Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-04-21
Helena, Montana, Thursday April H. 1881.
A STORY WITH A MORAL.
What the Carrying Of a Bouquet to the
Wrong House Effected.

A STORY WITH A MORAL.
Wrong House Effected.
["Johnny Bouquet in Sunday Tribunel
: 1t was not long ago that gentleman sal
to me-he was in wine-"J Johnny, will tax
your best bouquet-that big one on tray
; fit to be the bridal bed of Eve-if you viii
carry it to this address"
"All right, boss" was my response, as
took his $40 bill, and observed rather devil
ish light in his eye, while he wrote name
on card. 1t was beam of the light tina
shone in the eye of Cain, as the discriminat
ing flame Of heaven shot past his offering
and blazed on Abel's altar. However,
wasn't particular about what was going ON il
his mind, and he slipped the card in the bou
quet and I started Off to deliver it. Stopping
close by to change my note and eat a bit OF
lunch, good many people gathered near the
prize bouquet and began to talk about it and
to smell it, and so, whether some jealous
rival stole that card, or whether had drop
ped it on the street, the card was missing
when / took up the great salver of flowers
again.
hastened back to the place where had
met the gentleman. He had gone away in a
carriage. / told my trouble to the hotel
clerk, the genial Gillis and he said, "Pshaw
take it to his wife. He is no sporting man" "
Now, that gentleman l knew, by an acci-
dent of passing his house, and l had often
admired the infexible, the solitary, the lofty
and self-reliant quality in him. He was kind
to his interiors, manly to his equals, naughty
to his superiors. About once or twice a year
he showed liquor in his eye, as if Cain had
bred on Abels stock, and {: little liquor
brought out the consanguinity. l said to
myself: "These flowers will wither for which
have been paid. I believe he meant to send
them to his wife and / will take them there" !"
rang the door bell of his house and asked
for the lady. Shown into the parlor, saw
my buyers picture over the mantel. The
house was not extensively furnished, but
looked like the abode of perseverance in some
moderately compensating profession and slow
but gaining conquest on half fortune A lady
entered the parlor and beheld the flowers.
She turned to me and said, ''Who are these
for 2"
For you, Madam"
For mem Her face flushed "Who has
dared to send flowers to me?"
| saw l was in for it somewhere and there
husband sent them, Mrs -" had heard
his name and felt that this was his wife
My husband?" Her voice faltered. How
came he to send me flowers? Have you not
made a mistaken"
mo, madam. He has never bought flowers
from Inc before. He is not a customer of
gallantry. There is no mistake about it,"
She seemed all fiuttered like widow told
hat hnc hoe 70
Looking now at the flowers again at his por-
trait, her eyes dilated, her temples flushed
She walked to me like woman of authority
and under some high mental excitement.
Looking into my eyes, she said:
"What did my husband say"
'He said, madam, 4 have not made pres
ent to my dear wife for years. Business and
cares have risen between u.s. Take her these
flowers that their blossoms may dispel the
winter from our hearts and make rs young
again."
She turned to the bouquet and rained her
ears upon it. An orange bud she took, all
blinded so, and hid it in her bosom. She |
sank upon her knees and laid her head
among the flowers to let their coolness re-
resh her parched neglected heart, and sob
bed the joy of love and confidence again. l |
stole away like citizen Of the world.
AS went up the street and stopped at the
ame hotel, the husband was there John
~" said he did you deliver the bouquet 2"
Yes, took it to your wife," ITO my wife ?"
Yes, boss, you are too good q man to wander
IS you wished to. Go home. The ice is
broken. Your wife is full of gratitude. EN-
,race the blessed opening made for both of
rOu; plant those rich blossoms ON the grave
# your estrangement and in the words of
he great good Book, cling to the wife of thy
-Outh.'"
He staggered moment, looked as if he
ught to knock me down, and rushed from
he place.
Next day I met her upon his arm.
Johnny" he said, bring her as big a
'ouquet every week, and save one scarlet rose
or mem