The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-01-11
Only a Geranium Slip.

had thrown her. Now and then she
looked at the gate wistfully, wishing it
might open and give her just another
peep at the flower beds inside The day
before, the gardener had thrown it wide
upon its hinges while his wheelbarrow
passed out, and the sight remained in her
memory like glimpse of fairyland. If
she could only see it again
While the child sat longing, something
dropped from the wall above struck her
shoulder softly and fell to the ground
1t was only small green sprig without
a blossom, and it looked so forlorn after
the vision upon which she had been feast
ing that she was about to throw it away
Just then good natured looking wo-
man, with basket on her arm, came out
from the gate opposite, and she smiled so
kindly Mag was emboldened to run
across the street and show it to her.
"Plant it, you'll have nice red flower
by and by. That's slip from the ge-
raniums over there" and the woman
nodded her head at the the garden Mag
admired.
Geranium was big word to ignorant
little Mag. 1t gave her no idea of the
flower, but it flashed through her mind,
it was just possible it might grow into
one of the grand red flowers she had seen;
and she forgot all about her bread, and
ran up the street with her treasure.
The day was warm and she was a long
way from home, so the little green stalk
grew very dry, and the pretty leaves be-
gan to curl. Mag was Just ready to cry,
it looked so wilted.
Hello what's up?" asked little
boy, seeing the tears gather in her great
brown eyes, but Mag only ran away.
She was used to very rough boys and he
might snatch it from her hands.
By and by she reached a gutter where
the water was running freely. She sat
down on the curb and let the water cool
her burning feet. She laid the thirsty
little sprig beside it. 1t seemed so glad
it threatened to float away with the cur
rent, till she caught and held it prison
er with her feet. Presently the leaves
stiffened and looked so refreshed that
Mag ran home with it quite encouraged.
She found an old tin can on her way,
and bit of broken glass with which she
scooped it full of dirt.
Arusty cup half full of water lay by
the straw that served her for bed. She
poured it over the slip as she thrust it
into the can. 1t would be sure to grow
now, because her Sunday School teacher
had told her God made the flowers for
everybody. Her heart was full of faith,
as she poured the grateful little stream
over the dry earth
There was no sunshine able to pene-
trate the soiled panes in Mays miserable
little room. Mag was used to dirt, and
the landlord was so cross when he re-
placed the broken panes that Mag never
touched them. The slip being constantly
watered, did not suffer for the sunshine
for few days, but by and by it dropped
again for the lack of it.
Then God did not mean to let it grow
after all? And Mag, who was an or
phan, with no one at home to explain
away her perplexities but harsh old
grandmother, was sorely troubled. Don't
bother me with your old weed or I'll
pitch it out y was all the satisfaction
Mag received, when she ventured to APP
peal to her.
Then it occurred to Mag to ask her
OuHudy DCnOOl C6dCu6I. DO you give
it plenty of sunshine ?" asked Miss Sweet
ger as the child told her trouble.
A light broke in upon Mag. She
gathered some papers from the ash heap,
filled her tin cup with water and secured
her window panes till her pale cheeks
were all aglow. Her heart leaped when
the first warm golden ray streamed in
across her plant. And how much more
cheerful the little room seemed, now the
windows were clean Mag could see the
house opposite and the trees and the
church tower with its bluetaced clock and
gilt hands. Even the sour old grand
mother noticed the improvement and set
her to cleaning up the windows down
stairs. But this was not all-now that
the light came in clear and strong, it lit
up the dirty corners and that brought
the old broom into brisker use.
The grateful plant seemed growing
daily. There were tints that Mag had
seen before. She remembered the gar
den and she felt so hopeful and happy
that she helped grandmother with all her
might Between them things commenced
to mend. Mag began to see her grand
mothers good points and she to recognize
Mays. AS the old woman grew cleaner
she became better tempered. She showed
more interest in Mag and seemed almost
as pleased as the child, when the ger
IL L-~.L co,.4l, -, a. 49,,