Sunday Washington globe., 1902-06-15

the speaker a welcome at
the desk Of the swell florist not always
accorded to visitors possessing no bust
ness cards.
That's my name, young man. What
can do for you?"
The florist looked keenly over the
young fellows face and took note of
his sturdy figure and roughly neat
clothing.
Il am out of work, sir. and ventured
10 ask to see you personally. l need
a job pretty badly. l will do anything
sweep out your Office, tend hothouse
or drive team"
Sorry" and the florist looked it.,
'but we have no vacancies. This is
our duh season. We laid off several
men last week You'll have to excuse
me now" he said, rising abruptly. Il
see a particular customer has just
come in. Good morning" and the
man hurried to the front Of the shop.
Nine men out of ten would have
accepted defeat and departed then and
there; but this young applicant was the
tenth man.
He fingered with vague notion that
perhaps he could think of something
TO say to the proprietor that would
please him or interest him, and that
would be the opening wedge he need
ed. The florist returned to his desk
presently.
''Still here, eh?' be said shortly.
Yes" replied the young man. Il
Just waited because-well. because
people sometimes change their minds,
and I'm not throwing away even the
slimmest kind of a chance"
Il have nothing for you" was the
curt answer. and in disappointment the
young chap turned on his heel. Before
he reached the door he was hailed.
Just a moment" said the florist
do you know anything about orchids;
] have a rich custOmer-she was just
in-whO commissions ME to secure new
and rare varieties for her, and it has
just occurred to me that you might
-but-well, the hunt for orchids is
difficult and dangerous"
Let me try" eagerly. III not stop
for a little danger If you'll tell me
where to go and what to get, III not
come back empty-handed."
The florist told the young man that
he had recently lost one Of his best
hunters in a Philippine jungle He
explained the danger, the uncertainty
Of reward, and the probability that the
head waters Of the Amazon would fur
nish the best specimens if they could
be reached.
He would pay the ocean passage both
ways, and advance $50 in addition, if
the applicant was determined to try
his luck. but would not advise him to
go on a long trip without wages or
certainty Of success.
IN risk it," said the young man,
eff you are willing to trust me-"
IN do it. You have grit. Perhaps
you'n win out You are sure Of selling
rare orchids to my customers at high
figure, if you get them"
Six months later a half-completed
raft lay moored to a gum tree on the
upper Amazon. A haggard young
man was putting the finishing touches
to it. He had neither hammer nor
nails. nor saw. nor axe. but he was
happy in the possession of a wonderful
lot Of orchids.
Away up on the rugged cliffs Of the
Ardes he had gathered the choicest
specimens. No human being had
crossed his path for full month. He
was not sorry. seeing that his last Wis
itOrs had been sayages, who had shot
his horse TO death with poisoned ar
rows along the river bottom.
With saddle, rife and hunting knife
be had managed TO escape, after hang
ing an Ozier crate Of brilliantly beauti-
ful orchids high up in a tree to await
his return. He had no need to mark
the spot. The peril Of his adventure
had fastened the place indelibly on his
mind. and the orchids were safe from
the unappreciatiye native marauders.
The saddle leather served him well
in the raft-making So did the willow
like reeds from the river, which he
bounds into ropes for the lashing Of
the saplings. His ride Of 2OO0 miles
was begun one morning with the pre-
ciOus crate Of wood orchids transferred
from its tree cradle to the raft.
Twice he was shipwrecked N the
treacherous rapids Of the broad river
and twice he had TO rebuild his raft.
Once his craft stuck fast on a iutting
stump two miles from shore, but he
hung on and was rescued by a friendly
Indian.
From the seaport town, which he
reached at length. he cabled the florist
the news Of his success. Thirty days
later he stood once more before the
desk Of Mr.. Wilson. But this time he
left the shop with permanent employ
ment-and a check for S3OO0.-New
York Sun.
Rmwfpn ttw