Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-01-09

must get tie flowers. He would jour
ney to the country tomorrow and see
y ne could not get job and receive
payment fer it in primroses. Any
! now, he thought to himself, as he at
last Tell asleep. lit won't be for want
Oh trying il tomorrow night she hasn't
got her prinroses."
so in the early morning light he
whispered 10 his wife that he was GO
ing after a job. and started. He walk
Ell Tor long way before he left the
densely packed buildings behind. but
Dy degrees the roads grew wider and
the houses farther apart. Then they
began TO have little gardens in front
OF them. aad here and there were
spaces as yet untouched by the hand
OF the builder. In some Of the little
gardens he saw primroses. but not
very many, and with his mind full
OF the yellow carpet of them in his
own village he scorned them. AS he
went on the surroundings became
more and more countrified. Trees. ra-
diant in their new spring attire of
bright green. were on either side. and
the houses stood quite a long way
back from the road.
Suddenly he came TO a stop; surely
here was what lie sought: here was
the end of his journey. The white
hoAse' befre which he stood had
Primrose Cottage" painted on its
gate. and the name was deserved.
Primroses bordered the path up TO
the door. primroses filed the boxes in
front of each low, wide window. clus-
tiers of primroses filed the beds on
either side of the well-kept lawn. and
their golden heads showed themselves
here and there among the grass.
The old man opened the gate and
entered. He was just going TO ring
the bell when a lady came out of a
>-nmer Rouse In a corner of the
garden.
DO you want anything?" she asked.
kindly.
John touched his hat. "If you
please" he said. humbly, would you
let me do some work for you? clcn
black boots or clean knives. or weeI.
or anything you like. don't want
money. il you will only let me have a
bunch of those" He pointed to the
brimroses.
The lady stared at him in surprise.
"I don't quite understand" she
said.
John opened his mouth 10 explain.
x of faintness overpowered him. He
srgot what he wanted: he only re-
Aembered that he had left home early
jthout any breakfast and that he had
cen walking for hours along hard
I'd dusty road. He tottered and
Eould have fallen had not the lady
Supported him.
When he knew what was happen-
'rg again he was sitting in an arm
&air. and by his side was a dish of
Cup.
YOU were faint" said the lady.
ldly: you must take this soup be-
e YOU tell me anything more
The warm. strong soup soon revived
i'm. and then Mrs. Munroe called
T husband. and together they fs.
.ened to his story.
Long before he had finished tears
we're raining down her face. for.
helped by her gentle questioning. he
sold her everything.
s.nf shall have nriu1-
oses. as many as you like. to take
o your wife" she said. brokenly.
when he had done And you must
have other things. too-food and
drink. and money. How odd that you
SHOULD come here to-day-she smiled
through her tears a. she turned to-
ward her husband-"this is our we'd
ling day. too. only ours was five years
.go. instead of fifty. And now you
aust have a rest and some dinner
lille get a basket of good things
eady for your wife"
John felt that he ought to do some
york in return for all these benefits,
but Mrs. Munroe only laughed at his
suggestion and left him. He was more
tired than he knew. and the armchair
was very comfortable. so he slept for
some time. and then rad a dinner such
as he had not even seen for years
And afterward Mr. Munroe came and
iked TO him, and said he was in need
a caretaker for his office. ana II
John could give a satisfactory refer
ence he would engage him. John gave
the name of his old employer in the
country, and Mr. Munroe said he would
write 10 MIN that very day.
Then Mrs. Munroe appeared with q
isket. See" she said. II have put
.cessaries-bread and meat, and tea
butter and sugar. but | want you
Sc to give this bottle of port wine
cake to your wife especially from
want you both 10 drink our
h at supper tonight when you
to each other. and my husband
will do the same for you"
then she gave John. who was
too overwhelmed to speak. /
{ full of lovely primroses anc
roots in a pot. and money to pa.
are back TO the city. and witt
ly handshakes and wishes. and
nises of help TO come she and hel
hand saw him OF on his homewarC
ney. His parcels were heavy. bu
heart was light, and he pictured
1san's joyful surprise when hi