A WEEK IN NEW YORK.
Hotly and oppressively did the sun shine down upon the mirror-like
surface of Staaten Island Bay, the next day, when the boat, containing
the steerage passengers of the Hoffnung, reached the Quay at New York,
and threw its ropes ashore. The sailors had not had time to make fast
before a complete flood of persons pressed forward from every side from
which it was possible to get upon deck, and crowded every corner and
gangway of the vessel.
A great number of those who jumped on board to welcome the fresh-comers
to their new home appeared to be actuated, not by curiosity only, but
also by zeal to make themselves useful, and without looking round they
seized upon boxes and chests, and seemed inclined to empty the whole
vessel.
"Hallo there! where are you off to with that chest," cried the brewer,
seizing at the same time the above-mentioned article of luggage with
both hands, and dragging it from the shoulders of a sturdy negro, who
was just about to step on shore with it.
The black, it is true, explained his intentions in few words, but as the
brewer unfortunately could not understand a syllable of what he was
saying, he merely shook his head, and carried back his chest to the
remainder of his luggage. The same sort of thing occurred to all the
rest, until at last the master of the boat interfered, drove the
intruders back, and the few seamen on board, with the willing assistance
of the Germans themselves, got the whole of the passengers' things on
shore, and several of the emigrants kept watch by them. This last
measure seemed a very necessary one, for, as carrion vultures surround a
dying animal, so did carters, black and white, surround the piled-up
boxes, impatiently waiting the moment when each of them might carry off
his load.
Pastor Hehrmann, the elder Siebert, and Mr. Becher, now joined them, and
after a hearty shaking of hands with their fellow travellers on the so
longed-for terra firma, took counsel how best to lodge them properly,
since they could not well all find room together in one tavern.
Many had brought with them the addresses of "good" German inns in New
York, obtained through acquaintances or relations who had formerly
sojourned at them, and found them comfortable. Others were directed to a
so-called "German Boarding House" in Pearl Street, and a large number,
including nearly all the Oldenburghers, determined to remain on the
Quay, where they saw three German public-houses side by side, as well to
have a view of the shipping as to save the money required for the
removal of their luggage, which they at once got on their own shoulders,
and carried across into the "Schweitzer's Heimat," (the Switzer's Home.)
Siebert advised them not to take up their quarters at these waterside
public-houses, but they had made up their minds; they listened, it is
true, patiently to his representations and arguments, but still went and
did as they wished.
Mr. Siebert now exhorted each of them to be careful in noting accurately
the number of the cart which carried his property, so that, in the event
of their being separated from it, they might not lose their little all,
and he then started, with a portion of his fellow travellers, towards
the boarding-house, whilst several two-wheeled carts, with their
baggage, accompanied them.
In less than two hours the whole company was scattered; and we will now
follow the Oldenburghers for a moment, who, persecuted by the jokes and
jeers of the carters plying on the quay, carried their heavy chests into
the inn, in front of which hung a gaudy sign, intended to represent a
Swiss landscape, with the subscription "Schweitzer's Heimat."
The landlord, who was a fat man, and who might have passed for a
good-natured looking fellow, had it not been for a slight cast in his
eye, met them at the door, and called to them, in a not-to-be-mistaken
Swiss dialect, to carry their things up into the large saloon.
The thing was sooner said than done--for it was no easy matter to get
the colossal boxes and chests up the narrow and steep staircase.
However, they succeeded at last, and found themselves in a very large
roomy apartment, which might claim the title of a "saloon," and
contained about twenty double beds, while beside these, in two long
rows, there stood a number of boxes and bags. Immediately afterwards,
their host followed, and indicated a particular corner for their
luggage.
"Are there more people to sleep here, then?" inquired one of the
Oldenburghers, who began, perhaps, to think the thing rather
uncomfortable.
"Yes," replied our host, "we are a little crowded for the moment, but
to-morrow many of them are going away, and if you will only make
yourselves comfortable for to-night, the matter can be arranged."
"And two have to sleep in one bed?" asked another.
"It might happen," replied the landlord, "that we might be compelled to
accommodate three in some of them; it's only for one night, and you are
not spoiled--on board ship, things are worse, I know;" he laughed, and
descended the steep stairs.
"Yes, that's true enough--on board ship it's worse still. But upon my
word, I don't see why on that account it should not be otherwise here in
New York."
The others comforted him with "Well, it's for one night only!" and
easily pacified, they walked down to the bar-room, where a kind of
barman, half sailor, half waiter, stood behind a counter covered with
unwashed glasses, and filled liquors for the guests out of pitchers and
bottles.
Tobacco smoke and noise filled the room, and the sound of curses and
laughter, of violence and hallooing, met them at their entrance. They
called for a can of cider, it is true, in an unoccupied corner--but they
did not feel at home or comfortable there, and determined, at last, to
go and have a look at New York.
Meanwhile, Mr. Siebert had led his protegées to a somewhat more decent
and better house; and the brewer, the little tailor, the shoemaker, and
old Schmidt, the quondam ambassador to the committee, took a room
together. But the shoemaker was in despair, for one of his chests,
containing all the tools of his trade, and many other things, was
nowhere to be found. He had last seen it upon the shoulders of a negro,
who was walking behind the cart containing the other luggage, but
distracted by the gaudily-ornamented shops, he had lost sight of the
black suddenly, and neither him nor the chest did he ever see again.
All inquiry was in vain, and he was now convinced how much reason Mr.
Siebert had to recommend particular attention to their property.
The others felt themselves the more comfortable, and the little tailor
declared it was worth while to travel to America, if it were only to
look at the streets and the people. Soon afterwards they were summoned
to dinner, and in the large room of the house they found a long table
spread, at which all of them, without distinction of rank, took their
seats, and were allowed to torture their teeth with some very tough
beef.
The dinner was not particularly good; but a glass of cider, which they
got with it, consoled them, and a stroll through the town was agreed
upon by all the Germans immediately after dinner. The shoemaker alone
remained behind, in order to prepare a pot of his new expeditious
blacking, with which he hoped to earn something, and to reimburse
himself somewhat for the loss of his chest.
But what splendour, exceeding anything they had imagined, met their eyes
in the broad and handsome streets which they wandered through; what
gold, and silver, and costly stuffs, gleamed in all the windows and
shops; they could not gaze enough, and stopped continually at
newly-discovered beauties with fresh astonishment. But they were
particularly delighted with the number of small two-wheeled trucks,
drawn about the streets by men, full of the finest pine-apples,
cocoanuts, and oranges; and no sooner did the brewer learn that a
pine-apple (which, in Germany, as he had heard, would cost a couple of
dollars) might be bought here for as many groats, than he bargained for
a whole armfull; the others were not behindhand, and they filled the
vacuum which the dinner had left in their stomachs with fruit.
The little tailor, on the other hand, could not get over his
astonishment at the number of clothes'-shops, for in some streets every
third house seemed to be a tailor's workshop; when stopping suddenly
before one of these, as if petrified, he stared at a small shield, upon
which there was this notice, both in English and German, "Five hundred
Journeymen wanted."
"Hallo!" he cried, "that's what I call a master. But by this and by
that, he must pay good wages, if he can employ so many people! Hark ye,
I'll go in and try."
"What are you going to be at inside, then, Meier?" asked Schmidt, of the
tailor; "haven't you engaged to go with us, and actually paid for your
share of the new farm?"
"Oh, that be hanged!" said the tailor; "if I could get work at such a
master's, I should be much better off."
"That don't signify," said the brewer; "your word is your word, and you
must come with us! Who else is to sew all our clothes?"
"Well," said the tailor, "but if brilliant prospects should present
themselves to me here, the Committee would surely allow me to accept
them; for to remain all one's life a poor journeyman tailor----"
"All that don't matter," replied the brewer; "you've paid your deposit,
and go you must! This was the object of having all the articles written
down, in order that, afterwards, nobody might do as they pleased."
"At all events, I'll ask the question," cried the little fellow,
quickly; "a question can't hurt, and perhaps it may be of use
hereafter."
With these words he walked in, accompanied by the others, who were
curious to see the interior of such a shop, and he was not a little
astonished to find the master a German, and moreover an Israelite, who
in very polite terms asked him what he wanted, and what articles he
would allow him to show him?
"Oh!" said the little man, rather abashed; "I'm only a
tailor--and--should like to inquire after work; you have given notice
outside that five hundred----"
"Yes, that was three days ago," the clothes-dealer interrupted him,
suddenly changing his tone altogether. "Since then, I've engaged four
hundred and sixty--indeed, I should have liked to make up the five
hundred, but as most of the work is already arranged, I could only pay
the rest very small wages; besides, most of our summer clothing is made
by sempstresses. However, you may work a week on trial. You're only just
arrived, aint you?"
The tailor answered in the affirmative, wondering at the same time how
the man could know this.
"Well, then," continued the other, "as I said, you may work a week on
trial, and I'll pay your board--if we suit each other, at the end of
the time, we can enter into an engagement."
"We'll consider it, meanwhile," said the brewer, going away, and
dragging the little tailor, who offered little resistance, after him, by
his coat tails, out of the shop.
"What a lot of clothes were hanging in there!" said Schmidt, when they
got outside again.
"I wonder where he puts his four hundred and sixty journeymen to," said
the little tailor, looking up towards the house; "that must be something
like a workshop!"
"He's no fool," the brewer rejoined; "he wants to get you to work a week
for nothing--a pretty arrangement, that!"
"But it may be the custom here, you know," said the tailor.
"Oh, I wish they may get it!" replied the brewer; "if that's the custom,
I won't stay in America. But, hallo! if there aint the Oldenburghers
coming along!"
It was them, in fact, who, like their fellow-travellers, staring into
every shop, came up the street, and were not a little pleased to meet
with their old acquaintances so suddenly. On board ship, they had almost
ceased to look at each other, from anger and hatred; but here, in a
foreign country, where everything met them coldly and indifferently, and
everybody seemed to be only trying if they could squeeze money out of
them in some way or other, their old quarrels had vanished, and they
shook hands like brothers.
Of course, they continued their stroll together, and for several hours
more traversed the principal streets of New York; but who shall describe
their embarrassment when the setting sun reminded them of their return,
and not one of them could find their way back, or had even any idea in
which direction their several inns were situate.
They walked in vain, with quickened pace, through the straight streets,
which all cross each other at right angles, no longer admiring the gaudy
show of the wares exposed for sale--at last, not even honouring them
with a glance.
Suddenly, they met a man who certainly must be a German: the long blue
coat--the high-crowned and broad-brimmed hat--the short pipe--there
could be no mistake. Schmidt accordingly walked confidently up to him,
and taking off his hat, bade him good day, and inquired whether he had
the honour to address a German. The man thus accosted, however, stared
at him awhile, and seemed in doubt whether he should answer or not; at
last, he drew a long whiff from his short pipe, stared at the Emigrants
all round, one after the other, and answered, in a drawling tone--"Yes."
"Oh, then, perhaps you can tell us the way to Perl, or Pirl Street?"
(for they had all, by this time, noticed the meaning of the English
word, "Yes.")
"What number?" asked their countryman, who was sparing of words, looking
this time upwards towards the roof of the houses.
What number!--oh, yes, there they all were, but not one could remember
it. Schmidt owned this at last, and added--
"Well, the street can't be so _very_ long; if we can only get to the one
end of it--I know the house, if I see it again. Whereabouts is Pearl
Street?"
"There--and there--and there!" said their friendly countryman, pointing
up the broad street in which they were standing, then down again, and
then to the left, towards a cross street; and, puffing another long
cloud from his pipe, left the Germans looking at each other.
"There--and there--and there!" said the tailor, at last, after a pause.
"Oh my! he must be making game of us--the street can't go all round
about!"
But the street did go all round about--at least, it took a large curve,
and the poor devils might have stood there a long time, without knowing
what to do, had not a more obliging countryman of theirs at last
assisted them, and put them on their road again.
The Committee, in the meanwhile, had made themselves pretty comfortable
at the French tavern, in Hudson Street, whither several of the steerage
passengers had followed them, and a large meeting was convened to be
held there on the fourth day, in order to agree upon the next measures
to be taken, and to determine what was to be done. In the interim, the
elder Siebert had been busily engaged collecting more accurate
information concerning the interior of the country, and the fittest
place for a settlement, and had made the acquaintance of a certain Dr.
Normann, who promised to lend him a helping hand, as he had already,
according to his own account, been serviceable to many Germans in this
particular, and they could trust him the more implicitly as he did not
make a business of it, but merely did it out of friendship for his
countrymen.
He accordingly accompanied Siebert to several vendors of land, and
appeared at last, according to his statement, to have met with a
particularly good thing for the emigrants. It was a piece of land in
Tennessee, situate about thirty miles west of the lively little town of
Jackson, where good water, a healthy locality, first-rate soil, and the
neighbourhood of a navigable river, the Big Halchee, on which several
mills were already erected, promised every possible advantage for
settlement.
Pastor Hehrmann objected that they could not very well undertake such a
long land journey, because they had so much luggage; but the provident
Doctor had an answer ready to this--he assured them, that their
destination being only about fifteen miles from the Mississippi, they
would have to travel that short distance only by land, but that every
other quarter mile of their journey might be passed by water, and _that_
either in a ship by sea to New Orleans, and thence up the Mississippi
River to the mouth of the Big Halchee, which was known to every captain,
or by steamer or canal-boat to the Ohio, and then down that river into
the Mississippi.
The latter route was determined upon unanimously by the Committee, for
they would not expose themselves again to all the dangers and
discomforts of a sea voyage; and the principal object of all only now
remained to be fixed--viz., the price to be paid for the land. Here
again there appeared to be no difficulty, for the terms were to be as
follow:
The piece of ground[1] consisted of fifteen acres of cleared land, but
which, certainly, had not been cultivated for five years past; but
Herbold thought that the soil would only be the richer for that. These
fifteen acres were surrounded by a fence ten rails high, (but which,
probably, would require a little repair here and there,) and further, a
curing-house, a small kitchen, a stable, and a small crib for Indian
corn. All these edifices were detached--together with the absolute
property in one hundred and sixty acres of land covered with splendid
wood, which were to be sold at an average price of four dollars per
acre, or six hundred and forty dollars cash for the whole, and the
purchasers were to have a formal deed of conveyance.
The price seemed extraordinarily reasonable; for, although it is true
that the so-called Congress-land, or the tract of country not yet
occupied by individuals, and belonging to the government of the United
States, is sold at the cheap price of a dollar and a quarter per acre,
yet it does not consist of any portion of cleared land, nor of
buildings, which undoubtedly must make a great difference. Dr. Normann
affirmed besides, that it was always a good sign of the fertility of the
soil of a tract of land, that people had formerly settled on it, for
that the whole surrounding district was open to them, and of course they
would not choose the worst. The committee comprehended these reasons
completely, and determined to lay the plan before the next meeting, and
make arrangements accordingly.
Young Werner had meanwhile settled himself in the same inn with the
Hehrmanns, although he had hitherto formed no definite resolution as to
his plans for the future. His heart urged him to remain with the
Society, and Dr. Normann also strongly counselled this; but his former
plans had been, first of all, to wait upon several merchants in
Philadelphia and Boston, and to deliver his letters of introduction, in
order to be enabled, under their guidance, easily and surely to begin
some new occupation, in a country where he was a stranger. It was when
things were in this position, on the second evening, and whilst he with
Pastor Hehrmann and other guests were sitting smoking a cigar, in the
street before the inn, that he made the acquaintance of a young man, a
German by birth, who, coming from Kentucky, had traversed nearly all the
northern states, and now visited New York city for the first time. He
had been in America from his childhood, and knew the country thoroughly;
but he shook his head doubtfully when he heard, in the course of
conversation, of the agreement which all the Germans had mutually
entered into, to found a settlement in common.
"My dear Mr. Hehrmann," said the young Kentuckian, "you must not be
offended that a young man like myself should presume to offer you
advice; but I have experience on my side. These settlements in common do
no good, and you will live to see the result of yours. Somehow or other
we Germans agree with difficulty (unless we absolutely must); and here,
in America, there is no _must_ in the case. The country is too large;
the prospects and openings are too many and too various, and
consequently societies generally dissolve themselves quickly, and for
the most part in a very unpleasant manner; and besides," he continued,
stepping closer, and in a suppressed voice, "I don't quite trust this
Dr. Normann; I have an impression that I have met the man before
somewhere, under no very honourable circumstances, but I can't exactly
remember where, and therefore will not positively affirm it. However, be
that as it may, take care, and pay particular attention that you have
the so-called 'deed' or instrument conveying the right of property."
"But come, Mr. Werner," said he to the latter, "we'll take a walk down
to the quay together; there are many things to be seen there which will
interest you, and besides you don't know enough of New York yet." With
these words, he took Werner's arm, and lounged down Hudson-street
towards the Battery, and then to the left to the waterside, to the same
spot where the steerage passengers of the Hoffnung had landed a day or
two before.
As they were wandering along the narrow quay which separates the houses
from the water, observing the arrival and departure of the shipping,
they perceived an unusual crowd of people assembled in front of one of
the German taverns which stand there side by side--in fact, before that
very one where the Oldenburghers had put up. They walked forward to
ascertain the cause.
Just as they had pressed on sufficiently to obtain a view of the
entrance of the house, the door, which up to that time had been closed,
was suddenly opened, and a man, who was received by the people outside
with loud hurrahs, was violently ejected, and the door instantly closed
behind him.
A thousand different witticisms and jeers welcomed him; but he appeared
neither to hear nor to see what was passing around him, but only tried
to get out of the crowd.
He was passing close to the two young men, when the Kentuckian laid his
hand upon the man's shoulder, and exclaimed with surprise:
"Müller! where do you come from? and in this blackguard hole? I thought
you were quiet and contented in Indiana."
"Oh, Mr. Helldorf, is that you?" replied the stranger. "Yes, bad enough
to be here, and to go back thus; but the devil take this den of
thieves--I've been cheated out of all that I could call mine."
"But how is that possible?" asked Werner.
"Possible!" said the other, laughing bitterly; "what is not possible in
these German taverns in America? But come away from here; my blood
boils, from merely breathing the air of the neighbourhood of this
pestilent hole; come along, and I will relate to you my story, and that
of thousands more, who have lost, and will lose, all they possess in the
same way."
The three men walked some paces in silence, side by side, when the poor
German thus began:--
"It is now two years since I landed here in a French ship from Havre; I
had not a single acquaintance in all America, nor did I consider that I
required one, but relied on my own strength and perseverance, for I was
healthy and strong, and called about fifteen dollars in ready money, and
a large chest full of linen and clothes, my own: what more did I want? I
went, as being near the landing-place, into this godless house. Had I
only kept my eyes open, the first view must have betrayed the character
of the crib to me; but, as it was, I thought I could make shift in it;
paid my two dollars and a half per week for board, and tried to find
work. In vain did I run about daily; the times were bad; I could not
speak English, and besides I would not undertake any kind of work that I
did not thoroughly understand, and thus months passed by, during which
the landlord, when I returned of an evening, unsuccessful, consoled me,
and obliged me to drink, at which he was always ready to give me the
benefit of his company. It is true that I was not then aware that,
according to an American custom, I had to pay for both glasses, as well
for that which he drank as for my own; or, rather, that he chalked it
up.
"Ultimately, he got my last dollar, and I wanted to leave, with about
fifty cents in my pocket, and go to work somewhere or other, if only for
my board, but he still persuaded me to remain. He would arrange the
matter, he said; something or other would turn up some of these days,
and I was not to let my spirits droop; that I knew very well that I
might have credit with him, and that I need have no anxiety about that.
Fool that I was, I followed his advice.
"Thus a fortnight more passed away, and my debt to him, for board and
drink, might perhaps amount to six dollars, when, one Saturday evening,
he called me aside, and declared that he could not feed me for nothing
any longer, and that I must look about for a lodging elsewhere. I then
informed him of my total inability to pay, which, besides, he knew very
well before, and offered him some of my shirts in lieu of payment; for I
told him he need not suppose that I wanted to cheat him; he declined
this, on the pretence that he could not mix himself up with barter of
that kind; that he wanted money, and not linen, to pay for his liquors
and his provisions; and that if I were not in a position to pay money
then, I had better look about and see where I could earn some, and that,
meanwhile, he should retain my chest as a security.
"I was quite content--for the things would have been an incumbrance to
me in my wanderings--took, therefore, two shirts and a couple of pairs
of socks out of my box, and wrapped them in a pocket handkerchief, and
left the remainder, with the key, in his hands, with the request to have
the things occasionally taken out and exposed to the air, to prevent
them from rotting.
"I then left this place on foot, and, with a few cents in my pocket,
made my way to Indiana, where, at last, I found work; and _you_ know,
Mr. Helldorf, _how_ I worked there, in order to get my living honestly.
When, at last, I had earned the necessary sum, beside enough to defray
the journey, I came hither to redeem my box, for, meanwhile, my shirts
were worn out. This morning I arrived, and went immediately to yonder
rascal. Do you suppose that he knew me again? Do you suppose that he
knew anything about a chest belonging to me? Confusion!--the fellow was
wearing one of my own shirts at the very moment when he denied ever
having seen them. I could contain myself no longer, but knocked him
down; his accomplices, however, got hold of me, and turned me out of
doors; and here I am again, with, the exception of a few dollars, and of
much experience, as rich, or rather as poor, as before."
"But you will go to a lawyer, surely," said Werner, indignantly--"won't
you? That must be the shortest way."
"Do you think so?" asked the German, looking sideways at him; "you have
not been long in America, if you call that the shortest way; I should
have costs to pay, and trouble and delay besides, and should never see
an article of my linen either--that's lost; but Heaven have mercy on
that rascal, if he ever crosses my path again."
"Never mind, Müller," said Helldorf, deprecatingly; "like thousands of
others, you have paid dearly for your experience, and should rather feel
obliged to the rogue, on that account, than otherwise; another time,
keep a better look out; you know the American saying: 'No German can
earn, or rather save, a cent in America until he has got rid of his last
European penny.' You have now done with your European property: work
hard, and you'll soon earn something again."
Müller shook his head; acknowledged, however, the truth of what he
heard, and, after a little reflection, shook hands with Helldorf; bowed
to Werner, and went up Broadway back into the town.
Young Helldorf related to his newly acquired friend many other things
concerning the German inns, not only in New York, but throughout the
whole United States, and which being, for the most part, established by
people who are afraid of work, appear in no way to serve the convenience
of travellers, but are merely money-boxes for their landlords, into
which every passer-by may cast his mite, without receiving the least
service, or even thanks in return. At last the two young people reached
the boarding-house, in Hudson-street, and separated for the night.
The Committee had undoubtedly chosen one of the best, as well as one of
the most reasonable inns in New York; nevertheless, all its members were
compelled to submit to the custom prevailing throughout nearly all the
United States--that two people should sleep in one bed--which is only
tolerable when several friends are together; and highly repulsive when
one is thrown among strangers. The Committee at first refused to comply
with this custom on any condition, and M. Von Schwanthal said that it
was opposed to all propriety and manners; but it was of no use, the
house was pretty full, and though they might perhaps have had a bed
each, they would have been obliged to make room in their beds for any
stranger who might chance to arrive during the night. They chose the
less disagreeable alternative of being among friends, at all events, and
agreed, as well as they could, about their couches. Hehrmann's family
took possession of a little room to themselves.
Meanwhile it fared dreadfully with the poor Oldenburghers, at the
Switzer's home, where, with admirable stoicism, packed three and three
in a bed, they exposed themselves to the attacks of innumerable
squadrons of bugs. They had not even wherewithal to get a light, in
order to see the extent of their misery. Grumbling and swearing, they
lay till morning. Sleep was out of the question; and it was only towards
the approach of dawn, when their tormentors withdrew, that, completely
exhausted, they fell into an uneasy, unrefreshing sleep, out of which
they were shortly awakened by the screeching voice of the maid, who
called them to breakfast.
They reproached the landlord bitterly, and assured him that it was
impossible that they could endure such another night. He, too, promised
a change, and gave them his word that they should sleep more quietly
next night; but, to their by no means agreeable surprise, they learned
how he usually kept his word. They certainly lay somewhat more quietly,
for they were so wearied that the exhausted body compelled sleep, but
everything else remained as before; even their position, three in a bed,
was not bettered.
They, therefore, came to the heroic resolution, on the ensuing morning,
to shift their quarters, cost what it might; it cost, however, the
amount of a week's board, which they had been obliged to pay in advance,
and of which the landlord refused to return one cent; on the contrary,
he abused them besides, and told them his opinion that his house was
much too good for such peasant fellows as they. Notwithstanding, they
carried out their determination, and aided by a carter (a German who had
spoken to them in the street,) removed to the tavern of their
fellow-travellers, the situation of which they had by this time
discovered.
But they found these latter in no enviable condition, for the fruit, of
which they had partaken so heartily, had made them all ill; and the poor
little tailor was so bad that, as he said himself, "he could hardly
support himself on his pins." Besides this, the brewer had met with a
peculiar mishap, for when the alarm of fire arose, for the first time in
the night, (which hitherto had been the case twice each night) he jumped
in wild haste out of bed to the window half asleep, and upset over
himself the whole pot full of the shoemaker's newly-discovered and
prepared blacking, and at the same time was so ill and miserable that he
would not suffer any of them to come near him to clean him; even the
shoemaker was not permitted to scrape off the most of it, as he
expressed himself. The brewer was obstinate, and insisted on dying in
the blacking.
The Oldenburghers found room in this house; and if the bugs were pretty
nearly as bad as at the waterside, still the whole place looked a little
cleaner and more civilized, and they had to sleep only two in a bed.
Besides, the sick soon recovered themselves, and as the day fixed for
the consultation drew near, all who were to take part in it were well
enough to give their attendance.
Mr. Siebert had fixed two o'clock in the afternoon for the meeting, and
the four comrades, Schmidt, the brewer, the tailor, and the shoemaker,
lounged off, down Pearl-street, immediately after dinner, in order not
to be too late.
They had stood about before a great number of shops, now viewing the
many curiously-bound books and coloured engravings, now admiring in
astonishment the little shops of the money-changers, in whose windows
lay long rows of bank-notes and scattered heaps of gold, and
strange-looking silver coin; now staring after the gaudily-dressed
negresses and mulatto women, who in their turn honoured the gaping party
of "Dutchmen" with a broad grin; when the tailor suddenly called the
attention of the rest to a sign opposite, which bore the picture of a
small striped pig, over which was an inscription, "Entrance, 6¼ cents."
"What is to be seen there, then?" said Schmidt.
"Oh!" quoth the tailor, "don't you see, it's all over stripes; but it
seems to me very small."
"Shall we go in?" asked the Brewer; "it only costs a sechser,"[2] (six
cents.)
"Yes, the devil take the sechsers!" said the shoemaker, with an
important shake of the head; "one of their sechsers is just as quickly
spent as a sechser with us at home, and yet yonder it's only six
pfennings, and here it's four-and-twenty! I won't go with you; I have
too much need of my few kreutzers, for the brewer had the blacking that
I hoped to earn a couple of dollars by."
"But, shoemaker," said the brewer, "don't be offended, but that
was--very--well, I don't know how to express myself mildly enough--but
_very_ stupid of you, just when there was an alarm of fire to put your
blacking in the window."
"Well; but how could I tell that there was going to be a fire?" asked
the other, surprised.
"Well, perhaps not exactly; yet--never mind, shoemaker, that can be made
up again, and the six cents can't cling to your heart now; so come
along--we must have a look at this wonderful creature."
With these words he stepped forward, and immediately afterwards,
accompanied by his companions, walked through a small glass door covered
with a green curtain, into the house.
The interior of the narrow and low room which they now stepped into, by
no means resembled a menagerie in other respects, for on the right hand
stood a small table, like a bar-counter, covered with bottles and
glasses, and several persons were seated, or lounged about the room,
while, on the left-hand was fixed a square box with wire trellis-work,
something like a rather massive bird-cage, and therein sat a little
innocent pig, on which one might faintly recognise the wonderful stripes
which passed across his body.
The four Germans paid their six cents and a quarter and viewed the pig.
The shoemaker, however, shaking his head, thought it very hard that one
should pay so much money to see a creature like that.
"And it has no stripes!" cried the tailor.
"Wait awhile," said a man standing behind the table, in German, but with
a strange sounding foreign accent, "it will soon have some."
"Stripes!" said the brewer, surprised.
"Ahem!" nodded the stranger; "but wont you have something to drink?" he
continued, getting out some glasses. "What do you take, brandy, whisky,
cider, wine, beer."
"Beer! by all means," said the brewer.
"No," declared the shoemaker, "I won't have anything to drink--six cents
for such a sight as that, and six more cents for a drink! No; to stand
that I must have stolen my money, and found my box again!"
"The drinking costs thee no more," the barman declared.
"Why do you 'thee' and 'thou'[3] me, then?" asked the shoemaker,
somewhat nettled.
"Thou speakest so prettily, how else shall I call thee?"
The shoemaker was about to make some angry reply, but the little tailor
poked him in the ribs, and said, "Don't be a fool, but let him talk in
his own fashion--he says the drinking is to cost nothing."
"Well, I don't care," said the shoemaker; "he might as well be a little
more civil."
The men had just stepped up to the table, and had their beverages handed
to them, when, to their inexpressible wonder, a tall man, with a light
blue dress coat, of coarse cloth, with bright buttons, chicory-coloured
trowsers, and a black hat, worn rather back on his head, holding a
paint-pot in the left hand, and a long brush in his right, walked in
and, without changing countenance in the least, or troubling himself
about those around him, went up to the box where the bristly little
prodigy was kept, took his brush between his teeth while he opened the
lid, and then with bold strokes of the brush, but in perfect repose of
mind, began to freshen up the rubbed off stripes of the grunting
quadruped.
"I say," quoth the brewer, nudging the tailor, "look!--see, how he is
manufacturing natural curiosities."
"Oh my!" exclaimed the little man in his turn, "and we must pay six
cents for _that_!"
The men who were in the room laughed immoderately at the surprise of the
Germans; and the barman observed to them, in perfect good faith, "There,
you see, you've learnt something new again!"
But the shoemaker was indignant; he pulled his hat over his brows, and
immediately forsook the house, accompanied by his companions, without
bestowing another look at either the people or the _lusus naturæ_.
"I never--why that beats cockfighting!" cried the little tailor, when
they were outside again. "I never heard of such a thing; why, those
fellows have the impudence of the devil himself."
"Well, we shall do well in America, if this is to be taken as an omen,"
laughed Schmidt, "but I wonder that the police should suffer such a
trick. Couldn't one inform against the fellow?--why, it's a--regular
cheat."
"Yes, that would be a great deal of good," replied the tailor. "We dare
not tell of it, for if we do, they'll only laugh at us, besides----But,
hallo, brewer! where are you off to?" he called after him, as that
worthy, who had suddenly stopped, as if in reflection, now turned and
ran quickly back--"have you forgotten anything?"
But he got no answer. The brewer ran, as fast as his legs would carry
him, back to the drinking-shop which he had just left; but while they
were yet gazing after him in wonder, he came back again, with a very
cross face, and joined them. "What have you forgotten, then?" asked all
of them at once.
"Oh!" replied the brewer, peevishly, "I was so taken aback by that
precious pig, that I left my beer only half drunk out, and now they've
poured it away, and grinned at me besides for coming back for it."
He fared no better with his companions; and laughing and talking over
what had just occurred, stopping before every shop, they wandered slowly
towards the place of meeting.
Business had not yet commenced, and the passengers of the "Hoffnung"
were standing about in groups in the large dining-room of the tavern;
the only strangers present were Dr. Normann and young Helldorf. But the
little tailor could not contain himself any longer, and although the
four companions in misfortune had come to the resolution to keep their
adventure secret, still he related it to Pastor Hehrmann, who, with
young Werner, Dr. Normann, and Mr. Helldorf, stood at one of the
windows.
"My dear friend," the doctor said, in a very affable manner, by way of
consolation, "you have by no means been cheated; that's a house where I
am very well known, and where I often look in, for the people there keep
the best of liquors."
"But, my good doctor," objected Pastor Hehrmann, "if they pretend to
show a natural curiosity, and take money for it, that cannot be excused
by any means."
"The thing has two sides," the doctor replied; "they take the money, it
is true, but then they give their visitors something to drink in return.
Did you not get what liquor you called for? Such was the case. Well,
then, you had value for your six cents. The striped pig is only there in
order to give the landlord the opportunity of selling his liquors
without being compelled to pay the high tax which is levied upon all
other drinking rooms. He is not forbidden--nobody can forbid him--from
showing any natural wonder, or any creature indeed, were it even a
common rat; and if he receives six cents for the view of his striped
pig, and gives his visitors some liquor for nothing, why, he doesn't
_sell_ his brandy, and consequently need not pay for a licence for so
doing."
"Well, that _is_ a dodge," said the tailor.
"There are many other ways and means besides," the doctor continued,
"to evade this law, which, strictly speaking, is by no means an unjust
one, but is intended to prevent the too great increase of
drinking-shops. For example, in Nassau-street, there is a man who keeps
brandy and cigars--the cigars are _very_ bad; however, he charges six
cents a piece for them, and gives a drink into the bargain. In Boston,
not long since, chemists only were permitted to retail spirituous
liquors, but that did not prevent the publicans from doing so; they
procured some large bottles, had them filled with blue and red coloured
water, put a few glasses, with herbs and tea and such like cheap
medicaments, in their bar-rooms, and in a few days there arose, I forget
now how many hundred new chemists' shops. These are little advantages
which every one endeavours to get in this country. The American motto
is, 'Help thyself,' the _how_ is a secondary consideration."
"Fine principles those for honest people!" observed Werner.
"But so it is," said the doctor; "you'll find that out soon enough. For
example, you probably may have observed some clothes shops here and
there, where five, or even six hundred hands are wanted."
"Oh, yes," cried the tailor, quickly; "we went into one of them this
morning."
"Well?" asked Dr. Normann, "hadn't he already engaged four hundred and
some odd?"
"About four hundred and sixty," the tailor interrupted him in
astonishment.
"Well, then, four hundred and sixty," said the doctor, laughing. "So I
suppose that, as he had nearly completed his number, he could only take
you upon trial? I know--the usual pretence--not on account of the
journeymen, but of the customers, who are to form a very grand idea of
the shopkeeper's business; such a man has, perhaps, not more than six or
seven hands at work for him in a little back room. Appearance is
everything."
"No! is it possible!" exclaimed Meier.
"But, gentlemen," Mr. Becher now interrupted them, "suppose we now
proceed to business? Dr. Normann, whom I hereby have the pleasure of
introducing to all present, has been so good as to look about for a
well-situated tract of land for us, and this meeting has been called to
confer on the acceptance or rejection of this offer."
All held their peace, and surrounded Mr. Becher in attentive silence. He
thus continued:--
"The land which Dr. Normann has recommended to us, lies in Tennessee,
somewhat more than 200 German miles (1000 English) farther to the west;
however, with the exception of some few miles, the entire distance may
be passed by water. We obtain there, for the purpose of a beginning, 160
acres of good land, covered with wood, and, supplied with some, although
inadequate, buildings. But, where timber is to be had in superfluity,
and there are so many active and strong hands which can be put in
motion, I should say, according to my view of the case, that the want of
buildings is but a small drawback. Of these 160 acres, fifteen are
completely cleared, rendered arable, and fenced in, and although they
have been but little cropped, yet have been lying fallow again during
five years past, and therefore, in this respect, are very promising.
"In addition, the price asked for the whole, through the kind
intercession of Doctor Normann, is reduced to four dollars per acre,
although the owners, in the first instance, are said to have asked six
dollars, which, therefore, would amount to 640 dollars for the whole,
and might not only be defrayed out of the funds in hand, but would leave
a balance of some 220 dollars wherewith to defray at least a portion of
the travelling expenses.
"If we accept the proposal, in the first place we not only save much
expense, which a protracted stay in New York would make inevitable, but
we lay the foundation in common of a sure provision for the future,
for, according to the doctor's statement, there are a great number of
Germans living in Tennessee, of whom hundreds are only waiting for the
opportunity of joining some regular German colony; and I should think
that we possess both the will and the means to found a sound and orderly
one."
Mr. Becher ceased, and complete silence reigned for a moment, which was
suddenly broken by Mr. Herbold, who, with his hands in his pockets, and
leaning against a table, had listened attentively to the whole
proposition, and now gave vent to his thoughts in the words, "Not amiss;
that might do very well."
Murmurs of approbation of the scheme now resounded from every side, but
a number of questions were also put from all quarters, which neither Mr.
Becher nor the committee generally could answer, and which related to
the climate, the produce, the game, the healthiness of the district, and
the nature of the soil. At the instance of Mr. Becher, Dr. Normann now
took up the word, and said:--
"It is a pleasure to me, gentlemen, to be enabled to answer the greater
part of the questions which have been addressed to me in the most
satisfactory manner. The climate is mild, the winters are short, and ice
and snow are seldom seen, which, indeed, you may conclude from the fact
that cotton is grown there, which, it is well known, requires a warm
climate. The productions are cotton, maize, or Indian corn, wheat, rye,
barley, oats, and all sorts of pulse; at the same time it is the finest
district for peaches, and the forests are filled with wild fruits; the
cattle, of which you may rear as many as you please, run about in the
open air all the year round, and will not cost you one cent for fodder.
"Stables or cattle sheds are not thought of, unless, indeed, you wish to
keep a horse constantly ready, and confine it on that account. The soil
is particularly good; just consider that tracts of country on the
Mississippi have been cropped for more than a century, and have never
been manured yet. As to its healthiness, why, temperate people are well
everywhere, and a farmer's life is necessarily a temperate one."
"But how are we to take what we may raise to market?" asked the brewer.
"A small river, which is navigable during at least seven months in the
year, runs past your settlement," replied the doctor. "Besides, you are
a short distance only from the Mississippi, and by it are connected with
the whole world."
"The description is very inviting," said Pastor Hehrmann, smiling: "it
almost seems to me that the worthy doctor has sketched a little
paradise; but shall we not be disappointed in our expectations? Such an
undertaking is an important step, and ought to be well considered from
every point of view."
"What grounds are there to induce me to tell you a falsehood? Have I any
interest in the whole affair?" replied the doctor, confidentially and
good-naturedly.
"Allow me, gentlemen," Helldorf now began, "to call your attention to
some circumstances which I find have hitherto not been considered. The
long journey is the least matter, for you must go somewhere or other,
and if you have not too much luggage, that can be got over well enough;
but the cleared land has not been tilled for five years, as I hear, and
you must remember that we are in America, and not in Germany."
"You don't pretend to affirm that that will injure the land?" the
doctor, who seemed highly dissatisfied with the young Kentuckian's
presence, interrupted him.
"Not in the least," the other replied; "but do you think that nothing
has grown on the old field in five years, or that the bushes and young
trees which have shot up can be so very easily eradicated?"
"Well, but though underwood is bad enough, certainly," interposed Mr.
Herbold, "still there are plenty of us, and it sha'n't take long to
clear all that off again."
"My good Mr. Herbold," objected Helldorf, "believe me, you and all your
company could not in several years clear fifteen acres of woodland on
the Mississippi, which, having been chopped, has lain waste for five
years;[4] and besides, I am convinced that you must not reckon in the
least on fences and buildings; for where these have been so long
neglected in the bush, they will hardly be of any use."
"Mr. Helldorf, I can't comprehend why you view everything from the
blackest side!" remarked the doctor, somewhat offended, as it seemed.
"What grounds do you give for your apprehensions?"
"My own experience," the Kentuckian calmly replied; "it happened so with
my own land; just where the largest trees were cut down, or only girdled
and withered, so that light and air could have free access to the soil,
there the young saplings and stems shot out with a rankness and rapidity
of which Europeans can form no notion; and this after-growth, for the
very reason that it consists mostly of roots, is a great deal more
difficult to clear than the aboriginal trees, the thick shadows from the
tops of which have killed the underwood beneath for ages past. But,
passing over this, what title to this land can you show to the society?"
It was obvious that the worthy doctor was unwilling to enter upon
answers to young Helldorf's questions; but as the eyes of the whole
assembly were fixed on the doctor, as though they addressed the question
to him, he smilingly drew a parchment from his breast pocket, and
unfolded it. It was the grant of the said 160 acres of land to a certain
William Hewitt, in consideration of military services performed, and was
signed by President Monroe, in 1819.
Helldorf had no objection to make to this; the military grants were
mostly acknowledged, but were always to be bought at a very low price,
and he only stated that the improvements ought to be pretty considerable
to induce the emigrants to give so much more per acre than they could
buy land of the government of the United States for.
The doctor made no reply, but turned to the people themselves, who,
without exception, appeared so delighted with the attractive description
of the place which was to be their future home, that they began to press
upon the committee to conclude the bargain, and set out for the goal of
all their wanderings.
"But you have told us nothing about the game?" asked M. Von Schwanthal,
who was a keen sportsman.
"Because I did not wish to appear in your eyes as an exaggerator or
embellisher; for no doubt you will consider me such when I tell you of
the deer, the turkeys, bears, &c., which, you will find yonder."
"And hares and partridges?" asked M. Von Schwanthal.
"No one thinks of shooting them," smiled the doctor; "for Heaven's sake,
who would waste a charge of powder and shot upon a miserable partridge,
when he can get a deer with it? But you'll find all that out when you
get there."
All the emigrants appeared to have made up their minds, and they were as
eager about the purchase of, and journey to, that spot of land, as
though they had had their eyes upon that little point, between the
Mississippi and the small town of Jackson in Tennessee, ever since they
left home. They would not hear of any other state but Tennessee, and the
committee closed the bargain with Dr. Normann on the same evening, paid
the purchase money, and received from him the deed, which was handed
over to the elder Siebert for safe custody. The latter had hung back a
good deal pending the treaty, and returned very superficial answers to
several questions addressed to him concerning the condition of the
country (which, according to his own account, he had travelled
through). However, he concluded the purchase in legal form, and took
possession of the muniment of title. He paid the purchase-money out of
the funds which remained in his hands, and merely called the emigrants'
attention to the fact that the time was at hand when they would have to
pay up their remaining contribution, so that the committee might not be
fettered in acting for them according to the best of their ability. He
appeared to have formed an acquaintance with Dr. Normann very quickly,
and towards evening left the tavern in his company.
It now only remained to determine the route which the emigrants should
take to reach their new home; but all were soon agreed upon this
subject, for every one was afraid of another sea-voyage, and the road by
Albany, Buffalo, thence down the Ohio to Portsmouth, from which
last-named place they could reach the Big Halchee by steamer, was
adopted. It is true that Helldorf, who by this time had become pretty
well acquainted with their situation, had recommended them to sell the
greater part of their baggage, particularly the ploughs and axes, &c.
which they had brought with them; but no one would listen to this, and
at last the third day was fixed for their departure.
From New York, they were to start in a steamer for Albany, thence by
rail as far as Utica, and from Utica by canal, over Buffalo, to
Portsmouth. Their society consisted of sixty-five individuals in all,
including women and children, and hitherto everything promised a
prosperous journey; the weather, besides, was splendid, and glad hope
animated every breast.
Werner, however, persuaded by Helldorf, had not joined the society, and
did not intend to follow it for some time to come, as he wished, first
of all, to visit Philadelphia and Baltimore. Preparations for the
departure of the settlers were now in full activity, and many things
which they considered they could not calculate on meeting with in the
interior were bought in New York. M. Von Schwanthal, in particular,
provided himself with powder and shot, and promised to find fresh meat
constantly for the whole party.
Next day was Sunday, and the Oldenburghers had betaken themselves to the
German church betimes, to attend divine service; but the shoemaker was
anxious to hear an English sermon for once, and easily persuaded the
tailor and Schmidt to accompany him: the brewer remained in bed.
The three, therefore, dressed in their Sunday's best, traversed the
quiet and almost empty streets, until they came opposite to a church,
whence the loud and thundering voice of the preacher resounded. Without
long consideration they entered, and found themselves in a small but
pretty well filled church, fitted up after the ordinary fashion of
evangelical churches, with a high pulpit and small altar. The preacher
appeared particularly inspired, and the words seemed "to flow of
themselves from his mouth," as the shoemaker expressed it, not a
syllable of which, however, could they understand.
Pressed forward by those who arrived later than themselves, our
adventurers had got promoted nearly to the centre of the church, and
stood almost opposite to the priest; but the countenance of the latter
became constantly wilder, his movements more violent, and the little
tailor had twice already gently touched the shoemaker, and expressed a
wish to retire, when suddenly a woman, who was sitting close beside
them, uttered a heart-breaking sigh; Meier turned his head quickly, and
saw that she began to turn up her eyes, and gasp for breath.
"I say, there's a woman taken ill!" he said, in a low voice, to Schmidt,
who stood just before him.
"Oh, she'll get better again presently, I dare say!" said Schmidt,
pacifying him.
But just the same sort of sighing and groaning arose from several sides,
and the stout woman near them seemed especially affected by something or
other, for her sighs followed each other faster and faster, her limbs
began to tremble, and everything showed that she must be dreadfully
excited. All at once, a change came over the whole spirit of the fat
woman; her gaze was fixed on the tailor, who tremblingly followed her
every movement with his eyes; her nostrils dilated, her mouth opened,
and, uttering a loud scream, she jumped up.
"Oh Lord!" cried the tailor, and his knees knocked together. Schmidt
looked round for the first time at the inspired one, who moved up and
down, stamped with her feet, clenched her hands, and cried and rejoiced.
Schmidt cast his eyes round about, but to his inexpressible surprise
nobody seemed to trouble himself about the stout woman; the people did
not so much as look round; and as he thought that she must be possessed
by an evil spirit, at least, he pressed past the tailor, who made room
for him with the greatest pleasure, and took hold of the arms of the
woman, who was striking about her violently.
"Break open her thumbs--break open her thumbs!" the shoemaker exclaimed;
and Schmidt, poor fellow, good-naturedly tried to comply, when a
dreadful cry met his ear; at the same time he felt himself suddenly
seized simultaneously by the collar, by the arms, and by the shoulders,
and before he could exactly comprehend what was taking place, or what
was intended, he lay peacefully alongside of the shoemaker in the
street. Scarce had they had time to pick themselves up and look about
them, when the door opened once more, and the tailor, without his hat,
made a mighty spring, clean over the pavement and gutter, into the
carriage-road, where he fell nearly doubled together, but quickly
gathering himself up again, and either not heeding or else not hearing
the calls of his comrades, he flew along the street in wild haste, till
on his turning the corner they lost sight of him.
The passers-by began to take notice, so the shoemaker took hold of
Schmidt's arm, and they forsook together a spot where their presence
began to attract attention. It was not until they had got into the
vicinity of their inn again that Schmidt stopped in surprise, and,
staring at the other, said--"Well, I beg of you!--did you ever
experience the like in your whole life?"
"For the first time to-day!" the shoemaker replied. "But where can the
little one be?"
"We shall be obliged to have him advertised in the newspapers," Schmidt
said; "for, with such a start as he took at the church, he'll never stop
again till he drops. How he ran, to be sure!"
"Yes; and what did they really turn us out for, after all?" asked the
shoemaker; "perhaps it was because you went to the assistance of the fat
woman?"
"Ask them," growled Schmidt; "rough people, they are. Well! if they only
wait till they catch me in one of their churches again!"
They had, meanwhile, reached their abode, and found the two young
people, Helldorf and Werner, who were sitting in the public room,
conversing with the brewer. But when the shoemaker and Schmidt told them
the story of their wrongs, Helldorf burst into a loud laugh, and
explained to them that they had got into a congregation of Methodists,
and had offended the latter not a little by laying hands upon a sister
who was divinely inspired. But all felt anxious now about the little
tailor, who had fled in such fearful haste, no one knew whither, when
the latter unexpectedly made his appearance at the door, with haggard
eyes, pale colourless cheeks, and quite chopfallen. He really looked
very ill.
The landlady, however, quickly filled him up a good bumper of bitters,
and he recovered a little by degrees, though it was quite half an hour
before he was in a condition to relate, how the fat woman, whilst
Schmidt and the shoemaker were being turned out, had attacked him, and
(he protested solemnly, and swore that it was true) had tried to bite
him; that he recollected nothing further, except having jumped up, and
fled with all the strength at his command.
"But, I say, where's your hat?" asked the brewer.
"That must be lying in the church still!" sighed the tailor.
"Yes, but won't you go back, and fetch it?" said the brewer.
"_I!_" exclaimed the tailor, astonished to the last degree; "_I_ go back
into _that_ church,--to _that_ fat woman! Brewer! if the whole church
were filled with hats, (of the best quality, five and a quarter dollars
a piece), and I might have them _all_, I wouldn't put a foot across the
threshold." It was useless to press him further; he never saw his hat
more.
Mrs. Hehrmann, with her daughters, had by this time recovered from the
troubles and hardships of the sea-voyage, and Bertha, in particular, was
as blooming as a rose; but she bowed her little head very sadly and
sorrowfully when Werner, while sitting beside them and Helldorf, in the
little room, on the Saturday evening, for the first time intimated that
they would not continue their journey together, but that he proposed, in
the first instance, to visit the neighbouring towns.
"I had believed that you would have joined our settlement," she
whispered, at last; "but it seems, however,----"
"But, child," her mother interrupted her, "Mr. Werner, no doubt, has his
own sufficient reasons, and when he has attended to his business here,
perhaps may visit us in Tennessee. He knows that he will be always
welcome to us."
"I need not tell you, my dear madam," answered Werner, "how I appreciate
your goodness, and how grateful I am for the friendly sympathy you have
constantly shown me; and I hope to be able to prove it hereafter. At
present, however, I am compelled to visit Philadelphia as well as
Baltimore, to deliver several letters of introduction, which may,
perhaps, be of service to me hereafter; it would, therefore, be
imprudent in me to neglect them. But, notwithstanding, it is quite
possible that I may reach the locality of your settlement soon after
you, as Mr. Helldorf tells me that there is a nearer way over the
hills."
"Quite right," replied the latter; "and it will probably so happen; for,
my dear Werner, if nothing else detain you besides the result of your
letters of introduction, your time will not be much taken up. One
invitation to dinner at each place where you have delivered such a
letter, and you have gone through it all; it is even questionable
whether he to whom you were recommended may know you on the following
day."
"But, Helldorf, my dear fellow----"
"I know it--I have seen it happen so often. But there's nothing like a
trial, and that is soon made."
At that moment, a tap was heard at the door, which opened, and in walked
Dr. Normann, with the most agreeable face in the world. He inquired very
anxiously after the health of the Hehrmanns, and gave them such good and
reasonable advice as to their future conduct, in their new and
unaccustomed mode of life, related on the occasion so many experiences
and events from his own life, and altogether managed to make himself so
agreeable, that even Helldorf lost a portion of his former unaccountable
aversion to him, and became more conversable and friendly.
The doctor was particularly obliging to Werner; and, upon hearing that
he was going into the interior, promised him some excellent
introductions, such as must assure the best reception to him.
"But of what use will they be, doctor?" asked Helldorf; "you know
yourself that in this country----"
"I know--perfectly aware of it!" the doctor interrupted him. "But rely
upon me, you shall have introductions, to-morrow morning, from a man
which will ensure you the reception of a son in his house; and yet I
give you my word that, except his name, I myself know as little of the
man as you do."
"The doctor speaks in riddles," said Mrs. Hehrmann, smiling; "if you
could do that, you would be a conjuror indeed!"
"Anything but that, madam; all that is required is a little knowledge of
human nature. But to-morrow I will give my proofs."
"I say, Doctor, you were speaking, not long since, of an invention of
yours, on account of which you were staying here," said Helldorf. "Might
I ask of what kind it is?"
"Haven't I told you about my invention yet?" simpered Normann. "Yes, I
hope that it will make some noise; I have discovered the long-lost art
of making inconsumable light. It was known to the ancients, for in
long-closed-up sepulchres burning lamps have been found. I am already in
communication with the President on the subject, and am going to
Washington next week, on that account."
"Why, doctor, this discovery must be of inestimable value!" exclaimed
Werner.
"A hundred thousand dollars have been offered me for it in Germany, and
the same sum in France; but I am a Republican--Republican, body and
soul--and my invention is not to be bought by any king! It was in
Arkansas that----"
"Were you ever in Arkansas?" Helldorf burst out, jumping from his chair,
and gazing narrowly into the doctor's countenance. The latter appeared
to change colour, but soon regained his self-possession, and, looking
the young man fixedly in the face, and with a somewhat forced smile,
said--
"No; you did not hear me out. It was in Arkansas that I was about to
make some experiments on the subject, but at that time I was taken ill
at Cincinnati, and could not undertake the journey."
"I beg pardon," said Helldorf; "it was an old recollection--your face
seemed so familiar to me."
Again the colour left the Doctor's cheeks a little, but his features
remained unmoved, and he said, smiling--"He who lives in America sees
many faces, for half the population is constantly on the move; that
among them there should frequently be people who resemble each other,
is very natural. But," he broke off, abruptly, "I have yet some little
business to transact. As to our engagement, Mr. Werner, I am ready to
keep my word to-morrow morning. Call for me at half-past eight. Till
then, farewell! Mrs. Hehrmann--ladies, I take my leave."
When the Doctor had left them, Helldorf spoke only in monosyllables, and
shortly afterwards also withdrew, accompanied by Werner.
"Now I'm sure of it!" he exclaimed, as he wandered down the
Sabbath-still street; "now I've got on the fellow's track.
Arkansas--Arkansas!--that's the place where I have seen him!"
"But he has never been there," suggested Werner.
"Lies! lies!" exclaimed Helldorf. "I saw how he changed colour, for he
recognised me, too, at that moment! But he wore a beard then, which
disguised him, and passed by a different name. There he was Dr.
Wähler--I am certain of it--and was challenged for cheating at play, and
secretly shot his challenger on his way to the ground!"
"That would be horrible!" said Werner.
"It is him--I know him!" Helldorf declared. "Now Heaven have mercy upon
the poor settlers, for there can no longer be any doubt but that the
rascal has cheated them!"
"But how can that be possible?" Werner objected. "You yourself pronounce
the deed correct and genuine, the land must be in existence! I can't
conceive----"
"Time will show!" Helldorf exclaimed. "But that this is the villain, I
could swear! I am only curious to know in what manner he will procure
letters of introduction for you to-morrow."
"Is it not possible to bring him to account, if he has been guilty of
anything so dreadful?" asked Werner.
"How!" replied Helldorf, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Where are the
proofs?--where are the people now who then lived in yonder scene? Oh, my
dear Werner, a year--a single year--makes a wonderful change here in
America! However, I have not yet done with this villain, for he whom he
shot was my best friend; the good Doctor may, therefore, look out for
himself, if his path crosses mine! But now good night, Werner. Say not a
word of what I have just confided to you, and let him give you the
letters of introduction to-morrow morning; perhaps, we shall get at some
explanation of the Doctor's character."
Werner did not retire to rest until late, and wild dreams disturbed his
slumber; he was, therefore, up early, and at the hour appointed stood at
the doctor's room. He was just dressed, and met him at the door, and
taking the young man's arm, confidentially, walked with him to an hotel
in Chatham Street, where he inquired whether a certain Mr. Smith, from
the country, was staying there?
On receiving the waiter's reply in the affirmative, he told him to
announce two strangers who wished to speak to Mr. Smith upon business;
and, turning with a smile to Werner, who asked him once more in
astonishment whether he really did not know the man, said, "You may
convince yourself of that."
Mr. Smith immediately asked the gentlemen up stairs, and the waiter
showed them into a small, clean-looking room, where the stranger stepped
forward to meet them, and politely asked them to be seated.
"Mr. Smith," Dr. Normann now began, "although I am a complete stranger
to you, still I have heard of your considerable tracts of land, and of
the advantageous position of your proposed town. A party of Germans have
arrived here, and another ship is expected to follow in a few weeks, all
of whom intend to settle somewhere in the interior. This young man, Mr.
Werner,"--the American bowed,--"is commissioned to look about for a
suitable spot for them, and upon my advice, purposes visiting your
neighbourhood. If I might request of you the favour of some
introductions for my friend, which might facilitate his business, you
would not only greatly oblige us, but perhaps also attract a settlement
of industrious Germans into your vicinity."
The expression of the American's face had brightened up more and more
during these words. He now rose very politely, shook hands with both of
them, and said some very obliging words to young Werner, to which the
latter, abashed by such boundless impudence, and not himself
sufficiently master of the English language, could only reply by a
silent bow. Without wasting another word, the American went to a
writing-table, and after the lapse of a very few minutes, handed over an
open letter of introduction to his own family, as well as to his two
brothers, who lived in the same neighbourhood, and who were therein
requested to show all possible civility to the bearer, and to assist him
in seeing the country, and especially in becoming acquainted with their
part of it. In vain did Werner try to stammer out a few words, which
were intended to inform the American that he had no part in this breach
of confidence: the latter, who probably supposed that he was
endeavouring to express his thanks, drowned his words in a stream of
compliments. Dr. Normann took him by the arm, and, before he knew
exactly what was going forward, he found himself, in a few minutes, in
the street again, with the letter of introduction in his pocket-book,
and the doctor's arm in his own.
"Well--haven't I kept my word?" he asked, laughing, as they walked down
Chatham-street towards the Post-office; "am I not a conjuror? Yes, my
dear Mr. Werner, take hold of the weak points of the Americans and you
may do what you like with them, but, unless you do that, they're as
tough as hickory."
"Doctor, I shall never make use of this letter of introduction; for I
consider----"
"Pooh, pooh, my good friend!" exclaimed the doctor, laughing; "wait till
you've been a year or two in America, and all that will come round; then
you'll become what the Americans call 'smart.' Take notice of that
word; in those five letters is comprised a whole dictionary."
Werner was going to reply rather bitterly, but suddenly bethinking
himself of another course, he bade the other "Good morning," and leaving
the doctor, who stepped into a shop near Astor House, turned back, and
walked to the right, up Broadway.
There he sought Helldorf, to whom he related the whole proceeding; but
Helldorf only laughed, and replied, that it was just what he had
expected; that the doctor was a thoroughbred sharper, and, as he feared,
was not content with what he had already squeezed out of the society.
"He has other views," he continued, talking half to himself, "otherwise
he would have disappeared immediately after the success of his plan--the
sale of the land--but we'll observe him, and Heaven have mercy upon him
if he gives us a hold upon him."
The next day was fixed for the departure of the society as well as of
Werner; but the latter had soon completed what little arrangements he
had to make, and determined to seek the Hehrmanns once more, and to pass
the last few hours in New York, at all events, with them; he was,
however, by no means agreeably surprised to find the doctor already
there again, and to hear that the latter had determined to make the
journey as far as Cincinnati (where he gave out that he had business)
with them. Werner, it is true, soon forgot all lesser cares in the
absorbing pain of a parting from his beloved, for it was in vain to try
to conceal from himself with what earnestness his heart clung to the
Pastor's little daughter; and he only pressed Helldorf's hand in
silence, when the latter asked him, in a whisper, if he did not also
think "that the air of Tennessee would agree particularly well with
him?"
In the meantime, the travellers had many things to arrange, and had
their hands full of business; the committee, therefore, gratefully
accepted the offer of Dr. Normann, to assist the Messrs. Siebert in the
care of the freight, while Mr. Hehrmann and Becher, with the help of
Werner and young Helldorf, endeavoured to procure what conveniences they
could for the women.
Dr. Normann, quite in American fashion, had with him only a small
portmanteau, not much bigger than a knapsack, in order, he said, to have
his things sent after him subsequently; but the more baggage, on the
other hand, did the "allies" carry with them, and the committee began
already to perceive that it would not have been so much amiss if they
had paid a little more attention to what the Captain of the "Hoffnung"
had told them about this. But after dragging their goods so far, they
considered that they must now go through with it, and before long the
last article was stowed away in the mighty steamer. The New York clocks
struck five, the ship's bell rang for the third time, and the ropes and
planks were drawn in; the white steam rose into the clear air in puffs,
which followed each other more and more quickly--the colossus gained
life, and the wheels struck and pressed with a splash the little waves
behind them. The boat pushed from the shore--it strove, panting, against
the descending water--struck the waves away on each side--and now, with
the mighty power of her boilers and cylinders, the vessel dashed forward
on her clear and mirror-like course.
Helldorf tried in vain to drag Werner from the landing-place, where,
pressed upon by the crowd driving hither and thither, he could hardly
stand. His eyes hung upon the outlines of the boat, now becoming each
minute less distinct, where but a few seconds before he thought that he
had remarked the waving of a fluttering handkerchief, and only when she
had disappeared round a bend in the river, did he yield his arm to his
friend, and wander silently by his side, back into the city.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] One hundred and sixty acres of land is not more than one farmer
would take; consequently, very far short of the wants of a party of
sixty-five persons. Probably the author means it as another satire on
the ignorance of emigrants.--TR.
[2] A sechser is a small German coin, value six German pfennings, or
rather more than an English halfpenny; a cent. I need hardly say, is the
hundredth part of a dollar, or about a halfpenny sterling.--TR.
[3] In German, "du" (thou) is used only in addressing those with whom
one is on familiar terms; but "sie" (you) is always employed either in
speaking to strangers, or to persons whom it is wished to treat with
respect.--TR.
[4] This is much exaggerated; two men can chop and clear--i. e. log and
burn--fifteen acres of hard woodland in fifteen weeks; and allowing, as
is the fact, that land in the condition referred to in the text would
take twice as long to clear as the original wood, still that would only
make it thirty weeks' work for two men. Not the work of several years
for twenty or thirty men, although unused to this work.--TR.