The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-17
Little Lotus Flower
BY MARY DAVIS.


In time to be struck in the face by
another. "Haiioo, little white boy
don't you want to come into my gar
den ?" called a sweet childish voice
in English. The prettiest Chinese
girl he had ever seen was smiling
down at him from the other side of
the wall
Now In China. nice little girls. es
pecially mandarin's little girls, are
not really expected to throw flowers
at little American boys or invite them
into their fathers gardens But this
mandarin was very advanced in his
ways, and little Lotus Flower was
brought up more like an American
girl than Chinese princess, SO Phil
was not doing anything very foolish
when he picked up both blossoms and
said, Eyes. Princess. / should
Then climb over the wall Don't
mind those flowers they are dirty.
/ will give you more
The wall was not very high anu
Phil easily scrambled over into the
garden The princess clapped her
hands.
You are the first while boy | have
ever seen so close TO and I think you
are very nice. am Lotus Flower,
"a ! guess you know. and my father
is a mandarin. He could have your
head cut off If he wanted to. but he
won't, He is nice and does just as
say. am ten years old Now
what is your name and how old are
yoko''
Phil laughed My name is Phillip
Sidney Ward. but everybody calls me
Phil. and | am eleven.
Then | shall call You Phil, too,
And who is your father Phil9"
We'll, he mends peoples heads In
stead of cutting them off. They call
him a medical missionary
The little princess frowned. II
don't like missionaries. Phil. and ] am
not sure that I shall let you stay in
my garden. But. perhaps. ] will. You
seem To re nice, Here comes my
IA Their will ask him
The tall. dignified mandarin had
come out of the pavilion to see. whom
his little girl was talking with.
Father, this is Phil He is q nice
boy hut his father Is a missionary,
Shall | let him stay IN my garden >"
TIC tttdiiafAi III EtitAhti sttlQ a4l'fE tVtR
ed grave.
''Tf you are sure he is nice boy,
think he may stay, But the mis-
sionaries are better In their own land,
China does not need them Why do
they come here. little boy"
.'To help the people Of China re-
piled Phil promptly.
But We do not need help. The
Chinese are better AMI stronger and
wiser than any ether .natioa~-ana the
missionaries My make trouble for
Us. But YOU are too young TO an
derstand these things Show him the
peacocks, Lotus Flower, and the lilies
and the duck pond" And the man
DARN walked back into the pavilion,
and became so enErossed in great af~
fairs of state that he straightWay for
got all about the children
That was the beginning Of a great
friendship between Phil and Lotus
Flower. and they spent many happy
afternoon together The old man
DARN would sometimes sit and watch
them play when he had a moments
rest from the duties which took ap
all his time He seemed 10 have taken
a strong liking u Phil. although he
always opposed ne work of Pln's
father and the other missionaries and
did all. he could to prevent them en-
tending it. His opposition. which
was rather surprising, as he vas
known to be progressive in many WAS,
was great handicap to the wor'f.
one day Phil came into the ga don
and Lotus Flowe. was not there IN
stead. the oil mandarin was slt'shg
all alone by the door of his pavifcu.
and there were marks Of tears on his
face,
Lotus Fione. cannot play with Yen
today. Phil h said, she IL very
sick and the doc'ors all say she must
die
"oh mandarr.' cried Phil. won't
YOU let me brlGg my father > zee
her? PERHAPS ne tan cure her
The manft .ln resitated. II have
always told my }topte to have moth
ing to 10 wIsh the, missionaries or
the white doc.ara. But ] love my IT
tie girl and ou- ecctors say that ney
can do no raore Yes Phil. h may
come. and on. bf rig him quick
How Phil iished to the issioaaty
comp 3und, T. Ward was al ZONE
and lost no THE in Fastening he
bedside of TIE little patient.
"Appendici -. he exclaimed IT
once I'VE must operate right off ~
He expected storm of opposition,
but the mandarin only bowed.
Our doctors have given up and the
case is in your hands. DO what
seems best to you"
Little Lotus Flower did not die and
three weeks later she was str anG
enough TO play a little while in he
garden. Then one day her fathers
state palanquin appeared at the trrit-
pound,
II have brought my little girl To see
your little boy the mandarin ex-
planned And while they are playing
you ana | will talk about your WORK
You know more about med !c:ne than
our doctors. perhaps you know mere
about other things than we do | am
willing 10 learn"
Now our work will prospe'," sale
DR.. Ward after the mandarin had
gone. And Phil, / think TIE credit
belongs to you and little ,.otus
Flower. The ngregat'onalist and
Christian World.
Service Cars.
Children. wonder whether among
he different automobiles in the city
hat ara