New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-07-26
Louisa Goes
Over the Top
By GIDEON HOB
o. 1hs VigAonsss

brooms, her pals. her mops and her
eternal t~hOroughness.
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 at him grimly and
mutter: Zach, II only I 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. "Ach, what think? That boy
he lends five dollars to n man on the
block and he move away and we can't
find him.
mot so 1t is in Chermany. There ne
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 II you move, you
must 20 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 1t
all, Louisa made her contribution:
"Ach, the discipline. Won Hindenburg,
Won Hindenburg. He is for discipline.
He Is the soldier. Such a fine
never lived. You will see he will
win. He is a Gottlike man."
"Oh, Louisa. have a heart. Don't
scare us 80 early in the morning."
scoffed Boy Teacher. reaching for the
brief case that rested at his feet. But
Louisa was before him and placed 1t
in 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 |
young teacher, II should hope not in |
deed. The Idea of a woman waiting |
on a perfectly healthy. strong young
man. I bet I 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 save
a man a%nything"
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 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 a 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 Lusitanl- 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
women and little children. Shame
full"
Wondering, Louisa poked her head
inside the door. "What is? Is some
one dead you cry so?"
AcSs thcy kc ucdu, anu u tcdCIcE
sprang forward and pushed the head
lined paper full In Louisa's face. "Your
lovely Germans killed them" I
"Killed3 What ISL"
1.-THE Lusitania was sunk by the
Germans. She was carrying many
Americans"
"So!" said Louisa coolly. swell,
they was told to stay of that boat.
The fools. Served themselfs well
Keep STILL" screamed the young
Wen ask your precious
kaiser whether we may sail over his
ocean when he isn't using 1t, I sup
pose. Well, we won't" Then taking
fresh umbrage at the others stolid
she burst out: "What do
you think you would be doing If you
in Germany now7 Going about
a building like this one, dressed as s
you are. mingling with the sort Of '
people you meet here? Not for a min Z
ute. You'd be dressed in rags, your u
feet in wooden shoes, and you would q
be pulling a pillow like an OK for your q
precious kaiser" o
Louisa 10 For Uncle Sam. a
Louisa went out shaking her head. II
At last war was declared. We we're e
in It." Louisa padded by the office Z
her pals and brushes. "Hurrah, O
Frau Won H%indenburg! We're going q