The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-09-18
The Return
of The Fischers


Mrs. Fischer came in. Four months
before Mrs. Fischer had said farewell
to all of her friends, for she was re-
turning to Germany to live in peace,
comfort, quiet and comparative lux
ury after years of hard work in Amer
lea. Mrs. Waldvogel asked no ques-
lions. Like a sensible woman she
poured cup of coffee and cut some
cake for the unexpected guest. Then
Mrs. Fischer explained, without being
pressed, and she spoke in English,
though German came more natural to
her.
"Ach," she said, shaking her head
dolefully, what a mistake! Nothing
what l thought. Potsdam is still beau
tiful, yes; but the living had me near
grazy. like to live good and I can
pay for it. But my own mother, near
so though she is, says right away:
"In heavens name, Freda, do your
servants eat what you do on the
| table,
And why not? There was so much
cooked, so much meat, so much vege-
tables, and what was left over they
could have But no. Mother was after
me.
you'll ruin everything with your
American ways. All our good serv-
ants will be ruined and want meat
three times the week. Count them out
their coffee beans. Weigh them out
the lard for their good, rye bread.
7 nt bap box tn he
| fat of the ham, Let them have their
good, nourishing, fine bean soup. Give
them wuerst to it once the week. But,
| Freda, don't let them have meat. 1t
makes them lazy. And the butter and
eggs! Oh, this America; this Amer
lea! 1t has spoiled me my own
child!'
you'll ruin the servants here she
said walking up and down wringing
| her hands, A mark, or two marks
for the New Year. Very good! But
will you give a mark here and mark
there every time they do the work
they should to do?'
"Then she came back to the way l
fed them and paid them. Three good
| girls they were, and the cook only had
25 marks a month. 1t was too much.
must pay her but 90, or maybe she'd
work for 81, or 90. Always looking
to give them mark less, little food
less, or food that was cheaper AL
ways must watch to see they didn't
eat too much, or that they didn't
waste, or that they didn't send food
out.
Il knew what my table cost, and
what l was getting and should get.
But no, mother would have it that I
must get more and save and save
Butter was high, so I must give my
people lard or beef drippings For a
treat when they tried out the leanard
they could have the cracklings with
apples But the other fat must be
kept away from them so they could
not eat too much. Let them have
their crumb cake three nights the
week. But a couple of pieces from
my own table! l was not to think
of it.
by the way my mother and the
rest of the family acted one would
think I had insulted the kaiser, or
didn't know how to run my own house
hold. I was getting good work from
my servants, and If people would
leave me alone I could be comfortable.
Then my friends began. How could
they with their stingy little incomes
be extravagant like Americans? I
was setting bad Example. l was put
ting on airs. I was making every one
discontinued with their lot. I gave
the grocer boy a mark because he
was such bright, obliging little fell
low. A week after the grocer blamed
me because the boy ran away to
America. Then outside people began
to want to get things from me. The
storekeepers tried to charge me lit
tie more. For my own family was
Christmas tree, and I had to settle
little bills that Max ran up or l had to
buy an outfit for Martha that she
should look we'll and get husband.
always they had their hands out
to me, every one. You know well
enough how it was with us. We were
not rich, maybe if we have $4,000
year we are lucky. What is that?
And worst of all my man was cranky.
One night the trouble came when my
mother and sister and some friends
were by me and telling what l must
do. My man Otto he ups with his
cigar and throws it right on the car
pet and says in English:
"Oh, hang it! / wish I was in
Yorkville. I'm going home
"They knew he was mad, but they
didn't know what he said. Right be-
fore the whole of them l Rugged and
kissed him.
lotto said, crying. It's the hap
piest day of my life
Everything we sold right away and
came back. Ach, no, Mrs. Waldvogel,
it's not the same! For a visit, yes.
To live there, no. l was born in Ger
many and me and Otto, having no
children, wanted to end our days
there. But when I saw away off New
York, with its tall buildings, l cried
like little girl coming home.
"'Be ashamed said Otto to me,
making out to be mad. Keep still!'
| sT