amp smilingly shook his head, but avoided any long discussions
with Frau Ceres.

A few days afterwards, carriage after carriage drew up before the door
of the hotel, bringing congratulations. Sonnenkamp affected great
modesty, but Roland did not disguise his pleasure and pride, and
insisted that his father should never go out without his new
decoration.

The following sentence, however, in Professor Crutius's paper added
bitterness to their cup of joy:--

"(Market price of Honors) Herr Sonnenkamp, of Villa Eden, transplanted
from Havana, has received, from the highest quarter, the cross of honor
for his services, it is said, in the ennobling of horticulture, which
includes the ennobling of the horticulturist. Nothing now is wanting in
the garden of Eden but that genealogical tree, which flourishes so
excellently in our favored land."

There were malicious persons enough ready to express to Sonnenkamp
their indignation at this would-be witty sharpness, while they watched
him with curiosity to see what face he would put upon the matter. He
appeared quite indifferent, but inwardly resolved to buy over that most
virtuous of moralists, called Public Opinion.

He went to the publishing office, was shown into the editor's room, and
was received with the utmost politeness by Professor Crutius. He opened
the conversation by saying that he knew very well how to take a joke,
and that his life in America had familiarized him with publicity; which
remarks Crutius saw no occasion for answering. With great
condescension, Sonnenkamp proceeded to express his pleasure at finding
the Professor in such an influential position; Crutius bowed his
acknowledgments. A little gas jet was burning in the editor's room, at
which Sonnenkamp asked permission to light his cigar, offering one at
the same time to Crutius, who accepted with thanks.

"I remember," began Sonnenkamp, "a bold and striking remark which you
made on the occasion of my having the honor of receiving a visit from
you; you had the courage to say that America was approaching a
monarchical form of government."

"I remember saying so," replied Crutius, "half in jest and half in
earnest, and I threw out the remark not merely as starting a good
subject of conversation, but because I was of opinion that the
reluctance of the best men in America to take part in politics was a
sign of approaching monarchy."

"And you are no longer of that opinion?" asked Sonnenkamp, as Crutius