New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-07-31
HANS AND GRETCHEN .


In the sunniest corner of the angular
little porch that poked itself out from the
side Of the old Wirthshaus in such curl
Gus and irrelevant manner, sat Hans and
Gretchen. The yellow head of the girl
inclined suspiciously near to the honest
blue uniform in which the Vaterland
clothes its soldiers, and the grasp of d
rough muscula, arm round a very tender
little waist, told the story of appropria-
ton that had its first instance in the gar
den of Eden. Hans, however, was now
new to the world and wanting in exper-
1ence, like our primitive forefather when
be lost his rib only to regain it in such a
delicious fashion, nor did ne, like Othello,
know much
'of most disastrous chances,
Of moving accidents by flood and field,
OF hair-breadths Escapes i the emminent
deadly breach"
Yet he had learned something of the
world Beyond the shadow of his native
hills during the time when Prussia push
ed her way to Paris, and the very heart
Of beautiful France was crushed under
the feet of the alien host Hans had pom
dered we'll upon the subject of humanity,
its aims and issues, and, like manya greater
mind, his had grown confused with all
the vexed and various problems whose
meaning no man knows. Now he had
come back from the rush and whirl of a
great CITY, and for weeks had been enjoy
ing the perfect tranquility that reigned
in the atmosphere of his native village.
He drank it in great draughts, and would
fain keep it to himself forever-keepi it to
himself, as he meant to keep Gretchen,
fair and pure and innocent, unbreathed up
on and unsullied by any tempests of emo
ton, by any faint of sin.
So far all had gone we'll. Blue-eyed
Gretchen had shown no longing t., know
of the world beyond the cloud capped
hills where heaven touched earth each
morning, and sanctitied the place thereof
neither did she trouble herself about the
selves in and out under Hans heavy
brows. Sometimes when he gazed at
nothing with a thoughtful and troubled
expression, and the maiden asked him
why, he would answer:
"Good child thou must never ask, and
never wilt know by experience how
crookedly and confusedly every thing
goes on in this world. Thou must not
always be questioning me when I am
lost in thought. All sorts of things &C
round in my head. OILY be cheerful
now, be happy that there is so much thou
knowest not"
Then Gretchen would reply: "What
thou thinkest ought not to know, will
never ask"
Tonight there was to be parting
Business called Hans to remote corner
OF the Vaterland, and Gretchen was to be
left alone. Thus it was very fearful
pair of blue eyes that lifted themselves tc
his when the time came for the last kiss
and tine small lips trembled as they
touched his own.
Gretchen stands by the gate of the ole
Wirthshaus alone. The shadow of the
porch does not fall upon her, and the re-
treating form of the young soldier seems
to take away with it the protecting at
mosphere Of great love. The sunshine
falls upon the waving masses of COLDER
hair. for Hans has Withdrawn the disfg
uring cap SO that he might caress them
the blue eyes that follow him are tearfu
with emotion, and the graceful figure
that leans against the gate vibrates witt
the passionate sorrow of a child.
"Mon Dieu! Angeliquei La petite
She is beautiful.
"Where, madame" pipes the shril
voice ola French lady's maid. The two
voices proceed from the depths of I
travelling carriage that is making it
way up the road.
'.There, by the gate. All! Angelique
it I had, had face and figure like that
I should not be as I am now. They would
not have said, The great singer has los
her fascination, and her voice its power.
See how lovely she is, even though sh'
weeps-and the fair color 10 her cheeks
All! it is the health, the beautiful health
that is the best of all p The last is spoken
in the fretful tones of an invalid. "Bu
what is she crying for? Petite sotte! Il
cry like that when she has the beauty o
an angel and the strength Of youns
deer. What is the place, Angelique?-,
Wirthshaus2 Did the old shed ever hav,
visitor I wonder2 It does not look SO
Let US stop. l must stop somewhere
spend month-ughl- among thes