The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-27

PEOPLES FORUM
I1nNNrrS.

. Flowers
Editor Richmond Nirginian. Sir;
This old world we are living in
Is mighty hard to beat
There's a thorn for every rose,
But amt the roses sweet
True. Q optimistic poet The great
highway of life Is adorned and made
fragrant with sweet flowers but
In this world we are living IN
So mighty hard to beat,
Fair roses handed to a friend
WIN mako them vet more sweet
es 1t Is well to admire the beauty
and inhale the incense of nfe's flow
ers- But to pluck. look upon and
smell them for mere selfish pleasure
Is 70 discount their mission and rob
ourselves. A flower proftered by a
loving heart to a friend whose weary
hand may not upreach, or to cheer
the fatnting soul OF the wcaried
strong, will exhale a lasting fragrance
through life
! This old sun cis-ed, flower-laden
| world yet needs the personal exchan ere
| between tts people OF the flowers of
| sympathy, good will cheer and ap-
preciation
! so many roads so many creeds
| So many paths that wind and wind.
And yet the art of being kind
- All litS Ola WOFlu needs
Johnny you did your work splen-
dialy this week" said the manager ~
u great industry to a Youthful en-
p!oye i think | see in you the max
ing OF q man - 4 nd the hpy.s t,,,ls~
! quckened. renewed confidence and
| FRESH determination thrilled him, and
there was no cloud of a Monday morn
ing's grind 70 hover DER his Sunday
4 hours of rest He is now partner
OF the firm. flower Of encouraging
cheer
Never mind. Mary-accidents win
happen; be more careful beres fter,''
said the sweet item ered mistress 10
the All atremble servant girl who had
broken a chatting dish. And Mary
! thereafter broke not a thing. and was
/ a model servant Just a little flower
of kindness,
Pardon me. neighbor we We be-
come estranged by a trivial incident!
| Let's be friends, If I'm to blame. I
beg pardon. and II you are in fault I
beg 10 forgive You and let's regard
st as a closed Incident" And the two
ladies' become fast friends for life,
/ The flower Of forgiveness
lie was a busy man but in going TO
MS office found time to Gull some choice
| loWcrs purchase a booklet and drop
/ by good old Sister Browns home and
say cheeftly. Just dropped hy TO ask
how your grandmother lis this morn
ing Hope she had a comfortable
night Come in? All right. for a
minute Why, YOU are looking fine
l believe YOU are 'posSuming-iust
resting Shall we pray n moment to-
gether? And the visit and tokens
made easier the bed of pain for the
suffering saint all inv. A flower OF
loving sympathy.
The professional man was hurrying
along TO his office in company with
some bankers. Recognizing an ac-
qualntance among the busiiy engaged
| street-cleanin force he ran out into
the middle Of the street oblivious Of
the dust and heartily shook hands
with the workman and gave him a
word Of good cheer and made his
work lighter. \ flower of Christian
brotherhood
A well-to-do young man while on
business trip To PARKWAY city thought
Of an elderly lady whose life is spent
freely for others. and sent her n good
ly box OF fine candies, which kind
thoughtfulueSS the recipient priced
very highly A little flower OF remem-
brance'
An ola woman whose fragile form
was bent under She weight Of years
ana suffering wendell her weary way
IRON the suburbs TO the home of
lady In the heart OF the city. In the
time worn hands she carried a little
flower blooming in a modest nourish-
or ~ on We been 80 good TO me in
my sickness and want l just had to
come to thank you. l didn't have
anything 10 bring you but this flower
10 tell YOU ] love YOU" And the kind
hearted lady. whose own garden
bloomed with rare flowers. wept and
gave the love flower" the most prom
.Gcnt place in her parlor A flower
OF love
He had lost his position by drink
ana II was not the first time he had
become penniless. Discouraged.
frieudless. hopeless. he was startled
by the gentle pressure of a hand up
on his shoulder. John, I've looked
on; for your family's ii Mediate
needs. I'm not going NJ scold you.
hut promise, mo If | gepeyou a posi-
ion you will make good.' The reply
in a choked voice was, 'God helping
me, Henry. will! / didn't know
had q friend In the world And now