gate him upon the incidents of his passage over, but all of no
avail. He maintained a reserve that was impossible to overcome; his
answers were given in monosyllables, and, as but little encouragement
was given to friendly converse, he was finally left alone to enjoy
his musings.

At an early hour of the evening he signified his intention of
retiring, and, accompanied by his servant, he left the room and
shortly afterwards went to bed.

After attending to the requirements of the old gentleman, Frank
Bruner returned to the bar-room and joined the group sitting around
the table. His mind was fixed upon leaving a service that was
distasteful to him, and in which he was made to feel the hand of the
master too frequently and too heavily to be borne longer with
submission or silence. He was anxious, therefore, to make some
inquiries in regard to a change of position from those whom he
supposed would be acquainted with the facts he was desirous of
learning.

While they were thus conversing, a young man entered, and after
saluting those present in a careless, off-hand manner, he seated
himself among them. He was a tall, broad-shouldered young German,
with blonde hair and smoothly-shaven face; his eyes were large and of
a light blue color. His cheek-bones were rather prominent, and when
he laughed he displayed his teeth, which, being somewhat decayed,
gave a rather unpleasant expression to the countenance, otherwise he
was what might have ordinarily been considered a good-looking fellow.

Upon seating himself, he was jocularly questioned by one of the
number, in reference to some young lady, who was evidently known to
them all.

"Ah, William, how did you find the lovely Clara this evening?"
inquired his friend, in German.

William Bucholz, for that was the name of the new-comer, shrugged his
shoulders, and with an amused expression upon his face, answered:

"Oh, as well as usual, and quite as charming."

And then, perceiving the presence of Frank, he looked inquiringly at
his friends, and added: "Whom have we here?"

"A young man who has just arrived from Germany," was the reply.

Bucholz immediately arose, cordially shook hands with the stranger,
and engaged him in conversation.

CHAPTER XV.

_The History of William Bucholz._--_An Abused Aunt who Disappoints
His Hopes._--_A Change of Fortune._--_The Soldier becomes a
Farmer._--_The Voyage to New York._

William Bucholz had been an inmate of the hotel f