The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-06-01
THE FIRST
VIOLIN
By u B. CUMMINGS

ny just before the breaking out Of the
pan-EurOpean war to come t. America.
She vas to be followed by n lover,
Gustav Schultz, Il young musician.
They were both Of the more refined
class of Germans, but not noble. Their
finances We're Cramped, and 1t was i'm
possible for them to marry and live
among the people with whom they had
been used to associate. In America they
could earn n living as they would not
like TO earn 1t where they were known.
Bertha had enough money 81 4cd to
enable her to cross the ocean, and 1t
was decided that she should come over
in advance Of her lover, who was Serv-
ing his time Of military service, which
would not expire for several months.
Bertha was to look into the new coun-
try and, If possible, make an engage
ment for him with an orchestra. In
this way they might be self support
ing ut once on Gustav's arrival,
Bertha arrived in New York, found
friends who had come over years be-
fore and as soon as she had settled
herself went out to look for an engage
ment for Gustav. She met the leader
Of an orchestra, who promised her that
as sOon as her lover arrived he would
give him a trial. All was arranged,
and the girl was expecting her lover to
sail for New York when news came
that Germany had declared war upon
Russia, and the rush Of German troops
into Belgium commenced.
From that day forward the fraulein
heard nothing of her lover. She knew
that, since war had been declared, he
would not be permitted TO come away
even If he had chosen to come. Then
came news Of the fighting In Belgium,
followed by more than a year of war
fare. Bertha heard nothing from Gus
tay nor from any of her relatives. She
had no great expectation Of hearing
from her lover, but thought she should
hear from her mother and sisters.
That she did not was probably because
the censorship had caused the destruc-
ton of letters that might have been
mailed to her.
At last, after waiting n year, a letter
came stating that Gustav had been
reported among the missing several
months before, and since nothing later
had been heard from him he was UNI
doubtedly dead.
Bertha mOurned for him as lost.
True, If he were dead his Identified
ton badge should have been found.
But II a man Is buried under tons Of
earth caused by explosion or blown
into numerous fragments what good
is an identification badge? Neverthe-
less the poor girl had a ray Of hope
that Gustav lived and that they would
Il day be reunited.
Bertha was very handy with her
brush and had the faculty Of designing
cards and other things needed at So
cial functions. In this way she made
quite a snug sum Of money and, being
frugal, had held on to nearly all Of it.
She met a countryman Of hers, an
artist much older than herself, who
paid her a great deal Of attention and
ended by proposing marriage. But
Bertha's heart was with her lover, be
he alive or dead, and she would not
listen to any other man.
Bertha's friends endeavored to cheer
her by trying to induce her to 60 about
with them to amusements. She yield.
ed so far as music and pictures were
concerned, but would not 20 anywhere
else. Finally by holding up to her the
fact that many scenes Of moving pic
ture plays were beautiful they excited
some interest In them. When they
told her that pictures Of scenes In the
great European war were given she
was only too ready to see them.
She had been a number Of times to
see pictures ~embodying military serv-
Ice when one night the marching to
the French rear Of a number of Ger
man prisoners was given. What was
her establishment to see, pale and hag-
gard, a Bondage on his forehead, walk
ing on a crutch while he held up one
foot, Gustav Schultz. She at once be-
came hysterical and was taken out of
the building.
When she became sufficiently calm to
tell what had moved her. inquiries
were made In her behalf as to the time
the picture which included her lover
had been taken. An approximate date
was given and was found to be nearly
cOincident with that at which Gustav
was reported missing.
Thinking 1t possible that her lover
was alive and In a French hospital.
Bertha determined to SO and seek him.
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