Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-04-16
Hans, the COachman.
Goriginal.l

for her orphan grandchildren. The
bet was this: Half dozen Of us girls,
all daughters OF mobiles. were speaking
countess. During the chat offered to
bet Laura ven @. that I would get a
job from the old lady by simply ask
ing for one. Laura said: You ought
to be ashamed OF yourself one Of
the wealthlest girls in Dresden--to take
her money! However, the bet was
made-a sealskin coat against a dia-
mOnd ring. / put on some old clothes,
went to the countess, told her a pltiful
story and was engaged as nurse. Find
ing that ! was educated, she promoted
me to be governess.
April 3.
have found 1t easier to win the bet
than to get away from here. What ex-
cuse can l give the dear old lady for
one day accepting a position given in
kindness alone and throwing 1t up the
next2 / don't mind staying here a bit.
My duties give me occupation. the chill
dren are dear little things. and the
countess is all loneliness. They say
many daughters Of wealthy people in
America are nowadays accepting posi-
lions in order that they may find an
object. At any rate, am in no hurry
to get away.
April IS.
l am still with the countess. have
not been 50 eontented since / left
school. But one thing troubles me.
Every day the children must drive out
In the air, and must go with them. |
do not like to confess 1t even to my
self, but l have such singular feelings
toward Hans. Great heavens, can /
be falling In love with a coachman?
He never addresses me except when
address him. Then he talks delight
fully. He has been to America and
tells me many things Of that remark
able people. He says he's going back
there to make his fortune. 1t frightens
me to feel as do about his going so
far away from me.
May2.
1t Is a month today since l came
here. l made a great mistake in COM
ing and greater mistake in not going
away at once. l am daily becoming
more deeply involyed-Just think Of 1t
with a coachman. Yesterday he pass
ed the gulf that separates us and told
me that he loved me. What shall dO7
/ can't stay here, and l can't bring my
self to go away. l feel all the while
a burning shame. True, told Hans
that If he presumed again l would tell
the countess and he would be dis
charged, but this was only my weak
ness. l should have left the house i'm
mediately.
May TO-
Hans yesterday met me in the gar
den He was coming from the stables
and l from the house. He asked me
to go to a rustic bench, as he had
something very important to say to me.
Weak creature that was, consented.
He poured out his love in such a pas
slonate torrent that he took me quite
of my feet. What did l do but ad-
NIT that loved him, though told him
that the difference In our stations must
keep us forever apart. Oh, the weak
ness OF woman's pride when love
comes!
May Is.
A letter from Laura today saying
that she is ready to pay the bet she
had lost and asking what in the world
Is keeping me here. l have replied
that love every one here so well that
can't tear myself away. Horror OF
horrors! Am l rash enough, weak
enough, silly enough, to let 1t come out
that there Is a case Of the real love
and the object Is Hans, the coachman7
May %
Something very remarkable has
happened. am going home at once.
when the countess paid me my
wages felt so funny. She told me
that l have suited her exactly and she
would recommend me for any position
for which | might apply. But when
the dear old lady added a considerable
sum to what she had agreed to pay
felt my cheeks grow hot. and shed a
few tears.
l must make a note of what has
brought about my leaving her service.
This morning went into her boudOlr
suddenly without being announced.
She was not there. but some one was
there whom did not expect to find.
1t was Hans. the coachman.
My establishment would not have
been so great had he not been dressed
like a gentleman and was lounging in
an easy chair reading a newspaper. On
seeing my surprise he smiled.
"Fraulein." he said. II am In your
power. You may take revenge II you
IKE for my presumption. If you report
me to the government l shall be held
for military service. live in America,
where l have a profitable business.
am the countess youngest son and
have been Obliged to make my own
career. Desiring to see my dear old
mother, have come lncog. that may
not have TO spend several yeras here in
tho army, The only real coachmau's
duty | have performed has been to
drive you and my nephews and nleces,
who do not know that am their