Jennie Gerhardt

side. Born in the kingdom of Saxony, he had had character enough to oppose the army conscription iniquity,

ories in Pennsylvania. In one romantic village of this new world he had found his heart's ideal. With her, a simple American girl of German extraction, he ha

his integrity. "William," his employer used to say to him, "I want you b

oned about it. Father and grandfather before him were sturdy German artisans, who had never ch

eling that the Lutheran Church was a perfect institution, and that its teachings were of all-importance when it came to the issue of the future life. His wife, nominally of the Mennonite faith, was quite willing to accept her

sitate to declare vociferously that hell was yawning for those who disobeyed his injunctions. Drinking, even temperately, was a sin. Smoking - well, he smoked himself. Right conduct in marriage, however, and innocence before that state were absolute essentials of Christian living. Let no one talk of salva

as little more than nominal. Religion had as yet no striking hold upon her. It was a pleasant thing to know that there was a heaven, a fearsome one to reali

om the pulpit of his church was literally true.

honest and upright that the Lord might have no excuse for ruling him out. He trembled not only for himself, but for his wife and children. Would he not some day be held responsible for them? Would not his own la

nie was never to have a lover if her father had any voice in the matter. Any flirtation with the youths she might meet upon the streets of Columbus could have no c

ughter. The manner in which the Senator entered the family life was so original and so plausible that he became an active part before any one thought anything about it. Gerhardt himself was deceived, and, expecting nothing but

ing home from his night work a neig

d of yours, I want to tell you what I hear. The neighbours, you k

s abrupt attack than mere words could indicate. "Whom do you

ecipient of his confidences. "The middle-aged man, with g

his memory wit

went on Weaver, doubtful of what

lieved. "Senator Brander. Yes. He has

man, you know. Your daughter, she goes out with him now a few times. These peopl

People must have a reason for saying such things. Jennie and her mother w

onfusedly. "People should not talk until

ople talk before they have any grounds. You and I

m. The world was such a grim thing to have antagonistic to you. Its opinions and good favour were so es

mured as he started homeward. "

irst opportunity to

g out to call on Jennie?" he asked in Ger

same language. She was decidedly taken aback at

of her frailty in tolerating and shielding such

y nonplussed. "He has only b

ency to talk loud coming upon him. "Two or three times! T

three times," Mrs. Ge

e talking of the man my daughter is going with. I didn't know anything about it. There I st

nnie has gone walking with him once or twice. He has called here at the house. What is t

the words of Weaver. "He is a public citizen. Wha

He comes here to the house. I don't know anything

w of the Senator was excellent. What was

t now, so they talk about Jennie. You know whether she is a good girl or not. Why

ot to want to come around and take a girl of her age ou

h one of the children, but had not suspected its import. Now her mother turned her back and bent o

guely troubled by the tense stillness

said Gerh

lity told something. Jennie went over to her an

he repeated wonderingl

his daughter's innocence do

r?" she urged sof

r brokenly. "They're always ready to talk abo

quired Jennie, her f

knows. Now, why didn't you tell me that he was coming here? The neighbours talk

he purest sympathy for her mothe

street and speak of it? You should be ashamed of yourself to say that. I always thought well of this man, but now, since you don't tell me a

nnie had already begun to thin

ecause it was evil," she said. "Wh

't tell me that,"

dark," replied Jennie. "That's why I didn't.

the world outside. "What can he want with you. Why does he come here? He is too old, anyho

ng except help me," murmured

ning around with my daughter, and the neighbours talking. Besides, he is too old. I shall tell him that. He oug

Why must they be degraded before him? Of course Brander did call again, while Gerhardt was away at work, and they trembled lest the father should hear of it. A few

th that man?" he inquired of

ight," returned the

im he shouldn't

ow. I don't

hing will be stopped or not," said the determined fat

order to discover whether any visitor was being entertained. On the fourth evening Brander came, and inquiring for Jennie, who was exceedingly

ime, observed her departure. That was enough for h

is Je

omewhere," sa

rdt. "I saw her. Now wait till

ing an eye upon his wife, until, at last, the gate

been?" he excl

pending, felt irritated and uncomfortable. Jennie was covered with c

ut for a walk," she

t any more after dark?" said Ge

furiously, unabl

ed Brander gravely. "Why shou

er rudely. "I have told her two or three times now. I

nsider and choose his words. "Isn't this ra

t unaccented English in consequence. "She is running around the streets at night when she oughtn't to be. I don't wa

ity. "I want to talk with her, of course. She is old enough to

c, and descending to the ordinary level of parental compulsion. "I don't want you to come around

e to make clear your meaning. I have done nothing that I am ashamed of. Your daughter has not com

rides and walks with my daughter when I am not here - that's what I mean. I mean that you are no man of honourable intentions, or you would not come tak

ecause I do love her. It is my intention to marry her, and if your neighbours have anything to say to that, let the

Jennie had backed away to the door leading out into th

when you were away. What shall we do?" They clung togeth

laimed the fathe

or herself. You have insulted me and outraged your daughter's feelings. Now, I wish you to know that it cann

was neither loud-voiced nor angry-mannered, but there was a tightn

shall go out at night, or whether she shall marry you, either. I know what you politicians are. When I first met you I thought you were a fine man, but now, sin

ad such an argument in your home. I had no idea that your husband was opposed to my visits. However, I

n in astonishment

am leaving this matter for good. You have made a serious mistake this evening. I

and wife, "we will see whether we are rid of him or not. I will show you

fact that he had accepted his place from the Senator and decided to give it up. He made it known that no more of the Senator's washing was to be done in their house, and if he had not been sure that Mrs. Ger

his standing to descend and become involved in one struck him now as being a little bit unworthy. He did not know what to do about the situation, and

verty if only it could be endured with honour. The grocery bills were of the same size, however. The children's clothing w

tion was, and to tell them with convincing honesty that he would try hard and do the best he could. But his spirit was unstrung by his misfortunes. He prayed for the favour of Heaven while at his labour, and did not hesitate t

lling himself, but he explained his pr

street and ask me for mone

ssing situation

g the past two years, but so long as it was confined to moderate quantities the railroad took no notice. When, however, customers of shippers complained that cars from the Pennsylvania fields lost thousands of pounds in transit to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and othe

and the other children dropped their baskets and buckets and fled for their lives. Sebastian'

" he exclaimed

weakling. There was nerve and determination in him,

iterated, and giving a jerk

ve, pulling him viciously in an e

was with a blow which s

er they hurried him toward the depot, and there discovering the local officer, turned him over. It was

eleven, and Sebastian did not return, Mrs. Gerhardt was beside herself. He had stayed out many a night as late as twelve and one

nd tell your father," she

, who was soundly sleeping, wa

dt, astonished to s

e, and then told the story of the

hildren to a point where he could turn off to go to the jai

nervously, rubbing his clumsy

e sergeant in charge told him cu

his blotter; "yes, here he is. Stealing co

"Ach Gott!" He actually w

him?" asked

," said t

other to the old watchman in c

ought out all marked and tousled, he broke down and began

avely. "I couldn't help it. It's al

ly shook wi

s very best to restrain his own tears. "I'

rent brokenly, "but I can't help it. It i

ian. "You couldn't help it. Doe

came up where I was and told me. I didn't know anythi

f his nature coming to the surface. "I'll be all right. Just

e?" asked the father, loo

the man who nabbed me," said the boy, smi

he father. "It may go harder with you on t

ey told me," said B

f a jail sentence without arriving at any definite conclusion. Finally he was persuaded by Bass to go away, but

was led back to his cell. He was thinking sole

'd knocked the dub over the first crack," he said.