The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-08-15
HIS PRIMROSE.

An old man sat before the table in
a little green house. No sound was
heard except the drowsy hum of insects
among the flowers and the tickling of
the fat Dutch clock on the dusty shelf.
The old man bent over the account
book with puzzled brow. Then max
ing the necessary preparations for the
night and laying his hands ON the
primrose in a trembling caress, the
owner of the little establishment went
away leaving the shop in darkness.
When the sound of his steps had
grown faint and finally died away, the
plants began to speak to each other.
''Have you noticed how worried our
master has seemed of late?' the
little primrose asked.
II have, indeed answered the
geraniums by the window, . and have
been whispering it to each other. is
it because so few purchasers are COM
ing here now. do you thlnkT'
THAT may be the reason, the tall
palm answered, ''but it is no wonder
that we have few customers, for from
here can see the door of the big
florists on the avenue. People are
going there all day long and maybe
they 60 in ana out at night, too, but
It is so dark that | can't tell them
though | often have tried.
sHis face has looked worried ever
since we came here, the pansies an
swered, when asked their opinion
"but we have not been here long
How was 1T before we cameY Can you
tell us, century plant, you have been
here longest?' -,
YES" the century plant began, II
have been here longest and will tell
YOU all | know about our kind master
It has been many years since L was
first brought here. 1t was when the
green house was new; the master
and face was young there were no
lines of care upon it. A very pretty
Young girl always was near him IN
the afternoons, there by the desk. The
girl would read to him or sew and sing
softly and they both seemed very
happy. In those days little golden
haired child was with them, also.
The child played happily around
among the plants. and in the evening
the Young master would take the child
upon his shoulder, and with the young
lady 90 home. We were all very happy
in those days. But one time for sew
eral DAYS the master did not come TO
the green house and when he dld the
first deep lines of care showed upon ms
face. Then only the child came WIFI
him. He seemed lonely and was very
tender and loving to his Primrose at
he called her The little girl grew
more beautiful every day, it seemed
and as time went on. and she grew
older, she seemed even prettler thaI
the flowers themselves. She always
loved the primroses best, as a chliu'
and used to care for them herself.
One day the master began taking care
of the primroses, and it was long
time before we saw the little CIR
again. Each week letter came &c
him which he read with great pride,
always looking very glad when 1T came
We guessed that they must have been
from Primrose. / have seen a gooc
deal of the world. being a century
plant, and when she came back after
several years, was sure she had been
away to some college Her golden hair
was coiled on top of her head and she
looked tall and stately.
''Then the other great sorrow came
to the master. His Primrose wen
away.
And did she never come backf
the flowers asked.
No, she never came back. The big
maple tree whispered it all to me. ana
he saw in the clear moonlight A tau
Young man came to the gate and walt
ed that night and Primrose came OUT
of the house and the young man ZOO
her hand and kissed it. The mapi
said that Primrose looked SAD for
moment, but when the man Whispers
something to her she smiled and Wen
away with him. After this the maste
looked much older and sadder. d
used to forget all about us, and tai
TO himself, and murmur. she ma
come back. But one day lette
came. and after he read that he shoe
his head and said, 'She will neve
come back.
After that time all you plants VIII
are here now, came. The maste
bought more primroses. and cared 10
them 80 tenderly. Then customer
were less and less frequent. Can yor
be surprised that the old master look
sad AID worriedy'
There was q silence among the now
ers after the century plant finished, an