Lewis Clark State College - Yearbook (Lewiston, ID)

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it was one entirely original and made for this special occasion. lt was about his going far off to war and leaving his wife and baby at home, and of their great sorrow and loneliness. As Alfreda sang: her father and m'other were weeping, but they dried their eyes and SIUIICJ through their tears, as the song was finished, for at the 1aS'f, ilffel' long waiting, the father came home to them. Herr Schnellman took them both in his strong arms and kissed them passionately. My savings will be quite sufficient until I return, wife, he said. Days went by, long lonesome days for Alfredag she had no one to play with now, and her mother did not know' how to amuse her 215 her father had. Almost daily, long cheerful letters came from Herr Schnellman. Time passed until he had been gone for six months. Finally the letters suddenly ceased. Frau Schnellman had not received any word from her husband for nearly six weeks. She now became alarmed for fear he had met his death at the hands of the Cllemy. Alfreda did not understand, but in her childish way she tried to cheer and comfort her mother by saying: Daddy pnomised to come home, and he'll come, mother. Months and months slipped by and at length a year had elapSed- Frau Sclmellman had watched and waited day and night. She hail grown old with worry, and there was a sad look on her face, that had always worn a smile. Her condition would have been much worse had it not been for her happy, cheerful little daughter, who helped drive her tears away and brought sunshine to her heart that was dark- ened with shadows. Alfreda still sang at her work and at her play. Alfreda came home from school one day and found her mother sick with a raging fever and unable to raise her head. Alfreda ran across the quay to get Dr. Strauss, the old family physician who had been an intimate friend of Herr Schnellman's. He was a kind, gentle widower of about forty-five, who was very fond of Alfreda, A1freda, my pet, your mother must have good care and rest, said Dr. Strauss, caressing her on the head. I will stay from school and take care of her, replied she, No, my pet, you can not do itg you are not big or strong enough yet. I will send you a woman to care for you both until your mother is well again, he said. Days slipped by, but the mother was no better. Dr. Strauss called two and sometimes three times a day- Nurse Dean, being very strict, would not let Alfreda speak to her mother or even see her for a mo-- ment. One morning Alfreda stopped Dr. Strauss on the stairs, as he was coming from her mother's room, and asked, is mother going tio get better so I can see her ? Yes, my pet, your mother is going to live now, and you can see her tomorrow, he answered. Oh, if daddy would only come home now, mother would be well! cried Alfreda. - What makes you think your father will come home, my pet P he asked. He promised he would, and daddy always kept his promise, she answered. After several weeks, Frau Schnellman was able to be about again, but she was very weak and thin, and her eyes carried a look of untold palll.

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Zllibe Quang We passed up the Elbe river. For a while, only the low shores on either side could be discerned. '.I.'hen, on our left, appeared the out- line of the dark woods and sloping hills in relief against the starlit sky. Amid the woods here and there the lights of houses twillkledi gradually they became more numerous, and at length on both sides of the river the lamps of a great seaport city came into view. A great city must always have its points of interest, and Hamburg was 110 ex- ception- To the south might be seen the high gabled cottages with quaint mullioned windows, and steps red or violet tiled. But on the north side of the river, lies the most beautiful district of Hamburg, built around the famious sheet of water called the Dinner Alster, which is perfectly square, about a mile in circumference and surrounded on three sides by wide quays, bordered with trees. The quay called the Alte- Jungferstieg is the gayest and busiest, and here may be seen among the handsomest dwellings that of I-lerr Schnellman, the distinguished cattle owner. Here .I-lerr Schnellman lived with his wife and little daughter, who had just passed her sixteenth birthday. Herr Schnelhnan was a huge, honest, good-hearted father who loved his wife and baby devotedly. Alfrcda Amonda and her father were great companions. They were always together. VVherever you saw the jovial big man, you saw the sweet little girl, with sunlit curls and sparkling big blue eyes, running along by her father's side: or sitting on his lap, on the porch in the evening, singing to him. Alfreda had sung as soon as she could talkg her singing was very unusual for a child of her age. She sang as if she were talking, and often when she was very small, she made her parents understand what she wanted by singing to them. People marveled at the child and would stop, when passing, to listen, as she sang in the yard at her play. Her father called her his little Singvogel. About this time the rumble of war was heard in the distance. One day Herr Schnelhnzxn came home with a very distressed look on his face. Whats the matter, daddy dear? asked Alfreda, running to meet him. Bad news for you and mother, Amondaj' answered her father en- tering the house. Ah, Henry, you look troubled, what is it F asked Frau Schnelhnan, on meeting her husband. I have here an order to go to the front for our Fatherland. I am Ieady to go, but what will become of you and Amonda? H7110 will care for you ? I will take care of mother, daddy, until you come back- You will come back, won't you daddy ? asked Alfreda pleadingly, Yes, I will come back to you, Amonda. Come sing a good-bye song for me, my Singvogel! Alfreda sat on her fathe1 s lap, with little fat arms around his neck and sang. It was a song he had never heard her sing before,

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II. Alfreda had long out-grown short frocks and all that went With them, and with mature attire, had donned the true qualities of woman- hoodg a maiden of personal charm and rare beauty. For years had Dr. Strauss continued to befriend Frau Schnellman but not altogether in regard to her health. One evening, after Alfreda had retired to her room, they sat talking by the fireside, Frau Schnellman, we have known each other for a long time. Your husband has been gone nearly fifteen years nowg you must know he is dead, or he would return to you. You need some one to care for you and Alfreda. Won't you marry me? I love vou and always have' We are both getting old and are aloneg together we could make each other happy. Won't you consider it P pleaded the earnest man. Dr. Straussftbegan Frau Schnellman, you have been so kind to Alfreda and me, I can never repay you: but I-I-can't marry you! I have waited all these many'years for my husband's return. I can't believe he lives, but yet-oh, if I only had the faith of my child ! Frau Schnellman, Alfreda is still but a child and knows not the ways of the world, he responded. Ah, good doctor, my little girl has suffered as I have, but she has been strong when I was weak, she has been my sole comfort, if it had not been for her and for-you-I should have given up long ago. People have been exceedingly kind to us. It is because they love Alfreda so and her singing. Ylou have been exceptionally blessed, Frau Schnellman, in having such a 'Singvogel' in your home. Dr, Strauss, I wish you would advise me. Alfreda has been offered a splendid position with an Opera company in Berlin, and she wants very much to go. Of course we would be separated from each other, but it seems to be the best we can do now,', finished Frau Schnellman. Frau Schnellman, why-why must, why must you do anything? Why must you be parted? Docs Alfreda have to support herself? Have you not -P No, interrupted Frau Schnellman, our little fortune my husband left me is gone. I have forseen for some time that we would soon be without means, but I have tried to keep it from Alfreda- I sold our home on Alte-jungfernsteig quay and took this modest little place in Othmarschen. I have spent much of my time in writing for the periodicals, but my articles were not all accepted and the returns were small. A month ago, I was disciourafed-my last hard efforts had been refused, I was weeping when Alfreda came in. In my grief, I told her the truth. Since that day she has tried everywhere' for employment of every kind, but all in vain, until yesterday gi letter came as a God-send, offering her this brilliant opportunity. I know she can do it, but shall I give my child to the public P ' UNO! No! Wed me and eliminate the necessity of giving up your child. I will give you both a good home and all you desire. I feel that you are tempting me. Come, let's not talk of it more. I should not have told you. Alfreda spent a very joyous week preparing for her departure. Frau Schnellman felt very doleful,'but she tried hard to be blithe and happy in her daughter's presence and to hasten and assist with the tasks to be accomplished.