"You must have noticed already that I entertain but small hopes. I am going because I do not want to be charged with having neglected a duty. I admire the courage and energy of your friend, Julie vom Berg, who has called the convention, but Ifear that it will be a failure, which is worse than if the attempt had not been made."
There is nothing worse than discouragement at the start. But the whistle of the locomotive warns me that we must separate. I have, therefore, a favor to ask of you. Will you undertake to report the convention to "Der Pionier?"
"What? Are you not going to attend the convention — you?"
I am sorry to say that my duty calls for the difficult sacrifice of staying away. It calls me to another convention — to the great convention of editors at Cincinnati.
"That, of course, is a sufficient, but also your only excuse. Well, I will comply with your request and report faithfully to ‘Der Pionier.' Good-by, Herr Laengst.";
