The Four Corners Abroad

by Amy Ella Blanchard

  CHAPTER XIV

  "STILLE NACHT"

  THAT Christmas was very near at hand was apparent by more than oneoutward and visible sign. "Though they don't begin to prepare for itnearly as early as we do," remarked Mary Lee.

  "I think it is nicer not to," said Jack, "for there they begin so soonthat it fools you into thinking it is very near when it is weeks off,and you get so used to seeing Christmas things that you forget theyaren't there all the time."

  "The first thing we must do to make us feel that Christmas is coming isto see the _krippen_," said Miss Helen.

  "What are _krippen_?" asked Jean.

  "They are representations of the Nativity, generally, though sometimesthey represent other religious subjects such as the Flight intoEgypt, or the heralding angels appearing to the shepherds. They areoften very elaborate, and the best display of them is at the NationalMuseum, where you can see fac-similes not only of German _krippen_but of Italian and Sicilian ones. The different churches also havethem. There is one of the Advent now at the Theatinerkirche. You twinswill be delighted with the little figures which are sometimes reallywonderful."

  THE CHILDREN STOOD IN AWE AND DELIGHT AT THE KRIPPEN.]

  They all started out the very next day to view the _krippen_, stoppingfirst at St. Cajetans-Hofkirche on the Theatinerstrasse, where thechildren stood in awe and delight before the scene of John the Baptistpreaching the coming of our Lord. The tiny figures were very perfect,the centurion soldiers and listening multitude were artisticallygrouped, a little brook of running water made a pleasant murmur asit wound its way along. It was not more than four inches wide, butit added much to the scene. The whole was lighted and stood out instrong contrast to the dim church in which it was enshrined. As MissHelen dropped some _pfennige_ into the cup ready for contributions asepulchral voice in some dark corner murmured: "_Gott sei dank._"

  Through the lower rooms of the Museum, where it was impossible notto linger a little to see the many curious and interesting things,the party took its way to the upper floor, where through a darklabyrinthine way they passed to find the lighted _krippen_ set up oneach side. There were a great many, and it took a long time to make therounds. Some were quite simple; others were very elaborate. Therewere street scenes with every conceivable sort of figure, wonderfulinteriors and exteriors where the Wise Men were shown in all the pompof Eastern magnificence; there were gardens and palaces, temples andchurches, processions, and, above all, the rude stable with the mangerand the Holy Family.

  "They are the most marvellous things I ever saw," said first oneand then another of the girls. "Such perfect little figures, suchfascinating landscapes, such variety of expression and action, suchtypical costumes."

  "The Sicilian ones are the best," decided Nan, "though those ofsouthern Italy are about as good."

  "I wouldn't have missed it for anything," declared Jo, as they cameto the last one. "You are a duck, Miss Helen, to think of bringing ushere. I am going to haunt the churches from now on to see how many_krippen_ I can discover."

  "Oh, can't we go back and do it all over?" asked Jean.

  "Dear me," said Miss Helen, "I thought we had made a very carefulexamination of them all."

  "But I do like them so much and I can't remember them all by seeingthem just once."

  "Perhaps we can come again," her mother comforted her by saying. "Ithink this must do for now, and there will be others in the churches."

  "They will be changed quite often at the Theatinerkirche, I am told,"said Miss Helen. "I believe there is a new _krippe_ each week."

  "Oh, there comes a new word. I suppose _krippe_ is the singular and_krippen_ the plural," said Mary Lee.

  "Naturally. The word I find means literally a manger. We can see a veryinteresting display of _krippen,_ Christmas ornaments and such thingsdown on Sonnenstrasse and the Sendlingeethorplatz. The peasants makethe little _krippen_ and bring them in for sale just before Christmas."

  "Oh, do they have them anywhere but in the churches?"

  "Yes, indeed. A great many private houses have them and they areconsidered quite as much an institution in some families as theChristmas tree, though of course, these would be the Roman Catholicfamilies. You can see them of all sorts and sizes. Munich is RomanCatholic, you know, although there are many Protestants here and manyProtestant churches."

  "I should love to have a _krippe_ to take home even if I am not a RomanCatholic, mother," said Jean. "Couldn't we have one?"

  "I don't see any reason for not having one, although it would be ratherhard to pack. We will see about it."

  "And may we go this afternoon to look at them?"

  "Haven't you had enough _krippen_ for one day? I think we'd better waitespecially as the choice will be better a little later on," her aunttold her.

  The Christmas trees were arriving, and as the party proceeded homewardthey saw them being set up in their little stands, in every square andopen space.

  "They do everything here in such a nice pleasant way," said Nan, asshe and her aunt walked through the forest of trees standing erect allalong the Maximilianplatz. "At home now, they throw the trees in a pileor crowd them together in any old place. Here each tree looks as ifit were really growing, and that this were an avenue of them growingjust for Christmas. You can so easily see exactly how they look and canpick out what you like without any trouble. How good and Christmassyit smells, and what quantities of trees there are, then there are morecoming. Can they sell so many, I wonder? The whole city seems to befull of them."

  "When you consider that nearly every family in Munich will probablyhave a tree, you can imagine the number will be somewhat lessened byChristmas Eve." And true enough, as it proved, there was scarcelya tree left, at least on the Maximilianplatz, by the day beforeChristmas. More than one of the number went to the _Pension_ Bauer, andone was purchased for the family of Frau Pfeffer.

  Before this, however, there was the expedition to Sonnenstrasse to seethe collection of Christmas-tree ornaments, _krippen_ and such thingswhich the country folk had brought for sale, and which were set outin small booths all along the street. Jean's fancy fell upon a tiny_krippe_ which she and Jack bore away in triumph.

  The days were very short and sunless, so that nightfall came veryearly, but in spite of that the streets were full of people who filledthe big shops, or loitered along the streets, stopping leisurely beforethe windows to look in, and because it seemed the general custom forevery one to go out as soon as it got dark, the Corner family followedsuit.

  "I suppose they do it to save candles," said Miss Helen. "There isGerman thrift for you."

  "I think it is great fun," said Nan. "Why shouldn't they come outand look at the pretty things? The shop-windows are very attractiveespecially now, and some of the things are very cheap. I saw afascinating silver chain on Sonnenstrasse, and it was ever so muchcheaper than in other shops in more fashionable parts of the city. Itis much handsomer, too. Jo and I gloated over that window."

  "That was the one from which we had such difficulty in dragging you,wasn't it?"

  "Yes, we saw so many pretty cheap things there, and we wanted to buythem every one. I'd love to give Jo that chain."

  "How about giving it to Nan?"

  "Oh, it's too expensive to give myself when all I can rake and scrapemust go toward buying other things. If I can't get that special chainfor Jo, there is another that I think will come within my limit andwhich she likes quite as well. Don't you love the way the men comesauntering along and stand before the windows? It gives one such asense of leisure and real enjoyment of life to see them go dawdlingabout. That one we just passed is going to give his wife furs forChristmas, I know. He is looking at every piece in that window with acritical eye. Oh, Aunt Helen, do look. Did you ever see anything quitelike that? A huge sausage dressed up with a huge satin bow, red satinat that, and there is a boiled ham pranked out with blue ribbons andartificial flowers. Truly _schinken_ and _wurst_ are dear to the Germanheart."

  They were comin
g around by the Karlsthor to enter one of the bigdepartment stores where Nan had seen a certain book she wanted to get."I would like you to see if you don't think it would be a good thing togive to Dr. Paul," she said to her aunt. "He has been so kind and goodin so many ways, just like a big brother. I must give him something,and as he is very fond of dogs I thought I would get that funny book of_dachshunds_ for him."

  Miss Helen agreed that this would answer admirably.

  "There are some dear little pieces of peasant pottery out onTurkenstrasse," Nan went on. "I think they are lovely. On the nextstreet to the pottery shop are some queer wooden boxes which are madeby the peasants, too. I want two or three of them. One I shall give toJuliet Hoyt, and a little jar to Mrs. Hoyt. I haven't decided what Ishall give to Maurice."

  "You certainly are finding out all the odd corners and out-of-the-wayshops," said her aunt.

  "I snoop around when I am coming home from my lessons, and FrauBurg-Schmidt told me about the boxes."

  "I should like to see them, myself."

  They decided that they would have time to hunt up the two shops, andcontinued their walk, coming home with mysterious packages which theyrefused to show to any one, and which they promptly stowed away withtheir other Christmas purchases.

  From this out there was much whispering and many remarks, such as:"Nan and I are going out together this afternoon; you needn't come,Jean." Or, "Mother, would you mind not going with us to-day?" But therewere other times when all must go together to select what was intendedfor Bertha Metzger and her little cousins. After talking the matterover Mrs. Corner and Miss Helen decided that it would be better forthe girls to contribute from their regular Christmas money, and notreceive any extra amount. "They will be much happier knowing the joy ofsacrifice," Mrs. Corner said. "They are perfectly willing to go withouta tree for themselves if we will furnish one for the Pfeffers, and eachhas agreed to be entirely satisfied with a modest present from hersisters, so as to have more to spend for Bertha."

  "You are a wise mother, Mary," said Miss Helen. "I am sure the girlswill enjoy their Christmas much more for having to exercise a littleself-denial. I don't suppose I need be limited in making my gifts, needI?" she asked laughing. "You don't want to discipline me, do you?"

  "I don't believe you need it," returned Mrs. Corner affectionately.

  There were many interviews with Frau Pfeffer, and on the morning beforeChristmas Eve all five of the little Pfeffers with Bertha were sent tospend the day with a neighbor, and then the Corners took possession.The tree was set up and each had a hand in the trimming, the twinsfeeling very important, as this was the first time in their lives thatthey had been allowed to take part in such a performance. When it wasfinished they all stood off to see the effect of their handiwork.

  "It's perfectly lovely," cried Jack ecstatically. "I'm glad we made upour minds to have this instead of one of our own, for it is much morefun to trim it for some one else."

  "The little angel on top is beautiful," said Jean, "and that star onthe very tip is so bright. Yes, I am glad they have the tree instead ofus, but I am glad we can have our stockings, Jack."

  Jack agreed that she would not like to give up the fun of hangingup her stocking, and they stood looking at the tree while Nan, MaryLee and Jo were arranging the Christmas packages. Besides the warmclothes for each member of the family, there were toys and a basket ofsubstantial food.

  "Do put in something sweet and unwholesome," Nan had begged when hermother and aunt were packing the basket.

  "Need it be unwholesome because it is sweet?" said Mrs. Cornerlaughing. "If they don't eat too much at once, I am sure it need notbe."

  "And please don't say we have given foolish things to the children,"Nan went on. "The clothes are very important, but after what you andMrs. Hoyt have given we think they ought to have toys. They are socheap that they can have a lot. We have only one apiece from each ofus."

  "I don't think that will be too many," Mrs. Corner decided. "They willenjoy a few much more than an overabundance."

  So the foolish toys were added, and stood in proper array with the moresensible gifts.

  Railway switches must be turned even on Christmas Day, but Frau Pfefferhad a substitute on Christmas Eve, and could joyfully celebrate thatholiday dear to the German nation. It was scarcely less dear to theparty of Americans who gathered in _Pension_ Bauer. That they mighthave more to spend on the Pfeffers they had agreed not to investmore than fifty _pfennige_ on any but the Pfeffers, outside theirown families, and it had been great fun to see what could be had forthe small sum of twelve cents. But Munich was full of cheap andpretty articles, and the assortment was varied, Nan's peasant boxesand jars showing up finely. These presents were to be distributed onChristmas Eve, German fashion, while the family were to have their owncelebration on Christmas morning, as they always did at home.

  "You can't come into the sitting-room," said Miss Helen speakingthrough a crack in the door as the children returned from their morningat Frau Pfeffer's.

  "You can't come in here," called Mrs. Hoyt poking her head out of theroom on the opposite side of the hallway.

  "Dear me! Where can we go? What secrets!" cried they all, only too gladthere were such. "I suppose we can go into our own rooms," said Nan."Come on, girls."

  The odor of _kuechen_ filled the air, and there was an excitement in thefrequent scurryings to and fro of the maids.

  "Who all are coming to-night to help you celebrate?" asked Juliet Hoytwho joined the others in Nan's room after the work of tying up packageswas finished, and it was nearing supper time.

  "Dr. Woods; I think that is all," Mary Lee told her. "You see we arequite a party in ourselves, seven in all, and he will make eight."

  "Four of Maurice's friends are coming," Juliet said, "so we shall beseven; that makes fifteen in all. Not a small number of Americans toget together. Of course Fraeulein Bauer will have a tree. She has askedus all to come and see it, and she has been baking wonderful things,the maids say. Those silly boys, I know, have been spending every pennyof their allowances on us."

  "They shouldn't do it," said Nan severely. "We have only fifty_pfennige_ presents for them."

  "They would do it. Mamma tried to reason with them, but it was no use,and I suppose we shall be deluged with candy, flowers and books. Mammalaid down the law and told them we would positively accept no otherkind of gift, and that she would countenance no extravagance."

  "I am glad she did," said Nan. "It would be very embarrassing if theygave any of us handsome gifts."

  "It is sort of fun to be in here talking about boys," remarked Jo. "Itreminds me of our boarding-school days. I declare I could eat somethinggood and homey this minute. It seems hours since we had dinner, and Ihave had a long walk since."

  Nan jumped down from the bed, where she was sitting with her feetcurled under her, and fumbled among some packages in a drawer,presently bringing out a bag which she tossed over to Jo. "There," shesaid, "that's all you'll get. You must save up for this evening for weare going to have an extra fine supper."

  Jo opened the bag, fished out a pretzel and began to nibble it. "Justthe thing to keep me occupied," she said, "and yet not too sustaining.Shouldn't you like to see the little Pfeffers when they discover thetree?"

  "And Bertha," put in Jack.

  "Bertha, of course; she counts in with the rest."

  "Frau Pfeffer was so excited that I am sure she has been sending carsoff on the wrong track all day," said Mary Lee.

  "She is to leave at six and it is that now," said Nan. "Dear me, itseems much later for it has been dark so long. I wonder what she willdo first, look at her presents or light up the tree."

  "The first thing she will probably get something to eat, for she willbe hungry, and so will the children. I suppose Bertha and the five willbe standing waiting outside when she gets there," Mary Lee decided.

  "But will she let them in till the tree is lighted?" said Jack. "Itwould be so much more of a surprise."

  "We
shall find out to-morrow, for I am sure we shall see some of them,"said Nan. "It is really Christmas Eve for it is as dark as a pocket.Don't let's have any light. Froliche Weihnacht, girls! Now let's becozy and do something to suit the season till we are called to supper.Jo, you're nearest the stove, just put a shovel or two of coal onthat fire, so we can be good and warm. I don't think it has died downentirely."

  Jo opened the door of the great tiled affair which stood in the corner,and peeped in. "I think there is enough left to start up again," shesaid as she threw on a few shovelfuls of coal. "I used to stand in suchawe of these great porcelain stoves, or ovens, as they call them here,but they are not so bad, and when I get home I shall deny the reportthat one cannot keep warm in winter anywhere in Europe. I'm sure wehave been warm enough. There, it is going ahead splendidly. What shallwe do to be in keeping with Christmas Eve?"

  "Suppose we sing Stille Nacht," suggested Juliet. And they began thegood old German Christmas hymn, their young voices sounding sweetly tothose busy in the next room. Then, as if answering, from the streetbelow a band struck up the same air. The hymn was scarcely finishedbefore Anna came along the corridor, knocking at each door to say:"_Zu tisch, bitte_," and they trooped out to the feast of good thingswhich the Fraeulein had prepared for this special occasion, and whichwas served earlier than usual since a second supper would be readyabout nine o'clock.

  The severe Miss Smart from Chelsea had departed to spend the holidayin the mountains, thither, too, the Herr doctor and his mother hadgone, and the jovial German was taking supper with friends, so onlythe American contingency appeared at table. Herr Eckler was to returnlater, Fraeulein Bauer told them.

  "When can we go to the sitting-room?" asked the twins as they arosefrom the table.

  "In a few minutes," Mrs. Corner told them.

  "You must visit us when you have exhausted your own surprises," saidMrs. Hoyt, "and then we will all go and look at the Fraeulein's tree."

  The Corner children and Jo gathered around their door on one side thehallway; Juliet and Maurice with the four boys, who came in a bunch, onthe other waited till at the word "Ready!" all rushed into the roomsopened to them.

  "A tree after all!" cried the twins.

  "Yes, it was the good Fraeulein who sent it in all trimmed," Mrs. Cornertold them, "and she has given us each one of these."

  "These" proved to be wonderful gingerbread figures such as all hadseen in bakeshop windows for the past fortnight, and which werereally marvels of the baker's art. Then came the little presentsfrom the Hoyts and their boy friends. For Nan a small glass with aMuenchen kindel upon it; a little can with the inscription "I hopeyou will enjoy your can o' tea (_K-no-te_)," this from Maurice, andfrom Juliet a photograph of Nan's favorite tenor. For the others werevarious gifts: wooden peasant boxes, little steins, queer figures,odd pictures. Jean had a whole German dinner in imitation, sausages,cabbage, cheese, fruit and cakes all set on the tiniest of plates andlooking really good enough to eat. The schoolboys sent in a huge box ofcandies with a ridiculous little piano for Nan, a tiny _dachshund_ forMary Lee, a nest of the funny figures they called the "Spazieren-gehenfamily" for Jo. An invitation to a Christmas play at the Gaertnerplatztheatre signed by the four boys, fell to Jack's share, while for each,including Mrs. Corner and Miss Helen, were flowers.

  A rap at the door interrupted the chatter. Juliet put in her head."Come over and see our show as soon as you can," she said. "We don'twant to put out the candles till you come." And all the childrenfollowed her leaving their elders to extinguish the candles on theirown tree.

  Another tree was lighted in the Hoyts' room, and other gingerbreadfigures stood prominently forth; the Fraeulein had treated the Hoytsas generously as the Corners. More candy and flowers from the boys,a delightfully funny calendar for Juliet and a second nest ofSpazieren-gehen figures.

  The boys were having a great time over their own gifts. Nan and MaryLee had set their wits to work upon a square wooden box, in the centreof which they had grouped four tiny Max and Moritz figures. Thesewere securely glued on, and from each corner of the lid was a deeplygrooved line burnt in the white wood. The inscription read: "From thefour Corners to the four schoolboys." Inside the box were four rolls ofthe Christmas dainty known as mazapan which the girls had wrapped upin this brown paper to imitate sausages. This special sweet had beenlately discovered, and the boys had all expressed a wish to taste it.

  "Such clever people," said Henry Olcott. "We're going to toss up forthe box and the fellow who gets it will be in luck, so he will have totreat the rest."

  By the time the candles had burned down came a summons to thedining-room. Another tree met the sight of the children, and a tableset out with cakes and a light punch. Herr Eckler had arrived andpretty soon all were dancing, Jack spinning around with the portlyHerr in the roundest of round waltzes to the music pounded out by theFraeulein's brother. Dr. Woods arrived late, but joined in the dance,and later the whole party, except Mrs. Corner and the twins, went tothe solemn and beautiful service at the Frauenkirche, a fitting closeto a German Christmas Eve.

  CHAPTER XV

  IN THE MOUNTAINS]