The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-08-01
AT THE STROKE OF TWELVE.

The old, bald-headed, wrinkle-faced
Waterman who walks up and down the
broad stone terrace in front of the Ber-
lin University, has many quaint and
romantic story to tell to the wavfarer
who will take the time and patience to
loiter in his presence.
| CHANGED to fall in with this peculiar
old fellow during my travel through
Europe some five years ago. fell an
easy victim to his tongue-wiles. and in
the end it was my fortune to listen to
one OF his most romantic yarns.
The incidents which he so faithfully
portrayed, with telling minuteness as
ito detail and the like, chung to me
throughout my entire continental trip:
and, even as sit here now, in nv home
IN America, many miles away from
the immediate locality connected with
The watchman's story the outlines, the
shadows. the features, are yet fresh in
mind.
1t would, however, be tiresome for
me, as well as yourself, dear reader. TO
repeat the story word for word as it
was told to me. Iwill endeavor to give
you the more particular parts, and
leave to your imagination the task of
lllllng IN the outlines, which are as fol-
lows: ~
HERMAN Van Berg was known asAthe
leader of the White Caps They were
Jolly lot of fellows, these White Caps.
who backed up their assertions with
swords points, either for study, drink
ing bouts at the gardens below, love in
cldents, or more serious questions of
merit pertaining to dueling affairs.
Gretchen Grouse was the only child
OF the rich brewer in the CITY down
there Ali but she was maid to set
mems hearts on fire, to cause them TO
put on the bucklet of chivalry, and do
paVtle Ior one sweet smile from her fair
face,
She was the belle of the occasion !;
either at the gay and festive ball, or
the skating rink, Gretchens handsome
form and bewitching face were the first
objects of attraction.
Many fierce and bloody conflict had
been fought for the maids sake; MANY
suitor had been laid low at the foirs
point. Yet no victor could boast that
he had won Gretchen's hand. She who
had caused so much blood to be shed,
would turn in very horror from the man
who came and laid the laurels of his
triumph before her.
Away from me your hand, for it is
stained with blood. Your heart can
not accept 1t is black with the crime
which hangs over your headn
Those were her words when the
victor kneeled at her throne of beauty,
ana sued for one sweet smile for love- S
own sake.
Finally it became a wide. spread belief
among the students of the University
that Gretchen Grouse was loveless
woman. They had fought one another.
spilled blood without stint, and she had
denied their suits ever.
Then Herman Won Berg came. How
shall | describe himP The faint powers
OF descriptive lore belonging to an OLD
Waterman will not suffice to portray
the nobility which was his, both by
right of birth as well as the general
characteristics of his nature.
a form of an Apollo, features betting
some grand knight of the age of Cru
sade, a wealth of yellowish golden hair,
having away from broad, white brow,
mi after the model of classical hero.
lie was two-and-twenty years of age
when he first made his entree here.
before the faculty. He made friends
wherever he went and enemies as
Well Men of the stamp of Herman
Yon berg are born to win friends.