The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-10-19

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: It was the evening before the feast
for the Queens birthday, and every
fairy was greatly excited. Queen Iris
: would be 5000 years old, but that
.---meant q young lady in Fairyland.
where some Of the real old people lived
FOR $4,000 years.
: But 5000 was enough to cause big
celebration, and both the fairies and
the flowers Joined in planning great
time for their loved Queen. Late in
~the afternoon just about sunset the
Queen took stroll In her beautiful
gardens, and while wandering under
meath the lilacs she thought she
caught faint sound as II of busy
tongues. So she fitted gently into the
"a big crowd Of fairies talking eagerly
TO the flowers which crowded the beds.
so Iris hid in the leaves and listened.
I'VE have everything arranged ex-
sept one" said tiny fellow dressed
in green with golden trimmed cap and
wee, dangling sword. "And that is
carpet on which the Queen can walk.
The ring we have used in the woods
for few thousand years is worn out.
Will any Of you flowers allow your
petals to carpet the spot?"
The lily nodded its stately head
scornfully, the pansies opened their big
eyes but said nothing, and the peonies
shook their huge, red blossoms haught-
lily. Even the violets hid beneath their
leaves at the idea The crimson tulip
shook the dew from her cup in laugh
ter Then q tall pink rose whose
bloom had hundreds Of beautiful petals
spoke up.
"You can hardly expect one OF US
flowers to act as a carpet for anyone"
she cried angrily, tossing about on her
slender stem. "Why not get someone
more humble. We are the gems of
the plant world and should not be
trodden underfoot, even by the Fairy
Queen"
Now, right under the bush in which
Iris was hidden was the soft tuft made
by the tender, green clover which grew
all over the garden. The little plant
had no bloom, just tiny stems with
three leaves. But 1t heard what was
going on.
It's heart beat with excitement, for
It made up it's mind to speak. And 1t
was pretty brave thing for the clover
to say anything right in the fairy meet
Ing where all the great flowers were
making speeches. But 1t took courage
and said in low voice, II would like
to say something"
"Oh, no." laughed the pink rose,
bending down so she could gaze con-
temptuously at the clover. $50 you
want to have word In this matter,
You insignificant little thing"
IT wish to offer myself as carpet
for the Queens feast at the fairy ring
tomorrow evening"" spoke the clover
bravely. 1T seems you flowers are all
too proud to do this, but l would be
proud to be OF any use to our Queen"
"That Is right, little clover" replied
the fairy in green. Il thank you for
your kind offer. Tomorrow we will
have q soft turf Of clover in the ring,
and am sure the Queen will think 1t
beautiful, even If 1t is not flower"
Now, all the time Iris was hidden
In the bush and heard every word So
she determined to say nothing till the
niaht OF the feast and there to publicly
punish the proud rose. Next evening
the fireflies lighted the ring prettily,
fairy musicians played softly on their
lutes, butterflies Of all colors fitted
from the cups Of the flowers hanging
around the sod and over all was the
soft light of the moon. The Queen was
delighted when the car OF pearl drawn
by great golden bees drew up at the
scene. She stepped down and walked
to the delicate green OF the clover
which formed the carpet.
81 am grateful for all your kind
ness, fair flowers and good fairies"
she said But am most grateful Of
all to the little clover which forms the
carpet on which we tread. l was in
the lilac bush yesterday when you
were planning this feast and heard
what was said. listened as the proud
rose sneered at the clover. Let the
rose remember that pride goes before
fall. and that the noblest hearts
never boast.
This wild rose nov. has hundred