Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-04-11


a buttonhole bouquet" declared one
woman aggressively. "As for Easter
lilies. I amt never seen one. an narcis-
sus amt even heard Of The idea o.
dscOratln' a whole church at this time
o. Year,
1--WE heard Mis- Bray speak o. mar
cissus." said a woman refectively.
"she that was the florists wife. you
know. An. come to think. she's likely
a master hand at this decOratln' bust
ness"
who Is AIRS. Brayy' asked the min
lster quickly. Perhaps she can help
me out with this. Curious ! have not
heard Of her before"
"Oh. don't know" dryly: folks sort
o. die away from the world after they
go into the pOorhouse. Mis- Bray's
husband was for gettin' on. so he went
to the city an learned the florists
trade. For a time ne done well Then
his business broke. an he died. An
bis wife come halS here ar lived NJ
what little she had. After that there
was nothin' but the poOrhOuse"
We'll. we viii find her" eagerly.
evil you go with me. Mrs. PerryT'
why. yes: don't mind II I do.
Cynthia Bray was as much Of a lady
as anybody round"
The next afternoon the minister's
blackboard stopped In front OF the
pOOrhOuse. and he and Mrs. Perry
allghted. Several men and boys were
slOuching about the yard. and on a
bench near the door were four or Eve
old women. AIRS. Perry looked them
over critically.
''NOt there" she declared cOnclsely.
Cynthia wouldn't grow TO look like
that. Wen go in"
In answer 90 their knock q hard fea.
tured woman came 90 the door.
mis- BrayY' she repeated. "Oh.
Aunt Cynthia. as we call her. Is a good
worker. 50 we keep her In the kitchen.
I don't s'pOse she's had a visitor afore
In five years. Won't you come iny'
They entered Five minutes passed:
then n little old woman. with n depre-
catory manner. stole softly into the
room
''Did-did you wish 10 see meY' she
asked TREMENDOUSLY.
Airs. Perry sprang forward IN quick
fOrgetfulness Of the unreasonable dis
lance which lay between her social 20
sition and the pOorhouse.
why. you poor soul" she cried sym
pathetical!y. how old you've grown
My hair Amt begun 90 turn yet, an
here yOur'n Is perfectly white"
Its been a long time since you and
l were young answered the old We
man gently. Then she colored With
sudden remembrance and drew herself
up stihly.
is there anything can do frs your
she asked.
Come. Cynthia: don't talk that
way" demonstrated Mrs. Perry. "You
know farmers wives are always work
I'm, an'-an' it's a good piece from ouI
place 90 tho
"Poorhouse." said the old woman
calmly
"Wel yes, poorhouse," deprccatIng
D.. But never mind an that I've
brung the minister"
Il don't think I've had the pleasure
n meeting Mr. Bray before said the
rising. "aUd yet I've called
here several times"
$50, We haven't mot" acquIcsrrI
the old woman n generally stay Boo.
the Kitchen"
Il must Acknowledge thIs VISIT B..
mostly "a business our. AIRS Bray" o..
said, rr-umiug DTS seat You srr. Z.
am planning tu have no. church deco
rated fur Easter, but thc ladies of ms
assure uU chat such %
thing is utterly imUu-siUIr. h1Y,
come 90 you as "a last resort. Can sou
help meT
The ola woman looked from one tD|
ne other with a sudden yeanins 40
her eyes. Then a s0ft nush began Col