Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

O. T. a Danish Romance by Hans Christian Andersen
page 60 of 366 (16%)
Melancholy and silent lies the town on the flat coast, the old
castle turned into a farm-house--high grass grows upon the walls.
In a storm, when the wind blows against the city, the surf beats
against the outermost houses. High upon the church stands a
telegraph; the black wooden plates resemble mourning-flags hung
above the sinking town. Here is nothing for the stranger to see,
nothing except a grave--that of the thinker Birckner. The friends
drove to the public-house on the strand. No human being met them in
the street except a boy, who rung a hand-bell.

"That calls to church," said Wilhelm. "Because there are no bells
in the tower, they have here such a wandering bell-ringer as this.
Holla! there lies the inn!"

"Baron Wilhelm!" cried a strong voice, and a man in a green jacket
with pockets in the breast, the mighty riding-boots splashed above
the tops, and with whip in hand, approached them, pulled his horse-hair
cap, and extended his hand to Wilhelm.

"The Kammerjunker from Funen!" said Wilhelm; "my mother's neighbor,
one of the most industrious and rich noblemen in all Funen."

"You will come one of the first days to me!" said the Kammerjunker;
"you shall try my Russian steam-bath: I have erected one upon my
estate. All who visit me, ladies and gentlemen without any
exception, must try it!"

"And do the cherry-trees bear well this year?" asked Wilhelm.

"No, no," answered the Kammerjunker, "they are good for nothing;
DigitalOcean Referral Badge