The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-05-31
STANDING ON GUARD.
Translated from the German.
r. $Iac,,;1I Tho q

pO6lClOQ against Iuo wall VI SAo AA~6"
zine, holding his musket with his man
tie, to prevent his stiffening fingers from
adhering to the metal, and gazed over
the vast expanse of snow, lie looming
up like a bulky exclamation point. Occa-
sionally he stamped his feet. A couple
of icicles hung from his heavy mustache.
It was indeed heavy snow storm.
All at once his attention was directed 10
a dark point, It certainly moved, and
f appeared to be comming nearer.
Some belated person was coming through
the snow towards him.
"Haltv' called the sentry, bringing
his gun to his shoulder. The figure con-
tinued to approach. "Halt, or III ire"
called the sentry once more in threat
"Don't fire! it's only me. It's Katie"
He:dropped the butt Of his gun to the
pround. "Ale YOU here? In the name
Of the devil himself, what brings you
out of your village in all this cold wealth
err"
IT want to speak to you, Fritz, and I
had to come tonight, or not at ali.
The dark spot on the snow came near
er and nearer. -,
''The soldier is not allowed to talk
when he is at his post"
"But I want to talk to you. Nobody
can hear us"
"When the relieF guard comes and
finds me here talking to woman, vii!
be locked up in the casemates," said
the soldier sullenly.
"There is do danger Of anybody COM
ing here in this snow storm. I'll be
gone before you are relieved"
laughed the soldier grimlv, shaking him
self do to- get rid of the snow that was
falling thick and heavy. Here you
have thanked me in place where can't
advance or retreat. You have straget-
ic head, you have. There is a staff Of.
ficer lost by you being q woman and
the soldier, tall, handsome specimen
Of the German soldier, laughed heartily.
Kate did not laugh. % the contrary,
she looked sad, and her large black eyes
seemed surcharsed with tears.
"Don;t look at NE so sharp with your
big black eyes. You are SLY one, to
take me by surprise when | have no
chance to fire and fall back. So you
want to talk, do you? Talk away, to
your hearts content, only don't you ex-
pect me to answer you. My oath as a
soldier forbids me to answer you when
am on guard"
"Your oath!" she exclaimed scornful-
", her dark eyes flashing fire. Your
oath" she repeated in ringing voice.
"Can't you remember another oath you
took when my people drove me away w;y
clasped her hands in despair and
eroaned in her misery.
"For Gods sake, Katie, calm yourself.
You cannot reasonably expect me to
take care of a wife and child while am
soldier in the barracks on my
pay" ~ on,, f,r +zreo :, she said in a
fierce tone of voice. "Give me back
nv honor, and l will work for us
"Keep quiet" responded the soldier,
lowering his voice, ''they will hear you
at the guard house, and then l am
| lost"
"Let them hear. Let the whole world
| hear that I came here in the cold and
| snow to remind you, for the last time OF
| your oath: I want you to keep your
word. Make me your wife before God
and man, as you promised me you
would"
/ She looked. beautiful, in all her de-
SPAR and Indebtedness. Fritz looked
away for a moment and then re-
"I'll do all that you wish, Katie, only
keep quiet If the patrol were to come,
we should both be lost"
Doubt and joy were mingled in the
expression of her face, as she almost
shrieked:
"Willyou, Fritz, will your"
The soldier glance around anxlously,
but there was no signs of relief.
$50 help me God, we will be married
Tomorrow"
Her eyes danced with joy, as she
nestled up to him. He threw the cape
| o. his mantle over she shivering form,
and placed his arm around her.
81 always knew you were only thought
less. | knew you were not bad" And
she looked UP trustingly into his face.
| ''You love me yet, don't you, Fritz?"
/ "Of course I do, what foolish question
| to ask"
"But you have not come near me nor
the baby for almost a year."
GLOW could |, penned up here in the
garrison? BY the way, how is the
baby?"
"He is a big, stout fellow. Your moth
er takes good care of him. -.
! "My mother was always good to me, !"
said the soldier with sigh. Many a
time she saved me from whipping.
It's good for us my father is dead. He
| would never have allowed us to marry
| never in this world. He wanted me to
| marry Elise, the rich miller's daughter,
| but wouldn't marry her if she was up
to her neck in money"
"But you will marry me, won't you,
Fritz?'
"You have captured the fort, little
| one. The garrison had to surrender or
die, and would rather surrender and
take my chances Of good treatment"
| "Fritz, please don't joke; it hurts
me-" and she pressed her hand to her
heart. "You used to be joking
all the time, but I suppose you
are cold. You are not dressed warm.
But, Katie, you must 60. 1t is nearly
time for the relic: guard. Are you cold?
! It seems to me you must be lreeZlng.'
| "Ill 60 in a minute. Where will we
live when we are married?'
GAS soon as my term of service has
expired, which will be in few months,
we can get into Silesia and establish a
home there. Hans Stockelbauer, who
used to belong to my company, has Of
fered to sell me farm on easy terms.
We can pay for it when we are able.
| We will live there with the baby all to
ourselves. How GO you like that, little
one?"
| Although shivering with cold, she
looked up into his face and laughed bnt
said nothing. He leaned back against
the stone wall of the magazine, and
drawing his cloak still closer around her
said in a voice full of tenderness.
"Poor thing; you are shivering all
over. Be careful you don't to go sleep.
This snow will keep the patrol back in
making his rounds, bat cold and snow
are treacherous things: A man is apt to
doze off and wake up in kingdom come
if he is not careful. We will have fine
times roaming through the green woods
There is plenty game where we will have
our home, and ] am a pretty good shot.
My captain said yestedav was the best
shot in the company"
81 believe it. You shot me through
the heart, but it is all right now. I'll
never reproach you any more. Fritz
God bless YOU" And she leaned hel
head on his road happy breast. "lts all
right now. viii! be so happy with you
and the baby-so happy"
"Whew! this is dreadful weather.
don't believe the relief guard will eve1
get here through this snow"
Thicker and thicker fell the snow
| The relief Guard was coming at last
! They cleared the way with large snow
shovels, as the snow was too deep to
wade through. The ser-eant OF the
guard calls out, but the sleepers do not