Harper's Round Table, February 18, 1896

A fourteen‑year‑old American boy finds himself far from home, living with a kindly German family in Berlin while his parents travel abroad. When a tear‑filled reading of a hockey story sparks both nostalgia and curiosity, he discovers the icy rinks of the city and the thrill of a sport that feels like a piece of home. The narrative captures his tentative steps into a foreign world, where language barriers are softened by the universal language of play.

At the West End Eisbahn, the boy’s enthusiasm collides with the disciplined cadence of German cadets and officers, leading to a spontaneous game of hockey on the frozen pond. Laughter erupts as cultural pride and youthful bravado mix, and a friendly challenge is issued that promises a light‑hearted contest between the eager American and the proud German troops. The story balances humor, the pangs of homesickness, and the excitement of new friendships forged on ice.