Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-01-26
an piouant'style of her beauty was

greatly euHdhceu " Vic CAalhuiiiS
dress She wore-the old German cos
tune. seldom seen outside the rural
districts-a bodice tightly fitting the
form. short, full skirt, displaying the
neatest of feet and ankles, and black
silk apron.
..There she stood" says Goethe, in
his "Wahrheit ind Dichtung,n con
the boundary between country beauty
and CITY belle. Slender and airy, she
tripped along as if she had nothing to
carry. and her neck seemed almost too
delicate for the luxuriant braids OF
fiaxen hair on her elegant little head.
A free, open glance beamed from her
calm. blue eyes, and her pretty little
turn-up nose peered inquiringly into
the air with rs much unconcern as if
there could be nothing like care in the
world. Her straw hat dangled on her
arm. and thus at the first glance | had
the delight of seeing her perfect grace,
and acknowledging her perfect lowell
ness.
With his usual impetuosity, the
Young man fell in love with Fredericka
at first sight, and every subsequent
meeting only added fuel to the flame.
Pastor Bron's house was but few
miles from iStrasbourg, and Goethe s
visits there beanie very frequent. Dur
ing these visits he and Frederika were
inseparable companions, and soon
came to be regarded by all as lovers.
F'redericKa, a perfect child OF nature,
was never 50 happy as when in the open
air.
Goethe says of her: "She was one
of those women who please us best out
of-doors. The loneliness of her manner
harmonized with the fowery earth, the
unclouded serenity Of her face with the
blue sky. A refreshing breath seemed
ever to hover around her" After
dwelling with rapture upon her grace,
her beauty, and her goodness, he adds !:
" knew no sorrow, no unrest i'll her
presence. | was UNNECESSARILY happy
when by her side. "
The youth and the maiden were con-
slant companions. They walked and
rode, they read and sung, they talked
and laughed together, and neither
dreamed of any pleasure which the
other might not share. With the fam
lily and other friends, they took little
jaunts into the country, went on excur-
sions to the islands of the Rhine, and
visited at the neighboring houses. Both
in their entire happiness, were the gay
est Of the gay, and the life of every
"but, says Goethe, "while
we seemed to be living for those around
us, we lived only for each other.
During absence they were still united
in thought, and their letters were very
frequent. Fredericka showed herself the
same happy, unaffected child as in the
OF daily life. Goethe was
already becoming known as poet, and
this young girl became the inspiration
of his sweetest lays. He wrote many
songs expressly for her, and set them
to well known melodies" enough to
fill a volume, he says, had they been
collected
" My passion grew the more" he
writes, 'as | came to know the worth
of the excellent girl, and the time APP
preached when | must leave so much
love and goodness, perhaps forever"
There had been no formal betrothal,
and yet, in the sight of men and angels
by the election of their own hearts
these young lovers belonged to each
other.
Goethe passed highly creditable ex-
animation, and received his degree as
doctor of laws, an honor of which his
father was not a little proud. The old
gentleman had very high aspirations
for his gifted son.
Before returning home to Frankfort
Doctor Goethe went to bid Fredericka
adieu.
He writes; "Those were painful days,
which would gladly forget. AS from
on horseback reached her my hand at
parting, tears stood in her eyes, and |
was also very sad at heart. "
He had resolved upon leaving Strns-
bourg to tear this passion for Freder-
icka from his heart, no matter how
much agony it cost him But this was
no light task, for it was a love which
had taken deep hold of all that was
best and noblesr IN his nature. IN alb
sence, the image Of the sweet young
girl was ever before his eyes, and he
pined necessarily for her. Had he fol
lowed the dictates OF his heart, he
would have returned to her to set the
seal of their mutual affection by for
NAL betrothal. But worldly prudence
with him was stronger than love, and
he was a man who could yield mp the
sweetest dream of his life to ambition.
The disparity of station between the
rich bankers soa and the country
clcrgymans daughter was veay great :
it was IN alliance to which the naughty
old Frankfort aristocrat would never
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