The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-07
THE FIRST
VIOLIN
b. LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

Fraulein Bertha Hauck left Germa
ny just before the breaking out of this
I pan-European war to come to America
/ She was to be followed by a lover
! Gustav Schultz, young musician
| They were both of the more refined
| class of Germans, but not noble. Their
| finances were 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 a living as they would not
like TO earn it where they were known.
Bertha had enough money saved 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 at 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 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 year of war
fare. Bertha heard nothing from Gus
tav 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. I
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 year, letter |
came stating that Gustav had been /
among the missing several |
months before, and since nothing later
had been heard from him he was I'M
dead.
Bertha mourned for him as lost
True, If he were dead his identified
don badge should have been found
But If a man is buried under tons of
earth caused by explosion or blown
nto numerous fragments what good
$ an Identification badge? Neverthe-
ess the poor girl had a ray of hope
hat Gustav lived and that they would
me day be reunited.
Bertha was very handy with her
rush and had the faculty of designing
ards and other things needed at So
ial functions. In this way she made
Iuite a snug sum of money and, being /.
rugal, had held on 10 nearly all of it.
The met a cOuntryman of hers, an
rtist much older than herself, who
aid her a great deal of attention and
nded by proposing marriage. But
Iertha's heart was with her lover, be
e alive or dead. and she would not
sten TO any other man.
Berthas friends endeavored to cheer
er by trying to induce her TO 90 about
18th them TO amusements. She yield /
4 so far as music and pictures were
Oncerned, but would not so anywhere
se. Finally by holding up to her the
act that many scenes of moving pic
ire plays were beautiful they excited
1me interest in them. When they
I'D her that pictures of scenes in the
reat European war were given she
as only too ready to see them.
She had been a number Of times TO
,e pictures embodyiug military serv-
e when one night the marching to
he French rear Of number Of Ger
AN prisoners was given. What was
ar establishment to see, pale and bag
lrd bandage on his forehead, walk
x on a crutch while he held up one
'Ot, Gustav Schultz. She at once be
me hysterical and was taken out Of
e building.
When she became sufficiently calm 10
n what had moved her. inquiries
ere made I'm her behalf as 70 the time
e picture which included her lover
Id been taken An approximate date
as given and was found 10 be nearly
incident with that az which Gustav -
~ reported missing. IA
IL possible that Der lover
rs alive and In a French hospital
srtha determined % go and seek him
le crossed the ocean t. England and
ON there went 20 Paris. At Paris
e learned az what camp the prison