The Washington times., 1911-09-27
IMMIGRANT GIRL
HAPPY At FINDING
HAVEN IN CAPITAL
Face of Helene Hermann,
Who Escaped Deportation,
Beams With Joy.

1 am just happy as happy as can be
to be here in America and with
friends" cried Helene Hermann. the
pretty little fifteen-year-old German girl
whom Fate's queer prank has located
in the home of Henry Achterkirchen,
proprietor of the Fritz Reuter- Hotel.
She was held up by immigration author
tiles at Baltimore and rescued by Mr..
AchtorkIrchen. who later found Miss
Hermann to have been school chum
in Germany of his own sister.
What Fraulein Hermann really said
was not 81 am so happy. etc." but ''es
freuht mich sehr hier zu leben." II
ever looks gave proof of the sincerity
of language it was when the little
immigrant asserted her present happi-
ness. The light of peace and joy shone
in eyes of deepest blue, and the whole
face seemed illumed with pleasure and
happiness.
Miss Hermann will now grow up TO
he a good American said Mr.. Achten-
kirchen who shares with Miss Her
mann and his sister, rejoicing that out
Of threatening situation has evolved
the most satisfactory condition think
able-that instead of being shipped back
to Europe by immigration authorities.
MISS hermann Is To SIOW
womanhood in a happy and altogether
admirable American environment and
home.
Authorities Pleased.
Also the immigration authorities In
Washington and Baltimore are rejoicing
over the upshot of the matter and are
declaring their own satisfaction in being
able to give consent to Miss Hermann's
remaining in this country.
If the plight of Miss Hartmann, and
her rescue were set forth on the stage
every dramatic critic would at once say
that the improbabilities inherent were
so great that It outraged imagination.
Fate brought 1t about that Miss Her
mann sailed on the steamer Chemnltz
for Baltimore. Fate also caused Henry
AChterkirchen's brother to sail on the
same steamer, and the two crossed
without becoming acquainted, although
the mans sister had been the girls
school comrade.
To the dock came Henry Achterkir-
chen, good-hearted Washingtonlan, TO
meet and greet his brother. While at
the steamers side he happened. to learn
that there was a young girl aboard
without friends or fapily--without re-
sources, apparently, Of ANY kind. By the
laws of the United States this young
girl seemed destined to be shipped back
whence she had come.
Prevents Deportation.
The story seemed somewhat pathetic
to Mr.. Achtenkirchen. and he made in
quiry. He was taken to the girl and
then il developed that the same little
German village had been the home of
both. and after this that Helene Her.
mann and Miss Achtenkirchen had been
the warmest Of young girl friends.
Post haste came Achterkirchen back
to Washington, and to the Bureau of
immigration he raced as fast as a taxi
cab would carry him. Almost breath
less, he set forth the facts in the case
and his own desire to adopt the girl as
a member of his family, rs The sister
Of his sister.
immigration authorities lost no time
iE giving consent Probably they
would have stretched a point If II had
ben necessary. and then Mr.. Achter-
kirchen hurried back to Baltimore again
and brought little Miss Hermann to her
future home, where she undoubtedly
now Is the happiest young person in the
whole United States.