Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-03-17
same shop and walked up to the

FLOWS he for intelligence, uow?"
he began, as if the conversation had
stopped the moment before. stupid,
probably"
II don't think he's very sharp in
trade" was the reply; 'but he's
very handy hoy. He has made good
mary convenient KnickknacKs for
the neighbors, that bookshelf, for
instance"
"Why, that's the very thing want
in boy! Well, there's my train,
Good-day, SIR"
He'll be back again, Old, old fell
low" said the storekeeper, laugh
ing.
The next day he was back, and he
came at the same hour.
II like that boys looks, sir, I've
been watching him. But of course
he has a dozen relations-drunken
father. rag-tag brothers-who would
follow him.?
"No. He has only a mother: and
she is decent, God-fearing Scotch
woman,-a good seamstreSs, John
tells ne, but can get no work. Times
are dull here just now. Pity the
country folks will pour into the
cities. Mrs M'Tavish has nothing
but what the boy earns at his stand
yonder"
The old gentleman made no reply.
But the next day he was up to the
boys stand. John was looking pale
and anxious. Some of his regular
customers had refused to take their
magazines, times being so hard. Trey
would be dead loss on his hands
"Paper? Magazines, SIR" he asked.
mo. A word with you, my lad
Ny name is Bohnn. I am the owner
of the Bordale Nurseries, about
thirty miles from here. l want a
young man to act as clerk and sales.
man on the grounds, at a salary of
$50 month, and woman who will
be strict and orderly, to oversee the
girls who pack flower-seeds, at $40
month. I offer the position to you
and your mother, and 1 give you un-
til tomorrow to think it over"
"But you-you-don't know me,
sir" gasped John.
81 know you very well. / gener.
ally know what am about. To-mor-
row be ready to give your answer. l
will take you four weeks on trial. If
l am satisfied, the engagement will
be renewed for year."
All the rest of the day, John felt
in 1u ho1
heard Of the Bordale Nurseries and
of good old Isaac BOhnn, their
owner. But what had he done, that
this earthly paradise should be opened
to him?
you'll come, eh?" said Mr.. Bohnn,
the next day. Thought you would.
When can you begin work."
AT once, sir"
'Good! BY the way, there's a va
can't house on the grounds which
your mother can have, rent free, if
she remains with me. A mere box,
but big enough. There's my cart.
Suppose you come out, M'Tavish, and
look about you. You can come back
at night"
John locked up the stand, sent
message to his mother, and went
with Mr.. Bohnn. He had not yet
told his mother of this change in
their affairs.
He was very silent when he came
home that evening, but oddly tender
with his mother; and she noticed
that he remained a long time on his
knees at prayer that night,
They had only little bread and
milk for breakfast the next morning,
and John scarcely tasted it.
"You look as if you could not bear
this much longer, mother" he said,
coming up to her, and putting his
hands on her shoulder. "You need
good wholesome meals and the fresh
air and the hills and the trees in
stead of this!"-looking out at the
piled-stacks of chimneys belching
forth the black smoke Of an iron
foundry.
Don't talk of them, John, lad"
"Well, won't" And he put on
his hat, and went out.
All uOuT ldUST uS Ctlllc UdCh.
sWhat is wrong? Why have you
left the stand?" asked his mother, in
alarm.
1--WE are going to have an outing,
mother. Don't say word. can
afford it."
She never had seen the boy so full
of excitement. He hurried her to
the station; and soon they were Gid.
ing among beautiful rolling hills and
across lovely meadows that were
sweet with the odor Of new-mown
hay. At noon, they came to stretches
of rising ground, covered with nur-
series of young trees of delicate green,
and with vineyards, and field after
field of roses, mignonette, and all
kinds of sweet-smelltng flowers.
why John, this is fairyland!
What is this placer"
THE Bordale Nurseries. We will
get out here, mother. l want to
show you house that"
He trembled with agitation. His
face was pale, as he led her down to
the broad, glancing river, near which
was nestled in the woods cosy little
cottage, covered with a beautiful
creeper There was garden, well,
L. g. ID