River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-07-16
THE FoUR-LEAFED CLOVER,
BY MISS j. +. BUSHNELL.

four-leaved Clover. No one knew how
she came there, for most of her rcla-
tives lived on the other side of the stone
wall, in the lovely green meadow
through which the Brook ran laughing
and singing, and where the bright
flowers danced and frolicked all day
long. The meadow was the most
beautiful place in the world. this little
Glover thought, as, from her lowly
home by the footpath, she listened visit
fully to the gay goings-on Of her tine
neighbors.
She could hear the saucy Daisies and
Buttercups gossiping and joking so
merrily with the birds and the bees,
and she loved to watch the tall bright
Field Lilies smiling and bowling their
stately heads in the sunshine; but es-
pecially did She long to get nearer to
the murmuring Brook, that She might
listen to the wonderful tales Of its adj
ventures SINCE leaving its home in the
distant mountain, and might hear more
about that unknown sea whittier it was
ioumeying. and about which it sang
increasingly. How She envied her hap
py cousins. the Clovers, that grew along
the banks of this Brook, whore they
could listen all day to its sweet voice!
These cousins OF hers were not very
agreeable, to tell the truth, and felt
immensely above their humble little
relative | do not see myself why they
should. for over them stretched the
same blue sky across which the clouds
and the bird. went sailing. The warm
sun shone kindly down on both alike,
and the beautiful cooling showers fell
gently over all; without these blessings
the iicld-blos>Oms, as well as the way
side grasses. must have withered and
died. but YOU see the stone-wall made
the difference. There are a great many
stone-Walls in this world, you will find,
which people are always trying TO get
past; and sometimes when they succeed
in clambering over, they wish them
selves back again. So here was this
little four-leafed Glover, quite shut out
from what seemed to her like Paradise.
obliged to dwell amid the dust and
noise of one of the commOnest walks
of life. 1t was not entirely pleasant. of
course She could not always keep
herself clean and sweet like her cousins
in the quiet field. because all around
her the work OF the world was going
on The hustle and confusion was Of
ten so great that, though she tried her
best. she could not catch so much as an
echo of the gay. pleasant life in that
fair world which lay on the opposite
side of the stone-wall. Then her pref
tv green leaves were sometimes tram
pied rudely under foot, and she felt
quite bruised and sore, and found it
very difficult not to become dscOn-
tented and miserable.
These were the hard things in her
life, YOU see; but there were some
pleasant things, too, as there always
are. She had a great many friends
this little Clover. because, not being in
the least proud or aristocratic, she was
free to make acquaintance where ever
she liked, and YOU have no idea how
much delightful and instructive society
she found right around her in that lit
TIC EOLiIliDJ nlSlN 1Obt itftAA. ohNA4 FbNN
creatures as they all were, too, these
neighbors of hers, working hard for
their living every one of them. They
had no time to complain or be miser-
able. and YOU may be sure they would
have left Miss Glover quite alone if she
had not been CHEEKY and helpful. which
She always tried to be, Outwardly at
least.
There were the prudent, hard-work-
ing Ants Their industry was an eX-
ample 10 every one, and the queer, sol
emn Toads. and the wise BlackBeetles.
who kept house under the stones. not
to forget the Bumblebees and the
brown-coated SparrowS, who worked
hard. tbrove well and We're happy
through the long, bright summer So
our little four-leafed Clover lived on in
her quiet. humble way. and did her
best to keep her green dress fresh and
clean. brayely trying to make the best
Of her difficulties; but she did not lind
it any easier to be good and cheerful
than the rest Of us do, and sometimes it
was really dreadfully discouraging
work. especially when the gay flowers.
in their gorgeous holiday clothes, came
anu pee pea ali NlOtA0iN al AtA 0ftA tilN
wall and tossed their fair heads haugh-
tily in the hreezes.
''Just see that dirty little clover down
there. they would SAY. Would you
ever think her a relation of those lovely
green Leaves that cover our meadow
and then some of her cousins would re-
ply hastily.
'.Oh. well. she is not really related
to Us at all. Do You not see that awk
ward heavy leaf she has tucked on?
We should be ashamed to wear such a
thing, it is quite a deformity;" and the
mischeievous Daisies would nod and
laugh. while our Clover hung her head
for shame, and crept under the shadow
of a friendly Plantain-leaf to have
quiet littly cry all by herself
ooh, deari' she would sob, i try
so hard to keep myself looking nice,
and | am sure ! am not to blame for
growing here instead of in that beauti-
ful, quiet meadow; how unkind they
are
1t was very sorrowful. but she had a
sweet nature. this little Glover; and
when she had had her cry out, she felt
better. and lifted her head and smiled
cheerfullv up at the sun once more.
Sometimes on moonlight nights they
had grand earniyals in the field. ard all
the flowers and grasses joined hands
and danced to the merry music Of the
Crickets bag pipes. Dear me. how
rav they were! back and forth. round
and round TO and fro they swung,
keeping time TO the gay measure, while
their neirhbors on the other side Of the
wall looked and listened. and the Clo-
yer danced Up and down on her slender
stem in glad hearted sympathy. but
she never once dreamed Of joining them;
dear me! no. Such gayeties were not
hers.
Wei, the bright summer days flew
swiftly by: the proud. Golden Rod and
the beautiful purple Asters came troop
ing into the field; and the Alders
blushed red against the stoBe-wail. over
whic he Squirrels ran. busily chat
TERM. while the Breezes, whispering
along. seemed to say. BE happy while
you may. for autumn is coming.
The DAISIES and Bnttercups hung
brown and withered on their empty
stalks, and talked regretfully on the