The Argosy — page 244: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

228 At Gastein. I often wondered whence they inherited their beauty ; for they are an exception to the generality of the peasants in mountainous coun- tries. In Switzerland, for instance, they are, as a rule, remarkable for plainness, and are no less inferior in mind and manners. They are less simple and intelligent ; less courteous and hospitable; more selfish, and eager to do things for the sake of gain. In the Salzkammergut, as far as appearance was concerned, it was much the same. Nowhere as here have I ever seen so many wild flowers. They grew in abundance, and formed a distinctive feature in the landscape, an object of interest in the walk. So abundant, so varied in colour, that many a field has seemed clothed with a vast carpet of the most bniliant hues. Here and there upon the mountain sides, might be seen clusters of what is always given as the Alpine rose; and of what I always imagined to be so until my ignorance was enlightened with a shock by the doctor. We were one day strolling together in his garden, enjoying the fresh- ness of nature after a shower. Suddenly he pounced upon a small tree bearing a solitary blossom somewhat resembling the wild rose of our English hedges, but fuller and more perfect. “Ah!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ $4m-delighted.” ‘‘What’s the matter?” said I,thinking from his excited manner that he had foun#freasure, or made some new geological discovery. “T am delighted,? he repeated: .“‘ Delighted that this tree should blossom before your ‘departure. Here is tie true:Alpinie-rose. That other flower that they give you for the Alpine rose is mméa rose at all, as you must know. #7t is a species of the rhododendron, but so common as to be universally known by the more romantie-name. The veritable Alpine rose is far more rare. ‘This is the tru€é specimen. And this, as far as I know, is the only natural rose 'withoutratékom.” ‘‘ A rose without a thorn ! ‘Phen what,” said fy" becomes of the pro- verb ?” The doctor laughed. ‘ When you hear it quoted, you may contra- dict it,” he replied. ‘‘ Send all disbelievers to me for proof. Examine this tree for yourself. Take this stem and look at it.” He plucked the flower with a branch. It was certainly without thorns. ‘“‘T hope,” said I, “all proverbs, are not to terminate a long life after this fashion ? ” ‘‘There are a few, I believe, would not bear too close examination,” answered the doctor. ‘But it is not our business to refute them.” “Do you know,” said I, looking pathetically at the flower, ““I am sorry to have been mistaken in the true Alpine rose. This one is not half so pretty as the other, which also possesses a character of its own, and, in look at any rate, is far more uncommon.” “ Ah,” said the doctor, putting a hand on my shoulder, “ does not this ECORNICLOOO SS (C(O) in —_)