Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-03-05
TIE FIRST FUCHSIA.


The following sprightly story is GO
I ing the rounds of the foreign papers /:
Old Mr.. Lee, n nurseryman and gar
dener near London, well known fifty
Z or sixty years ago, was one day show
I ing his variegated treasures to a friend,
who suddenly turned to him AMI de
clarcd, Well, you have not in your
collection prettier flower than | saw
this morning at Mapping "No.
and pray what was this phoenix like 2"
Why, the plant was elegant, and the
| iiowers hung in rows like tassels from
the pendant branches. their colors the
richest crimson; in the center a fold
OF deep purple" and so forth. Par
tleulaI directions being demanded and
given, Mr.. Lee posted of to the place,
where he at once perceived that the
plant was new in this part OF the
world. He saw and admired. Enter
ing the house, he said, MY good
woman, this is a nice plant; should
like to buy it," "Ah, sir, / could not
sell it for 10 money, for it was brought
me from the West Indies by my hus-
band, who has now left again. and l
must keep it for his sake" "But |
must have it," mo, sir!" Here 4"
Complying his pockets), here is gold,
silver, copper" This stock was some
thing more than eight guineasl.-
Well-a-day, but this is q power of
money, sure anu sure " "iTis yours.
and the plant is mine; aud, my good
dame, you shall have one of the first
young ones l rear, to keep for your
husbands sake" A cOach was called
in which was safely d posted our flor
list ami his seemingly dear purchase.
His first work was to pull of and ut
terly destroy every vestige of blossom
and blossOm-bud it was di yidcd into
cuttings, which were forced into bark
beds and hot beds, were re-diyided
aud sub-divided. Every effort was
used to multiply the plant. By the
commencement OF the next Towering
season, Mr.. Lee was the delighted
pOssessor of three hundred fuchsia
plants, all giving promise of blossom.
The two which opened first were re-
moved into his show house. A lady
came: Why, MIR. Lee, my dear Mr..
Lee, where did you get this charming
fiower?" Hem tits a new thing,
my lady; pretty, is it nOt?" "Pret-
ty! 'tis lovely. Its price? "A
guinea, thank your ladyship," and
one of the two plants stood proudly
in her lsdyship's bOudOir. My dear
Charlotte, where did you get that ele-
giant fiOwer?" 40, tits a new thing;
saw il at old Lees; pretty, is it not?"
a. Pretty! IT'S beautiful! Its price?"
" A guinea: there WAS another left."
The visitors horses smoked off to the
suburb; u third Towering plant stood
on the spot whence the first had been
taken. The secnnd guinea was paid,
and the second chosen fuchsia adorned
the drawing-r room of her second lady
ship. The scene was repeated as new
corners saw aud were attracted by the
beauty of the plant. New chariOts
flew To the gates of old Lees nursery
ground. Two fuchsias, young, gr4ee
ful and bursting into healthfui flower,
were constantly seen on the same spot
in his repository. He neglected not
10 gladden. the faithful sailors wife by
the promised gift; but ere the flower
season closed, three hundred golden
SuIueas cliuked in his purse, the pro-
luce of the single shrub from the win
low in Wrapping; the reward of the
.aste, decision, skill and perseverance |
Of old Mr.. Lee.