The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-03-08

cred and worm eaten.
Gretchen is unkind," l observed.
"What matters 1t whether the rose
be fresh or withered? 1t dies sooner
or later. Nothing lasts, not even the
world itself. You wish rose not be-
cause it is rose, fresh and fragrant,
but because l give it to YOU"
you wrong me, Gretchen. | love a
rose better than | love n woman. 1t
never smiles falsely. the rose. or plays
with the hearts Of men. | love rose
because it is sweet and because it was
made for mans pleasure and not for
his pain"
"That sounds like q copy book"
laughed Gretchen. "The withered rose
should teach you q lesson"
what lesson"
THAT whatever n woman gives to
man withers in the exchanged rose,
a womans love-"
Said reproachfully:'"You are spoil
ing very pretty picture. What do
you know about philosophy
What does herr know about roses"
defiantly.
Much. One cannot pick too many
fresh ones. And let me tell you a les
son which you should have learned
among these roses. Nature teaches us
to love all things fresh and beautiful
a rose, face woman's love-"
Here" holding forth n great red
rose.
"No," said l; "I'll keep this one"
She said nothing, but went on snip
ping red rose here, white one there.
She wore gloves several sizes too large
for her, so | judged that her hands
were small and tender, perhaps white.
And there was a grace in her move
ments, despite the ungainly dress and
shoes, which suggested n more init
mate knowledge of velvets and silks
than Of calico. In my minds eye
placed her at the side of Phyllis. Phyl-
lis reminded me of Venus whom ma
ture had whimsically left unfinished.
Then she had turned from Venus to
Diana, and Gretchen became evolved.
Diana slim and willowy. a sculp-
tor would have said that Phyllis might
have been a goddess and Gretchen a
wood nymph had not nature suddenly
changed her plans. What | admired
in Phyllis was her imperfect beauties.
What | admired in Gretchen was her
beautiful PROJECTIONS. And they were
so alike and yet so different. Have
you ever seen a body of fresh water
rufIled by a sudden gust of wind, the
cool blue green tint which follows?
Then you have seen the color Of
Gretchen's eyes. Have you ever seen
ripe wheat in a sun shower? Then
you have seen the color Of Gretchen's
hair. All in all, | was forced to admit
that, from an impartial and artistic
view, Gretchen the barmaid was far
more beautiful than Phyllis. From
the standpoint Of n lover 1t was al
together Il different matter.
Gretchen" said L. you are very
good looking"
ut would not be difficult to tell
herrs nationality"
(Which means
"rhat the American says in one SEN
tence what it would take n German or
n Frenchman several hundred SEN
fences TO say" Gretchen was growing
more interesting every minute.
"Then your mirror and | are not the
only ones who have told you that you
are as beautiful as Hebe herself?"
Il am not Hebe," coldly. 81 am a
poor barmaid, and | never spill any
wine"
80 you understand mythology" |
cried in wonder.
Does herr think that all barmads
are as ignorant as fiction and i'll mean
ing noyellsts depict them? | have had
fair education"
IF ever was guilty of thinking So"
said l, answering her question, Il
promise never to think so again"
And now will herr go TO his break
fast and let me attend to my dutiesY'
Not without regret" | said gallant
| ly. | bowed to her as they bowed in
the days of the beaus. while she looked
on suspiciously. At the breakfast table
/ | proceeded to lombard the innkeeper.
| wanted to know more about Gret-
chen. us Gretchen your daughterT /
began.
mo; l am only her godfather" he
said docs herr wish another eggT'
Thanks. She is very well educated
for barmaid."
Yes. Does herr wish Rhine wineT
Coffee is plenty. Has Gretchen seen
many Americans?"
Few. Perhaps herr would like a
knoblauch with salt and vinegarP
1t occurred to me that Gretchen was
not to be discussed. so | made for an
other channel. 81 have heard" said l.
that once upon time princess was
born in this inn."
The old fellow elevated both eye
brows and shoulders "a deprecating
movement. "They say that Of every
inn. 1t has become trade" If had
known the old man, might have said
that he was sarcastic.
"Then there is no truth in itT dis
appointedly.
"Oh, do not say there is no truth In
the statement. If herr will pardon me,
1t is something l do not like to talk
| about"