The Progressionists, and Angela. Conrad von Bolanden

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СКАЧАТЬ "To me, personally, Shund exists neither as a usurer nor as a debauchee. Christian modes of judging are, of course, relegated among absurdities that we have triumphed over. In this instance, however, there is no question of my own personal conviction, but of the conviction of the great multitude. And in the estimation of the multitude unbridled liberty is just as disgraceful as the free enjoyment of what, morally, is forbidden."

      "You are altogether in the same rut as Schwefel."

      "Have you spoken with Schwefel on this subject?" asked Erdblatt eagerly.

      "Only a moment ago. Mr. Schwefel puts greater trust in his power than you do in yours, for he agreed to have Shund elected mayor and delegate. Mr. Schwefel only wishes you and Sand would lend your aid."

      "With pleasure! If Schwefel and Sand are won over, then all is right."

      "From a hint of Schwefel's," said Greifmann, taking up a five-hundred-florin banknote from the table, "I infer that the election canvass is accompanied with some expense. Accept this small contribution. As for the bills of exchange, the matter is to rest by our agreement."

      Erdblatt also backed out of the cabinet, bowing repeatedly as he retreated.

      Seraphin rushed from his hiding-place in great excitement.

      "Why, Greifmann, this is terrible! Do you call that advanced education? Do you call that progress? Those are demoralized, infernal beings. I spit upon them! And are these the rabble that are trying to arrogate to themselves the leadership of the German people?--rabble who ignore the Deity, the human soul, and morality generally! But what completely unsettles me is your connivance--at least, your connection with these infernal spirits."

      "But be easy, my good fellow, be easy! I connected with tobacco and straw?"

      "At all events, you have been ridiculing the ten commandments and Christian morals and faith."

      "Was I not obliged to do so in order to show how well the thief, usurer, and filthy dog Shund harmonizes with the spirit of progress? Can he who wishes to make use of the devil confer with the devil in the costume of light? Not at all; he must clothe himself in the mantle of darkness. And you must not object to my using the demon Progress for the purpose of winning your span of horses and saving my stakes. Let us not have a disgraceful altercation. Consider me as a stage actor, whilst you are a spectator that is being initiated into the latest style of popular education. Ah, do you hear? The last one is drawing near. Be pleased to vanish."

      The third leader, house-builder Sand, appeared. The greater portion of his face is hidden by a heavy black beard; in one hand he carries a stout bamboo cane; and it is only after having fully entered, that he deliberately removes his hat.

      "I wish you a pleasant morning, Mr. Greifmann. You have sent for me: what do you want?"

      The banker slowly raised his eyes from the latest exchange list to the rough features of the builder, and remembering that the man had risen up from the mortarboard to his present position, and had gained wealth and influence through personal energy, he returned the short greeting with a friendly inclination of the head.

      "Will you have the goodness to be seated, Mr. Sand?"

      The man of the black beard took a seat, and, having noticed the handsome collection of banknotes, his coarse face settled itself into a not very attractive grin.

      "I want to impart to you my intention of erecting a villa on the Sauerberg, near the middle of our estate at Wilheim," continued the millionaire.

      "Ah, that is a capital idea!" And the man of the beard became very deeply interested. "The site is charming, no view equal to it; healthy location, vineyards round about, your own vineyards moreover. I could put you up a gem there."

      "That is what I think, Mr. Sand! My father, who has been abroad for the last three months, is quite satisfied with the plan; in fact, he is the original projector of it."

      "I know, I know! your father has a taste for what is grand. We shall try and give him satisfaction, which, by the bye, is not so very easy. But you have the money, and fine fortunes can command fine houses."

      "What I want principally is to get you to draw a plan, consulting your own taste and experience in doing so. You will show it to me when ready, and I will tell you whether I like it or not."

      "Very well, Mr. Greifmann, very well! But I must know beforehand what amount of money you are willing to spend upon the house; for all depends upon the cost."

      "Well," said the millionaire, after some deliberation, "I am willing to spend eighty thousand florins on it, and something over, perhaps."

      "Ah, well, for that amount of money something can be put up--something small but elegant. Are you in a hurry with the building?"

      "To be sure! As soon as the matter is determined upon, there is to be no delay in carrying it out."

      "I am altogether of your opinion, Mr. Greifmann--I agree with you entirely!" assented the builder, with an increase of animation. "I shall draw up a plan for a magnificent house. If it pleases you, all hands shall at once be set at work, and by next autumn you shall behold the villa under roof."

      "Of course you are yourself to furnish all the materials," added the banker shrewdly. "When once the plan will have been settled upon, you can reach me an estimate of the costs, and I will pay over the money."

      "To be sure, Mr. Greifmann--that is the way in which it should be done, Mr. Greifmann!" responded the man of the black beard with a satisfied air. "You are not to have the slightest bother. I shall take all the bother upon myself."

      "That, then is agreed upon! Well, now, have you learned yet who is to be the next mayor?"

      "Why, yes, the old one is to be reelected!"

      "Not at all! We must have an economical and intelligent man for next mayor. Of this I am convinced, because the annual deficit in the treasury is constantly on the increase."

      "Alas, 'tis true! And who is the man of economy and intelligence to be?"

      "Mr. Hans Shund."

      "Who--what? Hans Shund? The thief, the usurer, the convict, the debauchee? Who has been making a fool of you?"

      "Pardon me, sir! I never suffer people to make a fool of me!" rejoined the banker with much dignity.

      "Yes, yes--somebody has dished up a canard for you. What, that good-for-nothing scoundrel to be elected mayor! Never in his life! Hans Shund mayor--really that is good now--ha, ha!"

      "Mr. Sand, you lead me to suspect that you belong to the party of Ultramontanes."

      "Who--I an Ultramontane? That is ridiculous! Sir, I am at the head of the men of progress--I am the most liberal of the liberals--that, sir, is placarded on every wall."

      "How come you, then, to call Mr. Sand a good-for-nothing scoundrel?"

      "Simply for this reason, because, he is a usurer and a dissipated wretch."

      "Then I am in the right, after all! Mr. Sand belongs to the ranks of the pious," jeered the banker.

      "Mr. Greifmann, you are insulting!"

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