The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-11-18
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
PansY Farm
Copyright, 1920, by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicatel
RY KATE .EpMONDS

FDOWer seeds; guess you ,DeLGeA NY
S<Chem, Ann, and start a posy garden
pext summer" /,
Mr.. Archer figured on a slip OF
paper. When he had finished no
smiled sadly at his daughter. When
the bills are paid. dear, there VIII
be lust enough money to. keep 10
until spring, then-What2'
Ann smiled bravely. Don't wor-
~, father, l will take care OF mat
il will be my turn TO de- somethlhe'
lam glad the store is sold u
You can spend a little time at home
uow-jusE think Of the kitchen gar
den we shall have next year
"We'll see, Ann" he said, and
his look was not very hopeful. the
archer store had been driven out
OF business by one Of Il series OF
chain stores, and as the Archers
u were elderly people with one daugh'
ter they were inclined to worry be-
cause, after the winter months
wero over, there was nothing TO 4lVe
IN. Ann had never BEEN trained for
any particular work ana now there
was no money to take up anything
new.
'SNhat can l do?" Ann asked the
question dozens OF times as she
went over her scInty stock OF &C
compllshments. She could find no
answer until M day a travelling
salesman who had been wont to call
at the store came out to see her
father. Ann talked with him a
while.
III wish l coulo do something to
90 M money, Mr.. Stone" she said
{~Eaif6estly. DO you think | could
travel on the road--sell some
thing?"
44EBell seeds. l a got you a po-
N!6h with my house to sell flower
and vegetable seeds" said MI
tStone briskly. Better still, stay at
home, raise the seeds yourself n
sell en- to my house"
81 should love to do that" cried
Ann. I'VE have the land, but l am
not sure how to do it."
HYou say you had some flower
seeds lief: from the store. Get some
books from the library here, and Ill
nend you some more from town.
Your father can knock together
shallow boxes for the seedlings, and
when 1t 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 a year
and two years from nov you will
be driving your own car.
Mr.. Stone vas young and enthusi-
aRNc and Ann was younger and
tetty; the study Of flowers was
lost interesting. The Archers
Worked from February, when they
Yplanted the seeds in the house, I'M
I'll June when they began to reap
the reward OF their efforts by the
sale Of young plants to their neigh
b6rs and a nearby florist.
.'This is the right profession for
you, Miss Ann" said young Stone
% ho advised the flower farm girl
about next years needs. Look
over POUR books now-see how ma
my seeds Of ANIMALS you have gath
8ered and sold, saving some for
planting next year. You wouldn't
think that pretty pOsies like mig
nonette, sweet alyssum. Candytuft,
pansies and such could make mon
ey for you, eh :.
tits such a beautiful business"
said Ann softly. 81 am so happy
snboutit Mr.. Stone"
"Good enough" returned the
4sk MI. Stone, turning pink and
Struggling hard not to say some
thing else. you've got a brother
in the city, haven't you?"
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. II know a dandy place for
him to board and a good job for
hm-straighten him out in no
time"
Ann gave the desired address and
tried to forget about Franks way
wardness. They had hoped so mucn
to win him back to his home again,
,vbut all efforts had failed. II any
zone could reach him, John Stone
could.
Another winter passed and then
spring, early this year, and soon
after Easter the Archers stood in
speeches. delight watching the
gorgeous pansy ~beds-seeing the
dainty flower heads rufrling in the
light breeze.
"It's the most wonderful sight in
the world" breRthed Mrs. Archer
thankfully.
"Heaps better than the old store"
agreed Mr.. Archer, who was hale
and ruddy with the outdoor life.
"Our pansy farm" mUrmuTed
Ann, and Stone, who was far
from her side when business per-
mitted, applauded gently.
"CaI It Pansy arm, folks" be
suggested
"Ill have a sign painted to-
morrow" said Mr.. Archer prompt
"There's only n thing lacking
10 make us perfectly happy sigh
cd Mrs. Archer, and they all knew
she was thinking Of Frank.
"Yes-we need someone to work
3 in the feld-some one dependable
! enougb to grow up into a better po.
sition."
."I have a young man in mind
good fellow-country boy-been
training all winter at Jul southern
plant farms. I'll send him down
tomorrow. Believe mo-" he ended
impresSively, "you a trust him to
the limit"