Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-19
MAX EPP'S DAUGHTER

Epp was very proud of his motherless child
 Max Epp was razor maker and poor.
 When Paulein was old enough, she be- came waiting maid in the inn at Colberg. A party of tourists came along. In tho company was Herr Felen of tho Imperial Opera House. Landlord Cobelin, Q cousin of Fcllein, asked Paulein to sing for the gentlemen. Follein was charmed. He offered to take Paulein with him and have her voice cultivated.
 Paulein went away with Herr Fellein, promising to como and get her father when she became great singer.
 Working on razors, talking of Paulein and dreaming of living in luxury occupied Max Epp for tho next few years.
 The papers came into Colberg occasion ally and thoso who could read found much praise accorded Herr Fcllien for having discovered new cantatrico.
 From tho day of her departure Paulein wrote weekly to her "dear old papa" At first they were laboriously printed epistles. Then, as the uncouth country lass. ac- quired intelligence, the letters were writ ten, but they were less frequent.
 As time passed they became wonders of fine penmanship, but lessened in number and in length. They were written upon crested, perfumod notcheads, with sealed envelopes, but they came rarely Finally the papers alono told the still doting par ent that he had daughter
 Max Epp's poverty and illiteracy placed him low in the social scale. As razor maker he was very obscure, but as the fa- ther of Paulein Epp tho famous optra singer, he had elninencc.
 The promise of his child-which he never forgot to mcntion-that when she became successful he should live with her had much to do with his dignifled recep- tion at the inn in Colberg, for the land lord who had been instrumental in get ting tho girl with Herr Fellein, thought Max Epp good for much more beer than he could pay for.
 The frequcnters felt the father of tho celebrated Paulcin entitled to more liba- tions than he could always handle with ease 2
 As time wore on, about the only thing which kept Paulein's promise alive in her old fathers breast were the reiterated re- minders from his bibulous associates at the inn that hewa soon to be tho great man in Frankfort and have his own car riage and servants"
 This sounded very pleasant to the old razor makers ears, and still more so as he surrendered his sobriety to the importun- ings of his companions.
 Permit this word of explanation. Pau lein ceased to write to her father because Landlord Coblein wrote his cousin, Herr Fellein, that old Max was drinking him. self to death. and Fellein read such DOT tions of Cobein's letters to the humiliat- ed and grieved prima donna as apper- tained to her father.
 Completely wrecked by the thousands of toasts ho had joined in the success of his child, old Max awoke one morning to find himself pennilcss, deserted and in durance for petty offense
 When he was brought before the magis- trate, not one of his former friends came to his rescue.
 Are you guilty, Max EppTf
 II must be, else I'd not be here"
 .,Because you are the father of Paulein Epp I dismiss you
 s'I should suffer punishment if l am guilty" he said, leaning over the rail be- fore the magistrate. Overlook nothing because of her. have lived among you these 90 years My Paulein is no more of Colberg She is of the world
 ''God gave her wonderful voice that she might fly over yonder hills and out across the universe. Colberg is nomore to her. Be not patient with me on her &C., count. She would not praise you. She has forgotten Colberg, and you and me-
 II am no longer able to care for myself. am old and unable to work. have no home She has risen; I have fallen. She will go higher, but l cannot go much low CT pray you let mo be sent to the beg gary and pass my days in peace for tho little good have seen."
 So they sent Max Epp to the almshouse. There he puttered about, doing odd chores, growing more feeble, moro forgetful, moro useless
 Ono day rich coach drew up in front of the old Epp cottage and dashing lady alighted
 II want to sec papa
 "Who may you be, fair ladyf' asked the occupant gardener named Kranz.
 II am Paulein Epp Where is my fa- :. ther2'
 The gardener bowed humbly and point ed across tho valley to tho white building so well remembered by Paulein in her childhood and associated with horror and hopelessncss-th nlmshousei
 ss.What The bcggary! My father, Max Epp. pauperl Ny God Quick. driver, quick"
 When she entered the whitewashed doorway and asked to sec Max Epp, they conducted her into tho low ccilinged wing to the side of a bed whercon lay m emaci- ated, white haired imbecile, swathed in homospun, toying with broken razor, his first love.
 On her knees fell the famous vocalist, sobbing as if her heart would break. Again and again she called his name, ca ressed and kissed him and wept upon his sunken breast.
 But the glassy eyes only glnred, and smile of sickening vacancy was all tho rec ognition she received The shattered old man simply gazcd out the window, across tho hills, toward Frankfort
 Was he thinking of the elegant homo she promised hims Was he picturing that gorgeous carriage ho was to have ridden .l tI, 1,eo n yyqrQ