Anna Hammer; a tale of contemporary German life

Front matter

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Chapter I. Life In Garrison

Three cavalry officers were sitting together, in a little German town, one warm April afternoon. They were sitting in the public room of the humble inn, the only one in the place. Two of them had flung themselves down by the table ; one had his legs crossed, the other had them stretched out at full length before him. The third officer sat by the window. All three were smoking ; two of them had cigars, the other an enormous meerschaum. All three were silent ; one was playing with the spur on the foot crossed over the other, turning it around so as to make it rattle ; the second had his eyes fixed upon the great bowl of his pipe, and at the clouds which he was puffing out of it ; the third was looking out of the window at the clouds which the wind drove across the heavens.

Aweary life is that of a cavalry officer in this small garrison. One hour a day they practice in the riding course ; for another hour they exercise the recruits ; for a quarter of an hour they inspect the stalls — and then their service for the day is over. All the rest of the day, with its whole mass of hours, now lies before them, unoccupied, with a most leaden heaviness. There is but a single squadron there, and to that there are attached only five officers. They have known each other since they were cadets. The subjects of horses, and dogs, and women, and the army-list, have been exhausted. The nearest garrison is too far away for an off-hand visit. They can have no social intercourse with the sub-officers — the dignity of the service would not allow that. There is little society in the town itself. The quiet, narrow, and frequently narrow-minded family circles of the citizens and minor functionaries avoid all intimacy with the officers. They meet them at the inn, at the bowling-alley, in the cssino, when there is one; but when on the public walks, with their wives and families, they meet them unwillingly; at home not at all. A few noble families perhaps reside in the neighborhood; but they are not at all fond of receiving visitors ; and those of them who were hospitable once, are now no longer so ; they have been too hospitable of old, and have no longer the means to be so. Invitations come now and then to the chase ; but there is no hunting in April.

Our three officers, all lieutenants, all young i men, of pleasing appearance, with stronglymarked countenances, had already sat there a long time immovable and speechless. The postman entered the room, laid the last newspaper from the capital upon the tatye, and departed as silently as he had entered. The officers remained immovable and speechless as before. At last one of them leaned over, reached out for the paper, slowly, almost mechanically ; the two others took no notice. The first glanced over the items of the day, but began at the bottom, with the notices and advertisements. In a few minutes he had reached the end — that is, the beginning, and threw the sheet carelessly back upon the table.

“No news!” said he, yawning, and began once more to twirl the rattling spur with his finger.

“As usual,” said his neighbor.

The third remained motionless.

They continued sitting for a long time, without moving or speaking, till the cigars were smoked up, and the meerschaum would burn no longer. New cigars were then lighted, and the meerschaum was filled again. The officers then rose and walked back and forth a few steps up and down the room.

“ Tiresome !” said one.

“ Cursed tiresome!” answered another. The third looked wearily at his boots.

Down they sat again in their old places, as speechless as before.

The sun meanwhile was setting. The clouds sweeping over the heavens shone in its last beams, and piled themselves up in strange and fantastic forms ; colored with the most gorgeous hues. It began to grow dark in the room; the clouds from the great meerschaum were no longer visible. The ennui increased. .

A servant, a sort of tapster, brought in a couple of smoky tallow candles, and placed them on the table. The ennui did not diminish. The tread of horses was heard without. It came up the street, and approached the inn. The faces of the officers grew animated.

“Can the Captain have returned already?” cried one, half astonished.

“Impossible!” exclaimed another; “if he were to ride like the devil he couldn’t be here for an hour !”

“ But there are two horses ; an officer’s, and that of his servant ; I know by the sound.”

The third officer looked at the speaker. “I;

ANNA HAMMER.

isn’t the Captain,” said he, positively; ;‘the Captain’s horse goes more lightly. The officer’s horse that is coming there has a heavier pace.”

They got up, and went to the window. Two horsemen came riding slowly up the street. One rode in advance, the other followed a few paces behind.

“ By God, an officer with his servant !” said one of the lieutenants.

The other nodded assent.

11 Who can he be ? — where can he be going to?”

None of them could divine. The foremost horseman stopped before the house.

“Is this an inn?” he asked through the door.

The host, the waiter, and the hostler rushed out. “ At your command,” they replied, submissively.

The officer’s servant had meanwhile rode up, and sprung from his horse. The officer also dismounted. The hostler tried to take hold of the bridle, but the officer pushed him back so rudely that he tumbled over. “You blockhead ! what do you mean by touching my horse ?”

The officer’s servant took the horse’s bridle, giving the hostler who was getting up, a kick behind.

“ Will his Honor stop here?” asked the host, deferentially.

The officer made no reply, but patted his horse on the shoulders and neck. He then turned round to the host, saying, briefly and imperiously : “A room !”

The three officers within looked at each other in great amazement.

“Do you know him? Who is he?” asked

one.

Nobody knew him.

“ He wears the uniform of our regiment,” remarked another.

“ That is inexplicable,” said the third, shaking his head.

“ There’s nothing fine about his horse ; a common roadster.”

“ A likely idea that he would knock up his better horses ! They have come a long distance; the horses show that.”

The door opened. “ Will you be good enough to walk in here, for a short time?” said the landlord. “Your room up-stairs will be ready immediately. You will find some gentlemen here, comrades of yours.”

The new-comer entered. A tall, slender, but vigorous form, with features almost too finely cut.; or, at least, too delicately to correspond with the haughtiness which his whole appearance expressed.

He saluted the company courteously. “ Ha ! Comrades !” said he. “ I have the honor to introduce myself — the Prince von Amberg. I have been appointed to your regiment — to this squadron. I entreat your friendship as comrades.”

The oldest of the officers present before, returned the introduction: “Von der Gruben — ron Martini — my own name, Count Engelhart.

j It gives us pleasure to welcome a brave com- ' rade.” ,

They all shook hands.

“May I ask,” said the Prince von Amberg, “where the Captain is, so that I can report myself to him ? The service takes precedence of every thing.”

“ The Captain is on an expedition in the neighborhood, to visit an acquaintance,” replied Count Engelhart. “We expect him back in an hour. I am the senior lieutenant in the squadron,” he added, laughing.

“I report myself provisionally to you,” rejoined the Prince.

They bowed ceremoniously, but with a suppressed laugh.

“Excuse me, gentlemen, for half an hour: I feel the necessity of making my toilet, after a ride of four days on the stretch — a revoir .” He disappeared.

The other officers looked thoughtfully after him. But they paced up and down the room in a manner somewhat more animated.

“ What can have brought him here ?” said Herr von der Gruben, thoughtfully.

“His fate!” replied von Martini, with ironical pathos.

But the former started suddenly from his meditations. “ The devil ! his commission is older than mine ! A step lost ! I’m always unlucky !”

Count Engelhart looked at him, with a sympathizing shrug of the shoulders : “ My dear fellow, he won’t stand in the way of your promotion. Don’t you be alarmed. The Prince, of one of the first families, won’t disturb the career of Lieutenant von Martini.”

“ My nobility is as old as his,” broke in Herr von der Gruben.

“Very well. But really, comrades, I am curious. What has brought the Prince von Amberg to this garrison ? him, who is the ornament of the capital, the very top of the cream of the corps of officers, the darling of the noblest ladies, the one absolutely indispensable to the court circle, connected even with the sovereign !”

“A whim, perhaps?”

“ One doesn’t give up all the pleasures of the capital, all the enjoyments of high life, all the advantage of the court, for the sake of a whim, and bury one-self in a little town, with sheepfeeders and swine-keepers, instead of assemblies ; muddy lanes, instead of streets ; dungheaps instead of parks; pot-houses instead of hotels; a reeking peasants’ dance, instead of perfumed balls and soirees ; a gingerbread fair instead of the Corso. There is some other cause for the thing.”

“Something just occurs to me,” interrupted von Martini. “Do you remember the report in the newspaper not long ago? Some young gentlemen of the highest families indulged in some excess or other in a public place, which reached the highest ears, and made no favorable impression. Tho matter was only hinted at. May

LIFE IN GARRISON.

not the Prince have had something to do with it ?”

Pooh ! you’re verdant,” rejoined Count Engelhart. “Do you suppose the Prince is banished here, and for such a bagatelle ! Unless I am mistaken, it took place in a public garden; the prudish dames, and virtuous daughters of some of the citizens got scandalized. But would an officer and a man of family be banished for that?”

“ Why not ? his Royal Highness may have had a weak moment.”

“ The old Gentleman may, moreover, begin to grow whimsical now and then,” added Herr von der Gruben, not without some anxiety in his tone.

“ That may all be. But till I have proof of it, I won’t believe in such an affront to the officers and nobles in a body. Meanwhile, what’s the use of hammering our brains about it? We shall know about it before long. Let us order wine to do honor to our new comrade. He brings some variety to our miserable existence. And do you, Martini, brew us a bowl — you understand it ; and do you look out for better lights.”

The ingredients for a bowl of champagnecardinal, were ordered, produced, and artistically mixed. Brighter lights were also provided.

Their new comrade returned shortly after, in complete uniform, as he must report himself officially to the Captain on his return. Count Engelhart filled the glasses ; one was handed to the Prince.

“ Your good health ! To your welcome ! To our good comradeship, Prince!”

They touched glasses.

“ Not Prince,” said the new-comer, “ Comrade ! a true comrade, who craves your friendship !”

They emptied their glases, and shook each other by the hand.

“ Your bowl is excellent. I see you know how to live here.”

“ We must get along as well as we can.”

The glasses were again filled, and again emptied, and filled again.

“ You must be curious to know what brought me among you,” said the Prince von Amberg ; u I must not say, what gave me the good-fortune to be stationed in this garrison — you must excuse my sincerity — I should be a liar if I were to speak of good-fortune here.”

“We are all agreed on that !” interrupted Count Engelhart.

The Prince continued: “I am sentenced here, banished, exiled, as you would call it.”

“ We thought so.”

“ And just for a mere bagatelle.”

Herr von Martini glanced triumphantly at the Count.

“ Just for a mere bagatelle. Perhaps you have heard of the affair. It’s hardly worth the trouble of speaking about. The melancholy, or, if you please, the ridiculous thing about it is the sheer prudery which begins to be the fashion at court. This monstrous, baseless hypocrisy— Pshaw ! I’m glad to get out of the misery a while, and so I congratulate myself that I am with you. Let us pledge each other!”

They touched glasses, emptied them, and filled them once more.

“ So my conjecture was correct,” said Herr von Martini ; “ that affair in the public garden was the occasion of your banishment.”

The Prince looked at him in astonishment.

“ That of which the paper spoke ?” he asked.

“ Bah ! that "was only laughed at. What would the world come to, if young men of family, officers, had no longer the privilege of saying a few words that folks call improper, to a pretty little burgher-girl in a public garden, accompanied of course with some pantomime or other ? What would become of the difference of ranks ? Thank heaven, they only laughed at that joke ! Why, the pious old ladies at court snickered, behind their prayer-books, as we described to them the flight and consternation that our joke caused among the dames of the bourgeoisie. The old Gentleman said nothing to that.”

“I was sure of it,” said Count Engelhart, casting in his turn a look of superiority upon Herr von Martini, who would not acknowledge himself beaten : “ We heard,” said he to the Prince, “ of some other affair ; and I remember that your name was mentioned. The late masked ball — ”

The Prince interrupted him with a loud laugh :

“ Oh, yes, that was the best fun of all. Did you hear about it ? Didn’t we do the thing up superbly — Count Conti and I ? While we were paying our respects to the theatrical-princess upon her divan, we fastened up her robes and petticoats with fine needles, in such a manner that when the good-natured, stupid President led her out to dance, she sailed up to the line of dancers, trussed up perhaps a little too high, and she would have remained a long time comfortably in their midst, had not the noble company of ladies taken to precipitate flight. ’Pon honor, • it was the richest scene — can’t be described.”

The remembrance of it threw him into a hearty fit of laughter.

After a pause, be went on : “ However, this joke might have jost us dear. His Royal Highness was at first terribly provoked. In his own immediate presence — a celebrated artiste ! But he soon listened to reason. The lady merely belonged to the theatre, and luckily none of the princesses were by. The affair all blew over. There was no need of saying any thing more about it at court. My misfortune is quite another affair.”

“ You really make us curious,” said Count Engelhart, motioning the narrator to empty his glass.

The Prince continued : “ It can be told in few words. The head governess and old Lady von Bierthaler were sitting in church, just behind the princely family, talking all sorts of scandal, pretending nil the while to be deeply

ANNA HAMMER.

engaged in their prayer-books. I stood behind them and saw that the governess, in her eagerness, was holding her book wrong side up. So I just leaned over her and said, ‘ My gracious lady, you are reading wrong side up !’ I must have spoken somewhat too loudly, for the Hereditary Princess, looked around at us. When service was over, you ought to have heard the tempest. The old lady, in order to justify herself to the Princess, fell foul of me without mercy, declared that I was an impertinent fellow, always wanting to fasten something on her ; and after she had in her zeal persuaded herself that it was so, she demanded satisfaction forthwith of his Royal Highness ; and so it was. The pious gentlemen about the old fellow spoke of sacrilege and desecration of divine service and of the church, and so — I have the honor to be your regimental comrade.”

The auditors of the Prince were astounded : “ Was that all? Impossible.”

11 That was all. My transference was made out the same day ; and I was forbidden the court. I had the tailor sent for immediately to fit me with the uniform of your — now our — regiment ; I took leave of my commanding officer, and set off on my journey here, accompanied only by my servant. On this account no announcement of my entry into the squadron has yet arrived.”

“ You describe a very sad state of things,” began Herr von der Gruben, after a pause. “Can they have come to such a pass? We must be sacrificed for the prayer-book and devotees. My tidings and my anticipations have not deceived me. I tell you, my friends, the army is on the brink of ruin, if this nuisance of praying is not done away with. It’s growing fearfully. Thank Heaven, our regiment is yet free from it !”

“ My good brother,” said Count Engelhart, in a mocking tone, “ don’t take it up so lamentably. You’ve got a bad habit of being maudlin after the third glass.”

A carriage now came rapidly up the street. It stopped before the inn. The weather had meanwhile become stormy. Rain and snow, mingled together, were falling. April was showing her caprices. A stranger entered the apartment. He was a man below the medium height, of middle age, wrapped up in a thick travelingcloak as a protection from the cool evening air. Laying aside his mantle, he walked up and down the room, casting many a look toward the group of officers.

They took no notice of him.

Herr von der Gruben was talking with great earnestness : “ I say, this praying is the curse of the army. The business of war is a rough one, and it don’t agree with the soft, sleek, sighing nature of a devotee. From my soul I hate the fellows who come upon the parade-ground from church, and can’t get away from parade quick enough, to get hold of the Bible, prayer-book, and hymn-book at home, and then drink a glass of water and give thanks to the dear God for the great enjoyment he has vouchsafed ’em. Devil take ’em!”

“ That’s what I like !” exclaimed Count Engelhart, ironically.

“ Gruben’s right,” said Herr von Martini. “ Sugar-and-water, tea, and praying weaken a fellow. It is’nt fit for a soldier.”

“ Hurrah then for wine, women, and singing,” broke in the Prince Amberg, who was tired of the conversation.

At that moment the door opened, and the traveler who had just arrived went out. He had ordered to be shown to a private chamber. Immediately afterward two other persons entered the room.

“ You are a wizard, comrade,” said Count Engelhart to the Prince, after looking at the new-comers.

The first of these was a young man of some nineteen or twenty years. He was tall, thin, and narrow-shouldered; he walked somewhat stooping, as though his chest was affected. His pale complexion denoted rather an invalid than a man in full health. His look was not exactly anxious, but the expression was any thing but that of self-confidence, which one is so well pleased to see in the face of a young man of eighteen or twenty years. He wore an overcoat which was quite too thin for the season, and which afforded no adequate protection against the storm of the evening. In spite of the storm his neck was bare. An ordinary student’s knapsack hung over his shoulder, in his left hand he carried a harp, but one finger held his cap, which he had taken from his head the moment he entered the door.

With his right hand he drew, somewhat awkwardly, as it seemed, a young girl behind him, into the room. She was small and apparently of a delicate figure ; but one could not be certain of this. She had on, over a cotton dress, an upper garment somewhat like a mantle, which concealed the outlines of her form ; her shoulders and breast were also covered by a shawl tied behind her back. Besides this her neck was carefully protected by a black silk handkerchief tied around it. Her hair was covered by a large bonnet, likewise of a cotton stuff, of a not altogether fashionable shape, which at first hid her face also. But as she came more into the light, one could make out a very regular, pretty, and blooming countenance, to which a pair of saucy coral lips, slightly parted, and sparkling, almost provocative black eyes, gave a charm all the greater, since the stature of the little creature, and the whole configuration of her features left it doubtful, whether one was looking at a child of thirteen or fourteen, or a maiden of fifteen or sixteen. This doubt was not resolved when she had laid down a basket which she carried upon her arm, removed the shawl wrapped around her breast and shoulders, and even, on account of the comfortable warmth of the room, divested herself of her upper garment. The outlines indeed now. appeared, the roundness of the breast and body, delicate and enchanting, as can

LIFE IN GARRISON.

only be seen in a maiden who has reached her development, but if one cast a glance at the size of this singularly small and delicate creature, he would recognize beyond all possibility of mistake the undeveloped features belonging to childhood, in advance of which appeared to be only the lively eye ; and he would involuntarily fall back upon the opinion that he saw before him a mere child, whose heart could never have been stirred by the feelings and presentiments of a maiden. In either case he would have felt that he saw a vision so lovely and charming as is seldom presented by this period of doubtful development. This charm was still further heightened when the girl had taken off the great ugly hat, and a mass of the most beautiful chestnut hair fell down in front, which she rapidly brushed off from her snowy forehead, so that it flowed in a picturesque manner over her back and shoulders.

Both of the new-comers, as soon as they entered, had withdrawn into a corner of the room opposite to the group of officers, the young man having cast a sly glance at them, and the girl, apparently not having noticed them at all. They laid down their bundles upon the chairs, speaking together in a low tone. The subject of their conversation could scarcely be mistaken though no word could be distinguished. While the young man brushed away from his face the hair wet with snow and rain, and the girl wiped her face with a white handkerchief, they exchanged words of the most tender sympathy and anxiety. This was apparent when the girl took off from her neck the black kerchief, and handed it to the young man. He was unwilling to take it, and she pressed it upon him. She grew so earnest, that without being conscious of it, she spoke in a louder tone.

“You have already caught cold, in your light coat,” said the girl; “and besides, the handkerchief is yours, I ought not to have taken it from you.”

“But you are hoarse,” he replied, “and it is not so very warm here. You will perspire when you get warm, and there is a draft when the door is opened.”

“But, Bernard, I entreat you to think of yourself, and on your poor sister,” she spoke these words in such a moving, supplicatory tone, that he seemed no longer able to resist, but took the handkerchief and tied it about his own neck. He did not appear to have done this properly, for she sprang quickly up, made him sit down upon a chair, arranged and tied the hai^lkerchief about his neck, dextrously, and tenderly.

The conversation of the officers had ceased • since the entrance of this pair. The Prince was especially charmed by the appearance of the girl. He followed her every motion ; his new comrades were scarcely less attracted.

The landlord came into the room immediately afterward. He went up to the officers. “ I beg your pardon, gentlemen,” said he, “for letting the strangers come in here. I had, at the moment, no other room for them. But one will soon be ready for them, and I will send them away immediately.”

Count Engelhart gave him by a nod to understand that the explanation was satisfactory. But Prince Amberg answered the host :

“ Let them stay here ; they seem to be musicians, and the little girl isn’t bad-looking.”

“ It shall be as you order.”

“ What do you say, gentlemen ?” said the Prince turning to his comrades, with a laugh; “ we sha’n’t be embarrassed !”

They agreed, with a laugh.

“ Why else have you conjured them up? But witchcraft without enjoyment, is means without an end. You are right. The girl isn’t bad-looking. And we have the music into the bargain.”

The young man, after a short whispered conversation with the girl, went up to the landlord and asked, bashfully : “ May we ask for some tea, and some bread-and-butter ?”

“How much tea?” asked the host in a tone of importance.

The young man was not prepared for this question, and seemed to be searching for an answer.

“ I ask you whether you want one cup, or two cups, or half a cup.”

Herr von Martini laughed at the latter part of the question.

The young man was embarrassed. He turned his eyes inquiringly to the girl. She had observed the impertinence in the landlord’s question, and the laugh of the officers. Her eyes flashed, but it was the anger of an offended child. In a corresponding tone she said to her brother, decisively : “ One cup of tea, and two plates of

bread-and-butter.”

“ I will order it,” answered the landlord.

The young man then went back to the girl, and the landlord left the room.

“ The child is no fool,” remarked the Prince.

Herr von Martini arose, saying: “I must feel of her mouth.” He went up to the strangers.

“Do you play upon that instrument?” said he, addressing the girl.

“ Both of us do,” she replied in an indifferent tone, while she folded up her shawl.

“ Perhaps you will play something for us,” he continued.

“I am too tired,” was the brief, and somewhat petulant reply.

“ A glass of wine will strengthen you.”

“ No ; I thank you.” The shawl was by this time folded ; she laid it on the top of the basket, turning her back upon the officer.

“ Wouldn’t money set you a-going?” asked he, half-jokingly, half-angrily, for his comrades coughed derisively.

The young girl turned suddenly round to him. “We are no wandering harpers, who play for money,” she said, looking keenly at him for a moment, and then busying herself again with her basket.

Martini stood irresolute.

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“ Routed !” cried Prince von Amberg, with a laugh. “We must send reinforcements.”

He approached, with a full glass in his hand. He seated himself beside the girl. “ My dear child,” said he, in a kind and friendly tone, “ you are cold and tired. A glass of wine will do you good. Accept it from me.”

She looked at him in surprise. It seemed doubtful whether she was offended at the familiarity of his address, or pleased with his friendly tone. At last she replied, coldly, “ I thank you, sir. I don’t drink wine.”

“ But this is cardinal,” said von Martini, in a tone of banter.

“ I don’t drink cardinal either.”

“ Just hear me, my child,” said the Prince. “ I offer you the glass out of pure kindness, for your own sake. I have no selfish object — how could I have ? Take it, and drink, at your leisure, as much or as little as you please.”

She looked hesitatingly at him. Her eye glanced from the glass to her brother, who was sitting at a little distance, without having taken any part in the conversation.

The Prince seemed to divine her thought. At all events he perceived his advantage. “ Martini,” he called to that officer, “ bring the young man a glass. He needs strengthening quite as much.”

This decided the question. The girl took the glass from the hand of the Prince, and began to *ip. Martini brought a glass to her companion, who also drank. The Prince remained sitting by the side of the girl.

“Have you been making a long journey ?” asked he.

“ We have come fifteen miles to-day.”