The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-12-21
PART /.
2 I.

NAN 49,
tain range in the background; on tie
left, green, softly-rounded uplands,
which in England would be called
"'downs,' furrowed at intervals by
small, shallow rayines, and sprinkled
with dwellings-some of the better
sort-each with it's surrounding OF
. trees and cultivation.
Away up the river, where it emerged
from the hills, stood a lofty mass of
rock, crowned by a gray Schloss, and
at its foot clustered the houses of a
small town, the capital of the district.
BY the river side, at the embouchure
of one of the ravjnes just mentioned,
the mixed timber and brick built cot
tages of a village were gathered.
And beyond, the dry stony road led
ON uphill to a residence Of some pre-
tension, plentifully shaded by beech
and sweet linden trees, opening on a
well-tended garden. and surrounded
by the fields. yards, and belongings
of a "Gut" or farm.
Ali slept TRANQUILITY in the golden
haze of early autumn's noontide heat.
The bees hummed as c~ontentedly,
the myriads of the insect world fitted
and danced merrily as if no such curse
as wal darkened the earth.
River, trees, hills, fowers-&l fair
tic see.
"All save the spirit OF man WAS divine"
In the little village of Bergfeld, how
ever, that spirit was much %perturbed.
1t would be more accurate to say the
spirit of woman was sorely yexed;
for, a V young boys and aged carries,
scarce any men were left in the Saxon
villages during that unhappy summer
of 1866. when the little Kingdom kept
faith with Austria sc truly, fought so
. gallantly, and bled so freely N the
fatal fight of Koniggratz.
The poor, hard working creatures,
too disturbed to follow their usual
'avocations, clustered round the White
Pigeon Gasthof and the trough from
which the horses drank, talking to-
gether, vaguely wondering when the
march of the victorious Prussians
would cease.
Already two divisions had tasted the
enforced hospitality of the village, and
a fourth infection was expected.
True, the Herr Gerichtsamtmann,
the great man of the neighbOrhood,
who always entered into their joys and
troubles, ASSURED them that a certain
indemnitication would be given in re.
payment; but that certain seemedsto
the Bergfelderins very uncertain IN
distant, whereas the actual Prussian,
gobbling up, was terribly real and
present.
Above, in the Gerichtsamtmann's
pleasant home. under the shady lin
dens, care and sorrow were also pre-
dominant.
In the cool, parQue'd salon, with its
highly polished, inlaid, brass handled
commodes, Schranks, and writing ia
bles; its straight backed chairs, and
comfortable Lehnstuhle; its wicker
stands of flowers, and principal table
with a red cover, and the invariable
snowy, satiny, damask cloth OF large
napkin laid diamond-wise over the
centre; and standing before the sofa,
on which is the seat of honor, an ell
DERBY lady in black, a white lace hand
kerchief tied loosely over her soft
gray hair, was walking slowly to and
fro before the open windows and glass
door which led TO the veranda and gar
den.
Her face was careworn, and a world
of anxious thought lay in the dark
eyes, still so soft and bright.
She paused by the door for q mo-
ment, as the sound Of young voices
came from the garden beneath, but
her busy fingers took no rest from their
habitual, perhaps soothing, occupa-
ton; and, with eyes and thoughts far
away, Frau Ghering's deft fingers
knitted on.
A knock at the door of the salon
failed to rouse her; a second. more
sharply administered, drew her atten-
ton, and before she had well uttered
Herein" an old man, who might be
gardener, butler, coachman. or a little
of all, came and stood twisting his cap
about, while he said, with some embar-
rassment:
"a Prussian Hussar wants to speak
with our master"
He has ridden to the town, Hans.
You must speak with the soldier your
self" said the lady with q sigh.
do not forget to tell him that we
can take but few horses, as the last
party billeted here left so many be-
hind to o
They are still here, are they not,
Hansp
Yes. Frau Amtmann,". he replied.
"some of them are still good for little
OR nothing
1T has been a bad business alto
gether."
With q respectful bow be withdrew.
Hans" called his mistress; he re-
turned and stood in the doorway.
BE civil 10 ;i,pse people, Hans.
The war is over: the 0 II the
breach is healed the better; besides
another sigh-"we gain nothing by il
ritating them"
Hans bowed and again withdrew,
mutteriDg an indignant "Potztausend"
Frau Gehring stepped onto the YER
anda, and. after a glance at the fail
scene which spread beneath her, called
softly: "Lisabet; are You there, Lies?'