Read Heimatlos: Two stories for children, and for those who love children Page 29


  CHAPTER VII

  BRIGHTER DAYS FOR THE PATIENT AND FOR SOME ONE ELSE

  Since the day that Colonel Ritter had called with the physician to seethe joiner after his recovery, Mrs. Ritter had daily visited thepatient, and she rejoiced to see how rapidly he was gaining strength.Otto and Miezi had been over twice and taken their friend everythingthey could think of that might please him. They were glad to have thejoiner tell them that a king could not have had better care.

  One day the doctor was just leaving his patient, when the colonelcame. "The joiner is doing well," said the doctor. "Your wife hasspared Trina so long that she ought to go back now, but the poorfellow needs to have somebody with him a while longer. What a pitythat he has no relatives! I have been wondering if Mrs. Ritter mightnot know of some one that we could get to take Trina's place for acouple of weeks."

  "I will ask her as soon as I go back, although I am sure that she willbe in no haste about taking Trina away."

  The next morning, as Mrs. Ritter made her accustomed call, she said toher friend, "Do you feel like talking over a little business matterthis morning?"

  "Certainly; I am feeling quite like myself," replied the joiner, as hepropped his head on his elbow.

  "I am thinking of taking Trina away, since you are doing so well," shebegan.

  "Believe me, Mrs. Ritter, for several days I have been urging her togo; I have realized what it meant to you to do without her."

  "I shouldn't have let her in if she had taken your advice, but thedoctor assures us now that it will be safe for her to leave you, incase some one can be found to take her place. It need not be any oneso proficient as Trina, because we could send you your meals from ourhouse. I have been giving the matter a great deal of thought, Andreas,and I think that you ought to have Wiseli come over to stay with you."

  "No, no, Mrs. Ritter, of course not!" exclaimed Andreas inastonishment. "Do you suppose I could expect that delicate child to domy work? Oh, Mrs. Ritter, do you imagine I have forgotten for a momentabout the girl's mother? Please say nothing more about it, for I wouldrather never get well."

  "But, Andreas, you do not understand me, and I want to tell yousomething more about it. The child is given very hard work to do whereshe is, and the worst of it is that they are not kind to her. Ishould feel so greatly relieved to have her here, because she would atleast be treated kindly. I know that Wiseli's mother would want you totake her, so that she might have a real home, and you will besurprised to see how gladly she will come to you and do the littlenecessary tasks."

  "But how could I get the child if I wanted her?"

  "I shall be more than glad to arrange that for you if you will trustme with it," replied Mrs. Ritter.

  "I must make you promise that she shall be brought only on thecondition that she wants to come," said the joiner.

  "Yes," said Mrs. Ritter; "Wiseli shall not come unless it is her ownwish. I will see you again to-morrow. Good-by."

  Instead of going home, Mrs. Ritter went to find Wiseli, for she waseager to free the child from her present surroundings. When shearrived at Beechgreen, she met Mr. Gotti, who was himself just goinginto the house. "I am surprised to see you over here, and so early inthe morning, Mrs. Ritter," he said, as he cordially shook her hand.

  "Yes, I am sure you are, Mr. Gotti," she replied. "I have come to seeif you could possibly spare Wiseli for about two weeks to care forJoiner Andreas. The doctor thinks that he doesn't need Trina anymore, but that he must have some one. I hope that you will not refuse,and that the cure so well begun may be carried to a successfulfinish."

  Mrs. Gotti joined them just then, and her husband explained the matterto her before answering Mrs. Ritter.

  "Wiseli couldn't do anything if she went," said Mrs. Gotti.

  "The child knows how to do a number of things," corrected the husband."She is bright and learns readily. I am willing to let her go for twoweeks. The spring work will soon begin, and we must have her backthen. The joiner will no doubt be well by that time, so thisarrangement will be satisfactory to everybody."

  "It is very well for you to talk," broke in Mrs. Gotti. "I have justgone through all the trouble of teaching her everything, and when shecomes back I shall have it to do over again. The joiner can afford totrain a girl for himself if he needs one."

  "But, wife, two weeks is not a long time. Mrs. Ritter has spared Trinamuch longer, and we all have to ask favors sometimes."

  "I thank you for the kindness," said Mrs. Ritter, as she rose to takeher leave. "I am sure, too, that the joiner will fully appreciate yoursacrifice. If you will allow me, I will take the child now."

  The aunt objected seriously, but the husband said firmly: "That willbe the best way. The sooner she goes, the sooner she will get back,and I want it distinctly understood that it is to be for only twoweeks."

  Wiseli was called, and told without further explanation to tie a fewbelongings together; she silently obeyed, not daring to ask anyquestions. It was just a year since she had come to the house with herbundle. She had been given nothing new during that time except theblack jacket she had on; it was thinly lined, and her skirt hunglimply to her knees. It was only a moment before she appeared with herbundle under her arm. She looked timidly from her dress to Mrs. Ritteras she entered.

  "You are all right, Wiseli; we are not going far," said Mrs. Ritter.Wiseli followed her down the path, after a hasty farewell to the auntand uncle, and she could not help wondering what was going to be donewith her. Mrs. Ritter cut across the fields to make the distanceshorter, for she felt as if she could not get the child away fastenough.

  As soon as they were out of sight of Beechgreen, Mrs. Ritter turned toWiseli, saying, "You know who Joiner Andreas is, don't you, Wiseli?"

  "Oh, yes," she answered, her face lighting up on hearing the name.

  Mrs. Ritter was pleasantly surprised, and continued, "He is sick,Wiseli; do you think that you would like to stay with him a couple ofweeks and wait on him so that he will get well again?"

  "Of course, Mrs. Ritter, I shall be very glad to go," Wiseli said, andMrs. Ritter wished that Andreas could have seen her as she said it.

  "You must remember to tell him that you are glad to be with him, ifyou are," said Mrs. Ritter; "otherwise he might think we made youcome."

  "I shall not forget to tell him," said the little girl.

  When they reached the joiner's gate, Mrs. Ritter bade Wiseli enterwithout her. "Since I know that you like to go to him, I shall notneed to go in, but you can tell the joiner that I will be over in themorning, and you must come to me for anything you may want at anytime. Good-by."

  It was with a light heart that Wiseli ran up the path to the house,for she rejoiced that she was to see the man who had been so kind toher, and that this was to be her home for a few weeks. She understoodwhat was expected of her, and she knew that the joiner was in bed,with no one else in the house, so she entered without ringing. Howhomelike everything seemed as she looked about! At the farther end ofthe room she noticed, through the parted curtains, a large bed freshlydressed with a white spread and pillows; she wondered who slept inthat room. Then she tapped lightly on the joiner's door, which sheopened as soon as she heard a response. The joiner raised himself onhis elbow to see who was there.

  "Wiseli!" he exclaimed, as if in doubt whether to be glad or sorry."Come over here and give me your hand." Wiseli silently did as she wastold.

  "I am sorry that you had to come to me."

  "Why?"

  "I only mean that perhaps you would a little rather not have come.Mrs. Ritter is always so kind that you did it to please her, didn'tyou?"

  "No, not at all. She never asked me to do it for her. She wanted toknow if I cared to come, and I said, 'Yes.' There is no place in thewhole world where I should have been so glad to go as to your house."

  This must have satisfied the joiner, for his head dropped back to thepillows, and he tried to look at Wiseli, but the tears persisted infilling his eyes.

  "What must I do?"
asked Wiseli, when he said nothing further.

  "I am sure I don't know, Wiseli," said the joiner, gently. "I shall beglad to have you do exactly as you please, if you will stay with me awhile first and keep me company."

  Wiseli could scarcely believe she had heard aright. Nobody but hermother had ever spoken to her like that. Her first thought was thather mother would be glad if she knew how kind he was. There was thesame tenderness in his tones that she used to feel in the mother's,and she unconsciously loved him in the same way. She took his hand inboth of hers and chatted with him as freely as if she had always knownhim.

  "I am afraid I ought to be getting dinner," she said at length; "whatshould you like to have me cook for you?"

  "I want you to have just what you like," replied the joiner.

  This, however, did not satisfy Wiseli, for she desired above all elseto please him, so she asked question after question until she foundout what she wanted to know. She knew how to make the soup he said heliked, and she realized now that she had learned many useful thingsfrom her aunt, even if they had been taught without kindness. Wiseliprepared the joiner's dinner on a tray and carried it to him.

  "I wish you would draw the little table over here and eat your dinnerwith me," said the joiner. "Mine will taste so much better if youwill."

  Wiseli was again surprised, but she said, "That is just what mammawould have said."

  What a pleasant dinner that was! The joiner was so considerate ofWiseli's comfort that it made the humblest task a pleasure to her.

  "Now what are you going to do?" he asked, when they had finisheddinner and Wiseli rose from the table.

  "I am going to wash the dishes," she replied.

  "I suppose such things have to be done," said the joiner, "but Ithink, since this is your first day with me, that you might stack themup and do them to-morrow; you know there are only a few."

  "Why, I should be so ashamed if Mrs. Ritter should happen to come inthat I shouldn't know what to do," said Wiseli, and she turned such aserious face to him that he laughed.

  "All right," he said; "only remember that you are to do just as youlike while you are with me."

  Wiseli had not thought that it could be so much fun to do up thedinner work. When it was finished, she said to herself, "Now thiskitchen is nice enough for any one to inspect."

  She had been told that the alcove opening off from the living room wasto be hers, so she hung her few garments in the closet opening fromone corner of the room. When she returned to the joiner's room hesaid, "Good, I have been waiting for you a long time."

  "Haven't you a stocking that I could knit while I sit here?" sheasked, as she took the chair beside the bed.

  "Of course not," answered the sick man; "you have already done toomuch, and I want you to rest now."

  "But I am not allowed to sit idle except on Sunday. Besides, I canknit and talk at the same time."

  "If you will be any more contented with a stocking, get one, by allmeans, but please remember that I don't want you to work unless youprefer to do so," said the joiner.

  In this quiet way they passed one day after another. Everything Wiselidid pleased the joiner, and she was thanked for every little serviceas if it were of the utmost importance. The patient gained so much instrength that he was soon clamoring for permission to get up. Thedoctor told him that he might sit up whenever he wished, and much ofhis time was now spent sitting in the bay window in the living room,where the warm sunshine helped to make the days cheerful. He liked towatch his little housekeeper moving about at her household duties, andshe succeeded in making his house more attractive than he had everhoped to see it.

  Wiseli so enjoyed herself in this comfortable home, where she had theassurance of being cared for and protected, that she sometimes forgotshe must soon give it up and return to her uncle at Beechgreen.

  CHAPTER VIII

  THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS

  In the home on the hill they talked often of the good joiner andWiseli. Mrs. Ritter went to see them every morning, and she alwaysbrought encouraging news home with her. Otto and Miezi were planning asurprise for Andreas and Wiseli in which they meant to celebrate theirfriend's recovery. To-day, however, they had a celebration in theirown home, for it was their father's birthday. It had seemed like areal holiday to the children ever since they got up in the morning,and now they were about to enjoy the birthday feast. They were all inthe best of humor. After the first course had been served, there wasplaced before Mrs. Ritter a covered dish which, when the cover hadbeen removed, displayed a cabbage head looking as fresh and natural asif it had just come from the garden.

  "That dish is certainly pretty enough to be praised," said the father;"but really I was expecting to see something else, Marie. You know atevery feast I am on the lookout for my favorite vegetable, theartichoke. Isn't it on the menu to-day?"

  "There," broke in Miezi, "that is just what he called me! Twice hecalled me that, and he had his big stick raised like this, and he wasgoing--"

  Miezi had her arm raised to illustrate the man's attempt to strikeher, when she suddenly caught the warning look from her brother acrossthe table, and remembered her promise not to tell her parents aboutwhat had happened that night. In her great confusion her face grewscarlet, and she pushed her arms as far as possible under the table.

  "I am surprised to have my birthday celebration take this turn," saidthe father. "On one side of the table my daughter speaks of somethingabout which we have heard nothing, while, on the opposite side, my sonkicks my leg until it feels as if it might be black and blue. I shouldlike to know, Otto, where you learned such gymnastics."

  It was now Otto's turn to blush, which he did to the roots of hishair. He had intended to hush his sister with the kicks, but evidentlyhe had not struck where he intended. For a time he was too embarrassedto look his father in the face.

  "Well, Miezchen, what was the rest of the story which Otto did notallow you to finish? You say he called you a dreadful name, raised hisstick at you, and--?"

  "Then, then," began Miezi,--she realized, now, that she had told, andmust sacrifice the candy rooster in consequence,--"then he didn't killme, anyway."

  The father laughed heartily. "It was good of him not to kill my littlegirl, but what then?"

  "That was all."

  "The story has a happy ending," said the father. "The stick remainspoised in the air and little Miezchen comes home as the artichoke. Nowlet us forget everything except that this is my birthday and that weare to do justice to the feast provided."

  Otto, however, still felt somewhat disturbed, and after dinner wentoff to a corner by himself. He seemed to be reading, but instead, hewas thinking about what had happened, for he was very sure that hismother would never again let him go with the others to coast bymoonlight.

  Miezi went to her room to take a last look at the candy rooster withwhich she must part, now that she had failed to keep her promise. Mrs.Ritter was seated at the window trying to explain to herself thestrange actions of her children. She became more and more restless asshe thought about it, and finally went in search of Miezi, whom shefound at the foot of the bed in a very unhappy state of mind.

  "Miezchen, mamma has come to have a talk with you. I want you to tellme when it was that you were frightened by that man."

  "The night that we went coasting by moonlight. I know he called methat word papa used at the table to-night."

  Mrs. Ritter now went to find her husband. "I should like to tell yousomething, Otto," she said.

  The colonel laid his newspaper aside and looked inquiringly at hiswife.

  "I have been thinking about the scene at the table to-night, and I havecome to the conclusion that the children were frightened by the sameman that tried to kill the joiner. I have just found out from Miezithat it happened the evening I gave the children permission to coastby moonlight, and that was the very night the joiner was hurt. It ismuch more likely that the man called her 'aristocrat' than'artichoke.' If so, I should say that the man was And
reas's brother.He is the only one in the world who would think of using that word,and I am sure the only one who would hurt Andreas. Don't you think itlikely that it was Andreas's brother George?"

  "It does seem probable," answered the colonel, thoughtfully; "I willsee what can be done about it." He rang for the coachman to bring thecarriage, and a few moments later he was on his way to the city.

  For several days Colonel Ritter went frequently to confer with thepolice, but it was not until two weeks later that they succeeded ingetting results. One evening, when the Colonel returned to his home,he told the members of his family that the thief had been captured,and that it was, as Mrs. Ritter had surmised, the joiner's own brotherGeorge. He had been living in the near-by hotels, confident that noone had seen him in his home town, because he had passed through inthe night.

  He denied knowing anything about the affair when he was firstarrested, but when told that Colonel Ritter had weighty evidenceagainst him, he inferred that he must have been recognized after all.He lost his temper, and said that of course those "aristocrats" wouldlike to make trouble for him. In answer to questions he said that hehad just returned from service in the Neapolitan War; and that he hadintended to go to his brother to borrow some money, but finding himwith the large sum before him, he saw the opportunity to get it all.It had been his intention merely to knock his brother senseless, sothat he could make his escape, and he protested that he had neverwished to kill him.

  Fortunately, most of the money was still in George's possession. Itwas recovered, and he was put in prison.

  This story caused quite a commotion in the little town, especiallyamong the school children.

  Several nights after George had been arrested, Otto came home verymuch excited. Although Joggi had been set free as soon as George hadconfessed, he was still too frightened to take advantage of hisliberty. He thought that he should be killed if he went out. Finallythe police authorities turned him out by force, but he ran quickly toa near-by barn where he hid himself in the farthest corner. Here hehad remained for three days, and the farmer had threatened to take thepitchfork to him if he did not go away soon.

  "That is very sad indeed," said Mrs. Ritter, when Otto had finishedtelling her about it. "The poor fellow suffers because his mind is toofeeble to understand what is said to him. It is hard that an innocentman should be made so miserable. If you had told me that night aboutwhat had happened to Miezi, we should not have caused Joggi so muchsuffering. You had better try to do something for him, since you mighthave spared him all this."

  "I will give him my red candy rooster," said Miezi, sympathetically.

  "A red candy rooster to a grown-up man!" laughed Otto. "You had betterkeep it, since you are so fond of it."

  "They say he has had no food, mother," Otto continued. "I shall beglad to take him some dinner."

  Mrs. Ritter gave her consent, so the children packed a basket withgood things to eat, and started for the barn to find Joggi. He wasthere, crouched in the corner as they had supposed.

  Otto opened the basket for him to see and said, "Come out here, Joggi,and you shall have all there is in this basket."

  Joggi did not move.

  "Come, Joggi," continued Otto, "you know the farmer may take thepitchfork to you if you stay here."

  At this Joggi screamed and tried to get farther back in his corner.

  Miezi was very sorry for the poor man. Going up to him, she whisperedin his ear: "My papa will not let them hurt you, so you had bettercome along with me. I brought you something from Santa Claus. See!"She held out the candy rooster to him as she spoke.

  These whispered words restored Joggi's confidence. He lookedfearlessly about, took the candy rooster from her hand, and began tolaugh in his old way. He allowed Miezi to lead him out, but he wouldnot touch the basket, so they let him follow them home.

  Mrs. Ritter was relieved to see Joggi with them. She opened the doorfor them, and had a good supper placed before the hungry man, saying,"Eat all you want, Joggi, and be happy."

  Joggi ate heartily and seemed as pleased as a child over the rooster,which he held constantly. As soon as he had finished eating, he roseto go home, and they noticed that he looked at the rooster and laughedas he went, his great fright apparently forgotten.

  For several days Mrs. Ritter did not see the joiner. It seemed alonger time to her, for so much had happened in the meantime; she hadnot worried about him, however, because she knew that he was wellcared for.

  The colonel had told Andreas about his brother's confession. "It islike him to do things in that fashion," said the joiner. "I wouldgladly have given it all to him, but he always takes the wrong way toget what he wants."

  One bright sunny morning Mrs. Ritter went tripping down the hill likea schoolgirl. She was going to see Andreas, and she had some plans inmind, the carrying out of which would give her a great deal ofpleasure.

  When she reached his house and entered as usual, she was surprised tosee Wiseli run out of the room in tears, and the joiner sitting in thedeepest gloom, as if a great sorrow had befallen him.

  "What has happened?" she exclaimed, as she stood still inastonishment.

  "Mrs. Ritter," he faltered, "I wish that the child had never come tomy house."

  "What!" she exclaimed, more amazed than ever. "Wiseli? What can shehave done?"

  "Oh, for heaven's sake, don't misunderstand me, Mrs. Ritter!" hecried. "It is only because she has been here and has made a littleparadise out of my humble home that I am so unhappy. They have sentfor her the second time, and she has to go back to Beechgreen. I shallbe miserable without her. You don't know how hard it is for me to lether go. She would rather stay with me, too, so we are both unhappyover it. I would give the uncle all I have saved in the last thirtyyears, if he would only let me keep her."

  Mrs. Ritter sighed in relief and said, "I should do nothing of thesort; I know of a much better way."

  He looked at her questioningly.

  "I should adopt Wiseli, if I were you and wanted her. Then you will beher father and she will be your child and heir. Wouldn't that be abetter way, Andreas?"

  Andreas grasped Mrs. Ritter's hand as he asked eagerly, "Is such athing possible?"

  "Yes"; said Mrs. Ritter, "I thought that you might want to keep her,so I have been looking the matter up, and Mr. Ritter is at home now,so that, in case you want to settle the legal part of it, he can takeyou to the city immediately, for you are not yet able to go byyourself. Then you will have nothing to worry about, and you can tellWiseli after you come back."

  It was the first time that she had ever seen the joiner excited. Hebegan to get into his overcoat as she rose to go.

  "Are you sure," he asked, "that we can get the matter settled to-day?"

  "Yes, I am sure," she replied, "and I will send the carriage over atonce."

  A few moments later Wiseli noticed the Ritter carriage drive up to thegate and the coachman come to assist the joiner down the walk. She wassurprised to see him get into the carriage, for he had not told herthat he was going for a drive. "Perhaps," she thought, "he did notfeel like telling me, because this is the last day that I can be withhim."

  Wiseli had the dinner ready at the usual hour, but the joiner was notthere. She did not wish to eat without him, so she waited and waited,but still he did not come. Finally, she fell asleep. She dreamed thatshe was again at her uncle's home and that she was very unhappy. Shewas not aware of the beautiful evening glow in the sunset whichpromised a pleasant to-morrow.

  Wiseli started from her slumber when the door opened. It was thejoiner, who had just returned, and his face was as radiant as thesunset. He had been in such a different mood in the morning thatWiseli stared in astonishment.

  "I have good news, Wiseli," he said, as he hung up his hat and steppedabout as lightly as a boy. "It is all settled. You are legally mychild, and I am your father. Call me father this very minute, mylittle girl."

  All the color had left Wiseli's cheeks, and she stood uncomprehendingand speec
hless.

  "Of course you don't know what I am talking about," he said. "I beginat the wrong end because I am so glad. This is what has happened,Wiseli: the proper authorities have to-day given me the legal right totake care of you. I have been to the city and the matter is arranged,so that we really belong to each other. You shall never go back toyour uncle's again, for now you have a home of your own."

  His meaning dawned at length upon Wiseli, although it seemed too goodto be true. Impulsively she sprang into his arms. "Then I can alwayscall you father," she said. "I know who knew that this was going tohappen," she added.

  "Who knew it would happen, Wiseli?"

  "My mother knew it would."

  "Your mother! How, Wiseli?"

  "In my dream I saw the path that leads to your house, and she waspointing to it and saying, 'See, Wiseli, that is your path.' So mothermust have known it," she added. "Don't you think that she helped tobring it about, father?"

  The good man could not answer, for his heart was full and his eyeswere dimmed with tears, but he looked at Wiseli so lovingly that sheunderstood.

  Suddenly the door was thrown open, and Otto fairly sprang into theroom. He threw up his cap and shouted, "Hurrah! We've won, and Wiseliis free."

  Miezi came in next, almost breathless, and as she held the door openshe cried, "See what is coming for the celebration!"

  There was the baker's boy carrying so large a board on his head thathe stuck fast in the doorway, and they had to help him to get it intothe house.

  It was explained that Otto and Miezi, having permission to order aslarge a cake as they wished for the occasion, had told the baker tomake them the largest he could, so he had baked one just the size ofhis oven.

  Trina came with loaded baskets which contained a well-browned roastand tempting vegetables, for Mrs. Ritter knew that the joiner had notbeen able to eat his dinner, and surmised rightly that Wiseli wouldnot have eaten much by herself. Trina prepared things on the table sothat they could all sit down. It was a joyous occasion for every onepresent. The feast was followed with merriment and song until a latehour.

  At last Trina stood ready to return, and the guests rose to go.

  "To-night you have brought the feast to us," said the joiner, "but oneweek from to-night I invite you all to come back to a feast that Iwish to provide in honor of my little daughter."

  Then they shook hands in the pleasant anticipation of coming togetheragain soon, and in general satisfaction that their little friend hadat last a home of her own. Wiseli followed Otto to the door and said:"I thank you a thousand times, Otto, for all that you have done forme. Chappi never hurt me again after you choked him, because he wasafraid that I might tell you, so you see how much reason I have to begrateful."

  "I am much more indebted to you," said Otto. "I haven't had to do thatwork in the schoolroom again, and that I disliked much more thanpunishing Chappi, so we shall have to call it even."

  Miezi, who had been the gayest of the party all the evening, waved herhand in answer to the last farewell, and then the guests were lost toview. Joiner Andreas sat down by the window in his accustomed place,but Wiseli first restored order to dishes and furniture. When she hadfinished that task, she went to her father and said: "Shouldn't youlike to hear the verses that mother taught me? They have been runningin my mind all the evening, and I don't intend ever to forget them."

  "I shall be very glad to hear them," said the joiner, as he took heron his knee. Then Wiseli, leaning on his shoulder and looking out tothe stars, repeated with joyful heart:

  "Commit thou all thy ways And all that grieves thy heart To Him whose endless days Shall grace and strength impart.

  "He gives to wind and wave The power to be still; For thee He'll surely save A place to work His will."

  From this time on the little home of the joiner, nestling among theflowers, remained one of the happiest in the world. Wherever Wiseliwent, people were so polite to her that she was quite astonished, forthey had scarcely noticed her before. Her aunt and uncle Gotti neverpassed the house without coming in to see her, and they always invitedher to make them a visit.

  Wiseli was very much relieved to see their friendly manner, for shehad had secret fears as to how they would accept the situation. Shewas glad to live in peace with all the people about her, but she saidto herself, "Otto and the rest of the Ritter family were kind to mewhen I was unhappy and poor, but the others paid no attention to meuntil my father took me, so I know where to look for my realfriends."

  PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY OF PROPER NAMES

  The vowels are marked as in Webster's dictionary.

  In unaccented syllables, long vowels and ae should not be pronouncedtoo strongly; but they should not become indistinct, especially in thenames around Lake Garda (both persons and places). In unaccentedsyllables the vowel [~e] should be very light and rather indistinct; avery common pronunciation, though not the most exact, is to sound thisvowel in German names like the _a_ in _sofa_.

  Aar (aer) Aloise (ae l[=o][=e]'z[~e]) Andreas (aen dr[=a]'aes) Bergamo (b[ve]r'gae m[=o]) Bern (b[ve]rn) Chappi (kaep'p[=e]) Como (c[=o]'m[=o]) Desenzano (d[=a] s[ve]n dzae'n[=o]) Engadine ([ve]n gae d[=e]n') Enrico ([ve]n r[=e]'c[=o]) Garda (gaer'dae) Gotti (g[vo]t't[=e]) Hans (haens) Heimatlos (h[=i]'maet l[=o]s): homeless Joggi (y[vo]g'g[=e]) Kunzli (kunts'l[=e]) Maloja (mae l[=o]'yae) Maria (mae r[=e]'ae) Marie (mae r[=e]') Menotti (m[=a] n[vo]t't[=e]) Miez (m[=e]ts) Miezchen (m[=e]ts'ch[ve]n) Miezi (m[=e]t's[=e]) Peschiera (p[ve] skya'rae) Rico (r[=e]'c[=o]) Ritter (r[vi]t'ter) Riva (r[=e]'vae) Rudi (r[u:]'d[=e]) St. Gall (saint gael) St. Moritz (saint m[=o]'r[vi]ts) Sils (z[vi]ls) Sils-Maria (z[vi]ls-mae r[=e]'ae) Silvio (s[=e]l'vy[=o]) Stineli (st[=e]'n[~e] l[=e]) Trevillo (tr[=a] v[=e]l'l[=o]) Trina (tr[=e]'nae) Trudt (tr[u:]t) Una sera ([u:]'nae s[=a]'rae): one evening Urschli (ur'shl[=e]) Wiseli (v[=e]'z[~e] l[=e]) Wisi (v[=e]'z[=e])

  Transcriber's Note:

  Not all letters can be shown as in the original text. The followingconvention has been used to indicate letters which can not berepresented (where x denotes the letter).

  [vx] letter with caron above [=x] letter with macron above [~x] letter with tilde above [x:] letter with dieresis below

 
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