Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1912-11-09

Il the A lean
Beauty rose Is
beggar on the
=SS i Issssis IF Tn. " s'a'e: A
ment sounds more NEM
kJzx like a curtain MN
zXAs| line" for a Theo- iM
dore Kremer melo-
drama, or a riotous contrast
from Jules Verne, than a set
ting forth OF sober fact; w
though it Is none the less
fact OF due and attested So Ne
!brlety, and even, in all kind.
ness. Of some solemnity.
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; 1t 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 1899 to be pre-
else after George Bancroft had re-
turned from long diplomatic service in
Germany, and had settled down to a
tranquiliging old age in his home in
Washington, there grew up among the
flower enthusiasts Of England. Amer
lea and the continent q Jealous quest
for a 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
arrangements 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 ia
ponicas. In reply he wrote her that
FOR magniiicence, the bouquet was q
fair counterpart of Mr.. Lincoln's
brains"
What Of official recognition then was
still lacking for Mr.. Bancroft's genius
as a rose grower was supplied by
Herr Bismarck, who so admired the
American minister to Berlin that hi
supplied him with roses and rose cut
tings from the great Bismarck estates
in Pomerania.
But all this while, despite the genia
international cooperation of rose
growers. diplomats and statesmen
the red rose refused to grow In win
ter. Its wintertime behavior was, IL
fact, exasperating beyond all words
II, after months of herculean effort,
branch could be made to put forth
bud some fine morning, 1t was sickl,
purple by noon. and brown by sunset
Little yellow roses had thrived, TIM
out OF mind, and these, with camellia
and japonicas, were the sole rellanc
of those who would have flowers 70
winter decoration.
Bancroft moved to Washington, bring
ing into his charming old house OF
Lafayette square two trusted servants
Herman, who came from Berlin, an,
John Brady, the gardener, from Ems
land.
John Brady was installed In tn
quaint L-shaped garden, which raj
back to Seventeenth street, and he wa
instructed, among other things. I
reap the glory of creating tractabl
red rose.
The task was one which jumpe
with his own desires. The Bancroft
garden was scarcely less a persona
pride to Brady than to Bancroft, an
both secretly believed that no prais
of it could be really to extravagant
IT became a rendezvous for Washing
tons most distinguished persons
how much SO. one can guess fror
President Arthurs dictum that "Th
president is permitted to accept th
invitations OF members OF his cabinet
Supreme court judges. and-Ml
George Bancroft"
Dozens of times John Brady scenic