is; der Ettenbaum couldn't sing a
note after his supper of schenkin. But then there's Grundenwald, and
Catinka, to be sure, and Alte Kreps--we'll do it, we'll do it! Come
along, mien aller Liebster, and choose the best 'loge du premier,' take
two, three, if you like it--you shall see a play."

"What do you mean? you are surely not going to open the house for _me!_"

"An't I though! you shall soon see--it's the only audience I ever had
in Erfurt, and I'm not going to lose it. Know, most worthy friend,"
continued he with a most melodramatic tone and gesture, "that to-night
is the twelfth time I have given out an announcement of a play, and
yet never was able to attract--I will not say an audience--but not a
row--not a 'loge'--not even a 'stalle' in the balcon. I opened, why do
I say I opened? I advertised, the first night, Schiller's Maria Stuart,
you know the Maria--well, such a Madchen as we have for the part! such
tenderness--such music in her voice--such grace and majesty in every
movement; you shall see for yourself, Catinka is here. Then I gave out
'Nathan der Weise,' then the 'Goetz,' then 'Lust und Liebe,'--why do I
go on? in a word I went through all our dramatic authors from Schiller,
Goethe, Leasing, Werner, Grillparzer, down to Koetzebue, whose two pieces
I advertised for this evening--"

"But--pardon my interruption--did you always keep the doors closed, as I
found them?"

"Not at first," responded he, solemnly; "the doors were open, and a
system of telegraphs established between the bureau for payment and the
orchestra, by which the footlights were to be illuminated on the arrival
of the first visiter; but the bassoon and the drum, the clarinette and
the oboe, stood like cannoneers, match in hand, from half-past six till
eight, and never came the word 'fire!' but here we are."

With these words he produced from his pocket a massive key, with which
he unlocked the door, and led me forward by the arm into a dark passage,
followed by our coatless friend, whom he addressed as "Herr Stauf,"
desiring him to come in also. While the Herr Director was waiting for
a light, which the Vrau seemed in no hurry to bring, he continued
his recital. "When I perceived matters were thus, I vowed two vows,
solemnly, and before the whole corps, ballet, chorus, and all; first,
that I would give twelve representations--I mean announcements of
representation--from twelve separate dramatists, before I left Erfurt;
and, secondly,