The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-02
Hans, the COachman.
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April 2.
! have won my bet and am now
domesticated in the house of the old
Countess Won Bertheim as governess
for her orphan grandchildren. The
bet was this: Half dozen of US girls
all daughters Of mobiles, were speaking
Of the kindness of heart Of the aged
countess. During the chat offered to
bet Laura Won @. 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-you, one of
the wealthiest girls in Dresden-to take
her money! However, the bet was
made-a sealskin coat against dia-
mond ring / put on some old clothes,
went to the countess, told her a pitiful
story and was engaged as nurse. Find
me to be governess.
April 5.
have found it easier to win the bet
than to get away from here. What ex-
cuse can I give the dear old lady for
| one day accepting a position given In
kindness alone and throwing it up the
next? don't mind staying here q 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 post
tons in order that they may find an
object. At any rate, I am in no hurry
| to get away.
April 10.
! / am still with the countess. have
not been so contented since 1 left
school, But one thing troubles me.
Every day the children must drive out
| in the air. and must go with them. I
! do not like to confess it even to N.Y.
self, but ! have such singular feelings
toward Hans. Great heavens, can l
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 l do about his going so
far away from me.
May 2.
1t is a month today since 1 came
here. l made great mistake In COM
ing and a greater mistake in not going
away at once. 1 am daily becoming
more deeply involved-just think Of 1t
with a coachman. Yesterday he pass
ed the gulf that sepal ties us and told
me that he loved me- What shall do?
I can't stay here, and / can't bring my
self to go away. 1 feel all the while
a burning shame. True, told Hans
that if he presumed again ! would tell
the countess and he would be dis
charged, but this was only my weak
ness. should have left the house i'm
mediately.
May 10.
Hans yesterday met me in the gar
den. He was coming from the stables
and | from the house. He asked me
to go to q rustic bench, as he had
something very important to say to me.
Weak creature that was, consented.
He poured out his love in such pas
sionate torrent that he took me quite
off my feet. What did I do but adj
NIT that loved him, though told him
that the difference in our stations must
keep US forever apart. Oh, the weak
ness of a 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 / rash enough, weak
enough, silly enough, to let it come out
that there is a case of the real love
and the object is Hans, the coachmani
May %.
Something very remarkable has
happened. l am going home at once
When the countess paid me my
wages l felt so funny She told me
that have suited her exactly and she
would recommend me for any position
for which I might apply. But wher
the dear old lady added a considerable
sum to what she had agreed to pay
felt my cheeks grow hot, and shed 8
| AcW tCd1S
/ must make a note Of what has
brought about my leaving her service
This morning l went into her boudoil
suddenly without being announced
She was not there, but some one was
there whom | did not expect to find.
It was Hans, the coachman.
My astonishment would not have
been so great had he not been dressed
like a gentleman and was lounging II
an easy chair reading a newspaper. Or
seeing my surprise he smiled.
'Fraulein," he said, 81 am in youl
: power. You may take revenge If yor
like for my presumption. If you repor
me to the government I shall be helt
for military service. live in America
where l have profitable business.
am the countess youngest son ant
| hox 49,