The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-31

No matter what effect it produces on
it's green-eyed little sisters of the
Chorus" or it's audience 1t must be
admitted that. the chrysanthemum is
ornamental. and decorative. very
SNOWY. but human and lovable--no--
not at all.
That's because one may not qualify
1t with that overworked adjective
fraiP or 'svelte,'" declared Peggy with
aspersion.
She adored the chrysanthemum, while
think its very much of "self-made"
flower I admire 1t for what 1t has done
for itself, 1 must say.
The chrysanthemum is par excellence,
the Social climber" of the flower king
dom.
It's "snob" and pes1eetly heartless
and calculating.
1t would marry for money, merely
for what the money would do toward
making it prettier. as quick as an Eng
lish "dook" would marry an American
heiress.
tits the most effective and successful
flower that grows" snapped Peggy
when / dared comment thusly.
do you think 1t is pretty to wear?"
asked humbly, "either as corsage
or as boutonniere?" 1t is not flow
er one wants anywhere near ones
heart, it strikes me-"
Peggy stoutly averred. "As a center
piece, I've never seen anything So
Handsome" / interrupted, "is the
adjective You are foraging for"
"Yes-handsome and stately, like a
queen" said Peggy.
"Chrysafithemums are city hall flow
ers,' 7 insisted. "They ought to be In
politics, They are 'grandstand' players,
pure and simple, but as a centerpiece for
ones table around which is gathered
ones dearest and nearest"
"One seldom wastes a great deal of
money in getting expensive flowers for a
centerpiece, when only ones nearest and
dearest friends assemble" hooted Peggy.
That's right" I agreed. Love and
the high priced things don't go together
much. "A dinner of herbs, where love is,
I quoted Is very seldom set around a
chrysanthemum decorated table,"
do look at that" Peggy said, cutting
short my platitudes and pointing to a
wonderful group of these vari-colored
flowers.
l will not deny that my eyes rested
upon colors, such colors as l have never
heretofore seen except in moments when
read the story of Aladdin where the
black slave brings in the gold waiter OF
wonderful gems.
The chrysanthemums which surround
ed us. reproduced the jewels, that
might nave been on Ihat waiter
pigeon blood rubies, and rose
quartz, amethysts and topazes, and all
the marvellous pink lighted stones that a
genii might keep away from mortal eyes,
for his own enjoyment, in caves deep hid
den in the earth. And the bronzes were
like ruddy sun burnt children, who had
played upon the coral strands of some
remote seashore and back of it all, the
unstrained immaculate, virgin white flow
ers, royal In their misunderstanding in
their majesty!
One great, huge yellow flower with a
mop, like blonde football players hair
LEANED over a parapet as If to commando
That's the big chief OF the whole
tribe" l said defiantly
Isn't 1t a magnificent specimen of
muscle and flesh,' Peggy said proudly,
''or rather petal and stem?''
Just then Miss Black happened along
and explained as she made personally
conducted" tour OF the attractive little
Chalmers Moore, Mr.. and Mrs William
Thornton, Mr., and Mrs. John Gelzer, Mr..
and Mrs. Robert /. Ingalls,, Miss Eliza
beth Bowie and Mr. Alfred Porter.