The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-15
Bntnnrnug.
ZE GRAND PLANTE,
A FRENCH BoTANIsT SOLD"
by TONY TwIGGS.

! yes, tree weeks. Nere you been, ell!
"Why the fact is, Monsieur Gregorie,' "
replied Ned, l have been employed for
some time making several little necessary
arrangements previous to my departure
| TO-"
"Departure! We're yo go, my boyl
tell me-"
"Why is it possible you have not heard
Pm going to Turkey. Yes, sir, in three
days I'll bid good bye to you, for at least
one year"
mo! you do not say zat, Ned. w it is
vary-vary strnge l did not hear zat be-
fore ziz. Ven you say, my boyi"
"ln three days, Monsieur" was Ncd's
answer.
"Nell, be not vary glad, Ned, my boy,
But before you go, will you not come to
my house, and takes &c little dinner Wis
me, me, eh! Come tomorrow Ned, will
you my boy"
Ned promised, and the two separated.
Monsieur Grcgorie, was little volubc
trenchman, about forty years old,-kind
jovial, and possessed Of various other en-
cellent qualities. He had emigratcd to
this country several years previous, for the
same reasons probably that thousands Of
others Of his countrvmcn had for quitting
Ia belle France. But unlike larger
portion of those same countrymen, Mon
sicur Grcgore had brought with him an
immense 'pile" Of that article which con-
tributes largely to the case, comfort, and
happiness of mans cyistancc. Monsieur
GrcgOric was also an educated maxwell
posted up" in the arts and sciences. OF
the latter, Botany was his favoritc, and
to the collection ofrarc plants, h. not only
expended large portion of his time, but
an immense amount of his ample fortune.
His garden-which occupied about three
acres of ground-was filled with an i'm
mense number of plants-one would sup
pose, with every Botanical specimen that
the earth ever produced. And Monsieur
u. always took the greatest delight in cx-
l'lblting to every viSiter, the most rare
plants of all his collection at the same
time giving description of them in his
broken English, which was not little
amusing. But Notwithstanding the i'm
mense collection that Monsieur Grcgorie
possessed, he was constantly adding to it
-importuning every acquaintance who
might be going abroad, to bring him some
"'grande plant" Thus he did with his
friend Ned, when that individual the next
day paid his promised visit. As Ned was
about departing, says Monsieur Gregoie-
"Ned. my boy, bring me &c gnnde
pIantc-somesing vat you not see hero
somcsng very ertrairdinaire."
"lcs, Monsieur-dcpend upon it, l will
bring something nice" was NeTs prom
ise.
Well, Ned finally went TO Tutkey-
was absent about year. About two or
three days after his return, while taking
n stroll who should Ned conc u. contact
with but his old friend Monsieur Grerorie;
and then tnr the frs. time since he had
made the promi>c, Ned thought of the
plant he was ~ bring home for Monsieur
q. Ned was puzzled-he knew an ac-
knowle,gcmcnt OF the fret, would only
incur the displeasure Of the Frenchman,
and he didn't choose to do that. Ned
tried to avoid him, but it was "no co.
the little Frenchman espicd him, and run
ming up to Ned, seized both of his hands,
and appeard to be in ecstacies at his old
friends safe return.
"Whcn you come, my boy-why you
no come an see your old friend, eh-have
you brought ze plant, my boyl" were all
uttered 10y the apparently delighted Mon
sieur G.. in almost one breath.
MIhe last question was what Ned termed
"deafener." He was at a loss for re-
ply. finally he answered.
"Oh! yes Monsieur,a and a fine one it is too
the rarcst one in the whole kingdom of
Turkcv~
The little Frcnclman almost danced
with JOY.
"Nerc be i'm my boy-tell mel will
go and get him, right away off," excaim-
ed Monsieur, and it was with the greatest
difficulty that Ned could prevail upon him
to wait until the next day, when he prom
ised to send it to his residence.
IL riH wait, Ned my boy, till 20 NOR
row-send' i'm TO me carly-vary early
you hear my boy--vary cary. III
reroir!" and Ned was glad to see the lit
tie Frenshman depart.
"What shall do" soliloquized Ned.
/ must "seii'' the Frenchmau that's GER
tain. But how's the question. The fel-
low is acquainted which every plant in
existence. What the devil shall do! |
have III"
The next morning Ned despatched his
servant to the residence of Monsieur g.,
with "ze grande plante"-and a curious
looking one it was too. 1t was about six
inches long-a little thicker than pipe
stem--round--and tapered off to q point.
Not branch or blossom was visible on
it--notling bRt SOFT Of fazz, which if
it had not been of grecnish hue, would
have been taken for fine hair. It was
planted in black soil, contained in pot
about the size OF n quart measure. Al
together il was tho most singular looking
plant tn t Botanist ever admired.
Sdcre! got tan! vat is ziz, !" exclaimed
the Frenchman, when Ncd's servant hand
cd him the present. .Boo-tifil, eh! By