Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-08-31
THE LOST GERANIUM.

Mrs. Wigley had no back garden what
ever, only tiny piece of ground in front
with wooden paling, and there was not
much growing there, but remarkably
| fine geranium, bearin magnificent trusses
of n pale pink tint, stood in pot on the
windowsill This geranium was the pride
of Mrs, Wigley's simple soul She took
daily delight in it in spite of failing sight,
and words of praise from admirng neigh
| bors warmed the cookies of her heart.
| Her friend Mrs. Hubbard, Christian
name Eliza, who lived at West Winthrop,
was more eulogistic than all the rest put
| together, for Mrs. Hubbard was a great
gardener and knew fine specimen as
well as any one and better than most
Her own garden was perfect picture, but
she could not show a geranium like Sarah
Wigley's nor, indeed, anything to compare
with it. She called In ON q certain Satur-
day afternoon and paused before entering
the cottage to inspect her friend posses
sion. 1t was in full bloom
"Well, never' cried Eliza Hubbard
What wastel'
Sarah Wigley was staring out of win
dow, but failed to recognize her friend
Her eyes were contracted to narrow slit,
and she strove her hardest to trace the
familiar features, but in vain.
"What a waste'' reiterated Mrs. Hub
bard She can't see me, though l am as
big as life and twice as ugly, and yet the
Lord lets that fine pink geranium grow
and blow under her very nose. 1t isn't
any kind Of good to her, and 1t would be
real blessing to me-.
SIS that you, Eliza9" asked Mrs Wigley
If it amt Sarah, it's my double
you've been looking at my geranium,
Eliza" said her friend. Isn't it pic
ture?'
Mrs Hubbard responded heartily. There
was much talk about the flower, how fears
had been entertained that the blight had
got to it, etc.
Go in, my dear" she said to Sarah
Wigley. You will catch your death of
cold"
Mrs. Wigley retired, Eliza Hubbard
drew the door close. Her face was Grim
son. her heart beat fast.
1T ism t as though she could see it,"
said she. she won't even know it Is
gone, and if she does what does it signify?
What the eye don't SEQ the heart can't
grieve forh
She seemed rather proud of the quota
ton. OF a certainty it had never been
used in such connection before But
pride was replaced by u dull sense of shame
as she lifted up the geranium and, hiding
it under her shawl, sped home with it, AS
she walked she planned where she would
place the gcranium. 1t would look best,
she thought, between two fine white ones
OF which she was uncommonly proud, and
there she deposited it in the darkness.
Having done SO, she retired to bed, having
first knelt down to say her prayers Oddly
enough, how ever, the words would not
come
A few days later Eliza Hubbard called
on sarah Wigley, She peeped in through
the window and saw her old friend sitting
over the handful of fire, though the even
ing was sultry, shivering and holding her
thin hands to the blaze.
"My gracious!" said she, stepping brisk
ly in. "You Amt cold tonight are you?"
Sarah Wigley rose stifily.
II m bit poorly, my dear. l amt felt
myself since my loss You've heard tell
how some tramp or the other made off
with my pink geranium, haven't your
Mrs. Hubbard was apparently a bit poor
ly also, for she shivered likewise
II did hear some such tale," said she.
but don't suppose you grieve much, eh,
Sarah? 1t amt as II your eyesight was as
good as mine. You can't keep looking at
the blossoms
For answer Sarah Wigley burst into a
food Of tears
II know am worse than fool to make
o fuss about a geranium plant" said she,
'but suppose am kind Of low in health.
Anyway l can't help myself. ought to
be ashamed Of myself" said She at my
time Of life not to have faith greater than
grain Of mustard seed. Haven prayed
the good Lord to put 1t into the heart Of
that tramp to bring me back my gera-
mum, and who knows that he won't see fit
to do it' I'd had that geranium three
years, Liza, and I'd got to set store on it
as though it was child. Ihope you don't
think me a weak sort.
Eliza Hubbard cleared her throat
NO" she said softly II don't. wish
l was half as good as you But l amt.
yield to temptation right away. l amt
more strength of mind than baby
say, Sarah, wouldn't take on SO if was
you. Perhaps--perhaps'' hesitated
and cleared her throat again perhaps
you'll get your flower back again, after
all.
She leaned forward and kissed her
friends wrinkled check. 1t was an I'M
usual action, but accounted for by the I'M
usual circumstances
Good night, sarah" said she. I'D
pray again tonight, if was you, just as
you did before"
YES" replied Sarah meekly, Il mean
to"
she was cheered by her friends sym
pathy. There was a glow at her heart a
ring of confidence in her quavcring tones.
The moment she rose the next morning