Short Stories From Austria- Ferdinand Von Saar Read online

  FERDINAND VON SAAR

  (TRANSLATED BOOK)

  (ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN GERMAN LANGUAGE, YEAR 1908)

  BY JAKOB MINOR; Ferdinand von Saar

  SHORT STORIES FROM AUSTRIA

  (ENGLISH TRANSLATED BOOK)

  Ferdinand Ludwig Adam (September 30, 1833 - July 24, 1906) was an Austrian writer, playwright and poet.

  Ferdinand Saar came from a 1793 ennobled civil servant family. The father, however, died shortly after Ferdinand's birth. The mother moved back to her parents' house, where Saar was educated together with his cousin, the later visual artist August von Pettenkofen. He attended in Vienna the elementary school, then the city school of the Scots and from 1843 their high school. In 1849 he joined the army and in 1854 became a lieutenant. In 1860 he finished his officer career to devote himself to literature. High debts from his military time, however, led in the following years to several prison sentences. In 1871 he was freed by aristocratic patrons from the most pressing distress. In 1877, the novellas from Austria brought wider recognition. The greatest popular success in 1893 was the Vienna Elegies. Three years earlier, Saar had been awarded the Franz Joseph Order; in 1902 he became a member of the manor of the Austrian Reichsrat.

  LIEUTENANT BURDA

  FOREWORD BY THE PUBLISHER

  The novella is written in Blansko in the summer of 1887 and in the same year in the “Deutsche Dichtung” by Karl Emil Franzos on the 1st and on the 15th of September (second volume, Issue 11 and 12, pages 312-334 and 338-354). first appeared. Here it should carry the title:“Vanitas”, the Saar on the advice of Franzos in the original: “Lieutenant Burda” has changed. The manuscript was borrowed from Franzos after the imprint for his autograph collection; but the poet could not be willing to do so, as she wished to possess Princess Salm, in whose estate she might well be. Earlier, however, the poet based it on many, but merely stylistic modifications of the book edition in the third collection of novellas: “Destinies” (pages 1-126), which appeared in the fall of 1888 with the year 1889. For the two-volume editions of the “Novellen from Austria” 1897 and 1904 (second volume, pages 1-81), Saar has been trying to improve now and then and in the last correction of 1904 the cipher B... was dissolved in Brno. A striking middle position between the prints of 1889 and 1897 takes the impression in the “Viennese fashion” 1898 (eleventh vintage, 7. to 12. Issue, page 294 ff., 337 f., 376-378, 415-417, 456 f., 497 f.), which, according to the publisher's information, was organized on the basis of the “Novellen from Austria” of 1897 and as a rule also agrees with them, but has repeated readings of the “fates” of 1889; it must be traced back to a manuscript or a proof sheet, which has undergone further changes for the printing of 1897. On the other hand, the second edition of “Destiny” of 1897 is based on the same sentence as the “Short stories from Austria” of the same year. But still has readings of the “destinies” of 1889; it must be traced back to a manuscript or a proof sheet, which has undergone further changes for the printing of 1897. On the other hand, the second edition of “Destiny” of 1897 is based on the same sentence as the “Short stories from Austria” of the same year. but still has readings of the “destinies” of 1889; it must be traced back to a manuscript or a proof sheet, which has undergone further changes for the printing of 1897. On the other hand, the second edition of “Destiny” of 1897 is based on the same sentence as the “Short stories from Austria” of the same year.

  I.

  The regiment in which I spent my military service also had a lieutenant named Joseph Burda. Considering his batch, he did not seem too young; because he already wanted to approach the thirties. This fact alone would have sufficed to give him a certain reputation with his immediate comrades, who were almost fluffy yellow-beaks; but he had other qualities that distinguished him. For he was not only a very capable, usable officer, he had also, through all sorts of reading, acquired a kind of higher education, which he was able to combine very favorably with fine, worldly manners. As a superior, he was considered strict but fair; Higher up, he displayed a modest but sure attitude; in comradely intercourse, he showed a measured and reserved demeanor, but was always ready to assist each and every one with words and deeds. No one woke up more sternly than he did about the so-called corps-mind, and in everything concerning the point of honor he proved himself to be of the most embarrassing kind, so much so that in this respect he was in serious conflict, without being the least mercenary had advised and had to carry this with the saber in his fist. As a result, he was a little feared, but the more respected, without being presumptuous or arrogant, No one woke up more sternly than he did about the so-called corps-mind, and in everything concerning the point of honor he proved himself to be of the most embarrassing kind, so much so that in this respect he was in serious conflict, without being the least mercenary had advised and had to carry this with the saber in his fist. As a result, he was a little feared, but the more respected, without being presumptuous or arrogant, No one woke up more sternly than he did about the so-called corps-mind, and in everything concerning the point of honor he proved himself to be of the most embarrassing kind, so much so that in this respect he was in serious conflict, without being the least mercenary had advised and had to carry this with the saber in his fist. As a result, he was a little feared, but the more respected, without being presumptuous or arrogant, if it nevertheless helped to increase the somewhat melancholy dignity of his being.

  He had to thank all of them for not laying stress on a great personal weakness that clung to him-or rather, ignoring her as if by appointment. For he was exceedingly vain of his outward appearance, which in fact had to be called a most engaging one. Tall and slender in shape, he had a well-formed countenance, whose slightly shining paleness was further enhanced by a dark, finely curled mustache, and strikingly gray eyes, curiously shadowed by long lashes. It did not lack Krittler, who claimed that he had actually grown crooked, and he used to pull up his right shoulder while walking. But it was precisely this that gave his attitude that noble negligence that was associated with the manner in which he clothed himself. in very good harmony. For although his tunic was always of an impeccable whiteness and freshness, he never showed the glittering sparkle that would have shown the immediate emergence of the tailor's workshop, and although Burda was very reluctant toThe waist, as it were, was sitting down to the elegant boot (which was known to have always been made on its own last), everything about it as light and comfortable as if it had just been tailored and adapted. In this way, that which was the result of careful calculation, appeared only as the natural good taste of a consummate gentleman, whose handkerchiefs, when unfolded, gave a barely perceptible fragrance, and, even if it were silently made its glosses, that Burda had his hair done daily by his lad - who had had to take a short private dissertation with a hair artist - but many tried to do the same in his own way, without, however, even remotely achieving the original.

  That this subtle and to some extent hidden care, which he used for his appearance, was ultimately connected with the endeavor to produce the most favorable impression in the other sex, does not necessarily have to be expressly stated, and it is just as natural that Burda considered irresistible in this direction. Not that he somehow showed this consciousness, or even bragged it, as some of us did, with heart conquests; he observed in such matters the utmost restraint, and conclusions could be drawn only from some symptoms. There were either delicate ladies' rings, which he wore on the little finger of his well-groomed hand, or a braided bracelet, which happened to appear under his cuff - as well as sudden mysterious disappearance at certain hours, which led to all sorts of suspicions,
which he did not contradict, but whose further discussion he immediately cut off with serious frown. In general, he rarely took part in conversations which dealt with love, and thus with women, which he regarded from a quite peculiar point of view. For, as for a notorious, as a famous general, man first began with the baron, so for Burda the female sex began only with the baroness. He allowed the simple birth-nobility of a young lady to be valid only if the father in question was general or president of some high country post; He used to look down on ordinary court counselors with a sort of pity; He despised ladies of the plutocracy thoroughly. Everything else simply did not exist for him, and he always expressed his surprise when he learned that an officer had married some wealthy bourgeois daughter (which he called a misalliance); but in the sharpest tone he blamed it when someone turned into a lady from dubious calls to more than a momentary relationship.

  These high-pitched tendencies might seem all the stranger when Burda himself was of a very modest background. As the son of a small biller, he had received only a poor education, initially attended high school, but soon let himself be accepted as an eleven in the office of his father, so that he no longer has to be a burden. Later, as the Times opened up favorable prospects for the army, he had joined our regiment as a cadet. His first successes in women also seemed to have fallen into that time. For as the legend went, the daughter of a senior general, in whose adjutant he was used, for his beautiful handwriting, fell in love with him enthusiastically. However, the general had this novel after he discovered a secret correspondence, immediately put an end to it, that he had the hero transferred to Verona, where the advertising district of the regiment - which was an Italian - was. There, under the southern sky, in the native city of Romeo and Juliet, a dark-skinned Marchesa immediately cast her eyes upon the pretty warrior, and with him-a jealous husband in defiance of Austrian foreign rule-began a most passionate relationship in which it should not have been lacking at night meetings by means of rope ladder, bloody raids on the part of Marchese etc. No wonder, then, that Burda, once an officer, could not descend any more and set up his nets merely in the upper regions. So even now, despite his reluctance to believe, that in the handsome provincial town, where this story begins to act, he had acquired the special favor of a collegiate lady, who, though no longer quite young, was regarded as a perfect beauty. On the side, of course, was It also claims that the whole consists in the fact that Burda often passes by under the windows of the abbey building and hears Mass in the adjoining church every Sunday; an innocent pleasure that would be for everyone. But as it may have been, most of us, animated by a similar romantic affair, held firm in the conviction that Burda, by virtue of his merits, was a Chosen One, and continued to look up to him with a sort of yearning admiration.

  In the meantime, however, his reputation should be offset by a gentle push. It had become customary among younger officers to sign written messages and other submissions with deliberate volatility (which was supposed to look ingenious) or to make the letters so grilling that the names in question were often not decipherable. Our colonel, a black-barked, pedantic nature, thus seized the ever-wished opportunity of being able to mend the young people at the witness, and made the most eminent evildoers, including myself, humble before them. We had already got wind of the matter and were not a little astonished, even Burda, whose signature on kaligraphischer clearness left nothing to be desired to see among the preloaded. Having kept his eyes fixed on Corpora delicti and asking each one in a nasal voice what his name really was - and what this and what that meant, he concluded with a very sharp reference, promising exemplary penalties for the future. Then he turned to Burda in a somewhat moderate tone: “And you too, Lieutenant, have I come to ask a question to you. Since when did you become a count?”

  Burda winced slightly. Then he replied, blushing gradually to below the hair on his forehead, firmer, almost provocative Voice: “Count? In what way does that mean Colonel?”

  The Colonel took a step back, pinching his right eye, as was his habit in excitement. “In what way? With regard to your last guard report. The same is “he held out the document to him” signed with G f Burda. As I gather from the signatures of Herr Majors Count N... and Herr Hauptmanns Count K..., this G f is a popular abbreviation of Graf. What do you have to reply to?

  “Allow me to remark,” said Burda in the strictest tone, “that this G f is not meant to mean the word count. It is the abbreviation of my name Gottfried.”

  “Gottfried? They are called Joseph!”

  “Indeed. But it should be known to the Colonel that at baptism, as a rule, one receives the name of the father. My father gave the name Gottfried; my name is Joseph Gottfried.”

  The colonel took another step back and winked convulsively with his right eye. “Then I must ask you to produce your baptismal certificate in order to have the regimental lists in which, as far as I know, only the name of Joseph appears inscribed, can be corrected. But still, you'll have fewer ambiguous shortcuts to choose from in the future. “He bowed briefly and we were dismissed.

  When we had the door behind us and now went down the stairs altogether, there was embarrassing silence. The comic aspect of the whole performance would have actually stimulated general cheerfulness; but the presence of Burda, who obviously took the matter seriously and, moreover, was not without embarrassment, pushed back the expression of such a mood. We said goodbye to him with a few superficial words, and in the near future we had this bias opposite him; it was as if something strange and unexpected had marred his luminous appearance.

  On the very same day, however, he personally presented his baptismal certificate, which actually contained both names, in the official manner, and from then on he signed with obvious deliberation and without any abbreviation: Joseph Gottfried Burda.

  II.

  Incidentally, this unpleasant incident, like everything that does not entail any notable consequences, was all the more forgotten when, soon after, an event occurred that brought the minds into easily understandable excitement. One day the regiment suddenly received orders to enter the Vienna garrison, which was customarily regarded as a special honor. But also for other reasons, this arrangement was welcomed by the officers with great joy. Because many of us were Viennese and could now see their relatives for a long time, while the others were given the opportunity to get to know and enjoy the more or less foreign life of the capital. By the way, the Regiment was in the short span of time, which was still granted,

  At that time, Vienna itself was still quite showing its former character. The old gates with the immovable bridges over the moat still existed; the chestnut and linden avenues on the Glacis led to the suburbs, and if today the inner city of the Ring Road as of Surrounded by a dazzling jewel belt, it looked like a treasure chest, enclosed by the ring walls of the bastion, in which most of the treasures were packed together. Public transport was easier too, more intimate than it is now. The various official professions did not deviate too far apart, as did the manifold objects of pleasure and enjoyment - and so each of us soon became acquainted with the circumstances and settled in his own way. Those who tended to be comfortable and avoided out-of-court meetings with high and supreme superiors avoided, as far as possible, entering the streets and squares of the city and spent their free time near the barracks. Others, however, mostly elderly captains with highly developed gastronomic leanings, loved to visit the wine taverns and restaurants, which enjoyed a special reputation, even though they usually remained stuck late into the night, and then returned home in the happiest mood. Eventually, however, there were some who knew no greater pleasure than, most carefully, treading the pavement of the ditch and cabbage market, and visiting places where, in order to be seen and seen, they meet the noble world at no particular cost could. It goes without saying that Burda belonged to these few, and indeed it was admirable how well he behaved in this regard. If he stood thus negligently in front of the world-famous Café Daum and looked at the passers-by with cool eyes, or took his w
alk on the bastion with measured footsteps, he was almost the pattern of an elegant officer. No one in the Wintersalon of the Volksgarten, while the Chapel of the Brothers Strauss gave serious and cheerful sages, was able to sit down with more perfect decency He always knew how to conquer a pillar in the upstairs part of the two court theaters, leaning against it, letting his gaze wander to the lodges, that is, to the female inmates.

  During this time, I came closer to Burda, who paid little attention to me until then. The occasion for this had been an economic question. There was a shortage of officers' quarters in the barracks, as a result of which several of us received corresponding monetary compensation. So it was the custom now that the owners of so-called “natural quarters” took in one or more comrades, so that each individual could benefit from the corresponding interest rate for the improvement of the narrowly calculated fee. Even Burda, who had an apartment in the barracks, had to remember to look for a tenant-or, as was his way, to choose one. That the choice fell on me might have been primarily due to the fact that I had been transferred to the company where he himself was; but at least I had reason to regard his invitation as a distinction, and to accept it all the more as a special, very much desired advantage was attached to it. For I had yielded to literary inclinations even then, and wished to have some quiet, completely undisturbed hours during the day, but how could this have been achieved in a comradely economy, where it was generally rather desolate! Burda, however, who was respectful in person and always went his own way, offered me all security in this regard. I immediately quit the private house, where I had already rented it, and moved into his apartment, which actually consisted of only two rooms; but these were very spacious, and each had its own entrance. The connecting door was shut off,

  At first we both kept quite a distance from each other; he with the usual restraint - mefor fear of being troublesome to him; it was as if everyone lived by themselves. Incidentally, Burda was rarely at home during the day; but if this was the case, he usually slept on a low ottoman, which he had made with great ingenuity from two stacked straw sacks and a garland of brightly patterned teat, and read, as he liked to do, French novels. Almost never a disturbing sound came over to me, and I could clearly feel how he cautiously damped the sound of his footsteps as he came and went. I heard only his frequent ablutions, and sometimes a slight noise, which he produced by brushing his newest uniform all by himself; a delicate, important business,