Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-11
AN ADDED
VALUE
BY BEATRICE TUCKER
Copyright. 1870 by American Press
Association.
BY BEATRICE TUCKER


along"
Morton jenkins spoke these words
TO his little daughter. seven years old.
If ever n man worshiped anything NOR
tai Jenkins worshiped this child. The
place on which the family lived con
sisted of ample grounds, and. Mrs.
Jenkins having natural taste for
flowers, there were 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 n 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.
''Win 1t have any roses on 1t, papa?"
"Oh, no, my darling. 1t was plant
ed only yesterday. Possibly we may
find 1t a trifie wilted, but that will not
matter. A little water sprinkled on it
will bring it up. Wen so get the wa
tering pot HelloT
The exclamation was caused by see
ing hole where tho rosebush had
stood. with loose earth scattered about.
The fathers brow gathered ominously.
IF I can find out who did that I'll
Don't cry, pet. There are more where
that came from. Some one has taken
the bush up by the roots. What an
outragew
He took his darling I'm his arms and
kissed away her tears At the same
moment he saw or thought he saw
some one lodging 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 rascal" cried Jenkins
fiercely. What do you mean by tear
ing up my plantsT
II wanted 1t for somethin'."
II suppose you did want it or you
wouldn't have taken it. There. Take
that" He cuffed the boy. Now get
along. and If / 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 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 to
him do So"
The child picked up the rosebush the
boy had thrown down and handed 1t
10 him.
DO you live down in the rookery?"
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 grave?"
YES"
jenkins stood listening TO this lacon-
&c dialogue. looking from his child TO
the boy who had robbed her Of her
rosebush. When the last Yes" was
spoken, remembering the cuff be had
given the thief. blush Of shame
spread over his features. Taking up
bis idol. he hid his face so far as hers
could cover 1t and rained kisses on her
cheeks. Then. still holding her in lis
arms. be said:
Ask him what else he wishes be-
sides the bush"
81 know, papa"
"WhatT
That is. know what I'd like to do
FOR him. I'd like TO take him and the
bush 20 the cemetery in my pony cart
and help him plant 1t near lis mothers
grave"
"Tlat you shall do. sweetheart But
James must 20 with you"
She ran TO tie stable to tell James
70 get out the cart. and while she was
gone the father said to the boy.
Thereafter when YOU wish anything
from my place come and ask me for
st ana youll get #. Never take any.
thing without first asking and IL you
really need It you'll usually find some
way 20 get IL without stealing g."
He drew from his pocket some silver
and gave It TO the boy. and before the
day was ended he had visited the desc
late and squalid home, provided for
the wants Of the mOthcrless children
ana arranged for their more permanent
comfort at bis own expense.
Meanwhile Oracle had taken the boy
Into hcr cart and under the care Of the
coachman had driven him 10 the Gene
terry James dug the hole iu which 10
put 'he plant. and Oracle set SC in with
her own hands, while the boy stood by
wondering what all this interest. ibis
kindness. meant
The next morning the father said n
bis daughter. Oracle. we must get AM
other roscbush for you"
81 don't want another, papa
"Wby NOTE"
u would rather have The one 600 f.
L.