The daily Alaskan. [volume] (Skagway, Alaska) 1904-1924, 1910-10-12
AN ADDED
VALUE
By BEATRICE TUCKER
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association
By BEATRICE TUCKER

Morton Jenkins spoEe these words
to his little daughter. seven years old.
II ever n man yorshiped anything NOR
tai jenkins worshiped this child. The
place on when the family lived con-
sisted Of ample grounds. and, Mrs.
Jenkins having n 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 rosebush OF a
very choice variety.
II was a beautiful summer morning
when the two went out to where the
rosebush had been planted, the child
prattllng with expectation.
win 1t have any roses on II, papaT
"oh. no, my darling. 1t was plant
ed only yesterday. Possibly we may
find 1t a tribe wilted, but that will not
matter. A little water sprinkled on it
win bring It up. Wen 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 / 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
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 little
urchln 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
flercely. What do you mean by tear
ing up my plantsY
~ wanted II for somethin'."
81 suppose you did want it or you
wouldn't have taken 1t. There Take
that" He cuffed the boy. Now get
along, and II | 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 itP'
Certainly not. He would gladly
take a cutting for each plant we have
on the place"
"Giye 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
70 him.
DO you live down in the roOkeryT
she asked.
Eyes"
a'The part where the funeral was
yesterdayT
yes"
"was it your mamma they carried
outY'
YES"
Did you want the rosebush to plant
at her grayeT'
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, blush Of shame
spread over his features. Taking up
his idol, he hid his face so far as hers
could cover it and rained kisses on her
cheeks. Then, still holding her in his
arms, he said:
ASK him what else he wishes be-
sides the bush"
81 know, papa"
"Whaty
"That IS, I know what I'd like to do
for him. I'd like to take him and the
bush to the cemetery In my pony cart
and help him plant 1t near his mothers
grave"
"That you shall do, sweetheart But
James must go with you"
She ran TO the stable to tell James
70 get out the cart. and while she was
gone the father said to the boy:
Hereafter when you wish anything
from my place come and ask me for
it and youll get it. Never take any
thing without first asking, and II you
really need it you'u usually find some
way to get 1t without stealing It."
He drew from his pocket some silver
and gave II TO the boy, and before the
day was ended he had visited the desc
late and squalid home, provided for
the wants OF the motherleSs children
and arranged for their more permanent
comfort at his own expense.
Meanwhile Oracle had taken the boy
into her cart and under the care Of the
coaehman had driven him to the eeme-
terry. James dug the hole in which to
put the plant, and Oracle set 1t In with
her own hands. while the boy stood by.
wondering what all this interest. this
kindness, meant.
The next morning the father said to
his daughter, Oracle, we must get an
other rosebusl for you"
81 don't want another, papa"
''Why notT'