Lewis Clark State College - Yearbook (Lewiston, ID)

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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.

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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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At last the set day for the little journey to Berlin arrived. Alircda was ready with her pretty but simple outfit- Her mother SlI0Od at the gate, waving good-bye, as big tears rolled down each cheek. Frau Schnellman felt as she did on. the day of her husband's leaving, which was now almost fifteen years ago. She remembered the day well, and the song' Alfreda had sung. Dont worry, mother dear, I will take care of you until father comes, she called, and then she was gone from sight. III. I ' it was all so strange-to be alone in Berlin without her mother, or even a friend-Alfreda had never been away from home before. The first week was a very long and lonely one for her, and she suffered much from homesickness, but she soon made many new fflU1ldS arnvong those who also were studying for the opera. Most of her time she spent energetically on her music at the conservatoire. She was de- termined to make a success. At her trial performance the ll1?1UZ1g'CI' was delighted with her voice and spoke very encouragingly. Although Alfreda was tired wlhen her dayls work was over, she did not forget her mother, and each night before retiring, she wrote a letter, telling of her work and friends, and there were always cheery passages to gladden the heart of the reader. A few days before Alfreda's first appearance at the Royal Opera, she was taken seriously illg too ill to go to her studio She was greatly alarmed for fear she would be unable to make her appearance, and so be discharged. Then what would she do! A caller to see you, Fraulein Schnellman, announced the land- lady. A tall, dark, well-groomed young man entered the rofom- Alfreda recognized her manager, Herr Carl VVeb.er, I-Ivow do you do, Fraulein Schnellman? Not very well- apparently, he said, as he advanced- toward her.', I am very sorry indeed to hear of your illness, but I have been afraid that you were bringing this upon yourself. You are too concerned about your work. You have been exerting yourself beyond the limitations of your strength. Oh, Herr Weber! I must make a success. My mother - There is no need of your being disturbed. You have a remarkable voice and one you need not fear to test. I should have told you before and saved you from this, he said frankly. Your recital has been postponed until you have regained your health. I hope you will soon recover, he said, picking up his hat and walking stick. Alfreda did soon recover and was at her work again with renewed vigor. I-Ierr Weber had given her a few orders. One was that she should not spend more than five hours a day at the conservatoire. Thursday had been the day set for Alfreda's recital. It came as all eventful days do- Alfreda was feeling confident. She was not tired or nervous as she feared she would be. It was all due to I-Ierr Weber'G kind interest in her. She had not been allowed to .confine herself at her work for long periods at a time, for he often came in to carry her awlay to observe inspiring plays such as the Don juan, or Fideles at the Theatre Platz. Several times they had been on long drives along the shady avenues, past dripping fountains, bridges which were works of art, flower plots, marble statuary and through the Branderburg