The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-09-12

hltfs LIVED 1OU IHE bhSI Of ALL OI
U.s..
n sturdy boy OF six. bur ne constanrIy
broke away from her TO prance In the
exubcrance OF youthful spirits round
his father. In the fathers manner
there certainly seemed 10 be more Of
the interest Of the gardener than Of
the sentiment OF the widower as he
paused beside the plot OF earth that
had been prepared for the rose tree
He knelt down and with careful hands
settled the little plant In Its hole and
then, keeping II upright. signed to
Eleanor, who held trowel, to put the
earth over its roots.
When IL was perceived that there was
active dabblng n the earth connected
with the ceremony, Johnnie, the young
est boy, was Immediately seized with
an ardent desire to assist.
Let me helpw he cried, twisting him
self with scowl out OF the grasp Of an
elder brother who tried to hold him.
"Oh. for shame, Johnnier BE quiet.
Johnnie" came In varying tones Of
remonstrnnce from the others. except
Eleanor, who said gently:
Let him help. lle Is the youngest
Johnnie wants 10 help you, papa"
Eleanor now sati.
"of course ho shall help me, the dear
little fellow he exclaimed,
The planting OF the rose tree was
thus accomplished under the fiction
that Johnnie's help had been indis-
pensablc
"Now," remarked Mr.. Harcourt, ris-
Ing and stepping back to survey the cf-
feet Of his work, III we don't have
frost for few days II ought to do very
well. ! hope, II viii for, TO my mind,
this old white Provence moss rose Is
one OF the ioveliest roses imaginable.
II has unfortunately been permitted TO
die out In most English gardens"
This speech hurt Eleanor, With the
inconsequence Of youth. abe at once
jumped 10 the conclusion that her IA
ther thought moro of the intrinsic
merits of the rose tree than Of Its ten
der associations, but the next moment
he proved her. wrong.
at was your mothers favorite rose
he added Ia different tone lie look
I'd around upon the group children"
be said n should like 10 talk to you
litt.e about your mother She His
eyes Travelled over the faces Of his FIVE
children, all turned half ex.
pcctantly half shyis toward him.
Something pathetic in the sight awoke
the wldowers dormant grief. His voice
faltered q little ''she was good
good be went on hurricdly, y pray
,ha, you inay all be Ike her"
lie could say no more, but, turning
away, disappeared behind the yew
Hedge that screened the garden from
view.
For q momeat the ave children left
behind stood silent and awed; then.
moved by common desire TO escape
from this unwonted sense Of discom-
fort all but Eleanor TUNED 10 run
away
Eleanor pot cot her hand and caught
Johnnie by the sleeve OF his jacket and
detained him.
eDont 80 yet JchnEie,r she said per.
tussiycis 4 wan, ~ talk 10 you
sbort nloibcr.f
TIE fbiid. spi,iued for the poment
trom bis usual waywaninSss. yielded
,e bcr touch aud sole.-
'Dh, Johnnier she said, aud rs she
spoke the 10y with hls head on heF
vhollder. lnhairi tie delicate fragrance
pf the roses al her breast and pinned
10 his own jackc-, mother loved yon
90, She loved you The best ~ all Of
as want you when yal grow up 10
r-psemDer that She used 20 hold you
"a hpr arms iefore she went away 10
ale sni klss yoa and cry oh. that
thy talg usy grow up 70 be good
man. Tell him nc mnst always tr
er-sd, honorsi,ie. brave and true
The giri SPOKE I,sssiopalsly. sxciisd-