The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-27
A GENEROUS FELLOW
.By ELBERT 7. BENTLEY.

ciation.l
June, as everybody knows, is a de-
lightful month. A young man was
walking on a suburban read OF June
morning. The heavens were blue.
without a single feecy dash. The air
was dry and warm. an atmosphere
that accords with the hum Of insects
and the occasional piping Of bird
He stopped and leaned upon a neat
fence. Within were spacious and
highly cultivated grounds. Directly
before him, was flower garden partly
hidden by little clumps of low trees.
He was flower lover. He coveted
especially some beautiful Jacqueminot
roses he saw within. Surely the own
er of the place would not grudge him
one OF two. The house stood back
within a grove. No one was about
He felt again the glow Of boyhood In
stolen fruit. To his right was q gate
not the main gate-a little one for side
entrance He went and stood by the
gate and looked and fell before temp
tation. With a quickly beating heart
he opened it. stepped briskly In. picked
a rose and was about to retire when
he saw bed of American Beauties
losing themselves in leafy recess. 1t
occurred to him to gain the recess be-
fore doing any more stealing. Hur-
rying into it. he ran up against a girl
sitting on rustic bench with a lapful
of roses She uttered an exclamation
of sudden fright.
"Pardon me- he said. ~
The girl said nothing She was try
ing to regain her equanimity. Instead
Of looking as if she had surprised a
thief she looked as If she had been
surprised doing something size was
ashamed Of.
81 am very fond Of flowers" he
added.
II love flowers too"
$50 I Judge by the roses in your lap
at was wrong to pluck them, but l
couldn't help It,"
I'm sure you are welcome?
She looked at him lnQuiringly. She
was herself a trespasser. 1t occurred
to her that he was the owner.
"Then | may keep them"
He saw the situation. He, thief,
had stumbled on thief who thought
him the possessor of the place. Put
ting his hand on his heart, he bowed
low and said:
"All of them and more"
He broke off a dozen and threw them
in her lap.
ooh, how kind Of you!"
She was very pretty and. dressed as
she was in sheer white, formed love-
ly contrast with the green background
and the roses in her lap.
"If were an artist" he said, II
would wish for no better subject"
Wont you show me your place.?
she asked
Certainly, but may I not sit for a
fewminutes in this enhancing bower?"
She moved aside and made room for
him on the bench.
Il am fortunate" she said, "in find
ing one so lenient with me, tres
passer."
Rather I welcome another choice
flower in my garden"
A few quick steps crunching the
gravel and gentleman Of middle age
entered the recess. He stood looking
Mt the pair in surprise. The girl
glanced at her companion. expecting
him to excuse her presence to one
whom she thought was another Of the
occupants Of the place. He did not
speak. He was hunting for story to
cover the situation.
''This gentleman" she said to the
newcomer, "bas been so kind as to
give me some roses
"You are quite welcome to them, v
said he who was the real owner
IL knew you would have done as
much Yourself" said the man tres
passer, co!oring.
least enough of ito give him q cue.
He fancicd the trespaSser had brought
the girl there and yielded to q tempta.
tion to give her the roses.
Would you like to see my placer
he said
The girl gave her companion tres
passer surprised look. why,
thought you lived here!'
The owner came to the rescue Of q
fellow man. HE is always welcome
here" he said.
ooh, friend" said the girl.
"An esteemed friend" the owner put
in. Come, we will walk through the
place."
The girl gathered up her roses. and
they were led through the place, the
owner calling their attention to this
and that rose. tree or plant. When
they had seen it all, he asked them in
for glass of wine and biscuit. This
offer was declined, and they were con
Quoted to the gate.
Haven't seen much Of you lately
old man." said the host ut parting
care you going to desert US entircly:'
"Will you be ut home this evening?
'Ycs; happy to see you
'I'll call"
When they were alone the girl said
"Iow nice it was that was caught
by two such nice men.
"Oh, we men can always depend
upon one another. Any guest OF mine
,I,,.,, (; M, fl