Evening star., 1914-08-14

ed to the ground. That it had been
heavily nortgaged made the blow none
the less cruel.
He never complained, like the other in
mates did, but seemed grateful for the
food and shelter as, indeed. he was.
There were times when his eyes filled as
he remembered what life had promised
and given, but no one ever guessed II.
And he gave less trouble and more pleas
ure than any Of the others.
AN I'm glad 1 let him have his flow
ers," the matron conf1ded to her hus-
band. Course. it amt Jest accordin to
rules, but then you can't make hard an
fast rules for bunch o men. same as
O. the others that wants to initiate him. >
I'm glad O. that" said her husband.
'The vegetables pays better"
Well think these paid" she said: Il
hadn't had them to think about. He was
sad enough when he first come. He amt
like the rest.
Most of the old men were garrulous and
liked nothing better than to tell tales Of
early prosperity and the later adversely
which had brought them where they were.
Mr.. Lanton had never been one OF these,
but now, as the wonderful buds swelled
and gave promise of the bloom to come.
he put away his reticence and told tales
that the hoilyhocks called to mind.
I'VE had about the best garden any
where around" he said. 'Lucy-that was
my wife-she set a heap O. store by It..
She had all kinds O. things-some hard
~ knowed the names of. But 1 al
ways knowed the hoilyhocks. An l
| think they was about my favorites. They
was so strong an sturdy AZ always GER
! tain to bloom with no coddh.'. An they
last SO well, you wouldn't hardly believe.
Why, j used to have nevvy as used
to come to visit us. He was Lucy's SIS
ter's boy. He used to often stop with
US for a spell. An when he was goin'
,tSnt P1xr
pull for him. he'd come sliding out to
me an say: Uncle Nate. don't you fur
git my hollyhocks.' An maybe he
wouldn't git 'em. Why. he used to go off
hollyhocks. They had no place for a gar
den. Yes. he thought heap O the flow
ers an o. us. But after his mother died
| he didn't come no more"
The days passed and at last the holly
| hooks showed color" There was ex-
citement that day In the poorhouse. Every
one had to visit it: they came individ-
ually and collectively. Mr.. Lanton pulled
each hesitant inmate by the sleeve. say
| ing in his gentle way: Come an see EN-.
| quick, my hollyhocks! The pink's a-show-
| in'.''
| But even after the first show of
color the plant held back coyly, as If
cognizant of the interest it excited.
all it's beauty. 1t was. as he had said,
beautiful 1t seemed that every
crinkled leaf held all the known shades
of pink. And Mr.. Lanton spent all
hearted flower. He was seldom alone.
The little spot Of beauty drew the others
as surely as the needle is drawn by the
magnet. Even Danny Hager half way
| capitulated.
It's purity, all right" he said. Il
amt never seen a flower Jest like that
| 1 amt sayin' / like it good as vege-
tables. but it's purtier'n / thought it'd
| be-
| Wait" said Mr.. Lanton triumphantly
lest wait, Danny, till the whole stalks
fun. Then you'll never think O. vege-
tables again. Why. you kin see it some
distance off. tell you. when the whole
things in bloom. 'Twon't be long now
fore some O these other stalks'li come
out too. There's pink shown on lots
o. 'em I'd rather had this come true
| to seed than to get pile O. money
They're jest the same-the dear. old hol.
lyhocks as used to grow in mine an
| Lucy's garden"
His eyes filled as he spoke, and he
turned away that no one might see them
But he was back again soon. as CHEEKY
And day by day the giant hollyhocks full
filled his dearest wish and showed to ths
others a trifie from his dear, remembered
saSSsn sSs neople at the poornou,e were no
the only ones who admired them. 1t wa!
not an infrequent thing for gay partie.
in automobiles to stop and speak Of tn,
roseate mass of beauty. brought out mos
clearly by the background of the gray
unpromising poorhouse wall. And ever
Nathan Lanton explained the easiness o
the culture, the sureness of the reward.
| '.Ill save you seed, IL you say So" h,
usually ended.
And many accepted gratefully and tool
his name. with the .intention-never car
ried out--of sending something that woul,
brighten his drab-colored life. as the hol