k place just as we crossed the
frontier. However, I found out some time after, by a strange accident,
that my fairy was the wife of a banker who lived beyond Heidelberg; and
at Heidelberg I left her and went to the first hotel in the town.

I had formed no plans, and had no letters to anybody. I had read
Howitt's "Student Life in Germany" through and through, so I thought I
would study in Heidelberg. But how to begin? That was the question. I
went into a shop and bought some cigars. There I consulted with the
shopkeeper as to what I should do. Could he refer me to some leading
authority in the University, known to him, who would give me advice? He
could, and advised me to consult with the Pedell Capelmann.

Now I didn't know it, but Pedell--meaning beadle, commonly called Poodle
by the students--was the head-constable of the University. In honest
truth I supposed he must be the President or Pro-Rector. So I went to
Pedell Capelmann. His appearance did not quite correspond to my idea of
a learned professor. He was an immensely burly, good-natured fellow, who
came in in his shirt-sleeves, and who, when he learned what I wanted,
burst out into a _Her'r'r' Gottsdonerrwetter_! of surprise, as he well
might. But I knew that the Germans were a very _sans facon bourgeois_
people, and still treated him with deep respect. He suggested that, as
there were a great many American students there, I had better call on
them. He himself would take me to see the Herr O--, with whom, as I
subsequently learned, he had more than once had discussions relative to
questions of University-municipal discipline. As for the startling
peculiarity which attended my introduction to University life, it is best
summed up in the remark which the Herr O. (of Baltimore) subsequently
made.

"Great God, fellows! _he made his first call on old Capelmann_!!"

He took me to the Herr O. and introduced me. I was overwhelmed with my
cordial reception. There was at once news sent forth that a new man and
a brother fellow-countryman had come to join the ranks. "And messengers
through all the land sought Sir Tannhauser out." I was pumped dry as to
my precedents, and as I came fresh from Princeton and had been through
Italy, I was approved of. The first thing was a discussion as to where I
was to live. The Frau Directorinn Louis in the University Place had two
fine rooms which had just been occupied by a prince. So we went and
secured the roo