Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1903-10-23
FRANZL
DY
c. August Mitchell
tUopyrisht, 1905, BY Daily story Pub. Coz

heard the words his friend spoke to
him in silence. 1t was not the first
time Pollard had striven to help him,
but each time heretofore there had
been something impracticable in 1t.
This time, however, no single note OF
discord appeared in the plan. All
seemed plain sailing, so plain; and
yet Schelmer hesitated.
you give me time for reflection?"
Certainly, but the chance does not
remain open indefinitely. Some man
must fill it, and Schelmer, you have
been given the preference"
Eyes, l know"
Down the straight parallel lines of
steel flashed the headlight of the COM
ing train. simultaneously with tho
appearance came the shrill call for the
signal. 1t was given. The steam was
shut off, and the train .rumbled up un-
der its own momentum. Schelmer
turned idly and watched it. At the
moment the fantasy flashed across his
mind that this relentless oncoming
monster was the physical representa-
ton of his chance. 1t slowed down,
eh, for his climbing aboard, and If he
did not the power would be turned on
again, and he and his little world
would be left to blink after the
rear lights, while the chance itself, his
opportunity, would speed on, unknow-
ing, uncaring, never to return
Pollard's hand sought his and he
awoke with a start.
Already" he muttered stupidity.
Il didn't know you went so soon.
Well, then, if you must, goodbye,
Keep me in mind, and be assured, I'll
answer soon."
For his part, Pollard said just the
right words of reassuring cheer and
goodwill, and then he, too, said good
bye, and swung aboard the nearest day
coach. From the platform he waved a
last farewell and the train slowly
drew away from the miserable little
station.
UnblinkiEgly, Schelmer watched 1t
disappear. Then he arose, and though
there were friends and acquaintances
at the station, he left them behind and
walked on alone.
At last had come to him that thing
which comes to no man twice. In that
career dreaming hours had been
mapped out before him, there at last
beckoned sure call. Long had he
waited for just such, and now that 1t
was proffered him. he found himself
dumb, all but overcome. Silence he
crAyed. and cold reflection; therefore
he chose to walk his way alone. His
friends noted the action, and though
he was Comp2nionable at ali times, so
clearly was his preference expressed
here that no one dared intrude.
Some distance away from the sta
ton lay his home, and unconsciously
toward 1t he turned. 1t was as of a
man seeking sure counsel, but knowing
not whittier to turn, being guided by
some instinct to the only haven.
On the piazza, seated in mis- favorite
focking chair, smoking a faYorite Ger
man pipe, sat his father. On the floor
beside him lay the little paper hereceived
tntermittently from the "Heimath, "
and which was to him as an oracle
speaking from some shrine of Diana
'Vell, Hans, your frent haf gomez
he asked.
Schelmer nodded his head as he
dropped on the step at his fathers
feet.
"Yes. he's gone"
"Vat he haf say?" Old man Schel.
mer did not ask this out of curiosity
1t was merely perfunctory effort tc
be sociable.
Lots of things" replied the boy.
He plucked a leaf from the morn.
ing glory vine and twired it between
his fingers. Here was peace, such di.
vine peace! over across the river
whose fringe of wood even in the star.
light loomed dark and forbidding, ht
heard the cry Of certain birds of the
night. Time without number had they
sung his lullaby in the younger days
and he had come to love them with the
love of early association. Nearer by
he heard the uneasy stamping of The
horses in their stalls. A restless cock
seeing the flash of a lantern, gave
sleepy cry for daylight from the hen
house in the backyard. From down be
low the river bluff came the mutlet
chug-ker-chug OF rowboat.
"Dere's moskeeteTs here" said OLE
man Schelmer, half to himself.
After a moment the young mar
chimed in absently:
Eyes. here some singing arount
here"
He arose to his feet uneasily ant
stretched himself. He wanted to dt
something, he did not know what. Tha
the load on his mind worried him. h,
scarcely admitted even to himself
The old man watched him closely.
''Dere iss funny tings somedme.
happens to beeples." he volunteere,
impersonally. He waited long Will,
10 let this sage observation soak int
the brain of the boy, and then he con
unued:
"You haf hear me speak of Fraa.
Heimler:"
Young Schelmer nodded as h,