The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1910-02-01
An Offering From Germany.
By Sallie F. Toler.

"Albertina," called Mrs. Augsburg to
her daus hter-in-law. who sat in the
parlor giving a lesson on the piano.
L viii go by oldt Mrs. Vendle to-day
-Albertina, listen vonce will go by
Mrs Vendle, und carry her dose Cher
man newspapers, and couple of dose
apples from dc oldt country. She Will
be What you call tickle to get dose
apple from Chermapy, so big und
redt."
Albertina stopped the monotonous
"One, two, three. one, two, three"
OF the little girl at the piano.
Mama, you'd better wait until Gus
or can go with you. It,is cold this
morning. and you have to change
cars twice to go to Wendles You
know how absent-minded you are, ma
ma"
Zach, you talk voolishness. Mrs.
Vendle is got lumbago alretty, and
can't go by outside at all. De oldt
lady likes very much to set de Cher
man newspapers. She is a great read
ter. Her headt is strong, aber her
back is weak"
"Oh, all right If you will go; but
put on your heavy cloak, and be care
full about the cars
Mrs. Augsburg waddled into the next
room TO get ready for her visit Gus
Augsburg came in from the wood-5hed
with lumpy-looking package tied up
a.,
he held it up for her to see.
For goodness sake, Gus, why
don't you order a load of kindling
brought to the Office and save trouble?
1t looks so picayunish to be carrying
Andling downtown every day"
This is for tomorrow" said Gus. 81
have some for today that l carried yes
terday. 1t isn't much trouble, and l
keep forgetting to order some"
''You never forget to carry It,"
mo he laugherd, that's my eco
nomical streak. l guess"
GUS called his mother from her
room
Yes. mutterchen," answered her
son.
Take dose Cherman newspapers,
and couple of dose apple from de oldt
country, und tie dem in a deckage for
me to take to Mrs. Vendle."
"All right; but it's cold this morn
Ing You want to look out and take
the right car when you change at Rom
ney street"
A confused remonstrance in German
reached Gus ears from Mrs Augs-
berg's closet. He knew his mother re-
sented the imputatlon Of not being
able to take care of herself. Indeed,
she was more capable and Independent
Of help than many people OF her age.
Mrs. Augs5erg was seventy-two, used
no glasses, was smooth-faced and ap-
ple-cheeked as a girl. She was an &C
tive worker In charitable affairs, and
q welcome guest, because OF her genial
character, at many social gatherings.
She was 50 willing, even anxious 10 be-
Of service, that she was made a direc.
tor of the Free kindergarten Associa,
don, and also of the Young Women's
Christian Association. AT the rooms
of the latter she taught a. beginners
class In German twice a week
Those young women put too much
work on you. at your age" complain
ed her 6sughtcr-in-law. ,,.,,,-.,t
No, Albertina," Mrs, Augsburg in
sisted. ct is better that ] fave some
thing to think about. In de dldt coun-
try I had much housekeeping TO keep
me busy. aber mere i haf only de sick
pooDlea an de ckildreus
Mrs Auysbergs heart and head
were 50 full of inter est and generous
plans for others that she was unmind-
ful Of herself and her own comfort
She left her handbag, her books, her
parcels. her umbrella. III fact, every
portable thing that was not attached
% her person. with equal impartiality.
on the cars I'm the store, pOstOfilce or
ct church The conductor on tho
line which She most frequented al
ways looked I'm the seats after she got
Of to take care OF her things, so prone
was she TO leave something behind her.
This morning she took mp the pack
arc which Gus had left ON the kitchen
table and clutched It tightly, with
the firm determination not to let &c
out Of her hands until she had seen
old Mrs Wendle's eyes light up at the
sight Of the apples grown IN the far
away home IN the fathorland. and
look with content on tho newspapers
printed fin her own familiar type
She had made one change Of cars,
when the sigh Of Miller's dry goods
store reminded her that she had prom.
ised two pairs of new stockings TO the
litue girl Of Albertlna's washerwomaD.
Mrs Augsberg got safely out Of the
store. with her precious package under
her arm and the new stockings stuffed
an hor hee Crossing RomDov street