The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-10-20
Natures RecOmpenSe
I'VE learn of Gods infinite love and
power
From the beauty and fragrance OF
every flower"

cOuBrdtulatco mySeI upon per
suading them to take me in, for board
ers were not in their line. That was
one reason I wished to stay, another
no less important was the proximity
Of their place to a virgin forest, for
had planned to pass the waking hours
of my vacation with rest and study In
natures arboretum.
There 1t was first saw the idiot"
The apparition loomed up suddenly
before me. His heavy body moved
gracefully-no other word can better
express the ease with which his
clumsy feet picked their way over the
wild flower and brake. That was my
FIRST glimpse, although I had for some
time been aware of his existence. A
son and two daughters, home for their
summer vacation, often renewed with
In my hearing the evidently never
ending discussion of influencing the
mother to send him away. Evidently
an old fellow wrapped up in the study
of flowers and trees could have no in
terest in their affairs.
But the 'Idiot"-I watched him
make his way to the edge Of the for
est, ever mindful Of the growing
things about him, stopping to examine
q flower or rest his hand caressingly
on a tree, sometimes going out of his
way to do 30. At the edge of the
forest he hesitated, then plunged out
into the open. The light Of a setting
sun was full upon him. His whole
attitude was changed. His shoulders
dropped, his head hung listlessly. his
feet ploughed heavily through the
grass. his clothes, faded and old, were
outgrown. AS he neared the house
he appeared even more detected. A
sorry spectacle! He entered a rear
door and vanished from my sight. My
next view of him was a nearer one.
sat with my back comfortably sup.
ported by a tree trunk deeply inter-
ested in my book. Something caused
me to look up; almost at my feet he
stood watching me attentively. He
was young giant, and l had heard
his brother and sisters say it would
be better were he not at large. While
was neither young nor strong still
experienced no fear. His features
were hideous, but the eyes were beau
tiful, and l thought the only redeem
ing thing about him until heard his
voice. That was low and musical as
a woman's.
"You see, you understand" He
broke the silence which was becom-
ing embarrassing. l realized he had
been studying me, how long I did not
know, but felt relieved that he had
apparently come to conclusion that
pleased him. "They don't see me;
she don't see. They see only this"
passing his hand over his face and
body, "but you see, you understand!
I try to tell her, but she don't under
stand" He shook his head sadly.
"But she says she will not send me
away! I stay here all day when they
are home"
"You like it here?" ventured.
Eyes, l like it! You like it, too!
You come every day and never pick
the flowers. l couldn't let anybody
pick the flowers! They understand!
They-what do they say to you?"
He waited breathlessly for my an
swer. Among the flowers and trees
I find rest that l have never known
elsewhere. They give me an inspira-
ton cannot find among men"
"Yes, yes, you understand! I try to
tell her, but she sees only this"
Again he indicated his hideous face
and huge body. II know l am not
like them. l used to feel bad and
come here and cry where she would
not see me-"
'You don't feel badly any more.
hope"
mo. not for myself. but she don't
know, and l feel bad for her" He
seemed quite unmindful of the tears
that filed his eyes. II bring her here
sometimes 30 the flowers can tell her,
but she only cries." He seemed lost
in thought for a few minutes. then
continued: "I1l show you ths bush
some time. That year the blossoms
were all perfect but one / wanted
to break that one off, but l didn't
let it stay. It spoiled the looks of the
whole bush and l hated 1t. / went to
it every day and hated it. Then l
heard them ask her to send me away;
l spoiled everything for them. l was
SO hideOus and an idiot. 1t made me
mad and hated them. l came here
and walked and walked till l was
tired, than sat down and went to
sleep. 1t was morning when l woke
up and The first thing / saw was that
bush Then felt better. / knew
they didn't understand and I would
stay away. I stay here all day. The
next day when the bush blossomed
every one was perfect" His eyes
were bright with excitement. IT told
her and shs came with me to see It.
told her ! was happy here; the flow.
ers and trees made me forget and l
was happy"
she wAS g1AA, / know"
He hooked away. The troubled ex-
preston cAAnS 10 his face again. She
cries; shs don't understand"
he turned 30 walk away. SEQ, /"