Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-04-07
A Bunch Of Violets.
BY L. L. ROBINSON.

GQo CLOSE Oh winter, ana the CQllQfen QaQ all
day been wearily seeking diversion within
doors. Grandma sat in the chimney corner
serenely knitting as usual, while the little
ones played their games around her
Janette, the eldest, was just at present ran
sacking drawer in which lay many a
relic of past days, when she suddenly drew
forth bunch of flowers, SO dry and wither-
ed as almost to crumble at touch.
ooh, grandma do look % she cried
s'She how old and faded these flowers are;
surely they must have a history
The grandmother had raised her soft
| eyes, and now as they rested ON the wither-
ed flowers, light as of rekindled memories
| lit up her cOuntenance, and she answered,
Immediately:
eyes, dear, they have indeed a history,
! true and beautiful. Draw your chairs
closer around me and l will tell it to you
| here by the fireside.'
| This was invitation enough for the chill
dren; in another moment they had gathered
about her all silent and gladly expectant as
grandma began:
''Sad trouble and aff1iction had come to
the home of Louis Mayran and his widow
ed mother, more bitter poverty and need
than one could ever have thought possible
a few years before, when looking into their
comfortable dwelling in the suburbs of the
great city, with its we'll tended garden of
early vegetables, by which Louis father
earned for them all, such sufficient sup
port
'.But the good father had died, and
though the mother and her boy labored in
dustriously to keep up the business, mis-
fortune followed fast, one upon another;
two successive cold springs killed the tender
vegetables; and little by little they had
found themselves deeper in debt, the
rent already sadly in arrears, and nothing
offering even promise of better things to
come.
Zone by one, every article that could be
spared found its way to pawnshops, till now
the little Gotta ge was well-nigh emptied of
comforts, and the gaunt shadow of star
vation seemed nearing their door, while
friendly faces or helping hands became
ever fewer and more distant. For time
the poor widow had borne up bravey, but
with sleepless nights and insufficient food,
she was fast sinking under her burden,
fact which she would not have greatly de-
plored had it not heen for her boy, who
tried so hard to be her stay and comfort
"Cheer up, mother" ne would say,
when tears no niger to bs hidden stole
down her cheek. ~ am growing older and
stronger now, each day, and surely l will
soon find work, when you shall want for
nothing. l will bear anything if only we
are not compelled to ask help of others, and
surely God, who provides for his birds and
flowers, will not let his children suffer-"
'It was easier, perhaps, for Louis thus to
maintain steady faith and undaunted
courage, for all unknown to him the self
sacrificing mother was denying herself by
= 1a.lx
that he might not want. But the manly
boy had nos only this trust in the love Of a
heavenly Father, but also the pride of old
French blood which helped him in the
struggle with adversely.
"Like many another, however, Louis was
to learn that God very often sends his
gifts through earthly agents. The widow
and her boy were not forced to appeal to
strangers fer help, but the story cf their
need was brought to the knowledge of one
of Gods own ministeriag spirits. 2 kind
and wealthy lady who well knew hoW to
relieve necessity without causing pain or
humiliation.
"It was thus that his unknown friend
entered the desolate cottage one day just
as the severe winter was giving place to
promise of Spring, and just when even
Louis brave heart was dropping sorely.-
Sad and silent he stood behind his mother S
chair listening gratefully, but with throb-
bing heart, as the kind visitor talked gently
of their sorrows, hsr little girl who had ac-
companied her looking often into his sad
eyes.
"Louis strove hard to thrust down the
feeling of wounded pride struggling within
him, but when he saw the lady draw forth
her purse, though not ungrateful yet he
could no longer conceal his pain, and
abruptly leaving the room, sought despair
ingly the cool air without. If he only had
anything with which to make return
We're they indeed then so poor that they
must receive money as beggars, unable
even to manifest their gratitude save in
words which seemed to find no way to his
lips?
"Surely this was hard, and the poor boy
lifted his fearful eyes almost reproachfully
to heaven; but the bright sun dazzled them,
as if in rebuke, and as they dropped, some
thing at his very feet at tracted suddenly
his attention. There amid fresh springing
grass, and last years leaves, peeped out a
bed of rare sweet violets, lifting their blue
eyes heavenward and offering their silent
incense of love.
''Such viOlets truly were not seen every
day, for the father had brought them from
distant land and so carefully tended them
that they bloomed in rare beauty and
fragrance. To Louis they seemed like a
message direct from God in the moment of
bitterness and pain, and with a sudden glad
thought be stopped aud gathered quickly
handful of the sweet, fresh blossoms.
"It was but moments work, and as the
lady and her little girl emerged from the
doorway he slipped his gift into the hand
of the latter, and she looked up at him with
smile of such glad surprise he could but
feel shat in her eyes, at least, it was no
mean return for the gold just given; more
over, the lady also thanked him so gra-
ciously that none could have doubted the
sincerity of her pleasure, and with lighter
heart the grateful boy returned to his moth
er.
"This was the beginning of brighter days.
Another home was found for the widow
and her son where both could more easily
obtain work, aud prosperity seemed to flow
in upon them even as msfortunes had late
ly done. Distance, and the relief from
need alike suspended the acquaintance form
ed with the generous lady under such sad Cir
cumstances, but neither Louis nor the
mother ever forgot the helping hand that
had thus been Outstretched to them; daily
they asked Gods blessing on the mother
and child whom he had sent to their aid,
and in Louis heart fingered ever the long
ing to be permitted to recompense their
goodness.
''Ten years had passed away, and in ten
long years many and great changes can
arise, both sad and happy. In these years
Louis had become a prosperous young
merchant, while to the home of the lady
once so wealth sorrow and reverses had
found their way.
sMysterious truly are the ways of God,
who tries the faith of his children, one by
one, through just such experiences as seem
best to him. She who had helped so many
with her earthly gifts now lay on a bed Of
sickness, while through sudden misfortune
these worldly possessions were slipping
from her, and the young girl at her side
dropped under weight of pain and care.
cat last day came full of bitter woe
The fair home must be given up to impatient
creditors, and all its household treasures
sold to the highest bidder. The unhappy
mother was unable to leave her room, and
the young daughter beheld with unutter-
able sorrow articles endeared from infancy
| nos into ba bapIc Of ctropnorc