The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-12-16
ROMANCE OF THE
BROTHERS. GRIMM

One Of the most remarkable liter
airy and fraternal partnerships ever
known was terminated 81 years ago
to-day, when Wilhelm, the younger
Of the brothers Grimm, died in Ber-
lin. While best known to general
readers as the authors Of amusing
fairy tales, Jakcb and Wilhelm
Grimm produced In "Deutsche Gram
matik" one Of the greatest philologi-
cal works of the age, and laid the
foundation for the historical investi-
cation OF, language. The constant
aim of their Investigations was to
trace the spiritual life Of the German
people as revealed in their laws, Gus
toms, faiths and poetry. The MEM
DRY Of these kindly, austere brothers
will be treasured by the world long
after the German warriors Of the
present are forgotten.
The beauty and simplicity Of the
affection which characterized their
mutual intercourse might well serve
as an example for all brothers. Jakob,
the elder and more original Of the
brothers, survived. Wilhelm by near
ly four year. the younger dying on
Dec. 16. 1859. AssJakob himself said
in his celebrated address to the Ber-
brother, the whole Of their lives were
spent together. United in literary
labor, they never separated socially.
In their school days at Cassel they
had .one bed and one table in COM
mon. When Jakob went to the Uni
versity OF Marburg to study law, Will
helm did likewise, and they lived in
the same room. Neither brother ever
accepted any post until a similar Of
flee or professorship was conferred up
on the other They lived always un-
der one roof and had all their books
and property in common.
AS amusing as one of their own
fairy tales is the story Of the romance
which resulted in Williams marriage.
'aThey lived in the same house,
wrote an English journalist shortly
after Wilhelm's death, land it is more
than a fable that they intended to
marry the same lady; or rather they
intended not. An old aunt, taking
commiseration on the two elderly
bachelors, resolved to provide them
with partners. After great reluctance,
they were brought to see the sense of
the plan. They agreed to marry, on
the condition that one of them should
be spared, and the wife of the other
obliged to look after the finances and
linen of both. A young lady being
produced, the question Of who should
be the victim was argued TOR many
an hour. At length Jacob, being the
elder, was convinced Of his higher
duty to take the leap. But he had no
idea how to set to work, to ingratiate
himself with the lady. Then Cupid
interfered, and took the matter into
his own hands. The lady being a
lovely girl Of %, entirely ignorant OF
the fraternal compact to which she
had given occasion, fell in love with
William, and soon converted him into
a slave and admirer. Over head and
ears in love, William dared not make
a clean breast Of it to the lady In
his conscience he accused himself of
felony against his brother. He felt
like a villain. But heaven knew what
it did in furnishing him with an old
aunt. Stepping in at the right mo-
ment, and acquainting Jacob, this
useful creature cut the Gordian knot.
So far from getting into a fury and
hating his brother for what he could
not help, Jacob declared that this was
the most joyous tidings he had ever
received, and that he felt like a con-
yict who had escaped and was free
again. So William was married, and
lived happy ever after. his spouse
looking after the linen and finances
Of both brothers."