Bisbee daily review., 1903-04-15
THE PLANTING
 OF A TRUTH
loriginal.I

them or dluerent genus, sucn as the brute creation. He had an excellent conception of his rights and did not propose that any oue should deprive him of anything he possessed. Indeed he had sent several persons who had stolen from him to the penitentiary and felt that he had conferred a favor on the state.
 Clifford was very fond of flowers, partly because his wife was fond of them. Every morning in winter he would go to the conservatory and gath CT a handful to place before her at the breakfast table, while in summer le would bring them from the garden One June morning when his Jacque- -minot and American Beauty roses. of which he was very. proud. were in bloom he went out to gather the usual supply for the breakfast table. What was his horror at seeing that several of the youngoS bushes had been torn up by the roo,s and taken away.
 "Ah. these rescals who live about here" he exclaimed, there are not enough prisons to contain them! l will watch tonight myself with gun No; the earth appears to have been but re- gently disturbed The plants must have been stolen early this morning, doubt less for the flower market"
 AS he spoke he saw little girl far across his broad acres climbing over the fence. It was difficult for her to do so, for in each hand she held rose bush.
 'sThe brat" exclaimed Clifford shell be in reformatory before tomorrow night. or I'll resign my citizenship"
 He ran to the fence and climbed it. The little g,rl had disappeared down the road. but he ran till he caught sight of her; then to discover where she disposed of his wares he shadowed her A mile from his place was cem- etery. Into this the child turned and walked toward portion used by the poorer classes. Clifford was surprised and followed her cautiously to see what she would do. She stopped at freshly made grave and, scooping hole in the rounded earth with her fin- gers, began to plant one of the rose bushes Hearing Cliford's step behind her, she turned. then cowed like the guilty one she was.
 You little thief I've got you, and I'll teach you not to steal There are ehiidren's prisons where they will get the badness out of you"
 The cringing child cast frightened glance up at him.
 You're very young to be in such business. How old are youT
 six"
 And who pays you for stealing rose bushes and planting them on grayesT
 No one''
 No one? Do you mean to tell me that you are doing 1t for fun?"
 Its for mamma. She was laid there yesterday. She was sick long time. Sine was 90 fond of flowers. Every day I used to beg few from a flower store near by The flower man was so good to me He used to give, me some of those that were nearly faded. But didn't think he could spare rosebushes. He's not rich enough. saw yours from the road and thought how ma mma would like to have them bloom over her"
 The child burst into a food of tears.
 For the first time in Milton Clifford's s life it was brought home to him that the human heart beats alike in the rich and the poor. Was not the mother of his own children delicate. and might he not lose her? Suppose that she were a poor woman and there were none but stolen rosebushes for his little Edith, the same age as this child, to plant on | her grave. In twinkling the old Cliff ford passed away. and in the bosom of the new this child in stealing his bush ,s to plant on her mothers grave had imbedded live truth. X cemetery at tendant came sauntering up the path. short pipe between his lips. spade on his shoulder.
 Come here,~ called Clifford.
 The man recognized the rich owne- of the beautiful place down the road and hurried toward him, touching his hat
 Plant these rosebushes for the little girl" he said. then go to my garden. get more and plant them also" He slipped a coin into the mans hand. then turned to the little girl
 My ehud. have you eaten your breakfast 3
 No, sir. T haven't any breakfast to eat"
 "Come~fsn me-
 Taking her dirty little hand in his. he led her to his home and. placing her at 1 a table. ordered food set before her and watched her satisfy hunger that had not been appeased since her mothers death. Then. directing his housekeeper to c.othe her in some of Edith'sA gar ments, he went upstairs to his wife's | room
 Amy he said. "rosebushes were taken from the garden this morning. and caught the thief"
 I'm sorry for that. You'll send him i to prison. What did you do with him?''
 "It was not he. but a she. child ] just Edith's age. brought her home and gave her good breakfast" Why. Miiton.' exclaimed the wife, with a pleased surprise. ''how did you come to do ikat?"
 "She stole them to place on her moth CTS grave. I thought. Suppose-sup-