Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-06-12
a eoca Stofu.
TIE FIRST
ENGLISH PINEAPPLE.


familiar with the taste which nice
pineapple has. 1t is indeed most
delicious fruit, and thoughitis seldom
grown in our own country, cargo
upon cargo of this splendid produc-
tion ofawarlner cline arrives in their
season.
There is a very agreeable story
connected with the first attempt to
produce the pineapple upon English
soil, which l will relate. Some pine
apples had been sent from Holland,
as a present to Charles H., which
/ had greatly delighted that monarcy.
"Why cannot we grow these West
Indian fruits as well as the Dutch?'
inquired he, after having just partak-
en- of one with great relish.
cit may be done whenever your
Majesty pleases," returned Evelyn,
who Glanced to be present
aBut how?"
s.Only permit me to consult with
your Majesty's gardener, John Rose,
who reasons so pertinently on all
things connected with the hortulan
profession, and
The King was too impatienttoh hear
more, and Rose twas hastily ordered
to appear before, him. The garden
erinstantly obeyed thesummons. He
was tall and good-looking, though
his features were strongly marked;
and, in spite of his English name, he
was evidently a Scotchman. He
heard all that the King had to say,
and listened to Evelyn's somewhat
prosy directions as to the best method
of extracting the crown of the pine
apple, &C., with sort of proud hu
mility, but without uttering single
word.
DO you think you shall be able to
manage it, Rose?' asked the King.
"Iwill do my best endeavors," re-
turned the gardener, bowing. "In.
deed, being, by your Majesty's grace
and favor, advanced to the supremest
glory of my profession, l should be
unworthy of my high station, If |
did not do my utmost to meet your
Maiesty's wishes"
The King smiled appreciation, and
Evelyn and the gardener retired to
consult further on the subject.
'sDid you ever see anything like
that fellows pride?" exclaimed Ro-
chester, as soon as the gardener had
left tho room. "He talks of his high
station rs II he were Lord Chancellor
at least
"Hc is n worthy fellow" said the
King: IL like him the better for his
pride, as IL keeps him honest; and |
have but few honest men about my
court, you know, Rochester"
"That is but poor compliment" I"
cried the earl; "but TO return TO Rose,
what will your Majesty say, i'll can
contrivc to make him give to me the
pineapple he is about TO grow, instead
Of sending il TO your Majesty's tablc2"
"Inrpossiblel cried the King.
t'Nothing Is impossible" said
Rochester, "that depends on the weak
ness of human nature. Every man
has his price: money will boy some
honors others-some may be coaxed
some frightened: all that Is necessary
Ia 10 know how TO touch the right
string
",rhou canst do much, Rochester, y
said the King, laughing; "but this Is
beyond thy skill. Rose Is q proud
Scotchman, indifferent as TO money;
incapable of love; and insensiblo 10
praise, because ho possesses n firm
belief that all the honors | could be.
stow upou him would be far inferior
TO his merit. Asto coaxing or frightcn-
ing him, he is too cold -bloodcd, and
| has too little Imagination for either.
In short, do what thou wiltthou canst
not succeed y
ave shall SEQ, said Rochester.
! In thomeantime, Evelyn and Rose
had entered into deep consultation NJ
TO the manner In which the important
affair they bad undertaken was TO be
executed In those days Of rehne.
ment, II Is hardly possible TO conceive
tho labor that attended growing that
pineapple. Hot-houses, stoves, pits
frames, and bark-bods wcro unknown
In England ut that period, and even
greenhouses had not boon long
cd. What few greenhouses there
were had Opaque roofs, which were
usually thatched for warmth, and th,
best contrivanco that had been devils
ed for heating them was drawing q
little iron Wagon, filed with lighted
charcoal, up and down the PATHS and
even this was not suffered TO remain
In tho greenhouse oil night; from The
belief that the eiiluvium from the
charcoal would be as fatal to plants
as II was TO men.
We always love what we have
taken trouble TO preserve, and thus
IL was the case with Rose and hil
pineapple. The very anxiety IL cos
him for more than two years gave Il
value in his eyes; IL seemed almost
like part of himself and, as II grew
and flourished, he wassproud of IL
because he felt II was his own skill
and attention which made il what /
was. The flowers appeared and vanish
cd, and the feshy bracts which con
stitute the fruit were already begin
ming 10 swell when the King took !
into his head 10 visit the grcenhous
in which tho pine-plant was growing
He was attended by many of the ga,
lords and ladies OF his court, who al
pressed forwards with eager an,
curious eyes TO examine this ney
wonder. Roses heart swelled wit
pride as she heard them express th,i
surprise and admiration, and he fel
still prouder when he heard the Kiny
jest with Rochester about the fruit
"You will not suffer yourself to b
either coaxed or frightened out of il
will you, RoseFp asked the King.