Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-09-26
THE TRUMPETER.

THE TRUMPETER.
'Margaritap'
"Here!" camo child's voice from
beneath linden heavy with bloom.
Franz Hennig entered the shade
where Margarita, with q sleek yellow
cat for companion, sat knitting.
"What is that?" the lad asked.
ga stocking. stupid. Hast thou not
eyes?' the child answered, affecting i'm
patience.
'For me, then?' 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.
$50! Well, little one, thou 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
r her aged mother, who had opened their
doors to the lonely student, three years
frightened by the enthusiastic devotion
of little child. Now this chapter must
close.
From down the village street came
the rattle of drums, bugle note and
the sound Of cheers.
cit is bandr' 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 drum is crying? 1t is warp
WAR" she responded, with childish
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 more lessons
ON the beautiful trumpet for thee! I
am sorry. But don't mind. Thou wilt
have me-"
L
shall not have thee, for go too"
"Thoup' She stared with wide, in
creduIous eyes. Surely, not thour'
''Liebchen," he whispered huskily.
"Liebchen, wouldst thou have me idle
at home when the rest are going?
Wouldst thou have me acoward? I have
no father OF mother, no sister to mourn
for me- while many go from dear ones
who can i'll spare them.'
''Thou hast the mother and grand
mother-and thou hast ne!' she sobbed.
"True, [ have thee, and thou wilt be
a 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 ride thy horse, Prinz,.
when thou art gone?'
"Prinz will go with me, for I shall
try for the cavalry, as my father did be-
fore me. Hark to the trumpet! If I
might go as trumpeterl To sound the
charge-that would be glorious! But it
is not possible, of course. hope shall
be near Steinert. But come; it is time I
was making ready"
The hours crept away with rapid prep
arations and fearful partings. Through
the little town sounded hurrying feet
eager voices, snatches 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
voice responded.
"We must CO." cautioned grand
mother, tying her bonnet strings with
trembling fingers. "Come, Lotte"
"Margarita!" shouted Franz, but
only mocking echo gave answer. With
sad eyes he gazed once more about the
dear home, then turned away.
At the little station all was confu-
sion. fearful women clung to the IA
theirs, brothers, sweethearts, who laugh
ed and joked with heavy hearts, The
long train was laden with troops from
farther south, all pressing forward to
join the crown princes army at Lam
dau The moment for departure was at
hand.
'Auf Wiedersehen, then, dear
friends, said Franz, pressing hearty
kiss upon the cheeks of the two women
who had taken him into their hearts
'Margarita, you will give her my dear
love. I wish"--
''Franz, waitp' cried a small voice,
and 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 in
his arms.
''Thanks, iebchen," he whispered,
then, setting her down hastily, ran
through the crowd and jumped upon
the slowly moving train.
"Auf Wiedersehen!" he cried, way
ing the blue flowers above his blond
head.
"Auf WiedersehenI' echoed Mar
garita, trying to smile through her
tears.
4
Under the shelter of friendly hill
detachment of Bavarian cavalry awaited
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 a month, but in
that time the boy had become man.
Gripping his saber hilt, he settled
himself firmly i'll the saddle. The fire of
German artillery. which had cannon
AIDED the French infantry to prepare the
way for the charge, was slackening.
From over the hill Franz heard the
fierce crack of the enemy's rifles.
On Franz's right waited the two
trumpeters of the squadron. The nearer
o,o ooror focod and alert scanned the