The Washington herald., 1910-06-05
JUNE'S PATRON FLOWER
The Rose Is Known to Have Career of Usefulness and
Romance.
By DORoTHY HARMON DAWSON.

By DOROTHY HARMON DAWSON.
June's patron flower is the rose-the
queen of the kingdom Of blooms-and,
being the sweet and gracious sovereign,
her pedigree is a long and honored one,
and the legends about her are as beauti-
ful as they are inspiring. Even in this
country where romance is yet young,
the rose has her singers and poets. There
Is a beautiful romance connected with
the Cherokee rose. A young Indian chief
Of the Seminole tribe was taken prisoner
by his enemies, the CherOkees. and DOOM
ed to torture. but fell so seriously III
that it became necessary 10 wait for his
restoration TO health before committing
him TO the fire.
AS he lay Frustrated by disease In the
cabin of the Cherokee warrior, the
daughter of the latter, young, dark
faced maid, was his nurse. She fei in
love with the young chieftain. and. wish
ing to save his life. urged him TO escape.
But he would not do SO unless she would
fee with him. She consented. Before they
had gone far. impelled by regret at leav-
ing home, she asked permission of her
lover to return for the purpose Of bear
ing away some memento of Ii. So re-
tracing her footsteps, she broke a sprig
from the white rose which climbed u1
the poles OF her fathers tent. and pre-
serving it during her flight through the
wilderness. planted it by the door of her
new homo in the land of the Seminoles.
And from that day this beautiful flower
has always been known throughout the
Southern States by the name OF the
Cherokee rose.
The North American Indians OF the
Western coast have tradition that roses
were created without thorns. So tan and
fair they grew that ali creatures were
! attracted by their beauty and grace.
Animals that browse upon the grass and
green heritage soon discovered the tender
sweetness OF the roses abundant foliage.
and then every rose tree holding its flow
ers aloft but attracted attention and drew
| destruction to itself Every part of the
earth had been given its glory OF roses
but In every place there were animals
which sought the bushes to devour them
and the tribes of roses were in danger OF
becoming extinct. =
IN theh extremity they held a council;
for in that far-away morning of the
world plants as well as animals had
power TO speak. To the councils all the
roses came, and each had a tale to tel
of suffering and disaster At last il was
/ decided to send for help to the goldman
of the tribe-the Hiawatha OF the West
Delegates were chosen from those who
were MANNED and torn and had suffered
most. Others also were sent who were
tall and fair and graceful. Wisely this
council discerned that should justice be
denied the tribes. beauty might prevail
In their cause. The conference was long
and grave. At its close an armorv OF
thOrns was given TO every rose. and thus
were the tribes of roses delivered from
| their enemies
It has been discovered that the rose
viii cure a headache. It's perfume acts
as medicine upon the nerves. It's color
particularly IL deep red-soothes the
/ senses through the eyes. and IFS eleanli-
ness and medicinal properties generally
act upon the system not only as a cura-
tive, but as tonic The sweeter the
rose is. the better, for the sweetness of
this flower is of such peculiar de!icacy
that It neither clogs upon the nos-rils nor
pals upon the senses. Other flowers with
heavy scents make one languid. But the
rose is invigorating; and Il Is now known
that the concentrated rose-that il. the