Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-08-12

|
ness streets. 1t was street in which
nothing was bought or sold but money.
Great crowds of men surged in all di-
rections over the sidewalks, Wagons
and cabs filled up the space between.
It was all roar and rush and rattle.
In the heart of it stood Arthur
Northridge, in the old wagon with the
| lilacs.
"Holloa! My wife would like some of
those. How much, youngster?"
And 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. Ican't
wait for the change"
And, finging down I 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 impatiently.
"But can't change it, 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 I have nothing in the world but
this one bill," he said, in his turn.
'Plenty of money once. Made it all
easy--on this street. Lost it all-easy,
too-in the same place. Keep out of it,
boy, unless you come on this sort of
business. But my wife shall have some
ilacs, anyway"
He fumbled in his pockets, found
ten-cent piece, gave it to Arthur, and
passed on.
By this time quite group surround
ed the wagon.
"Lilacs, five and ten centsl" This was
the formula which Arthur had thought
out for himself as he drove old Kate
along, wondering If it could possibly be
considered extortion to 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 profts-three
dollars and ffty-fve cents.
He could hardly believe it, and
counted the money again and again till
he 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
yard. 'tI haven't fed her, for had no
| chance"
"Had any dinner yourself?'
''Not mouthful. I've been too busy
Nothing could have SO inspired old
Farmer Sanford with respect and adj
miration for the lad as his willingness
to go hungry for the sake of making
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 to tell his
mother that night; and the next morn
ing, taking all the lilacs that were on
the place, he started off on his second
trip to the city, selecting another
corner this time, but on an equally
busy street.
Fortune seemed as ready to favor
him as 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 to see the
gentleman who had met him by the
roadside two days before.
"Gone into business, have you, my
boy? How did this happen?"
He asked the question with great in
terest.
"Oh, sirl" Arthur answered, with
animation, at all came from the bunch
of lilaas. / thought if the lady cared
SO much, other city folks might care,
too, little. At any rate, thought
I'd try and see what came of it."
"Was 1t necessary-tha is, did you
did you"
1--WE are very poor, my mother and :"
Arthur replied, without waiting for the
completion of the question. II don't
know what will become of us when the
lilac money is all gone, for can't get
anything to do. If we lived in the city
1t might be different, but"
Arthur was obliged to turn his at
tention to customer.
'Come around to my Office before you
go home tonight"
And the gentleman, handing him
card, walked away down, the street.
Arthur Northbridge was happier
when he went home that night than
he had been since his father died. He
had another long story to tell his
than the first one.
'It seems that Mr.. Emery's som his
only child, died six months ago. Nxal-
most killed Mrs. Emery, SO they gave
up their home in the country and went
to the city to live. Their front yard
was full of lilacs, just as ours is. Their
boy was very fond of them. He was
about my size. and when she saw me
sitting on the wall, and saw the lilacs,
too-well, you see, it sort of upset her.
Mr.. Emery says they keep two serv-
ants, and if you go there to keep house
for them you'll only have to oversee
things. know shall like to work in
his Office. it's SO pleasant. Mrs. Emery
is coming to see you tomorrow. Isn't
IL strange what great things have hap
pened just from bunch of ilacs-and
half-wilted ones at that? ! sent Mrs.
Emery lot of fresh ones-the last
had left. I'm never going to worry
again, mother, as long as nvei"--l
Golden Days.