The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-05-18
THE FLOWER KINGDOM.
BY LOUISA NJ. ALCOTT.

others were tyrannlcal or careless, ana
all were fond of money and power, as
their name showed; but the flowers never
dared to propose having any one else, be-
cause this had been the custom so long.
Now there were a great many Asters OF
every kind and color, from the little
white stars low IN the grass to the state
ly sprays waving their purple plumes
over the messy wall that enclosed the
meadow. Those growing along the road
side saw and heard what went on in the
world and were wise, energetic creatures,
anxious to get things right everywhere.
SO they began to say to their neighbors,
one autumn, as the time for the election
drew near:
''We have had kings long enough; let
us try queen now, and reform certain
very important matters which are always
neglected by the Goldenrods, who care
only for feasting and fighting and having
their own way. Let us vote for oul
Violet, who grows over there in the
palace, and would make a wise, good
queen
At this proposal the aristocratic Car
dinal flowers were shocked, and grew red
with shame; the Fringed Gentians shut
their blue eyes and nearly tainted at the
bold idea, and Clemats hid her face in
the grass that she might not see the IN
feminine creatures who dared to suggest
such a thing. But the late Clovers and
Buttercups, being honest, simple hearted
flowers, cried, Yes, yes, let us do it,
and give the Asters turn as is only fair "
And the Forefathers' Cup, which grew
all over the field, added:
1--WE shall vote for Violet. 1t is time
the dreadful intemperance of the bees
among the wild grapes should be stopped,
that snakes should no longer be allowed
to charm and kill our innocent birds. chat
the battles of the ants should ED, and
more peace, order and economy be intro
duced into our public affairs. The Asters
are descended from the stars, and so very
wise; they are also just and gentle, and
we all love them Let us try a queen, and
see if we cannot make the meadow what
it should be-
The Forefathers' Cups were much re-
spected by all the plants, because they
came over in the Mayt1ower, and were
very hospitable, with their green and rus
set pitchers always full, and outlived the
frost, like fine old family as they We're.
So when they spoke up for the Asters,
no one dared to say much, though the
Goldenrods ragged among themselves, and
openly laughed at such nonsense. There
was great excitement, and all the flowers
nodded and rustled as if gale was blow
ing, as they talked the matter over and de-
cided how they would vote. The naughty
Cardinals declined To vote at all; so did
the Contains; the delicate Clematis de-
clared that she Only wanted something to
cling to and obey, and never would con
sent to a queen.
R11t the. ClnVerS and RIttaro11ns
Pitcher Plant. and all the Asters, voted
bravely for Violet; and the Maple Tree,
that stood in the middle of the field,
dropped a little red leaf with a ' ON it as
the wind went about collecting votes,
which surprised the flowers very much, as
such thing had never happened before,
and all regarded the beautiful tree as their
court poet, it made such lovely music
high above them. Even the old green
rock at the foot OF the Maple gave bit OF
its ltchen for Violet to the great wrath Of
the Grapevine, W no kept drinking saloon
for dSsipated bees on its sunny side
OF course the Goldenrods all voted for
then handsome relative, a fine tail plant
who happened to grow near the Purple
Astel under the Maple Tree, which was
called tie palace. But the other side won,
and Violet was proclaimed queen with
great rejoicing by all her friends and
neighbolS. to the great dismay of The fool
ish flowers who wa tied the world to
stand still.
'N hat are you coming to?' groaned
the Cardinals, red with rage.
Utter destruction" croaked the
Crows, Tapping away to carry the bad
news else where.
eve will never visit her." declared the
Ientians. sha. ing their fringes as if the
mere thought soiled them.
Coarse, unfeminine creature, to dare
to rule alone, 1t makes me faint to look
at her, sighed Clematis, peeping up all
the same, full OF curiosity to see how
handsome Goldenrod took his dow mall.
He tossed his yellow head in scornfu
silence, and never once looked over the
tuft Of ferns that grew between him and
the new queen.
1t won t last long; size can reign alone,
and will soon be ready to give it up.
These silly things will learn a good lesson
and will be glad to get me back. SO I'll
preserve my dignity and bide my time
be said to his friends for he was a tine
fellow, only he did not know yet what
Asters could do 7hen they had the power.
and it was he who learned the lesson, as
We shall see.
Everyone thought that the queen S head
would be turned with this sudden
change, and that great festivities would
be held in honor of it, so the Cardinals and
Gentians half regretted their resolution
not 10 visit the palace, since they would
lose all chance of sharing in the splendor
and showing their lovely robes.
But Violet lived very quietly behind the
tall ferns, and was so very busy attending
to the affairs Of her kingdom that she
had no time for banquets. She asked
advice of the Maple Tree and the wise old
Rock, and soon began the much needed
reforms. The snakes were banished, and
the birds were safe. The tipsy bees were
ordered to 60 to the Pitcher Plant and
drink fresh water, for the Grapevine Hotel
was shut up. The quarrels of the ants
were settled without bloodshed, and the
gossiping crows were forbidden to sit on
the fence, telling evil stories of every one
The poor were cared for, and the finest
feast at the palace was for certain i'm
provident butterflies who had neglected
to make their cocoons before the cold
weather came. These poor gentlefolk
were sent to a new home under the
mullen leaves, and passed a comfortable
winter with other insects in like case
Many quiet charities went on, and slow
ly the flowers were forced to confess that
the new plan was not a failure, for the
world still stood tInuUb a ftnaap rnl.J