Iron County register., 1905-05-25
get those, and they're as beauuful as

of the garden. Twilight was advancing
as he neared home Passing by Rob's
| garden, he paused for a moment to in
hale the perfume of lilac which hung
over the fence. when his attention was
attracted TO movement inside.
Looks as if nobody was at hope," he
said, remarking the closed and saaced
window. Then as his eyes strained
through the shadows he perceived that a
COW was quietly feeding on Bob's choic-
est flowers
Laying down his burden, he bounded
with a shout through the front gate,
whi,h had been left open by some care
less hand. Seizng a stick, he dealt so
vigorously with the intruder as soon to
send her flying through the back yard
| and out into the alley. Through this
he went himself, fastening it, and then
| returning to the front to see that the
gate there was securely closed. Recov-
ering his flowers. he went home. But
where was he TO put them? The eve
ming was chilly. but inside the small
house it was close and hot. Very well
he knew that the tender bloom would
wilt in the uncongenial atmosphere.
There was no place outside where he
could be sure that they would be safe,
but with many misgivings he at last hid
them under the steps of back porch,
resolving to be up early to guard against
marauders.
Meantime Rob Wells, with the other
members of his family, reached home an
hour or two later to be met by the
| kitchen maid with dire news.
Yes gardens about ruined .sht
said. Il heard noise, but before
could get there the meddlin' thief was
off. I've took light out to see and it's
oh, my! He might a been satisfied
with thieVin' without tramplin' things
down So
Who was it?' cried Bob in wrath
Couldn't you see anybody"
We'll, wouldn't like to be put on my
oath TO say it, but il ever boy that
just caught the sight of runnin' through
the alley gate looked like one boy more
than another that boy would be Viii
Barnes"
"Just like him. He's always looking
enviously at my flowers. And now
just before Memorial day"
Il smoothed things up little, addeG
Jane, as. choking with anger and with
! tears which he could not repress, Rob
hurried out and bent over his dearly
loved flowers, breathing out wrath anc
threatening at the destroyer
"I'll go to him the first thing in the
morning. I'll tax him with it. III make
him own up. and then we'll see who's thu
best fellow"
Jane, full of indignant sympathy
told the milk boy and the grocers boy.
so that by the time Rob was on his way
in the morning TO call Will to account
half the boys in town had heard that
Will Barnes, possessed by a spirit of
spite and envy, had spoiled Rob Wells
garden.
Meanwhile Will, having after his long
wood stroll oversight himself had come
down in haste to look after his flowers,
only to find that more alert eyes had dis
covered them. All the children in the
row were quarreling over the wonderful
find under the porch. AS with sinking
heart he was turning away he came sud
denly face to face with Rob Wells. The
latter felt himself full of words with
which to overwhelm his foe. but he now
stood for a moment for pure lack of any-
thing strong enough. And at sight Of
him Will suddenly forgot his own trou.
BILE in recalling Rob's somewhat similar
one.
Oh he began, with look of frank
sympathy, how is it about your garden,
anyway? If | had only got there few
minutes earlier | might have had that
old COW out before she had done much
mischief. 1t was little too dark for ME
to see" he went On, as Rob stared into
his face without speaking. Did you
find things very bad?"
1T was-a COW, was it?" said Rob.
taken quite aback by this most un-
looked-for turn in the matter And you
drove her out?'
Yes. How is it going to be with your
decoration tlowers?"
Come over and help me fix them up"
said Rob, after pause.
Il will, after breakfast"
For an hour the two worked together
setting the beds in order. finding much
better supply left than they had dared
TO hope. Rob, as he went on. was laying
the flowers in two lots.
These are for you" he said, as they
! finished. Yes, indeed as Will object
ed, IF it hadn't been for you shouldn't
have had any"
Rob- said Will, as they walked to-
gether to the place of meeting, 81 didn't
do that you thought did"
Why didn't you tell me so before?'
said Rob- half Indignantly.
"Oh, | was mad at your thinking it.
and wouldn't"
Well be friends after this"
Yes, or know the reason why"
The schoolboys stared as the two
came together, carrying equal shares Of
what all recognized as the product of
Robs garden.
viii saved my garden last night"
Rob explained to those within hearing.
who soon sent the explanation down the
line. If it hadn't been for him
shouldn't have had a flower this morn
ing"
The two stood together listening to
the orator of the day as he said:
To-day we draw the mantle of God.
like charity over the past, and loving
hands pay equal tribute to the blue and
the gray. Brother and brother once
faced each other in combat, but they
now clasp hands in fellowship, knowing