Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sketch From Cologne, With A Peep Into Holland.
for . her husband ' s assistance in some household matter ; for what space there had been to spare , Avas noAV thronged Avith people and little dinner-tables—tempting indeed to us hungry fellows , who could see them through the dooi-Avay , well-lit , and steaming Avith savoury A'apour . " Our host Avas just moving offpolitely regretting his inability
, to assist us , Avhen I felt sure that some mystic word or sign was expressed on the part of my friend . Light came at once into the stolid face of our German landlord , and beamed through the ' AvindoAvs of his soul : ' the wide mouth parted , ancl every feature smiled ; they shook hands , too , did my friend and the man AVIIO not a minute ago seemed only desirous of getting rid
of us as civilly as he could ; then they laughed—laughed with downright gusto ancl glee and cordiality—and looked in each other ' s faces , as much as to say , ' God bless you , ' and shook hands again ; the dame in the doorway staring , and I no less amazed . " While the hands of the pair were yet united , my friend tinned to me , — 'All right , W . / said he , 'I have found a Brother !'
" Still I Avas puzzled . What connexion could there be between my companion , tall ancl lithe , Avith hair as black as night , and eyes as dark as an Indian ' s , and the oily , broad-chinned , sunnyhaired landlord of the hostelry ? " 'Why , ' said I , ' you must be old friends ; and have you only just found it out ?'
" ' We have never met before in our lives , ' said my friend . " Our host understood a little English , and to this he replied by putting his hand on my friend ' s shoulder , looking pleasantly in the young Englishman ' s face , and smiling on me after a fashion that said as plainly as smile could say , ' You see we understand each other . ' Ihowevercould understand nothing
, , till my friend turned to me and said , ' We shall do noAV , W . ; Ave shall have good refection and some kind of a bed ; ' mine host' is a Freemason and—so am I !' " Charmed Avith the promise , we set out from the hotel , leaving host and hostess in deep confab in the doorway . She , doubtless , like a good Mason ' s wife , attending to her husband ' s
hospitable directions Avith a heartiness worthy of all connected with the Craft ; he evidently quite prepared to make a festal of such a meeting . " As , good friends , we are about to take a peep into Holland , I need not dwell on what Ave saAV in the streets of the border toivn , Avhere holiday folks ancl venders from both sides of the Rhine , from Belgium , and from innumerable Dutch cities ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sketch From Cologne, With A Peep Into Holland.
for . her husband ' s assistance in some household matter ; for what space there had been to spare , Avas noAV thronged Avith people and little dinner-tables—tempting indeed to us hungry fellows , who could see them through the dooi-Avay , well-lit , and steaming Avith savoury A'apour . " Our host Avas just moving offpolitely regretting his inability
, to assist us , Avhen I felt sure that some mystic word or sign was expressed on the part of my friend . Light came at once into the stolid face of our German landlord , and beamed through the ' AvindoAvs of his soul : ' the wide mouth parted , ancl every feature smiled ; they shook hands , too , did my friend and the man AVIIO not a minute ago seemed only desirous of getting rid
of us as civilly as he could ; then they laughed—laughed with downright gusto ancl glee and cordiality—and looked in each other ' s faces , as much as to say , ' God bless you , ' and shook hands again ; the dame in the doorway staring , and I no less amazed . " While the hands of the pair were yet united , my friend tinned to me , — 'All right , W . / said he , 'I have found a Brother !'
" Still I Avas puzzled . What connexion could there be between my companion , tall ancl lithe , Avith hair as black as night , and eyes as dark as an Indian ' s , and the oily , broad-chinned , sunnyhaired landlord of the hostelry ? " 'Why , ' said I , ' you must be old friends ; and have you only just found it out ?'
" ' We have never met before in our lives , ' said my friend . " Our host understood a little English , and to this he replied by putting his hand on my friend ' s shoulder , looking pleasantly in the young Englishman ' s face , and smiling on me after a fashion that said as plainly as smile could say , ' You see we understand each other . ' Ihowevercould understand nothing
, , till my friend turned to me and said , ' We shall do noAV , W . ; Ave shall have good refection and some kind of a bed ; ' mine host' is a Freemason and—so am I !' " Charmed Avith the promise , we set out from the hotel , leaving host and hostess in deep confab in the doorway . She , doubtless , like a good Mason ' s wife , attending to her husband ' s
hospitable directions Avith a heartiness worthy of all connected with the Craft ; he evidently quite prepared to make a festal of such a meeting . " As , good friends , we are about to take a peep into Holland , I need not dwell on what Ave saAV in the streets of the border toivn , Avhere holiday folks ancl venders from both sides of the Rhine , from Belgium , and from innumerable Dutch cities ,