The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-24
Eoening Story
Pansy Farm.
BY KATE EDMONDS

1 y
Mr.. Archer figured on a slip of
paper. When he had finished, he
smiled sadly at his daughter. when
the bills are all paid. dear, there will
be just enough money to keep us un-
| til spring. then-what?"
Ann smiled bravely. Don't worry,
| father 1 will take care of that-it will
be my turn to do something. L am
glad the store is sold out. You can
spend a little time at home now-Just
think of the kitchen garden we shall
have next year,"
wen see, Ann" he said, and his
look was not very hopeful The Ar
cher store had been driven out of
business by one of series of chain
stores, and as the Archers were elderly
people with one daughter, they were
Inclined to worry because, after the
nothing to live on. Ann had never
been trained for any particular work,
and now there was no money to take
up anything new.
What can I do?" Ann asked the
question dozens of times as she went
over her scanty stock OF accomplish
ments. She could find no answer I'M
til one day a travelling salesman who
had been wont to call at the store.
came out to see her father. Ann
talked with him while.
IT wish 1 could do something to
earn money MT. SLOuSs S4lS SoAO CeiA
nestly. do you think could travel
on the road-sell something?"
''I sell seeds. can get you a posi-
ton with my house to sell flower and
vegetable Seeds" said Mr.. Stone, brisk
Iy. Better still, stay at home, raise
the seeds yourself and sell 'em to my
house!'
1 should love to do that" cried
Ann. 1--WE have the land, but 1 am
not sure how to do it.
"You say you had some flower seeds
left from the store. Get some books
from the library here, and I'll send you
some more from town. Your father
can knock together shallow boxes for
the seedlings, and when it is time they
can be set out of doors. 1t will keep
the whole family busy Next year you
will make enough to live on for
year-and two years from now you
will be driving your own CART
Mr.. Stone was young and enthusiast
tic and Ann was younger and pretty;
the study of flowers was most interest
ing. The ArcherS worked from Feb
ruary, when they planted the seeds in
the house, until June, when they be-
gan to reap the reward of their efforts
by the sale of young plants to their
neighbors and a nearby florist.
This is the right profession for you,
Miss Ann said young Stone as he ad-
vised the flower farm girl about next
years seeds. Look over your books
now-see how many seeds of ANIMALS
you have gathered and sold, saving
some for planting next year. You
wouldn't think that pretty posies like
mignonette. sweet alyssum, candytuft,
pansies and such could make money
for you, eh?"
tits such beautiful business" said
Ann softly. IT am so happy about it,
Mr.. Stone"
Good enough" returned the brisk
Mr.. Stone. turning pink and struggling
| hard not to say something else.
you've got a brother in the city.
haven't your"
Ann paled and then flushed. All
their friends knew about Frank. who
was young and pretty wild, and no
help to his family. Just give me his
address," went on Mr.. Stone. ct
know a dandy place for him to board
and a good job for hin-straighten
Ann gave the desired address and
tried to. forget about Franks way
wardness. They had hoped SO much
to win him back to his home again,
but all efforts had failed. If any one
could reach him, John Stone could.
Another winter passed and then
spring, early this year. and soon after
| Easter the Archer family stood in
| speechless delight watching the gor-
geous pansy beds-seeing the dainty
AAOWeL AGdQS 1uIlllIlS III lno Light
breeze.
tits the most wonderful sight in
the world" breathed Mrs. Archer
thankfully.
Heaps better than the old store"
agreed Mr.. Archer, who was hale and
rudy with the outdoor life.
Our pansy farm" murmured Ann.
and Stone, who was never far from her
side when business permitted. ap-
plauded gently.
Call it Pansy Farm, folks" he sug-
gested.
I'll have a sign painted tomorrow"
said Mr.. Archer promptly.
There's only one thing lacking to
make us perfectly happy" sighed
Mrs. Archer, and they all knew she
was thinking of Frank.
Gould you use another man %
asked stone.
"Yes-we need some one to work
in the field-some one dependable
enough to grow up into better posi-
| tion.'
ct have a young man in mind-good
fellow-country boy-been training
all winter at our southern plant farms.
| I'll send him down tomorrow. Be
lieve me-" he ended impressively, you
can trust him to the limit"
The next afternoon when Ann and
her parents were inspecting the pan
sizes once more there was hail from
the path. Looking for a MANI" some
one called cheerily.
Frank" cried his mother, and they
all went to meet him. Tall and broad
| shouldered. clear eyed and sun
Drowned, he told a tale of meeting
John Stone.
''He did it-made a man Of me-" de-
| clared Frank. I'm ready to do my
share, father and mother, and stay
home. If can have my little old room
again"
When John Stone came. they met
him with fearful eyes, but he waved
them aside. Don't thank me-" he
grinned sheepishly. I'm selfish
fellow-of course. you all know how
I feel about Ami"
Ann blushed under the loving
glances of her family. and her father
came over and took her hand
stone" he said kindly, ST believe we
need you in our family. Eth. mother p
"Of course" she said warmly. TAX
ing AIMS other hand. And somehow
no one thought of asking Ann what
she thought about it, but her face be-
trayed the secret of the girl who had