Gilpin observer., 1912-10-10


drama, or a riotous contrast
from Jules Verne, than a set
ting forth of sober fact; W.
though it is none the less W.
fact of due and attested So 81
briefly, and even in all kind u
ness. of some solemnity Y
The rose was created" as
the phrase goes, In George
Bancroft's famous rose gar
den, by the HISTORIANS errat-
ic old English gardener, John
Brady; it was a legacy to
Brady at Mr. Bancroft's
death, in token of long and
honorable service, and of the
fact that Brady had brought
1t to perfection only after years of in
exhaustible patience and care; and 1t
was sold for pittance, but that is
getting ahead of the story.
Once upon a time, in 1888, to be pre-
else, after George Bancroft had re-
turned from long diplomatic service in
Germany, and had settled down to a
tranquilizing old age in his home In
Washington, there grew up among the
flower enthusiasts Of England, Amer
lea and the continent Jealous quest
for red rose which could be made to
bloom In winter.
Mr.. Bancroft's ascendency as a rose
culturist in this country had been be-
yond dispute for half century.
At the time Of the Inauguration Of
Abraham Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln de-
SPARED Of pleasing herself in the ar
rangements of the White House gar
den, SO she called on Mr.. Bancroft for
help. This she received in such good
and flowing measure that, in acknowl-
edgment of her debt, she sent to the
historian a splendid bouquet of ja-
ponicas. In reply he wrote her that
for magnificence, the bouquet was a
brains"
What of official recognition then was
still lacking for Mr.. Bancroft's genius
as rose grower was supplied by
Herr Bismarck, who 80 admired the
American minister to Berlin that he
supplied him with roses and rose cut
tings from the great Bismarck estates
in Pomerania.
Bpt all this while. despite the genial
international cooperation Of rose
growers, diplomats and statesmen,
the red rose refused to grow in win
ter. Its wintertime behavior was, in
fact, exasperating beyond all words.
II. after months Of herculean effort, a
branch could be made to put forth a
bud some fine morning, It was sickly
purple by noon, and brown by sunset
Little yellow roses had thrived, time
out OF mind. and these. with camellias
and 1aponicas, were the sole reliance
OF those who would have flowers for
winter decoration.
Matters were In this state when Mr.
Bancroft moved to Washington, bring
ing into his charming old house on
Lafayette square two trusted servants:
Herman, who came from Berlin. and
John Brady. the gardener, from Eng
land.
John Brady was installed in the
quaint L-shaped garden, which ran
back to Seventeenth street and he was
instructed, among other things. to
reap the glory OF creating tractable
red rose.
The task was one which jumped
with his own desires. The Bancroft
garden was scarcely less personal
pride to Brady than to Bancroft, and
both secretly believed that no praise
OF 1t could be really to extravagant
1t became rendezvous for Washing
toms most distinguished persons;
how much 30, one can guess from
President Arthur's dictum that THE
president is permitted to accept the
Invitations OF members OF his cabinet,
Supreme court judges. and-Mr.
George Bancroft"
Dozens Of times John Brady seemed