The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-03-14


slowly the flowers were forced to con-
TESS that the new plan was not failure,
for the world still stood, though queen
ruled. Never had the meadow been so
beautiful, orderly and prosperous; even
the Cardinals could not deny that,
though they still turned their backs on
Violet and visited the Golden-rods
more than ever.
The Asters, of course, were in great
feather and some of them put on airs;
but most of them rejoiced quietly, and
did their best to help her majesty rule
wisely and justly, sure that in time
preiudices would die away, and all
agreed that the new plan was good
one.
Prince Golden-rod, as they called the
defeated flower, still lived in the palace
and watched for Violet to fall, that he
might win back his old place. But
when all went we'll he began to think
his chance was lost and to consider
what he had best do about it. He
could not live so near his lovely neigh
Dor and not admire her dignity, sweet
ness and wisdom, and soon he began to
love her and to wish he could share
the honor and affection most of her
subjects felt for her. He told his
friends to come to court and be cordial,
and, being worldly wise, they obeyed
him. This left The Cardinals and their
party out in the cold and made them
very angry. They could not bear to
own that they had been in the wrong,
yet felt that it must come, and tried to
conquer their preiudices, but found it
very hard work. Clematis gave in
first, for suddenly she began to climb up
the Maple tree and enjoy the light and
air, instead of hiding in the grass; and q,
when asked about this sudden start,
she said, bravely:
I" | couldn't live so near the queen
and not long to be stronger and nobler
than | am. Now | see what large,
lovely world it is, and | mean to go on
climbing till, like the Maple, my head
is near the sky, though my roots are in
the earth"
" Well, if she gives in we must"
said the Gentians, who always followed
the fashion, no matter what it was.
The aristocratic Cardinals still held
out, but not for long, for soon some
thing happened which made it impossi-
DlC lOI luclu W W " W COull'
One moonlight night, as Prince Col
den-rod was Economically serenading
Violet on wind harp, he heard her
sigh, and, hastily pulling away the
screen of Ferns, begged to know if he
could help her in any way.
"Be my friend and help me with adj
vice, for in some things you are wiser
than l." answered Violet, softly. 1.-The
Maple lifts my heart up when it is
heavy, but he lives so far above us /
can not trouble him with the affairs of
our small world The Rock gives me
courage and support, but he is very old
and the short life of a flower is trifle
to him. My own sturdy sisters, who
have borne the sun and dust of the
roadside season after season, are very
helpful, but | seem to need some nearer
friend, who knows the trials of this
high place and can sympathize with the
splendid loneliness of throne"
" 1t need not be lonely, sweet neigh
Dor, if you will let me share it with
you," cried the prince, his face shining
with love and joy as he leaned YET
nearer over the green wall. 81 have
learned much from you, and never
again can be the selfish tyrant that
was. know your trials and long tc
tighten them. Let me try, not as q
king but as consort, and together we
can make our people happy, am sure
AS he spoke Violet's half-folded
leaves began to open, till he saw the
golden heart below and read there
more than her lips told
"No, be king; there is room for both
upon the throne, and when love anC
power go hand in hand all will be wei
with the world.'
What the prince answered only the
Moon heard, and she never told, bu
when day dawned there was great won
der and rejoicing in the meadow, fol
the Fern screen was down, the gold anC
purple flowers stood side by side, while
the Maple scattered rosy leaves ovel
them, as he sung wedding hymn, ant
the old Rock said, as the sunshine fel
upon his gray front:
6 1t is always so; only believe, worl
and wait, and in the fulness of timt
right wins, and justice, truth and love
shall reign. "-LouiSa ". Alcou, II
Bozar Journal,