The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-04
REV. EZEKIEL CRUMP.

OtEer size Oh the tdDie. 1ue Ody Was
warm for the season, and Mr.. Kinkle, hav-
ing been busy since early morning, had
good appetite But he had barely made
one deep cut in the leg of mutton before
him, when the door opened, and boy
came in with an old straw hat in his hand.
He hesitated for moment as if he thought
ne should make some apology for breaking
in upon the sanctity of the dinner hour.
and then he said:
1--WE just come TO tell you that think
the Reverend Ezekiel Crum is dyin'. He's
all doubled up"
"Graciousl" exclaimed Mr.. Einkne, sud-
denly pushing back his chair, II must go
out this Einutei It's the heat I didn't
coInt on it's bein' so extra warm today"
And with this he clapped on his hat and
left the house.
'.Oh, dear'' exclaimed Mrs. Lent, as she
gazed at the table which she had arranged
with so much care. 81 suppose l might
IS well put these things by the fire to keep
'efn warm There's no KNOWN when he'll
be back. / wish that boy Joe had kept
away until dinner was over. But sup
pose it couldn't be helped. 1t would
never do to let the Reverend Ezekiel
Crump die"
Nathan Rinkie was florist and the Rev.
e-end Ezekiel Crump was new and fine
pelargonium which had been originated
by Mr.. Rink!e himself and which he had
named for the reverend clergyman who
had married his father and mother and
baptized him. Mr.. Rinkle had often said
that this good mans name would be given
to the finest new flower he should ever
grow; and as he did not believe he should
produce anything better than this pelar-
gonium, the name was given to it.
Nathan was tall, slim, muscular
bachelor of about 10, industrious and
devoted to his profession, and a re-
spected member of society in the coun-
try region in which he lived Mrs.
Lent, well-nurtured lady. whose age
lowered around 35 was the widow of Mr..
Rinkle's former partner. The house be-
lorged to Mr.. RinkIe, and he, with
Joshua Lent and his wife. had lived IN it
very pleasantly and profitably five or SIX
years. When Joshua died. three years ago
this autumn, Nathan was not the man to
turn his widow out of doors, so Mrs.
Lent, who now owned a certain share in
the business. remained as housekeeper
and general domestic manager. And,
thus far, the arrangement had been found
pleasant and profitable to all parties con-
cerncd.
1t was half an hour before Mr.. Rinkle
returned from the greenhouses, and as
Mrs. Lent had seen him coming the
dinner was again on the table when he
entered.
sit wasn't as bad as Joe thought it
was" he said as he took his seat at the
table, 'but it was bad enough. / think I
have been too careful with that plant,
little too careful. I've been sparing with
4 "a. ., =.
too fast. wanted the three sprays left
on 1T 10 be absolutely perfect for the flower
show tomorrow. and / was so busy this
morning gettin' the other things ready
didn't look at the Reverend Ezekiel, and
as he was in pretty hot place for such
day. and too dry about the roots. he began
TO witt. But think he is all right now
I've given him good soakin' and put him
in the shade. and he began TO brighten up
before left him. tell you, Mrs. Lent,
that gave me real shock"
AS we'll it might. said the sympathetic
Nicely.
That afternoon Mrs. Lent went out to
the. greenhouses TO look at the wonderful
rev peiarConium. She found the rever-
end gentleman fully restored to health,
strength and beauty, and she felt quite
convinced that never mad the eve of man
rested upon no grand and glorious pelar-
gonium. And, furthermore, there could
be no Imaginable reason to doubt that on
the morrow Mr.. Rinkle would receive a
first prize.
When Mr. Rinkle. with his lantern.
came IN from the greenhouse that evening
he told Mrs. Lent that he should go out
several times during the night 10 see if
everything was ali right and that he
should leave very early in the morning for
town. about ten miles away, where the
flower show was 10 be held. I'm going
10 send Joe off with one wagon ut dav-
1s.~h4 p-A Yhnn "a ~ ! Of I
shall follow with the other wagon. which
won. be more than half full: so I'm going
To stop at the Widow Sharp's and take
along the plants she's got TO show, for she
hasn't any way OF getting them there her
self
''no you mean" asked Nicely, some
what anxiously, that you are going before
breakfast"
ooh, yes" said Nathan, "and rs I've 60.
10 stop ut the Widow Sharp's anyway, I'll
breakfast there"
And / suppose of course that You'll
take the Rev Ezekiel Crump with
your"
''Oh, YES. indeed" answered Nathan.
.'You may be sure that III take charge OF
that plant. That pelargonium IS going TO
make . commotion at the show, / can tell
Won. I've rot n lot OF young plants of H.
but didn't expect I've had one in bloom
this year This one Is "a little spindlin'.
IL il true. but he has got three sprays oi
flowers which are finer than anybody has
ever Yet seen on pelargonium plant"
II am SO glad" said Mrs. Lent" tha,
ycu are able 30 exhibit II so mach sooner
than Won expected 10. That ought 30 be
good thing Ter YOU
i've no doubt 1t will be. =" said Nathan,
taking up his candle.
All leave Gottleh Stein IN charge of
the greenhouses tomorrow, and III tell
him TO come UP 20 the house now and
then 10 see il you want anything. He'll
come to work ct : O'Clock, anu III see him
before CO. Good night"
la the early dawn OF the next morning
the hoy Joe started Cor the show with the
gray mare and Well loaded wagon; and
a. Nathan Elnkle began 10 be impatient
fer tns coming OF his chief assistant.
Gottiicb Stein, who lived about mile
sway. He wanted HIM 10 put the brown
horse % he covered Wagon. IN y back cor
ner of which the Reverend Ezekiel Crump
Was to travel. carefully protected from the
COO morning az; and he had many d!rec-
tons L. gave a!S assistant FOR The conduct
II has establishment during the day. Ii
aakap+ws thai sAas*tt@k las N