Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-05-28
Mecha0cgovn Frederick County, Mayand Thursday May e. 1885,

since I gathered the first one
"You think more of your hcrbarium
than Of anything else i'll the world,
don't you" Davie said.
"Why, yc,, it is the only treasure /
have in this work." he answered, look
ing around at the rude furnishing Of
the cabin.
Davie went home to dream that u
raven flew into the wiuIow with u lit
tie bag in its bill full of gold dollars,
and he was not surprised when few
days later, his father brought a letter
from the Office containing nothing but
check for 500. But, though Davie
took it as a matter Of course, his par
ents did not, and they tried in every
possible way to find ont who sent it,
but without success.
X # = * 3
"Spcaking of hcrbariums, I have a
very fine one Of nearly Il thousand spec
linens | should like to show you" said
Professor Cummings to his guest, a
young professor from Il neighboring
college, who, as he opened tho book,
read, on the first leaf, the nam2-Jos-
cph Perkins.
With q wondering look, he turned to
Professor Cummings, and asked:
where did You get this?
i bought it, was the reply.
From whom?
The collector himself. | got it Il
good many years ago. An odd old
chap he was, | remember
I knew him we'll, and ! wish you
would tell me all about it, for can.
not think what could have induced him
to part withit. know that he valued
it above every earthly possession
'Well, abont iiteen-nc, It w&s srv-
cnteen-ycars ago this spring, | took
trip through Ohio and western Penn
sylvanja. One night l stopped with
this Mr.. Perkins, minister, believe
he was Oar cony,.3atioN tnrMe on
the wild flowers Of the region, and he
showed me this he"harium. | had Just
lost fine ore By fire, and | Offered
him q hundred dollars for this. II" at
once accor'cl ny ol;.'r, Thought seem
cd to give him 50 much pain that in
the morning, before started, I pro-
posed to take back the money and
leave him the book, but he would not
consent, saying that it Was the answ or
| to a PRAYER, aud so--but what's tn
matter, are YOU sicA">|
"Do You know who ann" WAS the
only reply his youny companion made.
"Nhy, yes, YOU are Professor keAne
who occupies Che scientific cha}r in
7 College, author of II standard
| text book on botany and -,
"That will do; now listen. Scven-
teen years ago this spring | was a poor
blind boy, and had just heard that
there was hope that | might recover
my sight if could reach a skillful ncu-
list in Philadelphia, Almost insur-
mountAhle difficulties lay in the way
of my doing SO, principally want Of
Of fluids. | cou!i'el my trouble to our
old minister, who prayed with me that
the necessary one hundred doll"rs
might be provided, After a few days
my father received the money through
the post office. | have never be n able
to- find tie sl;s ltcst clew to the human
instrument God used in answering our
prayers, until prayers, until your sto-
ry this evening has convinced me that
to the sacrifice Of dear old Father Per
kin's orly treasure | owe the greatest
blessing Of my life
"Wcll, that is truly an intcrcstIn z
history. How little ever dreamed
that | was connected in any way with
YOUR success in iIt Eat what be-
came Of Mr.. Prrkins"''
Il never saw him agl,n, for during
my absence at philaleI phA he went to
visit IL sister in Virginia, whore he sick
ene,l and died. | have often wonder
ed what became rf this her0arlum
Noble I'D man how much | owe to
him-not only sight, but it WAS from
him that T caught the enthusiasm for
botanical studies to which attribute
whatever success have o5taned."
4 j; x " y
If YOU visit the cemetery n Virgin
ia where the Rev Joseph Perkins
sleeps, vojl will be attracted to a soil
taav grave. covered with choice flowers
and marked by IL neat stone bearing
hi3 name and the single line, "Thcre
tairer flowers than E,lcn's bloom > and
the loquHcous old negro i'll charge OF
the grounds will listen of the fine
Young gentleman who erected the stone