The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-05-19

"a
good girl, and one of our best parish schol-
srs. as you know. She has not happy home,
but it is not half bad as you suppose.
Strahl was worthy, industrious carpenter
two years ago, so he's not quite a confirmed
druDkard yet. Perhaps his wife is little
careless, but, poor woman, her health is so
bad she hasn't strength to work. Four years
ago, they moved here from L., | knew
them, and tidier, happier little family
never saw. My wish for them is that the
good days will come back. You were right
to take the poor girl into your plans"
Still in spite of bis appreciation, Lesley felt
a little anxious that Sophy herself might
have misunderstood her motives in offering
the plants. But she was treasured when
early Saturday morning, Sophy made her ap-
pearance with basket on her arm, brighter
looking than Lesley had ever seen her.
You offered me some plants, Miss Les
ley" she said, "and I've come for them"
You have place ready for them2' Les
ley asked, as they walked into the garden.
"Oh, was up at day dawn, and have dug
up large bed in the backyard. 1 used to
have pretty flower garden before l moved
here, and l know all about the cultivation
of flowers If | can get word to l., where
we used to live, know a great many people
there who would send me rare plants. Oh, L
do love flowers so, Miss Lesley but some.
how L haven't had the heart to think of them
since we lived here"
Lesley had never heard the taciturn girl
say ten words before, or even seen her so
cheerful. The flowers unlocked her heart
and tongue, and Lesley discovered that what
ever her surroundings might be, the girl her
self was refined and intelligent.
80 you've started the beggar-maid to
gardening" said Gertrude, the following
Monday. "She's been digging and delving
ever since Friday evening. 1 guess her
hands are dirtier than ever"
Don't worry about her hands," said Les
ley, merrily; lust take care those same
hands don't carry off the prize from you, or
all of u.s."
Gertrude tossed her head scornfully, but
did not deign to answer.
The idea of the floral competition took
wonderfully in Ashwood. Parents were de-
lighted to see their daughters engaged in
healthful out door work, Mr.. Moore donated
the Society two acres of land. and through
the joint contributions of the centre of it,
walks laid off and ornamental trees gnd
shrubbery set out
As for the girls, they worked with might
and main, and some of them soon had a
beautiful display OF plants. Gertrude had
more advantages than her companions, for
her indulgent parents purch 'sed for her the
most rare and costly plants. Under her
care-for she only had spasmOdic fits of in
dustry-they deIeriorated, and nothing
seen d to pro- ser In her garden
III the tweuty fifth OF April, girls" said
Leslie one dar, aud the prizes have come.
Oh! | tell yU... - gold medal for the prize
is splendid. Ihes just let me have peep
at il p"
81 wonder whic- 4 us will get it," asked
one.
You can count lee out" said Gertrude,
with a curl on her Il. al haven't troubled
myself about my T. ats for the last three
months"
eve shall probab all have to take back
place as far as the lhedal is concerned said
Leslev. laughing, for Sophy Strahl is GER
tain of it. | never in my life saw such
superb roses and carnations as that girl has
got. Why, one blu h of her Marechal Mel
roses alone, Hou, take the prize, and her
lilies are something 20 wonder at. For my
part, I'm glad o: it. | dare say should
have liked the prize, but she, poor girl, has
so few enjOyments of life, don't begrudge
it to her."
II don't believe she'll get it," cried Ger
trude, angrily; lit would be a shame if she
did. A poor, miserable, low creature like
that, to step in first, for anything"
Leslie's black eyes flashed Indignantly on
the speaker, as she said:
"She steps in first as you call it. In a
good many things. She's above you in her
Classes, and far, far above you, and a great
many of US, in refraing from scandalous and
abusive language"
"Oh, if she's friend of yours" sneered
Gertrude.
more, and for whom feel more sympathy"
Whilst Sophy's schoolmates were thus dis
cussing her, she was busy in her garden, try
ing to prop up her Marechal Mel rose. Her
father happened to pass through the back
yard when she was thus engaged.
That's a splendid rose of yours, Sophy,"
he said admiringly, "but that isn't the way
to prop it. Wait a minute, and I'll get my
tools and some Stats, aud make you Frame"
When had David Strahl offered to do any
thing about his own homestead before? Not
for three lo1g weary years but this after
noon he hammered and sawed, and listened
with interest to Sophy's hopes that her flow
ers wOuld take prize
He walked about, looking at and admiring
them. for it was actually the first time he
had ever entered her little garden. Strahl
loved his children, and was very proud of
them in spite Of his miserable habits. Stran-
ger still, he was fond of flowers, and in his
happy days had spent all his leisure time in
cultivating them. Something seemed to
speak to him from the familiar faces of his
old Notwithstanding that warned
and repr0ached and grieved him more than
the tears of wife and children had ever done.
He had never measured the gulf between his
past and present until brought face to face
for the first time with these fair inanimate
things which had made part of his old life.
He said little, but walked thoughtfully
about. "You did all this with your own
him. A tide of shame seemed to sweep over
him, when he remembered how he had
drifted away from his old home interests and
pleasures
That evening he spent at home perfectly
sober, and more of his own self than his fam
| lily had seen him for years. He made no pro-
| fessions but from that evening the man COM
menced his struggle with the demon of in
| temperance. Then sprang up within him
| longing for better life, and it made true
| nam at last.
| Ny young readers need not suppose that
| am drawing upon my imagination for this
| story of reformed drunkard, or the strange
| cause which worked this reform. God uses
| the weakest and frailest things sometimes to
| effect his purposes, and if his hand guides
| drifting leaf, it straightwsy becomes an ir-
resistible force to work his will in the human
i heart.
| We have reached the last evening OF April
and April is like a summer month in lovely
Louisiana. The world there was bNrsting
into bloom. Bird songs and perfumes filled
/ the air
| The Floral Pavilion and the Judges stand
had been beautifully decorated and the girls
| had returned home to rest, and make their
| final preparations for the momentous day.
Gertrude Ship had kept aloof from her
| companions, and as she stood at her window,