The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Xii Part 33

[_Exit_.]

COLONEL.

There is something up, here, too. I dread to open them. [_Breaks open the first one_.] What the devil! A poem?--and to me? "To our n.o.ble opponent, the best man in town."--Signed? What is the signature?

"B--aus!" B--aus? I don't know it, it must be a pseudonym! [_Reads_.]

It seems to be exceedingly good poetry!--And what have we here?

[_Opens the second letter_.] "To the benefactor of the poor, the father of orphans." An address!--[_Reads_.] "Veneration and kindliness."--Signature: "Many women and girls." The seal a P.P.--Good G.o.d, what does it all mean? Have I gone mad? If these are really voices from the town, and if that is the way people look on this day, then I must confess men think better of me than I do of myself!

_Enter_ CARL.

CARL.

A number of gentlemen wish to speak to you, Colonel.

COLONEL.

What sort of gentlemen!

CARL.

They say: A deputation from the voters.

COLONEL.

Show them in. This confounded newspaper was right, after all.

_Enter_ PIEPENBRINK, KLEINMICHEL _and three other gentlemen. They bow, the_ COLONEL _likewise_.

PIEPENBRINK (_solemnly_).

My Colonel: A number of voters have sent us as a deputation to you to inform you on this special day that the whole town considers you a most respectable and worthy man.

COLONEL (_stiffly_).

I am obliged for the good opinion.

PIEPENBRINK.

You have no reason to feel obliged. It is the truth. You are a man of honor through and through, and it gives us pleasure to tell you so; you cannot object to hearing this from your fellow-citizens.

COLONEL.

I always did consider myself a man of honor, gentlemen.

PIEPENBRINK.

There you were quite right. And you have proved your good principles, too. On every occasion. In cases of poverty, of famine, of caring for orphans, also at our shooting-club meeting--always when we citizens enjoyed or needed a benevolent good man, you were among the first.

Always simple and loyal without arrogance or supercilious manners.

That's the reason why we universally love and honor you. (_Colonel wipes his eyes_.) Today many of us gave their votes to the professor.

Some on account of politics, some because they know that he is your close friend and possibly even your future son-in-law. COLONEL (_not harshly_).

Sir--

PIEPENBRINK.

Nor did I myself vote for you.

COLONEL (_somewhat more excitedly_).

Sir--

PIEPENBRINK.

But for that very reason I come to you with the rest, and that is why we tell you what the citizens think of you. And we hope that for long years to come you will preserve to us your manly principles and friendly heart as an honored, most respected gentleman and fellow-citizen.

COLONEL (_without harshness_).

Why do you not say that to the professor, to the man that you have chosen?

PIEPENBRINK.

He shall first deserve it in Parliament before the town thanks him.

But you _have_ deserved it of us, and therefore we come to you.

COLONEL (_heartily_).

I thank you, sir, for your kind words. They are very comforting to me just now. May I ask your name?

PIEPENBRINK.

My name is Piepenbrink.

COLONEL (_morely coldly, but not impolitely_).

Ah, indeed, that is your name! (_With dignity._) I thank you, gentlemen, for the friendly sentiment you have expressed, whether it be that you render the true opinion of the town, or speak according to the desire of individuals. I thank you, and shall go on doing what I think is right.

[_Bows, so does the deputation; exit latter_.]

This, then, is that Piepenbrink, the close friend of his friend! But the man's words were sensible and his whole demeanor honorable; it cannot possibly be all rascality. Who knows! They are clever intriguers; send into my house newspaper articles, letters, and these good-natured people, to make me soft-hearted; act in public as my friends, to make me confide again in their falseness! Yes, that is it.

It is a preconcerted plan! They will find they have miscalculated!

_Enter_ CARL.

CARL.

Dr. Bolz!

COLONEL.