Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-06-26
walk up and down in the twilight with


Gottleib. But he did not repine, did
not blame Rose. TWAS one of the many
misfortunes of not being rich, that was
all. But not cause for complaining,
only burden, like 80 many others that
fall to the lot OF the poor mana part
of his days work.
1t was not so often now that Rose
Cordier ran across in the cleaning to
ask how his work progressed, and the
neighbors ceased to gossip and nod their
heads when they saw them speak to one
another. "It was changed, all that they
had thought likely to come to pass-the
wind was in another quarter now-they
could see, ah: yes, it was not difficult to
see what was coming"
Only the children did not forsake
him and run after him as in the days
when there was no spruce Frenchman to
share with him the honor of the narrow
street.
Then came a morning when Hans, as
he worked, saw a couple issue from the
opposite house, followed by as many
neighbors as could spare an hours holi-
day; Rose, with late Gloire de Dion
in her belt, a bright color on her cheeks,
and her dark eyes shining with pride
and happiness, and her hand on Andres
arm.
"Good morning, Hans" she cried in
her sweet voice, as she passed his open
door. ~ am to be married this morn
ing, but we shall not take the wedding
holiday till Sunday. If you can come,
do" And then passed on before there
was chance of saying more than "a
happy future" That evening, az Hans
worked at the rose-wreath-it was nearly
completed now-he CHANGED 60 look
across to the window were he had so
often seen the bent head and the trim
figure. But tonight the lamp was lit,
for it soon grew dark now, too soon for
work to be relinquished with the twi-
light, and on the blind was the reflection
of tue heads, of four busy hands.
Hans did not look again; he drew
down his own blind then, and with a
sigh went back to the carving OF his
delicate rose leaves.
But after that evening he gave up his
little room, packed his few goods, and
made up his mind to 60 away-to 60 to
Rome, that haven of ambitious minds.
Now that the little savings were not
all to be boarded against the day when
they might be wanted for another, it
was no use guarding them any more.
Better, 80 Hans decided, use them in
going away to where daily bread might
perhaps be easier come by than in this
narrow German town; where, perhaps,
even the carving he was so fond of mis- ht
gain him congenial work, and allow him
to put on one side this other work that
occupied him now.
Besides, ii the worst came to the
worst, and he did drift into utter power
ty, it did not so much matter now.
And with that "now," Hans buried
the past and started forth on his travels.
First, however, he went across the
street, and for the first time entered
Roses domain, Nine. Leroux, as he had
to call her.
81 have come to wish you goodbye,
Madame" he said. "And see, have
brought you as a parting present the
He laid it down as he spoke among the
colored roses on the table, between Mon
sieur and Madame as they sat at work.
ooh, that is good of you, very good"
cried Rose, the ever ready tears coming
into her eyes. "And so you are going
away? All. my husband" turning to:
ward spruce, neat fingered M. Leroux,
"thou must also wish Monsieur Hans
'God-speed,' for in the old days before ]
was married, he was alwaysa kind friend
to me. And see also, what beautiful
present he has brought us!"
At his wife's words NJ. Andre stood up
monsieur is amiable, most amiable
Any friend of Madame is dear to the
you Bon voyage and much prosperity"
Then there was brief farewell from
Hans, few tears from Rose, another
bow from NJ. Andre, and Gottlieb had
departed, and the husband and wife
were left alone.
cit is graceful, very graceful" said
the Frenchman, lifting the parting gift
of Hans. "One would scarcely have
thought his great hands could have fash
toned such a thing. When it grows
dark, dear wife, if you fetch nail anc
a piece of cord, l will myself attach il
to the WALL"
Otis pretty" said his wife. III Away
thought so, but now, Andre, that / SCI
it among all these red roses, I am sur
that what I said of it at first is quit
true-it wants colorT'
"You have it exactly, my wife," re
piled NJ. Leroux, with fond appreciation
of Roses cleverness. "That is just wha
it needs-but, then, we cannot hav
everything" And M. Andres gaze re
turned with much satisfaction to tn
crimson roses before him.
It would have surprised this couple
perhaps, if they could have seen on int
the coming years, if they could have lis
tened to the words of world-renowne
. collector of the beauties of art.
"He only did two of them "-he Wa
addressing some three or four eager lis
teners in q London ball-room-"t the on
that hs did for Levison, and which frs
made him famous. You never saw it
Why, it is a marvel! The curl of tn
leaves, the very dew on the fresh petal
it is wonderful. Iwould have given hil
anything he asked for one like it. Blu
poor fellow, as you know, he only Jul
lived long enough to know he ":
famous.
However, when l was last in Freit
richburg, his native town, and strivin
to find out all I could about him-if /
had done anything before he went I
Rome-there in that wretched mario
street, as I was telling you before, I foun
this fac-simile of his greatest work
present to sweetheart, Isuppose. The
had told me she knew him, that he use
!. to live opposite to her, so l called to 81
If could CLEAN anything about bin
and there, hanging up on the wall, I 50
that very wreath that had been haun
ing me for months!"
Glow did you persuade her to pa
with it,"
"Ah, Lady Grace, that was not vel
dificult-honest English gold. H
eyes glistened at the sight of it! Ve1
, pretty eyes they were, too! She crit
when I took it down, cried when I to
\ her Hans was dead. But her husbar
comforted her. See, my wife, he sal
. l will make for thee wreath of the
, lovely roses of just the same size ID