Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-09-08
AN ADDED
VALUE
By BEATRICE TUCKER
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

q SC1lAlLS SllpSu lulS CLllu. 1uc
place on which the family lived con-
sisted OF ample grounds. and. Mrs.
Jenkins having a 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 a roSebush of a
very choice variety.
1t was a beautiful summer morning
when the W % went out to where the
rosebush had been planted. the child
prattling with expectation.
will it have any roses on it. papa?"
"Oh, no, my darling. 1t was plant
ed only yesterday. Possibly we may
find it a trit1e wilted. but that will not
matter. A little water %sprinkled on it
will bring it up. Well go get the wa
tering pot Hello!"
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 I'll
Don't cry. pet. There are more where
that came from. Some n has taken
the bush up by the roots. What an
outrage"
He took his darling in 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 a little
urchin about the size of his WI child.
The boy was ragged. unkempt and
hungry looking. In his dirty hand he
grasned the missing rosebush.
You young rascal" cried Jenkins
fercel.y. NV hat do YOU mean by tear
ing up my ln"n!S"
II wanted it tor sometime"
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
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,"
"Cprtainly 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 to
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 rookery?"
she asked.
Eyes"
1.-The part where the funeral was
yesterday"
YES"
WAS it your they carried
out?"
YES"
Did you want the rosebush to plant
at her grave?"
Eyes"
Jenkins stood listening to this lacon,
ic dialogue. looking from his child to
the boy who had robbed her of her
rosebush. When the last Yes" was
spoken. remembering the cuff he had
given the thief. a blush of shame
spread over his features. Taking uI
his idol. he hid his face so far as hers
could cover it and rained kisses on hel
cheeks. Then, still holding her in his
arms, he said:
ASK him what else he wishes be
sides the bush"
Il know. papa"
"What?"
for him. I'd like to take him and the
bush to the cemetery in my pony car
and help him plant it near his mother:
grave"
THAT you shall do. sweetheart. Bu
James must so with you
She ran to the stable to tell Jane!
to 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 fo'
it and you'll get it. Never take any
thing without first asking. and If Vol
really need it you'll usually find som
way to get ii without stealing it."
He drew from his pocket some silve,
and gave it to the boy. and before TIT
day was ended he had visited the desc
late and squalid home. provided TO-
! the wants of the motherless children
and arranged for their more permanen
comfort at his own expense.
Meanwhile Oracle had taken the DO,
into her carr and under the are of tn
coachman had driven him to the GENE
terry. James dug the hole in which II
put the plant. and Oracle set it in will
her W hands. while the boy stood by
wondering what all this interest. thi:
kindness, meant.
The next morning the father said t
his daughter. Oracle, we must get an
other rosebush for you"
~ don't want another. papa"
Why not?"
II would rather have the one in thu
cemetery"
What? Do you want it back"
"No. it's my hnsh that grows nv tht