Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-08-14
HEARTSEASE,
Or, the Mission Of the Pansies.

1t was bright spring morning,
early in May, when Farmer Camp
bell started to 60 to town with his
wagon filed with garden produce, to
dispose OF it in the city markets.
His little daughter Myrtle had
made him bring her back some flow
er seeds to plant in her own tiny
patch OF ground in sunny corner
OF the great old fashioned garden.
The good natured farmer, true to his
word, handed the little girl, on his
return, package Of pansy seeds, be-
sides some other seeds for which she
asked.
Myrtle was especially fond of PAN
sizes, and planted the little grains
with the greatest care in the soft,
warm earth. Then came the time
of waiting and watching for the first
shoot of tender green to appear.
Every morning Myrtle came eagerly
to see if there we're any signs of her
pansies, and to carefully water the
spot where the seeds had been sunk
in the ground. At last her patience
was rewarded. The young leaves
had pushed through their prison
walls and were beginning to grow
rapidly in the warm sunshine then
a tiny purple pansy unfolded be-
meath the green covering, and in a
few days tour little blossoms were
noddiDg away in the fresh spring
breeze.
. Then Myrtle carefully transplant.
ed them to flower pot, and the next
market day Farmer Campbell took
them to town, after q tender farewell
had been breathed over them by the
little gardener.
So the psnsies left Myrtle stand
ing on the doorstep watching her
father drive away, the little heads
nodding her goodby from the cor
ner Of the old farm wagon. The city
was reached and all the tempting
country vegetables deposited ia
Washington Market.
Our little heartsease were left on
the sidewalk among many other
plants, where the war Of the wagons
and the busy traffic of the great me-
tropolis went on with unceasing va
ration.
The hot, dingy atmosphere and the
scorching sunlight soon caused the
pansies to droop their poor little
heads, and they longed to be once
again in the cool, refreshing country
air.
The yellow pansy, however straight
ened up, and, turning to her three
sisters, whispered softly:
awe must look our best for Myr-
ties sake, and remember how she
told us we each had mission to full
fill, and l, at least, mean 10 try and
do mine faithfully"
These words of comfort were
echoed by each of the other pansies,
and all four agreed to act out, if pos
sible, the parting words of their lit
tie friend in her swift farewell that
morning.
At last, when the shadows had
deepened on the broad sidewalk, and
a cool breeze had sprung up to herald
the sunset, a carriage stopped at the
market, and a lady accompanied by
by a pretty little girl, alighted.
"0h, mamma, do look at the love-
ly flowers y exclaimed the child.
"May buy some for Gerald ? See,
l have my own money" and Eva
held up her tiny purse in impatient
delight.
eyes, dear, 1 have no objection y
answered her mother, and Eva look:
ed eagerly at the long line of flower
ing plants, wondering which would
most please her little sick brother.
At last her eyes rested on Myrtle's
pansies, and she cried out:
"Oh, mamma, l will buy the
heartsease; Gerald loves them so,
and see, each one is different color
and they are such dear little ones.
So the pansies were clasped in
Eva's chubby arms, and were soon
nodding away, as the carriage rat
tied over the stony pavement, and
at last stopped before little Eya's
home.
Gerald was watching for them,
his wheeled chair drawn close TO the
window, and a happy smile lighted
up the pale features, as he saw the
flowers. Eva placed them Oh the
window sill. and the little boy touch
ed them lovingly as lie said softly,
"How beautiful they are y
A few minutes later a tired sew.
ing woman came down the stairs on
her way home, and, passing the door
nf GeraIdfs rooe, s,..s