The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-05-24
A WHITE CARNATION.

60 her assistance. Win quick ! u PICK
EN- up. Ms, be gathered them together,
brushed Of the dust, and handed them 10
her, with a queer little grab at bis t..Hpi
dated cap.
Thank you. little fellow" she said.
wont you have one Of my towsrs'' and
selecting one from large bunch Of white
carnations which she earned she pa. b. into
hi. hand and then pa-sgd quickly Oh.
Bobby faxed az the flower with !o9' OF
auazcmcUi. which soon changed into broad
su.l'e OF delight, III take It h0mr 20 Mag.
gIc, he saii Maggie was hiS SISTER, who
shared with him the two tiny rooms IN a
wrgfrhcd tenement which Bobby called
home
81 be- buttoned Il up carefully under bis
jacket, and that night the fair wfl'e blot
som displayed its sp,sndOrN to the happy
eyes ~ Maggie.
n ylu Keep /, IN fresh water" he aid.
a. he gave 1t 10 her, lt.l las. a week,
maybe"
The next morning, as Bobby was sorting
bis papers, he heard bright Good mort.-
ING, and looked ~ Just 10 time 90 catch
q nod and smile ssom the young lady who
had given him the flower the night before
n n r.
and H1bby heard her Say a. they passed
along Its my little nswsloy, Jack. that
picked mp the papers for the ias, night
That nigh, Brbby was on She lookout
snd his vigilance vas not in vain, Tor When
Miss Rca passed him she smiled pleasant.
Is; the young man 30 the brown ulster was
with her again, and be, too, gave Bobby a
careless ll't,e nod
B1hhJs eyes were bright az he went
hoi-Rart, aIl Maggie met him a. the door
with o. lace az happy a. his own. 20, Bob.
By" she cried, eagerly. u showed MIR
O'Brsn ms flower this afternoon and she
sad II ! kept ), IN water maybe II would
grow roots, because It,. got such long stem
/ and ~ many leaves 90 it,
Sure enough. after o. few days Of careful
watching and tending. tiny white roots ar
pes-sl. then Maggie h..sd an old can with
earth. aGi 'hJ lt'.t s.rp was gently plsocd
in o. Il grew ard N1uHshcd aud with X
the friendship between Bobby, the flower
lady, a. Ec called her. and the young man
.u the brown ulster increased Every morn
ing Bobby was watching for them, and every
evening De- stood who're they would pa"
| hIm ~ ths.r way go tho train There was
aIways some pleasant greeting ready, which
frightened lahny's day and sent him home
a. nlgh' with cheerful heart
Boz one caH'y February morning ~ Bob
I hy stood % bus accustomed pace hc saw
| the Young man come across the street alone.
/ Their, wac % troubled look on HE face, sn,i
/ be passsd - UHy without even glance.
| A vague fear rose 10 the boys heart ard
| nothing WA able g. dispel %, his other
customers m.s.sl the CHEEKY sagtHtion wish
/ which he u,us,ly greeted them, and more
/ chan ore looked curious.y Ht tho childish
/ face with b.. prcucclpiri expression.
That night when Bobby entered the room
/ Maggie Immediately noticed that something
/ was troubling him. hot she could obtain "a
/ information. i1r BIO said never w0rd feel
/ ing taa, e. ru' ms dread into words was 20
/ make Ihr realization more possible
On the third day bobby could endure Il NJ
/ longer. as 'ar Young man crossed the street
some one stepped directly into the path lIc
] looked down impauCu''y, hut his face
. changed Of no recognized the boy
What ~ it," he asked quickly, hut not
/ urhuly
"rNr lady. dr." Bobby aid. family "isr =
she coming suy w.rs.
/ Il hope a0." -aI 'Hc Young man. Vavrly
'but mot r9.' H.a. She is -.,k, lau zee,
and the doctor. ayl. v.. be- o long time al
sasi before sbg cen come again"
/ Bobby turned away; the dread in his heart
/ had been Iu' into words and the drrr.
. know lodge. although ne bad iOugrd Ter b.
was almost more thau he could bear
A. last. jus, a week from the morning
when h. bad first heard the sad Hews. a.
B5bhy stood Of hIs post, he saw tho Young
man coming across the street. with a face
~ white and At aud stamped with terrible
sorrow that Tor moment Bobhs heart
stood sti' Then % The young uH1 cam
c,os, 60 hlm De- stepped forward nvolur
tarilv. and 'r.1 t.s hand 100 the brown sleeve
The Young man turned Sharply, almus,
herrFiy, a. tho touch, hu. 90 lie looked down
into the lft'c face raised 10 his. hI' owr
softensd
The hoy spoke m word, bat the ether resd
| the question in the eager, anxious eyes, and
/ said 10 a low. chokcd voice. "Shc died this
morning. an going back in an hour"
Bobhy's hARl dropped from The young
mans arm; for O. moment be stood still,
dared by the words be- had Jus, hsarl Ther,
regardless u his unsa,d papers, hr turned
and went slowly back to the old tenement
+ he bad left Ina, half an hour hcfors.
Maggie started with supnsc a. he came
10, but one glance at HE grisf.strickcn face
told her the whole story.
THE lsdy bobby" she gAspcd. as
! she"
shes dead" said Bobby, dropping into
| the nearest chair, and laying his head on
| the old table. ''the young man told me. Ill
| never see her again, and | can't do anything
I for her, hnd the little figure was shaken by
| heavy tobs. Maggie stood silently beside
him Tor some moments; thea, suddenly turn.
/ ing, she sent into the second Of the two III.
/ tie rooms.
! When she returned she carried the old can
IL which they Rad planted the csrnation.
II now held sturdy plant, and bearing itself
| proudly aloft on its slender stem was beau
/ tiiul blossom.
"see. Bobby" shs said, laying her hand
| on the bowed head I've been keeping II
| for q surprise for you, but you shall have Il
for the lady Perhaps the young man can
take 1t 20 her"
Bobby looked up; motionlssa he gaEed ST
| the flower, then sprang quickly TO his feet.
Tile said he'd 60 hack in an hour, ] shall
have just time he exclaimed.
Carefully aud tendsrly the earnation was
cut from na stalk aud wrapped in white
| paper. Then, on,y stopping 30 kiss Maggie
In a way that told the gratitude he could not
/ speak, Bobby bounded down Ito stairs and
raced away toward the station He vas only
| just in time for a. he sped around the last
/ corner be 1w the brown.eoated figure eruss
| ina the street, Breathlsssly be rushed after
him and accoStsd him at the gates.
Its for her. sir" he eaped, holding out
! the precious white parcel. 1T grew from
the one she gave me that day. It'sall could
/ get, but I'd like il to 60 TO her"
| The young mar took the flower silently;
| for the first time ihat day tears filled hii
eyes. and he stood fighting back the emotion
| that threatened TO oyerpowsr him.
Then, locking down into the wissful
childish face upturned to him, he ssi6
gently: 81, shall be put in her hand"
And Bobby wss satisfied boston Post.
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TERSE AND EPIGRAMMATIC.