Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-01-09


in spite of this it never seems long to
the tourists vending their way
Brockenwards, there is such a won
derful alienation of dark forests and
blue misty distances, the air is 20
pure and sweet, and the gay little
mountain streams chatter so
mysteriously far down IN the ravines
among the camp, luxuriant ferns.
There is something peculiar about
the Harz forests. The air in them
seems to be more invigorating than
that of other mountainous regions.
At least that is the option of those
who were born there, and they think
also that their home is more beautiful
than any 10 be found among all the
German mountains, for Goethe him.
self has described it and Heine mas
sung it praises. 1t would seem as il
the witches and the gnomes had laid
every one who had ever trodden those
green paths, under their spell.
Light was streaming out of the
little heart-shaped openings in the
heavy window blinds of the dwelling
house, which stood little aside from
the huge black buildings of the iron
works. Every child about the place
knew those six shining hearts; their
friendly light was token of all the
pleasure, gayety, and Happiness that
the youthful OberroderS had ever
known; for these hearts shone out
from the great sitting-rooin or Frau
Bergrath Frey, in which every
Christmas the great tree appeared in
all the splendor of its lighted tapers
and with the gifts for each one Of
them laid underneath.
Yes, the workmens children loved
the stately Frau Bergrath, who was,
moreover, godmother to the greater
number of them; and no village child
ever ventured to boast of having re-
ceived any very great favors from
their Lady Bountiful, at the risk of
hearing from workman's child: ooh,
you! We get all the good things; she
is our Frau Bergrath! She only
gives you a little bit so you needn't
feel left OUT"
But today the children were hud-
ding together in their own homes,
and looking sadly across the broad
common at the flaming hearts in the
big house, and saying to their
mothers; "Will she really die, our
Frau Bergrathin?" The mothers
wiped their eyes and nodded. Yes;
there is no hope; and what we shall
do then God only knows!"
And the work-people were saying
the same thing between the blows of
the heavy hammers, before the red
glow Of the forge fires. What would
they all do if she died?
The old superintendent, Kortmer,
asked the same question, in the sick
woman's sitting-room, of Dr. Maiberg,
who walked necessarily up and down
the dark oak floor. "Ah, if Frau
Jussnitz were only here, Herr
Doctor!"
"She may be here at any moment
now, Herr Kortmer."
Then her mother will get better
You can have no idea of how anxious
she has been about the child ever
since they brought in her future son
in-law, about five years ago. You
know he met with an accident, Herr
Doctor, out shooting. He was an
artist and came here to paint, and
took a fancy to go shooting, aud
thought a gun was as easy to manage
as his mahlstick. Pardautzl He did
get into trouble! Well, as | was say
ing. from the moment that he was
brought in here, she has never had an
easy moment. Love is curious
thing, and a girls heart is past. my
understanding. Who would have
thought that our Ante would take
up with a man like him?"
"My friend, my dear Herr Kortmer,
is just the sort of person to win
girls heart"
Your friend, Herr Doctor? Oh, in
that case-I had better have held my
tongue"
Least said, soonest mended," re-
plltu MdlDeTS WITH smile, LOOKING at
the little old man, who was polishing
his spectacles with his red silk hand
kerchief, and then with a swift
movement put them back on his
hooked nose, which, in conjunction
with two bng round goggles and the
shock of white hair over the fore
head, lent to the face some resem-
blance to a parrot, though without DE-
tracing at all from its amiability.
The superintendent was a really
very nice old man and an absolutely
reliable official, who would have laid
down his life for any of the Frey
family. quite undisturbed by the fact
that his wife would thereby become a
widow.
That is always best. Herr Kort-
mer. have known Jussnitz a long
time now, ever since | was in the
first form. have seen him play all
sorts of mad pranks. but have never
known him do anything that was bad.
He is eccentric. he is extravagant. M