Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-05-31
TED's ROSE.

ct was Teds birthday; he was
dressed in his best for the AFTER
moons outing in the park. ana he
was very particular not to soil his new
shoes mt the crossing, so he kept look
out for dry spots. until some one called
to him.
Hello. Teldyw said a friendly voice
from the florists window. You look
very fine this morning"
ITS my birthday. and I'm seven
wears old to-day" Ted answered
proudly.
well. we'll. you're quite man. sure
enough Mr. Burke laughed. "Wait
II moment, Ted; have just the thing
you want" He came out presently
with three long-stemmed yellow tea
roses, their cups Of gold fairly brim-
ming with delicious fragrance.
Been training them for this very &C.
.asion." he explained cheerily, and
they opened just in time. They'll Keep
a long while IL 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
,ould afford; but there had been no
roses Of hate; thinge had gone woefully
wrong at the office, and Ted had to be
contented with looking Mt the plants
in the florists windows. He thanked
Mr.. Burke, and walked away with the
roses held protcctingly out Of range OF
lurrying passers-by; aud 1t was hard
NJ; tl,6 1Nvoltor thA
or the chcrub face above them.
The crowd blocked his progress at
the street corner. and while he waited
he heard a man say, In Il low, distinct
voice:
Wonders that miser. Northcut. the
poorest man in New York"
And the most unhappy" said his
companion.
Ted had the curiosity to run ahead
no look at the most unhappy man IN
New York. He was very tall and thin
and sick looking. Ted wondered how
he came to be so we'll dressed, for even
20 his Impractical eye he presented
good appea rance. 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 him to the door Of nearby restau-
rant, where he took a seat at 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 Il rose--that would
1,lease him.
Ted picked out the largest and hand
soonest rose and carried 1t carefully up
the fast-tilling 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
arusquely.
I'm Ted Wintcrburn." came the
surprised answer
The old mans lips moved and he
seemed about to ask another question.
lie knew Ted's father very well in
alccd: he had him In corner" where
he intended to keep him till his last
dollar was gone The thought Of that
triumph gave him Il great deal of salts
faction when he remembered certain
affairs of the past in which Winter
hurn had defeated his interests.
Hum he muttercd Roses In mid
winter. Such eXtravngance! lie 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
ul Indignantly. MIR. 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 mt it gingerly.
much obliged. I'm sure" he said on
second thought.
Ted looked over the meager fare
rityingly. II there was anything in
the world he dsliked 1t was cambria
tea and dry toast. such rs he saw lying
on the poor mans plate. He could not
know that his friends faded 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 IT," 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, "Id like to
know why you gave me that rose"
because feel sorry for you." came
the slow and truthful answer.