The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-02-23

The old gentleman made no reply
But the next day he went up to the
boys stand. John was looking pale
and anxious. Some of bis regular
customers had refused to take their
magazines, times being SO hard.
They would be a dead loss on his
hands.
paper? Magazines, sir?" he asked.
"No. A word with you, my lad.
Ely name is Bohnn. am the owner
of the Bordale Nurseries, about thir-
ty miles from here. Iwant a young
man to act as clerk and salesman on
the grounds, at a salary of $50
month, and a woman who will be
strict and orderly, to oversee the
girls who pack flower seeds, at 500
month. offer the positions to you
and your mother, and give you I'M
til tomorrow to think it over"
'tBut you-you-don't know me,
sir?" gasped John.
81 know you very well. Igenerally
know what l am about. Tomorrow
be ready to give your answer. will
take you four weeks on trial. If / am
satisfied, the engagement will be re-
newed for year."
All the rest of the day John felt like
one in a dream. Everybody had
heard of the Bordale Nurseries and OF
good old Isaac Bohnn, their owner.
But what had he done that this
earthly paradise should be open to
him"
"You'll come, eh?" said Mr.. Bohnn,
the next day. Thought you would.
When can you begin work."
cat once, sir"
"Good! By the way, there's a
vacant house on the grounds which
your mother can hare, rent free, il
she remains with me. A mere box,
but big enough. There's my cart.
Suppose you come out, McTavish,
and look about you. You can come
back at night"
John locked up the stand, sent a
message to his mother, and went
with Mr.. Bohnn. He had not yet
told his mother of this change in
their affairs.
He was very silent when he came
home that evening, but oddly tender
with his mother; and she noticed that
he remained a long time on his knees
at prayer that night.
They had only a little bread and
milk for breakfast the next morning,
and John scarcely tasted it.
"You look as if you could not bear
this much longer, mother" he said,
coming UP to her, and putting his
hands on her shoulder. "You need
good, wholesome meals and the fresh
air and the hills and the trees instead
of thisp'-looking out at the stacks
of chimneys belching forth the black
smoke of an iron foundry.
Don't talk of them, John lad!"
"WeIl, l won't" And he put on
his hat, and went out.
An hour later he came back.
"What is wrong? Why have YOU
left the stand?" asked his mother
in alarm.
eve are going to have an outing,
mother. Don't say a word. l can
afford it,"
She had never seen the boy so full
of excitement. lie hurried her to the
station; and soon they were gliding
among the beautiful rolling hills
and across beautiful meadows that
were sweet with the odor of new
mown hay. At noon, they came to
stretches of rising ground, covered
with nurseries of young trees OF deli
cate green, and with vineyards,
and field after field, of roses, mignon-
cite and all kinds of sweet-smelling
| flowers.
"Why, John, this is fairyland!
What is this placer"
"The Bordale Nurseries. We will
go out here, mother. | want to
show you a house that"
lie trembled with agitation. His
face was pale, as he led her down to
the side of the broad, glancing river
near which was nestled in the
woods q coy little cottage,
covered with O beautiful creep
er. There were a garden, well, and
a. pdullOCh lOA q SO"J AhOiNO, OhO
rooms were clean and ready for fur
nishing. The river rippled drowsily
against it's pebbly shore. The birds
darted through the blue, sunny air.
The scent of roses came in upon the
breeze.
Mother" said John, "this, l hope,
will be your home now" And with
that he began to laugh and caper
about like a boy, but the tears rolled
down his thin cheeks.
John McTavish is now foreman OF
the Bordale Nurseries, and a man OF
high standing in the country. Not
long ago he said to Mr.. Bohnn-
81 owe this all to the friend who
said a good word for me that day in
Pittsburg."
"No, john" said the old man.
'You owe it to the book with the
missing pages. The chance came to
you as it comes to every boy, to be
honest. Honesty and industry, John,
are what did it; and l am inclined to
think that they never fail to COM
mand success in the end"