The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-03-06
raped aad She scraped, TN She got him a

scraped and she scraped, till she got him
good pint measure.
Aud us handsome Hans rode away, going
not home. but down towards the meadows of
Farmer Gerold-Rosa stood at the gate with her
hands falling listlessly, and wondered and
pondered deeply.
When Hans rode up the wide avenue that
led to the old red brick mansion of the Ger
ODDS, he saw no one in sight, save the old grand
father summing himself on the porch, and Ber-
tha's little twin brothers playing at his feet.
He sprang from his horse, flung the lines to
a small darkey that came capering from the
back yard, strobe rapidly 10 the half-blind old
gentleman, and inquired loudly for his health,
with the blissful satisfaction of believing that
the scampering twins would soon bring Bertha
to the door,
But in vain he talked to put in the time,
and in vain he looked for the trim foot and
futtering skirts of the pretty butterfly.
Then Hans rose and raped loudly with the
great brass knocher, the changing reverbera-
tions waking sullen echoes in the wide, empty
hall.
A tidy little waiting maid answered the
knock, and stared and trembled as he peremp-
torily inquired for her young mistress, asking
angriiy if she was curling her hair or putting
a new rnffie on her apron.
Neither Sir" said the dainty Bertha, COM
ing softly down the stairs with a roll of
patchwork dangling coquettishly from her
round, plump arm; but as your mood is not
in keeping with the sunshine and the bird
song. goodbye Hans Won Wilcox, until your
temper improves"
And with a graceful curtsy, Bertha, the
butterfly, was Off and away, leaving Hans
standing very foolislly in the doorway.
She turned back mischievously as she reached
the farther doorway, giving Hans time to call
out
Bertha, one moment, Bertha! My brave
brown horse is sick, which has made me
wretched and sad. And, now, can't you get
ne Just thimbieful of scrapings from your
ample bread bowl? For my sake. Bertha, bring
them, OF my horse viii die, and should rather
lose a farm, Bertha, than my brave old st. Nick
But Bertha insisted that there was nothing
in the bowl; and at last. to convince him,
sent the little maid to bring it.
And they all three scraped and scraped and
scraped, but not 50 much as thimbleful could
they get Tor al their pains
Then Hans grew suddenly gay, and forgot all
about his poor brown horse, and asked Bertha
TO walk with him under the Lombardy poplars,
much TO her surprise and TO the wonder OF
good Frau Gerold, looking from an upper
dormeT.
And when they had reached the stile leading
over 10 the melon garden, Hans said:
Bertha. my horse is not sick. He is sleek
and brave, and neighing for the free air and the
breezy highway. By high noon | shall bring
him, saddled and declled fit for q princess.
Bertha, viii you be his mistress and the mis-
trcss OF his master at the same timc?"
And Bertha Gerold said no" three times,
and yes when Hans turned impatiently
for she would not have been Bertha Gerold,
and a butterfly, if she had done otherwise than
she did
Good Frau Won Wilcox, at the cost of much
pain TO her body, though her mind was
strangely at peace, was dressed in clean cap,
kerchief and petticoat and seated snugly By a
glowing fire. Summer days even may be cold
when one has rheumatism in the joints, await
ing the coming of Hans and the fairest maid
on the Slsquehanna. Old Fritz had put on a
clean dicky and a pair of unusually baggy
/ knickerbOckers. and sat mulliEg cider and
roasting apples in the wide corner opposite.
There was clatter of hoofs on the turnpike,
sound of laughter and neighing of steeds,
and then Hans and Bertha came hand-in- hand
/ up the walk, over the broad porch and through
/ the open doorway.
And Bertha kissed Frau Won Wilcox and
/ Frau Won Wilcox kissed Bertha and handsome
Hans too, while jolly old Fritz put on another
mug of cider to null and chuckled softly to
himself as the wise old mother said:
" II was Bertha all the time that / wanted
! for daughter and ! knew the bread bowl test
would bring her home 10 me-"
And Hans opened his eyes wide in astonish-
I ment, and wondered at the cunning of his sim
! ple-hearted. gentle mother.
But there was 10 shade of disappointment OF
his face when he put his strong arm about
/ Bertha and said:
woman that keeps clean bread bowl i:
| tidy, saving aud cleanly,-and worth more
than all of them, if She is Bertha Geroid and &
butterfly"
And so it was that Hans Won Villock's tes
was quoted in the neighborhood, and every
ambitious maiden looked up the highway for
| flying Hans.