The San Francisco call., 1910-10-30
of suffering and knowledge he added,

n
of suffering and knowledge" he added,
but l like It's,
oh Bobby caught his breath. He
was getting uncertain of his bearings.
He had never seen badges worn that
way before. He felt sure that even his
clever mother would not have been able
TO tell 1t from a gray head. Yes
like it. too,'' he agreed, politely, now
that 1 know it didn't come from being
5 old. And did you get all this with your
badge" he questioned, obviously, indi-
eating the parks stretching greatness
and the stately ranks of great trees.
No. Not this. exactly" said the old
man, smiling. II had to travel long
way, over a rough road that you'll flnd
some day and maybe rest at the end of
1t pretty much as I debut we won't
talk about that now. What shall we
talk of %
THE fountain the fountain" cried
the child, eagerly. Can every one
come here and drink
Every one came the gentle an
swer. "Do you wish to bring some one?'
Bobby looked up quickly into the
friendly face and, reading there nothing
but kindness, nestled his hand confid-
ingly in the one stretched out to him
and told the whole story-his gentle,
tired mother, her work, the little brown
house and all his innocent. childish
wishes
His new friend listened with sympa-
thetic interest, stroking in the meantime
the curly head beneath his hand. When
the enthusiasm of the earnest little
heart had spent itself there was silence
for time-the old man thoughtful and
grave; the boy wondering and anxious.
1t was finally broken by Bobby's asking.
May l take some of the water home to
mother, sir?''
"I.ll tell YOU exclaimed the old man.
apparently not needing the question, ITO
morrow afternoon come and bring your
mother. and If she agrees, and you. she
shall come every day. The flowers must
be cut every morning, with the dew
upon their leaves. and there are vases
and vases in the house TO fill and keep
fresh and beautiful. The roses by the
fountain are never cut. but the great
garden is behind the house, and there
your mother could find more roses than
she could ever attend to- How would
she like TO do that for me, my little
man?''
Bobby's eyes filed slowly. But she
has to sew, SIR" hesfaltered
.Wouldn't she like cutting roses bet
but the rent, sir-if she doesn't work.
where will she get the rent money!
Bobby was deep in labyrinth OF doubt.
He had thought his new friend about
to help him. and now the attainment
nf HI f1frt otx-ou ho
before.
Suppose she should pay in roses?"
came the puzzling suggestion.
Bobby pondered. amazed, not under
standing What could it mean? Rent
II know a bank where roses car, he
changed into rent-money. answered the
and Bobby, after one doubting look,
broke into a sunny SMILE 1t was ali
right, after all. He didn't quite UNDER
stand. but the old man knew, and the
boy was content.
aHere your mother can have rest"
said the old man. And in caring for
flowers under the great open sky, she
may find this indeed Fountain of
ooh, sir!' cried Bobby exultingly. "Its
just fnei And she'll be by the fountain
all the time and get young again. and
never have any more headaches or-or--
Later. Bobby, triumphant, joyful. with
his arms full of flowers. ran out of the
great gate. homeward. to impart the
glorious news to his mother.
IN the silvery summer twilight, by
a murmuring fountain. where glancing
water-dreps fell upon uplifted rose
faces, an old man sat alone A great
peace had entered his heart--a great
content shone from his eyes.
And ii is in my keeping?' he said
softly mime is the Fountain of
Youth" PATRICIA GRAY.