The Springfield herald., 1903-01-23


just by the ears to-day. You see.
Mrs. Bunker really gave this ball be-
cause that swell young Farrell of
Baltimore is visiting John Bunker
Farrell is awfully handsome and aw
fully rich. He's one of the Farrells
of Farrellton. You know all about
them. of course. One of their ances-
tors signed the Constitution of the
United States or something like that
i never do get history straight
and young Farrell didn't have eyes or
ears for anyone the whole evening
but for pretty Polly"
Mrs. Tattler fingered for some time
and talked on. but finally the door
closed behind her and Polly appeared
jast as her father came in to luncheon.
well. Polly" he said, did you have
nice time last night?"
Splendid. daddy. Mr.. Bunker was
awfully nice to me. He told me he
knew grandpa in the East, and he
was always glad when he asked him
round to the homestead. Mr.. Bun.
ker said grandpa was gentleman oil
the old school,"
"Mr. Bunker was good to you, was
he, Polly?" asked Mrs. Hackett. WAS
there-was there anyone named Far
rell there?"
AT this Polly blushed furiously.
Yes, there was a Mr.. Farrell there
from Baltimore" she said. "He was
very polite to me-"
What did you do with your carna-
tion, Pretty Poll?" asked her father.
Polly blushed more furiously than
before. "Oh, papa; that was one Of
the funniest parts of it. Mr.. Farrell
was, can't help saying it, very at
tentive to me. He danced with me
and brought me refreshments. 1t was
near the end of the ball, when he
looked suddenly at the carnation in
my hair and then asked me if he
might have it. l thought that was a
little forward from a person whom
had met only few hours before, and
l must have looked it too. for he said
quickly: L meant nothing presump-
tuous, Miss Hackett. but I want you
to tell me where you got that carna-
tion and l want to send it to my
father
-
papa, and gave it to me, but what he
wants to send it to his father for
can't imagine. l don't suppose you'll
care, papa, but he asked me also If
John Bunker might bring him here to
call on me. John comes here often,
you know and | said yes" and Polly
blushed again.
James Farrell did call with John
Bunker, and then he came alone and
many times, but the day finally came
when he had to leave for his home in
Baltimore.
why don't you go to your office.
Archibald?" asked Mrs. Hac'
sharply. one morning. Here are
puttering round among yonr HOVER
pots again" Mrs. Hackett liked the
word puttering. mo man with a hob
by ever made cent out of it. l be-
lieve you've spent $50 on that mis-
cradle carnation bed, and l need a
new fur collar. You're wasting your
time, interfering with our happiness
and throwing away your money"
"oh. don't know. my DEAR" re-
piled Mr.. Hackett, mildly, look at
this" and he handed his wife a let
ter. She opened it. 1t ran like this:
"Mr. Archibald Hackett My Dear
Sir:-My son, James Farrell, sent me
some time ago carnation blossom
1t is the most wonderful l have ever
seen. 1t Is such flower as l have
been trying in vain for years to pro-
duce. You may know, possibly, that
am an enthusiast on the subject of
carnations. This particular flower
has great market value aside from
all other considerations. If you have
succeeded in making permanently
productive the plants from which this
carnation was plucked, will pay you
100000 for your stock, if l may have
absolute control. Yours sincerely,
Henry Farrell"
Mrs. Hackett nearly tainted. You'll
take it, Archibald" she said.
"Of course" replied her husband.
Its a legitimate business transac-
ton, but 1 have also a letter from
this millionaires son, who asks me
for the prettiest flower l have, and
he doesn't offer to pay a cent for it"
What flower is that?" asked Mrs.
Hacltett. These millionares always
want something for nothing"
ITS pretty Polly" said Archibald.
land from the way Polly looked when
l showed her this second letter.
think she is willing should give her
away."-Edward B. Clark, In Record
Herald.