The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-01
A Quarrel in the Flower Garden

ciate with her cousin, the Brier Rose,
at the other end Of the garden.
I'VE Dandelions," said a gruff-
voiced dandelion with long hair, ARE
waiting for the strong breath of the
west wind to send us sailing over the
fields and meadows to the banquet"
For my part" said little boy
pansy in a purple suit, II believe in
social equality"
80 do l." said his little brother in
yellow. do you remember when
Crimson Tulips swooned with the
heat? We sent Sir Purple, the swift
est Of the messenger butterflies. In
haste for old Dr. Bumblebee. and now
Miss Tulip refuses 10 dine with US"
Away among the wild vines. behind
the tall grass, flock of beautiful
butterflies were hiding, dressed in
brilliant colors, waiting for the trou-
BILE to be settled. a long row OF little
Maiden Daisies. dressed in white
starched dresses and wearing yellow
flowers in their hair, stood ready for
the coming hour A tall Sunf1ower,
whose ancestors came from the coun-
try and knew something OF the hard
ships OF the country life, pushed back
his yellow felt hat, turned his head,
and addressed the flowers Of the gar
den.
Said he: "My dear flowers. I en-
treat you to settle this quarrel among
yourselves To your right is mill
tary company known as Bumblebee
Colony, who have been stationed here
to maintain peace in the flower gar
den. and, being knights, are always
armed. l beseech you to settle this
quarrel before these heartless gentle
men sting you to DEATH"
Back on her throne sat Madam Red
Rose. telling the cultured plants OF
the evil influence OF social equality.
Said she: II am as old as the world.
In blissful glee Adam entwined me
around the fair brow Of the beautiful
Eve. The world calls for me in Joy
and sorrow. I am to be seen at births,
marriages and deaths I have never
spoken in public, but my influence is
great. / trace my social distinction
back as far as the War of Roses"
Good Queen Mother, when she
heard this speech, grew very sad; for
she was queen of the birds, flowers
and insects. and had warned her chill
dren Of the evil influence OF pride
and the punishment which would fol-
low. Just then loud peal of thun-
der was heard. and the sky was rent
with lightning. The little flowers felt
very sorry for their evil thoughts; bur
before they could unite in family
prayer great torrents of rain fell, and
large tears could be seen in all of
their eyes The good Queen Mother
told the sun to dry their eyes. The
little ones profited by this punishment
and saw the effect Of their evil-doing.
Red Rose made an open confession
OF her grief to flock OF bright
winged butterflies, who carried the
news to the flowers. and they sent back
messages Of love.
The Moon Flower, who had been
sleeping and knew nothing of the
trouble, arrived just in time for the
banquet. The wind kindly cleared the
path, when a band of swift winged
birds warbled a two-step The Great
Flowers saluted their partners from
the tops of their houses, and all bal
anced to the motion of the wind. Poll
Parrot, from treetop, called the
dance without mistake, a flock OF birds
now and then paid homage to the fiow-
ers, the glowworms lighted the halls,
the bees prepared the feast, while the
messenger butterflies acted as a COM
mittee Of Introduction. Dainty re-.
Treatments were served at all hours.
Just as the birds sang their farewell
song, the good Queen Mother ap-l
peared, and with trembling hands
little messenger butterfly handed her
the flowers regrets. The good Queen
Mother consoled them by telling them
that we are Gods plants and are
placed where we can do the most
good. Not where we are placed, but
how we'll we do our duties in our re-
spective places. puts US on plane Of
equality.