Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-11-09
THE TRUMPETER.

'Here!' came child's voice from
beneath linden heavy with bloom.
Franz Homig entered the shade
whore Margarita, with sleek yellow
cat for compauiou, sat knitting.
"What is that" the lad asked
"A stocking, stupid. Hast thou not
eyes," the child answered. affecting i'm
patience.
For me- then Franz captured the
needles and scrutinizcd 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.
$50! Well, 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 by the enthusiastic devotion
of a little child. Now this chapter mus
close.
From down the village street came
the rattle of drums, bugle note an
the sound of cheers.
1T is bandp' shouted Margarifs,
seizing pussy and preparing to leave
the shade.
"Wait, " Franz said, with thrill in
his tones. Il have something to say to
thee, liebchen Dost thou know what
the drum is crying? 1t is war;
War;" she responded with chiIdis h
indifference. THE mother said this
morning that the soldiers were going to
France. But why dost thou care, dear
Franz"
Herr Steinert returns to the army
today, he said gravely.
Then there will be no III ore lessons
on the beautiful trumpet for thee!
am sorry But don't mind. Thou wilt
have me"
"Margarita, he said Sc n1owfully. 81
shall not have thee, for J. go too "
Thou" She stared. with wide. in.
credulous eyes. Sure ~, not thoun'
''Liebchen, he Whispered huskily
"Liebchen, wouldst thou have me idle
at home when me rest are going?
Wouldst thou hay emo acoward? l have
no father or mot .hor, no sister to mourn
for me, while many - from dear ones
who can i'll 81 are them.
Thou III st the mother and grand
mother-ar a thou hastmc" she sobbed.
True, ( have thee, and thou wilt ho
brave ittlc German maid and make
any goin happy.
wv hen wilt thou go:" She asked.
bravcly trying to suppress the scbs.
This afternoon.
And who will ride thy horse, Prinz,
when thou art gonc:'
"Prinz Kill go with me, for / shall
try for tho cavalry, as my father did be-
fore me- Hark to the trumpet If |
might go rs trumpctcr' To sound the
charge-tLat would be glorious! But it
is not possible, of course. l hope l shall
be near Steinert. But come; il is time L
was making ready.
The hours crept away with rapid prep
arations and fearful partiuEs. Through
the little town sounded hurrying feet
eager voices snatchCs Of warsongs
rolling drum or bugle's blaze. In the
midst of the turmoil Margarita was
missing
Where can she bc:" queriod Frau
Krummer anxiouslv. "Marguta, Mar
garita, Francis going' Bat no childish
voice responded.
"Wo must 60 cautioned grand
mother, tying her bonnet strings with
trembling fingers. Come, Lotto "
"Marsarita!" shouted Franz, but
only hooking echo gavo answer With
sad eyes he gazed once more about tn
dear home, then turned away.
AT the little station all was confu-
sion. fearful women ching - the IA
theirs, brothers, swcsthcarts, who laugh
cd and joked with heavy hearts. The
long train was laden with troops from
farther south, all pressing forward to
join tho crown princes army at Ian
dau. The moment for departure was at
hand.
"Auf Wiedersehen, then dear
friends, - said Franz, pressing a hearty
kiss upon the checks Of the two women
who had taken him into their hearts.
"Margarita, you will give her my dear
love / wish -
Franz, wait" cried small voice,
aud Margarita clutched his arm.
From thy mothers grave, she
cried, thrusting bunch OF blue corn.
flowers into his hands
For an instant he caught her up il
his arms.
Thanks. liebchen, lac whispered
then, setting her down hastily, rar
through the crowd and jumped upon
tho slowly moving train.
"Auf WiedcischCnr' he cried, way
ing tho blue flowers above his blonc
head.
"Auf Wiedersehenl" echoed Mar
garita, trying TO smile through he
tears
Under tho shelter of friendly hill
detachment o. Hdya1an cavalry awaitc'
the s.ual ~ charge. To The left sound