The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-09-06
All For Fifty
Ce is
By RITA KELLEY
Copyright. 1905. by Rita Kelley

he was squat china piece with mer-
cenary cyeholes and a slit down his
back. 1t was Il standing joke at Miss
Tolke's boarding "home" that whcr
any one dropped spot OH the table
cloth he had to drop coin into tho
pigs hungry sides. Once week the
porker was slaughtered and the pro-
ceeds used for flowers.
Miss Matte was dressing for walk
one morning when the peaked landlady
who quarreled with all her trades pco
pie came to the door, pig III hand.
Miss Mattle," she said, "would you
like to buy some flowers for the tablc?'
"Dellghted! Miss Matte finished,
pnning huge bunch Of violcts OH her
gray coat. "What kind shall gct?"
"Well'-N1iss Folke sat down OH the
edge Of the dlvan and began shaking
the plg-"theres carnations and roses,
and they usually throw in some ferns
or leaves. Just do as you please about
1t. I thought there was more money
in here" She thumped the pigs head
on her knee until the last coin fell out.
"Only G5 cents!' Miss Foll1e had a
way Of making people conscious Of
their shortcomings. The pig looked
glum.
But aren't you glad you didn't get
your tablecloth all spotted up?
"Oh, that Isn't it. But we shall have
to save some money for Easter Sun-
day, and you can get SO few flowers for
50 cents" Miss Folke had n grievance
against her trades people, and they re-
talinted by invariably giving her short
measure. "Wcll''-she stacked up half
dollar In pennies and nickels-"I guess
that will have to do"
"How many ought to get for 50
cents!"
'"Theyll turn up their noses at you
Mt florists and give you two or three
stale flowers that will be all withered
the second day. You'd better go to the
street booth over by the Il station and
tell them II they give you good flowers
you'll come again"
"Sticlk up their noses at mew said
Miss Matte, ignoring Miss Folke's sug-
gcstion. Don't ever worry, Miss
Folke. I'll got some flowers, that will
make you gasp with surprise and pleas.
ure. I'd just like to see them stick up
their noses Mt me-" she threatened as
she paused to smile Overwhelmingly at
Miss Folke before closing the outside
door.
She passed several exclusive florists
shops before she found one to her sat-
isfaction. 1t was by far the handsom-
est Of all. Gripping her so cents inside
her glove, she swept In like breath
and stood in the midst Of the most
beautiful flowers she had ever seen. a
remarkably handsome young man was
standing In the rear beside bank OF
palms, holding some smilax.
"Some flowers" she said. smiling and
nodding at him.
He looked up surprised Then, look
Ing ut some one behind the palms, lie
turned, spoke to one Of the assistants
and came forward eagerly.
'NOw, what would you likei" IIe
waved his hand gracefully toward the
masses Of roses and crimson carna.
tions.
"Oh, beautiful! breathed Miss Mat
tie In IN ecstasy. II should like''-she
clutched the coins slowed away in her
glove and smiled dazzlingly-"a flower
for penny"
"What!' For moment 1t looked as
though the young man was going to
prove disagreeable.
Miss Mattie's smile became moncn-
tarily more bewitching.
eyes," she continued, whirling her
muff alrily around her hand II lust
slaughtered the boarding house pig,
and I want all tho nice flowers you can
give ME for 30 cents. Aren't those love-
ly" She pointed to some rare orchids.
The young man was amused. Miss
Matte was good to look Mt and had an
unmistakable air Of being accustomed
to beautiful things. Yet so cents for
orchids, which she distinctly seemed to
favor! He coughed apologeticaily.
"Flowers are rather expensive" he
ventured
Eyes, know" laughed Miss Matte.
'"rhese must be terribly high" She
touched the violets on her coat linger.
ingly. "rhink Of the money you extort
from rich young men. And I've only so
cents. 1t was all the pig could spare.
We had to save some for Easter, you
know. and no one got many spots on
the tablecloth this week"
The florist answered her smile.
1.-The pig gets the money for the
:spots,' she explained.
The young man looked rs though ne
,wero Immensely lnterested--in the pig.
"What would you like?" he asked
again.
Il want just the most nice fresh
mo"ers YOU can give ine for half dol
lar. 1t makes no difference what kind.
They told mo couldn't get any for SO
little money" Miss Matte smiled
The man bowed low. 81
"Ill see what can do FOR YOU" he
said and strobe to the rear OF the store
,, Miss Matte watched him admirIngly
as he stopped to speak to one Of the
men before he entered the ice room
She hnd not known such nice young
men kept florists shops. She moved q
stelsor two to the right Of the palms In
: order to SEQ him more distinctly.
He was taking down one crimson
carnatlon after the other, spray of
narcissus. some roses, an orchid. Miss
Matte looked away, afraid to trust her
' own eyes. He seemed rather an easily