I’m in my 80s now. My mind often goes back to special times and special people.

I’m remembering the Wagners, Albert and Gertrude. Albert sold shoes at the Company Store. Gertrude was very artistic. She painted pictures and china. They bought a place across the road from us in Spring Glen. They would be there on weekends, planting things and enjoying the country life.

Most of the things they planted are long gone except for the beautiful blue spruce tree.

I never thought that Albert looked German. His real name was Farguson. His mother died when he was born and he was adopted by a German family.

Gertrude was in her 50s when she died. Albert moved to their place in Spring Glen. His neighbors were the Pierinis on the Snoqualmie side and my folks across the road. They watched over him. If there was no smoke coming out of the chimney when he would normally be up, someone would investigate. The Wagners never had children of their own but I’d say at least 50 kids were on their Christmas gift list. The gifts were always something nice and appropriate.

Mr. Wagner was always at our place for Christmas dinner. One day he asked Mrs. Pierini and my mom to pick out something from his wife’s things they would like to have. Their only heir was her nephew, who never married and didn’t care about nice things.

Cleo Soister

Fall City