New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-24

home from school with his dinner
basket filed with tender-eyed violets,
I mark him as child who viii grow
up to manhood with an appreciatiYe
soul for the beautiful and good; while
the little girl who is delighted with a
wreath of oloVer-blossoms and yellow
dandelions, I mentally prophesy will
develop into pure wemanhood, quick
to perceive and enjoy Gods best gifts
to his loving children.
A collection of choice exoties,
whether in the cradle, at the sltar, or
on a grave, seem to breathe hope
hope in life, and hope beyond life.
A common lilac bush has e kind of
sacred veneration in my eyes, for
remember one shaded my grand
mothers window, so that her room
was literally a bower of odors, and to
this day that same fragrance invariably
recalls tender recollections of the dear
old soul who long ago took her de-
parture to that land where the flowers
are always blooming and the fields
are ever green.
There are none so unfortunately
situated in life, be their cares or sor-
rows what they may, but that can
have flowers Of some description if
they only will, and their cultivation
tends to elevate, purify, and strengthen
the soul. Nothing is more refining
than the care o. plants, and the ex-
quisite pleasure derived from watching
their growth and daily unfolding of
bud and blossom is blessing in itself
/ believe God gives us flowers to glad
den our lives, and the more pleasure
we take in them the more they will
bestow on us. No one ought to be so
cruel as to pass them by needless of
their innocent ministrations, for really
they are Gods messengers sent to US
with silent tongues.
l remember SO distinctly one hot,
dusty day last July young girls en-
tering the street car bearing in her
hand huge bunch Of water lilies.
Every face turned toward them as if
she held a magnet, and when she left
the car the eyes of rough men fol-
lowed that handful o. flowers until it
was lost from sight, and it seemed al
most as if an angels wing had fitted
through the car with a softening,
peaceful, influence.
Then why do we not enliven our
rooms with their gentle sweetness,
and adorn our yards with their bright
beauty, enjoying their bewitching in
huence to our utmost ability.
Let daughters place few flowers by
the side of the evening paper for their
father, be be farmer, mechanic, or
merchant, and observe how it will
smooth out the wrinkles on his brow
made by the cares of the day. Let
them put bunch Of delicate blossoms
on the tray which carries the break.
fast to an invalid mother, and note how
it will enhance the value of the offering.
Let husbands bring to their homes a
rare shrub or flower, and mark with
what a smile they will be received.
Let brothers present to their sisters a
bouquet for party or opera, with a
caution to keep their hearts as pure
as the flowers, and watch how it dead
ems the effect of the shallow batteries
poured into their ear. Let the sick
room be provided with flowers from
sympathetic friends, and view the
cheerful air they spread around. In
short, cultivate and use the flowers,
and all the world will be the better
for it.
All of the Creators works are in
volved in mystery Some are wise
enough to fathom the secret principle
Of vegetation, that life-reviving power
which is given TO every plant, to each
in its own season, after its own fash
ion, and to its own kind.
Paul may plant and Apollos may
water, but it is God who giveth the
increase" therefore mingled with our
daily prayer should be loving, heartfelt
thanks to him for his bounteous and
beautiful gift Of flowers.
ALINE WARD.