Phantom

Summary

The Phantom

Lorenz Lubota, a plain town chronicler, who cares for his mother and his siblings, is a daydreamer and writes poems. One day, he is overrun by the harnessed gray horse team of the rich ironmonger′s daughter, Veronika Harlan. Lubota changes after the accident. Bookbinder Starke has promised to find a publisher for his poems. Thus, Lubota fancies himself as a great poet. To dress accordingly to this future career, he borrows money from his aunt, the pawnbroker Schwabe. Then he asks the ironmonger for his daughter′s hand in marriage. But the ironmonger throws him out without further ado.

In a wine bar, Lubota meets Melitta who bears a strong resemblance to Veronika. He spends a lot of money on her to forget about the phantom. To get more money, he persuades his friend Wigottschinski to help him rob his aunt. But they are surprised during their robbery and Lubota′s friend kills the pawnbroker. In prison, Lubota gradually gets back his grasp on reality. After his release from prison, he marries Marie, the bookbinder′s daughter who had been waiting for him for a long time.