“Did you have to come to Frankfort to join the marines?” asked Franz.

“No, I was born in Frankfort on the shore of the Main.  People used to call me a water-rat; and they were right, for I became a more expert seaman on the Main than do many on the ocean.  My longing was to be a seaman, and my mother, who was at first opposed to it, gave consent, and I have never regretted it.  I looked death in the face many times, but escaped without a scratch.”

The boys were deeply interested in this conversation, but it was interrupted by a succession of splendid fireworks on the island which surprised and delighted them beyond measure.  They almost held their breath while watching an especially brilliant piece reflected in the water.

“Now, boys, we will go,” said Aunt Steiner when the last exhibition of the evening fireworks went up, making the words “good-night” high in the air; “and we will call at a confectioner’s for a glass of ice-cream soda.”

“Let me have the pleasure of showing some attention to your young guests,” said Mr. Stayman.  “I shall be pleased to accompany you to the store.”

Mrs. Steiner gave willing assent, and soon the five thirsty ones found themselves upon comfortable seats under the awning in front of the store and Mr. Stayman gave the order for five glasses of ice-cream soda with cake.  This was a pleasant ending to the first evening of sight-seeing in Frankfort, and the triplets realized that “their lines had fallen in pleasant places.”

As they were separating Mrs. Steiner thanked Mr. Stayman for his kindness, and he in turn invited her guests to visit his store, which was eagerly agreed to by Fritz, who considered the clothing business exactly in his line.

“Then you expect to be a clothing merchant, do you?” asked his new acquaintance.

“Yes, a merchant in the manufacturing branch of the business,” was the reply in a slightly pompous tone and manner.

“Well, then it may be that you will come to Frankfort and learn the business of me.”

“Study to be a tailor?  No, I do no care to learn to sew.”

“What have you against the trade of tailoring?  Do you know any that is more honorable?  Is it not our business here upon earth to serve our fellow-men?  And are not our fellow-men well served by having clothes made for them?  If a tailor understands his business and works at it in a faithful, honest manner, he is as much to be respected as a kaiser who rules his people in a just and faithful manner.  Listen to this little rhyme: 

“’Not everyone can wear a kaiser’s hat,
Not everyone must daily gutters sweep;
Yet everyone can do his honest work,
In palace or in hut his charge can keep.’

“Do not think I am censuring you, my dear boy, but never, never speak disparagingly of any honest work.”

“That little verse pleases me,” remarked the quiet but observing Paul.  “My father often says the same thing but not in verse.  He says that work is no disgrace to anyone.  And he tells his pupils that the smut that is upon the hands of a toiling man can be washed off by soap, but no soap can wash away the smutty word that comes from the lips.”