Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-06-05
TED'S ROSE.


moons outing in the park, and he
was very particular not to soil his new
shoes at the crossing, so he kept look
out for dry spots. until some one called
to him:
Hello, Teddy said a friendly voice
from the florists window. You look
very fine this morning"
"It's my birthday. and I'm seven
years old today" Ted answered
proudly.
well, well, you're quite man, sure
enoughg' Mr.. Burke laughed. wait
moment, Ted; l have just the thing
you want" He came out presently
with three lone-stemmed yellow tea
roses, their cups of gold fairly brim-
ming with delicious fragrance.
Been training them for this very oc-
casion,' he explained cheerily, land
they opened just in time. They'll keep
a long while If you're real careful"
Ted was Unfortunately fond of flowers
yellow tea-roses by preference-he
had them on birthdays, holidays, and as
often between times as his mamma
could afford; but there had been no
roses of late; thinge had gone woefully
wrong at the office, and Ted had to be
contented with looking at the plants
in the florists windows. He thanked
bfr Burke, and walked away with the
roses held protectingly out of range of
hurrying passers-by; and it was hard
to say which was the loyelier, the roses
or the cherub face above them.
The crowd blocked his progress at
the street corner, and while he waited
he heard man say, in low, distinct
voice:
.Yonder's that miser, Northcut, the
poorest man in New York"
And the most unhappy" said his
companion.
Ted had the curiosity to run ahead
to look at the most unhappy man in
New York. He was very tall and thin
and sick-looking. Ted wondered how
ne came to be so well dressed, for even
to his Impractical eye he presented
good appearance. Somebody must have
given him his old clothes, of course,
Just as papa always gave his clothes to
poor people. Ted watched him with
sympathetic interest, and even follow
ed aim to the door of nearby restau-
rant. where he took seat at a side
table. and Ted could see his face very
plainly. Yes, he certainly did look very
unhappy, and no one seemed to care
about him in the least; he would just
slip in and give him a rose-that would
please him.
Ted picked out the largest and hand
soonest rose and carried it carefully up
the fast-flling aisle between the tables
and laid it on the table before the poor
est, unhappiest man in New York. He
started, turned round, and eyed the
little donor sharply.
Hello, who are you? he asked very
brusquely.
I'm Ted Wlnterburn," came the
surprised answer.
The old mau'S lips moved and he
seemed about to ask another question.
He knew Ted's father very well in
deed; he had him in corner" where
he intended to keep him till his last
dollar was gone. The thought of that
triumph gave him great deal of salts
faction when he remembered certain
affairs of the past in which Winter
burn had defeated his interests.
Hum he muttered. Roses in mid
winter! Such extravaganza He de
serves his bad luck | don't think you'd
better give these away" he said aloud
they don't belong to you"
why, yes, they does" Ted answer
ed Indignantly. Mr.. Burke gived
them to me for my birthday"
oh he did? Well. that's different"
lie took the long-stemmed rose in his
thin hand and shifted at 1t gingerly.
Much obliged. I'm sure" he said. on
second thought.
Ted looked over the meager fare
pnyingly If there was anything in
the world he disliked il was cambria
tea and dry toast. such as he saw lying
on the poor mans plate. He could not
know that his friends jaded appetite
refused TO take anything but the mer-
est necessities. He slipped the cambria
tea in silence until the waiter brought
Ted a glass of milk on silver salver.
Take II" said the man authorita-
lively, and Ted found that he was
really very thirsty.
Now" said the poor man, when Ted
put down the empty glass, I'D like 10
know why you gave me that rose"
Because feel sorry for you," came
the slow and truthful answer.
Sorry? And whyg" he demanded.
Because you's the very poorest and
sorriest man in New York
The poorest man in New York;" be
echoed. grimly who told you THAR
Il don't know his name. Twas a
man on the street. and he telled an
other man that"
~Ohr' with a queer. mirthless smile
And you feel sorry for poor. friend
less Stranger
Yes. does said Ted. very gravely
and sweetly.
There was little embarrassed pause
during which the keen. hollow eyes
looked into Ted's beautiful face a:
though searching for something, which
they must have found presently, FOL
the dark, old face relaxed into smile
which utterly contradicted the hard
cruel lines about the thin lips.
= thank you very much for the rose
my little friend he said. '.but most OF
all for the sweet thought that prompt
cd your kindness. It's many Ions
day since I've had such a preciou:
gift" he added. with a queer break il
his voice.
he took from his pocket n memoran
DUN and scrubbed a few words acres:
the face of printed note.
Ask your father 20 read that TO yol
az soon as you go home" ha said