The Tucson citizen., 1902-01-10
Frau Bergen'S Story.
by lie GAINES.

trau bcFEtF WIS Il tNplNdl ''N Nv
man lady, very "thicL" as to proper
tious and very rosy as to complcNion
Her hair, which had evidently been
blond, was now perfectly white, ana
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 | involun-
tarily drew my rocking chair nearer.
"IIow pretty she must have been as q
girl" l thought.
Perhaps she read my thoughts or
something III my expression suggested
confidence. for she presently smoothcd
out her knitting meditatIycly.
Zach, ia! have been in America 40
years, and have also been married 10
years, fraulein."
Glow did you happen to Gomez l
inquired cagcrly. and with the fun
niest little accent she began;
81 tell you bout that something very
strange One day l mot my husband.
next day love him. next day marry
him. You laugh? We also laugh about
it now.
at was the first day Of June. The
winter had been time of much sick
ness in Germany, ana my father and
mother had both died in less than
three months. l had no brothers, no
sisters, aud | was but Is years old.
1--WE were not rich people, and l knew
not what 10 do ut all.
zone of my cousins was married. and
! went 10 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.
/ helped take care of the children and
worked what | could. but he did not
like me. and l was SO unhappy Many
times | thought l would go away. but
did not know where to 90.
zone day l walked out with the lit
tie girl. She was running ahead Of
me. but all at once she stumbled and
fell. l hurried TO pick her up, but be-
fore reached her | saw young man
stoop down and lift her up. She was
generally a very shy child. but her lit
tie head lay quite quietly on his shoul-
dersas he comforted her. / 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 sister? he asked, glaring from
her to me-
"'No,' I replied; my cousin. Shall
not take herr 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.
knew my cousins husband would scold
because | 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 liveY
"T show you" And when he put her
down she took hold of his hand aud
pulled him after her. for it was not far.
Now you know, fraulcin, there are
SO many Mullers in Germany like there
are Smiths in America. but when we
came 10 the house he said, Why, here
lives my friend Muller"
"And, sure enough. we all went in.
Then | heard his name. Carl Berger.
for Herr Muller had known him since
he was a little boy and was very glad
to see him. They talked long time,
and that young man laughed and seem
ed to be so happy. In two days he
said, 4 am leaving the fatherland to-
go to America. seek my fortune
there. \ young country is better for a
young man.
II had thought many times Of Ameri-
ca myself, and it seemed to me for
minute as II he was an angel sent to
tell me about 1t.
"'Oh. sir. cried. please tell us some
more about America!
"'What have you to do with Amerl-
ca? asked Herr Muller. frowning.
"'Some day l 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? I'd then he told much about
it, and hy 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 | dare
not SPEAK any more.
"And my face was burning so much
: because had been spoken to so I'M
kindly before stranger that left the
room and went out into the little gar
& den in f. Mt Of our house. Pretty soon
II heard them saying goodby and knew
s$hat be was going hoped he would so
through the garden without noticing
me. and so l turned my face away and
began to break off rose from small
bush. But he must have seen me Mt
once, for he came just up to where
was standing and held out his h4 nd.
"Will you not say goodby to me, frau
tefn? he asked Then like a foolish