Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-08-17

and smooth through a I'm,
~ landscape; on the right un
dulating. richly wooded
heights. the advance guard Of a noun
tain range in the background; on thl
left green, softly-rounded uplands
which in England would be callet
downs" furrowed at intervals By
small, shallow ravines, and sprinklot
with dwelllngs-some Of the better
sort-each with its surrounding oi
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 It's foot clustered the houses Of q
small town, the capital of the district
By the river side. at the embouchure
Of one Of the rayines Just mentioned
the mixed timber and brick built cot
tages Of village were gathered.
And beyond. the dry stony road led
on uphill to a residence Of some pre-
tension. plenufully shaded by beech
and sweet linden trees. opening on a
well-tended garden. and surrounded
by the fields. yards, and belongings
Of Gut or farm.
All slept TRANQUILITY in the golden
haze Of early autumus noontlde heat
The bees hummed as contentedly
the myriads o. the insect world flitted
and danced merrsIv as if no such curse
as war darkened tae earth.
River. trees, hills flowers-all fair
to see.
"All save the spirit Of man was divine"
In the little village of Bergfeld. how.
ever, tbat spirit was much nerturbed.
1t would be more accurate to say the
spirit Of woman was sorely yexed.
for. save young boys and aged earles
scarce any men were left in the Saxor
villages during that unhappy summer
Of 1866, when the little kingdom kepi
faith with Austria so truly. fought SC
gallantly, and bied so freely in the
fatal fight Of Koniggratz.
The poor, hard working creatures
too disturbed to follow their usual
avoeations. 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 tho
fszforcea 4'iprvttestsy ~ the wii,a9e. nnd
a fourth iniliction was expected.
True. the Herr Gerichtsamtmann.
the great man Of the neighborhood,
who always entered into their joys and
troubles. assured them that certain
Naturalization would be given in re-
payment; but that certain seemed to
the Bergfelderlns very uncertain and
distant. whereas the actual Prussian.
gobhling up, was terribly real and
present.
Above, in the Geriehtsamtmann'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 writ'sg ta-
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. dapask cloth or krge
napkin laid diam6nd-wise over the
centre; and standing before the sofa,
on which is the seat of honor. an ell
derly lady IN black. 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 yeranda and gar
den.
Her face was earewcrn, and a world
pf anxious thought lay in the dark
eyes. still so soft and bright
She paused by the door for mo
meut. as the sound of young voices
came from the garden beneath, but
her busy fingers took no rest from their
habitual. perhaps soothing, oceupa-
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. aud before she had well uttered
Herein an old man. who might be
gardener, butler, eoachman. or little
Of all. came and stood twisting bis car
about. while be 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 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 recover.
~They are still hero, are they not
HansT'
@Yes, Frau Amtmann." he replied,
"some of them are still good for little
or nothing"
ut has been a bad business alto
gether."
With a respectful bow he withdrew.
Hans called his mistress; he re-
turned and stood in the doorway.
BE civil to these people, Hans.
"The war is over; the sooner the
breach Is tealed the better; besides
anotner sigh--"we gals nothing py ir-
ritating them"
Hans bowed and again withdrew,
muttering an indignant 'Potztausend"
Fran Gahrine efennad INTO the yer-