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and the exaggerated swing of his light bamboo cane that Paul could not
only understand the childish wonder of the passers…by； who turned to look
after him； but was stirred with a deeper curiosity。 He quickened his pace；
but was unable to distinguish anything of the face or features of the
stranger； except that his hair under his cocked hat appeared to be tightly
curled and powdered。 Paul's companion； who was amused at what seemed
to be the American's national curiosity； had seen the figure before。 〃A
servant in the suite of some Eastern Altesse visiting the baths。 You will see
stranger things； my friend； in the Strudle Bad。 Par example； your own
countrymen； too； the one who has enriched himself by that pork of
Chicago； or that soap； or this candle； in a carriage with the crest of the title
he has bought in Italy with his dollars； and his beautiful daughters； who
are seeking more titles with possible matrimonial contingencies。〃
After an early dinner； Paul found his way to the little theatre。 He had
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already been struck by a highly colored poster near the Bahnhof；
purporting that a distinguished German company would give a
representation of 〃Uncle Tom's Cabin；〃 and certain peculiarities in the
pictorial advertisement of the tableaux gave promise of some
entertainment。 He found the theatre fairly full； there was the usual
contingent of abonnirte officers； a fair sprinkling of English and German
travelers； but apparently none of his own countrymen。 He had no time to
examine the house more closely； for the play； commencing with simple
punctuality； not only far exceeded the promise of the posters； but of any
previous performance of the play he had witnessed。 Transported at once to
a gorgeous tropical regionthe slave States of Americaresplendent with
the fruits and palms of Mauritius； and peopled exclusively with Paul and
Virginia's companions in striped cotton； Hathaway managed to keep a
composed face； until the arrival of the good Southern planter St。 Clair as
one of the earlier portraits of Goethe； in top boots； light kerseymere
breeches； redingote and loose Byron collar； compelled him to shrink into
the upper corner of the box with his handkerchief to his face。 Luckily； the
action passed as the natural effect upon a highly sympathetic nature of
religious interviews between a round…faced flaxen…haired 〃Kleine Eva〃
and 〃Onkeel Tome；〃 occasionally assisted by a Dissenting clergyman in
Geneva bands； of excessive brutality with a cattle whip by a Zamiel…like
Legree； of the sufferings of a runaway negro Zimmermadchen with a child
three shades lighter than herself； and of a painted canvas 〃man…hunt；〃
where apparently four well known German composers on horseback； with
flowing hair； top boots； and a Cor de chasse； were pursuing； with the aid
of a pack of fox hounds； 〃the much too deeply abused and yet spiritually
elevated Onkeel Tome。〃 Paul did not wait for the final apotheosis of 〃der
Kleine Eva；〃 but； in the silence of a hushed audience； made his way into
the corridor and down the staircase。 He was passing an open door marked
〃Direction；〃 when his attention was sharply attracted by a small gathering
around it and the sounds of indignant declamation。 It was the voice of a
countrymanmore than that； it was a familiar voice； that he had not heard
for three yearsthe voice of Colonel Harry Pendleton！
〃Tell him；〃 said Pendleton； in scathing tones； to some invisible
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interpreter；〃tell； him； sir； that a more infamous caricature of the blankest
caricature that ever maligned a free people； sir； I never before had the
honor of witnessing。 Tell him that I； sirI； Harry Pendleton； of Kentucky；
a Southerner； siran old slaveholder； sir； declare it to be a tissue of
falsehoods unworthy the credence of a Christian civilization like this
unworthy the attention of the distinguished ladies and gentlemen that are
gathered here to…night。 Tell him； sir； he has been imposed upon。 Tell him I
am responsiblegive him my card and addresspersonally responsible for
what I say。 If he wants proofsblank it all！ tell him you yourself have
been a slaveMY slave； sir！ Take off your hat； sir！ Ask him to look at you…
…ask him if he thinks you ever looked or could look like that lop…eared；
psalm…singing； white…headed hypocrite on the stage！ Ask him； sir； if he
thinks that blank ringmaster they call St。 Clair looks like ME！〃
At this astounding exordium Paul eagerly pressed forward and entered
the bureau。 There certainly was Colonel Pendleton； in spotless evening
dress； erect； flashing； and indignant； his aquiline nose lifted like a hawk's
beak over his quarry； his iron… gray moustache； now white and waxed；
parted like a swallow's tail over his handsome mouth； and between him
and the astounded 〃Direction〃 stood the apparition of the AlleeGeorge！
There was no mistaking him now。 What Paul had thought was a curled wig
or powder was the old negro's own white knotted wool； and the astounding
livery he wore was carried off as no one but George could carry it。
But he was still more amazed when the old servant； in a German as
exaggerated； as incoherent； but still as fluent and persuasive as his own
native speech； began an extravagant but perfectly dignified and diplomatic
translation of his master's protests。 Where and when； by what instinct； he
had assimilated and made his own the grotesque inversions and ponderous
sentimentalities of Teutonic phrasing； Paul could not guess； but it was with
breathless wonder that he presently became aware that； so perfect and
convincing was the old man's style and deportment； not only the simple
officials but even the bystanders were profoundly impressed by this
farrago of absurdity。 A happy word here and there； the full title and rank
given； even with a slight exaggeration； to each individual； brought a deep
and guttural 〃So！〃 from lips that would have found it difficult to repeat a
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line