Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-20
JUNE 90, 1856.
The Favorite Flowers.

Gustavus, Hermann, and Annie, walked
out into the field on fine spring day
The lark and thousand other birds were
singing, and the flowers unfolded them
selves in the dew and in the mild beams Of
the morning SUM- The three looked around,
fall Of gIadness, and sprang from one small
hill to another and weaved crowns Of flow
ers. They also celebrated, in song, the
beauty of Che spring and the love of the
heavenly Father, who clothes the earth
with grass and flowers and they sang ofl
flowers, from the rose which grows on the
bush to the little violet that blooms in re-
tirement. So the spring of life and the
spring Of, the year appeared in lovely union.
Then said they one to ahobher, Les
each select the little flower, which each
loves most This proposition delighted
them, and they sprang into the field to Sc
lect the favorite flower, promising to meet
again in the arbor. So the three went their
different ways, in concord, to collect the
beautiful. A lovely flower gathering !
Soon all three appeared again on their way
to the arbor. Each one bore in the hand
full bunch of the selected favorite flowers
When they came in sight of each other,
they held up the flowers above their heads
and shouted aloud for joy. When they
had reached the bower, they agreed that
each one should tell the reason of their
choice. Gustavus, the elder, had chosen
the violet. See,' said he, it blooms and
sends forth its fragrance in modest stiffness,
amidst moss and grass, and its work is con-
cealed, like the soft approach and blessing
of spring. Men honor and love it, and it
is praised in beautiful songs; and every
one brings bunch, when he returns from
the field, and he calls the lovely violet the
first-born of the spring, and the flower Of
modesty; therefore [ have selected it as
my flower So saying, he gave Hermann
and Annie some Of his flowers, who received
them with inward satisfaction; for these
beautiful flowers were also brothers gift
Now Hermann came forth with his bunch
1t was the delicate lilly, which grows under
the cool shade of the grove, and lifts up its
blooming bells like strings of pearls, white
as the light of day. L have selected this
as it is the emblem of innocence and of
pure heart, and speaks to me of Him whC
adorns the heaven with stars and the eartl
with flowers Was not the lily of the ielt
honored above all other flowers, in giving
testimony Of the love of our heavenly Faith
er, in whom all things live and move ?
This is the reason why the lilly is my favor
ite flower! Thus spake Hermann, and of
fered his flowers to Gustavus and Annie
who received them with JOY and respect
ARd thus, was the little flower consecrated
Then cau3E Annie, thezkipdly, lovely matt
en-, with her gathered flowers. 1t was th
blue, tender forget-me-not. These flow
ers,' said the amiable creature, foun
near the brook! They glittered like th
bright stars in heaven, and sport IN th
clear water on whose border they grow
and the little stream flows along more beal
tifully, as if weaving wreath. Therefor
is it the bower of love and tenderness an
I have selected it as my favorite, and
transfer it to you, my dear brothers! Thu
saying, she gave to each kiss, which the
returned very afectionately. Then the
guardian angel smiled upon the amiab
bond of innocence. When they had th1
selected their favorite flowers, Annie sal
{ Let us weave them into two wreaths, ar
carry them to our parents Sothey form
two beautiful crowns Of flowers, and toC
them to their parents and told them tt
whole matter, how they came to choo
these flowers. The parents rejoiced at Il
little tale, thus related, and said:
lovely crown love, innocence, and mode
ty combined! See how one flower exal
and adorus another, and in their union th
form the most beautiful crown of flowers
But one thing is still wanting answer
the whole three, and with lively gratitu
placed the crowns on the heads of the
father and mother. The parents we
: deeply affected with joy. They embrac
: the gentle ones cordially and said: Su
a crown is more glorious than the crown
J. princes. Lilies and VioletS.
~ . =