Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-05-03
A REMINISCENCE.
BY ST. JOHN BYER.

Shepherdstown, stands substantial old
brick homestead, embowered in shrub
berry and trees, though not now so en-
tirely hidden by high hedges encircling it
as in the days when il was the home OF
two very German folks. who lived there
surrounded by their vineyard and orchard
and quantity sequestered from the lively
world around. Herr Kloth was not OF
the large Teuton type, but was rather un-
dersized, wiry, very industrious, also ad-
venturous; for he went 10 California with
the Forty miners, but soon had enough OF
gold hunting. and came back TO resume
his vine-growing and wine making and
usual routine OF country life. His wife
was large. portly frau, and Schopen-
hauer's famous epitaph might have been
placed upon her tombstone: "She was
pious and plump" And withal she was
an example of good nature. But her
piety was not shared by her husband,
whose very fine quality OF port wine was
not quite strong enough-he wanted
something more exciting and frequently
sought the consolation of the bottle and
stronger brandy. This at times trans
formed the mild, peaceable citizen into
turbulent home disturber and aroused
complaint in his good partner, who was
too amable 10 take the advice OF neigh
Dor and give her husband a good ex-
pounding OF her objections with broom,
or even broomstick. This might have
served as corrective and led TO refor-
nation which, sad TO say, never came.
AT that time the neighboring place,
"Valley Rest" was being built and
planted by myself, and not being in robust
health, by the variegated plausible medi-
Cal advice proffered in the newspapers, |
concluded to try the much-vaunted grape
cure, as the dose was very palatable, and
we always apologize for indulgence in
appetite on the plea that it is for our
health and good. Kloth's vineyard was
the shop where my potion was purchased
daily The price was always handed
him he transferred it to his breeches
rocket, and if duly walked in every al
ternoon to one of the fountains ofjoy and
was EXCHANGED for brandy or some other
fiery dose. This daily routine did not
elicit the moral appreciation OF Madame,
who was the major-domo there, and
owned the property in her own right; so
she determined to assert her authority and
put an end to this illicit traffic. Evident
ly some mandatory edict had been pro-
mulgated, for one morning when the
cheerful patient called for his grapes he
found Herr Kloth standing on the lower
step OF the small veranda with his portly
wife towering above him, each wearing a
visage OF grim determination as to some
matter OF immense importance. Over
awed, he meekly passed the compliments
of the fine day, and Subjoined the usual
purpose of his visit Then spake up
Herr KIoth rather fiercely:
"Nein, nein We sells no more grapes.
We puys grapes und makes vine"
The old lady put on a fierce smile OF
approval of this declaration. Feeling that
somehow had stirred up hornets nest
of family infelcity, turned away, ex-
pressing my regret; and being very sor-
rowful, alike the young man, though not
for being. rich, but on account OF the
strong yearning for my usual medicine
and the bad effect OF its omission,
walked down the path slowly, out the
gate and turned toward home. But just
as came TO the corner OF the road and
lane, here was Kloth, who had ostensibly
set to work in his vineyard, but had
sneaked down along the lane hedge and
confronted me. He spake undertone and
in very different vein: "You just wait
here minute gets you your grapes"
SO my sorrow was suddenly turned i1to
Joy by this hoodwinking OF authority,
and the grapes were sweeter than ever
before, as every JOY thus obtained sur
reptitiously is thereby made more intense.
The fascination of the forbidden is a
strange element in humanity.
Madame Koth was an excellent, kindly
and would at times come over
to ouf home for friendly visit. Now at
that time was wont TO indulge in sing
ing, alike The old Elector OF Brandenburg
described by Carlyle: Fond OF the or
namental arts given 10 music and would
himself sing aloud when he had melo-
dious leisure hour, excelleht oh gentle
man." But my voice was somewhat dry
and piouS, and was diffident about my
artistic attempts, singing when there was
no one near nor any fear OF being arrested
as disturber OF the peace. AS music
sounds better when you do not under
stand the words, had favorite old Ger
man hymn, learned out OF Catholic
Missal:
"Neines wird NIGHT allzeit dauren."
Madame Kloth would always askm 10 |
sing if for her, as it was hymn familiar
to her youth in the Fatherland, and if her
remembrance OF il and its rendition was
no better than heard in the Dutch Ca
tlledral at Amsterdam, where the brethren
laid back and LET loose Justify against the
big organ when they passed around the
box four times-let no guilty man escape
then my singing was not such terrible
comedown. Anyway, the dear old lady