s of glass set in for windows. This
effort of architecture is in a decidedly ruinous condition, the little
stuffed paper cylinders are ragged and torn, some of them show signs of
detaching themselves from the cardboard frame upon which they are pasted,
and the dust of years has accumulated upon the bit of painted board which
serves as a foundation for the chalet. In one corner of the window an
object more gaudy but not more useful attracts the eye. It is the popular
doll figure commonly known in Germany as the "Wiener Gigerl" or "Vienna
fop." It is doubtful whether any person could appear in the public places
of Vienna in such a costume without being stoned or otherwise painfully
put to a shameful death. The doll is arrayed in black shorts and silk
stockings, a wide white waistcoat, a scarlet evening coat, an enormous
collar and a white tall hat with a broad brim. He stands upon one foot,
raising the other as though in the act of beginning a minuet; he holds in
one hand a stick and in the other a cigarette, a relatively monstrous
eye-glass magnifies one of his painted eyes and upon his face is such an
expression of combined insolence, vulgarity, dishonesty and conceit as
would insure his being shot at sight in any Western American village
making the least pretence to self-respect. On high days and holidays
Christian Fischelowitz inserts a key into the square black pedestal
whereon the doll has its being, and the thing lives and moves, turns about
and cocks its impertinent head at the passers-by, while a feeble tune of
uncertain rhythm is heard grating itself out upon the teeth of the metal
comb in the concealed mechanism. Fischelowitz delights in this
monstrosity, and is never weary of watching its detestable antics. It is
doubtful whether in the simplicity of his good-natured heart he does not
really believe that the Wiener Gigerl may attract a stray customer to his
counter and, in the long-run, pay for itself. For it cost him money, and
in itself, as a thing of beauty, it hardly covers the bad debt contracted
with him by a poor fellow-countryman to whom he kindly lent fifty marks
last year. He accepted the doll without a murmur, however, in full
discharge of the obligation, and with an odd philosophy peculiar to
himself, he does his best to get what amusement he can out of the little
red-coated figure without complaining and without bitterness.

Christian's wife, his larger if not his better half, is less complacent.
I