Norwich bulletin., 1913-03-29
The Story of the White Hyacinth

1 (Written Specially for The Bulletin. Easter comes early this year. | must start my hyacinths and tulips l to have them ready for that time Sc : said the florist to himself and hustled i about in his busiest fashion to put 1 his greenhouse in order In his hur- " one thrifty hyacinth bulb fell un- l noticed to the ground. and was swept out finally landing in the gutter. There l it caught the eye of little E'reda Lindberger. who, thinking it might be l something to eat took 1t home to her mother to add to their pot of soup, for Ferda had learned thus early that food was not over plenty at their house. Now Ferda's mother came from Hol- land, the homeland of bulbs, and her eyes sparkIed she exclaimed, Not for eating, mine F'erda, but for plant
 ing. Take care of it and you will
 have pretty flower, may be- So
 they routed out an old tin can from
 their slovenly surroundings. and the hyRcinth was as skilfully planted as
 were those in the florists more elab-
 crate quarters.
 Ferda could not believe that anything
 so treated and put away in the dark
 could ever grow, but she trusted her
 mother and did as she was told One
 day after examining her charge she
 rushed to her mother with the tidings
 that little green point was coming
 up out of the ground. How happy it
 made the child. Her face beamed
 with smiles as she told her teacher of
 her good fortune, and in return was encouraged to continue her efforts and in time her reward was sure to come
 Ferda was favored with a warm hearted woman for teacher. A true lover of children and enthusiastic in her work, she made her influence felt beyond the school doors, and in many a home her decision and opinion. was quoted and made the standard of the home Sad news it was to all the lrar I 41 T. they. were told that their beloved teacher, Miss Lippman, was ill., and her place was filled for the time by stranger. She kept them informed, however, concerning Miss Lippman's progress toward recovery. When once on the mend her gain was rapid and before Easter she was well advanved toward her usual health, though still confined in her own home.
 As that great day approached the children talked much of their Sunday school festivals and carol services and of the lovely flowers which would make the church beautiful, and many !! a chlId gave at least one blossom to the adornment of the altar on that day, l but happiest of all was Ferda, for her | nyacinth had bloomed in time for l taster decoration, and one who was interested in the girl showed her how 70 sip It from the tin can into a neat 1 1ower-pot- The rich bloom from the | 3ulb proved to be a full white cone and | both Ferda and her mother were sure | hat the florist could have no better n ms collection Proudly she offered | t to the church ladies, but said shyly | hat after the church services were | over she hoped she might have it again to carry to Miss Lippnan. She | S my school teacher" said Ferda ana has been sick a long time. and I To love her dearly. She is so good to ne l know she will like the white lyaclnth. l am so glad it is white. for 'he always seems to pick out the white lowers when she has any given her"
 'Yor shall certainly have it for her." hey :it7wered her. flor you certainly lave reason to be kind to her We will put little mark on the flower lot, so you will be sure to get your 'wn."
 T know Miss Lfppman' said an- ther, she is dear friend of mine
 nd am glad to have you speak so ovingly of her She deserves it all, or she is a lovely lady, So the time