The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-06-19
The Corn and the Rose.

A rose-bush grew by the side OF field.
Tt was June, and a rose had come out to
see the morning sun, and to be stirred
by gentle wind. Inside Of the fence a
field OF corn shook its green blades and
nodded its plumes in the gay light Of
day.
"I am so happy :" cried the rose. and
it turned its blushing cheek toward the
corn, while all around the air was fra
grant with its breath. al am so happy
Was / not made to he lovely and full Of
joy"
"a silly and useless life," said the
corn, rustling its leaves nOisily. "NOw,
] am happy because / am to be Of some
use in the world. And / am to live all
Summer all Summer" The corn
looked an inch taller as it repeated the
words "But you will die tomorrow
nay, to-day-fOr wild roses are fragile
things"
The rose grew pale and hung its head.
"May l not do some good in the world
too2n il asked.
NO" said the loud voice Of the corn ;
"not any good at all. 1 am TO feed some
hungry child, or perhaps save the life
Of some starving man. But you cannot.
No one will be less hungry because you
have lived"
/
way ~ asked the sad rose.
NO, no % answered the corn; "there
is no other way to be Of use."
The rose was silent for a little while
Then IL looked up and laughed merrily ;
for it is the nature of roses to be glad.
There was a drop Of dew in the heart of
the rose, and as it flashed in the sun it
caught the eye OF a man who was pass
ing by. He was the owner Of the corn.
He had noticed that the corn was brave
aud bright, but he had not stopped until
he saw the rose. He picked il aud car
ried 10 away.
The rose soon found itself in a house,
iu a kitchen where one heavy y-eyed
woman was at work. Her fee was pale
and her feet were tired. She saw not
the sunshine that morning, nor heard
the loud songs Of the birds; for shadow
no larger than ones hand can shut out
the fairest scene on earth.
"Ohri she had been thinking, sit is
work, work from morning till night. /
almost wish / were dead. Why did !
marry a poor man to bake aud make
and mend year after year? ! shall be
old and cross and ugly before ] have
lived out half my days! What is the
use Of il all %
She looked M 20 sea her husband
come in with the rose Everything had
gone wrong that morning, aud impa-
tient words were on her lips. a hand
unused TO sucn Offices, but, nevertheless,
kind hand placed the rose in her hair,
and then the man went away 10 his
work.
The rose had stirred tender memory
in his heart. He had Thought OF "a morn
ing like this, when he had met his
sweetheart in a green, iiowery lane, aud
he had tWinej a wild rose ia with her
shining braids. The blushing happy
face flashed upon him now. The same
face, his Wife's face, looked far less
happy, and he had given her the ruse
with a worthless wish that she should
smile upon him as she used 10 do. But
she merely looked surprised, and he had
gone away, halt abashed az " hat he had
done.
But the little deed had touched her.
She, too, thought Of the green lane. She
remembered how the touch Of her low
er's hand had thrilled her. She wished
she had taken the trouble IN thank bin
then blushed 10 thi reI been nc
"trouble" to smile ano le grateful iu ,he
glad old days.
not feel hard that he cannot make q
easier for me. He works so hard nim
sell > lAA AlE a3"a ~ 70 ta-e -
a rose to-day"
10 passing the mirror, she saw The
rose against her still sOft hair; she was
not so old nor so ugly, a ter sli. A smile
came aud hovered over her ips. de.
step grew quick and liElt The room
seemed bright, her work less wearisome
She thought of the happy days Of hel
youth, Of the sweet time Of cOurtship
and remembered that it was as she had
louged 10 have il. Whatever their for
tunes had been, they were together al
ways. She startled herself by a snatch
Of merry song.
The morning that had begun so heav-
lily slipped away into a sunny noon.
The farmers dinner stood ready for him
as he came up. The children were
bright ata ''.ar. TIE wife smiled
brightly as ue came in, and he STONED
to kiss her, a thing he had moi lone FOR
many long day.
"Ah" whispered the rose. 'T have not
lived in vain. Is 1t not worth lie lifa n
poor rose to bring joy to these uesrv
hearts ?"
The corn grew apace and waved il.
rustling blades through the long sumner
day. al am to feed the hungry" saiC
the proud voice Of the corn, "but the
life Of the useless rose is done.n