The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1915-08-26
An Episode
OF the Big
European War
By ESTHER VANDEVEER

ed soldiers in Germany, entered upon
her service with an admonition from
her father in this wise:
My daughter, l desire that you do
not permit yourself to contne your
nursing to any one patient There Is
no more prolific field for love affairs
| than nursing. A young man. grateful
| for the attention he receives. falls in
! love with his nurse, the nurse pities
her charge, and pity is akin to love. l
| wish you to remain fancy free be-
cause of this proposed match between
| you and your Cousin Adolf in America,
a match desired as much by my broth
er, his father, as by myself. The
| American branch of our family has
! grown rich, while we have remained
| poor. 1t is therefore desirabl that you
! should marry your cousin, who, as you
know, will come over from America
for the purpose as soon as this war has
ended"
Eyes. father" replied Wilhelmina,
'.you will find me a dutiful daughter
in this respect as in all others. We
German girls know what Is due to our
parents. but l have heard that in
America 1t is different-that in that
country there is but little respect for
age or parental authority, and young
people consult their own wishes in
stead Of those to whom they owe ODE
dience."
This dialogue. which illustrates the
difference between foreign and Ameri-
can marriages, was satisfactory to Herr
Bischotf. who felt sure that his daugh-
ter would heed his admonition. But
the old mans reasons for caution were
stronger even than he had stated them.
young soldier who had been wound
ed in Belgium came under Wilhelmi-
mas care. fell in love with her, and
the pity she felt for him as we'll as
the love he offered her caused a recip-
rocal feeling to arise within her own
heart He asked her all about herself.
her name. the place in which she lived
and told her that as soon as he was
conyalescent and should be granted a
brief leave be would go to her father
and ask for her hand. To this she re-
piled that she was to marry a cousin
who was to come from America as
soon as the war was over.
What" exclaimed the soldier, mar
ry one who takes no part in the de-
Tense of the fatherland and refuse one
who has given his blood for it? am
astonished that so lovely girl should |
do such a thing"
To this Wilhelmina replied that she |
owed the same duty to her parents
that she owed to her country and |
whatever her father babe her she |
would do. The soldier insisted that he
would go to her father and represent
to him his want of patriotism and was
sure that he would relent. But the
lover added that Wilhelmina must be
at home when be came, that she might
add her supplications to his. Wilhel-
nina consented to this, but averred
that without her fathers consent she
would not accept her soldier sutton.
When the young man became we'll
enough to totter forth from the hos
pital he was given months leave,
and Wilhelmina preceded him to her
home to break the matter to her par
ents. When the lover came he found
the father obdurate. Wilhelmina had
replied that it was the soldiers duty
to serve his country and he was not
entitled to a reward, especially such a
reward as he asked. The American to
whom Wilhelmina was engaged had
been born in another country, and his
luty was to his own state. Therefore
40 more should be said about the mat
er. Wilhelmina should await the ar
rival of the man whom she was to
marry.
When the soldier arrived and was in
'ormed of the situation he made mat
ers worse by declaring that he would
marry Wilhelmina in spite of her ia
her, her mother and all her American
elatives, including the cousin.
"You don't talk like a German at all"
laid Herr Bischoff angrily. You talk
ike an American. for | have under
tood that In America there is but little
aspect for age and parental authority.
let you gone back to the army, and it
s hoped that your country may get rid
# you on the battlefield"
81 will marry Wilhelmina first" the
older retorted.
"You will do no such thing"
"Well. at least give me five minutes
arting conversation with her alone;
hen If she wishes it | will give her up"
This promise induced Herr Bischoff
0 grant the interview. after which the
older bid them all goodby. That night
e eoped with Wilhelmina and in the
corning neither of them put in an APP
earance Herr Bischoff hunted high l
nd low for them. but was unable to
nd them However he learned that J.
hey had been seen together going
ack in the direction from which they !
anne. and he followed them. Over
liking them. he upbraided his daughter
nd cursed his son-in-law.
81 told you said the latter. that
would marry Wilhelmina, and / have
one So In marrying me she has
beyed you. for am William Bischoff.
citizen of the United States. Desir- G
lp TO see something of this big war, q