The herald., 1894-11-21
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 scrutinized 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.
So! Well, little one, thon shalt knit
me stockings 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 must
close.
From down the village street came
the rattle of drums, bugle note and
the sound of cheers.
''It is bandp' shouted Margarita,
seizing pussy and preparing TO leave
the shade.
wait" Franz said, with thrill in
his tones. 81 have something to say to
thee, liebchen. Dost thou know what
the drnm is crying? 1t is warf'
"War?" she responded, with childish
indifference. "The mother said this
morning that the soldiers We're going to
France. But why dost thou care, dear
Franz"
Herr Steinert returns to tho army
today he said gravely.
'"Then there will bo no more lessons
OH the beautiful trumpet for thee! !
am sorry. But don t mind. Thou wilt
nave me-.
"Margarita, esaid sorrowfully, 81
shall not have thee, for ] go too
'ThouW She stared with wide. in
credulous eyes. Surely, not thou'
"Liebchen,' he whispered huskily.
''Liebchen, wouldst thou have me idle
Mt home when the rest are going!
Wouldst thou haveme acoward? l have
no father or mother, mo sister to mourn
for me, while many go from dear ones
who can IL spare them"
"Thou hast the mother and grand
mother-and thou hast mel" she sobbed.
True, have thee, and thou wilt be
& brave little German maid and make
my going happy"
''When wilt thou go?" she asked,
bravely trying to suppress the sobs
'"This afternoon.
"And who will rido thy horse, Prinz,
when thou art gomez
"Prinz will go with me, for l shall
try for tho cavalry, as my father did be-
fore mo. Harll to tho trumpet! If l
might go as trumpeter! To sound the
charge-that would be glorious But it
is not possible of course. l hope shall
be near Steinert. But come; it is time /
was making ready"
The hours crept awaywith rapid prep
arations and fearful partings. Through
the little town sounded hurrying feet
eager voices, snatohes of warsongs,
rolling drum or bugle's blare. In the
midst of the turmoil Margarita was
missing.
"Where can she be?" queried Frau
Krummer anxiously. "Margarita, Mar
garita, Franz is going!" But no childish
voico responded.
"We mrst CO." cautioned grand
mother, tying her bonnet strings with
trembling fingers. "Come, Lotte.'
"Margarita!" shouted Franz, but
only ~iocking echo gave answer With
sad eyes he gazed once more about the
dear home, then turned away.
At the little station all was confu-
zion. fearful women chung to the ia
theirs, brothers, sweethearts, who laugh
ed and jolzed with heavy hearts. The
long train was laden with troops from
farther south, all pressing forward to
join the crown princes army at Ian
dau. The moment for departure was at
hand
"Auf Wiedersehen, then, dear
friends, said Franz, pressing 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, waitl" cried small voice,
and Margarita clutched his arm.
From thy mothers grave" she
cried, thrusting bunch of blue corn
5 flowers into his hands
For an instant he caught her up in
his arms.
Thanks, liebchen," he whispered,
then, setting her down hastily, ran
through the crowd and jumped upon
the slowly moving train.
= ''Auf Wiedersehen!" he cried, wav-
ing the blue flowers above his blond
head
"Auf Wiedersehen!' echoed Mar
garita, trying to smile through her
tears.
4 ~
Under tho shelter Of friendly hill
detachment Of Bavarian cavalry awaited
the signal to charge. To the left sound.
ed the continuous roar of musketry,
punctuated by the detonations of artil-
lery. From his post as right guide of
the platoon Franz gazed along the lines
OF his comrades in dusty sky blue uni
forms.
Only month had he passed with the
regiment, but the intelligence of the
young student had already made him
conspicuous, and the time had been long
enough to knit his ties of friendship
with the men. Only month, but in
that time the boy had become man.
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