"I do not know, but I must leave this town at once."
The good man told me that I was over excited and ill. What had happened
to me, might happen to others as well; he would see that I was cared
for, and in the quiet of his home I would soon recover, and in a year
pass the examination successfully.
But I persisted in my determination to go away; I was well aware that
the cause of my failure was the German speech on the Latin kings, and
for this reason I should never be allowed to pass the examination.
Heinrich was right.
"Very well, my obstinate sir," concluded the nobleman, "then I release
you."
Of whom should I take leave? Of my young pupil? Of the young lady?
_Mein Gott_, lead me not into temptation! She was still so young. She
dismissed me pleasantly, and in a friendly manner. A poor wretch was
leaving to return a made man. I was more defiant than courageous.
I paid one more visit to my aged aunt. And, as I this time appeared in
a coarse cotton jacket, instead of a fine coat, and announced my
intention of going away, I knew not where,--I all but received my
expressive appellation again. "No," she cried, "no, but thou art
a--a--most extraordinary man! To think, after having been so good and
upright, and now,--oh, dear, be off with thee!"
She was the only relative I had in the world.
Last of all I went to Heinrich: "I thank thee a thousand times for thy
love, my faithful friend. Would that I could reward thee for it. Thou
knowest what has happened. There is nothing left for me but to go away.
When I have accomplished something worthy I will come back and repay
thee."
I was very young when I set my foot into the wide world. Heinrich
accompanied me a long distance. At parting he forced me to accept his
ready money. Heart to heart we swore one another eternal faithfulness,
then we separated.
O Heinrich! Thou good heart, true as gold, thou hast kept thy word with
me. And I have repaid thee badly--yes, _infernally_, Heinrich!
*TO THE WARS*
The sun moves from east to west; it pointed out my way. "Farewell, old
world," I said, "I am going to the Tyrol!" There the people are now
uniting against the enemy. The demon Bonaparte is leading in the
French, and our fatherland will be entirely crushed.
A few days later I am at Innsbruck. Mounting the citadel steps, I ask
the gatekeeper if I may speak with Andreas Hofer.
"Who will hinder you, then?" he replies, striking his sword against the
marble with a resounding clash. Entering, I pass through a series of
apartments, gorgeous with large mirrors, sparkling chandeliers, and
floors which shine like glass and precious wood. Noisy peasant lads,
dressed in Alpine costumes, are walking to and fro, singing, whistling,
and smoking. At last I find myself in a large room filled with men,
apparently peasants. Asking if I may speak with Andreas Hofer, I am
informed that I must wait my turn, as he is occupied with affairs of
state. I place myself in line, and watch the various people going in
and out, until at last I am summoned into his presence.
A man in shirt-sleeves, with a full, heavy beard, rises and asks, "What
do you want, then?"
"I want to join the army!" I reply.
The bearded man--he is Hofer all over--observing me closely, remarks in
a low voice: "And so young! Have you father and mother?"
"No, sir."
"Are you from the Tyrol?"
"No, but from the immediate neighbourhood."
"A student, I presume! Do you wish to become a clergyman?"
"I should like to join the army, and fight for the fatherland."
Putting his hand into his leather girdle, he takes out some silver
pieces. "There my boy, God bless you! you had better go to Vienna and
enlist with Carl. You are only an inexperienced youth. And besides,
you are no countryman of ours."