The Press., 1892-07-07
(Hartford City Mission Record.l OUR FLAG WAS THERE.
THE HARTFORD GIRL WITH THE AMERI-
 CAN CoLoRs IN EUROPE.

THE HARTFORD GIRL WITH THE AMERI-
 CAN COLORs IN EUROPE.
 The truth is, it was not my idea in the beginning. The major, who is tremend- ously star-spangled, purchased the silk flags Handkerchief size) the day before we sailed. He carried one in the breast pocket of his overcoat, and the other was folded in the pocket of my reefer. It took up lots of room, and I argued little about his notion of sailing under our own flag, for it seemed trifie obstreperous to me-not good form, don't yer know-to publish the fact of our nationality, and not perfectly in keeping with the refined repression of Hartford's best society. But the major was stubborn, and when we found that several Americans on board the Teutonic wished they had thought of it, too, began to be glad, and take out the bright emblem and look at it occa- sionally, with little warming of the heart which surprised me, for always said I had no patriotism, and wouldn't let my brothers or husband Gf had one) go to war and get killed, on any account. I would rather have them than to see Chilli appropriately thrashed, aud I don't care who knows it.
 We saw comparatively few of our coun- trymen, or, if so, we didn't recognize them, for we were thoroughly Scotch among the bonnie lakes and attractive cities of the land of Scott and Burns, and very English and devoted to cathedrals and mutton in the "tight little island" which rules the seas and the Four Hun- dred of New York. We forgot about our flags for some weeks, until one June day, when we were steaming up the Rhine. Leaving Cologne before nine in the morning, and sitting bolt upright upon those hard, high benches and stiff, straight chairs for twelve long hours is tiresome enough to spoil any less enchanting trip, and was so tired that actually had to be dragged up to see the last of the his toric castles which came into view just before evening. Then there was large party of German officers on board, who monopolized the whole boat and stared and looked so supercilious and satisfied with themselves that I hated them, and was glad we were not going any farther into Germany. But that was before Mark Twain had dined with Emperor William and Hartford was not so much in touch with Prussia as now.
 Suddenly rounding a curve we came iI sight of beautiful villa. and7zhurrah There upon it's highest point foated the stars and stripes! We rushed to that side of the boat, nearly upsetting cor setted love of Prussian officer in oul SCI amble, the major shouted and swung his little flag and tied mine 10 the tip oi my umbrella and waved it frantically.
 The people in the villa saw the colors, and dozen handkerchiefs responded tt our salute. From an upper window ap peared a woman, who threw a towel tl the eeze, while an unseen one snatcheG white cover-lid from the regions within and shook it delightedly until we disap peared behind @ ledge.
 "There, exclaimed the major, 'saren' you glad we brought the flags ?" He wa. red in the face from laughing and nod ding and waving his arms, and sat dowl l q really was surprised at myselD "a lit tie tear-y round the lashes."
 The good common folk on board smile, and nodded and said good-natured thing about Die Amerikanes, but the Prussial officers appeared grimly disgusted witt any one who could be for moment di verted from the consciousness of thei imposing presence. Then, too, you knoy they are not in favor of republics.
 l We spent the Fourth of July in Paris sailing from Havre for home the next day am sure we never celebrated" so en Enthusiastically. Of course there were
 number of Americans in our hotel. w planned to display our flags from ou windows as early as possible in the morn ing, but it was seven o'clock when hear