The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-08-22
Frau B@erge'f's Story
BIZ CELIE, GAINES.

S<f1|fOU look very happy this aft
ernoon, Frau Berger!'
@d .'Why not?' she an
(8zzz) swered. MY man is COM
ing, you know"
Frau Berger was typical old Ger
{han lady, very thick as to proper
tons and very rosy as to complexion.
Her hair, which had evidently been
blond, was now perfectly white, and
the knitting in her fat little hands was
the brightest of scarlet stockings.
We were sitting on the piazza await
ing the arrival Of the stagecoach.
Her blue eyes sparkled so pleasantly
behind her eyeglasses that l involun-
tarily drew my rocking chair nearer.
''How pretty she must have been as a
girl!' I thought. ~
Perhaps she read my thoughts or
something in my expression suggested
confidence, for she presently smoothed
out her knitting meditatively.
Zach, ia! have been in America 40
years, and have also been married 40
years, fraulein.'' I
*:How did you happen to Gomez
inquired eagerly, and with the fun
NEST little accent she began: =
II tell you~bout that-something very
strange. -. One day I met my husband,
next day I, love him. next day L marry
him! You laugh? We also laugh about
itSnow. --~,@<s...>-e -:,s@<s, s>vs4ss-a5-,
ut was the first day OF June. The
winter had been a time of much sick
ness in Germany, and my father and
mother had both #died in less than
three months l had no brothers, nc
sisters, and was but Is years old.
1--WE were not rich people, and Iknew
not what to do at all. ~
: "One of my cousins was married, and
l 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-
I helped take care Of the children and
= worked what / could, but he did moi
like me, and L was so unhappy. Many
times l thought I would 60 away, but
did not know where to go.
Zone day walked out with the lit.
tie girl She was running ahead of
me, but all at once she stumbled and
fell. I hurried to pick her up, but be-
fore l reached her saw young man
stoop down and lift her up. She was
generally very shy child, but her lit
tie head lay quite quietly on his Shout
der as he comforted her. l was fright
ened, but something in the way his
great, strong arms held her little form
gave me courage, and tried to thank
him.
"'Your sisterY he asked, glaring from
her to me.
"'No,' replied; my cousin. Shall l
not take her?' 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. l
knew my cousins husband would scold
because l had let the child fall, and |
was so miserable the tears just came
into my eyes and ran down my face.
He saw it, know, but he turned to
the little girl again.
"'What is your name. little one?' he
asked.
"'Lottie Muller she answered.
"'And where do you live?'
"T show yon!' And when he put her
down she took hold of his hand and
pulled him after her, for it was not far.
"Now you know, fraulein, there are
so many Mullers in Germany like there
are Smiths in America, but when we
came to the house he said, why, here
lives my friend Mullerv
"And, sure enough, we all went in.
Then l heard his name, Carl Berger,
for Herr Muller had known him since
he was little boy and was very glad
to see him. They talked a long time,
and that 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 a
young man.
Il had thought many times of Ameri-
ca myself, and it seemed to me for a
minute as if he was an angel sent to
tell me about it.
"'Oh, SIR l cried, please tell us some
more about American
"'What have you to do with Ameri-
ca? asked Herr Muller, frowning.
Some day may go there said.
Nonsense! he answered Grossly and
seemed angry that had spoken. But
the young man smiled and said, so,
fraulein, you would like America, you
think? 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 good voyage, only l was
very quiet afterward, because | dare
not speak any more.
"And my face was burning 50 much
because had been spoken to so I'M
kindly before a stranger that I left the
room and went out into the little gar
den in front of our house. Pretty soon
I heard them saying goodby and knew
That he was going. l hoped he would go