The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-03-30

The salt air penetrated to the marrow OF
the bones, and made one feel uncom-
tOrtably warm and surly.
It was midsummer, and the humidity
in the air made the heat less endurable.
John Scoard threw open his light over
coat and tried to take advantage of every
breath of cooling air. He was walking
esureIy toward the steamboat dock,
thinking, N meanwhile, of the change in
tie atmosphere which he would expert
scce when he reached the hotel down by
Aeaa.
"Evsnin' papers, sir, only a cent" a
ssvbsy shouted in an appealing voice,
showing the sheet before the bankers
gH.
Apgshed by without speaking. Near
thsT0ssing he put his foot in an inch of
mud, and drew back just in time to
avoid being run over. Muttering words
oi,nger against the careless driver, and
invardly cursing the muddy streets, he
glanced ruefully down at his soilcd
shoes.
1.-THE other side of the street, sir, is
cleaner" sweet voice said close to him,
'snd YOU will not get so muddy"
twas only the flower girl-no, wo-
man, who had kept her position on the
street corner in spite of the rain. Her
sweet violets, red roses, and early tulips
we're wet with the mists, but they en-
loysd the ducking and appeared more
attractive than usual.
"lhan you," Mr.. Scollard said.
lie turned around to take the advice
Of the woman. He walked a. few steps
and then halted. He seldom bought
flowers. He had no one to give them
% and he was not particularly fond of
!lem himself, But an act of kindness
deserves some compensation.
Give me some of your fowers-the
pfeltest ones you have, he said he, feel
ag IN his pocket for bill.
"vlolets, roses, or tulips, sir9"
"ob, anything-I'm not particular, ="
le answered quickly.
Inc Vender of flowers was used to her
s@K. She understood human nature.
wa Ms'cw moments she had deftly put to-
ss'ner pretty bouquet of flowers, and
.'lued !. them to the stranger. The man
'u'e" down dollar bill and started to
walk away.
Tour change, sir" the flower woman
voice.
Never mind"
de stopped. One lock at the sweet
sH convinced him that he was not deal
s : WIN subject for charity. He ex-
sapea his hand and looked admiringly
nlo the face.
seventy five cents" she said, drop
r-S 'Ofee quarters into his gloved hand.
H.. ue expression. of face will some
H. '' recall suddenly the past of ones
s.,., ~, John scollard felt that he was
;oa" ;sNns IN dream as he continued his
%Siley toward the boat. That face
rs. scA Keynote in his life, long since
sSucaed' He had seen many flower
,sale somen before, but he had never cared
s' "ou' Inspecting them. They were
M Sspsefs to him, and they were gener-
~. ~ unattractive. Their flowers we're
b,am l pretty, but the fingers which
s'ea D.. them we're hard and coarse.
~ mat night he dreamed of other
.,s.,s Ssss On the front piazza of the hotel,
II s's'looking the wild surf, he recalled
S,lg, gast iite. No man could be more
'ssss sA,ul Tor his lot III lie. He had sue
N Isa se beyond bls widest expectations,
a. the age of forty-five he was in
,ss ssslon Of an immense fortune and
spntable business standing. His life
n oeen well ordered and rational from
]pllssinring.
~ ~ troubles had been few and thew
t'sss ,se chiefly negative ones. He had feS;
i Iuas x and no relatives. He met those
IL y, ,,,a' business lfe who prolessed d' to be
1.@ 'nsads, but he knew that It was al,
sssake. Social life had never