Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-11-21

her foreign masters. The wagoners
were members, too, and the goods they
brought were arms, which they stored
in the cellar; and there, in what had
been Lorchen's prison. the confederates
held their meetings. On these occasions,
now that we knew what was going on,
we used to do our part by lighting up
the chandeliers in the drawing-room,
clinking glasses together and carrying
wine glasses and dishes to and fro, 10
divert attention from what was going on
down below, and to throw dust in the
peoples eyes.
Gas soon as ever our good king issned
his ap2 peal TO my people, we saw the re-
suit of all these secret preparations. The
enthusiasm was tremendous, and every
German heart was all aglow. Oh, child,
it was grand time, and shall never
forget the day when the pastor read out
the kings proclamation in the market
plaQes-for there was not room for the
crowd in the church-and called on all
the men 10 come forward and take part
in holy war to expel the enemy. There
never was such excitement before or
since! Friends and acquaintance en-
braced one another, and the most bitter
enemies shook hands. The first to vol
unteer to fight for wife and child, and
home, were Karl Dernau and my Fritz;
and numbers and numbers followed their
example. Then came the leave-takings,
and those were sgd enough. l tainted
away, but Lorchen behaved like little
heroine.
"We two kept together through all
that time of terrible waiting and lighting
ard misery. But at last-at last came
the news Of victory, and all the hills
blazed with bonires. The fatherland
was free, and our loved ones were safe
and coming home crowned with laurels.
We had suffered a great deal, but we
thought ourselves fortunate in having
been allowed to look on while such great
events were doing.
.'But where have / got to with my
chattering? I was only going to tell
you"
"Oh, Granny" l interrupted, .syou
have not told me bit too much; could
listen all day-"
"Well," said she with smile, ''you
deserve something for giving up going
to the chapel to sit with an old woman.
When l began I only intended to tell
you how Aunt Dernau was imprisoned
in the cellar. that you might see what o
dangerous gift beauty is."
HIN, Granny, / don't like your
moral" answered. ssThe French are
far enough off now; aud for my own part
/ shouldn't mind running the risk of be.
ing tolerably nice-looking."
Granny was going to scold, but the
corners of her mouth twitched, and be.
fore she could recover herself had
jumped up, exclaiming:
Listen, the bells have been ringing
this long time; the wedding is over, and
they will be here directly"
Iwent once more hastily through the
rooms to see that everything was in or.
der. and then l strewed flowers all down
the stairs to the front door, and then
Granny and waited at the window.
Soon the head of the procession made
its ppearance-such q long, long pro.
cession First came the old people, sew
eral couples, and then the young ones,
and lastly the grand children, all decked
with flowers; but the bridal pair, who
were that day celebrating their golden
wedding, were the most beautiful sight
Of all.
Aunt Dernau looked lovely in her
blue.fowered damask and three-corn.
cred lace handkerchief, with the golden
sprays Of myrtle in her hair; and Uncle
Dernau, with his snow.white curly hair,
and tall, upright figure. looked most dig
pified. and quite grand, too; for beside
the golden sprig in his button.hole, he
wore the orders and decorations which
he had won during the war. How ten.
der and careful he was of his little wife,
too.
Just as tender and affeciionate as he
had been to the young beauty, when he
married her in the sunny May time fifty
years ago.