The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-03-14
Selected Storp.
A Flower Fable.

did well, others were tyrannical or care
less, and all were fond of money and
power, as their name showed; but the
flowers never dared to propose having
any one else because this had been the
custom so long.
Now there were a great many Asters
of every kind and color, from the little
white stars low in the grass to the
stately sprays waving their purple
plumes over the messy wall that en-
closed the meadow. Those growing
along the roadside saw and heard what
went on in the world, and were wise,
energetic creatures, anxious to set things
right everywhere. SO they began to
say to their neighbors one autumn, as
the time for election drew near:
"We have had kings long enough;
let us try queen now and reform GER
tain very important matters which are
always neglected by the Golden-rods,
who care only for feasting and fighting
and having their own way. Let us all
vote for our Violet, who grows over
there in the palace and would make
wise, good queen"
At this proposal the aristocratic Car
dinal flowers were shocked and grew
red with shame; the Fringed Gentians
shut their blue eyes and nearly tainted
at the bold idea, and Clematis hid her
face in the grass that she might not see
the unfeminine creatures who dared sug-
gest such thing. But the late Clovers
and Buttercups, being honest, simple
hearted flowers, cried, Z" Yes, yes; let
us do it and give the Asters turn, as
it is only fair"
And the Forefathers' Cup, which
grew all over the field, added:
We shall vote for Violet. 1t is
time the dreadful intemperance of the
bees among the wild grapes should be
stopped. that snakes should no longer
be allowed to charm and kill the innocent
birds, that the battles of the ants should
end, and more peace, order and economy
be introduced into our public affairs.
The Asters are descended from the stars,
and so are very wise; they are also just
and gentle and we all love them. Let
us try queen and see if we can not
make the meadow what it should be-"
The Forefathers' Cup were much re-
spected by all the plants because they
came over in the Mayfower, were very
hospitable, with their green and russell
pitchers always full, and outlived the
frost, like a fine old family as they
were.
So when they spoke up for the AS
tiers no one dared say much, though
the Golden-rods ragged among them
selves and openly laughed at such nom
sense. There was great excitement,
and all the flowers nodded and rustled
as if gale was blowing as they talked
the matter over and decided how they
would vote. The naughty Cardinals
declined to vote at all; so did the Gen
tians. The delicate Clematis declared
that she only wanted something to cling
to and obey and never could consent to
be queen.
But the Clovers and Buttercups, the
Pitcher Plant and all the Asters voted
bravely for Violet, and the Maple
Tree that stood in the middle of the
field dropped little red leaf with V
on it, as the wind went about collect
ing votes, which surprised the flowers
very much, as such a thing had never
happened before, and all regarded the
beautiful tree as their court poet, it
made such lovely music high above
them. Even the old green Rock at the
foot of the Maple gave a bit of its
lichen for Violet, to the wrath of the
Grapevine, who kept drinking sa-
loon for the dissipated bees on its
sunny side.
OF course the Golden-rods all voted
for their handsome relative, fine, tall
plant who happened to grow near the
Purple Aster under the Maple tree
which was called the palace. But the
other side won, and Violet was pro-
claimed queen with great rejoicing by
all her friends and neighbors, to the
great dismay of the foolish flowers who
wanted the world to stand still.
What are we coming to?' groaned
the Cardinals, red with rage.
Utter destruction" croaked the
Crows, tapping away to carry the bad
news elsewhere.
We will never visit her." declared
the Gentians, shaking their fringes as
if the mere thought soiled them.
"Coarse, unfeminine creature, to dare
to rule alone 1t makes me faint to
look at her." sighed Clematis, peepin G
up at the same time, full of curiosity tC
see how handsome Golden-rod took his
downfall.
He tossed his yellow head in scornfu
silence and never once looked over the
tuft of Ferns that grew between him
and the new queen.
" 1t won't last long. She can't reigr
alone and soon will be ready to give i
up. These silly things will learn ;
good lesson and be glad to get me back
So III preserve my dignity and bide m,
time" he said to his friends, for h,
was fine fellow, only he did not know
yet what Asters could do when the,
had the power, and it was he VIII
learned the lesson, as we shall see.
Every one thought that the queen
head would be turned with this suddeI
change and that great festivities woul
be held in honor of it, so the Cardinal
and Gentians half regretted their resolu
ton not TO visit the palace, since the
would lose all chance of sharing in tn
splendor and showing their lovely robes
But Violet lived very quietly benin
the tall Ferns, and was so busy attend
ing to the affairs of her kingdom tina
she had no time for banquets. Sh
asked advice of The Mamie tree and Tn