Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-09-26

once wrote to Hans announcing her
fathers death aud in a few weeks re-
ceived a reply. Folded in the letter
was a paper which ordered a bank to
pay her 300 marks. Hans told her to
use It as she liked. either for support
Of herself and her mother OF to bring
her mother to him in America, where
he and Gretchen might be married and
her mother could live with them.
Gretchen. who was a prudent girl.
with great self control. thought over
Hans proposition for several days be-
fore coming to a decision. When she
had made up her mind as to the only
course to pursue that would be. justice
to Hans she confessed to her 0other
that when he had gone to America he
had asked her to be his wife and she
had refused to leave her parents.
Il am too old to go so far, Gretchen"
said the old woman, but l viii not
longer be a burden to you. Go to
Hans. l will remain here"
1t vas a long time before Gretchen
could persuade her that such a course
was ~impracticable and that her mother
could only repay the sacrifice that she
and Hans had made by giving her con-
sent to go to America. Hans had
learned the mason's trade and was get
ting ~ marks a day for his work. But
recently he had set up as master mason
and employed men to work for him.
When the old mother became con-
vinced that 1T was her duty to make
the trip she consented, and the two
sailed for America In the steerage Of
an ocean liner. They arrived at the
port Of New York In due time and
expected to find Hans there to meet
them. In this they were disappointed,
but he had been there and had made
arrangements for them to be admitted
into the country by the emigrant au-
thorities, pledging himself to take care
Of them, so that they should not be a
burden on the people. he also left in
structions for them to come to him in
a neighboring city, with tickets on the
railroad to take them there.
When Gretchen and her mother
reached their final destination they
learned the reason Of his not having
met them on the arrival Of the steam
er. A strike had been declared by a
certain trade union, and other trades
had been gradually drawn into the
struggle between capital and labor, in
Guiding the masons. Hans had great
influence with the men Of his trads
and was exert1ng himself to persuade
them to keep the peace, assuring them
that by doing so they would certainly
win every just demand.
On arriving at the city where Hans
lived they carried all their bundles ex-
cept one box, which, being too heavy
for them, they left to be brought later
to the address that had been given
them. Hans had expected them to
hire a conveyance, but the frugal life
they had led had not prepared them
for such extravaganza. So they walk
ed, Gretchen inquiring the way. and
passed through a street that was fill
ed with workmen. On a wagon a
man was standing speaking to a crowd
Of laborers who had gathered about
him. They stopped to listen to him.
but could not understand him since
he spoke in the English language. But
they could see by the upturned, intent
faces that he was producing a pro-
found effect upon them.
Let us go on" said the mother.
But Gretchen seemed disposed to lis
ten to the man, though she did not
know what he was saying. In vain
her mother tugged at her to get her
to go on. but in spite Of the urging
she remained. 1t was only when the
man ceased to speak and, getting down
from the wagon, was lost in the crowd
that Gretchen consented to pursue
their way.
When they reached the house where
Hans lived they found a suit Of rooms
on the second floor comfortably 1T
ted up. They were received by a
woman whom Hans had deputed for
the purpose, who told them that Hans
was very busy and they must make
themselves at home till he came.
After awhile they heard a cheering
in the street which seemed to be ap-
preaching the house and growing as II
came nearer. Then there were shouts
Of We've won! We've wonl' The
crowd stopped before the house where
the two e%migrants were. and a man
stood on the steps for a few minutes
cheered by the crowd. Then he hur.
Red up the stairs and burst into the
room. He and Gretchen few TO each
others arms.
"Himmelg" cried the old woman. III
Is the man on the wagonT'
Gretchen had recognized Hans the
moment she laid eyes on him. though
he was but little more than a youth
when they parted and he was nov 9
man and very much changed. TheiI
meeting vas a happy n in many re
spects. In the FIRST place. the winning
OF the strike was a great advantage tC
Hans, who had feared enforced idle
ness, whereas now that 1t was settled
he could proceed with work he had con
tracted for. Gretchen and her mother
"a