St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-05-25

woNfAN's PHILOSOPHY.

mains that the somnOlent natives are
not induced to sudden exertion by the
sight of so much glistening wealth. But
they are not educated for the effort, and
even should they stoop to upturn the
earth, in their ignorance they would
fling aside as. worthless the unsightly
lump OF dirt that IN the eyes
disguise for a hidden treasure.
A little knowledge of things adds
greatly to their beauty, as it is only ac-
cordlng to the light in which we indi-
Vldually look at an object that makes it
appear more or less beautiful. We
know how pleasant it is to go about our
daily tasks and meet familiar faces to
give US a CHEEKY smile; we know how it
is Tar more agreeable to attend a soiree
where we shall see at least a few we
like than it is to be a stranger among
utter strangers. Granted this, would
not an acquaintance with the vegetable
universe help US to recognize a friend
In the plants and flowers we gather in a
mornings stroll, aud what an added
pleasure if even the wood bird,
as 1t scars above our heads, should be as
the voice of n we know and love.
Nature is very liberal in her gifts to the
human race, and yet there are ouly a
few men who remove the outer wrap
ShAOAA 0AAC Vi 0lO II Ill
way curious to see if the inside be as
attractive as the exterior.
II
All this train of thought started by
what one of the old soldiers from the
Minnehaha home said the other day.
He was going about among the business
houses with a box of delicate maiden
hair ferns, and, as he lifted the cover
ON the lovely green things, ones very
being was filled with the delicious
woOdsy fragrance. To come in from
the dusty street, where the May sun
was flooding the hard pavementS, and
to rest the eye upon this bit of nature
tied up in IA small bunch and sold for a
few pennies, the sudden memory of
laughing water and grassy slopes,
evoked by the sight, was we'll worth the
price.
Is it the patriotism which still fires
every American heart that makes the
words of the boys in blue always inter
esting? Even when this one said that
a year ago he hung a bunch of fern
over the picture of DR.. Ames, that
hangs in the parlor of the soldiers
home. and that it is green and fresh
looking, the incident was pleasant in
the listening. TraverSed as much as
the grounds are about Minnehaha falls,
n priced as much as are the blossoms
that pass the ~vigilant guard of the
watchman, it may still seem odd that a
stranger visitor should nave discovered
IN that vicinity so rare a specimen OF a
long-sought genus as to have paid
a fair reward for its possession.
Ii was only last spring that a
ple%asant-faced woman roamed along
the banks of the little creek and climbed
the bluffs and searched the woods for
low-crouched plants. Once her rowing
eye discerned a floating weed out be-
yond her reach, and nothing daunted,
she essayed to clutch it, only to fail. A
veteran, summing himself on the grass,
came forward and politely offered his
assistance. 1t was gladly accepted, and
before many minute the coveted vine
lay in the enthusiasts hand. She was
loud in her gratitude, and drew from
her purse a shining gold piece, but the
soldier stepped back; he did not want
the gold for so tritling a service. ''But,
my dear sir, l wish you would take it.
1t is little enough to offer for the prize
you have given me. This plant is a
rare specimen / have never found be-
fore, and l have just come from a pro-
longed search through Wisconsin and
Southern Minnesota. For years l have
been collecting, and this will be II OF
my greatest treasures" The weather.
beaten visage of the story-teller bore a
smile as he recalled the little circum-
stance, and the brightness of his easily
won SO piece could not have riyaled
the luster Of his laughing eyes.
Il
The world seems small at times. E.
tells this story. She left the lumber
exchange n evening last August to
catch the evening lake train. The sta
ton was crowded, and there was much
jostling too and fro. There was a wild
confusion among the would-be passen-
gers as the gates were opened, and the
tourist was in close quarters for a time.
Not until the coach was gained did E
discover that a pin of odd design which
had been stuck in her belt was missing.
Regretting its loss, as it was a valued
souvenir, she supposed il was snatched
i'll the crowd, and never expected to
see it again. The months rolled b Wand
in April she made a business call one
morning in the Oneida block. Quietly
seating herself before the typewriter,
she suddenly exclaimed: why, that is
my pin you have on where did you get
it," Amusement sat on both faces.
Let me tell you how | came by it," an
swered the young IN mot long
ago | attended one of Rev. Mr.. Samples
addresses in Century hall. and, as
n hCNh "y oONAI OtODlLo VII
something. | picked up what | sup
posed was merely a common pin and
stuck it in the window at my side.
Then thinking l might as well take 1t
home, l wore it to my rooms. The chill
dren nave used it for a plaything until
this morning. l was in a hurry as l
came away, and snatched up the first
thing at hand to faSten my collar, and
this happened to be on my cushion"
Tho nsp HnIDrraI M
were peculiar marks to distinguish 1t,
but what a strange order of circum.
stances-that after eight months it
should come back to- its owner in this
round about way!
Let the man. woman or child who is
striving to make his way III the world
rest fully assured that, other things be-
ing equal, there is no one quality more
admired than ~persevering pluck. Give
a man ambition, and without a certain
amount of pluck he will not always
succeed. Ambition is laudabie; pluck
is applauded. The person who con-
quers nigh insurmOuntable obstacles is
the one who will win. Hannibal crossed
the Alps.
Early in June, Miss Olive Fremstad
Is to return to Minneapolis for a short
visit, and is to be accompanied by her
present New York Instructor, Bristol.
Miss Fremstad is surely working her
way to the front rank of song birds. and
her future is almost assured. Not the
least cause for congratulation is the
fact that only her indomitable spirit
carried her on in the face of discour-
aging adversely. When a young girl
wilIsbrave public opinion, and in order
to provide herself with the first means
for a musical education will, if only for
so short a time. accept the mental office
of a serving maid, she ~elevates the posi-
ton and is entitled to certain success.
The means to the end may not be agree
able, but If the end is so worthy, who
would east the first suspicion of scorn?