Waldfried; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 Excerpt: ... VII. LUDWIG'S servant entered and inquired whether he might accompany " madame" (meaning Johanna) to church. "You may go," replied Ludwig to the servant, who saluted in curt military style and left the room. Richard inquired where the man was from, for his pronunciation would prove him a North German. Ludwig replied, "Yes, he is a specimen of North German discipline and reliability. "Although he was willing to work at anything, he was almost perishing with want when I made his acquaintance. I took him into my service, and every order I gave was executed by him as implicitly as if he were obeying an imperative law of nature. "One evening I had an appointment to meet several persons at the town hall; I took him with me, and said to him, 'Willem, wait here for me.' "I entered and had a lengthy interview--forgot Willem, and left through another door. "The next morning I came back to the town hall, and there stood Willem. "' What are you doing there?' I asked. "'Ik warte, ' said he. "He had waited there all night, and would probably have waited the whole of that day, if I had not by chance come there. I am waiting (dialect). '" After that, we always called him 'Ik-warte.'" We were so happy together. It was one of those moments that one wishes might be prolonged forever, and in which one dreads to move from his seat for fear of breaking the spell. Our happiness was, however, not to be of long dura tion. The locksmith's widow came, bringing her children with her. They brought a pot of fine honey, and fresh garlands of daisies and violets. Ludwig advised the children--they were two girls and a boy--above all things not to consider themselves Americans; for if Germans would work as they do in Amer...