The Fiddler of Lugau - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1891. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. By Sunday morning the citizens of Lugau had sobered down, though there was still unusual stir and expectation in Lugau, pointed by an uneasy recollection of those reports of victories at Schleitz and Saalfeld which had turned out so false. The Marienkirche was crowded, for Herr Moritzen was the best preacher in the town, and it was supposed that as a matter of course he would take the tidings from Essling as his subject; nor were the congregation disappointed, for the good minister, deeply stirred himself, and also affected by the emotion of his audience, gave them such a discourse, with the cedars of Lebanon rejoicing over the King of Assyria for his text, as all agreed surpassed anything hitherto heard from him. Misgivings vanished before the joyful confidence which filled his words, and that Napoleon was vanquished and there was no more fear of French troops being quartered on the town was the joyful thought in every heart and face as the listeners sat in mute attention, with eyes fixed on the preacher, and then streamed out of the church and began to discuss the sermon and the news, while the carillon ringing overhead seemed to them more joyous than it had ever done before. The Lugau people were very quiet, stay-at-home folks; life went on with calm uniformity; new families hardly ever came to the town; the housewives seldom went out except to market and church, and unless at the time of the yearly market, it was very unusual to invite company. The utmost effort made in that line was that on a Sunday families would meet at one another's houses, and the women would talk over the sermon and domestic matters, while the men leisurely discussed politics and played backgammon. This quiet monotony made the excitement all the more remarkable which cause...