The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-04-12
Louisa Goes
Over the Top
BY GIDEON HOE
OF The Vigiiantes

Drooms, her pals, her mops and he
eternal thoroughness.
Louisa was German. She spoke
German. She thought German. She
dreamed Germany. She was in America
only because she could not "earn sc
much as here" She had come here O
generation ago with young married
sister. The sister had gone back tc
Germany, leaving her baby witt
Louisa. He grew up as most boys dc
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 as he wished.
Louisa would look at him grimly and
/ mutter: Zach, If only 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 think? That boy
he lends five dollars to a man on the
block and he move away and we can't
| find 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 it. In it
stands your name, your age, your hair,
your eyes, and all what you do for q
living.
"First thing you do if you move, you
must go to the police and show your
book, then again when you arrive you
show your book to the police.
"No, no, in Chermany you cannot
run away. There they have it much bet
ter. You are all bosses. Nefn! You
have not the discipline. Hrrpl 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 r1ingle 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 Hindenburg,
Won Hindenburg. He is for discipline.
He is the soldier. Such fine one
never lived. You will see he will
VIII. He is Gottlike man."
!, Louisa. have heart. Don't
scare US so early in the morning."
scoffed Boy Teacher, reaching for the
brief case that rested at his feet. But
Louisa was before him and placed it
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, 81 should hope not in
deed. The idea of woman waiting
on a perfectly healthy, strong young
man. I bet I wouldn't do it."
Zach, no? In Cherr1any you would |
be better disciplined. You would save
the man ALL"
"Why? Why?" stamped the young
teacher. "Why should woman save
4 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 a
inc soldier, raise up fine soldier.
That is your duty. That you were
placed in the world for. Now he"
to the Boy Teacher, "would
make fine" But the young teacher
lad fed.
The teachers began to grumble.
Germany, Germany. Louisa is al
Ways cheering for Germany. Why
lon't these people go back and fight
or the Fatherlard? No. They stay
lere and root for Germany"
The Lusitani- Was Sunk.
Then came the news of the sinking
f the Lusitania. The teachers gath
red and discussed the news angrily.
The devils. Our people. Hundreds
{ them. Frohman, Archie Butts,
hubbard. It's awful. It was full of
Fomen and little children. Shame
ul."
Wondering, Louisa poked her head
inside the door. "What is? Is some
ne dead you cry so?"
"Yes. they're dead" and a teacher
prang forward and pushed the head
ned paper full in Louisa's face. "Your
ovely Germans killed them"
"Killed? What is?"
"The Lusitania was sunk by the
iermans. She was carrying many
"So!" said Louisa coolly. "Vrell,
hey was told to stay off that Loaf.
he fools. Served themselfs well
Ight."
keep STILL" screamed the young
sacher. Well ask your precious
aiser whether we may sail over his
cean when he isn't using it, I sup
ose. Well, we won't" Then taking
,esh umbrage at the others stolid
she burst out: "What do
on think you would be doing if you
ere In Germany now? Going about
building like this one, dressed as