Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-25

said l could get good prices in the city for such punches. You will let me. won't you, Mother dear? added she coaxingly.
 '.I'll have to think it over," replied Mrs. Lyndon cautiously. She wanted to consult her boy Jem, whose judge counselor since his fathers death a year previous. Je1n was practically the head of the household. He was at work with a reliable firm in the city when his father died. and his empoy- CTS had advanced him in position and pay. When Mrs. Lyndon talked with Jem. he favored Lucy's plan. "Yes. let her try it,' said he. 'Tt is not like selling flowers on the street, and she could meet me when ready to come home. Yes, I say let her try it for @ time"
 So the mother consented, although she exacted a promise that Lucy would be sure to return home in her brothers charge each night, and the girl started out in her new enterprise with happy heart, and high hopes of success. Her punches of arbutus were greatly admired and eagerly bought by Miss Miller's friends. and others to whom they referred her. Her the pussy willows with which she mad decorated it. and the sum in her purse amply repaid her for the trouble she had taken to procure the flowers. Moreover, she had no difficulty in meeting Jen, and reached home safely in his charge each night.
 AS the season advanced, other flow CTS took the place of arbutus, and one day it chanced that her basket was filled with columbine, and trimmed with branches of dogwood roses. One of her patrons bargained for supply of coiumbine to be delivered on the following day When she reached the appointed place with her flowers. she was told to carry them to an address which she was unacquafnted but on being told it was not far away. she felt she could do the errand, and still have time to keep her appointment with Jem, at the usual hour.
 Either she misunderstood the direo- ton, or the distance was greater than sine suspected. She found herself in a quarter of the city unfamiliar to her and was unable to find the people to whom she was sent. Then, too, it was growing late, so she feared she should fail to meet Jem. as usual.
 At last she decided to abandon the
 search for her customer, and with her
 basket of columbine started for home The strange surroundings bewildered her, and she could not readily find the car she wanted, but at last suc- ceeded and entered it. She found a seat beside a kind looking elderly man who admired her flowers, and remark ed that he had not seen such since he gathered them for himself on his old country home farm.
 Lucy was beginning to feel quite comfortable, and proud of herself fol being so independent when the con- ductor came about for the fare. TC her disrnay he informed her that she had taken the wrong car. and was go- ing away from home instead of to- wards it. The best he could do fol her to hAr of at the Sf |. tion, where she could get a return car How frightened she was! The even ing was we'll advanced, and the Jini6 child was not used to being out alone after dark. Her eyes were filled with tears, as she realized her sad plight and she exclaimed under her breath What shall I do?"
 Her fatherly stranger beside heI overheard her, and took an immediate interest in her affairs. Don't worry little girl" said he, I'll see that you get home safely. I have no daughter to attend to you. Let me get out with you It Is only a little mistake or Your part. and can soon be set right" Lucy frightened up at this. She was
 cheerful child and disposed to make the best of all things. "I have plenty
 of money conflded sine, flor I've been selling my flowers, you see. but l was never out so late alone, and I know
 Mamma will be worried about me, and Jem has been kept waiting all this time, perhaps.
 And who is Jem?" inquired he1 new friend as they waited for the re- turn car. "Oh, Jem. is my big broth CT. We call him Jem but his name is
 James Fleming Lyndon. He is SC good. Mamma quite relies on hin since Papa died a year ago. We cal
 him the head of the house.
 Curious, isn't it ?'' interposed hel
 companion, but Fleming is my name too. Perhaps we are cousins. YCI don't mind an old cousin going homt with you? But here is our car, an( we'll soon be with the folks at home. Jem was at the car to meet them and insisted on MT. F1eming's goins | in to meet Mrs. Lyndon which h' seemed glad to do. Not finding Lucy
 at the customary place in town, -Jen ] had concluded that she had sold ou earlier than usual, and had gone home
 so he felt no anxiety until he reached
 home, and was about to return to th' 1 city, when they met. Tt ends you flower selling" announced Jem firm | ly. wen have no more of that" l Mrs. Lyndon was so Overjoyed a Lucy's safety that at first she did no notice the stranger who entered witt ! them. When told his name, she start ed with surprise T believe you lool
 like our family. My father had al older brother George who went ava. from home when he was himself ; small boy. They were poor core | spondents, and lost track of each oth er My James Is named for my fath CT. Is it possible you can be a rela
 tive of ours?"
 T think I can claim that, Georg
 Fleming was my father. Your fathe was probably my uncle. I'll tell yo'
 all about 1t some day"
 Stay to suppe3 with us. and tell u
 about it now'', was the ready re | sponse.
 If I may, I'd like to do so. I hav'
 no family, and you look so co1y an' l home like here"
 | Not only for supper, but for tn 1 night did MT. Fleming remain ant
 they talked late together. Old famil, affairs were recalled. MT. Fleming
 wife and children had all died. H was alone in the world, and it all re suited in his making his home wit l them. Lucy was his pet, his dear lit