The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-26
Poor German-American's Novel
Accepted by Big Stutt-
CART Publisher.
HAILED AS GREAT WORK.
Strange Story of Hugf Bertsch's
Romance, brother and Sis ,
ter" Which VIII Soon Be
Published.


REPUBLIC SPECIAL
New York. March A-There is no happier
man and no proudsr woman in all the land
to-day than Mr.. and Mrs. Hugo Bertsch'
who live al No 90 South Eighth street.
Williamsburg. Hundreds OF their friends
called to-day to congratulate them on the
acceptance of Bertsch's novel which VIII
be published next week by Gotta, q leading
which an introduction has been written by
Adolf Wilbrandt, one OF the foremost Ger
man writer's, claiming that Bertsch Il on a
plane with Maxim Cork. the great hun
garian rumancist-
But Bertsch's head isn't q bit turned by
the success OF his pen. To-day he went TO
work Just as II he were not aware thai the
ambition OF his life had been realized and
the priyation OF many years recompensed-
Alone with her two CHILDREN; Nay =
Bertsch received the words that brought
smiles 10 her lips and tears to her eyes
The book details the experience OF Tob
By an accident. has TO struggle against
starvation, these struggles being described
In letters 10 his sister. Jennie, the vile OF
a poor Western miner.
HOW BOOK WAS WRITTEN.
In speaking OF it to-day Mrs. Bertsch said
for fourteen months. Night after night"
she declared. he would come home, tired
with his days exsrtions, and after sup
per would sit down and write.
When It came time for the children 10 60
to bed he was still writing and hnallyNh
light was the only one left burning In the
1t was often 1 o'clock when he finally
put up his pen. / often told him he was
was nSthII.S put rubbish. He would only
smile and say, Never mind, some day l Will
be a great man Once when ! spoke 10 him
about the foolishness or staying up SO late
what I am writing Will some day Gre
ate a sensation in the world
Then he would read TO me parts oS what
he had written and / would help him. but !
never could see ANYTHING in IL that would
startle humanity. SO I was Rstounded when
Tie news came telling OF Hugo's success,
glad that at least a part OF his prophecy
OF course. the children do not quite IN
derstand Just yet what this means. but
the are very much elated. although their
the material in the book was my husbands
experience since he was 4 years old
STORY OF A LIFE.
The story of how he wrote the book Is the
story OF his life. Born In the Black Forest
OF GERMANY. he left his home when 4 years
old K 10 learn arr , his trade h 81 f ma ioriitv bs r-
turned to Germany and, Ike a good citizen.
served his term of three years In the army.
as E s1Sh and bis Old trade.
During his life he has Travelled all over
the world. partly as a sailor. but vorkng
came TO Brooklyn and soon afterwards
married. His bride was an American girl,
and has helped him faithfully through his
struggles
Physically, Bertsch IS q ruggedly burlt
man OF 20 years. with a thick black mus
tache ana Dony hands. which tell OF long
and hard work
He speaks English badly, although his
grammar Is correct, and he Is quick, bright
and sensible
Before leaving home to-day, surrounded
by his family, he was almost too happy to
speak about his book. He said that when
about 90 pages had been finished he had
sent IL 10 a friend to be looked over.
ACCEPTED BY
Tit name OF the book was Brother and
Sister," and the name of the friend was
Adolf WIlbrandt. whom he had known IN
his youth. and who IL now a playwright
author and editor. The book deals with
different conditions OF the church, social
questions, philosophy. the kindergarten sys-
TEN. the labor movement and other Ques-
tons agitattng America.
After sending part OF his book to his
friend Bertsch began another work. On
March IL he received g letter from Mr.. VII
c~omplimenting him. The same let
ter said that IL bad been given to the pub
fishing firm Of Gotta. which has been es-
tablished for 100 years, for consideration.
Then came the good news that the book
was actually to be published
Mr.. Bertsch Is employed by Alch & Co.
in West One Hundred and Tventy-hfth
street, snd has TO be at his work In Har-
lem at 7 O'Clock. leaving for home late at
night. Long hours. he said to-day. and
smiled sadly After all his years OF work
he Il still poor.