The San Francisco call., 1905-02-12

edge of the divan and began shaking
the pig, there's carnations and roses
and they usually throw in some ferns
or leaves. Just do as you please about
it. l thought there was more money in
here" She thumped the pigs head on
her knee until the last coin fell out.
"Only 65 cents!" Miss Folke had
way of making people conscious of
their shortcomings-the pig looked
glum.
"But aren't you glad you didn't get
your table cloth all spotted uD?
ooh. that isn't it. But We shall have
to save some money for Easter sun
day. and you can get so few flowers for
so cents" Miss Folke had a grievance
against her trades people, and they re-
taIiated by invariably giving her short
measure. well" she stacked up
half dollar in pennies and nickels, Il
guess that will have to do"
How many ought 1 to get for 90
cents?"
They'll turn UP their noses at you
at 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 sta
ticn and tell them if they give you
good flowers you'll come again.
"Stick up their noses at me-" said
Miss Matte, ignoring Miss Folke's
suggestion. Don't ever worry, Miss
Folke; I'll get some flowers that will
make you gasp with surprise and pleas
ure. I'd just like to see them stick up
their noses at me- she threatened as
she paused to smile ~bewilderingly at
Miss Folke before closing the outside
door.
She passed several exclusive florists
shops before she found one to her sat
! isfactiop. 1t was by far the hand
soonest of ALL Gripping her fifty 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 snilax-
"Some howers.'' she said, smiling
| and nodding at him.
| He looked up surprised Then,
looking at some one behind the palms,
! he turned, spoke to one Of the assist
! ants and came forward eagerly.
Now. what would you like?" He
waved his hand gracefully toward the
masses of roses and crimson carna-
| tions.
"Oh. beautiful" breathed Miss Mat
tie in an ecstacy. II should like
she clutched the coins slowed away IN
her glove and smiled dazzlingly-"a
| flower for a penny"
What For a moment 1t looked
as though the young man was going to
prove disagreeable.
/ Miss Mattie's smile became momen-
tarily more bewitching.
yes she continued. whirling her
muff airily around her hand. II just
slaughtered the clearinghouse pig
and 7 want all the nice flowers you can
give me for fifty cents. Aren't those
| lovelyl" She pointed 10 some rare
/ orchids.
| The young man was amused. Miss
/ Matte was good to look at and had
an unmistakable air of being accus-
toned to beautiful things. Yet, so
cents for orchids-which she distinctly
! seemed to favorl He coughed apollo
| getically.
FLOWERS are rather expensive" he
ventured.
! Yes, know" laughed Miss Matte
"These must be terribly high" She
touched the violets on her coat linger-
ingly. Think Of the money you ex-
tort 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 table cloth this
| week.
! The florist answered her smile
1.-The pig gets the money for the
spots," she explained.
The young man looked as though he
were immensely interested-in the pig
| What would you like?" he asked
again.
Il want just the most nice fresh
flowers you can give me for half a
| dollar. 1t makes no difference what
kind. They told me / couldn't get any
fer so little money!" Miss Matte