SCENES AT THE "GOLDEN LAMB."
In the town, that was the railroad station both for Odensburg and the
whole region round about, was situated the "Golden Lamb," a well-known
and much-frequented inn. The immediate neighborhood of the railroad
station and the lively intercourse that continually took place between
this place and the Odensburg works, brought much custom to the house.
All who came from Odensburg or went thither, used to turn in at the
"Golden Lamb," which had the best repute, so far as accommodations were
concerned.
The original proprietor had been dead for a long while, but his widow
had given him a successor in the person of Herr Pancratius Willmann. He
had once chanced to call here as a guest with the purpose of looking
out for some small office in the town, but he had then preferred to
court the rich widow and remain in that snug nest. He had succeeded in
this plan, and was very comfortably off in consequence. He left it to
his wife to manage in kitchen and cellar, reserving to himself the more
pleasant duties of entertaining the guests and showing them, by his own
example, how excellent was the cookery of the "Golden Lamb."
It was on a gloomy, raw October day, which made one feel that autumn
had come in earnest, when Dr. Hagenbach's buggy stopped before the inn;
the doctor himself, though, sat in the comfortable gentlemen's parlor
upstairs which was only open to favored guests. Dagobert was equipped
for a journey, since he was to take the next train for Berlin, where he
was to enter the high school. In spite of his uncle's rigid discipline,
the young man's stay at Odensburg did not seem to have been
disadvantageous to him, for he looked more manly and healthier than in
the spring.
Herr Willmann, who would not let the doctor be served by anybody but
himself, had informed him, with woful visage, that his health had
certainly been better since he had strictly followed his prescriptions,
but that he was half-starved nevertheless. Hagenbach listened, quite
unmoved, and ordered the continuation of the same treatment, without
paying the least heed to mine host's dismay.
"Times seem to be lively with you to-day, Herr Willmann. The sitting
room downstairs is swarming like a veritable bee-hive. You are having a
grand political gathering. I hear the whole social democracy of the
town meet at your house. At all events it is a sign for good that the
gentlemen have selected the 'Lamb' for a place of rendezvous of their
own accord. It indicates peaceful intentions, at all events."
Herr Willmann folded his hands, and his visage became very rueful.
"Ah, Doctor, do not laugh at me, I am in downright despair. I built the
new hall last year, for innocent and instructive entertainment--it is
the largest in the whole town--and now those radicals, those
revolutionists, those anarchists hold their meetings in it--it is
dreadful----"
"If it is dreadful to you, why do you take such characters into your
house?" asked Hagenbach dryly.
"How am I to refuse them anything? They would ruin my business, maybe
blow up my house with dynamite!" Mine host shuddered at this horrible
idea. "I did not dare to say no, when that Landsfeld came and demanded
my hall. I trembled before that man, yes, trembled in every limb."
"That must have been very flattering to Mr. Landsfeld," said the
doctor, taking a huge draught from the beer mug standing before him,
while Willmann continued his lamentation.
"But how am I to answer for it to my other customers--you may depend
they'll make me pay for it--and what will Herr Dernburg say?"
"I suppose Herr Dernburg will be utterly indifferent as to whether the
Socialists meet at the 'Golden Lamb' or elsewhere, and that you will
not lose his custom by it either .... for that matter he never did take
a meal at your house, did he?"
"Oh, Doctor, what are you thinking of? My little house, only imagine
it! The Odensburg family always drive straight to the depot. All
the subordinate officers, though, deal with me; why, I put my
main dependence upon Odensburg, and would not for any money in the
world----"
"Have it all spoiled for the sake of one party!" said Hagenbach,
finishing his sentence for him.
"Of course, that is a matter of business, Runeck is to speak to-day;
not a seat will be vacant in your big hall, and it will yield you a
pretty profit."
Herr Pancratius Willmann lifted both hands in deprecation and cast his
eyes up at the ceiling. "What am I caring for the profit? But I cannot
let my business go to rack and ruin, these hard times. I am the father
of a family, have six children----"
"Why, the hard times do not seem to have preyed heavily on you,"
laughed the doctor. "By the way, just at this moment, you bear a most
remarkable resemblance to your sainted cousin, the man of the desert,
who used to cast his eyes heavenward, in the same piteous manner. But
come, Dagobert, we must break up now, else the train will leave you."
He drank out his mug of beer and stood up. The portly host of the
"Lamb" attended them to the front-door, and once more, in woe-begone
manner, begged that his most humble respects be presented to Herr
Dernburg, with the assurance that he, for his part, was firmly devoted
to the party of law and order, but that, as the father of a family and
under these distressing circumstances----
"I shall tell him that you are once more the victim of your calling,"
exclaimed Hagenbach, breaking short his wail. "You just keep on
trembling in quiet and pocket the jingling cash all the same. Your beer
is excellent, and no doubt the gentlemen will know how to appreciate
it. It will dispose them to be more humane and save the 'Golden Lamb'
from destruction, if it comes to the worst."
Herr Willmann shook his head gently and reproachfully at this waggish
aspect of the case, and took leave of his guests with a reverential
bow, who, on their part, now repaired to the railroad station, where
the train was already in waiting. While Hagenbach was crossing the
platform with his nephew, he gave him one more impressive lecture, by
way of farewell. "I would like to be certain of one thing, namely, that
you will set yourself to studying steadily in Berlin, and not turn
aside to the follies that played the wild with that fellow Runeck's
prospects in life," said he with emphasis. "He had always been very
sensible until he went among those Socialists. I tell you, my boy, if
you let yourself be taken in by people of that sort----"
He put on such a ferocious look that the pale-faced Dagobert shrank
back in affright and laid his hand upon his breast in protestation of
his innocent intentions. "I am not going among radicals, dear uncle,
certainly not," asserted he, with touching candor.
"They would not make much of a haul when they caught you," opined the
doctor contemptuously. "But they take all that they can get, and you,
alas! are ripe for any kind of folly. I only hope that your cursed poem
'To Leonie' was your first and will be your last. At all events I made
clear enough to you, I trust, the undesirableness of writing such
trash.--But the signal for the cars to start has already been given!
Have you got your satchel in hand? Get in, then, and a pleasant trip to
you!"
He shut the coach-door and stepped back. Dagobert really did not
breathe freely until he saw himself separated from his uncle by the
solid wall of the coach, for, upon his heart, in his vest-pocket rested
a long, touching farewell poem "To Leonie." After the miscarriage of
his first attempt, it is true that the young poet had not ventured to
place in the hands of his _inamorata_ this effusion of his sentiments,
but he had made up his mind to send it in a letter, from Berlin, with
the assurance that his love would be eternal, however cruelly the rude
world might come in between himself and the object of his ardent
affections.
This "rude world," in the shape of the doctor, stood upon the platform,
waving another farewell greeting as the train now began to move. Then
Hagenbach sought the station-master and inquired whether the fast-train
from Berlin was behind time.
"No, indeed, Doctor, that train will be here punctually in ten
minutes," answered that official. "Are you expecting any one?"
"Yes, young Count Eckardstein will arrive today."
The station-master's face expressed surprise. "What! Count Victor
coming? It was said that an irreparable breach was made between his
brother and himself, that time when he came here in the spring, and
went away all of a sudden. So, the case at Eckardstein is a desperate
one?"
"To this extent, at least, that Count Victor had to be informed of it.
He is the only brother, you know."
"Yes, yes--the lord-proprietor is unmarried as well," wound up the
railroad agent significantly. "Will you not step into the waiting-room,
Doctor?"
"No, I thank you. I prefer to stay out of doors; it will be only for a
few minutes."
Hagenbach was not the only expectant person there. Landsfeld appeared
with a troop of workmen, who were also evidently awaiting the arrival
of some one, for they planted themselves on the platform, conversing in
loud, dictatorial tones about the approaching electorial assembly.
Finally the train came rushing up. It brought a good many passengers,
who got out here at the larger railway-station, so that, for a few
minutes, there was a regular commotion in the great reception hall.
Hagenbach walked along the whole line of coaches, with scrutinizing
glance, when suddenly he saw before him the tall figure of Runeck, who
had just left the coach. Both stopped short, the first instant, when
Egbert made a quick motion, as though he would approach the physician,
but Landsfeld had already discovered him and pressed up to him with his
followers. With noisy greetings they encircled the young engineer, took
him into their midst and as they left the depot, raised a loud cheer
for him.
"The tribune of the people sails in smooth waters," growled the doctor
irritably. "A pretty surprise this, that he is preparing for Herr
Dernburg! I am only curious as to what our Odensburgers are going to
say. They are in it too, and, as it seems, in goodly numbers."
He quickened his pace, for he just now caught sight of Victor
Eckardstein alighting from the last coach, in company with an elderly
gentleman. The young Count also perceived him, and hastened to meet
him".
"Nothing has happened yet at Eckardstein, has it?" asked he nervously.
"No, Count; the condition of the patient has not perceptibly altered
since day before yesterday. But as I happened to be at the station, I
thought I would wait to welcome you."
The young Count now turned and introduced: "Dr. Hagenbach, my uncle,
Herr von Stettin."
Hagenbach bowed, recognizing the name and knowing that he had before
him the brother of the deceased Countess Eckardstein. Stettin offered
him his hand.
"You are treating my nephew, as I learn."
"I am, Herr von Stettin, being called in by the express desire of the
family physician. My colleague did not want to undertake the
responsibility alone."
"In that he did perfectly right. His report was so alarming that I
determined to accompany Victor. The case is a serious one, is it not?"
"An inflammation of the lungs is always serious," answered the doctor
evasively. "We must build upon the powerful constitution of the
patient. We considered it a duty, at any rate, not to keep the Count in
ignorance of the danger hanging over his brother."
"I thank you," said Victor with emotion. He looked pale and agitated,
the thought of seeing that brother, from whom he had parted in anger,
lying upon what was perhaps his death-bed, evidently oppressed him
sorely. He kept silent, while Stettin asked the most particular
questions, informed himself exactly as to the condition of his elder
nephew. Out of doors in front of the railroad station stood an
Eckardstein carriage, and the doctor took leave of the two gentlemen,
promising to be at the Castle early the next morning. Then he went over
to the "Golden Lamb" to bid his coachman prepare likewise for
departure.
In the hall he once more met Runeck and Landsfeld, who had rid
themselves of their comrades and were just inquiring of the host if he
could not furnish them with a private room, as they wanted to confer
about something.
This time Egbert bowed and paused hesitatingly, as though he were in
doubt whether he should address the doctor or not. At the same time he
cast an almost shy glance over at the steps where Landsfeld stood.
"Well?" asked he sharply, the word sounding more like a command than a
summons.
That decided the matter. The young engineer defiantly threw back his
head and stepped up to the physician.
"A word with you, Doctor! How goes it at Odensburg--in the Manor-house,
I mean?"
Hagenbach had responded very coolly to his greeting, and answered with
reserve:
"As you would expect in a house of mourning, where death entered so
suddenly and shockingly--you have heard, I suppose, how the young
gentleman died?"
"Yes, I know about it," said Egbert in a voice that betrayed suppressed
emotion. "How did his father bear it?"
"Worse than he would have one believe. And yet his is an iron nature
that manfully resists every assault made upon it, and he has not much
time to devote to his grief either. Affairs in and around Odensburg
claim his attention more than ever. You will understand how this is
better than I, Herr Runeck!"
The doctor's thrust, however, seemed to glance aside from the
apparently thick panoply of Egbert's composure, as he calmly went on
questioning:
"And Maia? She loved her brother very dearly."
"Why, Miss Maia, you know, is hardly seventeen yet. At that age one
weeps freely and is then consoled. On the contrary, Mrs. Dernburg
suffers more acutely under her loss than I could have supposed
possible."
"The young widow?" asked Egbert in a low tone.
"Yes; those first days she abandoned herself so to grief, that I
entertained serious apprehensions, and even now she is broken-hearted
as it were. I would not have attributed to her such exquisite
sensibility."
Runeck's lips quivered, but he made no reply to this last remark.
"Remember me to Miss Maia--she perhaps will not spurn my salutation,"
said he hurriedly. "Farewell, Doctor."
So saying he turned to the stairs, where Landsfeld was still awaiting
him, and mounted them with him, while Hagenbach called his coachman and
then seated himself in his carriage.
Herr Willmann, from the front door, made another reverential bow. The
very next minute, he hurried as fast as his corpulence would admit of,
after the other two.
And he did not tremble at all when he stood before the dreaded
Landsfeld, but bent just as low before him as he had done awhile ago to
the doctor, and in the most fawning manner asked his honored guests to
take possession of the gentlemen's parlor, where they should be
entirely undisturbed--he would see to it that nobody came in. Whatever
their honors wanted in kitchen or cellar, yes, the whole house was at
their disposal.
"No, we need nothing now," said Landsfeld carelessly. "Only you see to
it, mine host, that nothing is lacking this evening. The crowd will be
very great."
The fat host of the "Lamb" exhausted himself in assurances that
everything should be attended to in the very best of style, and then
with the greatest self-complacency repaired to his assembly-room, to
attend to making some arrangements in person. Herr Pancratius Willmann
possessed, in the highest degree, the art of serving two masters.
The two guests meanwhile had entered. Egbert had seated himself, and
his head rested in his hand. He looked pale and worn, and there was a
harsh, bitter look upon his face, not at all habitual with him.
The new candidate for election did not seem, to find much pleasure in
the honor that had been bestowed upon him. Landsfeld closed the door
and likewise drew up to the table.
"Have you time for us, at last?" asked he with sharpness.
"I should think I always had that," was the short answer.
"And yet it does not seem so. You let me stand there on those steps
like a fool, while you were talking with that doctor."
"You need not have listened. Why did you not go ahead of me?"
"Because it amused me to see how impossible you find it to break away
from those to whom you have so long been in bondage. Ha, ha! to hear
you inquiring after their health, in that highly sentimental manner. It
was too funny!"
"What is it to you?" said Egbert harshly. "That is my own affair."
"Not exactly, my young man. You are the candidate of our party, and, as
such, have decidedly and definitely to break off all connection with
the enemy's camp. Before all things, you have to care for your
popularity now, and you will make yourself disliked, yes, suspected, by
such proceedings,--note that!"
Runeck contemptuously shrugged his shoulders. "I thank you for your
good advice, but rather think that I ought to be capable of guiding my
own actions."
"You speak in a very lofty tone forsooth," mocked Landsfeld. "You
already behold yourself as the all-powerful party-leader, as the chief
person in the _Reichstag_. You have, in general, quite a dangerous
touch of the master about you. In this you bear a striking resemblance
to the old man at Odensburg, no doubt having learned it from him. But
that this kind of thing does not go down with us you should know by
this time. If you continue to carry on so, my word for it, your
election will be impossible."
Egbert suddenly rose to his feet and with furrowed brow planted himself
right in front of Landsfeld.
"What is all this for? Better say, straight out, that you envy me the
station to which the party has nominated me. You had calculated upon
holding it and cannot forgive me for having been preferred before you.
And you know best of all that this office was thrust upon me. I would
have gladly committed it to you--only too gladly!"
"What I wished or expected is not to be considered here," answered
Landsfeld coldly. "There was no prospect of my carrying the election;
there is one for you, so I had to vacate the field for you, and this I
do without murmuring. I know the discipline and adhere to it--would
that others did the same."
Runeck did not seem to hear the last remark, he had stepped up to the
window and looked out. "How does it stand in Odensburg?" asked he,
abruptly.
"Well, better at least than we dared to hope. The old man"--Landsfeld
used this designation for Dernburg by preference, because he knew that
it wounded his comrade--"the old man, to be sure, feels himself
impregnable in his high tower, and his eyes will not be opened, either,
until election-day. But we have worked bravely, and that really was no
easy matter in this case. Now it is for you to prove your strength!
Much depends upon your speech this evening, perhaps everything. A part
of the Odensburg workmen still stick firmly to Dernburg, the rest
waver, and those are the ones that you are to capture this evening and
draw over to us. You know how to do that splendidly, at least you used
to."
"I shall do my duty," said Egbert glumly, without turning around. "But
I am doubtful as to the result."
"Why so? Hark, it seems to me that your wings have been clipped since
we played you against the old man at Odensburg. What you have spoken,
these last weeks in Berlin, was tolerably flat and tiresome. Formerly
you sparkled with fire and enthusiasm and carried everything before
you, now when everything depends on it, you are neither cold nor hot.
Can you really be as besotted over this Dernburg as he over you? I do
believe he found the death of his son easier to bear than your
defection. It will be a touching spectacle, to see you two pitted
against one another in a life to life struggle."
"That's enough now, Landsfeld!" burst forth the young engineer,
furiously excited. "I have already desired you, once before, not to
disturb yourself about my personal relations; I forbid it to you now,
once for all. Hush about that!"
"Yes, you threatened that time at Radefeld to put me out of doors,"
mocked Landsfeld, seeming only to be amused by Runeck's rage. "Here we
are in another person's house, where you cannot resort to that measure.
But let's to business! I only wanted to make it clear to you, that this
evening you must lay aside all sentimental retrospect if your speech is
to take effect. You know what the party expects of you."
"Yes--I know."
"Well, then, rally your forces! We _must_ have the Odensburg workmen,
for their votes will decide the matter. You must therefore make
energetic front against Dernburg, and against all that he has set in
motion. You must demonstrate to the people, that his schools and
asylums and savings-banks, with which he decoys them, are of no value
in our eyes, a beggar's pence that he casts to his workmen, while he
rakes in by the million. The people do not believe us, but you they
will believe, for they know to what end the old man gave you your
training. You were to be the future superintendent of his works, the
first after himself, and you refused to receive aught of all this from
him, for the sake of our cause: this it is that makes you all-powerful
among the men of Odensburg, and for this alone we nominated you for
election. You will accomplish nothing by mere talk--you must make
straight for your adversary and hit at a vital point."
Egbert turned, slowly around, dogged determination was stamped on his
brow and his voice expressed bitter scorn, when he answered: "Yes,
indeed, I must--must! I have no longer a will of my own.--Let us go and
join the rest!"