The wanderings and fortunes of some German emigrantsGerstäcker, Friedrich
General
The wanderings and fortunes of some German emigrants
Gerstäcker, Friedrich
Germany -- Emigration and immigration -- Fiction; Immigrants -- Fiction
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."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account