Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-12-26
Crocuses and Snow Drops.

Crocuses and Snow Drops.
A very long time ago snowdrops and
crocuses grew only in one beautiful
garden; and all the crocuses and all
the snowdrops in all the world are
sprung from those first ancestors.
In the earliest days, instead of
dropping their heads, the snowdrops
grew straight up. Indeed, they were
pert little flowers, and excessively
proud Of the delicate green markings
that relieved their whiteness.
Crocuses, too, in those days were
not as now. They were smaller and
pure white, without a touch of color.
Even the little stamens and pistils
were all white.
One morning, in the wonderful gar
den, where would be many. many
flowers later in the year, crocuses and
snowdrops We're blooming together.
"You poor things!" said a tall little
snowdrop swaying back and forth on
her slender stem above the crocuses.
How cold you look! 1t is you should
be named for the snow instead Of I. 1t
ltdlly IldhSo Iilt SllINtT W JOOh DIT YOU,
you are so white! Now l, you see,
have beautiful green embroidery on
my frock, green as the grass and trees
will be by and by. Everyone who see
me cries: oh, spring is coming!
Here is a snowdrop!' But you-I
don't wonder they hardly look at
you"
I'm sure we all have green things
growing up around u.s." ventured one
newly opened crocus, bolder than the
rest.
Pooh! Those are only leaves. Ev-
cry one has leaves said the snow
drop, tossing her head.
Grass blades are leaves, too" mur-
INJURED the crocuses. Yet they could
not forget the words of the snowdrop,
and they became very sorrowful, for
they wanted every one to love them.
And next morning, when the angel
of the flowers came, there was fro
zen tear in each little pale cup. 1t was
very cold that morning, but the cro-
cuses did not mind the cold.
"Why do you weep, children?" ask
ed the flower angel.
because snowdrop has been telling
us we don't belong to spring, but are
only bit Of winter that's left over,
and people will be glad when we are
gone"
"Snowdrop is very vain of her green
markings" said the angel. But be
patient, children, and we shall see"
; 1t was still dark, for 1t was very
early. Just faint glow showed in the
east, where the morning stars shone
brightly, and below the star, as if
swung from it like pale, golden CEN
ser, hung the slender crescent of the
old moon. High up Arcturus flashed,
and northward, clear among the les
while still further north, following
the pointers, the eye came to the
great white star that never sets.
The angel flew straight east until
she found the sun, whose messenger
she was, and told her story.
Great king" she ended. "They are
very sad-the poor white crocuses.
would some new gift might be granted
to cheer them"
And because they are sad" asked
the king, do they droop and fade,
refusing to live the life l have Or
dained?"
"They lift their heads quite brave
ly," said the angel, "and await your
coming. Only the frozen tear lies at
the heart of each"
1T is WE'LL" said the king. GO
southwark now, for the peach trees
bloom and the magnolia begins to
bud. They need your care''
The angel bowed and went.
Then sunrise came to the great gar
den. In the east the sky grew bright
er. Now it was soft rose, blending to
gold toward the horizon. In the midst
of the rose glow still hung the moon
and planet, tinged with faintest gold
en- green. Southwark violet clouds
were turning gold and saffron at their
edges.
AS the color grew in the sky what
was happening to the sad little GRO
cuses? They we're surely growing tall