Evening journal., 1910-08-10
AN ADDED
VALUE
By BEATRICE TUCKER
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.


sisted Of ample grounds, and, Mrs.
jenkins having a natural taste for
flowers. there we're many beautiful va
rieties ABOUT the house. The daughter
Oracle, had inherited her mothers
taste. and her father the day before
had planted for her rosebush of
very choice variety.
1t was a beautiful summer morning
when ~the two went out to where the
rosebush had been planted, the child
prattling with expectation.
"Will II have any roses on II. papa"
"Oh, no, my darling. II was plant
ed only yesterday. Possibly we may
find it a trihe wilted. but that will not
matter, A little water sprlnkled on It
will bring It up. Wen go get the wa
tering pot Helo!
The exclamation was caused by see
ing a hole where the rosebush had
stood, with loose earth scattered about.
The fathers brow gathered ominously.
IF l can find out who did that III
Don't cry. pet There are more where
that came from. Some one has taken
the bush up by the roots. What an
outrageT
He took his darling in his arms and
kissed away her tears. At the same
moment he saw or thought he saw
some one dodgiug behind the glass out
house that covered the plants in win
ter. Going there. he confronted little
urchin about the size of his own child.
The boy was ragged. unkempt and
hungry looking. In his dirty hand he
grasped the missing rOsebush.
You young rascalr' cried Jenkins
fiercely. what do you mean by tear
ing up my plants?"
Il wanted 1t for somethin'"
Il suppose you did want it or you
wouldn't have taken it. There. Take
that" He cuffed the boy. Now get
along. ana Il l catch you stealing my
plants again I'll turn you over to the
police" The boy was sinking away
when Oracle said to her father. "Papa.
don't you think that since he's been
struck for taking the bush he ought TO
have IT."
Certainly not. He would gladly
take a cutting for each plant we have
on the place"
"Give him the bush, papa"
Sweetheart" said the father, ITS
your bush If you prefer to give it 20
him do So"
The child picked up the rosebush the
boy had thrown down and handed It
to him.
DO you live down in the rookeryg
she asked.
"Yes."
"The part where the funeral was
yesterday?"
Yes"
was it your mamma they carried
out?"
Yes"
Did you want the rosebush to plant
at her graveT"
Eyes"
jenkins stood listening to this lacon
ic dialogue. looking from his child I,
the boy who had robbed her Of hel
rosebush. When the last Yes wa
spoken. remembering the cuff he hat
given the thief, blush of shame
spread over his features Taking ~
his idol. he hid his face so far as her,
could cover it and rained kisses on he
cheeks. Then. still holding her in hi
arms, he said:
"Ask him what else he wishes be
sides the bush"
81 know, papa"
"What?"
"That is. know what I'd like to G
for him. I'd like to take him and th
bush to the cemetery in my pony car
and help him plant it near his mother
! grave"
: 'rhat you shall do. sweetheart. Blu
James must go with you"
She ran to the stable to tell Jane
to get out the cart. and while she WI
gone the father said to the boy:
Hereafter when you wish anythin
from my place come and ask me fC
II and you'll get g. Never take any
thing without first asking. and II 20
really need It you'll usually find som
way 10 get 1t without stealing it,"
lie drew from his pocket some silvC
] ana gave IL ~ Aut hNf anu hNANAN Va
day was ended he had visited the des'
late and squalid home, provided fc
the wants Of the motherless childre
= and arranged for their more permanef
: comfort at his own expense.
p Meanwhile Oracle had taken the bo
into her cart and under the care Of th
coachman had driven him to the Gem
terry. James dug the hole in which
! put the plant. and Oracle SET It in wit
1 her own hands. while the boy stood b.
. wondering what all this interest. th
kindness. meant.
The next morning the father said
|, his daughter. "Gracie. we must get al
other rosebush for you
= 81 don't want another. papa"
@ "Why not?'
i Il would rather have the one in Il
y temetery."
"What? DO you want it backT"
'No; it's my bush that grows by Il
grave Of the poor boys mamma"
"Gracie IS right" said her mothe
L 'The bush here would have only
own beauty. There it is an emblem
that universal love which should exi
n between the rich and the poor