Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-09-07

trhu Berger was styplcaI O4u Ger
man lady, very ''thick' as to proper
tons and very rosy as to complexion.
Her hair, which had evidently been
blond, was how perfectly white. and
the knitting in her fat little hands was
the brightest OF scarlet stockingsF
We were sitting on the piazza await
Ing the arrival of the stagecoach.
Her blue eyes spariled so pleasantly
behind her eyeglasses that / involun-
tarily drew my rocking chair nearer,
How pretty she must have been as a
girlP' thought 4, go
Perhaps she read my thoughts or
something in my expression suggested
confidence, for she presently smoothed
out her knitting meditatively.
Zach, jai have been in America 10
years, and have also been married 10
years, fraulein."
''How did you happen to conner /
inquired eagerly, and with the fun
biest little accent she began:
ST tell you bout that-something very
Strange. One day 1 met my husband,
next day love him, next day marry
himl You laugh? We also laugh about
Il now.
at was the first day OF June. The
winter had been time OF much sick
ness in Germany, and my father and
mother had both died in less than
three months. 1 had no brothers, no
sisters, and was but Is years old
I'VE We're not rich people, and knew
not what to do at all.
zone Of my cousins was married. and
went to her house, but her husband
was an old man and very cross She
was so kind as a sister to me, but he
was Jealous that she loved me so much
and seemed always TO be angry to me.
l helped take care<of the children and
worked what could, but he did not
like me. and was so unhappy. Many
times / thought would go away, but
did not know where to go.
"One day ! walked out with the lit
tie girl. She was running ahead OF
me. but all at once she stumbled and
fell. / hurried to pick her up, but be-
fore l reached her saw a young man
stoop down and lift her up. She was
generally very shy child, but her lit
tie head Icy quite quietly on his shout
der as he comforted her. was fright
ened, but something in the way his
great, strong arms held her little form
gave me courage. and I tried to thank
him.
Your sisterY he asked, glaring from
her to me.
No. replied; my cousin. Shall Il
not take hep And held up my arms
so. But she only buried her face on
his shoulders and would not look at
me. But he looked at me very hard. IL
knew my cousins husband would scoid
because l had let the child fall and IL
was so miserable the tears Just came
into my eyes and ran down nv face
He saw 1t. know, but he turned TO
the little girl again.
What is your name. little one be
asked.
Lottie Muller she answered.
And where do you liveY
show your And when he put her
down. she took hold of his hand and
pulled him after her, for IL was not far.
Now you know, frauleln, there are
so many MulleTs in Germany like there
are Smiths in America. but when we
came to the house he said, why, here
lives my friend MullerP
And, sure enough, we all went In.
Then heard his name. Carl Berger.
for Herr Muller had known him since |
ne was little boy and was very glad |
10 see him. They talked a long time.
ano mat young man laughed and seem |
ed TO be so happy. In two days he
SAID, i am leaving the fatherland to |
go TO America l seek my fortune |
there. A young country is better for |
young man
II had thought many times of Ameri- |
ca myself, and IL seemed to me for q |
minute as II he was an angel sent to |
tell me about 1t.
oh. SIR cried. please tell US some |
more about American
What have you to do with Ameri- /
car asked Herr Muller. frowning.
Some day l may go there said.
NonsenseP he answered Grossly and |
seemed angry that had spoken. But
the young man smiled and said, So
fraulei1. you would like America, you'll
thinkr And then he told much about
It. and by and by my cousin got some
wine, and we all drank his health and |
luck and a good voyage. only was |
very quiet afterward, because 1 dare
not speak any more. &C
"And my face was burning so much
because | had been spoken to so IN
kindly before a stranger thatIheft the
room and went out into the little gar.
den In front Of our house. Pretty soon
/ heard them saying goodby and knew
that he was going. ! hoped he would 90
through the garden without noticing
me. and 80 turned my face away and
began to break of a rose from q small
bush. But he must have seen me at
once. for he came just up to where II
was standing and held out his hand.
will you not say goodby to me. frau
leipy he asked. Then like a foolish
child and not knoEing az all what ttol
say put into his hand the rose which
was ~ mine. ~ c. L
"'Ah. little one he said. that is a |.