The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-05-17
The Hest Kinds lSfOr,f.

lived in beautiful garden, which was all
his own. The fairest flowers and the
sweetest fruits grew there, and the sun
seemed always bright, as though it loved
the pleasant spot on which it shone.
Outside the gates, the world to other
eyes was just as fair, but Fay thought
his garden was the only place where
flowers could grow, and his the only
hands that could properly care for them.
This was mistaken idea, think, as you
Will see.
He was sitting idle one glorious day,
surrounded by his flowers, almost daz-
zled by the Sunshine and the rainbow
hues, when his restless eyes CHANGED to
fall upon plant that grew outside his
garden gate not a beautiful plant, by
any means, only wild kind of creeper,
with very tiny, unpretending blossoms,
which peeped out shyly between dark
green leaves. I forgot its name, but it
doesn't much matter.
It grew contentedly against q shady
bank, stretching itself up to the summer
sky, as though to drink in all the sun
shine it could get. Very insignificant it
looked by the side of the honeysuckle
and the wild roses which wound them
selves in and out of the hedge, and I
doubt if any lover of flowers would have
called it even pretty, but that there is
some beauty in everything God has made,
and some use, too.
The shadow of an ancient oak fell
right across the bank just then, and
made dark patch on the sunny road.
''How delicious !" sighed the honey
suckle to the roses; Sc was fainting with
the heat. How can that foolish creeper
bear the sum- See how she stretches
herself away from us toward the sun
beams. She Will be burnt up to moth
ing before evening""
The creeper only half heard the wbis-
per, for she was gazing anxiously across
the road at the lovely garden flowers.
In such garden" thought the fool
lsh wild thing, as she swayed waywardly
in the breeze, 1" surely any one could be
happy 1t is 50 shady here, and, stretch
as L will, the shadows follow me. Look
at yonder roses; what richness of color,
and what sweet perfume Had half
the sunshine they enjoy, should not I be
as fair as they? My blossoms would ex-
pand and deepen in color, my leaves and
tendrils would spread, and the sun
would kiss me, and L should be both
beautiful and happyr'
The west wind heard the grumbling
murmur, and swept across the bank with
sudden breath of reproof.
Fay, looking over the gate, thought to
himself: 81 wish that curious plant
were mine. 1t isn't pretty, but it's odd,
and something different to what have ::
/ must get it.
He swung himself over the low wall,
and began eagerly to pull away the soil :;
but the roots were imbedded firmer
than he thought, and it was with great
difficulty that he at last loosed them from
their hold
"Now," said the boy, as he rested
moment from the struggle, its mine,
and it shall grow up my wall in the sun
niest place. 1 viii tie it up myself"
He carried it tenderly against his
breast, and passed through the wicket
gate into his own domain.
cit won't need mailing" he said 81
will twist it once or twice around the
trellis, and it will soon take hold"
So the creeper was in the fair garden
at last and Fay, for little time, was
quite happy with his new possession.
Was it the gentle west wind that sent
thrill of delight through the trailing
leaves just then? or do plants feel, do
you think2
Night came on, and with it a storm
which shook the old oak in its fury. and
swept over the meadows, laying the
daisies low, while the birds in the ivy
huddled closer together, as the heavy
rain battered down upon the leaves.
The garden flowers were all safely
sheltered and carefully protected from
the tempest. Securely tied, and held up
by strong props, they only bowed their
stately heads to the furious north wind :;
but the creeper beat itself against the
wall, and the cruel storm raved on.
In the early morning the sun rose over
the bright garden, where everything
looked fresher for the rain. The flowers
all wore jewels of glittering raindrops on
Their bre asts, and the birds sang Joyous
ly as ever, as they shook the moisture
from their wings.
And was that all?
Not quite. The story has two endincs.
but L only remember one, and IL is a sid
one
The poor creeper could not battle with
the storm. Accustomed to the high
bank and the friendly branches. it longed
for shelter and support for its tined,
proud head. The north wind tore it
ruthlessly from its slender hold on the
trelis work, it dropped and faded, AMI,
with each gust, sank lower to the ground.
The small purple flowers lay soiled upon
the earth, and the raindrops hung like
heavy tears upon the futtering leaves.
1t was quite, quite dead, and merry
room pecked at the broken stem.
The sun shone as brightly as ever
and only when the boy, in his wild play.
saw the oreeper stretched at his feet. he
paused, and sharp pang shot across his
heart, and l think he cried a little, and
wondered that it died, as children Will
when they don't know any better.
WITH o Str-an,cr.a fl..linrr &c 49, 49,. l..