The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-11-25

Great crowds Of men surged in all di'
rections over the sidewalks. Wagons
and cabs filled up the space between.
1t was all roar and rush and rattle.
In the heart Of IL stood Arthur
Northridge. in the old wagon with the
lilacs.
"Holloa! My wife would like some OF
those. How much. youngster?"
And n hurrying man stopped short
and handed Arthur two-dollar bill.
That's Whit from my mothers
front yard" exclaimed another man be-
fore Arthur had time to reply to the
first one. Give us bunch. boy. can't
wait for the change"
And. flinging down quarter. he
seized cluster of the flowers and
rushed on again.
I'm in a hurry, too" the first Gus.
toner explained. Don't keep me wait
ing"
And he held out his hand impa,ien,ly.
But | can't change il, SIR" Arthur
replied. i've just gone into business.
Plenty of stock, but no ready money"
The gentleman laughed at the words.
and looked at Arthur appreciatively.
And have nothing in the world but
Plenty Of money once. Made il all
casy--on this street. Lost il all-easy.
too-in the same place. Keep on, of il.
boy, unless you come on this sort of
business. But my wife shall have some
lilacs, anyway"
He fumblcd in his pockets, found
ten-cent piece. gave it 10 Arthur. and
passed on.
by this time quite group surround.
I'd the wagon.
"Iilacs, five and ten ccntsl" This was
the formula which Arthur had thought
out for himself as he drove old Kate
along, wondering if it could possibly be
considered eNtortion 10 charge so much
for what was TO him so valueless. But
he did not need to adopt this plan Of
calling attention to his wares. The
sight OF them was enough-so sugges-
tive Of the solitude and sweetness Of
the country-in the crowded, dusty.
wearying city street
When the last flower had been dis
posed Of and old Kate was heading for
home, Arthur had ample leisure in
which to reckon up his profits-three
dollars and fifty-five cents.
He could hardly believe it. and
counted the money again and again till
lie proved the accuracy of the calcula.
ton.
What am / to pay you for the horse
and wagon ?" was his first salutation to
Farmer Sanford, as he drove into the
ward. Il haven't fed her, for had no
chance" -
-IIad any dinnr yourself?
= Not a moutnrul. I've been too busy"
Nothing could have so inspired old
Farmer Sanford with respect and ad-
miration for the lad as his willingness
to go hungry for the sake Of making
a little money. In his vernacular. that
was "su'thin' like"
Well, considerin' as old Kate
wouldn't have been doin' nothin' to-
DAY. suppose so cents would cover the
damages"
Without volunteering any explana-
ton, Arthur engaged the horse and
wagon for the next day, and went
home. He had long story 10 tell his
mother that night; and the next morn
ing. taking all the lilacs that were on
the place, he started of on his second
trip TO the city. selecting another
corner this time, but on an equally
busy street.
Fortune seemed as ready 10 favor
Lin IS on the preceding day, and sales
were brisk for half an hour. At the
end Of that time. Arthur felt hand on
his shoulder. and looked up 10 see the
gentleman who had met him by the
roadside two days before.
Gone into business. have you, ny
boy? How did this happen"
He asl.ed the question with great in
terest-
oh. sir" Arthur answered. with
animation. Il; al came from the bunch
Of lilacs. : thought If the lady cared
so much, other city folks might care.
too. a little. At any rate, thought
I'd try and see what came Of IL"
WAS il necessary-that is. did you
did you"
We are very poor, my mother and l.
Arthur replied, without waiting for the
completion Of the question. y don't
KNOW what will become Of US when the
lilac money is al gone, for can't get
anything 70 do. Il we lived in the city
! might be different. but"
Arthur was obliged 70 turn his at
;eutiou 10 Z customer.
Come around TO ny Office before ycu
70 home tonight"
And the gentleman. handing him
card. walked away down the street.
Arthur Northbridge was happier
when be went home that night than
he had been since his father died. be
had another long story 20 tell hs
mother. and even more interesting
thar the FIRST one.
1t seems that Mr.. Emery's SOD. his
only child. died six months ago. u al
NOS: killed Nrs. Emery. 10 they gave