European politics. The Russian-Turkish war, at the time raging, gave plenty of subject-matter to talk about for those interested, At one of the tables sat two gentlemen who, according to my observation, were of different nationality than German. I turned to my partner Merrman and said: “What will you bet that those two men are not Germans?” “I will give two gallons of beer that they are Germans,” he answered. I was so disrespectful that I took the liberty to ask one of the two mentioned. He hesitated a moment before he answered, noted my voice, eyed me carefully and then exclaimed in good Bohemian: “Holy Mary and all the saints, how did it happen Joseph Francl that you are here?” I stood astonished and gazed on him. Who can this man be? I asked myself. I could not bring to mind that I had ever met him before. His name is Mudroch, he is from Malín and stayed some time in Kutná Hora with the artist Richter. The other man was a German-Bohemian, Dr. Adolph. “Here is an excellent doctor. He can pull teeth without pain, let him pull one for you,” the brewer told our Frieda, who was suffering with toothache. “It is not necessary to pull it out,” said the doctor after examination. “I have some excellent tooth-drops that drive the pain away immediately. And then, mister, I have a good salve for lips, to protect cracking. You do not know the kind of winds that blow in the west. No traveller can do without these wonderful remedies. I advise you to buy some of this lip salve.” “Ye-ye-ye-yes, mis-mis-mister is right, I have heard what he said,” stuttered Frieda. The result was that the dear doctor sold us $2.00 worth of medicine and we were that much poorer. At about ten o’clock in the evening we parted with the guests in the saloon and, half-naked, waded across the river, thus ending a pleasant day.(To be continued.)
