The Press., 1905-08-02
All For Fifty
Cents
By RITA KELLEY
Copyright, 1905. by Rita Kelley

| lie was squat emma piece with mer-
cenary eyeholes and slit down his
back. 1t was standing joke at Miss
Folke's boarding ''home" that when
any one dropped a spot on the table
cloth he had to drop a coin into the
pigs hungry sides. Once a week the
porker was slaughtered and the pro-
ceeds used for flowers.
Miss Matte was dressing for a walk
one morning when the peaked landlady
who quarreled with all her trades peo-
pie came to the door, pig in hand.
miss Matte" she said, would you
like to buy some flowers for the table?"
"Delighted!' Miss Matte finished,
pinning a huge bunch Of violets on her
! gray coat. what kind shall get?"
"Welr-Miss Folke sat down on the
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
1t. 1 thought there was more money
in here" She thumped the pigs head
on her knee until the last coin fell out
'Only IS 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 tablecloth all spotted up?s
"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
80 cents" Miss Folke had grievance
against her trades people, and they re-
taliated by invariably giving her short
measure "Welr'-she stacked up half
dollar in pennies and nickels-"I guess
that will have to do"
How many ought I to get for so
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 T. station and
tell them if they give you good flowers
you'll come again."
"Stick up their noses at mey' said
Miss Matte, ignoring Miss Folke's sug-
gestion. 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 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 a 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 q bank Of
palms, holding some smilaX.
"Some flowers" she said, smiling and
nodding at him.
He looked up surprised. Then, look
ing at some one behind the palms, he
turned, spoke to one of the assistants
and came forward eagerly.
"Now, what would you likeY He
waved his hand gracefully toward the
masses of roses and crimson carna-
tons.
"Oh, beautiful breathed Miss Mat
tie in an ecstasy. Il should like''-sffe
clutched the coins slowed away in her
glove and smiled dazzlingly-"a flower
for penny" ...-
"Whaty' For moment 1t looked as
though the young man was going to
prove disagreeable.
Miss Mattie's smile became momen-
tarily more beWitching.
EYES," she continued, whirling her
muff airily around her hand; II just
slaughtered the boarding house pig.
and want all the nice flowers you can
give me for so cents. Aren't those love-
lyw She pointed to some rare orchids.
The young man was amused. Miss
Matte was good to look at and had an
unmistakable air Of being accustomed
to beautiful things. Yet so cents for
orchids, which she distinctly seemed to
favor! He coughed apologetically.
"Flowers are rather expensive" he
ventured.
Eyes, 1 know" laughed Miss Matte.
'"These must be terribly high" She
touched the violets on her coat linger-
lngly. Think of the money you extort
from rich young men. And I've only 80
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 as though he
were immensely interested the pig.
WHIST would you, like?" he asked
again. --e 49,.
81 want just the most nice fresh
flowers you can give me for half dol
lar. 1t makes no difference what kind
They told me 1 couldn't get any for so
little money" Miss Matte smiled.
The man bowed low. i
''I'll 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 had not known such nice young
men kept florists shops. She moved
step or two to the right Of the palms In
order to see him more distinctly. ~
He was taking down one crimson
carnation after the other, a spray of |
Matte looked away, afraid to trust her |
own eyes. He seemed rather an easily |
emba rrassed young manor was he
amused? Miss Matte did not dare to |
risk the doubt, for If he saw her OBJ
him he might stop adding to
the bunch. Miss Matte had reasons Of |
her own for wishing as big bouquet |
as possible. 1t signified in a way her |
sphere If influence ON the susceptible |
ties of the young man.
When he emerged from the room
Miss Matte said. ''Oh" Miss Matte
knew how to say it long and express
ively. f.
The young man turned from the desk |
and looked at her. He flushed ever 80 |
slightly and smiled.
All those for so cents2' Miss Mat |
tie had her mun under her chin. Her
eyes were wide with wonder