"Archbishop Tillotson once said such churches as that were the devil's chapels." "What do you mean? "Why, that is a theatre; I see now," said Walter to Minnie. "A theatre open Sunday evening?" "Why not, as well as all that you have seen out in the pleasure grounds?" "Sure enough; let us go on." But go as fast as they could, they did not reach the hotel until the rain was pouring down in torrents. Mr. Tenant had a new hat completely drenched, and the children were wet to the skin; and as they entered their rooms, Minnie said, "You look like drowned rats." "What do you look like, sis?" asked Walter. "Like a half drowned rat, I suppose." The next week was spent in viewing the city, which to the stranger is a very fine one. They found the people courteous and pleasant, and Minnie changed her opinions of the Austrians very much. A single fact will illustrate this. One day Mr. Percy came in and said to Minnie, "My daughter, I have had an instance of courtesy to-day, such as we should hardly expect to meet with at home." "What was it?" "I wanted to find a banker with whom I had He some business. I was deceived by a resemblance in names, and called on the wrong man. soon saw whom I wanted, and at once endeavored to direct me to his place of business. But I know so little of the German language that I could not understand him. This he saw, and calling a young man, one of his clerks, sent him with me to the place." "How far was it?" "About a mile." "He was very kind." "Certainly he was, and I mention the instance to show you that in this country, that you have considered so benighted, the people know what belongs to genuine politeness." "Would an American banker have been likely to have done this for you?" asked Walter. "No, a Wall Street man would have looked at my papers, and turned away, abruptly saying, 'He don't do business here.' If I had asked where the man could be found, he would, per-. haps, have directed me; but this Austrian banker sent his clerk to show me the way, keeping him from his work nearly an hour." "I shall think better of this people," answered the boy. "So shall I," replied the girl. One day they all went to see the emperor's palace: and while in the yard the emperor and empress came out, and entered the carriage for a drive. Thus they had a good view of the youthful pair who fill the imperial throne, and who have so much trouble within the empire and without it. Neither of them was called handsome by Minnie, who claimed to be a judge of such matters; but both were intelligent, interesting persons. The emperor was in military costume, and the empress in showy silks. The people around stared on in a sort of stupid wonder, as the imperial pair rode away. "I should not like to be in his boots," said Walter. "Why not?" asked his sister. "Because his throne is dreadfully insecure." "And his funds dreadfully low," added Mr. Tenant. "Well, if I was in the shoes of the empress, I think I would risk the consequences, especially if the office was without the encumbrance of the emperor," said Minnie. A laugh greeted this remark; and engaged in pleasant conversation about the imperial family and the condition of the empire, they returned to the hotel. CHAPTER VI. THE WONDERFUL CAVE. ONNECTING Vienna with Trieste is a most CONNE wonderful railroad. Winding over lofty ranges of mountains, with towns and villages in the valleys below, shooting through long, dark, wet tunnels, hewn out of the solid rocks, it is a wonder to every one who travels over it. This was the way our party took when leaving "the Emperor's City." “Three hundred and sixty miles are before us," said Mr. Percy, as they took their seats in the cars, one morning. "Minnie cannot ride so far all at once," replied Mr. Tenant. "No, indeed.” "I think we had better break up the ride into three parts." "So I was thinking." "Then I would suggest that we ride to-day as far as Gloggnitz." "Because the cars stop there about the time that I think we shall get tired.” "So be it then." When they reached Gloggnitz, they found it a small, mean Austrian town, and soon began to fear that they had made a bad choice. A miserable inn in the centre of the village provided very poor accommodations, and was surrounded by a set of brigandish-looking fellows, who appeared as if they were ready for any bad game. However, they were obliged to make the best of it, and so went in and called for supper, which after a long time came. "What is the name of this hotel?" asked Minnie. "I don't know," replied her brother. He called a maid servant, and tried to ask her what the hotel was called, but could not make her understand what he wanted. So, leaving the table, he ran out, and looked up at the front of the wretched-looking building, but could find no name any where, and came in, declaring that the inn had no name. "Let us christen it, Walter." "No, that would be too bad." |