Walda | Page 4

was a perfect morning of late summer. Beyond flat breadths of fertile
fields the bluffs rose gently, and hill-side and plain were dotted with
vineyards. Wind ing roads led through interlocking trees from which
birds were taking flight. The flowers, heavily laden with dew, gave out
a delightful fragrance. In the sky was the pink flush of dawn, and the
morning star still kept watch over the hamlet from which the bustling,

every-day world was shut out.
The stranger in Zanah went in to breakfast, which was served in a long,
low room that had a sanded floor. While he was standing at the table,
upon which the blue-gowned women waited, Adolph Schneider, the
head of the colony, came to him. Adolph Schneider showed that he was
a man of importance. He was stout and bald. A grizzled fringe of beard
encircled his chin, which, on account of his short neck, rested upon his
black cravat. He had small eyes, set close together, and he gave the
impression that shrewdness was the key-note of his character.
"I am president of the Society of Zanah," he said, in good English, "and
I am come to inquire where fore thou hast visited the colony in which
the Lord's people try to do his will in all humbleness and meekness."
The broad-rimmed straw hat that he wore set well down upon his ears:
he had the appearance of retiring into it and his black cravat for the
purpose of watch ing the stranger. Everett rose to meet him.
"Chance brought me here," he said, looking down upon the Herr
Doktor. "I am something of a student, and I want to see the books
printed in Zanah. Perhaps you will sell some of them to me?"
Adolph Schneider leaned on the stout cane he carried to aid him in the
difficult process of walking, for he had gout, which was the result of a
long diet of fat meats, sauerkraut, and hot breads. He glanced at Everett
with a look of suspicion.
"We have many strangers from the outside world," he said, "but all
come here to buy the blankets and printed cloths of Zanah. We have
none who would look into our books."
His small eyes rested upon the fine face of the stranger, and there was
much in it to give any man confidence. The dark eyes had a frank
expression, and the lips and chin told that they belonged to one who
had command of himself while he was fitted to rule others.
"I have heard that your German books are good specimens of

hand-work, and I coveted some of them because I am a collector," said
Everett.
Schneider looked puzzled and repeated the word "collector." Everett
explained about his library, and he was soon talking in the most
friendly manner to the Herr Doktor, whom he persuaded to sit at the
table and to drink coffee with him. When Everett had finished breakfast,
they went into the front room of the inn, where Mother Werther, the
landlord's wife, sat behind a high counter keeping an eye on the dog
eared register and the blue china match-safe. Everett offered cigars to
the Herr Doktor, who declined them, but was easily persuaded to try
the tobacco that was produced from the pocket of the stranger's coat.
After they had smoked together Everett knew more about Zanah than
he had expected to learn, although his direct questions had been parried,
and it had required adroitness to obtain any information concerning the
colony. The prospect of a sale of books melted the heart of the village
president, who explained that he managed the money of the people.
"If thou wouldst see the books, come with me to the school-master,"
said Schneider. "Gerson Brandt was an artist before he came into the
colony, fifteen years ago. He hath a rare gift in the laying on of colors,
and he hath made some of the books of Zanah good to look at."
They walked along the quiet street, crossed the rustic bridge, and
climbed the little hill to the meeting house, which was a low stone
building covered with vines. In place of the steeple a modest little
belfry rose above the peaked roof. Beyond the meeting house, and
separated from it by a stone wall, was the school-house, such a
rambling, weather-beaten wooden building as any artist would delight
in. It was entered from a latticed porch with long seats on either side of
the door. There was a garden in front of it a well-kept garden, with trim
walks and well-weeded flower-beds. Over the porch a sturdy rose-bush
climbed. The hinged windows were thrown open and the buzz of
children's voices could be heard. Suddenly all sounds were hushed.
Everett and the Herr Doktor ascended the