' So spoke Siegwart. While he +said this, a perceptible pain changed his manly countenance, and he lay +like a quivering victim on the altar of the Lord. Siegwart's wife, a +beautiful woman, with calm, mild eyes, wept inwardly. Her mother's +heart bled from a thousand wounds; but she showed the same self-control +and resignation as Siegwart did to the will of the Most High. + +"And Angela? I do not understand her at all. She speaks of Eliza as of +one sleeping, or of one who has gone to a place where she is happy. But +sometimes a spasm twitches her features; then her eyes rest on the +crucifix that stands amid the lighted candles. The contemplation of the +crucifix seems to afford her strength and vigor. This is a mystery to +me. I cannot conceive the mysterious power of that carved figure. + +"Misery does not depress these people: it ennobles them. I have never +seen the like. When I compare their conduct with that of those I have +known, I confess that the Siegwart family puts my acquaintance as well +as myself to shame. + +"What gives these people this strength, this calm, this resignation? +Religion, perhaps. Then religion is infinitely more than a mere +conception, a mere external rule of faith. + +"I am beginning to suspect that between heaven and earth there exists, +for those who live for heaven, a warm, living union. It appears to me +that Providence does not, indeed, exempt the faithful from the common +lot of earthly affliction; but he gives them strength which transcends +the power of human nature. + +"I have undertaken the task of putting Angela to the test, and what do +I find? Admiration for her--shame for myself; and also the certainty +that my views of women must be restricted." + +He had scarcely written down these thoughts, when he bit impatiently +the pen between his teeth. + +"We must not be hasty in our judgments," he wrote further. "Perhaps it +is my ignorance of the depth of the human heart that causes me to +consider in so favorable a light the occurrences in the Siegwart +family. + +"Perhaps it is a kind of stupidity of mind, an unrefined feeling, a +frivolous perception of fatality, that gives these people this quiet +and resignation. My judgment shall not be made up. Angela may conceal +beneath the loveliness of her nature characteristics and failings which +may justify my opinion of the sex, notwithstanding." + +With a peculiar stubbornness which struggles to maintain a favorite +conviction, he closed the diary. + +On the second day after Eliza's death, the body was consigned to the +earth. Frank followed the diminutive coffin, which was carried by four +little girls dressed in white. The youthful bearers had wreaths of +flowers on their heads and blue silk ribbons about their waists, the +ends of which hung down. + +After these followed a band of girls, also dressed in white and blue. +They had flowers fixed in their hair, and in their hands they carried a +large wreath of evergreens and roses. The whole community followed the +procession--a proof of the great respect the proprietor enjoyed among +his neighbors. Siegwart's manner was quiet, but his eyes were inflamed. +As the coffin was lowered into the ground, the larks sang in the air, +and the birds in the bushes around joined their sweet cadences with the +not plaintive but joyful melodies which were sung by a choir of little +girls. The church ceremonies, like nature, breathed joy and triumph, +much to Richard's astonishment. He did not understand how these songs +of gladness and festive costumes could be reconciled with the open +grave. He believed that the feelings of the mourners must be hurt by +all this. He remained with the family at the grave till the little +mound was smoothed and finished above it. The people scattered over the +graveyard, and knelt praying before the different graves. The cross was +planted on Eliza's resting-place, and the girls placed the large wreath +on the little mound. Siegwart spoke words of consolation to his wife as +he conducted her to the carriage. Angela, sunk in sadness, still +remained weeping at the grave. Richard approached and offered her his +arm. The carriage proceeded toward Salingen and stopped before the +church, whose bells were tolling. The service began. Again was Richard +surprised at the joyful melody of the church hymns. The organ pealed +forth joyfully as on a festival. Even the priest at the altar did not +wear black, but white vestments. Frank, unfamiliar with the deep spirit +of the Catholic liturgy, could not understand this singular funeral +service. + +After service the family returned. Frank sat opposite to Angela, who +was very sad, but in no way depressed. He even thought he saw now and +then the light of a peculiar joy in her countenance. Madame Siegwart +could not succeed in overcoming her maternal sorrow. Her tears burst +forth anew, and her husband consoled her with tender words. + +Frank strove to divert Angela from her sad thoughts. As he thought it +would not be in good taste to speak of ordinary matters, he expressed +his surprise at the manner of the burial. + +"Your sister," said he, "was interred with a solemnity which excited my +surprise, and, I confess, my disapprobation. Not a single hymn of +sorrow was sung, either at the grave or in the church. One would not +believe that those white-clad girls with wreaths of flowers on their +heads were carrying the soulless body of a beloved being to the grave. +The whole character of the funeral was that of rejoicing. How is this, +Fraeulein Angela; is that the custom here?" + +She looked at him somewhat astonished. + +"That is the custom in the whole Catholic Church," she replied. "At the +burial of children she excludes all sadness; and for that reason masses +of requiem in black vestments are never said for them; but masses of +the angels in white." + +"Do you not think the custom is in contradiction to the sentiments of +nature--to the sorrowful feelings of those who remain?" + +"Yes, I believe so," she answered tranquilly. "Human nature grieves +about many things over which the spirit should rejoice." + +These words sounded enigmatically to Richard. + +"I do not comprehend the meaning of your words, Fraeulein Angela." + +"Grief at the death of a relative is proper for us, because a beloved +person has been taken from our midst. But the church, on the contrary, +rejoices because an innocent, pure soul has reached the goal after +which we all strive--eternal happiness. You see, Herr Frank, that the +church considers the departure of a child from this world from a more +exalted point of view, and comprehends it in a more spiritual sense, +than the natural affection. While the heart grows weak from sadness, +the church teaches us that Eliza is happy; that she has gone before us, +and that we will be separated from her but for a short time; that +between us there is a spiritual union which is based on the communion +of saints. Faith teaches me that Eliza, rescued from all afflictions +and disappointments, is happy in the kingdom of the blessed. If I could +call her back, I would not do it; for this desire springs from egotism, +which can make no sacrifices to love." + +Her eyes were full of tears as she said these last words. But that +peculiar joy which Richard had before observed, and the meaning of +which he now understood, again lighted up her countenance. He leaned +back in the carriage, and was forced to admit that the religious +conception of death was very consoling, even grand, when compared with +that conception which modern enlightenment has of it. + +The carriage moved slowly through the silent court-yard, which lay as +gloomy under the clouds as though it had put on mourning for the dead. +The chickens sat huddled together in a corner, their heads sadly +drooping. Even the garrulous sparrows were silent, and through the +linden tops came a low, rustling sound like greetings from another +world. + +Assisted by Richard's hand, Angela descended from the carriage. Her +father thanked him for his sympathy, and expressed a wish to see him +soon again in the family circle. As Richard glanced at Angela, he +thought he read in her look a confirmation of all her father said. +Siegwart's invitation was unnecessary. The young man was attracted more +strongly to the proprietor's house as Angela's qualities revealed +themselves to his astonished view more clearly. But Frank would not +believe in the spotlessness and sublime dignity of a Christian maiden. +He did not change his former judgment against the sex. His stubbornness +still persisted in the opinion that Angela had her failings, which, if +manifested, would obscure the external brilliancy of her appearance, +but which remained hidden from view. Continued observation alone would, +in Frank's opinion, succeed in disclosing the repulsive shadows. + +Perhaps a proud determination to justify his former opinions lay less +at the bottom of this obstinate tenacity than an unconscious stratagem. +The young man anticipated that his respect for Angela would end in +passionate affection as soon as she stood before him in the full, +serene power of her beauty. He feared this power, and therefore +combated her claims. + +The professor had returned from his excursion into the mountains, and +related what he had seen and heard. "Such excursions on historic +grounds," said he, "are interesting and instructive to the historical +inquirer. What historical sources hint at darkly become distinct, and +many incredible things become clear and intelligible. Thus, I once read +in an old chronicle that the monks during choral service sung with such +enchanting sweetness that the empress and her ladies and knights who +were present burst into tears. I smiled at this passage from the +garrulous old chronicler, and thought that the fabulous spirit of the +middle ages had descended into the pen of the good man. How often have +I heard Mozart's divine music, how often have I been entranced by the +stormy, thrilling fantasies of Beethoven! But I was never moved to +tears, and I never saw even delicate ladies weep. Two days ago, I +wandered alone among the ruins of the abbey of Hagenroth. I stood in +the ruined church; above was the unclouded sky, and high round about me +the naked walls. Here and there upon the walls hung patches of plaster, +and these were painted. I examined the paintings and found them of +remarkable purity and depth of sentiment. I examined the painted +columns in the nave and choir, and found a beautiful harmony. I admired +the excellence of the colors, on which it has snowed, rained, and +frozen for three hundred and twenty years. I then examined the fallen +columns, the heavy capitals, the beauty of the ornaments, and from +these significant remnants my imagination built up the whole structure, +and the church loomed up before me in all its simple grandeur and +charming finish. I was forced to recognize and admire those artists who +knew how to produce such wonderful and charming effects by such simple +combinations. I thought on that passage of the chronicle, and I believe +if, at that moment, the simple, pure chant of the monks had echoed +through the basilica, I also would have been moved to tears. If the +monks knew, thought I, how to captivate and charm by their +architecture, why could they not do the same with music?" + +"The stupid monks!" said Richard. + +"If you had spoken those words at my side in that tone as I stood amid +those ruins, they would have sounded like malicious envy from the mouth +of the spirit of darkness." + +"Your admiration for the monks is indeed a great curiosity," said +Frank, smiling. "Sybel's congenial friend a eulogist of the monks! That +indeed is as strange as a square circle." + +"If I admire the splendor of heathenism, must I not also admire the +fascinating, still depth of Christian childhood? In heathenism as well +as in Christianity human genius accomplishes great and sublime things." + +"That, in its whole extent, I must dispute," said Frank. "Where is the +splendor and greatness of heathenism? The heathen built palaces of +great magnificence, but crime stalked naked about in them. When the +lord of the palace killed his slaves for his amusement, there was no +law to condemn him. When lords and ladies at their epicurean feasts +would step aside into small apartments, there by artificial means to +empty their gorged stomachs, they did not offend either against heathen +decency or its law of moderation. The marble columns proudly supported +gilded arches; but when beneath those arches a human victim bled under +the knife of the priests, this was in harmony with the genius of +heathenism. The amphitheatres were immense halls, full of art and +magnificence, in which a hundred thousand spectators could sit and +behold with delight the lions and tigers devour slaves, or the +gladiators slaughtering each other for their amusement. No. True +greatness and real splendor I do not find in heathenism. Where heathen +greatness is, there terrible darkness, profound error, and horrible +customs abound. Christianity had to contend for three hundred years to +destroy the abominations of heathenism." + +"I will not dispute about it now," said Lutz. "You shall not destroy by +your criticism the beautiful impressions of my excursion. I also met +the Swedes on my tour. About thirty miles from here there is, among the +hills, a valley. The peasants call the place the 'murder-chamber.' I +suspected that the name might be associated with some historical event, +and, on inquiry, I found such to be the case. In the Thirty Years' War, +when Gustavus Adolphus, the pious hero, passed through the German +provinces murdering and robbing, the inhabitants of the neighborhood +fled with their wives, children, and property to this remote valley. +They imagined themselves hid in these woods and defiles from the +wandering Swedes, but they deceived themselves. Their hiding-place +was discovered, and every living thing--Cows, calves, and oxen +excepted--was put to the sword. 'The blood of the massacred,' said my +informer, 'flowed down the valley like a brook; and for fifty years the +neighborhood was desolate, because the Swedes had destroyed every +thing.' Such masterpieces of Swedish blood-thirstiness are found in +many places in Germany; and as the people celebrate them in song and +story, it is certain that the pious hero has won for himself +imperishable fame in the art of slaughter." + +"Do you not wish to have the 'murder-chamber' appear in Sybel's +periodical?" + +"No; fable must be carefully separated from history; and in this case I +want the inclination for the subject." + +"Fabulous! I find in the 'murder-chamber' nothing but the true Swedish +nature of that time." + +The professor shrugged his shoulders. + +"Gustavus Adolphus may wander for ever about Germany as the 'pious +hero,' if for no other purpose than to annoy the ultramontanes." + +Frank thought of the Siegwart family. + +"I believe we are unjust in our judgments of the ultramontanes," said +he. "I visit every day a family which my father declares not only to be +ultramontane, but even clerical, and on account of it will not +associate with them. But I saw there only the noble, good, and +beautiful." And he reported circumstantially what he knew of the +Siegwart family. + +"You have observed carefully; and in particular no feature of Angela +has escaped you. This Angela," he continued jocosely, "must be an +incarnate ideal of the other world, since she has excited the interest +of my friend, even though she wears crinoline." + +"But she does not wear crinoline," said Frank. + +"Not!" returned the professor, smiling. "Then it is just right. The +Angel of Salingen belongs to the nine choirs of angels, and was sent to +the earth in woman's form to win my proud, woman-hating friend to the +fair sex." + +"My conversion to the highest admiration of women is by no means +impossible; at least in one case," answered Richard, in the same +earnest tone. + +"I am astonished!" said the professor. "My interest is boundless. Could +I not see this wonderful lady?" + +"Why not? It is eight o'clock. At this hour I am accustomed to make my +visit." + +"Let us go, by all means," urged Lutz. + +On the way Frank spoke of Angela's charitable practices, of her love +for the poor, her pious customs, and of her deep religious sentiment, +which manifested itself in every thing; of her activity in household +matters, of her modesty and humility. All this he said in a tone of +enthusiasm. The professor listened with attention and smiled. + +As they went through the gate into the large court-yard, they saw +Angela standing under the lindens. She held a large dish in her hand. +About her pressed and crowded the representatives of all races and +nations of that multitude which material progress has raised from +slavish degradation. From Angela's hand rained golden corn among the +chattering brood, who, pressed by a ravenous appetite, hungrily shoved, +pushed, and upset each other. Even the chivalrous cocks had forgotten +their propriety, and greedily snatched up the yellow fruit without +gallantly cooing and offering the treasure to the females. Nimble ducks +glided between the legs of the turkeys and snatched up, quick as +lightning, the grains from their open bills. This did not please the +turkeys, who gobbled and struck their sharp bills into the bobbing +heads of the ducks. A solitary turkey cock alone scorned to participate +in the hungry pleasures of the common herd. He spread his wings stiffly +like a crinoline around his body, strutted about the yard, uttered a +gallant guttural gobble, and played the fine lady in style. + +Near the gate stood the stalls. They all had double doors, so that the +upper part could be opened while the lower half remained closed. As the +two friends passed, they saw a massive head protruding through the open +half of one of those doors. The head was red, and was set upon the +powerful shoulders of a steer who had broken loose from his fastening +to take a walk about the yard. When he saw the strangers, he began to +snort, cock his ears, and shake his head, while his fiery eyes rolled +wildly in his head. + +"A handsome beast," said Frank, as he stopped. "How wide his forehead, +how strong his horns, how powerful his chest!" + +"His head," said Lutz, "would be an expressive symbol for the +evangelist Luke." + +The steer was not pleased with these compliments. Bellowing angrily he +rushed against the door, which gave way. Slowly and powerfully came +forth from the darkness of the stall the colossal limbs of the +dangerous beast. The friends, unexpectedly placed in the power of this +terrible enemy, stood paralyzed. They beheld the colossus lashing his +sides with his tail, lowering his head threateningly, and maliciously +stealing toward them like a cat stealing to a mouse till she gets +within a sure spring of it. The steer had evidently the same design on +strangers. He thought to crush them with his iron forehead and amuse +himself with tossing up their lifeless bodies. They saw this, clearly +enough, but there was no time for flight. The red steer in his mad +onset would certainly overtake and run them down. Luckily, the +professor remembered from the Spanish bull-fights how they must meet +these beasts, and he quickly warned his friend. + +"If he charges, slip quickly to one side." + +Scarcely had the words escaped his trembling lips, when the steer gave +a short bellow, lowered his head, and, quick as an arrow, rushed upon +Frank. He jumped to one side, but slipped and fell to the ground. The +steer dashed against a wagon that was standing near, and broke several +of the spokes. Maddened at the failure of his charge, he turned quickly +about and saw Frank lying on the ground, and rejoiced over his helpless +victim. Richard commended his soul to God, but had enough presence of +mind not to move a limb; he even kept his eyes closed. The steer +snuffed about, and Frank felt his warm breath. The steer evidently did +not know how to begin with the lifeless thing, until he took it into +his head to stick his horns into the yielding mass. The young man was +lost--now the steer lowered his horns--now came the rescue. + +Angela had only observed the visitor as the bellowing steer rushed at +him. All this took but a minute. The servants were not then in the +yard; and before they could be called, Richard would be gored a dozen +times by the sharp weapons of the steer. The professor trembled in +every limb; he neither dared to cry for help, lest he might remind the +steer of his presence, nor to move from the place. He seemed destined +to be compelled to see his friend breathe out his life under the +torturing stabs. + +Before this happened, however, Angela's voice rang imperatively through +the yard. The astonished steer raised his head, and when he saw the +frail form coming toward him with the dish in her hand, he gave forth a +friendly low, and had even the good grace to go a few steps to meet +her. + +"Falk, what are you about?" said she reproachfully. "You are a terrible +beast to treat visitors so." + +Falk lowed his apology, and, as he perceived the contents of the dish, +he awkwardly sank his mouth into it. Angela scratched his jaws, at +which he was so delighted that he even forgot the dish and held still +like a child. The professor looked on this scene with amazement--the +airy form before the murderous head of the steer. As Master Falk began +even to lick Angela's hand, the professor was very near believing in +miracles. + +"So now, be right good, Falk!" said she coaxingly; "now go back where +you belong. Keep perfectly quiet, Herr Frank; do not move, and it will +be soon over." + +She patted the steer on the broad neck, and holding the dish before +him, led him to the stall, into which he quickly disappeared. + +Frank arose. + +"You are not hurt?" asked Lutz with concern. + +"Not in the least," answered Frank, taking out his pocket handkerchief +and brushing the dust from his clothes. The professor brought him his +hat, which had bounced away when he fell, and placed it on the head of +his trembling friend. + +Angela returned after housing the steer. Frank went some steps toward +her, as if to thank her on his knees for his life; but he concluded to +stand, and a sad smile passed over his countenance. + +"Fraeulein Angela," said he, "I have the honor of introducing to you my +friend, Herr Lutz, professor at our university." + +"It gives me pleasure to know the gentleman," said she. "But I regret +that, through the negligence of Louis, you have been in great danger. +Great God! if I had not been in the yard." And her beautiful face +became as pale as marble. + +Richard observed this expression of fright, and it shot through his +melancholy smile like rays of the highest delight; but for his +preserver he had not a single word of thanks. Lutz, not understanding +this conduct, was displeased at his friend, and undertook himself to +return her thanks. + +"You have placed yourself in the greatest danger, Fraeulein Angela," +said he. "Had I been able when you went to meet the steer, I would have +held you back with both hands; but I must acknowledge that I was +palsied by fear." + +"I placed myself in no danger," she replied. "Falk knows me well, and +has to thank me for many dainties. When father is away, I have to go +into the stalls to see if the servants have done their work. So all the +animals know me, and I can call them all by name." + +They went into the house. + +"It is well that my parents are absent to-day, and that the accident +was observed by no one; for my father would discharge the Swiss who has +charge of the animals, for his negligence. I would be sorry for the +poor man. I beg of you, therefore, to say nothing of it to my father. I +will correct him for it, and I am sure he will be more careful in +future." + +While she spoke, the eyes of the professor rested upon her, and it is +scarcely doubtful that in his present judgment the splendor of the +rostrum was eclipsed. Frank sat silent, observing. He scarcely joined +in the conversation, which his friend conducted with great warmth. + +"This occurrence," said Lutz, on his way home, "appears to me like an +episode from the land of fables and wonders. First, the steer fight; +then the overcoming of the beast by a maiden; lastly, a maid of such +beauty that all the fair ones of romance are thrown in the shade. By +heaven, I must call all my learning to my aid in order to be able to +forget her and not fall in love up to the ears!" + +Frank said nothing. + +"And you did not even thank her!" said Lutz vehemently. "Your conduct +was more than ungallant. I do not understand you." + +"Nothing without reason," said Frank. + +"No matter! Your conduct cannot be justified," growled the professor. +"I would like to know the reason that prevented you from thanking your +preserver for your life?" + +Richard stopped, looked quietly into the glowing countenance of his +friend, and proceeded doubtingly, + +"You shall know all, and then judge if my offensive conduct is not +pardonable." + +He began to relate how he met Angela for the first time on the lonely +road in the forest, how she then made a deep impression on him, what he +learned of her from the poor man and from Klingenberg, and how his +opinion of womankind had been shaken by Angela; then he spoke of his +object in visiting the Siegwart family, of his observations and +experience. + +"I had about come to the conclusion, and the occurrence of to-day +realizes that conclusion, that Angela possesses that admirable virtue +which, until now, I believed only to exist in the ideal world. If there +is a spark of vanity in her, I must have offended her. She must have +looked resentfully at me, the ungrateful man, and treated me sulkily. +But such was not the case; her eyes rested on me with the same +clearness and kindness as ever. My coarse unthankfulness did not offend +her, because she does not think much of herself, because she makes no +pretensions, because she does not know her great excellence, but +considers her little human weaknesses in the light of religious +perfection--in short, because she is truly humble. She will bury this +dauntless deed in forgetfulness. She does not wish the little and great +journals to bring her courage into publicity. Tell me a woman, or even +a man, who could be capable of such modesty? Who would risk life to +rescue a stranger from the horns of a ferocious steer without +hesitation, and not desire an acknowledgment of the heroic deed? How +great is Angela, how admirable in every act! I was unthankful; yes, in +the highest degree unthankful. But I placed myself willingly in this +odious light, in order to see Angela in full splendor. As I said," he +concluded quietly, "I must soon confess myself besieged--vanquished on +the whole line of observation." + +"And what then?" said the professor. + +"Then I am convinced," said Richard, "that female worth exists, shining +and brilliant, and that in the camp of the ultramontanes." + +"A shaming experience for us," replied the professor. "You make your +studies practical, you destroy all the results of learned investigation +by living facts. To be just, it must be admitted that a woman like what +you have described Angela to be only grows and ripens on the ground of +religious influences and convictions." + +"And did you observe," said Richard, "how modestly she veiled the +splendor of her brave action? She denied that there was any danger in +the presence of the steer, although it is well known that those beasts +in moments of rage forget all friendship. Angela must certainly have +felt this as she went to meet the horns of the infuriated animal to +rescue me." + +Frank visited daily, and sometimes twice a day, the Siegwart family; he +was always received with welcome, and might be considered an intimate +friend. The family spirit unfolded itself clearer and clearer to his +view. He found that every thing in that house was pervaded by a +religious influence, and this without any design or haughty piety. The +assessor was destined to receive a striking proof of this. + +One afternoon a coach rolled into the court-yard. The family were at +tea. The Assessor von Hamm entered, dressed entirely in black; even the +red ribbon was wanting in the button-hole. + +"I have learned with grief of the misfortune that has overtaken you," +said he after a very formal reception. "I obey the impulse of my heart +when I express my sincere sympathy in the great affliction you have +suffered in the death of the dear little Eliza." + +The tears came into the eyes of Madame Siegwart. Angela looked straight +before her, as if to avoid the glance of the assessor. + +"We thank you, Herr von Hamm," returned the proprietor. "We were +severely tried, but we are reasonable enough to know that our family +cannot be exempted from the afflictions of human life." + +Hamm sat down, a cup was set before him, and Angela poured him out a +cup of fragrant tea. The assessor acknowledged this service with his +sweetest smile, and the most obliged expression of thanks. + +"You are right," he then said. "No one is exempt from the stroke of +fate. Man must submit to the unavoidable. To the ancients, blind fate +was terrific and frightful. The present enlightenment submits with +resignation." + +If a bomb had plunged into the room and exploded upon the table, it +could not have produced greater confusion than these words of the +assessor. Madame Siegwart looked at him with astonishment and shook her +head. The proprietor, embarrassed, sipped his tea. Angela's blooming +cheeks lost their color. Hamm did not even perceive the effect of his +fatal words, and Frank was scarcely able to hide his secret pleasure at +Hamm's sad mishap. + +"We know no fate, no blind, unavoidable destiny," said Siegwart, who +could not forgive the assessor his unchristian sentiment. "But we know +a divine providence, an all-powerful will, without whose consent the +sparrow does not fall from the house-top. We believe in a Father in +heaven who, counts the hairs of our heads, and whose counsels rule our +destiny." + +Hamm smiled. + +"You believe then, Herr Siegwart, that divine providence, or rather +God, has aimed that blow at you?" + +"Yes; so I believe." + +"Pardon me. I think you judge too hard of God. It is inconsistent with +his paternal goodness to afflict your beloved child with such +misfortune." + +"Misfortune? It is to be doubted whether Eliza's death is a misfortune. +Perhaps her early departure from this world is precisely her happiness; +and then we must reflect that God is master of life and death. It is +not for us to call the Almighty to account, even if his divine +ordinances should be counter to our wishes." + +"I respect your religious convictions, Herr Siegwart. Permit me, +however, to observe that God is much too exalted to have an eye to all +human trifles. He simply created the natural law; this he leaves to its +course. All the elements must obey these laws. Every creature is +subject to them; and when Eliza died, she died in consequence of the +course of these laws, but not through God's express will. Do you not +think that this view of our misfortunes reconciles us with the +conceptions we have of God's goodness?" + +"No; I do not believe it, because such a view contradicts the Christian +faith," replied Siegwart earnestly. "What kind of a God, what kind of a +Father would he be who would let every thing go as it might? He would +be less a father than the poorest laborer who supports his family in +the sweat of his brow." + +"And the whole army of misfortunes that daily overtake the human +family? Does this army await the command of God?" + +"Do not forget, Herr Assessor, that the most of these misfortunes are +deserved; brought on by our sins and passions. If excesses would cease, +how many sources of nameless calamities would disappear! For the rest, +it is my firm conviction that nothing happens or can happen in the +whole universe without the express will of God, or at least by his +permission." + +The official shook his head. + +"This question is evidently of great importance to every man," said +Frank. "Man is often not master of the course of his life; for it is +developed by a chain of circumstances, accidents, and providential +interferences that are not in man's power. I understand very well that +to be subject to blind chance, to an irrevocable fate, is something +disquieting and discouraging to man. Equally consoling, on the other +hand, is the Christian faith in the loving care of an all-powerful +Father, without whose permission a hair of our head cannot be touched. +But things of such great injustice, of such irresistible power, and of +such painful consequences happen on earth, that I cannot reconcile them +with divine love." + +While Frank spoke, Angela's eyes rested on him with the greatest +attention; and when he concluded, she lowered her glance, and an +earnest, thoughtful expression passed over her countenance. + +"There are accidents that apparently are not the result of man's +fault," said Siegwart. "Torrents sweep over the land and destroy all +the fruit of man's industry. Perhaps these torrents are only the +scourges which the justice of God waves over a lawless land. But I +admit that among the victims there are many good men. Storms wreck +ships at sea, and many human lives are lost. Avalanches plunge from the +Alps and bury whole towns in their resistless fall. It is such +accidents as these you have in view." + +"Precisely--exactly so. How will you reconcile all these with the +fatherly goodness of God?" cried Hamm triumphantly. + +The proprietor smiled. + +"Permit me to ask a question, Herr Assessor. Why does the state make +laws?" + +"To preserve order." + +"I anticipated this natural reply," continued the proprietor. "If +malefactors were not punished, thieves and desperadoes, their bad +practices being permitted, would have full play. Then all order would +vanish; human society would dissolve into a chaos of disorder. God also +created laws which are necessary for the preservation of the natural +order. Storms destroy ships. If there were no storms, all growth in the +vegetable kingdom would cease. Poisonous vapors would fill the air, and +every living thing must miserably die. Avalanches destroy villages. But +if it did not snow, the torrents would no longer run, the streams would +dry up and the wells would disappear, and man and beast would die of +thirst. You see, gentlemen, God cannot abolish that law of nature +without endangering the whole creation." + +"That explains some, but not all," replied Hamm. "God is all-powerful; +it would be but a trifle for him to protect us by his almighty power +from the destructive forces of the elements. Why does he not do so?" + +"The reason is clear," answered Angela's father: "God would have +constantly to work miracles. Miracles are exceptions to the workings of +the laws of nature. Now, if God would constantly suppress the power, +and unceasingly interrupt the laws of nature, then there would be no +longer a law of nature. The supernatural would have devoured the +natural. The Almighty would have destroyed the present creation." + +"No matter," said the official. "God might destroy the natural forces +that are inimical to man; for all that exists is only of value because +of its use to man." + +"Then nothing whatever would remain. All would be lost," said Siegwart. +"We speak and write much about earthly happiness that soon passes away. +We glorify the beauty of creation; but we forget that God's curse rests +on this earth, and it does not require great penetration to see this +curse in all things." + +"You believe, then, in the future destruction of the earth?" asked +Hamm. + +"Divine revelation teaches it," said Siegwart. "The Holy Scriptures +expressly say there will be a new earth and a new heaven; and the Lord +himself assures us that the foundations of the earth will be overturned +and the stars shall fall from the heavens." + +"The stars fall from the heavens!" cried Hamm, laughing. "If you could +only hear what the astronomers say about that." + +"What the astronomers say is of no consequence. They did not create the +heavenly bodies, and cannot give them boundaries; besides, we need not +take the falling of the stars literally. This expression may signify +their disappearance from the earth, perhaps the abolition of the laws +by which they have heretofore been moved, and the reconstruction of +those relations which existed between heaven and earth prior to the +fall. God will then do what you now demand of him, Herr von Hamm," +concluded Siegwart, smiling. "He will destroy the inimical power of +nature, so that the new earth will be free from thorns, tears, and +lamentations." + +Thus they continued to dispute, and the debate became so animated that +even Angela entered the list in favor of providence. + +"I believe," said she with charming blushes, "that the miseries of this +earthly life can only be explained and understood in view of man's +eternal destiny. God spares the sinner through forbearance and mercy; +he sends trials and misfortunes to the good for their purification. God +demanded of Abraham the sacrifice of his only son; but when Abraham +showed obedience to the command, and consented to make that boundless +sacrifice, he was provided with another victim to offer sacrifice to +God." + +"Fraeulein Angela," exclaimed Hamm enthusiastically, "you have solved +the problem. Your comprehensive remark reconciles even the innocent +sufferers with repulsive decrees. O Fraeulein!"--and the assessor fell +into a tone of reverie--"were it permitted me to go through life by the +side of a partner who possesses your spirit and your conciliatory +mildness!" + +Angela looked down blushing. She was embarrassed, and dared not raise +her eyes. Her first glance, after a few moments, was at Richard. + + +Frank wrote in his diary: + +"Even the preaching tone becomes her admirably. Morality and religion +flow from her lips as from a pure fountain that vivifies her soul." + + +As yet he had not surrendered to Angela. + +Frank sprang from an obstinate Westphalian stock; and that the +Westphalians have not exchanged their stiff necks for those of +shepherds, is sufficiently proved by their stubborn fight with the +powers who menaced their liberties. Had Frank been a good-natured +South-German or even Municher, he would long since have bowed head and +knees to the "Angel of Salingen." But he now maintained the last +position of his antipathy to women against Angela's superior powers. + +He visited the Siegwart family not twice, but thrice, even four times a +day. He appeared suddenly and unexpectedly before Angela like a spy who +wished to detect faults. + +Just as he was going over the court, on one occasion, a tall lad came +up to him. The boy came from the same fatal door through which Master +Falk had rushed out upon Richard with such bad intentions. The servant +held his hat in his right hand, and with his left fumbled the bright +buttons on his red vest. + +"Herr Frank, excuse me; I have something to say to you. I have wanted +to speak to you for the last three days, but could not because my +master was always in the way. But now, as my master is in the fields, I +can state my trouble, if you will allow me." + +"What trouble have you?" + +"I am the Swiss through whose fault the steer came near doing you a +great injury. It is inexplicable to me, even now, how the animal got +loose. But Falk is very cunning. I cannot be too watchful of him. His +head is full of schemes; and before you can turn around, he has played +one of his tricks. The chain has a clasp with a latch, and how he broke +it, he only knows." + +"It is all right," replied Frank. "I believe you are not to blame." + +"I am not to blame about the chain. But I am for the door being open, +Miss Angela said; and she is perfectly right. Therefore, I beg your +pardon and promise you that nothing of the kind shall happen in +future." + +"The pardon is granted, on condition that you guard the steer better." + +"Miss Angela said that too; and she required me to ask your pardon, +which I have done." + +Angela stood in the garden, hidden behind the rose-bushes, and heard, +smiling, the conversation. + +As Frank passed over the yard, she came from the garden carrying a +basketful of vegetables. At the same time a harvest-wagon, loaded with +rapes and drawn by four horses, came into the yard. + +"Your industry extends to the garden also, Miss Angela," said Frank, +"Now I know no branch of housekeeping that you cannot take a part in." + +"My work is, however, insignificant," she returned. "In a large house +there is always a great deal to do, and every one must try to be +useful." + +"Your garden deserves all praise," continued Richard, eyeing the +contents of the baskets. "What magnificent peas and beans!" + +For the first time Frank observed in her face something like flattered +vanity, and he almost rejoiced at this small shadow on the celestial +form before him. But the supposed shadow was quickly changed into light +before his eyes. "Father brought these early beans into the +neighborhood; they are very tender and palatable. Father likes them, +and I am glad to be able to make him a salad this evening. He will be +astonished to see his young favorites of this year, eight days earlier +than formerly. There he comes; he must not see them now." She covered +them with some lettuce. + +And this was the shadow of flattered vanity! Childish joy, to be able +to astonish her father with an agreeable dish. + +The loaded wagon stopped in the yard; the horses snorted and pawed the +ground impatiently. The servants opened the barn-doors, and Frank saw +on all sides activity and haste to house the valuable crop. + +Siegwart shook hands with the visitor. + +"The first blessing of the year," said the proprietor. "The rapes have +turned out well. We had a fine blooming season, and the flies could not +do much damage." + +"I have often observed those little flies in the rape-fields," said +Frank. "You can count millions of them; but I did not know that they +injured the crop." + +They both went into the house, where a bottle of Munich beer awaited +them. Soon after, the servants went through the hall, and Frank heard +Angela's voice from the kitchen, where she was busily occupied. The +servants brought bread, plates, cheese, and jugs of light wine to the +servants' room. + +"Neighbor," said Siegwart, "I invite you to-morrow afternoon at four +o'clock to a family entertainment--providing it will be agreeable to +you." + +The invitation was accepted. + +"You must not expect much from the entertainment. It will, at least, be +new to you." + +Frank was much interested in the character of this ultramontane +entertainment. He thought of a May party, a coronation party; but +rejected this idea, for Siegwart promised a family entertainment, and +this could not be a May party. He thought of all kinds of plays, and +what part Angela would take in them. But the play also seemed +improbable, and at last the subject of the invitation remained an +interesting mystery to him, the solution of which he awaited with +impatience. + +An hour before the appointed time Richard left Frankenhoehe, after +Klingenberg had excused him from the daily walk. He took a roundabout +way along the edge of the forest; for he knew that the Siegwart family +would be at divine service, and he did not wish to arrive at the house +a moment before the time. Sunday stillness rested on all. The mountains +rose up a deep blue; the vari-colored fields were partly yellow; the +vineyards alone were of a deep green, and when the wind blew through +them it wafted with it the pleasant odors of the vine-blossoms. + +Madame Siegwart was just returning home from Salingen between her two +children. Henry, a youth of seventeen and the future proprietor of the +property, had the same manners as his father. He walked leisurely on +the road-side, examining the blooming wheat and ripening corn. When he +discovered nests of vine weevils, he plucked them off and crushed the +eggs of the hated enemies of all wine-growers. Angela remained +constantly at her mother's side, and as she accidentally raised her +eyes to where Richard stood, he made a movement as though he was caught +disadvantageously. + +A short distance behind them came Siegwart, surrounded by some men. +They often stopped and talked in a lively manner. Frank thought that +these men were also invited, and hoped to become acquainted with the +_elite_ of Salingen. He was, however, disappointed; for a short +distance from Siegwart's house the men turned back to Salingen. They +had only accompanied the proprietor part of the way. The servants of +Siegwart also came hastening along the road, first the men-servants, +and some distance behind them the maid-servants. Frank had observed +this separation before, and thought it must be in consequence of the +strict orders of the master. Frank considered this narrow-minded, and +thought of finding fault with it, in true modern spirit. But then he +considered the results of his observations, which had extended to the +servants. He often admired the industry and regular conduct of these +people. He never heard any oath or rough expressions of passion; every +one knew his work, and performed it with care and attention. He +observed this regular order with admiration, particularly when he +thought of the disobedience, dissatisfaction, and untrustworthiness of +the generality of servants. Siegwart must possess a great secret to +keep these people in agreement and order; therefore he rejected his +former opinion of narrow-mindedness, and believed the proprietor must +have good reason for this separation of the sexes. + +Frank remained for a time under the shadow of an oak, looked at his +watch, and finally descended the shortest way. He was expected by +Siegwart, and immediately conducted to the large room. The arrangement +of the room showed at a glance its use. There was a small altar at one +side, and religious pictures hung on the walls. There was also a +harmonium, and on the windows hung curtains on which were painted +scenes from sacred history. In the middle of the room there was a desk, +on which lay a book. To the right of the desk sat the men-servants, to +the left the maids, the Siegwart family in the centre. A smile passed +over Frank's countenance at the present religious entertainment--for +him, at least, a new sort of recreation. At his entrance the whole +assembly rose. He greeted Angela and her mother, pressed warmly the +hand of Henry, and took the seat allotted to him. + +Angela ascended the pulpit, sat down and opened the book. She read the +life of the servant St. Zitta, whom the church numbers among the +saints. Angela read in a masterly manner. The narrative tone of her +soft, melodious voice ran like a quickening stream through the soul. +Some passages she pronounced with plastic force, and into the delivery +of others she breathed warm life. All listened with great attention. +Zitta's childhood passed in quick review, then her hard lot with a +master difficult to please. The servants listened with astonishment. +They heard with pious attention of Zitta's pure conduct, of her +fidelity and humility, of her industry and self-denial. They all felt +personally their own deficiency in comparison with this shining model. +When Angela closed the book, Frank saw that the servants were deeply +impressed. Meditatively they left the room, as though they had heard a +striking sermon. + +"Ah!" thought Frank. "Now I know one of the means by which Siegwart +influences his people." + +"Now comes the second part of the entertainment," said the proprietor, +taking Richard's arm. "We will now go into the garden." + +On the way thither Frank saw under the lindens a long table set with +food and wine, and at it sat the servants. Richard heard their +conversation in passing. They talked of St. Zitta and recounted the +striking facts of her life. + +Near the garden wall grew a vine-arbor, which caught the cool air as it +passed and loaded it with pleasant odors. Thousands of the flowers of +the blooming vine appeared between the indented leaves. Each of these +diminutive flowers breathed forth a fragrance which for sweetness of +odor could not be surpassed. + +A young brood of goldfinches, who had taken possession of the arbor, +now cleared off. They flew up on the dwarf trees, or hid among the +roses, which of all colors and kinds grew in the garden. The hungry +young ones cried incessantly, and tested severely the parental duty of +support. But the old ones were not ashamed of this duty. Here and there +they caught flies and other insects, and carried them to the young +ones, who stood with outstretched wings and flabby bills wide open. +Then the old ones would fly away again, light on the branches--mostly +on bean-stalks--make quick dodges, wave their tails, smack their +tongues, and seize as quick as lightning a harmless passing fly. The +sparrows did not behave so harmlessly. They pecked at the bright +shining cherries that hung in full clusters on the swaying branches. +Others of this sharp-billed gentry hopped about on the strawberry-beds, +and disfigured the large berries as they tore off great pieces of the +soft meat. One of them had even the boldness to hop about on the +decorated table that stood at the upper end of the arbor, to strike his +sharp bill into the buttered bread, make an examination of the +preserves, ogle the slices of ham, and admire the black bottles that +stood on the ground. He also took to flight as the company arrived. The +vine-blossoms seemed to send forth a sweeter fragrance as Angela, +bright and beaming, approached, leaning on the arm of her mother. + +"Do you have this edifying reading every Sunday?" asked Richard. + +"Regularly," answered the proprietor. "It is an old custom of our +family, and I find it has such good results that I will not have it +abolished. The servants are not obliged to be present. They are free +after vespers, each one to employ himself as best suits him. But it +seldom happens that a servant or a maid is absent. They like to hear +the legends, and you may have remarked that they listen with great +attention to the reading." + +"I have observed it," said Frank. "Miss Angela is also such an +excellent reader that only deaf people would not attend." + +She smiled and blushed a little at this praise. + +"I consider it a strict obligation of employers to have a supervision +over the conduct of the servants," said Madame Siegwart. "Many, perhaps +most, servants are treated like the slaves in old heathen times. They +work for their masters, are paid for it, and there the relation between +master and servant ends. This is why they neglect divine service on +Sundays and feast-days; their moral wants are not satisfied, their +natural inclinations are not purified by restraints of a higher order. +The servants sit in the taverns, where they squander their wages, and +the maids rove about and gossip. This is a great injustice to the +servants, and full of bad consequences. It cannot be questioned that +masters should shield their servants from error and keep them under +moral discipline." + +"Precisely my opinion," returned Frank. "If servants are frequently +spoiled and general complaint is made of it, the masters are greatly in +fault. I have long since admired the conduct of your servants. I looked +upon Herr Siegwart as a kind of sorcerer, who conjured every thing +under his charge according to his will. Now a part of the sorcery is +clear to me." + +"Well, you were favorable in your judgment," said the proprietor, +laughing. "So you considered me a magician; others consider me an +ultramontanist, and that is something still worse." + +Richard smiled and blushed slightly. + +"You no doubt have heard this honorable title applied to me, Herr +Frank?" + +"Yes, I have heard of it." + +"And I scarcely deceive myself in supposing," continued Siegwart +good-humoredly, "that your father has spoken to you of his neighbor, +the ultramontane." + +"You do not deceive yourself at all," answered Frank. "I consider it a +great honor to have become better acquainted with the ultramontane." + +"I have often wished to speak to you," continued the proprietor, "of +the reason which called forth your father's displeasure with me. I +suppose, however, that you have heard it." + +"My father never spoke of it, and I am eager to know the unfortunate +cause." + +"It is as follows. About ten years ago your father, with some other +gentlemen, wished to establish a great factory in this neighborhood. +The land on which it was to stand is a marsh lying near a pond, the +water of which was to be made of use to the factory. I tried with all +my power to prevent this design, and even for social and religious +reasons. Our neighborhood needed no factory. There are but few very +poor people, and these support themselves sufficiently well among the +farmers. Experience proves that factories have a bad effect on the +people in their neighborhood. Our people are firm believers. The +peasants keep conscientiously the Sundays and festivals. In all their +cares for the earthly they do not forget the eternal life. This +religious sentiment spreads happiness and peace over our quiet +neighborhood. The factory, which knows no Sunday, and the operatives, +who are sometimes very bad men, would have brought a harsh discordance +into the quiet harmony of the neighborhood. I considered these and +other injurious influences, and offered a higher price for the swamp +than your father and his friends. As there was no other convenient +place about, the enterprise had to be given up. Since that time your +father is offended with me because I made his favorite project +impossible. This is the way it stands. That it is painful to me, I need +not assure you. But according to my principles and views I could not do +otherwise. Now judge how far I am to be condemned." + +"I speak freely," said Frank. "You have acted from principles that one +must respect, and which my father would have respected if he had known +them." + +The proprietor could have observed that he had, in a long letter, +justified himself to Herr Frank. But he suppressed the observation, as +he felt it would be painful to his son. + +"Father," said Henry, "hunger and thirst are appeased. Can I ride out +for an hour?" + +"Yes, my son; but not longer. Be back by supper-time." + +The young man promised, and, after a friendly bow to Frank, hastened +from the garden. The little circle continued some time in friendly +chat. The servants under the lindens became noisy and sang merry songs. +The maids sat around the tea-table in the kitchen and praised St. +Zitta. + +The cook appeared in the arbor and announced that Herr von Hamm was in +the house, and wished to speak on important business to Herr and Madame +Siegwart. + +"What can he want?" said the proprietor in surprise. "Excuse me, Herr +Frank; the business will soon be over. I beg you to remain till we +return. Angela, prevent him from going." + +Angela, smiling, looked after her retiring parents and then at Richard. + +"I must keep you, Herr Frank. How shall I begin?" + +"That is very easy, Fraeulein. Your presence is sufficient to realize +your father's wish. A weak child of human nature cannot resist one who +can conquer steers." + +"Now you make a steer-catcher of me. Such a thing never happened in +Spain; for there the steers are not so cultivated and docile as they +are with us." + +She took out her knitting. + +"This is Sunday, Miss Angela!" + +"Do you consider knitting unlawful after one has fulfilled one's +religious duties?" + +"The case is not clear to me," said Frank, smiling secretly at the +earnestness of the questioner. "My casuistic knowledge is not +sufficient to solve such a question reasonably." + +"The church only forbids servile work," said she. "I consider knitting +and sewing as something better than doing nothing." + +"I am rejoiced that you are not narrow-minded, Fraeulein. But this +little stocking does not fit your feet?" + +"It is for little bare feet in Salingen," she replied, laying the +finished stocking on the table and stroking it with both hands as a +work of love. + +"I have heard of your beneficence," said Frank. "You knit, sew, and +cook for the poor people. You are a refuge for all the needy and +distressed. How good in you!" + +"You exaggerate, Herr Frank. I do a little sometimes, but not more than +I can do with the house-work, which is scarcely worth mentioning. I +make no sacrifice in doing it; on the contrary, the poor give me more +than I give them; for giving is to every one more pleasant than +receiving." + +"To every one, Fraeulein?" + +"To every one who can give without denying herself." + +"But you are accustomed also to visit the sick, and the hovels of +poverty are certainly not attractive." + +"Indeed, Herr Frank, very attractive," she answered quickly. "The +thanks of the poor sick are so affecting and elevating that one is paid +a thousand times for a little trouble." + +Frank let the subject drop. Angela did not give charities from pride or +the gratification of vanity, as he had been prepared to assume, but +from natural goodness and inclination of the heart. He looked at the +beautiful girl who sat before him industriously sewing, and was almost +angry at his failure to detect a fault in her pure nature. + +"Do you always adorn the statue of the Virgin on the mountain?" said he +after a pause. + +"No; not now. The month of our dear Lady is over. I always think with +pleasure of the happy hours when in the convent we adorned her altar +with beautiful flowers." + +"You must have a great reverence for Mary, or you would not ascend the +mountain daily." + +"I admire the exalted virtues of Mary, and think with sorrow of her +painful life on earth; and then, a weak creature needs much her +powerful protection." + +"Do you expect, Miss Angela, by such attention as you show the statue +to obtain protection of the saint?" + +"No, I do not believe that. The adorning of the pictures of saints +would be idle trifling if the heart wandered far from the spirit of the +saints. Our church teaches, as you know, that the real, true veneration +of the saints consists in imitating their virtues." + +Frank sat reflecting. The examination and probation were thoroughly +disgusting to him. Siegwart appeared in the garden, and came with quick +steps to the arbor. His countenance was agitated and his eyes glowed +with indignation. Without speaking a word, he drank off a glass of +wine. Frank saw how he endeavored not to exhibit his anger. + +"Has Herr von Hamm departed?" asked Richard. + +"Yes, he is off again," said the proprietor. "Angela, your mother has +something to say to you." + +"Now guess what the assessor wanted?" said Siegwart, after his daughter +had left the arbor. + +"Perhaps he wanted the Peter-pence collection," said Frank, smiling. + +"No. Herr von Hamm wanted nothing more or less than to marry my +daughter!" + +Frank was astonished. Although he long since saw through Hamm's +designs, he did not expect so sudden and hasty a step. + +"And in what manner did he demand her?" + +"It is revolting," said the proprietor, much offended. "Herr von Hamm +graciously condescends to us peasants. He showed that it would be a +great good fortune for us to give our daughter to the noble, the +official with brilliant prospects." + +"Herr von Hamm does not think little of himself," said Richard drily. + +"How did the man ever come to ask my daughter? He and Angela! What +opposites!" + +"Which, of course, you made clear to him." + +"I reminded the gentleman that identity of moral and religious +principles alone could render matrimonial happiness possible. I +reminded him that Angela was an ultramontane, whose opinions would +daily annoy him, while his modern opinions must deeply offend Angela. +This I set before him briefly. Then I told him frankly and freely that +I did not wish to make either him or Angela unhappy, and at this he +went away angrily." + +"You have done your duty," said Frank. "I am also of opinion that +similar convictions in the great principles of life alone insure the +happiness of married life." + +When Richard came home, he wrote in his diary: + + +"June 4.--Unconditional surrender. What I supposed only to exist in the +ideal world is realized in the daughter of an ultramontane. Angela, +compared to our crinolines, our flirts, our insipid coquettes--how +brilliant the light, how deep the shadow! + +"My visits to that family have no longer a purpose. I feel they must be +discontinued for the sake of my peace. I dare not dream of a happiness +of which I am unworthy. But my future life will feel painfully the want +of a happiness the possibility of which I did not dream. This is a +punishment for presuming to penetrate the pure, glorious character of +the Angel of Salingen." + + +He buried his face in his hands, and leaned on the table. He remained +thus a long time; when he raised his head, his face was pale, and his +eyes were moist with tears. + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + POISONOUS FOOD. + + +"Herr Frank has not been here for four days," said Siegwart as he +returned one day from the field. "He will not come to-day, for it is +already nine o'clock, I hope the young man is not ill." + +Angela started. + +"Ill? May God forbid!" + +"At least, I know no other reason that could prevent him from coming. +He has become a necessity to me; I seem to miss something." + +Angela concealed her uneasiness in true womanly fashion. She busied +herself about the room, dusted the furniture, arranged the vases, and +trimmed the flowers; but one could see that her mind was not in the +work. + +"Would it not be well, father, to send and inquire after his health?" + +"It would if we were certain that he was ill. I only made a conjecture. +However, if he does not come to-morrow, I will send Henry over. + +"We owe him this attention; he is sensible, modest, and very +intelligent. We find at present in the cities and first families few +young men of so little assumption and so much goodness and manliness." + +Angela pricked her finger. She had incautiously wandered into the +thicket, as if she did not know that roses have thorns. + +"Many things tell of his kind-heartedness," she replied, with averted +face. "He sends five dollars every week to the old blind woman in +Salingen; he often takes the money himself, and comforts the +unfortunate creature. The blind woman is full of enthusiasm about him. +He bought the cooper a full set of tools, that he might be able to +support his mother and seven little sisters." + +"Very praiseworthy," said the father. + +As Siegwart came home in the evening, Angela met him in the yard. She +carried a basket and was about to go into the garden. + +"Herr Frank is not unwell," said he; "I saw him in the field and went +through the vineyard to meet him; but when he discovered my intention, +he turned about and hastened toward the house. That surprises me." + +Angela went into the garden. She stood on the bed and gazed at the +lettuce. The empty basket awaited its contents, and in it lay the knife +whose bright blade glistened before the idle dreamer. She stood thus +meditating, lost in thought for a long time, which was certainly not +her custom. + + +Herr Frank had returned from the city, and was roughly received by the +doctor. + +"Have you spoken to your son?" said he sharply. + +"No! I have just alighted from the carriage," answered Frank in +astonishment. + +The doctor walked up and down the room, and Frank saw his face growing +darker. + +"You disturb me, good friend. How is Richard?" + +"Bad, very bad! And it is all your fault. You gave Richard those +materialistic books which I threw out of the window. He has read the +trash--not read, but studied it; and now we have the consequences." + +"Pardon me, doctor. I did not give my son those books. He was passing +the window when you threw them out, and took them to his room." + +"You knew that! Why did you leave him the miserable trash?" + +"I had no idea of the danger of these writings. Explain yourself +further, I entreat." + +"You must first see your son. But I bind it on your conscience to use +the greatest precaution. Do not show the least surprise. We have to +deal with a dangerous disorder. Do not say a word about his changed +appearance. Then come back to me again." + +Greatly disturbed, the father passed to the room of his son. Richard +sat on the sofa gazing at the floor. His cheeks had lost their bloom, +his face was emaciated, and his eyes deeply sunken. Vogt's +_Physiological Letters_ lay open near him. He did not rise quickly and +joyfully to kiss his father, as was his custom. He remained sitting, +and smiled languidly at him. Herr Frank, grieved and perplexed, sat +down near him, and took occasion to pick up the book: + +"How are you, Richard?" + +"Very well, as you see." + +"You are industrious. What book is this?" + +"A rare book, father--a remarkable book. One learns there to know what +man is and what he is not. Until now, I did not know that cats, dogs, +monkeys, and all animals were of our race. Now I know; for it is +clearly demonstrated in that book." + +"You certainly do not believe such absurdities?" + +"Believe? I believe nothing at all. Faith ends where proof begins." + +Herr Frank read the open page. + +"All this sounds very silly," said he. "Vogt asserts that man has no +soul, and proves it from the fact that men become idiotic. If the +functions of the brain are disturbed, the soul ceases, says Vogt. He +therefore concludes that the spirit consists in the brain. The man must +have been crazy when he wrote that. I am no scholar; but I see at the +first glance how false and groundless are Vogt's inferences. Every +reasonable man knows that the brain is the instrument of the mind, +which enables it to participate in the world of sense; now, when the +instrument is destroyed, the participation of the mind with the outward +world must cease. Although a man may be an expert on the violin, he +cannot play if the strings are broken or out of tune. But the player, +his ideas, the art, still remain. In like manner the spirit remains, +although it can no longer play on the injured or discordant fibres of +the brain." + +"You must read the whole book, father, and then those others there." + +"But, Richard, you must not read books that rob man of all dignity." + +"Of course not. I should do as the ostrich. When he is in danger, he +sticks his head into the bushes not to see the danger. A prudent plan. +But I cannot close my eyes to the light, even if that light should +destroy my human respect." + +Greatly afflicted, Herr Frank returned to the doctor. + +"Great God! in what a condition is my poor Richard!" said the oppressed +father. + +"He will, I hope, be rescued. My stay at Frankenhoehe was to end with +the month of May; but I cannot forsake a young man whom I love, in this +helpless state of mental delirium." + +"I do not understand the condition of my son; and your words give me +great anxiety. Have the goodness to tell me what is the matter with +Richard, and how it came about." + +"It would be very difficult to make your son's condition clear to you. +In you there is only business, lucrative undertakings, speculative +combinations. The bustle of the money market is your world. You have no +idea of the power of an intellectual struggle. You know the thoughtful, +intellectual nature of your son; and here I begin. In the first place, +I will remind you that Richard wishes to be governed by the power of +deduction. With him fantasies and passions retreat before this force, +although usually in men of his years, and even in men with gray hair, +clearness of mind and keen penetration are often swept away by the +current of stormy passions. Richard's aversion to women is the result +of cool reflection and inevitable inference, and therefore on this +question I do not dispute his views. I know it would be useless, and I +know that the study of a pure feminine nature would overcome this +prejudice. The same force of logical inferences places Richard in this +unhappy condition. He read the writings of the materialist. There he +found the physiological proofs that man is a beast. From these proofs +Richard drew all the terrible consequences contained in those +destructive doctrines. As the intellectual life predominates in him, +and as he has a strong repugnance to materialistic madness, his nature +must be stirred in its profoundest depths. If Richard succumbs, he will +act in his habitual consistent manner. All moral basis lost, morality +would be foolishness to him, since it is useless for beasts to curb the +passions by moral laws. As with immortality disappears man's eternal +destiny, it would be foolish to 'fight the giant fight of duty.' If he +is convinced that man is a beast, he will live like a beast--although +he might cloak his conduct with the varnish of decency--and thus +suddenly would the sensible Richard stand before his astonished father +a ruined man. This is one view; there is still another," said the +doctor hesitatingly. "I remember in the course of my practice a suicide +who wrote on a slip of paper, 'What do I here? Eat, drink, sleep, +worry, and fret; much suffering, little joy; therefore--' and the man +sent a bullet through his head. This suicide thought logically. This +earthly life is insupportable; it is foolishness to a man who thinks +and is at the same time a materialist." + +"What prospects--horrible!" cried Herr Frank, wringing his hands. +"Accursed be those books; and I am the cause of this misfortune!" + +"The involuntary cause," said Klingenberg consolingly. "You now have a +firm conviction of the devastating effects of those bad books. But how +many are there who consider every warning in this connection an +exhibition of prejudice or narrow-mindedness! How few readers are so +modest as to admit that they want the scientific culture to refute a +bad book, to separate the poison from the honey of sweet phrases and +winning style! How few can see that they cannot read those bad books +without detriment! No one would sit on a cask of powder and touch it +off for amusement; and yet those hellish books are more dangerous than +a cask full of powder. To me this is incomprehensible. Poisonous food +is always injurious; yet thousands and millions drink greedily from +this poisonous stream of bad reading which deluges all grades of +society." + +"I will do immediately what must be done," said Herr Frank as he +hastily rose. + +"What will you do?" + +"Take from my son those execrable books." + +"By no means," said Klingenberg. "This would be a psychological +mistake. Richard would buy the same books again at the book-shop, and +read them secretly. A man who has the resolution of your son must be +won by honorable combat. Authority would here be badly applied. +Therefore I forbid you to interfere. You know nothing of the matter. +Treat him kindly, and have forbearance with his sensitiveness. That is +what I must require of you." + +Greatly afflicted, Herr Frank left the doctor. Overwhelming himself +with reproaches, he wandered restlessly about the house and garden. He +saw Richard standing at the open window with folded arms, dreamy and +pale, his hair in disorder like a storm-beaten wheat-field--truly a +painful sight for the father. He went up to his room, where the small +library stood in its beautiful binding. A servant stood near him with a +basket. The works of Eugene Sue, Gutzkow, and like spirits fell into +the basket. + +"All to the fire!" commanded Herr Frank. + +The doctor had compared bad literature to poisonous food. The +comparison was not inapt; at least, it gave Richard the appearance of a +man in whose body destructive poison was working. He was listless and +exhausted; in walking, his hands hung heavily by his side. His eyes +were directed to the ground, as if he were seeking something. If he saw +a snail, he stopped to examine the crawling creature. He sought to know +why the snail crawls about, and, to his astonishment, found that the +snail always followed an object; which is not always the case with man, +animal of the moment, who goes about without an object. If a +caterpillar accidentally got under his foot, he pushed it carefully +aside and examined if it had been hurt. It seemed to him logical that +creeping and flying things had the same claims to forbearance and +proper treatment as man, since according to Vogt and Buechner's striking +proofs, all creeping and flying things are not essentially different +from man. + +He paid particular attention to the spiders. If he came to a place +where their web was stretched, he examined attentively the artistic +texture; he saw the firmly fastened knot on the twig which held the web +apart, the circular meshes, the cunning arrangement to catch the +wandering fly. He was convinced that such a spider would be a thousand +times more intelligent than Herr Vogt and Herr Buechner, with half as +big a head as those wise naturalists. The enterprising spirit of the +ants excited not less his admiration. He always found them busy and in +a bustle, to which a market-day could not be compared. Even London and +Paris were solitary in comparison to the throng in an ant-hill. They +dragged about large pieces of wood, as also leaves and fibres, to +construct their house, which was laid out with design and finished with +much care. If he pushed his cane into the hill, there forthwith arose a +great revolution. The inhabitants rushed out upon him, nipped him with +their pincers, and showed the greatest rage against the invader of +their kingdom, while others with great celerity placed the eggs in +safety. He observed that the ants gave no quarter, and considered every +one a mortal enemy who disturbed their state. + +The young man sat on a stone and examined a snail that crawled slowly +from the wet grass. It carried a gray house on its back, and beslimed +the way as it went, and stretched out its horns to discover the best +direction. Its delicate touch astonished Frank. When obstacles came in +its way which it did not see nor touch, it would perceive them by means +of a wonderful sensibility. + +How stupid did Richard appear to himself, beside a horned, blind snail. +How many men only discover obstacles in their way when they have run +their heads against them, and how many wish to run their heads through +walls without any reason! He arose and looked toward Angela's home. He +was dejected, and heaved a sigh. + +"All is of no avail. The activity of the animal world affords no +diversion, the benumbing strokes of materialism lose their effect. The +rare becomes common, and does not attract attention. There walks an +angel in the splendor of superior excellence, and I endeavor in vain to +distract my mind from her by studying the animals. I follow willingly +the professors' exact investigations, into the labyrinth of their +studied arguments to make it appear that I am only an animal, that all +our sentiment is only imagination and fallacy. It is all in vain. Can +these gentlemen teach me how we can cease to have admiration for the +noble and exalted? Here man forcibly breaks through. Here self, +irresistible and disgusted with error, brings the nobility of human +nature to consciousness, and all the wisdom of boasted materialism +becomes idle nonsense." + +"Thank God! I see you again, my dear neighbor," said Siegwart +cordially. "Where have you kept yourself this last week? Why do you no +longer visit us? My whole house is excited about you. Henry is angry +because he cannot show you the horses he bought lately. My wife bothers +her head with all kinds of forebodings, and Angela urged me to send and +see if you were ill." + +A new life permeated Frank's whole being at these last words; his +cheeks flushed and his languid eyes brightened up. + +"I know no good reason as an apology, dear friend. Be assured, however, +that the apparent neglect does not arise from any coolness toward you +and your esteemed family." And he drew marks in the sand with his cane. + +"Perhaps your father took offence at your visits to us?" + +"Oh! no. No; I alone am to blame." + +Siegwart gave a searching glance at the pale face of the young man who, +broken-spirited, stood before him, and whose mental condition he did +not understand, although he had a vague idea of it. + +"I will not press you further," said he cheerfully. "But, as a +punishment, you must now come with me. I received yesterday a fresh +supply of genuine Havanas, and you must try them." + +He took Richard by the arm, and the latter yielded to the friendly +compulsion. They went through the vineyard. Frank broke from a twig a +folded leaf. + +"Do you know the cause of this?" + +"Oh! yes; it is the work of the vine-weevil," answered Siegwart. "These +mischief-makers sometimes cause great damage to the vineyards. Some +years I have their nests gathered and the eggs destroyed to prevent +their doing damage." + +"You consider every thing with the eyes of an economist. But I admire +the art, the foresight, and the intelligence of these insects." + +"Intelligence--foresight of an insect!" repeated Siegwart, astonished. +"I see in the whole affair neither intelligence nor foresight." + +"But just look here," said Richard, carefully unfolding the leaf. "What +a degree of considerate management is necessary to fix the leaf in such +order. The ribs of this leaf are stronger than the force of the beetle. +Yet he wished to fold the eggs in it. What does he do? He first pierces +the stem with his pincers; in consequence of this, the leaf curls up +and becomes soft and pliable to the frail feet of the insect. This is +the first act of reflection. The piercing of the stem had evidently as +its object to cause the leaf to roll up. Then he begins to work with a +perfection that would do honor to human skill. The leaf is rolled up in +order to put the eggs in the folds. Here is the first egg; he rolls +further--here is the second egg, some distance from the first, in order +to have sufficient food for the young worm--again an act of reflection; +lastly, he finishes the roll with a carefully worked point, to prevent +the leaf from unfolding--again an act of reflection." + +Siegwart heard all this with indifference. What Richard told him he had +known for years. His employment in the fields revealed to his observing +mind wonderful facts in nature and in the animal world. The wisdom of +the vine-weevil gave him ho difficulty. He looked again in Frank's +deep-sunken eyes and noticed a peculiar expression, and in his +countenance great anxiety. + +He concluded that the work of the vine-weevil must have some connection +with the young man's condition. + +"You see actions of reflection and design where I see only unconscious +instinct." + +Frank became nervous. + +"The common evasion of superficial examination!" cried he. "Man must be +just even to the animals. Their works are artistic, intelligent, and +considerate. Why then deny to animals those powers which operate with +intelligence and reflection?" + +"I do not for a moment dispute this power of the animals," replied the +proprietor quickly. "You find mind in the animals?" interrupted Frank +hastily. "This conviction once reached, have you considered the +consequences that follow?"--and he became more excited. "Have you +considered that with this admission the whole world becomes a fabulous +structure, without any higher object? If the spider is equal to man, +then its torn web that flutters in the wind is worth as much as the +crumbling fragments of art which remain from classic antiquity. Virtue, +the careful restraining of the passions, is stark madness. The +disgusting ape, lustful and brutish, is as good as the purest virgin +who performs severe penances for her idle dreams. It is with justice +that the criminal scoffs at the good as bedlamites who, with fanatical +delusion, strive for castles in the air. Every outcast from society, +sunk and saturated in the basest vices, is precisely as good as the +purest soul and the noblest heart; for all distinction between right +and wrong, good and evil, is destroyed." + +Angela's father gazed with solicitude into the perplexed look and +distorted countenance of the young man. + +"You deduce consequences, Herr Frank, that could not be drawn from +my admissions," said he mildly. "There is no conscious power in +animals--no reflecting soul. The animal works with the power that is in +it, as light and heat in the fire, as in the lightning the destructive +force, as the exciting and purifying effects in the storm. The animal +does not act freely, like man; but from necessity--according to +instinct and laws which the Almighty has imposed, upon it." + +"A gratuitous assumption! A shallow artifice," exclaimed Frank. "The +animal shows understanding, design, and will; we must not deny him +these faculties." + +"If the lightning strikes my house and discovers with infallible +certainty all the metal in the walls, even where the sharpest eye could +not detect it, must you recognize mental faculties in the lightning in +discovering the metal?" + +Frank hemmed and was silent. + +"What a botcher is the most learned chemist compared with the +root-fibres of the smallest plant," continued Siegwart. "Every plant +has its own peculiar life; this I observe every day. All plants do not +flourish alike in the same soil. They only flourish where they find the +necessary conditions for their peculiar life; where they find in the +air and earth the conditions necessary for their existence. Set ten +different kinds of plants together in a small plat of ground. The +different fibres will always seek and absorb only that material in the +earth which is proper to their kind; they will pass by the useless and +injurious substances. Now, where is the chemist who with such +certainty, such power of discrimination, and knowledge of substances, +can select from the inert clod the proper material? A chemist with such +knowledge does not exist. Now, must you admit that the fibres possess +as keen an understanding and as deep a knowledge of chemistry as the +man who is versed in chemistry?" + +"That would be manifest folly." + +"Well," concluded Siegwart quietly, "if the vine-weevil weaves its +wrapper, the spider its web, the bird builds its nest, and the beaver +his house, they all do it in their way, as the root-fibres in theirs." + +Richard remained silent, and they passed into the house. + +Angela and her mother looked with astonishment and sympathy on their +friend. + +Soon in the mild countenance of Madam Siegwart there appeared nearly +the same expression as in the first days after the death of Eliza--so +much did the painful appearance of the young man afflict her. Angela +turned pale, her eyes filled, and she strove to hide her emotion. Frank +only looked at her furtively. Whatever he had to say to her, he said +with averted eyes. Siegwart expended all his powers of amusement; but +he did not succeed in cheering the young man. He continued depressed, +embarrassed, and sad, and constantly avoided looking at Angela. When +she spoke he listened to the sound of her voice, but avoided her look. +Presently a low barking was heard in the room and Hector, who had +growlingly received Frank at his first visit, but who in time had +become an acquaintance of his, lay stretched at full length dreaming. +Scarcely did Richard notice the dreaming animal when he exclaimed, + +"The dog dreams! See how his feet move in the chase, how he opens his +nostrils, how he barks, how his limbs reach for the game! The dog +dreams he is in the chase." + +"I have often observed Hector's dreams," said Siegwart coolly. + +Frank continued, + +"Have you considered the consequences that follow from the dreams of +the dog? Dreams show a thinking faculty," said he hastily. "Animals, +then, think like men; thoughts are the children of the mind; therefore, +animals have minds. Animals and men are alike." + +Angela started at these words. Her mother shook her head. + +"You conclude too hastily, my dear friend," said Siegwart coolly. "You +must first know that animals dream like men. Men think, reflect, and +speak in dreams. The dreams of animals are very different from those +mental acts." + +"How will you explain it?" said Richard excitedly. + +"Very easily. Hector is now in the chase. The dog's sense of smell is +remarkable. By means of the fragrant wind Hector smells the partridges +miles away. He acts then just as in the dream; feet, nose, and limbs +come into activity. Suppose that in the surrounding fields there is a +covey of partridges. The air would indicate them to Hector's smelling +organs; these organs act, as in the waking state, on the brain of the +animal; the brain acts on the other organs. Where is there thought? +Have we not a purely material effect? The cough, the appetite, the +sneezing, the aversion--what have all these to do with mind or thought? +Nothing at all. The dream of the dog is an entirely muscular process, +the mere co-working of the muscular organs; as with us, digestion, the +flowing of the blood, the twitching of the muscles--facts with which +the mind has nothing to do." + +"Your assertion is based on the assumption that partridges are near," +said Richard; "and I will be obliged to you if, with Hector's +assistance, you convince me of this fact." + +"That is unnecessary, my dear friend. Suppose there are no partridges +in the neighborhood. The same affection of the brain which would be +produced by the smell of the partridges could be produced by accident. +If it is accidental, it will have the same effect in the sleeping +condition of the dog.[2] Affections accidentally arise in man the +causes of which are not known. We are uneasy, we know not why; we are +discouraged without any knowledge of the cause. We are joyful without +being able to give any reason for it. The mind can rise above all these +dispositions, affections, and humors; can govern, cast out, and +disperse them. Proof enough that a king lives in man--the breath of +God, which is not taken from the earth, and to which all matter must +yield if that power so wills." + +The dog stretched his strong legs without any idea of the important +question to which he had given occasion. + +"Herr Frank," began Madam Siegwart earnestly, "I have learned to +respect you, and have often wished that my son, at your years, would be +like you. I see now with painful astonishment that you defend opinions +which contradict your former expressions, and the sentiments we must +expect from a Christian. Will you not be so good as to tell me how you +have so suddenly changed your views?" + +"Esteemed madam," answered Frank, with emotion, "I thank you for this +undeserved motherly sympathy; but I beg of you not to believe that the +opinions I expressed are my firm convictions. No, I have not yet fallen +so deep that for me there is no difference between man and beast. I can +yet continue to believe that materialism is a crime against mankind. On +the other hand, I freely acknowledge that my mind is in great trouble; +that every firm position beneath my feet totters; that I have been +tempted to hold doctrines degrading to the individual and destructive +to society. I have been brought into this difficulty by reading books +whose seductive proofs I am not able to refute. Oh! I am miserable, +very miserable; my appearance must have shown you that already." + +He looked involuntarily at Angela; he saw tears in her eyes; he bowed +his head and was silent. + +"I see your difficulties," said the proprietor. "They enter early or +late into the mind of every man. It is good, in such uncertainties and +doubts, to lean on the authority of truth. This authority can only be +God, who is truth itself, who came down from heaven and brought light +into the darkness. We can prove, inquire, and speculate; but the +keenest human intellect is not always free from delusion. As there is +in man a spiritual tendency which raises him far above the visible and +material, God has been pleased to lead and direct that tendency by +revelation, that man may not err. I consider divine revelation a +necessity which God willed when he created the mind. As the mind has an +instinctive thirst after truth, God must, by the revelation of truth, +satisfy this thirst Therefore is revelation as old as the human race. +It reached its completion and perfection by the coming of the Lord, who +said, 'I am the truth;' and this knowledge of the truth remains in the +church through the guidance of the Spirit of truth, till the latest +generation. This is only my ultramontane conviction," said Siegwart, +smiling; "but it affords peace and certainty." + +Angela had gone out, and now returned with a basket, in which lay a +little dog, of a few days old, asleep. She set the basket carefully +down before Frank, so as not to awaken the sleeper. + +"As you appreciate the full worth of striking proofs, I am glad to be +able to place one before you, in the shape of this little dog," said +she, appearing desirous of cheering her dejected friend. But Frank did +not receive from her cheerful countenance either strength or +encouragement, for he did not look up. + +"This little dog is only eight days old," she continued; "its eyes are +not yet open; it can neither walk nor bark; it can only growl a little; +and it does nothing but sleep and dream. I have noticed its dreams +since the first day of its birth. You can convince yourself of its +dreaming." She stooped over the basket and her soft hair disturbed the +sleeper. + +For a moment Frank saw and heard nothing. + +"See," she continued, "how its little feet move, and how its body +jerks. Hear the low growl, and see the hairs round the mouth how they +twitch, how the nose shrinks and expands--all the same as in Hector. +The little thing knows nothing at all of the world--no more than a +child eight days old. We certainly, therefore, will not deceive +ourselves in assuming that all these movements are only muscular +twitchings; that neither the pup nor Hector dreams like a man." + +Frank first looked at the dog in great surprise, and then gazed +admiringly on Angela. + +"O fraulein! how I thank you." + +She appeared most lovely in his eyes. He suddenly turned toward her +father. + +"Your house is a great blessing to me. It appears that the pure +atmosphere of religious conviction which you breathe victoriously +combats all dark doubts, as light dissipates darkness." + + +Angela stood in her room. She knew that the spirit of unbelief pervaded +the world, taking possession of thousands and destroying all life and +effort. She saw Richard threatened by this spirit, and feared for his +soul. She became very anxious, and sank on her knees before the +crucifix and cried to heaven for succor. + +Night was upon all things. The black clouds, lowering deep and heavy, +shut out all light from heaven. The wind swept the mountains, the +forest moaned, and thunder muttered in the distance. Klingenberg sat +before his folios. A fitful light glimmered from the room of Richard's +father. Richard himself came home late, took his supper, and retired +to his chamber; there he walked back and forth, thinking, contending +with himself, and speaking aloud. Before his door stood a dark +figure--immovable and listening. + +It knocked at the door of the elder Frank. Jacob, a servant who had +grown gray in the service of the house, entered. Frank received him +with surprise, and awaited expectantly what he had to say. + +"We are all wrong," said Jacob. "My poor young master has now spoken +out clearly. He is not sick because of the foolish trash in the books. +He is in love, terribly in love." + +"Ah! in love?" said Herr Frank. + +"You should just have heard how he complains and laments that he is not +worthy of her. 'O Angela, Angela!' he cried at least a hundred times, +'could I only raise myself to your level, and make myself worthy! But +your soul, so pure, your character, so immaculate and good, thrusts me +away. I look up to you with admiration and longing, as the troubled +pilgrim on earth looks up to the peace and grandeur of heaven.' This is +the way he talked. He is to be pitied, sir." + +"So--so--in love, and with Siegwart's daughter," said Frank sadly. "The +tragedy will change into comedy. Even if they were not so +unapproachably high, but like other people on earth, my son should +never take an ultramontane wife." + +"But if he loves her so deeply, sir?" + +"Be still; you know nothing about it. Has he lain down?" + +"Yes; or, at least, he is quiet." + +"Continue to watch him. I must immediately make known to the doctor +this love affair. He will be surprised to find the philosopher changed +into a love-sick visionary." + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + AVOWALS. + + +In the same deep valley where the brook rippled over the pebbles in its +bed, where the mountain sides rose up abruptly, where the moss hung +from the old oaks, where Klingenberg plucked the tender beard of the +young professor of history, took place the meditated attack of the +doctor on the poison of materialism which was destroying the body and +soul of Richard. + +Slowly and carefully the doctor advanced, as against an enemy who will +defend his position to the last. But how was he astonished, when, being +attacked, Frank showed no disposition to defend that most highly +vaunted doctrine of modern science--materialism! This was almost as +puzzling to the doctor as the eternity of matter. Tired of skirmishing, +the doctor set to work to close with the enemy, and strike him down. + +"I have looked only cursorily at the writings of the materialists: you +have studied them carefully; and you will oblige me much if you would +give me the foundation on which the whole structure of materialism +rests." + +"The materialistic system is very simple," answered Frank. +"Materialists reject all existence that is not sensibly perceptible. +They deny the existence of invisible and supersensible things. There is +no spirit in man or anywhere else. Matter alone exists, because matter +alone manifests its existence." + +"I understand. The materialist will only be convinced by seeing and +feeling. As a spirit is neither spiritual nor tangible, then there is +none. Is it not so, friend Richard?" + +"You have included in one sentence the whole of materialism," said +Frank coolly. + +"I cannot understand," said Klingenberg hesitatingly, "how the +materialists can make assertions which are untenable to the commonest +understandings. Why, thought can neither be seen nor felt; yet it is an +existence." + +"Thought is a function of the brain." + +"Then, it is incomprehensible how the sensible can beget the +supersensible. How matter--the brain--can produce the immaterial, the +spiritual." + +Richard was silent. + +"At every step in materialism I meet insurmountable difficulties," +continued the doctor. "I know perfectly the organization of the human +body, as well as the function and purpose of each part. The physician +knows the purpose of the lungs, heart, kidneys, and stomach, and all +the noble and ignoble parts of the body. But no physician knows the +origin of the activity of the organism. The blood stops, the pulse no +longer beats, the lungs, kidneys, nerves, and all the rest cease their +functions. The man is dead. Why? Because the activity, the movement, +the force is gone. What, then, is this vivifying force? In what does it +consist? What color, what taste, what form has it? No physician knows. +The vivifying principle is invisible, intangible perfectly immaterial. +Yet it exists. Therefore the fundamental dogma of materialism is false. +There are existences which can neither be felt, tasted, nor seen." + +"The vivifying principle is also in animals," said Richard. + +"Certainly; and in them also intangible and mysterious. Materialism +cannot even stand before animal life; for even there the vivifying +principle is an immaterial existence." + +"The materialist stumbles at the existence of human spirit, because he +cannot get a conception of it." + +"How could this be possible?" cried the doctor. "The conception is a +picture in the mind, an apprehension of the senses. Spiritual being is +as unapproachable by the senses as the vivifying principle, of which +also man can form no conception. To deny existence because you cannot +have a conception of it, is foolish. The blind would have the same +right to deny the existence of colors, or the deaf that of music. And +who can have a conception of good, of eternity, of justice, of virtue? +No one. These are existences that do not fall under the senses. To be +logical, the materialist must conclude that there is nothing good, +nothing noble, no justice; for we have not yet seen nor felt nor smelt +these things. Virtuous actions we can, of course, see; but these +actions are not the cause but the consequence, not the thing working +but the thing wrought. As these actions will convince every thinking +man of the existence of virtue and justice, so must the workings of the +spirit prove its existence." + +"Precisely," replied Frank. "Materialism only surprises and captivates +one like a dream of the night. It vanishes the moment it is seen. I +read the works of Vogt and Buechner only for diversion; my object was +perfectly gained." + +"You read for diversion! What did you wish to forget?" + +"Dark clouds that lowered over my mind." + +"Have you secrets that I, your old friend and well-meaning adviser, +should not know?" + +Frank was confused; but his great respect for the doctor forced him to +be candid. + +"You know my views of women. When I tell you that Angela, the +well-known Angel of Salingen, has torn these opinions up by the roots, +you will not need further explanation." + +"You found Angela what I told you? I am glad," said Klingenberg. And +his disputative countenance changed to a pleasant expression. "I +suspected that the Angel of Salingen made a deep impression on you. I +did not guess; I read it in large characters on your cheeks. Have you +made an avowal?" + +"No; it will never come to that." + +"Why not? Are you ashamed to confess that you love a beautiful young +lady? That is childish and simple. There is no place here for shame. +You want a noble, virtuous wife. You have Angela in view. Woo her; do +not be a bashful boy." + +"Bashfulness might be overcome, but not the conviction that I am +unworthy of her." + +"Unworthy! Why, then? Shall I praise you? Shall I exhibit your noble +qualities, and convince, you why you are worth more than any young man +that I know? You have not Angela's religious tone; but the strong +influence of the wife on the husband is well known. In two or three +years I shall not recognize in the ultramontane Richard Frank the +former materialist." And the doctor laughed heartily. + +"It is questionable," said the young man, "whether Angela's inclination +corresponds to mine." + +"The talk of every true lover," said the doctor pleasantly. "Pluck the +stars of Bethlehem, like Faust's Grethe, with the refrain, 'She loves, +she loves not--she loves.' But you are no bashful maiden; you are a +man. Propose to her. Angela's answer will show you clearly how she +feels." + +The doctor was scarcely in his room when Richard's father entered. + +"All as you foretold," said Klingenberg. "Your son is cured of his +hatred of women by Angela. The materialistic studies were not in +earnest; they were only a shield held up against the coming passion. +The love question is so absorbing, and the sentiment so strong, that +Richard left me near Frankenhoehe to hasten over there. I expect from +your sound sense that you will place no obstacles in the way of your +son's happiness." + +"I regret," said Frank coldly, "that I cannot be of the same opinion +with you and Richard in this affair." + +"Make your son unhappy?" said Klingenberg. "Do you consider the +possible consequences of your opposition?" + +"What do you understand by possible consequences?" + +"Melancholy, madness, suicide, frequently come from this. I leave +tomorrow, and I hope to take with me the assurance that you will +sacrifice your prejudice to the happiness of Richard." + + +Among the numerous inhabitants of Siegwart's yard was a hen with a +hopeful progeny. The little chicks were very lively. They ran about +after insects till the call of the happy mother brought them to her. +Escaped from the shell some few days before, they had instead of +feathers delicate white down, so that the pretty little creatures +looked as though they had been rolled in cotton. They had black, quick +eyes, and yellow feet and bills. If a hawk flew in the air and the +mother gave a cry, the little ones knew exactly what it meant, and ran +under the protecting wings of the mother from the hawk, although they +had never seen one--had never studied in natural history the danger of +the enemy. If danger were near, she called, and immediately they were +under her wings. The whole brood now stopped under the lindens. The +little ones rested comfortably near the warm body of the mother. Now +here, now there, their little heads would pop out between the feathers. +One smart little chirper, whose ambition indicated that he would be the +future cock of the walk, undertook to stand on the back of the hen and +pick the heads of the others as they appeared through the feathers. + +Angela came under the lindens, carrying a vessel of water and some +crumbs in her apron for the little ones. She strewed the crumbs on the +ground, and the old hen announced dinner. The little ones set to work +very awkwardly. The old hen had to break the crumbs smaller between her +bill. Angela took one of the chickens in her hand and fondled it, and +carried it into the house. The hen went to the vessel to drink and the +whole brood followed. It happened that the one that stood on her back +fell into the water, and cried loudly; for it found that it had got +into a strange element of which it had no more idea than Vogt and +Buechner of the form of a spirit. At this critical moment Frank came +through the yard. He saw it fluttering about in the water, and stopped. +The old hen went clucking anxiously about the vessel. And although she +could without difficulty have taken the chicken out with her bill, yet +she did not do it. Richard observed this with great interest; but +showed no desire to save the little creature, which at the last gasp +floated like a bunch of cotton on the water. + +Angela may have heard the noise of the hen, for she appeared at the +door. She saw Frank standing near the lindens looking into the vessel. +At the same time she noticed the danger of one of her little darlings, +and hastened out. She took the body from the water and held it sadly in +her hands. + +"It is dead, the little dear," said she sadly. "You could have saved +it, Herr Frank, and you did not do it." She looked at Frank, and forgot +immediately, on seeing him, the object of her regrets. The young man +stood before her so dejected, so depressed and sad, that it touched her +heart. She knew what darkened his soul. She knew his painful struggle, +his great danger, and she could have given her life to save him. She +was moved, tears came into her eyes, and she hastened into the house. + +Siegwart was reading the paper when his daughter hastened in such an +unusual way through the room and disappeared. + +This astonished him. + +"What is the matter, Angela?" he exclaimed. + +There was no answer. He was about to go after her when Frank entered. + +"I can give you some curious news of the assessor," said the proprietor +after some careless conversation. "The man is terribly enraged against +me and full of bad designs. The reason of this anger is known to you." +And he added, "Angela is in the next room, and she must know nothing of +his proposal." + +Frank nodded assent. + +"About ten paces from the last house in Salingen," continued Siegwart, +"I have had a pile of dirt thrown up. It was now and then sprinkled +with slops, to make manure of it. Herr Hamm has made the discovery that +the slops smell bad; that it annoys the inhabitants of the next house; +and he has ordered it to be removed." + +Richard shook his head disapprovingly. + +"Perhaps Herr Hamm will come to the conclusion that, in the interest of +the noses, all like piles must be removed from Salingen." + +"But that is not all," said Siegwart. "It has been discovered that the +common good forbids my keeping fowls, because my residence is +surrounded by fields and vineyards, where the fowls do great damage. +The Herr Assessor has had the goodness, accompanied by the guards, to +examine personally the amount of destruction. So I have got +instructions either to keep my fowls confined or to make away with +them." + +"Mean and contemptible!" said Frank. + +Angela came into the room. Her countenance was smiling and clear as +ever; but her swollen eyes did not escape Richard's observation. She +greeted the guest, and sat down in her accustomed place near the +window. Scarcely had she done this, when Frank stood up, went toward +her, and knelt down before the astonished girl. + +"Miss, I have greatly offended you, and beg your pardon." + +Siegwart looked on in surprise--now at his daughter, who was perplexed; +now at the kneeling young man. + +"For God's sake! Herr Frank, arise," said the confused Angela. She was +about to leave the seat, but he caught her hand and gently replaced +her. + +"If I may approach so near to you, my present position is the proper +one. Hear me! I have deeply offended you. I could with ease have saved +a creature that was dear to you, and I did not do it. My conduct has +brought tears to your eyes--hurt your feelings. When you went away to +regain your composure, and to show your offender a serene, reconciled +countenance, it made my fault more distressing. Forgive me; do not +consider me hard and heartless, but see in me an unfortunate who +forgets himself in musing." + +She looked into Frank's handsome face as he knelt before her, in such +sadness, lowering his eyes like a guilty boy, and smiled sweetly. + +"I will forgive yon, Herr Frank, on one condition." + +"Only speak. I am prepared for any penance." + +"The condition is, that you burn those godless books that make you +doubt about the noblest things in man, and that you buy no more." + +"I vow fulfilment, and assure you that the design of those books, which +you rightly call godless, is recognized by me as a crime against the +dignity of man--and condemned." + +"This rejoices no one more than me," said she with a tremulous voice. + +He stood up, bowed, and returned to his former place. + +"But, my dear neighbor, how did this singular affair happen?" said the +proprietor. + +Frank told him about the death of the chicken. + +"The love of the hen for her chickens is remarkable. She protects them +with her wings and warns them of danger, which she knows by instinct. +How easy would it have been for the hen to have taken the young one +from the water with her bill--the same bill with which she broke their +food and gave it to them. But she did not do it, because it is strange +to her nature. This case is another striking proof that animals act +neither with understanding nor reflection. Acts beyond their instinct +are impossible to them. This would not be the case, if they had souls." + + +The old servant stood with an empty basket before the library of the +son, as he had stood before that of the father. Buechner, Vogt, and +Czolbe fell into the fire. Jacob shook his head and regretted the +beautiful binding; but the evil spirits between the covers he willingly +consigned to the flames. + + +Again the cars stopped at the station; again the two gentlemen stood at +the open window of the car to receive their returning friends. The +travellers took a carriage and drove through the street. + +"Baron Linden has indeed gone headlong into misery," said Lutz +humorously. "Eight days ago the young pair swore eternal fidelity. It +was signed and sealed. Until to-day no could one know that they were on +the brink of misery." + +Richard remembered his remark on the former occasion, and wondered at +his sudden change of opinion. + +"I wish them all happiness," said he. + +"Amen!" answered Lutz. "Richard, however, considers happiness in +matrimony possible. So we may hope that he will not always remain a +bachelor. How is the Angel of Salingen? Have you seen her since that +encounter with the steer?" + +"The angel is well," said Richard, avoiding the glance of his friend. + +"What do you mean by the 'Angel of Salingen'?" said the father. + +"Thereby I understand the unmarried daughter of Herr Siegwart, of +Salingen, named Angela, who richly deserves to be called the 'Angel of +Salingen.'" + +Frank knit his brows darkly and drummed on his knees. + +"And the encounter with the steer?" continued he. + +The professor related the occurrence. + +"Ah! you did not tell me any thing of that," said the father, turning +to Frank. "An act of such great courage deserves to be mentioned." + +The carriage passed into the court of a stately mansion. The servant +sprang from his seat and opened the carriage-door. The professor looked +at his watch. + +"Herr Frank, will you allow your coachman to drive me to the +university? I must be at my post in ten minutes. I cannot go on foot in +that time." + +"With pleasure, Herr Professor." + +"Richard," said the other friend, "shall we meet at the opera tonight?" + +"Scarcely. I must to-day enter upon my usual business." + +"Come, if possible. The evening promises great amusement, for the +celebrated Santinilli dances." + +The accustomed routine of business began for Richard. He sat in the +counting-room and worked with his habitual punctuality. Nevertheless +invidious spirits lured him toward Salingen, so that the figures +danced before his eyes, words had no meaning, and he was often lost in +day-dreams. The watchful father had observed this, and was perplexed. + +Richard's plan of studies also underwent a change. He left the house +regularly at half-past five and returned at half-past six. The father, +desiring to know what this meant, set the faithful Jacob on the watch. + +"Herr Richard," reported the spy, "hears mass at the Capuchins." + +Frank drummed a march on his knees. + +"So, so!" he hummed. "The ultramontanes understand proselytizing. They +have turned the head of my son. If I live long enough, I may yet see +him turn Capuchin, build a cloister, and go about begging." + +When Herr Frank entered the counting-room, he found his son busy at +work. He stood up and greeted his father. + +"I have observed, Richard," he began after a time, "that you go out +early every morning. What does it mean?" + +"I have imposed upon myself the obligation of hearing mass every +morning." + +"How did you come to take that singular obligation upon yourself?" + +"From the conviction that religion is no empty idea, but a power that +can give peace and consolation in all conditions of life." + +"It is evident that you have breathed ultramontane air. This +churchgoing is not forbidden--but no trifling or fanatical nonsense." + +"It is my constant care, father, to give you no cause of uneasiness." + +"I am rejoiced at this, my son; but I must observe that a certain +gloomy, reserved manner of yours disturbs me. Your conduct is +exemplary, your industry praiseworthy, your habits regular; but you +keep yourself too much shut up; you do not give evening parties any +more. You do not visit the concert-hall or theatre. This is wrong; we +should enjoy life, and not move about like dreamers." + +"I have no taste for amusements," answered Richard. "However, if you +think a change would be good, I beg you to permit me to take a run out +to Frankenhoehe for a couple of days." + +"And why to Frankenhoehe? I do not know any amusement there for you." + +"I have planted a small vineyard, as you know, and I would like to see +how the Burgundies thrive." + +Herr Frank was not in a hurry to give the permission. He thought and +drummed. + +"You can go," he said resignedly. "I hope the mountain air will cheer +you up." + + +Herr Siegwart had remarked the same symptoms in his daughter that Herr +Frank had in his son; but Angela did not give way to discontent. She +was always the same obedient daughter. The poor and sick of Salingen +could not complain of neglect. But she was frequently absent-minded, +gave wrong answers to questions, and sought solitude. If Frank was +mentioned, she revived; the least circumstance connected with him was +interesting to her. Her sharp-sighted father soon discovered the inmost +thoughts and feelings of his daughter. He thought of Herr Frank's +ill-humor toward him, and was disposed to regret the hour that Richard +entered his house. + + +The Burgundies at Frankenhoehe were scarcely looked at. The young man +hastened to Salingen. He found the landscape changed in a few weeks. +The fields had clothed themselves in yellow. The wheat-stalks bent +gracefully under their load. Everywhere industrious crowds were in the +fields. The stalks fell beneath the reapers. Men bound the sheaves. +Wagons stood here and there. The sheaves were raised into picturesque +stacks. The sun beamed down hot, and the sweltering weather wrote on +the foreheads of the men, "Adam, in the sweat of thy brow thou shalt +eat thy bread." + +In the proprietor's house all was still, the old cook sat beneath the +lindens, and with spectacles on her nose tried to mend a stocking which +she held in her hand. She arose and smiled on Richard's approach. + +"They are all in the fields. We have much work, Herr Frank. The grain +is ripe, and we have already gathered fifty wagon-loads. I am glad to +see you looking so much better. The family will also be glad. They +think a great deal of you--particularly Herr Siegwart." + +"Give them many kind greetings from me. I will come back in the +evening." + +"Off so soon? Will you not say good-day to Miss Angela? She is in the +garden. Shall I call her?" + +"No," said he after a moment's reflection; "I will go into the garden +myself." + +After unlatching the gate, he would have turned back, for he became +nervous and embarrassed. + +Angela sat in the arbor; her embroidery-frame leaned against the table, +and she was busily working. As she heard the creaking of footsteps on +the walk, she looked up and blushed. Frank raised his hat, and when the +young woman stood up before him in beauty and loveliness, his +nervousness increased, and he would gladly have escaped; but his spirit +was in the fetters of a strange power, and necessity supplied him with +a few appropriate remarks. + +"I heard that the family were absent; but I did not wish to go away +without saluting you. Miss Angela." + +She observed the bashful manner of the young man, and said kindly, "I +am glad to see you again, Herr Frank," and invited him to sit down. He +looked about for a seat; but as there was none, he had to sit on the +same bench with her. + +"Do you remain long at Frankenhoehe?" + +"Only to-day and to-morrow. Work requires dispatch, and old custom has +so bound me to my occupation that the knowledge of work to be done +makes me feel uneasy." + +"Do you work every day regularly in the counting-room?" + +"I am punctual to the hours, for the work demands regularity and order. +There are every day some hours for recreation." + +"And what is the most pleasant recreation for you?" + +"Music and painting. I like them the best. But of late," he added +hesitatingly, "unavoidable thoughts press on me, and many hours of +recreation pass in useless dreaming." + +Angela thought of his former mental troubles and looked anxiously in +his eyes. + +"Now, you have promised me," she said softly, "to forget all those +things in those bad books that disturbed your mind." + +"The fulfilment of no duty was lighter or more pleasant to me than to +keep my promise to you, Angela." + +His voice trembled. She leaned over her work and her cheeks glowed. The +delicate fingers went astray; but Frank did not notice that the colors +in the embroidery were getting into confusion. There was a long pause. +Then Frank remembered the doctor's final admonition, "Be not like a +bashful boy; put aside all false shame and speak your mind;" and he +took courage. + +"I have no right to ask what disturbs and depresses you," said she, in +a scarcely audible voice and without moving her head. + +"It is you who have the best right, Angela! You have not only saved my +life, but also my better convictions. You have purified my views, and +influenced my course of life. I was deeply in error, and you have shown +me the only way that leads to peace. This I see more clearly every day. +The church is no longer a strange, but an attractive place to me. All +this you have done without design. I tell you this because I think you +sympathize with me." + +He paused; but the declaration of his love hovered on his lips. + +"You have not deceived yourself as to my sympathy," she answered. "The +discovery that one so insignificant as myself has any influence with +you makes me glad." + +"O Angela! you are not insignificant in my eyes. You are more than all +else on earth to me!" he cried. "You are the object of my love, of my +waking dreams. If you could give me your hand before the altar in +fidelity and love, my dearest wishes would be realized." + +She slowly raised her head, her modest countenance glowed in a virginal +blush, and her eyes, which met Richard's anxious look, were filled with +tears. She lowered her head, and laid her hand in that of the young +man. He folded her in his arms, pressed her to his heart, and kissed +her forehead. The swallows flew about the arbor, twittered noisily, and +threatened the robber who was trying to take away their friend. The +sparrows, through the leaves of the vines, looked with wonder at the +table where Angela's head rested on the breast of her affianced. + +They arose. + +"We cannot keep this from our parents, Richard. My parents esteem you. +Their blessing will not be wanting to our union." + +Suddenly she paused, and stood silent and pale, as though filled with a +sudden fear. Richard anxiously inquired the cause. + +"You know your father's opinion of us," she said, disturbed. + +"Do not be troubled about that. Father will not object to my +arrangements. But even if he does, I am of age, and no power shall +separate me from you." + +"No, Richard; no! I love you as my life; but without your father's +consent, our union wants a great blessing. Speak to him in love; beg +him, beseech him, but do not annoy him on account of your selfishness." + +"So it shall be. Your advice is good and noble. As long as this +difficulty exists, I am uneasy. I will therefore go back. Speak to your +parents; give them my kind greeting, and tell them how proud I shall +feel to be acknowledged as their son." He again folded her in his arms +and hastened away. + +The old cook still sat under the lindens, and the stocking lost many a +stitch as Frank, with a joyous countenance, passed her without +speaking, without having noticed her. She shook wonderingly her old +gray head. + +Angela sat in the arbor. Her work lay idly on the table. With a +countenance full of sweetness she went to her room, and knelt and +prayed. + + +Herr Frank looked up astonished, as Richard, late in the evening, +entered his chamber. + +"Excuse me, father," said he joyfully and earnestly; "something has +happened of great importance to me, and of great interest to you. I +could not delay an explanation, even at the risk of depriving you of an +hour's sleep." + +"Well, well! I am really interested," said Herr Frank, as he threw +himself back on the sofa. "Your explanation must be something +extraordinary, for I have never seen you thus before. What is it, +then?" + +"For a right understanding of my position, it is necessary to go back +to that May-day on which we went to Frankenhoehe. Your displeasure at my +well-grounded aversion to women you will remember." + +With childish simplicity he related the whole course of his inner life +and trials at Frankenhoehe. He described the deep impression Angela had +made upon him. He took out his diary and read his observations, his +stubborn adherence to his prejudices, and the victory of a virtuous +maiden over them. The father listened with the greatest attention. He +admired the depth of his son's mind and the noble struggle of +conviction against the powerful influence of error. But when Richard +made known what had passed between himself and Angela, Herr Frank's +countenance changed. + +"I have told you all," said Richard, "with that openness which a son +owes to his father. From the disposition and character of Angela, as +you have heard them, you must have learned to respect her, and have +been convinced that she and I will be happy. Therefore, father, I beg +your consent and blessing on our union." + +He arose and was about to kneel, when Herr Frank stopped him. + +"Slowly, my son. With the exception of what happened to-day, I am +pleased with your conduct. You have convinced yourself of the injustice +of your opinion of women. You have found a noble woman. I am willing to +believe that Angela is a magnificent and faultless creature, although +she have an ultramontane father. But my consent to your union with +Siegwart's daughter you will never receive. Now, Richard, you can +without trouble find a woman that will suit you, and who is as +beautiful and as noble-minded as the Angel of Salingen." + +"May I ask the reason of your refusal, father?" + +"There are many reasons. First, I do not like the ultramontane spirit +of the Siegwart family. Angela it educated in this spirit. You would be +bound to a wife whose narrow views would be an intolerable burden." + +"Pardon, father! The extracts from my diary informed you that I have +examined this ultramontane spirit very carefully, and that I was forced +at last to correct my opinions of the ultramontanes--to reject an +unjust prejudice." + +"The stained glass of passion has beguiled you into ultramontane +sentiments; and further, remember that Siegwart is personally +objectionable to me." And he spoke of the failure of the factory +through Angela's father. + +"Herr Siegwart has told me of that enterprise, and, at the same time, +gave me the reasons that induced him to prevent its realization. He +showed the demoralizing effects of factories. He showed that the +inhabitants of that neighborhood support themselves by farming; that +the religious sentiment of the country people is endangered by Sunday +labor and other evil influences that accompany manufacturing." + +"And you approved of this narrow-mindedness of the ultramontane?" cried +Frank. + +"Siegwart's conduct is free from narrow-mindedness. You yourself have +often said that faith and religion had much to fear from modern +manufactories. If Siegwart has made great sacrifices, if he has +interfered against his own interest in favor of faith and morality, he +deserves great respect for it." + +"Has it gone so far? Do you openly take part with the ultramontane +against your father?" + +"I take no part; I express frankly my views," answered Richard +tranquilly. + +"The views of father and son are very different, and we may thank your +intercourse with the ultramontanes for it." + +"Your acquaintance, father, with that excellent family is very +desirable. You would soon be convinced that you ought to respect them." + +"I do not desire their acquaintance. It is near midnight; go to rest, +and forget the hasty step of to-day." + +"I will never regret what has taken place with forethought and +reflection," answered Richard firmly. "I again ask your consent to the +happiness of your son." + +"No, no! Once for all--never!" cried Frank hastily. + +The son became excited. He was about to fly into a passion, and to show +his father that he was not going to follow blind authority like an +inexperienced child, when he thought of what Angela said, "Speak to +your father in love;" and his rising anger subsided. + +"You know, father," he said hesitatingly, "that my age permits me to +choose a wife without reference to your will. As the consent is +withheld without valid reasons, I might do without it. But Angela has +urgently requested me not to act against your will, and I have promised +to comply with her wishes." + +"Angela appears to have more sense than you. So she requested this +promise from you? I esteem the young lady for this sentiment, although +she be a child of Siegwart, who shall never have my son for a +son-in-law." + +The young man arose. + +"It only remains for me to declare," said he calmly, "that to Angela, +and to her alone, shall I ever belong in love and fidelity. If you +persevere in your refusal, I here tell you, on my honor, I shall never +choose another wife." + +He made a bow and left the room. It was long past midnight, and Herr +Frank was still sitting on the sofa, drumming on his knees and shaking +his head. + +"An accursed piece of business!" said he. "I know he will not break his +word of honor under any circumstances. I know his stubborn head. But +this Siegwart, this clerical ultramontane fellow--it is incompatible; +mental progress and middle-age darkness, spiritual enlightenment and +stark confessionalism--it won't do. Angela certainly is not her father. +She is an innocent country creature; does not wear crinoline, dresses +in blue like a bluebell, has not a dainty stomach, and has no toilette +nonsense. The nuns, together with perverted views of the world, may, +perhaps, have taught her many principles that adorn an honorable woman; +but--but--" And Herr Frank threw himself back grumbling on the sofa. + +On the following day Richard wrote Angela a warm, impassioned letter. +The vow of eternal love and fidelity was repeated. In conclusion, he +spoke of his father's refusal, but assured her that his consent would +yet be given. + +Many weeks passed. The letters of the lovers came and went regularly +and without interruption. She wrote that her parents had not hesitated +a moment to give their consent. In her letters Richard admired her +tender feeling, her dove-like innocence and pure love. He was firm in +his conviction that she would make him happy, would be his loadstar +through life. He read her letters hundreds of times, and these readings +were his only recreation. He spoke not another word about the matter to +his father. He kept away from all society. He devoted himself to his +calling, and endeavored to purify his heart in the spirit of religion, +that he might approach nearer to an equality with Angela. The father +observed him carefully, and was daily more and more convinced that a +spiritual change was coming over his son. Murmuringly he endured the +church-going, and vexedly he shook his head at Richard's composure and +perseverance, which he knew time would not change. The more quietly the +son endured, the more disquieted Herr Frank became. "Sacrifice your +prejudices to your son's happiness," he heard the doctor saying; and he +felt ashamed when he thought of this advice. + +"What cannot be cured must be endured," he was accustomed to say for +some days, as often as he went into his room. "The queer fellow makes +it uncomfortable for me; this cannot continue; days and years pass +away. I am growing old, and the house of Frank must not die out." + +One morning he gave Richard charge of the establishment. "I have +important business," said he. "I will be back to-morrow." + +The father smiled significantly as he said this. Richard heard from the +coachman that Herr Frank took a ticket for the station near +Frankenhoehe. He knew the great importance to him of this visit, and +prayed God earnestly to move his father's heart favorably. His +uneasiness increased hourly, and rendered all work impossible. He +walked up and down the counting-room like a man who feared bankruptcy, +and expected every moment the decision on which depended his happiness +for life. He went into the hall where the desks of the clerks stood in +long rows. He went to the desks, looked at the writing of the clerks, +and knew not what he did, where he went, or where he stood. + +The next day Herr Frank returned. Richard was called to the library, +where his father received him with a face never more happy or +contented. + +"I have visited your bride," he began, "because I had a curiosity to +know personally the one who has converted my son to sound views of +womankind. I am perfectly satisfied with your taste, and also with +myself; for I have become reconciled with Siegwart, and find that he is +as willing to live with his neighbors in harmony as in discord. You now +have my blessing on your union. The marriage can take place when you +please; only it would please me if it came off as soon as possible." + +Richard stood speechless with emotion, which so overcame him that tears +burst from his eyes. He embraced his father, kissed him tenderly, and +murmured his thanks. + +"That will do, Richard," said Herr Frank, much affected. "Your +happiness moves me. May it last long. And I do not doubt it will; for +Angela is truly a woman the like of whom I have never met. Her +character is as clear and transparent as crystal; and her eyes possess +such power, and her smile such loveliness, that I fear for my freedom +when she is once in the house." + + +Crisp, cold weather. The December winds sweep gustily through the +streets of the city, driving the well-clad wanderer before them and +sporting with the weather-vanes. A carriage stops before the door of +the Director Schlagbein. Professor Lutz steps out and directs the +driver to await him. + +Emil Schlagbein, Richard's unhappy married friend, had moved his +easy-chair near the stove and leaned his head against its back. He +looked as though despair had seized him and thrown him into it. Hasty +steps were heard in the ante-room, and Lutz stood before him. + +"Still in your working-clothes, Emil? Up! the tea-table of the Angel of +Salingen awaits us." + +"Pardon me; my head is confused, my heart is sad; grief wastes my life +away." + +"War--always war; never peace!" said Lutz. "I fear, Emil, that +all the fault is not with your wife. You are too sensitive, too +particular about principles. Man must tolerate, and not be niggardly +in compliance. Take old Frank as a model. With Angela entered +ultramontanism into his house. Frank lives in peace with this +spirit--even on friendly terms. Angela reads him pious stories from the +legends of the saints. He goes with her to church, where he listens +with attention to the word of God. He hears mass as devoutly as a +Capuchin; not to say any thing of Richard, who runs a race with Angela +for the prize of piety. Could you not also make some sacrifice to the +whims of your wife?" + +"Angela and Ida--day and night!" said the director bitterly. "The two +Franks make no sacrifice to female whims. They appreciate her exalted +views, they admire her purity, her unspeakable modesty, her shining +virtues. The two Franks acted reasonably when they adopted the +principles that produced such a woman. Angela never speaks to her +husband in defiance and bad temper. If clouds gather in the matrimonial +heaven, she dissipates them with the breath of love. Is the sacrifice +of a wish wanted? Angela makes it. Is her pure feeling offended by +Richard's faults? She kisses them away and raises him to her level. +My wife--is she not just the opposite in every thing? Is she not +quick-tempered, bitter, loveless, extravagant, and stiff-necked? Has +she a look--I will not say of love--but even of respect for me? Do not +all her thoughts and acts look to the pleasures of the toilette, the +opera, balls, and concerts? O my poor children! who grow up without a +mother, in the hands of domestics. How is any concession possible here? +Must not my position, my self-respect, the last remnant of manly +dignity go to the wall?" + +"Your case is lamentable, friend! Your principles and those of your +wife do not agree. Concession to the utmost point of duty, joined with +prudent reform in many things, may, perhaps, bring back, harmony and a +good understanding between you. You praise Angela: follow her example. +She abominates the air of the theatre. The opera-glasses of the young +men levelled at her offend her deeply, and bring to her angelic +countenance the blush of shame. Her fine religious feeling is offended +at many words, gestures, and dances which a pious Christian woman +should not hear and see. Yet she goes to the opera because Richard +wishes it. Her husband will at last observe this heroism of love, and +sacrifice the opera to it. What Angela cannot obtain by prayers and +representations, she gains by the all-conquering weapons of love. In +like manner and for a like object yield to your wife. She is, at least, +not a firebrand. Love must overcome her stubbornness." + +Schlagbein shook his head sadly. + +"A father cannot do what is inconsistent with paternal duty," said he. +"Shall I join in the course of my wife? Whither does this course lead? +To the destruction of all family ties, to financial bankruptcy--to +dishonor. For home my wife has no mind, no understanding. My means she +throws carelessly into the bottomless pit of pleasure-seeking and love +of dress. She does not think of the future of her children. Every day +brings to her new desires for prodigality. If her wishes are fulfilled, +ruin is unavoidable. If they are not fulfilled, she sits ill-humored +and obstinate in her room, and leaves the care of the house to her +domestics, and the children to the nurses. How often have I consented +to her vain desire for show, only to see her extravagant wishes thereby +increased. She is without reason." + +The unfortunate man's head sunk upon his breast. Lutz stood still +without uttering a word. + +"Yes, Angela is a noble woman," continued Emil, "she is the spirit of +order, the angel of peace and love. Just hear Richard's father. He +revels in enthusiasm about her. 'My Richard is the happiest man in the +world,' said he to me lately. 'I myself must be thankful to him for his +prudent choice. Abounding in every thing, my house was empty and +desolate before Angela came; but now every thing shines in the sun of +her orderly housekeeping, of her tender care. Although served with +fidelity, I have been until the present almost neglected. But now that +the angel hovers over me, observes my every want, and with her smile +lights my old age, I am perfectly happy.' Has my wife a single +characteristic of this noble woman?" + +"Angela is unapproachable in the little arts that win the heart and +drive away melancholy," said Lutz. "A few weeks ago, Herr Frank came +home one day from the counting-room all out of sorts. He sat silently +in his easy-chair drumming on his knee. Angela noticed his ill-humor. +She sought to dissipate it--to cheer him; but she did not succeed. She +then arose, and, going to him, said with unspeakable affection, +'Father, may I play and sing for you the "Lied der Kapelle?"' Herr +Frank looked in her face, and smiled as he replied, 'Yes, my angel' +When her sweet voice resounded in the next room in beautiful accord +with the accompaniment, which she played most feelingly, the old man +revived and joined in her song with his trembling bass." + +"How often we have twitted Richard with his views of modern women," +said Emil. "It was his cool judgment, perhaps, that saved him from a +misfortune like mine." + +Just then a carriage stopped before the house. Emil went uneasily to +the window, and Lutz followed him. Bandboxes and trunks were taken from +the house. The professor looked inquiringly at his friend, whose hand +appeared to tremble as it rested on the window-glass. + +"What does this mean, Emil?" + +"My wife is going to her aunt's for an indefinite time. She leaves me +to enjoy the pleasures of Christmas alone. The children also remain +here; they might be in her way." + +The professor pitied his unhappy friend. + +"Emil," said he, almost angrily, "it is for you to determine how a man +should act in regard to the freaks and caprices of his wife. But you +should not steep yourself in gall, even though your wife turn into a +river of bitterness. Drive away sadness and be happy. Do not let your +present humor rob you of every thing. Forget what you cannot change." + +A beautiful woman approached the carriage. Schlagbein turned away from +the sight. Lutz observed the departing wife and mother. She did not +look up at the window where her husband was. She got into the carriage +without even saying farewell. She sat in the midst of bandboxes, +surrounded by finery and tinsel; and as the wheels rolled over the +pavement, the director groaned in his chair. + +"A happy journey to you, Xantippe!" cried the angry professor. "Emil, +be a man. Dress yourself; forget at the Angel of Salingen's your +domestic devil." + +Schlagbein moved his head disconsolately. + +"What have the wretched to do in the home of the happy? There I shall +only see more clearly that I suffer and am miserable." + +Lutz, out of humor, threw himself into the carriage. With knitted brows +he buried himself in one of its corners. That professional head was +perplexed with a question which ordinary men would have quickly seen +through and settled. Frank's happiness and Schlagbein's misery stood as +two irrefutable facts before the mind of the professor. Now came the +question. Why this happiness, why this misery? The dashing Ida he had +known for years; also her enlightened views of life, and her flexible +principles, perfectly conformable to the spirit of progress. Whence, +then, the dissoluteness of her desires, the bitterness of her humor, +the heartlessness of the wife, the callousness of the mother? + +The professor continued his musing. He gave a scrutinizing glance at +the marriages of all his acquaintances. Everywhere he found a clouded +sky, and, in the semi-darkness, lightning and thunder. Only one +marriage stood before him bright and clear in the sunlight of +happiness, in the raiment of peace, and that was ultramontane. That +ultramontane principles had produced this happiness and peace, the +professor's industrious mind saw with clearness. He raised his head and +said solemnly, "Marriage is an image of religion. It proceeds from the +lips of God, and is perfected at the altar. The marriage duties are +children of the religious sentiment, fetters of the divine law. Ida was +faithful and true so long as it agreed with the longings of her heart. +But with the cooling of affection died love and fidelity. She +recognizes no religious duty, because she has progressed to liberty and +independence. From this follows with striking clearness the +incompatibility of Christian marriage with the spirit of the age. +Marriage will be a thing of the past as soon as intellectual maturity +conquers in the contest with religion. Sound sense, liberty of emotion +and inclination will supplant the terrible marriage yoke." + +The professor paused and examined his conclusion. It smiled upon him +like a true child of nature. It clothed itself in motley flesh, and +passed through green meadows and shady forests. It pointed +encouragingly to the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, long +in possession of intellectual maturity. Sensual marriages, intended to +last only for weeks or months, danced around the professor. Cannibal +hordes, who extended to him their brotherly paws and claws, pressed +about him. In astonishment, he contemplated his conclusion; it made +beastly grimaces, knavish and jeering, and he dashed into fragments the +provoking mockery. + +In strong contrast to the animal kingdom, stood before him again the +Christian marriage. He cunningly tried to give his new conclusion human +shape; but here the carriage stopped, and the speculation vanished +before the clear light in the house of the "Angel of Salingen." + + + +FOOTNOTE TO ANGELA. + +[Footnote 2: This argument is not conclusive, nor is it at all +necessary. Animals have memory; and there is no more reason why their +waking sensations, emotions, and acts should not repeat themselves in +dreams than there is in the case of men. The difference between the +soul of man and the soul of the brute is constituted by the presence of +the gift of reason, or the faculty of knowing necessary and universal +truths in the former, and its absence in the latter.--Ed. Catholic +World.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Progressionists, and Angela., by +Conrad von Bolanden + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PROGRESSIONISTS, AND ANGELA. *** + +***** This file should be named 33573.txt or 33573.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/5/7/33573/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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