Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-23
CHAPTER XIV.
A Horticultural Idea.

| CHAPTER XIV.
A Horticultural Idea.
The Governor and Mrs. Fairburn
stood in silence till they heard the
carriage roll away. Governor" said
the widow, extending her hand, Il
thank you. 1t was a noble act"
"Oh, that's all right" he replied,
taking the proffered hand singerly.
You have proved yourself man,
Governor"
You are surprised?"
81 am highly pleased"
"But-surprised. I'm sorry. You
came to see the Governor and were
surprised to find a man."
Il am glad that the man I found is
greater than the Governor I came to
see.
The Governor waved his hand in
acknowledgment of these warm words
Of praise, and motioning toward a
chair said: "Sit down. Mrs. Fair
burn" he said, after a pause, do you
think it wrong for a man to play the
cards that circumstances have dealt
him?"
mot If he play them honorably,
Governor"
"In a game where everyone else is
cheating% ---.---- ........~
AN honorable man should not be
found in such a game" she replied.
But remember" he insisted, "the
cards of life are dealt by circum-
stances. A man is forced =. into the
game, and must play the hand that is
waiting for him."
She did not agree with him. Man
Is not the creature but the creator Of
circumstances" she said quietly.
NO" contended the Governor, "the
wise man as we'll as the fool is the
creature Of environment" He ran his
fingers through his hair, thinking.
Suddenly he looked up. Imagine a
tangled garden" he said, wild and
neglected, choked with weeds and
briars, an unsightly jungle. Amid
that rank wilderness of weeds a sin
gle rose lifts it's head. 1t isn't much
of a rose; but it Is rose. Do the
magnificent flowers which glorify the
well-kept garden across the road, de-
serve more credit than the stunted
weakling which has fought its way
to the air and the sum-"
1t was her turn to reflect, and she
did so for moment or two. But
who would plant rose in such jun
gle?"
| circumstances might; circum-
stances do" ne replied. rs that the
fault of the rose?"
NO" she admitted. I'VE are not
responsible for our existence; We are
responsible for our lives. How much
better If kindly hands would tear
away the weeds and let in the pure
air and the sunlight"
Jim stepped in and handed the Gov
ernor a card. He looked at it. "Um,
Captain Pointer. Tell the Captain to
come in."
Mrs. Fairburn arose. II must find
Roy" she said, "and bid you good
night"
mo; not yet, please"
Yes, l really must be going.
don't know why should have remain
ed so long. /"
Captain Pointer appeared at the
door. He saw Mrs. Fairburn, bowed
to her and entered the room. Advance
ing toward the Governor he halted
and with a military salute, bade him
good evening. Mrs. Fairburn turned
toward Jim who stood at the door.
| Il wish you would see If you can
find my son." she said, tell him that
it's time we were going home"
Just a minute" the Governor spoke
UP, addressing Mrs. Fairburn as tn:
negro astened off. I'm rather inter-
ested in that horticultural idea Of
yours"
The Captain glanced silly at Mrs.
Fairburn and handed the Governor p
letter. The Governor opened it, relG
its brief contents and handed it back.
Mrs. Fairburn had moved over to the
/
with her face turned away from the
two men.
II don't believe in this sort Of
thing" said the Governor in low
tone; don't believe in it at all-sev-
enteenth century. Tell him l want to
see him. Ask him to come here
alone-and we'll talk it over"
The Captain gave him a cool smile.
But, Governor, such thing would
be"
II know all about that: you tell him
to come here"
He will no doubt come sir, if you
refuse to"
Good might, sir Give him my an
swer"
The Captain, with his smile grow
ing cooler, bowed himself out. Mrs.
Fairburn did not look round. If she
had heard their conversation she gave
no indication of that fact.