Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-02-05
HANS
PETERSON'S
ROMANCE
BY r. A. Korsmey
Copyright, 1909, by the
s. S. Mcclure Company

| 4 Copyright, 1909, by the Il
S. s. Mcclure Company
&saA tead1aa@ Cd sA@e%
Hulda was having a hard time Of it.
In her heart of hearts she could not
quite decide which one she loved best.
Hans, she had to confess, had some ad-
vantages which weighed with her. Mr..
Barton, the man who owned the place
across the street, was particular about
his furnace man, and she knew he
liked Hans. Besides, Hans could speak
Swedish, and she couldn't deny that it
was pleasant to talk with him in the
accents of the dear old home she had
left so far behind.
But whenever his plain, open counte-
nance, with the blue eyes twinkling be-
low the yellow hair, was pictured in
her mind she blamed him for being a
| little too ordinary. She could see a
dozen such any Sunday in the little
| Swedish church. Now, with man who
| wore long blue coat with five point
ed star on the front Of it and carried a
mahogany club it was different. No
one who looked at him could fail to see
that he, being a part of the govern
ment, was superior to the common run
of men.
James had told her that he was "the
right arm Of the law" and she had
looked her admiration. She had known
him almost as long as she had Hans,
and he was so good to her. On Sun
days in the park he would get her a
seat close up to the band stand. Then
when the concert was over he would
buy some peanuts, and together they
would stroll through the part of the
park that had signs to keep off the
grass stuck up all over it. OF course
he could go anywhere.
James knew that Hans was his rival,
for one Saturday night he had come to
see Hulda and had found Hans there.
Hulda had said:
''Hans, this is Mr.. Daniels"
And Hans had said, II am vaar glad
to see you," while James had mumbled,
'sHow dye do?" and then sat scowling
at the sink all the rest of the evening.
After that James never came on a
Saturday. He asked to be shifted to
| another platoon, SO that he could do his
calling on Monday or Tuesday nights.
Hans did not change his night, and so
they never met at Hulda's home again.
Indeed James took so little pains to
cultivate Hans acquaintance that he
| hof ic .ix1
for living. And this disdainful indif-
ference proved costly in the end.
How Hulda would have learned to
| know her heart had not Hank O'Day,
| the iceman, set in motion a fateful
train Of circumstances one cannot even
| guess. Hank did not know Hulda. He
does not know her to this day. And
all unknowing, unmasked her hearts
desire.
Hank O'Day drove to his ice wagon
a pair of high spirited horses. One
morning when his wagon was empty
his aesthetic instincts led him to lay
his route back to the ice yards along
the street that skirted the park.
Just as the chariot of fate was near
ing Hulda' s@home the chain at the
back Of the wagon slipped and let the
end gate drag upon the ground. Hank
swore softly, stopped his team and
| jumped to the pavement to fasten the
chain. He jerked it quickly through
the iron rings and then-swore again
as the team, alarmed by the sudden
noise, galloped madly down the ave-
nue. and made straight for the nearest
entrance to the park.
The Mortified Hank stood still long
enough to see the end gate banging out
defiance. Then he started after the
runaways as fast as his rubber boots
would let him run.
When Officer James Daniels turned
from his faithful guardianship Of a
bevy Of simpering nursegirls in the
park, he saw coming toward him at
full speed pair of wild eyed horses
and an ice wagon swaying from side to
side. Behind the seat of the wagon
stood man trying desperately to get
hold of the reins.
In an instant James recognized the
waving yellow hair and pale features
as those of Hans Peterson, and in the
same moment, like an inspiration, there
came to him the realization Of his op-
| portunity. He ran out into the road
way and as the flying wagon passed
caught the chain Of the end gate and
swung himself into the box.
AS he gained his feet the wagon
| slowed suddenly, and he lurched for
ward to bring up against the back Of
the sturdy Swede. Selling him firmly
by the collar, Officer Daniels gasped:
Il arrest you-in the name-of the
lawy'
Hans did not quite understand, but
the hand on his collar in the moment
Of his success made him angry.
"Whad yo' say? Led me gov'
81 say you are under arrest" James
was getting his breath again. "This is
against the law, you know"
"Whad is agains' da lawY"
"Driving traffic teams in the park.
Come, you'll have to go with me to the
| station"
The officer tried to pull Hans out Of
the wagon, but the latter still held the
reins and refused to go. In his broken
English he explained, he expostulated,
he all but exploded. Another officer
was approaching.
"Come on now; drop those lines. This
other officer win take care of your
team"
Hans dropped the reins and appealed
to the other policeman. But the new
conner was Indifferent. If Hans had
been arrested, why of course he would
have to go to the station.
The magistrate was busy when they
arrived, and it was upon the officers
recommendation that Hans was allow
ed to go until afternoon, ;when he
would have his hearing. To have Hans
released was the scheme James had
evolved. Hans wouldf have to explain
where he wanted to go. when he left
the house@n the afternoon. Thus (his
employer would learn all and Hans,l at
least disgraced. mightEp possiblyll lose his