Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-01-08
THE ROSE
- THE TOAD

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In the long ago rose and a toad lived
near each other.
The shrub on which the rose blossomed
grew in a half round parterre before a
house yet occupied, though the large,
shady garden in front of it had been long
neglected Weeds hourished in the plat
bands and in the paths, which were no
longer clnansed or sanded. The green
wooden railing, with its carved orna-
ments. was faded and broken. The boys
had pulled off some of the bars to play
soldiers aud the moujiks had carried
some away to defend themselves against
the dogs. But the parterre continued
luxuriant, and around the remains of the
railing twined the wild pea, the cuscute
and other Towering vines, from which
hung white and purple clusters. Tall
thistles also sprang up in the moist. rich
soil OF the garden. and the still taller
spires of the yellow MULLEN bristled with
flowers. Nettles covered a large corner
and. however disagreeable In other re-
spects, the dark verdure formed an adj
mirable background for the pale colors of
the rose.
ne Nbiulutuctu DptniDE un n
beautiful May morning. The dew was
fast rising into vapor. but some tiny
tears still hung in their purity on the
edges of the rose. The flower seemed to
be weeping. Around her all was so
bright and sunny when for the first time
she beheld the blue sky and felt the play
of the fresh breeze and the rays of the
genial sun among her thin, light tinted
tolls f,i -,
the parterre that she might well have
wept, not from sorrow, but from pure
joy. She could not speak, but inclinng
her little head she could shed around her
a subtle and refreshing perfume Such
were her words. her tears, her prayers.
AT her feet lay fat old toad, which
had spent the night hunting worms and
gnats and at dawn had selected a moist
and shady place for repose. His eyes
were covered by n membrane: his sides
pulled out dirty and Shiny. One of his
paws was stretched before him; he was
too lazy to draw it up to his body. He
took no delight in the beauty of the morn
ing. He was gorged and taking rest.
When the zephyr, growing more gentle,
bore less of Vac fragrance of the rose far
away on its wings. the toad began to
breathe il and became disturbed and con
fused but was too stupid TO regard
whence 1t came.
Since the previous autumn no one had
come near the parterre where the rose
grew and the toad was reposing. The last
visitor was bright eyed little boy of
seven years. having large head on a
slender body. AS no one else claimed the
garden. he called it his own, and it was
bia Jalirbt yia hoI 10
time when the toad was preparing to
make his home for the winter among the
foundation stones of the house.
When the weather was pleasant. the
little fellow would sit and read on an old
bench standing against the house at the
side of the only dry and sanded path
which was kept in good condition for GO
ing back and forth and closing the shut
tiers. His sister. who took care OF him,
would remain at the window reading or
embroldering to keep him company. FIRE.
quently, when she asked, "Wassia. shall
l throw out your ball so you can play?"
he would answer. NO. Macha; | like my
book better"
When fatigued with the Adventures
of Robinson" and the stories of wild
countries. he would leave his book open
and wander ever the garden. Every bush
and shrub was an acquaintance He
would crouch before velvety mullen
plant twicc as tall as he to see Il colony
of ants running up and down after the
aphidrs and gathering with delicate tact
the pure droplets of honey dew exuding
from the little rolls on the backs Of the
aphides. He would follow the beetles
dragging their balls he knew not where.
He would watch the spider when she had
woven her irised web in a sunny pace
and was lying in wait for flies, and the
lizard opening its mouth to drink in the
sunshine and rejecting the rays from the
scales of its bright green corselet,
One evening when we saw a hedgehog
for the first time, he could scarcely re-
strain his joy aud was about to clap his
hands. From fear of frightening the lit
tie prickly beast he held his breath. But
he opened wide bis lustrous eyes and was
delighted to see how the animal shifted
with its snout for worms among the7roots
of the rosebush and in what funny way
ii drew them out with its plump. bear
like paws.
'Wassia, come in. 1t begins TO be
damp" called his sister
The hedgehog heard the voice and was
frightened and rolled itself into a ball.
covering its head and hind paws with It's
spines. The child touched the points
lightly. and the animal curled up the
more and began to pant like steam en-
CINE. BY degrees il became used to the
child. He was so peaceful and gentle
that it was no wonder the animal out
grew its fear. At last, when the little
beast tasted the milk which he brought
in saucer, the 10y of the Youthful mas
ter Of the garden was at its height.
Wassia grew weaker and weaker. and
when the spring returned with its sun
shine and warmth he could not leave the
house to amuse himself in the garden.
So his sister sat near his bedside instead
of the window. He could no longer hold
the smallest volume, and his eyes were
soon fatigued, His sister read whatever
he desired as he lay with his emaciated
face resting on the pillow.
Suddenly one day he called, "Machaw
"What, my dearr
SIS 1t nice in the garden2 Have the
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