The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-07-10
Louisa Goes Over The Top
BY Gideon Hoo Of Tho VigiIantes.

Louisa Is the school scrub woman. She has
been connected with the school for years. She
is still there with her brooms. her pals her rnops
and her eternal thoroughness.
Louisa was German She spoke German. She
thought German. She dreamed Germany She
was in America only because she could not earn
much as here" She had come here genera
ton ago with young married sister. The sis
ter had gone back to Germany, leaving her baby
with Louisa. He grew up most boys do whose
mothers are not about and whose supporting
aunts have to go out to work
He was stoop- -shouldered, he smoked. He spent
his wages he wished. Louisa would look at
him grimly and mutter "Ach II only had you
in Chermany'.
1t was for this boy that she worked. It was
Of him and the "Fadderland" that she talked as
she rubbed, rubbed rubbed. "Ach what think?
That boy he lends five tollar to a man on the
Not = 1t is in Chermany. There he could not
do this. Make bills and hide himself There you
have a little book. From school yet you have 1t.
In 1t stands your name your age, your hair, your
eyes. and all what you do for a living.
First thing You do if you move, you must go
to the police and show your book, then again
lice.
mo, no, in Chermany you cannot run away
There they have 1t much better. You all
bosses, Netn! You have not the discipline. Hrrpl
Rrrp! Forward march," and Louisa shouldering
her brooms and mops marched down the cor
ridor to the applause and laughter Of the little
children marching into school.
Louisa liked to mingle with the teachers At
the beginning Of the war; when the teachers
gathered in these little knots discussing the pos
sibilitles and specializing the outcome Of it
ALL Louisa made her contributions: "Ach the
discipline. Won Hindenburg, Won EIindenburg.
He is for discipline. He is the soldier. Such a
one never lived. You will see He will win. He
is a Gott-like man"
20 Louisa, have a heart Don't scare US so
reaching for the brief case that rested at his
rect. But Louisa was before him and placed it
20 thank you, Louisa, but you mustn't do that.
You'll spoil me. I'm not used to IT..
I should hope not" shifted another young
teacher. I should hope not indeed. The idea
of a woman waiting on a perfectly healthy,
strong young man. bet wouldn't do it,.
>, "Ach no? In Chermany you would be better
disciplined. You would save the man all"
Why? Why? stamped the young teacher
Why should woman save man anything? {?
Because, Louisa condescended. Because he
is the soldier. He fights for the FadderIand,
Without the man who are you? Nothing It is
Tor you to marry a fine soldier, mother a fine
soldier raise up a fine soldier. That is your
duty. That you were placed in the world for
Now he" pointing to the Boy Teacher, would
make fine" But the young teacher had
The teachers began to grumble, Germany.
Germany Germany Louisa is always cheering
Ior Germany. Why don't these people go back
and fight for the Fatherland? No. They stay
here and root for Germany.
Then came the news Of the sinking of the
Lusitania. The teachers gathered and discussed
the news angrily THE devils Our neonIe
Hundreds of them Frohman, Archie Butts,
Hubbard It's awful. 1t was full Of women and
little children Shameful.
Wondering Louisa poked her head inside the
door. What is? Is someone dead you cry so?
Yes, they're dead" and a teacher sprang for
ward and pushed the head-lined paper full in
Loutsa's face. Your lovely Germans killed
them.
KILLED? What is"?
The Lusitania sunk by the Germans
She was carrying many Americans"
So" said Louisa coolly. We'll, they was told
sells well right"
Keep still" screamed the young teacher.
We'll ask your precious Kaiser whether we NAV
san over his ocean when he isn't using it, I sup
pose. Well, we WON'T. Then taking fresh UNI
prage at the others stolid composure she burst
out, What do you think you would be doing If
you were in Germany now? Going about a
building like this one, dressed as you are min
Cling with the sort Of people you meet here? Not
for minute You'd be dressed in bags vour
feet in wooden shoes, and you would be pulling
a plow like OK for your precious Kaiser.
Louisa went out shaking her head.
At last war was declared. We We're 'in it,
Louisa padded by the office with her pals and
brushes. .Hurra, Frau Won Hindenburg! We're
going to Berlin to get your precious Kaiser.
"Ya, ya," said Louisa sadly "Ssuch things
must be. 1t stands in the Bible. Purification bv
fire. 1t it's Gods will we fight, then we fight"
Louisa appeared in the office. "Hark" she whis-
pered to the head teacher. my boy has volun-
teered for the war. What you think of that
Isn't that fine He says, Mother Louisa must
CO. and tell him, Go. We live in America, we
are Americans"
One morning when the teachers had gathered
for the morning chat, Louisa came in her face
shining. Look" she said to a young teacher
there is my boys picture. He is a soldier now
How grand he looks He is a sergeant already
Louisa gazed lovingly at the postcard picture
OF fine looking soldier boy. ''Ia, ha my fine
fellow Now you don't turn over and sleep again
while call you five times more. TIA ia ta ia ia
Ia, Ia ia ia. Forward march. That is fine fol
you" she ehucked.
The Liberty loan posters came. The big loar
drive was on. Louisa fell In love with one oi
the posters Such a beautiful young lady. How
strong she is waving her flag and leading the
army She Is schoen Yp4 ya, she calls for money
for the soldiers She shall have 1t. va, va"
Glancng about to be sure she was not no.
ticed. She slipped into the office. Gnce inside
she drew from her pocket an envelope with the
red triangle in the corner and laid it before thu
head teacher, Look This the money my bos
sends. II ia the money they give tlin FOR being
| good soldier. That money could never spend
Take IL and buy Liberty bond". 80 Louiss
want avar the TOP Tor Uncle Sam.