e at the Cafe
Nuerenburg; and this was the reason why Gottlieb himself, broken down
by loss of food and sleep and by the nervous wear and tear incident to
forced companionship with an angry ghost, was drawing each day nearer
and nearer to that dark portal through which bakers and all other people
pass hence into the shadowy region whence there is no return.

Gottlieb Brekel never had been an especially pious man. As became a
reputable German citizen, he had paid regularly the rent of a pew in the
Church of the Redemptorist Fathers in Third Street; but, excepting on
such high feasts as Christmas and Easter, he usually had been content
to occupy it and to discharge his religious duties at large vicariously.
Aunt Hed-wig's bonnet invariably was the most brilliantly conspicuous
feature of the entire congregation, just as the prettiest face in the
entire congregation invariably was Minna's. But now that Gottlieb was
confronted with a spiritual difficulty, it occurred to him that he might
advantageously resort in his extremity to spiritual aid. He had no very
clear notion how the aid would be given; he was not even clear as to
how he ought to set about asking for it; and he was troubled by the
conviction that in order to obtain it he must not only repent of his
sin, but must make atonement by restitution--a possibility (for the
devil still had a good grip upon him) that made him hesitate a long
while before he set about purchasing ease for his conscience at so heavy
a material cost. However, his good angel at last managed to pluck up
some courage--it was high time--and, strengthened by this tardily given
assistance, he betook himself in search of consolation within church
walls.

The Church of the Redemptorist Fathers is a very beautiful church, and
at all times--save through the watches of the night and through one
mid-day hour--its doors stand hospitably open, silently inviting poor
sinners, weary and heavy laden with their sins, to enter into the calm
of its quiet holiness and there find rest. Tall, slender pillars uphold
its vaulted roof, in the groinings of which lurk mysterious shadows.
Below, a warm, rich light comes through the stained-glass windows:
whereon are pictured the blessed St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, founder
of the Redemptorist Congregation, blessedly instructing the chubby-faced
choristers; and the Venerable Clement Hofbauer, "primus in Germania" of
the Redemptorists, all in his black gown, kneeling, p