The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-29

Fondness for Outdoor Pleasures-Industr
of the Women-Social characteristics.

4
| of the Women-Social Characteristics.
Correspondence of he Indianapolis Journal.
STUTTGART, Aug. ga courthouse with
snowy lace curtains, and canary bird, and
| flowers at each window-that is sure to be Ger
man-everywhere the practical welded to the
ideal. Have you no lace curtains at the win
dows Of American court-housesis said the Ger
man friend who wondered at my wonder.
The revelation of national characteristics in
little things of this sort, everywhere appeals to
the stranger. The courthouse faces several
streets, large open space whence several streets
radiate. In this space morning markets are
| held. The buyer is sure to have his or her pur-
chase Of vegetables surmounted by bouquet
| Courthouse windows and market baskets tell
the same story One learns this much OF Ger
many in an hour in the market-place.
heard young girl naively telling how care
fully she endeavored to adjust her needs to her
monthly allowance of probationary. my
trouble is with flowers she said. II must have
roses. and in winter they cost a mark each!" A
mark is twenty five cents
The ground here seems fabulous in value, yet
everywhere one comes unexpectedly upon en-
closed spaces planted with shade trees, and
| made delightfully."- attractive by scattered hints
OF forest secusion, with rustic benches, FLASHING
fountains and the odor of flowers Here, in the
| morning, the mother sits with the little ones
looking up from knitting or embroidery to watch
them at play, the nurse at hand to do their bid
ding. On leaving, each member Of the party
bows courteously to the stranger sitting near
by. and the youngest child stops to make
demure courtesy which recalls the grave fash
ion Of the minuet. Thus early in life is she inn
pressed with the Importance Of social decorum
Even the strange babe in the nurses arms ex-
tends the hand as we pass each otheron the stair
way.
Everywhere the children are remembered;
those who do not leave the city for the summer
come from their homes to live in the gardens and
parks, all OF which have commodious spaces for
their play grounds. This love of trees and for
est life is survival of the taste which Tacitus
ascribed to the old Teutons Here. out Of doors,
one catches glimpses of thoroughly German life.
The tiniest child has been knitting her butterfly
net. her roll for lunch, while the boys nave
their gymnastic exercises and games. Such
life is an elysium for the nurses.
There is much military display in the city
flashing of gun and sword hits enlivens the city
streets with that sort of glamour which is always
fascinating to childish eyes.
One wonders, on first arriving, at the readiness
of German servants to do errands, for at home
we do not with mpunty invade the sanctity of
washing and baking, and cleaning DAYS A
German 'magd" is ready at any moment to do
an errand-even If she be in the act of turning
an omelette 1t is the old story of the fascina-
tion of gilt buttons and epaulets. You see them
lingering at the fountain where the pitchers are
filled for chat with some soldier, and soldiers
are ubiquitous here
If suddenly house should be unroofed, with
out the knowledge of its occupants, and onecould
see it's Utmost life revealed! These flats of five
and six stories-so reticent gaze upon them
in passing by-a whole city full of them, so that
one estimates it perpepdicularly instead of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS has their secrets? The maid
servants All have their rooms in the mansard
attic-"uuder the roof" as they say here and at
night with twelve or more maids in conclave
one knows there must be much gossip. The
postman comes five times daiy-it is known who
has received letters and what the possible con-
tents are; who has new ball-dress. who has re-
caves how varied in theme; how live
ly in recital; how provocative Of
inferences! The romances of the
young people, the daily menu, the probable bank
account, all this passes in nightly review. Ma
irons complain but find no remedy. When the
older members discuss affairs not meant for the
ears of servants or little ones they speak in
French and children demurely say, III shall be
glad when my French lessons begin, then /, too,
can hear the family secrets"
This life within the flats is all novel and in
vested with that air of romance which a foreign
atmosphere always gives. There are no open
firep places, tall white porcelain stoves reaching
nearly to the ceiling The floors are waxed
and immediately neat At the windows
there are lace curtains, behind these
white shades which are drawn into
cloud-ike puffs. They are technically known
as Clouds" and one sees them everywhere,
particularly at all the palace windows. Next
the glass there hangs plain undraped lace. the
socalled envy curtains" whose junction is to
prevent sight Of the interior. The window
stills are broad the windows open within, in the
shape of double-door with hinges. Outside
there are permanent Venetian blinds. either
green or gray. convertible into slanting awning
at single touch. Thus German windows. the
eyes of the house, as it were, intricate in
their furnishing. For comfort in looking out
there are broad, luxurious window cushions,
patiently embroidered in tent stitch.
This embroidery repeats itself everywhere, on
every occasion, and enters largely into the life
Of every fraulein. It is matter of sentiment
that gifts should represent the skill of the giver,
and it is always somebody's birthday or the an
niversary of some event. Even the birthday of
the strange visitor is not permitted to pass un-
noticed. Look with me at the hand embroidery
in this room. Table cover. bell pull, chair cover
footstool, sofa cover, sofa cushion, paper rack
writing mat, coal-box cover, the rug before the
writing desk, the slippers of the host. the Ro-
man apron of the hostess, all represent
weeks of labor. No German lady sits
company. A German breakfast consists
of rolls and butter, with coffee or chocolate. and
is frequently served in ones room. At 10 the
servants have lunch of bread and cold meat
with pint of wine or beer, and everywhere
workingmen have few minutes intermssion in
which to take lunch of black bread and beer or
cider. At dinner soup is invariably served for
the first course, followed by meat, vegetables
courteous greeting: MAY your meal be blessed"
At coffee is served, with light cakes biscuits
and again the laboring world ceases for lunch
For the evening meal tea is served with cold meat
salad and fruit For this meal servants prefer
beer. Several beautiful gardens are maintained
| by private subscription here. There is delight