Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-11-10

anu uuCOlSClOuSly unIOlQ10g into poet
herself, without at all comprehending it.
The Schillers were poor-Nannette
was o girl-and between the circum-
stances of poverty and the misfortune
of belonging to the sex at that time of
minor importance in Germany, her po-
sltion was in no wise one to stimulate
or encourage the unfolding of genius.
The father Schiller was conservative
strongly opinionated, unyielding, and
rather tyrannical; the mother was low
ing, gentle, but possessing marked
strength of character, and sacrificing
herself in every possible way to the adj
vancement and happiness of her ch1l-
dren. Neither parents were blind to
the superior endowments of Nannette-
her beauty, her quick intelligence, her
vivacity, her marked resemblance to
Friedrich. But matrimony was the
chief end of a German ma1den's career,
especially the grand resourse of one
untitled and without fortune. So, with
sober practical sense, the father and
mother thought the accomplish
ments of housewifery of more
use than ''book learning" The
eldest sister, Christophine. married one
Re1nwald, contrary to her brothers adj
vice, as he was of gloomy, difficult
humor; but, womanlike, she thought
she could transform him with the sun,
shine Of her nature. and then her par
ents wanted $50 much to see her set
tied" The second sister, Louise, a
trusty, domestic girl, was betrothed to
young pastor. But the little Nan
nette, born as she was for something
quite different FROM her humble ho1ne
life, met her fate like gay young
philosopher, and washed dishes, sewed,
spun, cooked, and baked while singing
the songs of her falher-land and de
claiming her brothers poems. She had
a wonderful memory, and the poems
once Or twice read over were fully
retained in her mind. At first she
learned them because 'Friedrich wrote
them," and the rhythm pleased her;
then as she repeated them over she
gradually caught their meaning, and in
all Germany Schiller had no other ap-
preciator quite like his little sister,
whom he scarcely more than remem-
bered. So great was her passion for
declaiming that shewould place chairs to
represent different characters in the
dramatic poems, and mounting one, and
then another, impersonate them. In
this way the time passed until she was
Is, when the great event of her life hap
pened.
The desire of her life was to become
an actress, and appear upon the stage
in the great tragedies of her brother.
A letter from Goethe bore directly upon
her wish; he had arranged for her to
come to Weimar under the patronage of
the Duke Charles Augustus; that he
himself (Goethej would direct her
studies and prepare her for the stage,
and promising her certain engagement
when she should be fitted for one. AS
Schiller announced this he kept his
eyes on Nannette's face, expecting it to
beam with inexpressible Joy; but she
remained pale and silent, her dOwncast
eyes full of tears. Thinking she must
have misunderstood, he repeated:
"Dear Name, do you hear? Goethe
himself will prepare you for the career
you so much wish to follow"
Yes, understand, lieber Bruder, T"
she replied; /" but cannot owe this to
Goethe. No, if l renounce it altogeth-
er, cannot become pupil Of"
and then paused and blushed.
You say you will not owe this to
Goethe %
81 say cannot" she repeated. Had
she looked up, she would have found
full sympathy In her brothers face.
Have I then misunderstood you,
Name p he pursued. s. I thought it was
your greatest wish to cultivate your
talent"
"My wish is always the same," she
replied, land / shall keep to my reso-
luton; but must find some other way
Cannot I owe this to you2' and she
threw her arms abouo her brothers.
neck, bursting into tears. He neld her
to his breast a long time in silence,
wondering what had happened to FRO
duce a repugnance toward Goethe,
whose overlooking lovingness and gen
uine interest in every individuality,
however opposite to his own, made him
a rarely fascinating man. That in mat
ters of the heart Goethe was the re-
verse of himself, Schiller vel knew;
but that Goethe should exercise his
power upon his sister Nannette, was
impossible, INDUSTRIOUS.
Ignorant as Nannette was of Goethe's
affinity theories, and their dangerous
ness, her interrupted instincts, aroused
by the poets word and manner, we're all
against trusting herself to his guidance,
Or in any way being under obligations
to him. That Nannette would follow
the guidance of her instincts at the
sacrifice of all the advantages life at
Weimer would afford her-refined and
cultivated society, the associations of
luxury and wealth-seemed to Schiller
more wonderful in her than all else.
The tears dropped fast upon her hands,
which he still held How gladly
would I keep you always with me he
exclaimed; then drawing a few" gold
pieces from his pocket, he added,
"This is all my wealth, and my ex-
penses will soon be doubled" 1lf 5-
A Large Pelican. 5''s''s
The Denver (Colorado) News Of the
18th inst. says: A magnificent black
winged pelican was shot yesterday af-
ter on Perrin's Lake, near this city, and
woc an ovhihit;op 10 c& nj ml{ at tho sk;,.<J