The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-09-29
CHAPTER VI.
TuR HATRED OF A TULIr-FAScIER.


From that moment Boxtel's interest in
tulips was no longer a stimulus TO his ex-
ertiops, tut deadening anxiety. Hence
forth all his thoughts ran only upon the
injury which his neighbor would cause
him, and thus his favorite occupation
was changed into a constant source of
misery to him.
Van Baerle, as may lie easily imagined,
had no sooner begun to apply his natural
ingenuity to his new fancy, than he suc-
ceeded in growing the finest tulips. In
deed he knew better than any one else at
IIaarlem or Leyden-the two towns
which boast the best soil and the most
consenial climate-how 10 vary the col-
crs, 10 modify the shape. and TO produce
new species.
Mynheer Van Baerle and his tulips,
therefore, were in the mouth Of every
body; so much so, that Boxters name
disappeared for ever from the list Of the
notable tuliPgrowers in Holland, and
those Of bort are noS represented by
Cornelius and Van Baerle, the modest
and inoffensive savsnt
Engaging heart and soul. in his pur-
suits of sowing. planting and gathering,
Van Baerle, caressed by the whole fra
ternity of tulipgrowers Of Europe, enter
taired not the least suspicion that there
was at his very door a pretender whose
throne he had usurped.
lie went on HE career. and consequent
ly in his triumphs; and, in the course OF
two years, he covered his borders with
such marvellous productions, as no NOR
tai man, following in the tracks Of the
Creator, except, perhaps, Shakespeare
and Rubens, have equslled in point OF
numbers.
And also, if Dante had wished for a
new type TO be added to his characters OF
the Inferno. be might have chosen Box
tel during the period of Van Baerle's suc-
cesses. Whilst Cornelius was wedding,
manuring, watering his beds whilst,
kueeling on the turf-border, he analysed
every vein of the Towering tulips, and
meditated on the notifications which
might be effected by crosses Of color or
otherwise,-Boxtel, concealed behind a
small sycamore which he had trained at
the top Of the partition-wall in the shape
ola fan, watched, with his eyes starting
from their sockets, and with foaming
mouth, every step and every gesture Of
his neighbor; and, whenever he though,
he saw him look happy, or described a
smile on his lips, or flash Of content-
ment glisteniug in his eyes, he poured out
towards him such a volley of maledic.
ton and furious threats, as to make il in
deed a matter Of wonder, that this veno,
nous breath of envy and hatred did moi
carry a blight on the innocent flower,
which had excited it.
When the evil spirit has once taker
hold Of the heart Of a man, it urges hin
on without letting him stop Thus Box
tel was soon no longer content with see
ing Van Baerle. He wanted to see hi
flowers too; he had the feelings of an ar
tist; the masterpiece of rival engrossed
his interest.
He therefore bought telescope, which
enabled him to watch, as accurately a
did the owner himself, ever,
progressive development of the flower
from the moment when. in the first year
its pale and seed leaf begins to peep iron
the ground, to that glorious one when
after five years, its petals at last revea
the hidden treasures of it's chalice. Ho,
b oflen had the miserable jealous man {
observe, in Van Baerle's beds, tulip
which dazzled him by their beauty an
almost choked him by their perfection.
And then, after the first blush of tn
admiration which he could not help feel
ing, he began to be tortured by the pang
ofenvy, by that slow fever which Greer