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

lars or displays In THIS country, SAID Lesley
Moore, as she and her schoolmates were
walking home one evening land those thai
are held in the State are too far off for us to
get to them. Now, why can't we girls have
a kind OF floral exhibition of our OWN"
Lesley was a bright intelligent glrl about
sixteen, and by right of her energy and gen.
erous nature. the acknowledged leader of the
girls of AsbwoOd Seminary. She usuallv
spoke as with authority, and her "whv can't
WEI" generally meant 1--WE must" with her
companions.
's0f course we can" said Mvra Clark,
let's understand what's to be done, and how
it is to be done. Are we to have our floral
display next year, or when? Where are we
to get prizes, and where the ground for the
exhibition? Commence from the commence
ment' mademOiselle, as Madame Desraux
says to u.s."
"How many more questions?" asked Les
ley, laughing "What an illogical little head
you must have, that you take an idea in its
incipient state, and almost smother it before
it has shape. Now to your first question:
1T will certainly take us year or more to
raise flowers worth displaying. Mind you,
we are to cultivate them with our own hands
No calling upon papa's gardner to do more
than merely prepare the ground at first. No
rOsbing mammals garden for flowers at the
last minute. No, our success or failure must
be our own. Are yon agreed,tO these termsP
Yes. yes" was the unanimous cry; but
when is it to be, Lesley"
"Let US see," she meditated 1--WE are
about the 10th of February. Suppose we
say year from the LIST of the coming May.
That will give us plenty of time to
raise the finest flowers. There's not one
of us at school who can't get a plot of
ground from her parents for the purpose. 1t
isn't the quantity of flowers, but the quail
ty, that Will be in demand"
what about the prizes asked on of the
girls
Well suppose we open a little savings
bank among ourselves and every superfluous
nickel be dropped H. tell you, girls, many
a nickel will be voted superfuous that would
at another time have gone for candy or gum
drops. expect the grown people will help
us, too, when they see we're in earnest
Then, about month before the exhibition
we'll open the bank and buy suitable
prizes"
''Where shall we get plants" was the next
question.
I'm sure there are some very handsome
ones in the gardens around here" Lesley
said. "My mother has some beautiful roses
she got from Dingee, Conard & Co., last year
and we can send to those nursery-men for
what plants we fancy. 1t will cost very lit
tle."
Its very nice" drawled Gertrude Shipp,
but I'm sure to get the prize. No ones
flowers in all Ashwood are as fine as man.
mas, AID shell get me any plant 1 want, if
it costs ten dollars. Mind, don't ask me for
any OF our plants, for | won't give you one,
as 1 put in for the prize
''Stingy little cat" muttered Myra Clark.
All right, Gertrude" cried Lesley, cheer
fully. Every one for herself, then, as far
as you are concerned. Now, I'm willing to
share my plants with any one who wants
them. Stop, Sophy,' to pale, thin girl who
had Overtaken them and was now passing
on. You heard what we've agreed upon
for the pupils of the seminary? Or course
you're one of US. You haven't any flower
garden at your house, / believe. Come over
home tomorrow, and I'll give you some
plants"
Thanks, Miss Lesley" was all the girl
said, as with crimsOning cheeks she hurried
on.
FLOWERS for Sophy StrahIp' exclaimed
GERTRUDE, sharply, with cOntemptuous
laugh. Hadn't you better give her broom
for her slatternly mother to sweep the
floor? 1 don't think she touches it
once month. Or strait-jacket for that
drunken brute of a father of hers, who's
forever bawling about the streets? Flowers
for such as they! Ina surprised at you,
Lesleyl"
You are these peoples nearest neigh
bors?" asked Lesley, rather irreleantly.
ITO our sorrow. Nothing but a fence
between US, and from nay bedroom window
l can see through the back door. There's so
much poverty and filth and vice among
them, L declare it's perfect eye-sore to
have such neighbors. l wonder how on
earth Sophy manages to get her schooling
paid at the seminary
II have heard that her eldest brother, who
is in the foundry at l., educates her, u
answered Lesley, CURLY. Have you ever
tried to help those people, GertrudeY'
"Help drunkard and a slattern Thank
you, have no taste for any good work. II
turns my stomach even TO look at theiI
house. I'm going to make pa build high
wall between us"
That's hardly necessary" and Lesley:
voice had a ring of scorn. Your prejudice
and dislike of those people have built wal
high enough in all consequence, between
you. Sophy Strahl is good, studious girl
no better in school, and if she has the mis-
fortune to have such parents, the more wt
should try to ameliorate her station"
A scornful. provoking laugh was hel
answer, and Lesley turned away too angry Il
| trust herself with words. Gertrude's words
and ways always Jared her. Her fathe
/ was a very wealthy man, and she had beer
| terribly spoiled by vain, foolish mother
but there was an utter want of feeling apt
| principle in the girl herself, which did no
| proceed from her training altogether. No
one liked her. but vet as | said before, sh
had the special faculty of arousing anger il
| her most amiable companions.
| Lesley walked home lost in uneasy rehec
/ tons. She was very sorry tor Sophy Strahl
but had she not been foolish in offering he
flowers? Flowers IN home where there wa
perhaps insufficient food-a filthy hous
through which rang drunken oaths and
woman's weeping. Perhaps Sophv though
it was done in mockery of her deplorabl
condition. She had certainly turned yer
red when she thanked her.
''Well, did not know her situation, and
did it for the best" she said, aloud, as sh
opened the hall-door so suddenly that sh
nearly knocked down DIR. Elliot, the worth
old minister of the church she attended, VIII
was just leaving the house.
at isn't for the best that you should car
size me, Lesley. Is it?' he asked with his O'
nign smile. What has my little girl bee
dong that she's trying to Justify herselfY7
That's what's worrying me" she sais
Its a small matter, but l want you to te
me il I'm right or not.
DR.. Elliot listened attentively as be a