The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-02-16
HANS
PETERSON'S
ROMANCE
BY r. a. korsmeyer
Copyright, 1905. br the
s. s. Mcclure Company

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 il
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 q
little too ordinary. She could see a
dozen such any Sunday In the little
Swedish church. Now. with man who
wore a long blue coat with five point
ed star on the front of 1t and carried a
mahogany club II 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
seat close up to the band stand. Then
when the concert was over he would
I.,,.-
would stroll through the part OF the
park that had signs TO keep of the
grass stuck up all over it or 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,
"How dye dor 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. 50 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
never even learned what his rival did
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 ker to this day. And
yet II was none other than Hank who.
all unllnowing. 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 ierlled il quickly through
the iron rings and then-swore again
as the team. alarmed by the sudden
noise. gailoped madly down the ave
nue. and made straight for the nearest
entrance TO the park.
The Mortified Hank stood still long
enc"gh to see the end gate banging out
de.Lnce. 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 al
full speed a pair of wild eyed horses
and an ice wagon swaying from side to
side. Behind the seat OF the wagon
stood a 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 ano
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 oi
the sturdy Swcde. Seizing him firmly
by the collar. officer Daniels gasped:
81 arrest you-in the name-of the
lnwr'
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 gor'
81 say you are under arrest" Jane:
was getting his breath again. This 1:
against the law. you know"
"Whad is agains' da lawT'
Driving traffic teams in the park
Come. you'll have to go with me to tn,
station
The officer tried TO pull Hans out o.
the wagon. but the latter still held tn,
reins and refused TO go. In his broker
English be explained. he expostulated
he all but exploded. Another office
, was approaching.
"Come on now; drop those lines. Thi
, other officer will take care OF you
, team"
/, Hans dropped the reins and appeale'
, TO the other policeman. But the new
! conner was Indifferent. If Hans ha,
|, been arrested. why Of course he woult
, have to go to the station.
The magistrate was busy when the,
arrived. and 1t was upon the o.Bceri