The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-22
BowsER's CENTURY PLANT.
He Sits Up That He May Watch 1t
Bloom.

After dinner the other evening Mr..
Bowser took a little walk, and when
he returned he had a flower pot and
a plant in his arms. He carried it
through the house with great care and
set it carefully down in the back
yard, and when he returned Mrs. Bow
ser asked:
what was your object in buying
it? The flower peddlers have been
here with 'em so different times this
summer"
mot with one like this, my dear
You know what a century plant does
when hundred years are up, don't
you?''
cit is said they blossom. but 1 never
met a person who had witnessed it.
It's one of the foolish old legends. y
SIS it? Is it? Well. it will be for
me to convince you to the contrary.
At midnight tonight that plant Will
be 100 years old. and it viii blossom.
That's the reason I bought it,
do you mean to say that someone
has kept tab on it for a hundred
years and can tell right at the hour
when it is to blossom ?" asked Mrs.
Bowser.
"To the very hour As the bells
strike midnight this plant will burst
into blossom I am going to take
notes of the bursting, and shall write
an article that the world will read
with interest. 1t is now over SO years
since the last century plant blossom ed,
there to take notes. It is said that
when the plant IS about 20 blossom
there is a low n1oaniug L the air.
Then it gives a sigh and a shiver, and
the next moments It bursts into full
bloom. In other words It throws off
the shackles of a hundred years"
az don't believe any such nonsense.
Where did YOU get it %
ssWhy-why, a gentlem2n down the
street who knows my taste for scien-
tif1c research"
you mean a gentleman who knows
what a soft mark you are!"
Mrs. Bowser, pleas drop that
strain said Mr.. Bowser as he settled
back ''I think run this house. If
I wish to buy a century plant and see
it burst into bloom don't know that
you have anything to say about it. I
am devoted to scientific research and
you don't care snap whether the
world progresses or not. That's the
difference between u.s."
But you are being taken in and
done for all the time!" she protested.
HALT. right there! 1 have never
been taken in and done for in my
whole life. There isn't a man living
sharp enough to do it!''
Mrs. Bowser was so stunned that
she couldn't say a word. and he con-
tinued:
Every time have a chance to rise
in the world. you, in your envy and
jealousy, seek to pull me down. You
are doing it in this instance. The
world has offered honors t the per-
son who will solve the mystery of the
century plant. am about to solve
it, and what is your attitude toward
me?"
I'm quite sure there was a peddler
along here today with that very old
plant she replied. land that he Of
fered it to me for 10 cents. I will
say no more, however. You probably
paid $40 for it,
And will reap a million dollars
worth of fame, of which you shall
not share an Total I forbid It. When
am interviewed tomorrow 1 shall
carry the impression that I am a wild
over, and shall ask you to keep out
of sight. I think that is all that need
be said think so. You may get
down on your knees to me tomorrow
and render the most AFFECT apology,
but as to whether I shall forgive or
not is a different thing
At $50 o'clock Mr.. Bowser retired
to the back yard for his vigil. The
plant was placed on the head Of a
barrel, and a chair taken out for him.
He provided himself with a note book
and pencil, and with his straw hat,