The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-09-06
Louisa Goes
Over the Top
0y GIDEON HOE
o. The psgiionses


Louisa was German. She spoke
German. She thought German. She
dreamed Germany. She was In America
only because she could not learn so
much as here" She had come here a
generation ago with a young married
sister. The sister had gone back to
Germany, leaving her baby with
Louisa. He grew up as most boys do
whose mothers are not about and
whose supporting aunts have to 60 out
to work.
He was stoop-shouldered, he smoked.
He spent his wages as he wished.
Louisa would look Mt him grimly and
mutter: Zach. II only l had you In
Chermany."
1t was for the boy that she worked.
1t was Of him and the Faderland"
that she talked as she rubbed, rubbed,
rubbed. Zach. what think7 That boy
be lends FIVE dollars to a man on the
block and he move away and we can't
ind him.
mot so 1t is in Chermany. There he
could not do this. Make bills and hide
himself. There you have 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 II you move, you
must go to the police and show your
book. then again when you arrive you
show your book to the police.
mo, no, In Chermany you cannot
run away. There they have 1t much bet
ter. You are all bosses. Nein You
have not the discipline. Hrrp Rrrp
Forward march ~ and Louisa shoulder
ing her brooms and mops marched
down the corridor 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 their lit
tie knots discussing the possibilities
and specializing on the outcome of It
all, Louisa made her contribution: /
"Ach, the discipline. Won Hlndenburg,
YQp Hindenburg. He is for discipline.
BE Is the soldier. Such fine one
never lived. You will see he will
win, He is Gottllke man."
"Oh, Louisa, have a heart. Don't
ecnre us so early In the morning."
6coffed Boy Teacher, reaching for the |
brief case that rested at his feet. But
louisa was before him and placed 1t
Il his hands
"Oh, thank you. Louisa, but you
mustn't do that, You'll spoil me. I'm
not used to It."
II should hope not" shifted another
soung teacher, II should hope not In
deed. The idea of woman waiting
on perfectly healthy, strong young
man. ] bet l wouldn't do It,"
Zach, no? In Chermany you would
be better disciplined. You would save
the man ALL"
"Why? Why?" stamped the young
teacher. "Why should a woman save
a man anything?"
Because" Louisa condescended.
Because he is a soldier He fights
for the Faderland. Without the man
what are you? Nothing. 1t is for
you to marry fine soldier, mother
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 fed.
The teachers began to grumble.
"Germany, Germany. Louisa is al
ways cheering for Germany. Why |
don't these people go back and fight
for the Fatherland? No. They stay
here and root for Germany"
The Lusitani- Was Sunk.
Then came the news Of the sinking
of the Lusitania. The teachers gath
cred and discussed the news angrily. |
"The devils. Our people. Hundreds
of them. Frohman. Archie Butts,
Hubbard. It's awful 1t was full of
and little children. Shame
full"
Wondering. Louisa poled her head
inside the door. "What is? Is some
one dead you cry so?"
"Yes, they're dead" and teacher
sprang forward and pushed the head
lined paper full In Louisa's face. "Your
lovely Germans killed them"
"Killed? What ISL"
"The Lusitania was sunk by the
Germans. She was carrying many |
"So!" said Louisa coolly. swell.
they was told to stay off that boat.
The fools. Served themselfs well
right"
keep STILL" screamed the young
teacher. Wen ask your precious
kaiser whether we may sail over his
ocean when he isn't using Ii, l sup
pose. Well, We won't" Then taking
fresh umbrsse at the others stolid
composure, she burst out: "What do
you think you would be doing II you
were in Germany now? Going about
a building like this one, dressed as
you are, Kinging with the sort Of
people you meet here? Not for min
ute. You'd be dressed in rags, your
feet in wooden shoes, and you would |