Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-27
: family ali that time.

in the Bauer family ali that time.
Had Frau Bauer. or Frau-Wirtin as she
was Familiarity called, been masculine,
she would have been lightly dubbed
Bauer VII. She was a widow and there
fore uncrowned She had been a widow
for many day. for the novelty Of being
her own manager had not yet worn off.
She was thirty-eight. plump. pretty in a
freehand manner and wise. 1t was use
less to Toll about the English bar. where
she kept the cash drawer. IL was useless
to whisper sweet nothlngs into her ear:
ii was more than useless, it was foolish.
GO along with you. herr; 1 wouldn't
marry the best man living. I can add
the accounts / can manage. Why should
l marry?"
But marriage is the natural state,''
Herr. l crossed the frontier long ago,
but having recrOssed il, never again shall
| go back. One crown-forty, If you please.
Thank you"
This retort had Become almost a habit
with the Frau-Wirtin; and when a day
went by without a proposal she went to
bed with the sense that the day had not
been wholly successful.
Tonight the main room of the tavern
swan in blue haze of smoke, which
rose to the blackened rafters, hung with
many and various sausages, cheeses and
dried vegetables. Dishes clattered, there
d u
feet and chairs. a banging of tankards.
altogether noisy and cheerful. The Frau
Wirtin preferred mattresses, and this
preference shared by her patrons.
bered an order better: they We're not al
ways surreptitiously emptying the dregs
of tankards on the way to the bar. as
men invariably did. Besides. the bar
maid was an English institution and the
Frau-Wirtin greatly admired that race.
though no one knew why. The girls were
fully able to defend themselves. and We're
not at all diffident IN boxing smart
fellows ears. They had 9ough wit and
could give and take. If man thought
this an invitation and tried To take a kiss
he generally had his face slapped for his
pains. and the Frau-Wirtin was always
on the side of her girls.
The smoke was thick could
scarcely see two tables away, and II any
foreigner CHANGED to open window there
was "a hubbub; windows were made for
light. not air. There were soldiers, nom
commissioned oflcers-for the fall man
ers and their families, and the men of the
locality who made the Black Eagle a
kind of socialist club. Socialism was just
taking hold in those days. and the men
were tremendously serious and secretive
regarding it. as it wasn't strong enough
TO be popular with governments which
ruled by hereditary might and right.
Gretchen came in, little better dressed
IEd0 IN the udE time. lHe ClldIlSe COIlSISt-
ing of coarse stockings and shoes Of
leather. of which she was corresponding
iy proud.
Twill you want me Frau wirtin. for a
little while tonight she asked.
Till p. Half a crown as usual"
Gretchen sought the kitchen and found
an apron and cap. These half-crowns
were fine things to pick up occasionally
for it was only upon occasions that she
worked at the Black Eagle.
In An obscure corner sat the yOunp
vintner He had finished his supper and
was watching and scrutinizing all who
came in. His face frightened as he saw
the goose girl: ne would have known that
head anywhere. whether he saw the face
or not. He wanted to so to her at once.
but knew this action would not be wise.
In the very corner itself, his back to
the winners. and nothing but the wall
and patches. the mOuntaineer who pos
sessed Swiss watch and gave golden
coins to goose girls. He was busily en-
gagged in gnawing the leg of a chicken.
ing.
Carmichael had forgotten some papers
that day. He had dined early at the
hotel and returned at once to the consul
late. He was often q visitor at the Black
Eagle. The beer was sweet and cool.
So. having pocketed his papers. he was
of mind to carry on a bit of badinage
with Frau Bauer. AS he stepped into the
big hall in his evening clothes he was as
conspicuous as passing ship at sea-
Good evening. Frau-Wirtin.''
Good evening, your excellency." She
was quite fiuttered when this fine young
man spoke to her. He was the only per-
son who ever caused her embarrassment,
even though temporary. There was al
ways a whimsical smile on his lips and in
his eyes. and Frau Bauer never knew ex-
actly how to take him. What is on your
mind?" brightly.
MANY things. You haven't aged the
least since last / saw you
(which was day before yesterday.
mot any further back than that?"
Not an hour"
She turned to make change, while Car