The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-25
VIOLRTS.

BY NJ. B. B.
A long. wide field, covered with green
waving grass, and in the center, two figures
"a boy and girl.
The former, with all the bashful awk-
wardness Of a sixteen-year-old lad, held out
bunch of early violets to the maiden. She
looked up at him coyly from beneath her
torn sun-hat and said. in shy remOnstrance:
"You keep those, jim; | have SOME"
Jim blushed more deeply, but still held out
the blossoms.
Madge, take them. Don't be silly"
"Jim, you shan't call me silly. l wont
have your old violets-so!" and with
quick motion she hit his hand, sending them
flying in all directions, then turned and ran
swiftly across the field.
The boy stood there his brown eyes filed
with wonder. After a moment he laughed,
and. STOPPING, picked up small giltterlng
object lying IN the grass, and placed II IN ms
pocket. He then gathered more yiolets,
muTmuTing softly:
''Madge will be sorry for this when l am
gone. She loves yiOlets. I'll leave these Tor
her tomorrow"
Meanwhile, Aladge Brown rushed like
whiTlwind up the village street, her brown
hair flying straight behind her, and her gray
eyes shining with-anger ~.
Across the well-kept lawn, up the steps
and into the cool seWing-room where her
mother sat, she flew.
or, mammal she painted Ill got
mad at Jim-and-and he never said a word
she paused for breath, and the mother
smiled SYeetiy on her only child as she
went on with her sewing. The Widow
Brown was poor and her needs must be
kept flying TO support herself and the little
girl whose thirteen years had all been
merry summer to her with no dark clouds to
dim its sunshine.
Jim was an orphan who lived with a
farmer in the village Of Hariand. lie
worked for his board, and to his own knOw-
edge had done so ever since he was Old
enough TO do chores about the house" Ii
j, he had a better name than Jim he did not
Know * Farmer Eldredge never told him
OF his parents, he had not courage TO ask TO:
the particulars, and so he knew nothing
about himself save the simple fact that he
was jim"
Two better friends could not be found
than our little Madge and finland now
they were angry, or each thought the other
was. Madge went to bed with cheeks wet
with tears Of repentance but I'm afraid II
did not affect Jim that way.
Next morning the sun shOne brightly
when Madge entered the little breakfast
room. Mrs Brown laid a little damp
pasteboard box in her daughters hands.
saying:
Jim left it early this morning"
MadEe opened the box wOndtrlngly. Upon
bed Of green moss repOSed a little bunch
of VlOlets, and tucked IN among the leaves
little note which read:
Dear Little Madge: am going away to-day.
Squire Eldfedge can keep me no longer. Don't
forget me, Madgr, Will you? aud some day III
come back again. HOW I'll miss our viOets,
MaCEei GuUd-by. JIM
Madse ed up into her mothers face
withqu eeriug lips.
HgSAg gomez
Yes dear. Come, eat your breakfast
and-get -eady for school" And Madge re-
Dressed The tears That threatened TO come,
md went TO school with the first sorrow in
her heart her young lie had ever known.
Far of n a distant city young lad went
from store to store in search of work, but
be could md none. Night was coming on,
the shadows OF the great city were falling
around hiui-still he wandered on slowly.
Outside window where choice plants and
flowers were arranged to best attract the
eyes Of passers-by man was tacklng up
plaCaId. jim read ii quickly and started
into the store. The man in attendance
looked him over from head 10 foot before he
spoke.
We'll. my boy, I suppose you want to
answer that placard, ehY'
les, sir"
- YOU know about flOwers?"
about flowers, sir, but / can
better than that" with jerk
ward the window.
eyes twnkled. This country
evidently held a pretty high
OF his abilities Still he looked
l0neSt and they needed boy badly.
STATED minute, then said;
duml You may try what you can do.
TX this showcase hereP and he walked to
the end Of the store.
Thus our Jim found his first place and
kept it-fOr when the head of the firm saw
how neatly ard tastefully he arranged the
flowers, aud how great was his desire to
nj IA decided to l-aar, h
The years rolled by swiftly. Harland is
the same charming village 1t was ten years
ago. II Is as pleasant spring morning as
when the boy and girl gathered their Yiolets
together, but neither has seen nor heard of
The other.
Madge is a nurse. Her bright face, with
It's clear coloTing and deep, steadfast eyes, is
pleasant and welcome sight TO the poor
sufferers whom she visits.
This beautiful spring morning she stands
at the door of the hospital, saying a few
parting words to the boy who has brought
1eF.
When she enters the cool room, with its
White cots and weary faces. even her brave
leart grows faint at the sight before her.
Bleeding faces, some CHASTITY in death; wild
ayes, rowing, as in search of relief from
pain, low means of agony are what greet
Ter.
A doctor steps up quickly:
Nurse Madge, l have a case for you.
Not here. A young fellow-both arms
broken and his head cut badly. Ward 2.
No excitement; and Miss Madge goes
quickly away.
She iinds her patient sleeping. He means
md whispers something, and she bends
Wer him.
But as she hears the whispered words her
lace fiushes, and she draws back quickly,
hen smiles at her foolishness. She is not
he only "Madge" in the world
1t is nearly two months before he is able
% rise and sit by the window which over
ooks a beautiful green field. He tells
Nurse Madge how, when he was a boy, he
.Ound in the person of his employer
,ather whom he had always thought was
lead His name is Harvey Ramsden He
a florist in a distant city, and then he
avs:
81 have come to find an old playmate of
niDe-but first may | not know the name of
ny kind nurse?"
YES says Madge;, IF you wish to. 1t is
MadGe Brown, and"
But she stops, for Harvey Ramsden is
Gaming toward her with pleased surprise in
.very line of his face.
'Madge! Little Madgei l knew it must
De you, Madge" - with an indescribable
longing and wstfulness in his manly tones,
Don't you remember me?"
Nurse Madge looks in bewilderment at
her patient. Has he taken leave of his
lenses? And then she sees him take lit
lie gold locket nom his pocket and open it
IN little faded violet.
A great rush of memories, tender and
Iweet, comes over her. The green field and
.he awkward boy! She turns to him with
'Jimv
And they draw nearer, nearer, and-the
curtain falls.