The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-11-19
A Bold Suiitor
By KATE ELDRlDCE
COPYRIGHT, 1910. by American Press
Association.

In Switzerland there is little body
Of water called Thunder lake, and in a
little town at one end. called Thunder.
there is a Thunder hotel. There is
Also TN this modest city with so terri
Bile name kursall (casino). where an
orchestra discourses in the afternoon,
to which people listen and drink beer.
One afternoon Herr Streilitz, his
wife and daughter Lena. the last
named aged twenty, were seated at a
table in the kursal. Papa Streilitz
smoking his pipe, Mamma Streilitz
munching crackers and Swiss cheese,
while Lena Streilitz was slipping an ice
with spoon.
At another table sat a young gentle
man tapping his boot with cane,
while on the table beside him was a
half emptied glass of Munich beer. he
was looking at Fraulein Lena very
hard, and Lena was conscious that she
had excited the young mans attention.
Presently he arose, went to the table
where the Streilitzes sat, made a pro-
found bow with his hat under his arm
and addressed Herr Streilitz:
"Herr, dare say that I shall sur
prise you. have a confession to
make. l have several times seen you
here with your family. have con-
ceived passion for the young lady
and beg your permission to pay my ad-
dresses to her. l am aware that such
a request may seem remarkable, but I
am ready to convince you that I bear
a good reputation. that l am of an ex-
cellent family and abundantly able to
support wife. Here is my card.'
He produced a pasteboard on which
was engraved the name, "Alphonse de
la Tour, Dijon, France"
Herr Streilitz puffed. fumed and
scowled, Frau Streilih looked non
committal, while Fraulein Lena looked
very much pleased. The father was
about to make an angry reply when
the mother forestalled him by saying
believe me, sir. we are not at all
offended that you should have given
way to a natural impulse. We shall
at least accord what is due you by per
hitting you to produce your creden
tials."
THAT is all ask. madame. I may
have to put you to some trouble. fol-
De La Tour could not ask any one tc
vouch for him. Besides it would be
easy for an imposter to furnish fraud
ulent credentials. Nothing will salts
fy me but your going to my home in
Dijon. visiting my ancestral estate
making the Acquaintance Of my parents
by brothers and sisters. and thus sat
isfying yourselves that I am what
pretend to be-"
"That would be incontestable proof.
said the lady. "Will you join our par
ty, M. de la Tour?"
The young man sat down. Papa
Streilih maintained stubborn silence
Lena, of course, could say not word
while Frau Streilitz took the burden
Of entertaining the stranger upon hel
own shoulders. The four sat togeth
er for an hour. at the end of which
time M. de la Tour received an invita-
ton to call.
A few days later Frau and Frau
lein Streilitz took the train for Dijon
At the railway station NJ. de la Toul
came up to them, bearing bouque
Of 6owers, which. with a look Of in
tense devotion, he handed to Lena.
1T is for you" he said, Ito sa1sf!
yourselves. Here are your tickets
! first class, including a return"
Frau Streilitz accepted the ticket
without qualm, while Lena blushe,
| and exclaimed:
"Oh, mammal
M. de la Tour gave the young lad.
a glance Of mingled reproof and ten
derness. His last words were to her:
II beg you to give the flowers to m.
| dear mother, who, with others Of on
family, win meet you at the station"
The journey was not interrupted e1
cept for half an hour on the border be
tween Switzerland and France. wher
the train stopped for the custom ez
aminations. The fraulein opened t.
them her belongings and permitted al
inspector to get Whit of the pei
fume Of her flowers. When the ordea
was over the train went on.
At Dijon young man on the watcl
for them announced himself as Castor
de Ia Tour and introduced a whit
haired lady as his mother. Lena q
| once handed her the bouquet
This way to the carriage" said N
CASTOR, and the frau and the fraulet