Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-09-28
THE TRUMPETER.

cat for companion, sat knitting
what is that" the lad asked.
"A stocking, stupid Hast thou not
eyes?" the child answered, affecting i'm
patience.
"For me, them Franz captured the
needles and sclutinizcd the work with
covert amusement.
"They were to be thine, but they
grew so small I'm afraid they will be
only large enough for the cat. Mar
garita sighed.
80! Wei, little one thou shalt knit
me stocking another time. He looked
dreamily across the garden TO the quaint
old house which for three years had
been his home.
Three years of preparation for the
university, three years Of unremitting
kindness from the busy housewife and
her aged mother. who had opened their
doors TO the lonely student, three years
frightened Ivy tie enthusiastic devotion
of little child. Now this chapter must
close.
From down the village street came
the rattle of drums, a bugle note and
the sound of cheers.
at is band!" shouted Margarita,
Selling pussy and preparing to leave
the shade.
"Wait, " franz said, with thrill in
his tones 4 have something to say to
thee, hebchen. Do,t thou know what
the drum is crying: 1t is war;
War" she responded, with childish
indifference. The mother said this
morning that the soldiers were going TO
France. Bnt why dost thou care, dear
Franz"
"Hcrr Steinert returns 10 the army
today, he said graycly.
Then there viii be no more lessons
on the beautiful trumpet for thee! l
am sorry. But don't mind. Thou wilt
have me. "
"Margarita, " lie said sorrowfully, 81
shall not have thee, for / 90 too.
"Thour' She stared with wide, in.
credulous eyes. Surely, not thoun'
"Licbchon, he whispered huskily.
"Liebchcn, wouldst thou hayo ne idle
at home when the rest are going;
Wouldst thou have me Il coward? l have
no father o. mother, no SISTER TO mourn
for Inc, while many 90 from dear ones
who can I'll spare them
Thou hast the mother and grand
motltcT-and thou Last metz -ha sobbed.
''Trle, | have thee, and thou wilt Do
brave little German maid and make
my going happy. y
"Whcn wilt tA0u go:" she asked,
bravcly trying to suppress tho sobs.
This afternoon -
"And who Will ride thy horse, Prinz.
when thou art goEc:'
"PriHH Will 80 with nc, for | shall
try for tho cavalry, Is my father did be-
fore ne Hank 10 the trumpet If !
might 20 rs trumpct,r! 70 sound the
chargC-that would be glcriousl But il
is not possible, Of course. | hopo / shall
he near .Stcincrt. Outcome; it is time
was making ready.
The hours reptaVay with rapid prep
arat. ous and fearful Iartiuas. Through
the little town sounded hurrying feet
eager voices, snatchcs Of warsongs,
rolling drum or bugle's blaze In the
midst of tho turmoil MarEarita was
missing
"Whcro can sho be-" qG0icd Frau
Krummcr anXiousl~. "Marsagita, Mar.
garita, IranHis aoiu2!' Butno childish
voice responded.
we must 20, " cautioned grand.
mother, tying her bonnet strings with
trembling fingers. Come Lotto. "
"Margarita" shouted Franz, but
only a mccl.ing echo gave answer With
sad eyes he galed once more about the
dear home, then turned away.
At the little station al was confu-
sion. fearful women chung 10 the ia.
Tiers. brothers, swuothcurts, who laugh
ed and jokcd with heavy hearts. The
long train was laden with troops from
farther south, MI pressing forward Co
Join the crown princes army at Ian.
dan. Tho moment for departure was az
hand.
"Auf Wiedersehen, then, dear
friends, " said Franz, pressing hearty
KISS upon the checks of the two women
VINO had taken him into their hearts.
"Alargarita you will give her my dear
love. / Wish'--
''Frauz, waltz cried small voice,
and Margarita clutched his arm.
Prom thy mothers grave, she
cried. thrusting a bunch of blue corn
flowers into his hands.
For an instant he caught her up in
his AIMS.
'Thanlis, liebchen, he whispered.
then, setting her down hastily, ran
through tho crowd aud jumped upon
the slowly moy1ag train.
"Anf Wiedersehe,t he cried, way
ing the blue flowers ab9ye his blond
head
"Auf WiodersehGnl" echoed Mar.
garita, trying to smile through her
tears
Under tho shelter of friendly hill a
detachment of Bavarian cavalry awaited
the gnal 20 charge. TO the left sound
ed the continuous roar of musketry,
punctuatcd by the detonations of artii-
lery. From his post as right guide of
the platoon Franz gazed along the lines