La Junta tribune., 1903-04-11
JEsslcA's LILY

Jessica had dream Often of a
Sunday morning. when she sat In
church with her great blue eyes fixed
so steadfastly on the minister's face,
she was dreaming IL.
1t was to have lily to care for and
love until 1t grew to be tall ana
graceful with beautiful white bios
som on top. then with her own hands
take 1t to church on Easter morning
and place it on the pulpit step.
The morning OF Jessica's birthday
the postman left a little square box
addressed to her. Inside. wrapped in
many folds OF tissue paper. she found
an add looking object, something like
an iil-shaped onion in layers OF dried
brown leaves. Outside the box. these
words: Easter lily bulb Then
she knew 1t was gift from the min
lister, and that he wished her dream
to come true.
What a happy girl she was! She
went to the florists and had pot
filed with earth, then with careful,
loving hands she patted the bulb
down safe In Its bed OF earth and set
1t away far back in dark, cool closet.
BY and by four tiny green sacks
comm enced to grow on top that
swelled larger and larger. until the
green case began to crack and the
very night before Easter Jessica had
four beautiful sweet white lilies.
Now all that remained to fulfil the
dream was to carry 1t to church. no
easy task for little girl like Jessica.
but eerIy in the morning she started
out. hugging 1t close in two stout.
loving little arms, that often ached
under their beautiful burden. Once
she set 1t down on the sidewalk to
rest her arms. She pulled the paper
away from the top and looked into
the blossoms. They looked to her
like beautiful white. gold-throated
bells. She felt sure they were q set
Of flower chimes, and when the breeze
set them swaying gently. she imag-
ined sh0 could hear the music.
But the tapping on the window op-
posite was not Imagination. .Jessica
was q Mttle frightened. Then she
saw the girl.
Won't you let me look at It. just
minute?" the girl asked. In 4 thin.
high voice.
Jessica lifted the lily and carried
il across the street: then she braced
it up Against the rickety fence.
You may smell it II l can come
in . minute" she said
There was q cry from the girl.
"oh! granny! hurry! hurry. and
the next minute Jessica found herself
in the bare little room. and the lily
set on the floor and the poor. mis-
shapen mite Of humanity bending In
awe over It.
Finally she leaned back in her chair
with closed eyes and said: 1T must
be right from heaven!"
There was . very tender smile on
Jessica's lips as she leaned over her
beloved lily and kissed each blossom,
but . tear tricked down into one
golden throated cup.
Il will give 1t to you." she said.
moving It yet nearer the girl. Il
guess God will see II here quick a. he
would In church"
After service Jessica and the min
lister walked down the street. hand In
hand, and she told him about the giri
and the lily. He was silent. 20 silent
she thought he was offended
II an sorry II did wrong" Jes-
sica said. But she was 70 poor and
sick, and-"
The ministef looked down at her
and there were tears in his eyes.
which she thought very strange In
deed.
~Wrongrr he said. why. ny
chijd. you pIeeed that lily on the vesy
top.uost step Of Gods throne!"
Jessica gave his hand happy little
squeeze, and her fest would skip, for
the void - such beautiful paece
$50 eoo'e areana coDe tfue.