The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-09
A NEW FLOWER MISSION.


The two children put the basket down by
the fence, and played tag until they were
tired. Then they waited in the shade of
the bushes for the others to come from
the woods, where they had gone to gather
ferns and moss. Alice was afraid of COWS,
and the distant clang of their bells told
her that number OF them were roaming
about Harry had stayed with her for
company.
"Tbey cannot send the flowers to Africa,
Harry" said Alice, for they would all
fade; and they are not very pretty when
pressed"
"Lets ask Aunt Kate when she comes
back; she will know said Harry.
Just then there was q shout from the
woods, as Aunt Kate and the gentleman
who would be Uncle Will before Christ
mas, with the larger children, came in
sight, loaded with ferns and MOSES. This
was Wednesday morning, and Harry and
Alice, as well as Aunt Kate, were SO busy
tying the punches of flowers and arrang-
ing the ferns in baskets made of bark and
covered with moss that they did not have
time to ask the question, What is done
at the Mission with fowers?"
After breakfast the next morning Aunt
Kate invited the children for row. AL
most as soon as they were in the boat
Harry asked: "Aunt Kate, what is a flower
mission?'
| A look OF surprise was followed by
shout of laughter and the exclamation,
"You little heathenP'
An angry flush rose in each ohild's face,
and Alice said:
"My mamma says it. not polite to- laugh
at peoples, and we aren't heathens. We
go to Sunday school, and sometimes to
church"
81 beg your pardon, but it is so ridicu-
lous for you not to know what the flower
mission is, when your own mamma is one
OF its most active members. 1T is too alb
surdl Never mind, dearies, anntie will tell
you all about it. You know in the city there
are great many people who have never
seen the country, never can see it. Many
people are in hospitals, sick, during this
warm weather; some in prisons. Now, the
flowers that you pick ed yesterday will be
sent to these people; and do you not think
that it will lnake them happier to have
bright flowers near them? You know how
you enjoy them when you are in the city;
and next summer you can begin earlier,
and send many more than you have this
year."
Alice had been growing more and more
interested, and, leaning toward Harry,
she said, al think it's lovely, Harry.
Don't your
Harry nodded, but he evidently had
another thought running through his
curly head.
"What is it, Harry?'
"Aunt Kate, great many people in the
country do not have flowers don't be-
lieve Mrs. Brown has had single flower
this summer. She's been so busy cook
ing"
"You blessed boyl" said Aunt Kate,
kissing the brown hand that lay within
her reach.
"Or Miss King, Aunt Kate. You know
she says she cannot walk far, and don't
believe she's had a single flower. Wesent
them all to the city, that we picked" said
Alice in remorseful tone.
The children did not know what was
the matter with Aunt Hatcher eyes
were full of tears-or what she meant
when she said, "Out of the mouth Of
babes and sucklings."
In few minutes she said, "Children,
you shall be missionaries and begin to-
day."
Taking the oars, she rowed to the stone
wall near the meadow, where golden-rod
and ox-eyed daisies nodded welcome to
every visitor.
"Pick as many as you can, children.
and take them home with you for Mrs.
Brown and Miss King"
Carefully the children picked, refusing
every blemished or imperfect blossom.
Aunt Kate walked down to the edge of
the wood and picked the leaves OF the
mountain laurel.
In little while Harry and Alice ap-
peared at Mrs. Browns kitchen door with
two lovely punches of golden rod and
yellow daisies, whose rich color was made
more beautiful by contrast with the dark
laurel leaves.
Here, Mrs. Brown, we picked these
for you, cause you haven't time," said
Alice sweetly.
Mrs. Brown, red and worried, turned
from the hot stove with half frown. One
look at the two children with their offer
ing drove the frown away.
"Bless you'll hain't had chance to
look at golden rod this summer.
thought last night after the dishes were
washed, I'd give good deal to get one
look at the lake meadow lot knew it
must look like field of gold" All this
time she was busy getting out the big
blue pitcher, which she put on the pine
table near the window. at does body