The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-07
FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
The Story Of a Beautiful Visit.

HNPSSSdhSy SotSiy
tiptocing in the near distance.
All the White Roses, strung along on
their green ropes just under the caves,
gave out their daily toll of sweet in
ccnsc, and stirred not q green leaf ii the
doing.
Then the stately, and oh, the beauti-
full, the swcet-breath'd Carnations! how
quickly they answered that gentle greet
ing and mingled their own spicy odor
with the Roses pcrfume; then with
stately bows retired again to fix their
calm gaze once more on Grandamc Cen
fury plant, who calmly spreads out her
green petticoats all about her on the high
Seat of Honor, high above the heads of
al the flower family. This ancient
drand-damc is unto the flower family,
dear children, what the Old Clock in the
corner is unto you-a faithful teacher
and trusted guide.
Since daybrcak she had been leaning
over, thoughtfully, in the direction of a
young smilax vine (that dainty climber,
who was always a%mbitiously trying to
reach the sky, and 10! for once he had
stopped climbing, and was holding tight
On to the white ropes and looking down,
zoo, upon his next door neighbor, Ma
dame "Night-blooming Cereus." VIVA.
there was SO Intensely interesting
about that long, gaunt, homcly body, who
clothed herself every day in such dreary
looking, faded green dresses, aud then
trimmed them all with prickly fuzz; who
had elbows III every direction. as though
She was forever starting off on new roads;
changed her mind, faced about sharply,
and went some other way. We'll, a
modest little Sweet Pea Just across the
corner there wondered at it much, then
began to see other neighbors looking that
way too. Even gentle Pansy's eyes were
very wide open, looking right up at that
Madam Cereus. And, yes, there was little
busybody Red Geranium there too, peep
ing over the heads of the Begon;a chill
dren, just starting out for school, with
their pretty pink prayer books. And
Lily of the Valley Bells all stood still,
and had quite forgotten to ring.
$50 sure as I live, and am Katurecna
Sweet-Pea, there's Jennie Phlox with
red velvet bonnet on! And the
Daisy Girls in their white dresscsl
And why-why-what's going to be to-
day, any way"
Street Pea hastened to tie on her own
pretty pink bonnet, and then climbed
the green ladder just by the window and
the air, and it settled down opprcssivcly
over all the beautiful flowers, as tho sun
1t last lingeringly babe them good night,
went over the edge to say good
morning to those waiting on the other
side.
Still Grand-dame Century plant leaned
.enderly over, and Sweet Peas gentle
leart throbbed almost to s%uffocation as
INC recklcssly pu~shedeback her dainty
,ink bonnet, and waited IN. When the
title Stars came out quietly, one by one,
md looked down at their friends through
he glass windows of Fairy Palace, they
calm Stranger among them, of
air and beautiful white form, held Joy
'usly high in the arms of Madam Cereus,
ike a newborn babe waiting over tho
ont to be blessed.
1t seemed to the watching stars that
he beautiful Stranger was just slowly
from q long sleep.
White, long, slender leaves, and vel
ETY., opened slowly in circles around,
ne and another and yet another, till at
asst a pathway in their midst was re-
called that looked made of tilagreed gold;
white canopy of tiny flowers was above
and beyond you saw the beginning of
trumpct-shaped, green-white chamber.
little Star near the Moon whispered:
THAT was probably the home of the
queen Flowers Soul. Is it waking now,
wonder2" !
Calmly the white leaves kept spread
ng-sweetly unmindful of loving eyes
'atching-wide away, till evening
olded into night, and slowly night into
lidnight.
Just then the proud young moon
down upon the upturncd face of
he beautiful stranger, that looked
back again a long waiting MN
te, saw tho glory in the moons face and
trembling Of glad surprise
assed over the fair form, and it seemed
} the watchers that q shining form