Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-09
The Daily Story
THE EMIGRANTS-BY EVELYN G. GOODRICH
COPYRIGHTED 1913. Associated literary Rureau.


had refused to leave her parents.
Il am too old TO 80 SO far. Gretchen"
said the old woman. but l will not y
longer be a burden to you. Go to
Hans. l will remain here
1t was a long time before Gretchen
could persuade her that such a course
was impracdcable and that her mother
could only repay the sacrifice that she
and Hans had made by giving her con-
sent to so TO America. Hans had
learned the maSon's trade and was get
ting II marks Il day for his work. But
recently lie had set up as master mason
and employed men to work for him.
When the old mother became con-
WINGED that it 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. pledgiug himself to take care
OF them, so that they should not be
burden on the people. He also left In
structionS for them 10 come to him in
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
err \ strike had been declared by n
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 trade
and was eXe"ting himself TO persuade
them TO keep the peace, assuring them
that by doing SO they would certainly
win every just demand.
| On arriving Mt 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 iuqEirlng the way, and
/ passed through a street that was fill
ed with workmen On a wagon a
man was standing speaking TO 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 IT 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 n suit of rooms
on the second floor comfortably 1T
ted up They were received by n
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 1t
came nearer Then there were shouts
of We've won, We've WON'T The
crowd stopped before the house where
the two emigrants were, and a man
stood on the steps for few minutes.
cheered by the crowd. Then he hur-
ried up the stairs and burst into the
room. He and Gretchen few to each
others arms
"HimmeI!" cried the old woman. 1T
is the man on the wagonr
Gretchen had recognized Hans the
moment she laid eyes Oh him. though
he was but little more than a youth
when they parted and he was nov a
man and very much changed Their
meeting was a happy one in many re.
spects. In the first place. the winning
of the strike was great advantage to
Hans. who had feared enforced idle
ness. whereas now that it was settled
, he could proceed with work he had con
tracted for. Gretchen and her mother
had completed a journey both dreaded
and their future comfort was assured
a There was 40 reason for haste a
! delay in the wedding. so Gretchen was
called on 10 fix the day and. inasmuct
, as she had no rousseau to prepare. She
chose an early date. since Hans de
r sired that they should all get settled
= down to their new life and he give
0 his mind to his work. The bride ani
r her mother had no friends in theil
. newly adopted country. but the groom
G had a-plenty. A number OF bridal pres
0 ents from them came in. some of then
J. from well to DO persons for whoa
l. Hans had constructed buildings. anC
: they were quite valuable
f Hans Is prospecting and Is considere;
l. one Of the most reliable men In laboI
g matters. he being always consulted be
v fore any important action Is taken.
N
q Aug. 9 in American