The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1903-04-10
JESSICA.S LILY

Jessica had dream. Often Of
Sunday morning, when she sat In
church with her great blue eyes nxed
so steadfastly on the minister's face.
she was dreaming II.
II was to have lily to care for and
love until II grew to be tall and
graceful with u beautiful white bios
som on top. then with her own hands
take It to church on Easter morning
and place II on the pulpit step.
The morning of Jessica's birthday
the postman left a little square box
addressed to her. Inside. wrapped In
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 II was a gift from the min
lister. and that he wished her dream
to come true.
What q happy girl she was! She
went 70 the norist's and had pot
filled with earth. then with careful.
loving hands she patted the bulb
down safe In its bed Of earth and set
It away far back in dark. cool closet.
BY and by four tiny green sacks
conn. enced to grow on top that
swelled larger md 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 eerly in the morning she started
out. hugging IL close in two stout.
loving little arms. that often ached
under their beautiful burden. Once
she set It down on the sidewalk to
rest her arms. She pulled the paper
away from the top and looked into
tho blossoms. They looked TO her
like beautiful white, gold-throated
bells. She felt sure they were set
Of flower chimes. and when the breeze
set them swaying gently. she imaS-
ined she could hear the music.
But the tapping on the window OPP
posite was not Imagination. Jessica
was q little frightened. Then she
saw the girl.
won't you let me look at II, just
minutey" the girl asked, in thin,
high voice.
Jessica lifted the lily and carried
II across the street: then she braced
1t up against the rickety fence.
"You may smell 1t II can come
in minute" she said.
There was cry from tho girl.
'Oh! granny! hurry! hurry and
the next minute Jessica found herself
in tho bare little room. and the lily
SGT 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
Jessican lips as she leaned over her
beloved lily and kissed each blossom.
but q tear tricked down into one
golden throated cup.
Il will givo It to you." she said.
moving It yet nearer the girl. Il
guess God will see 1t here quick as he
would In church"
After service Jessica and the min
lister walked down the street, hand in
hand. and she told him about the girl
and the lily. He was silent, so silent
she thought he was offended.
II am sorry II l did wrong Jes-
sica said But she was SO poor and
sick, and"
The minister looked down at her
and there were tears In his eyes,
which she thought very strange In
deed.
"Wrong!" he said. why, my
child. you placed that lily on the very
topyuost step Of Gods throne!"
Jess,ca gave his hand happy little
squssze. and her feet would skip. for
the world Is such a beautiful place
vhen~ ones dreams come true.