St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-03-09

by this time Seth's eminently prac-
teal mind had mastered the central
idea, and the originator suddenly
found herself hugged up in his arms,
torn iorcibIr from her stronghold ut
callas, and carried to the sitting
room, where the rest of the family
sat, mutely striving to keep up a
brave heart in the absence of their
leader, Seth.
There" said the boy, planting
the timid woman in the center of the
group, shes done it. Miss Jemima
Lawson, I'm your obedient servant,
to fetch and carry, and pull plants
up by the roots, and look at 'em
every hour, if you say so."
But they won't grow if you do
that" said poor Jemima, who was
absolutely literal, and did not under
stand a joke.
rs Jemima crazy, or are your" in
CURED Seth's mother, with great
astonishment.
"Crazy2 Aunt Jem crazy? ?" cried
Eli, giving his mother a hug. you
wait till you hear what she has been
thinking out"
But Aunt Jem was too much
agitated to explain herself, and took
refuge in a few tears behind her faded
apron, filling up the pauses in Seth's
lucid setting forth of her idea with
suspicious little shifts.
well done, Jemimy LAWSON"
said the widow. Dan always set
store by your folks as having the
best of sense, and he wa MT never
out in his judgments of folks. What
with weddin's and funerals and
hotels and parties, there amt no
doubt as to sellin' all the blooms we
can grow; and | never yet seen the
flower as you couldn't make blow eff
you'd a mind to; and l say, boys,
take Aunt Jem's idea, and work it
out. We women folk will do our
part, you may be sure of that"
Next morning was an era in the
life of simple Jemima Lawson. For
the first time she was the center of
attraction in the household. A
gentle pride brought a pink tinge to
her faded checks, and the hand that
was out-stretched to cut the stalks
of the exquisite callas did not
tremble. The boys, tall, awkward
fellows, stood open-mouthed at her
deft handling and for once Jemima
put on airs, and let them wait on
her.
whats got into Jemimy Law
son? ~ said one and another of the
neighborS, who watched her enter
the hotel with her head in the air,
while Seth marched at her side,
carrying the basket OF flowers.
And who was to know the over
flow of loving gratitude to the
hands that had sheltered her old
age, which spurred the usually weak
woman to such concentrated effort ?
Seth marvelled as he watched her
arrangements with the proprietor,
who was glad enough to give his
guests the opportunity of a flower
festival"
Jemima sat with dignity behind q
small table, on which her dainty
wares were set forth to fine adj
vantage. Seth stood awhile beside
her, wondering still at her nerve, and
at the high prices that she demanded
and received for her blooms She
could readily have sold twenty times
as many, and before an hour was
over her table was quite empty.
Jemima cried with excitement all
the way back to the farm, but the
tears were more of pleasure than of
pain to her. Then she put the bag
of money in the widows lap; and
the whole family counted over the
quarters and ten cent pieces that
made ten dollars, all told.
Now" said Jemima, still taking
the lead, that's got to be spent on
6xin's, and that for the new green
house"
SO it was decided. Then came the
long pull, the strong pull, and the
pull all together" 1t was difficult
work for these huge lads to put
themselves in training under Aunt
lem; and that is practically what
had to be done, until, by diligent APP
plication, they outran her simple
knowledge, and betook themselves
to scientific works to help them in
their adopted calling. The time
came, and that before ten years
passed owe their heads, when Aunt
Jem had nothing to do but to amuse
herself amongst the flowers; for one
of the boys by this time had built
himself a small place near the town,
whence orders were sent out for
flowers all the year round. For the
family made a wonderful success"
the relatives said.
Nothing wonderful in it" grunted
the old neighbor, who vas more de-
lighted than any one, Take level
headed boys, with ten fingers and
honest hearts, aching to do their ut
most wherever they be, and ofcourse
they're going to make a success, no
matter what they undertake."
but they're all lucky with flowers,
just like Aunt Jem. They've got