,,parables ,,from ,,flowers4 ,illustration3 ,,parables ,,from ,,flowers4 ,frontispiece4 ,,parables ,,from ,,flowers4 ,,by ,,gertrude ,p4 ,,dyer1 ,,author ,,of ',,little ,,pollie1' ',,armour-,,clad1' ,,etc4 ,,etc4 ,doth not thy heart throb with emotions of thankfulness to ,god for making the earth so fair1 so redolent of beauty in its garniture of flowers1 and for having scattered these silent teachers up and down the world8 ,,edinburgh3 ,w4 ,p4 ,,nimmo1 ,,hay1 ,,mitchell4 ,,to ,,my ,,dear ,,little ,,friends1 ,,mabel1 ,,elsie1 ,,and ,,ruby ,,tarr4 ,,contents4 ,,page ,i4 ,,the ,,forget-,,me-,,not--,,fidelity #g ,,ii4 ,,the ,,snowdrop--,,faith #bb ,,iii4 ,,the ,,foxgloves' ,,stratagem--,,gratitude #cj ,,iv4 ,,the ,,little ,,miner ,,and ,,his ,,flower--,,trust ,,in ,,god #df ,v4 ,,the ,,little ,,seed--,,kindness #fh ,,vi4 ,,the ,,crown ,,imperial--,,hope #hc ,,vii4 ,,the ,,two ,,leaves--,,discontent #hi ,,viii4 ,,the ,,ambitious ,,wild-,,flower--,,ambition #ii ,,ix4 ,,the ,,honeysuckle ,,and ,,the ,,butterfly--,,humility ,,and ,,pride #aae ,,parables ,,from ,,flowers4 ,,parable ,,first4 ,,the ,,forget-,,me-,,not--,,fidelity4 ,in the days of the long-ago1 my ancestors did not dwell as we do now--in brooks or by the banks of shallow streams1 but grew in wild luxuriance beneath the shade of overhanging trees1 and under the wayside hedgerows4 ,we were always a quiet1 unassuming race1 and1 indeed1 ,i am fain to confess1 were not held in more esteem by mortals than are our sweet cousins whom children call ',bird's-eyes4' ,but some one made known to the world that pathetic ',legend of the ,rhine1' in which we are described1 then people began to perceive that we were pretty1 lovely indeed1--and to make a great fuss about us2 but such is the way of the world6 ,yet1 though that legend is tenderly beautiful and thrilling1 it is almost too romantic to please the taste of simple flowers1 therefore ,i will tell you the true story how we acquired our name4 ,that shall be my parable--see what it will teach6 ,we grew there1 unheeded and unsought1 on soft mossy banks1 not the less lovely because unknown1 and just above our dwelling-place a large oak spread abroad its leafy branches4 ,it was a favourite tree of the birds1 they felt so secure there1 sheltered from prying eyes by its protecting leaves2 besides1 its branches were so firm and strong1 they resisted bravely the fury of the storms that swept over them4 ,what bird1 then1 would fear to build its nest there8 ,and often have we listened to their sweet songs as they perched above us1 and many times lifted our heads and gazed upon the happy inmates of those simple homes4 ,but there was one family among them that interested us even more than others1 though all were dear to us4 ,it was a pair of wrens who had by some strange accident taken up their abode in our oak1 instead of a yew-tree as they generally do2 and not only my family1 but the whole colony of birds1 old inhabitants of the tree1 many of them1 felt great interest in the new-comers1 assisting them with advice1 as they were but young4 ,then1 when building time came1 how kind they all were6 indeed1 though it was a busy season with every bird1 each anxious to finish its work1 yet ,i heard an old ,rook one day ask little ,jenny ,wren 'if he should help her1' as he met her trying to drag a large wisp of straw with all her tiny strength4 ',no1 thank you1' she gently replied2 ',i must try to do it4 ,we must all learn to bear our own burdens4' ,but many times1 however1 ,i have seen the larger and stronger birds bring materials for making the nest close to the spot they had chosen1 to save the little strangers weary journeys2 and at last1 after much patient labour1 the home was finished1 to the intense delight of the two builders1 for both took their share in the work2 but the joy was greater1 when1 after some time1 three little birds made their appearance in the compact and cosy nest4 ,the event caused quite a sensation among the other dwellers in our old tree4 ,jays were constantly inquiring how the nestlings were getting on1 an inquisitive ,magpie peeped into the nest1 trying to get a glimpse of the pretty ones1 and received a sharp peck from the angry father as a reproof for the intrusion2 as to the motherly ,rooks1 who were supposed to care for nothing save their own family concerns1 they kindly advised the young parents how to rear the brood1 saying1 ',care1 care1' was all that was necessary2 nay1 it is even recorded1 as an undoubted fact1 that an old ,owl1 who had lived for ages in a hole in the tree1 actually opened her eyes quite wide when the news was first told to her1 although it was broad daylight6 ,you may imagine1 then1 how happy they were1 surrounded thus by kindness and love2 and yet--,i suppose it is but right there are ever shadows as well as sunshine1 and1 sad though it seems1 every life must have bitters mingled with the sweets2 still they were so joyous in that tiny nest6 ,why1 ah1 why was their happiness to be clouded8 ,alas1 it grieves me even now to tell1 though many long years have since then passed away6 ,one day the father-bird went from the nest1 and never returned6 ,long and patiently waited his little mate1 hoping each moment to hear his welcome note1 as swiftly he winged his way back to her4 ,but the day wore on1 the evening sun grew golden1 then faded in the purple west--but still he came not6 ,the other dwellers in the oak returned to their homes1 yet they brought no tidings of the wanderer4 ,after a while their happy voices were hushed in sleep1 the ,blackbird ceased to warble his evening hymn1 and all were buried in slumber1 and at rest6 ,all8 ,ah1 no6 the lonely mourner was waking still1 gazing up with sad1 sad eyes at the starry heavens above1 asking the night-winds as they moaned around3 ',will he not return to me8' ,days passed1 slowly dragging their length wearily on for the lonely bird in that desolate nest4 ,yet1 though her heart was breaking1 she tended her tiny nestlings1 neglecting none of her daily duties2 for his dear sake she loved them yet the more1 hoping as each day came it would bring him back1 and striving to imagine his delight when he returned1 and found his young ones almost fledged4 ,but still the days dawned1 the weary hours went by1 the sickness of hope deferred would fall upon her loving heart1 crushing it almost to breaking2 yet bravely she struggled with her woe4 ,it was when the holy stars shone down1 gazing pityingly at her meekly raised eyes1 and she was alone in stillness with her great sorrow1 that then would she murmur with a bitter cry1-- ',when will he come home to me again8' ,yet still he came not6 ,then her brave heart gave way4 ,in vain the other birds tried to comfort her2 she could not be comforted1 for he she so dearly loved 'was not4' ',do not grieve1 do not grieve--cheer thee1 che-eer thee1' sang the ,robin1 as he perched beside her4 ,or the ,thrush tried to advise1 saying1 ',don't fret1 don't fret2 'tis a pity1 'tis a pity6' ,but one bright sunny day a ,swallow came flying along4 ,he had just returned from far distant lands1 and all the other birds gathered chittering around him1 eager to hear the news he had brought4 ,he told them of much he had seen whilst on the wing2 also that he was the pioneer1 his brothers would soon rejoin him1 for ,summer was coming2 he had heard her heralds in the fields and groves1 had marked her flower-decked path in forest and in lane4 ,but what was summer to the heart-broken ,wren8 ,there would be no sunshine for her1 since he was not there--he who was her all4 ',oh1 ,swallow1' she timidly asked1 'have you seen my own love8' ,then the eyes of the ,swallow became tear-dimmed1 as sadly he replied1-- ',little ,jenny ,wren1 ,i have6' ',where--oh1 where8' she cried in thrilling accents4 ,he hesitated a few moments1 though to her impatience it seemed hours2 he wished to spare her further agony if he could--but the truth must be told4 ',tell me1 tell me1' she pleaded1 impatient at the delay4 ',in a prison1' was the reply4 ',in a prison6' she repeated1 horror-struck at the disclosure2 then she added1 ',i will go to him1 and share his captivity4' ',nay1 nay1' remonstrated a motherly ,sparrow2 'your little ones--think--think--see--see6' ,sadly she drooped her head upon her breast2 her heart was divided between a mother's duty and a wife's love4 ',i will take care of the nestlings1' said a young ,linnet2 'they shall feed with my little ones1 ,i will shelter them under my wings4' ,gratefully the poor wee bird looked at her generous friend2 words were not needed to express her thanks4 ',take me to him1' she piteously asked1 turning to the ,swallow4 ',i shall pass that way to-morrow1' he said1 'for ,i must go and meet my comrades1 to guide them here4 ,you can go with me2 ,i will take you to where he is imprisoned4' ,the next morning1 before the sun had risen1 away flew the ,swallow1 and with him the little ,wren4 ,she heeded not that the valleys were still shrouded in mist1 or that the cold grey dawn yet lingered in the skies2 was not her sunshine coming8 should she not soon see him who was her brightness8 ,the day wore on1 and onward still by the ,swallow's side1 she1 with untiring pinions1 winged her way2 she suffered not from noontide heat1 she felt not even the pangs of hunger or thirst1 for her heart was filled with hope4 ,but towards evening her pitying guide led her over a hot1 murky town2 the very sky above it was hidden by the thick atmosphere of smoke which seemed completely to envelope it2 the two birds could scarcely breathe1 the air was so dense with poisonous gases4 ',it cannot be here8' she gasped1 as suddenly the ,swallow paused in his rapid flight4 ',see1 see6' was his exclamation4 ,then1 raising her heavy eyes1 she saw1 suspended from a high window1 a small wire cage1 and in it--her long-lost mate6 ,he was resting on a low perch1 with his poor aching head beneath his wing2 his pretty brown feathers were no longer smoothly plumed1 but hung ragged and tattered around his wasted form1 so different to the bright1 bonnie bird of the long-ago6 ,but she heeded not the change2 to her he was as beautiful1 ay1 and more dear than ever1 so1 flying up1 she clung with eager feet to the cruel bars which kept her from him1 and1 pressing her beak as close as possible to the cage1 she murmured1-- ',i am here1 love6' ,at the sound of that sweet voice1 so well remembered by the captive1 he raised his drooped head1 and1 gazing at her with all the old loving tenderness1 whispered feebly1-- ',is it you1 ,jenny8 ,ah1 ,i knew you would come6' ,and every evening found her there4 ,patiently would she stay near the prisoner throughout the dark watches of the night1 cheering her loved one because she was near2 but when the grey dawn came stealing over the skies1 away she would fly back to the nest in the oak1 and during the day would carefully tend her little ones1 fulfilling thus her double duty as wife and mother4 ,then when the evening star appeared1 telling her of the gloaming1 she would hush her nestlings with a soothing lullaby1 and1 when they were sleeping1 would swiftly fly to her imprisoned mate1 bearing in her beak a sprig of moss1 or a leaf from the well-remembered spot where they had been so happy in the spring-time of their life2 and when she reached the prison1 if her loved one was grieving1 pining for the liberty he had lost1 the home ties thus rudely broken1 her sweet voice murmuring1 ',i am here1 love1' seemed to bring comfort to that poor failing heart2 and as she tenderly pressed her cool1 fresh beak to his1 so parched and dry1 he would reply1 striving to be gay for her dear sake1-- ',ah1 ,jenny1 you have brought on your wings some sunlight from our old home1 my darling4' ,one evening1 when as usual she flew to the prison1 she found him lying at the bottom of the cage1 speechless and motionless4 ,frantically she tore at the cruel bars1 beating them with her wings in an agony of despair4 ',my own love1 my own love6' she cried aloud in her anguish2 'speak to me once again6' ,her beloved voice seemed to possess the power to recall him back to life1 for he heard her1 though the shadows of death were stealing over him4 ',jenny1 darling1' he feebly whispered1 as she bent low to catch the faintest word1 'they have broken my heart4 ,ah1 why did they keep me thus captive8' ',oh1 do not die6' she moaned2 'think how lonely ,i should be in this wide world without you4' ',if ,i were but free1 we should be so happy again1 love1' he said1 gasping painfully for breath as he spoke4 ',i will release you1' she cried1 and strove with all her strength to unfasten the prison door1 but in vain--it resisted all her efforts4 ',what shall ,i do8 what shall ,i do8 ,he will die1 and ,i cannot help him1' moaned forth the poor ,wren in accents of despair4 ',my sweet one1' he murmured1 'do not grieve so bitterly4 ,death were better far than life if separated from you2 but1 before ,i close my eyes for ever upon this world which the good ,god who loveth us hath created so beautiful1 bring me just one spray of those little blue flowers4' ',i know them6' she eagerly cried2 'a cluster grew beneath our nest4' ',yes1' he continued2 'and when ,i used to return home ,i could see them afar off1 and would think1 ,jenny is there1 and their blue eyes are looking upon her4 ,bring me one tiny spray1 darling1 and if ,i die when you are from me1 we shall not seem so very far apart1 for those sweet flowers will whisper to me of you4' ,she waited no longer1 but flew rapidly away to bring the blossoms on which he wished to look once again2 but she had not long gone when a young girl came to the cage1 and saw the poor captive bird as ,jenny had found him--still and motionless as though dying1 and her heart was filled with tender pity1 that its brief life should thus be so soon ended4 ',poor birdie6 ,i fear it is dying1' she said4 ',i will unfasten the cage2 perhaps the fresh air will revive him1 and bring back his failing strength4' ,and with kindly hands she opened the prison door1 thus giving him liberty4 ,the cool1 fresh air1 stirring his drooping feathers1 aroused him from his lethargy2 at first he could not believe that the door was open1 that he was free4 ,it was almost too much happiness for the poor sick bird to bear2 yet it was true--freedom was his1 and his first thought was of ,jenny4 ,he would fly to meet her1 as he knew she would soon return1 bearing with her the blue flowers he loved1 and then1 when she saw him coming towards her1--free1 yes1 free6--would not all past sorrow be forgotten in the ever-present joy8 ,so1 with a twitter of gratitude to the girl who had opened his prison door1 he fluttered his wings1 just to try their strength1 poised a while in the air1 then away he flew with unerring instinct towards his dear home in the old oak tree4 ,but of ,jenny8 ,with a sad weight upon her poor little heart1 crushing it with the iron grip of despair1 she reached the spot where the flowers grew1 plucked a few blossoms from the stem1 then away again1 without pausing to rest1 bearing the prized flowerets in her beak4 ,she felt not fatigue2 though her weary pinions sometimes faltered1 still she heeded it not1 still struggling on1 eager to reach where he lay dying4 ,her only thought was3 ',if he were to die1 and ,i not with him4' ,but slower and slower grew her flight2 strength at last was failing1 for it had been too severely tried2 her breath came quick and fast1 in short1 fitful gasps1 and her heart beat heavily beneath her quivering breast4 ',oh1 but to see him once more6' she moaned1 as she felt her weary wings failed to do her bidding4 ,she tried to fly yet a little farther1 in vain2 her tired pinions fluttered for a while1 then down she sank1 slowly1 slowly1 on to the calm bosom of a rippling stream that was flowing on over its pebbly sands with soothing melody4 ',jenny1 ,jenny1 my own love1 where are you8 ,i have sought you so long1 my darling1' she heard the well-known voice exclaiming4 ,she raised her dying eyes1 and saw her loved mate hovering above her in the summer air4 ',i am here1 love1' she faintly murmured4 ,then with all the old love-light beaming from her soft1 gentle eyes1 she turned to gaze at her poor desolate mate1 who was rending the air with his piteous cries1 then closed them for ever1 with a look of perfect peace1 murmuring softly1-- ',dearest1 forget me not4' ,and the rippling stream bore her gently away echoing with a plaintive wail her dying words3 ',dearest1 forget me not4' ,the poor widowed bird caught the flowers as they were floating away on the breast of his lost love1 and carried them to his now desolate home2 but one little blossom1 in tender pity for sweet ,jenny ,wren1 detached itself from the others to linger still with the poor dead bird2 and when the stream had carefully borne its precious burden to a shady nook1 where she could rest1 for ever freed from sorrow and pain1 the flower was carried with her1 and1 taking root above the spot where she lay buried1 put forth its blue blossoms in loving remembrance of that fond1 faithful heart4 ,and thus it is how we became dwellers close to tranquil streams1 and why our name is still 'forget-me-not4' ,,parable ,,second4 ,,the ,,snowdrop--,,faith4 ,my life has been so tranquil1 that ,i fear it will not possess much interest2 for1 when first recollection dawned1 ,i remember finding myself far down in the earth--a small bulb1 not much to look at1 ,i am thinking4 ,but very happy were the days spent there with my companions4 ,we in our ignorance deemed the world a dreary place1 and wished we could for ever stay where it was so cosy and warm2 but our ,mother ,earth was carefully instructing us1 teaching us the same precious lessons she unfolds to her other children1 if they will but read the ever-open book1 by man called ',nature4' ,i know not how long it was that the ,frost ,king kept the land bound captive in icy chains1 but at last the signal for freedom came4 ,the trees awoke from their winter sleep1 and1 casting off their sombre garments of sheathed leaves1 came forth in vestments of tender green2 the bees1 too1 sent out their pioneers1 who hastened back to the hives with the glad tidings of the sunshine and of awakening flowers4 ,the birds flew hither and thither on joyous wings1 twittering their simple gratitude to ,him who 'heareth the ravens cry2' for they indeed were thankful that the dark days were past1 and that 'the time of the singing of birds had come4' ,as to the little brooks and streams1 how rejoiced were they to be free once more6 they bounded away over the sandy shallows or pebbly beds1 laughing for very gladness1 and kissing the green banks whose fresh verdure they laved1 whilst murmuring to them their gladsome song3 ',i'm free6 oh1 joy6 ,i am free once again6 ,i have burst with delight my icy chain1 ,and gaily ,i flow to the open sea1 ,joyously singing1 ,i'm free6 oh1 ,i'm free6 ,i kiss the green banks as ,i glide along1 ,i woo the birds with my peaceful song2 ,the sunbeams they dance to my joyous strain1 ,whilst gaily ,i fling their rays back again4' ,and for us also came the appointed time1 when we too had to leave the home in which we had been so tenderly nurtured2 we were to go1 ready prepared to do the work marked out for us4 ,but ,i did not wish to go2 ,i feared to face a world unknown to me1 and fain would have lingered in the home so loved4 ',why must ,i leave you8' ,i asked of our gentle parent4 ',i cannot bear the separation4' ',my child1' she replied1 with something of reproach in her soft voice1 'have you so soon forgotten the lesson ,i taught you1 that ,he who created all things1 createth nothing in vain8 ,go forth upon the earth1 and speak in parables of ,his glorious works4' ',what can ,i teach8--,i1 so small1 and of no repute6' ,i asked1 still doubting4 ',some lesson of ,his goodness to the children of men1' was her reply4 ',but everything on earth appears to have its appointed mission2 there seems no work for me1' ,i urged in excuse4 ',god will find something for even you to do1' she said2 'it may be only a message from ,him4' ',a message6' ,i repeated4 ',what could ,i say to others8 ,already have all the flowers their symbols3 the ,violet is the ,hope flower1 the ,heart's-ease speaks of ,thought2 what can we ,snowdrops tell8' ,our mother did not answer--she left us to find what lessons we best could teach4 ,so day by day we grew1 stronger and stronger1 gradually becoming better fitted to perform the work allotted2 until at last ,i appeared above the ground--a slender green leaf6 ,never shall ,i forget how cheerless looked the earth when first ,i came above it1 so dull and black1 save where a few snowflakes had been drifted by the wintry winds2 all else was bleak and bare4 ,there was not a gleam of sunshine athwart the leaden sky to cheer us1 nor a bird to meet us with a friendly greeting1 for even the robins kept so near the houses for warmth and shelter1 they came not to the spot where we grew1 alone and sad2 and as to the trees1 they as yet stood silent above us1 only the ,holly was still decked with gay scarlet berries1 enlivening up the gloomy landscape with a little bright colour4 ,but the ,holly smiled not on us2 armed at all points in his glossy coat of shining mail1 he was so lofty and grand1 and we were only--,snowdrops6 ,but ,i grew on1 cherished by our great ,mother ,nature1 who careth for all her children1 and loves them tenderly1 be they humble ,daisies or the queenly ,rose2 and at last ,i became a perfect flower1 taking my pure white tints from the snow around me1 and borrowing just a faint tinge of green from the young grass that was now bravely struggling to appear4 ,by and by1 a ,blackbird1 with golden beak and shining coat1 found me out as he was seeking a convenient tree in which to make a nest1 and1 bowing politely1 exclaimed1-- ',welcome to you1 fair ,snowdrop6 ,i am rejoiced to see you1 for you bring us the assurance that spring is on the way1 and we shall be glad1 for the winter has been long and dreary4' ,then he having communicated the glad tidings to the other birds1 they also came to greet me1 cheering my loneliness with their sweet songs4 ,yet still ,i pined to return to earth again2 ,i cared not to look upward1 but hung my head1 murmuring sadly1-- ',oh1 ,mother ,earth1 take home thy child6 she is so weary of her life here4' ,was ,i wrong8 ,perhaps so1 but ,i owed my existence to that which mortals deem so cold and dark2 ,i loved it with the affection of a loving child1 and longed to rest again upon the dear bosom that had sheltered me when ,i was but a frail bulb4 ,besides1 it seemed to me that ,i was doing no good4 ,why was ,i sent here1 if only to bloom and then die8 ,i had been told that nothing was created in vain2 was ,i doing the work for which ,i had been sent upon the earth8 ,whilst thus repining over my useless life1 a poet passed by chance--stay1 was it chance8 nay1 there is no chance6 ,he was one who as yet had met with but little success2 ,i am told there are many such among earth's children4 ,we know that it is said3 ',many a flower is born to blush unseen1 ,and waste its sweetness on the desert air2' yet the sweetness is not lost1 for it speaks with a perfumed voice to the creatures of the air2 but among mortals1 many fade away into utter oblivion1 breathing only their sad1 sweet heart-songs to the listening winds around4 ,and this poet of whom ,i speak1 he felt within himself the inspiration of genius1 that innate love of the beautiful and true which comes from ,god alone2 but the world looked coldly on him1 and he was struggling with what seemed endless disappointments1 battling with them bravely1 yet almost sinking amidst the strife4 ,his very heart was beginning to fail him1 his noble courage to give way1 when he saw me there1 blossoming alone in that quiet nook4 ',oh1 ,god6' he cried1 as1 with clasped hands and eyes raised heavenward1 he sank beside me on the sod1--'oh1 ,god1 forgive me that ,i should dare to doubt ,thy loving care1 when this fragile1 fragile flower1 sheltered by ,thee1 has braved the wintry storms1 while the cold winds pass tenderly over its bowed head4 ,a bruised reed ,thou wilt not break2 ,thou carest for the lilies of the field1--why then should ,i fear when adversity assails me8 ,art ,thou not still above1 though heaven seems so far off1 and oh1 so cold and pitiless6 ,i will have faith in ,thy divine and fatherly love1 and accept the lesson this sweet flower hath taught me4' 99 99 99 99 99 ,yes1 faith--faith in ,god1 was the parable ,i was sent to teach1 and ,i also have learned to know that1 though the skies may be dark and the winds--oh1 so cold6 yet if we only wait1 and trust ,him1 the sunshine will come at last1 and the breath of heaven never visit us too roughly4 ,,parable ,,third4 ,,the ,,foxgloves' ,,stratagem--,,gratitude4 ,we lived on the garden wall of an old-farmhouse1 over which the vines grew in rare luxuriance1 covering it with their climbing tendrils and leaves2 and in the autumn the purple and white grapes peeped from beneath their leafy shelter1 mocking the thirsty throats of the village lads who passed that way1 and who looked longingly up at the ripe clusters4 ,it was a very old place1 ,i am told1 and had been inhabited by the same family for many successive generations4 ,fathers had tilled the soil1 then laid aside the plough for ever4 ,sons had sprung up to take their place1 and they too1 in their turn1 were gathered in1 when the bearded grain was ripe for the sickle of the great ',reaper1 whose name is ,death1' leaving the old homestead to others of the same name and race1 who loved the home in which they were born1 and wherein those they most cherished had lived and died4 ,the ,swallows1 too1 loved it1 returning year after year to their nests under the eaves1 and from early dawn 'to dewy eve1' all through the warm summer days1 flew hither and thither with swift1 untiring wing1 chasing each other1 as it were1 or teaching their young to fly4 ,as to the ,robins1 they hopped in at the open door under the rustic porch1 just as if they belonged to the place1 and were sure of a welcome1 which indeed they were6 ,and that porch--what a cosy corner it was1 with seats on either side1 inviting weary feet to rest6 the sunbeams were always playing bo-peep through the leaves which hung clustering around2 the ,honeysuckles and ,clematis decking it1 too1 with their blossoms1 scattering their delicious perfume the while4 ,but ,i always thought the spot looked brightest when little ,susie was there--she who was the very sunshine of the old home6 ,and how they all loved her1 from the white-headed grandfather down to the little ploughboy1 who brought her all the poor motherless or sick creatures he found on the farm1 were it but a half-fledged bird or a stray kitten1 certain of her thanks1 and a sweet smile2 and as to her three big brothers1 who had such influence over them as little ,susie8 for even when they were disputing as to whose turn it was to ride ,brown ,bess 7the joint property of the children71 ,susie was always chosen umpire to decide the important question1 and they abode by her decision4 ,why1 it was ,susie who saved us from being ruthlessly destroyed6 for it happened that one day old ,peter was at work in the garden1 and1 to make the place 'a bit more tidy1' as he said1 was proceeding to cut us off from the wall4 ',they bain't o' much account1' he muttered1 sharpening his hook2 'not loike them there ,roses maister sets sich store by1 and thinks so much on4' ,certainly it seemed very sad that1 because we were merely 'common flowers1' our lives were to be cut short long before the appointed time2 we had endeavoured to bloom as brightly as our more refined sisters1 and in sunshine or shower had tried our best to look gay1 and1 ,i think1 had succeeded1 for we do not shut our petals as if we were sulking when dark clouds come1 but keep them always open4 ,but the fiat had gone forth--old ,peter was the stern arbitrator of our destinies6 and1 feeling that our fate was inevitable1 we sighed a last long farewell to each other1 just as we saw him raise his sharp hook to cut us down4 ,at that moment1 so 'big with fate' for us1 who should come into the garden1 singing for very gladness like the birds themselves1 but little ,susie2 the sunlight was playing with her waving hair1 her eyes sparkled as the dewdrops in the sun1 and her tiny feet skipped lightly along as she came dancing up the pathway4 ,that prolonged our lives6 ,old ,peter dropped his hook to turn round and look at his young mistress4 ',what are you going to do1 ,peter8' she inquired1 as she drew near1 and saw him take up his tools to resume work4 ',whoy1 lop doun these 'ere things1 ,miss ,zusie1' he replied1 pointing at us contemptuously4 ',oh1 please don't destroy them6 they are so pretty6' was her eager exclamation4 ',purty1 missie6' the old man repeated1 with astonishment2 'whoy1 them be wild loike4' ',but ,i love them dearly1' she persisted2 'so please leave them there4' ',but the maister8' pursued ,peter1 rubbing his rough head in his perplexity2 'he told me to clear roight up4' ,peter1 it must be observed1 was 'the odd man' about the farm2 there is always one4 ',father will say you did quite right to let them live1' replied the little lady2 'he likes them as much as ,i do1 for he says he remembers them always growing here1 coming up year after year without troubling any one to look after them1 and making the old wall a very flower-garden4' ',well1 ,miss ,zusie1 if so be ye sez so1 ,i s'pose ,i must1' he acquiesced1 though ,i think he was greatly disappointed that he could not have his own way about it2 so there we were left1 and we bloomed more than ever1 striving to do our best in gratitude to the little maiden4 ,now1 ,i have noticed1 as a rule1--mind1 every rule has exceptions1--that good deeds1 like good seed1 seldom fall to the ground and wither away4 ,both may lie fallow1 for a while at least1 but the flower comes up after a while1 and 'with what measure ye mete1 it is meted to you again4' ,you may not have remarked this1 perhaps1 but the fact holds good1 proving most emphatically the sacred truth1 ',blessed are the merciful1 for they shall obtain mercy4' ,now1 when ,susie saved our lives1 she never thought that simple flowers could ever repay her kindness1 and for some time1 it is true1 we did nothing1 only strove to make the garden wall look gay with our sturdy buds and blossoms4 ,but one day1 ,i remember1 ,susie sat on the lawn close by the wall on which we grew1 very busy making a smart new dress for her doll1 ,miss ,arabella1 who sat propped up by a work-box at her back1 with her arms straight out1 and her toes turned in1 but with a sweet smile upon her waxen face4 ,they were evidently engaged in earnest conversation1 for ,susie kept speaking in her own voice for herself1 and using a very shrill falsetto for ,arabella1 who1 by the bye1 appeared to reply only in monosyllables4 ,in the midst of this very entertaining discourse ,i heard another voice exclaiming1-- ',look 'ee 'ere1 ,miss ,zusie1 this vowl 'ave airt her vut2' and the small ploughboy ,i before mentioned came in at the garden gate1 holding a hen in his arms4 ',oh1 give it to me1 ,joey1' cried the little girl1 full of sympathy for the wounded bird4 ',how did it happen8 ,poor dear1 poor dear6' ,with that ,joey poured forth a long account of the accident1 to which she listened attentively1 all the while soothing the lamed hen1 and wrapping it up in her soft frock4 ',i will bathe its poor foot in warm water1 and try to get it well1' she said1 after thanking ,joey for bringing it to her2 and she went into the house1 leaving ,arabella alone on the lawn1 cautioning her1 however1 'to be a good child until mamma returned4' ,it was some days before we again saw the hen1 and then she was quite restored1 and had been given to ,susie as her 'very own' because of the care she had bestowed upon her2 indeed1 she had become quite a pet1 actually was allowed to roam about the flower-garden and lawns2 and some one had given her the name of ',zenobia1'--an inconvenient name to call when in a hurry1 but ,susie was very satisfied with it1 and so1 ,i suppose1 was the hen1 who seemed to love her little mistress1 following her wherever she went1 eating from her hand1 and even perching on her shoulder6 ,after some time ,zenobia was to be seen walking about1 followed by a family of nine chickens2 and really ,i cannot tell which was most proud of the young brood1 ,susie or the hen4 ,susie called them 'loves' and 'beauties1' and the hen1 she clucked1 and made a great fuss over them1 and1 as if determined that their bed should be of roses1 insisted on roosting every night under a rose-bush which grew near the garden gate1 instead of the cosy coop with which she had been provided4 ,well1 one moonlight night we1 of course1 were awake1 though the church clock had long since struck the hour of midnight2 and it was so still1 only the voices of the night murmuring among the trees1 though occasionally we could hear the soft crooning of the hen1 as she hushed her little family to sleep beneath the rose-bush4 ,suddenly we heard the sound of stealthy footsteps creeping under the wall4 ',it is only ,dash1 the house dog1' whispered a sister-flower1 who grew on the same stem as myself4 ',dash does not steal along in that crafty manner1' said another4 ',perhaps it is a rabbit1' suggested one1 'or a cat taking a walk4' ',it may be a rat4' ,various conjectures were hazarded by those who grew low down on the wall1 but ,i was higher up than they1 so1 looking cautiously over1 what should ,i see but a ,fox creeping along1 and scenting his prey1 with his sharp nose close to the ground4 ',good evening6' ,i called out to him4 ,he started with alarm1 for great rascals are always great cowards4 ',oh1 good evening1 my friend1' he replied1 very blandly4 ',charming evening this for a walk4' ',yes1' ,i answered sharply2 'but rather late for respectable folks to be abroad6' ',ah yes1 just so1' was his response2 'but1 you see1 my doctor has advised me to take quiet rambles4' ',it was not ,dr4 ,quack1 was it8' ,i asked2 'because1 poor fellow1 he came to an untimely end the other night1--had his head bitten off1 and his body was then dragged across the yard1 as ,i suppose you already know8' ',dear me6' he ejaculated1 with affected pity1 and glancing slyly up at me out of the corner of his red eyes2 'but how should ,i know1 my friend8' ',oh1 because some of your family are strongly suspected1' was my reply2 'indeed1 our ,dash is on the watch1 so ,i would advise you to'-- ',good-night1 good-night1' he hurriedly exclaimed4 ',i feel the winds are becoming very chilly4' ,so saying1 he shuffled off as fast as possible1 more especially as at that moment ,dash began barking furiously1 as though he scented a foe4 ,how we laughed to think we had frightened the artful fellow away1 and some of us thought we should never see him again2 but we were mistaken1 for1 a few nights after1 there he was creeping along so stealthily outside the garden wall4 ',what do you want8' ,i called out to him4 ',nothing1 my friend1 nothing1' was his answer4 ',well1 since we do not keep that article here1 you had better seek it elsewhere1' interposed a brother of mine who is rather saucy4 ,the ,fox paused for a moment1 as if hesitating what to say2 at length he began1 in a whining tone of voice1-- ',my beloved friends1 ,i perceive ,i must take you into my confidence4 ,the fact is1 my worthy doctor says ,i am in delicate health1 and has therefore directed me'-- ',well1' ,i said1 seeing that he hesitated2 'what of that8' ',simply this2 he has ordered me to eat only light1 digestible food1 such as chicken1' he went on to say4 ',oh1 has he8' ,i remarked2 and then ,i thought to myself1 ',now can your craftiness be seen through3 you are after ,zenobia2 but ,susie saved our lives1 she shall not find the poor despised ,fox-gloves ungrateful4 ,we will save ,zenobia6' ,however1 ,mr4 ,reynard had not guessed our thoughts 7for we all thought alike on the subject71 but continued1-- ',now1 charming friends1 ,i know you have a most delightful hen in this garden4' ',oh yes1 and nine such plump chickens6' cried my brother4 ',oh dear1 how very nice6' exclaimed the ,fox4 ',and ,i have no doubt1' continued my brother1 whilst we could hardly restrain our mirth1 'but that ,zenobia would willingly give them up to you1 for the honour of being devoured by so distinguished a personage4' ',would she really8' he cried1 swallowing this piece of flattery as greedily as he would the chickens4 ',oh yes1' ,i chimed in2 'but there's one thing ,i would mention4 ,grandees like you must be formally introduced4 ,zenobia would be horrified were you to appear before her so unceremoniously2 she might even refuse your request for one of the chickens4' ',what shall ,i do1 then8' he eagerly questioned4 ',why1 dress yourself of course1 appear en grande toilette1' ,i replied2 'brush up your whiskers a little more1 make your coat look glossy1 and1 above all1 put on a pair of gloves6' ',gloves6' he repeated4 ',i have not a single pair2 tell me where ,i can purchase them8' ',leave that to us1' said my brother1 bursting with glee4 ',originally1 you must know1 we were ,fox-glovers1 but somehow we have lost our ancient privilege2 therefore have the supreme graciousness to restore it to us1 and we will be only too proud to serve you4' ',oh1 certainly1' assented the ,fox1 assuming at once an air of patronage that was highly amusing4 ',i take six and three-quarters1' extending his forepad4 ',no1 surely not6' protested my merry brother2 'you must be mistaken2 such a pretty little paw as yours cannot possibly require such a large glove4 ,allow me to suggest six and a quarter4' ,the ,fox agreed to the size named4 ',if you will condescend to call here to-morrow night about this time1 they shall be ready for you1' one of us declared4 ',thank you1' he said loftily1 as though he was conferring a favour upon us1 and off he went1 no doubt congratulating himself on his diplomacy4 ,as to us1 we laughed heartily1 knowing how the crafty old fellow would be caught in his own toils4 ,the next day1 when we saw ,susie feeding and caressing ,zenobia1 how we longed for the power to tell her of the danger that so fearfully menaced her pet1 but we could not2 for1 though there is a 'language of flowers1' it does not discourse on such a topic as this1 therefore we were compelled to keep silence2 but we were determined to do our best to guard little ,susie's treasure4 ,night came1 and dark and dreary it was too1 with heavy clouds drifting across the moon1 almost hiding its brightness2 and it grew so late1 past twelve1 we began to think ,mr4 ,reynard suspected us1 and would not come4 ,but he did1 looking so sleek and shiny1 with his coat all spick and span1 being freshly brushed1 ,i expect4 ',here ,i am1 my friends2 it has taken me so long to dress1' he said1 panting with the haste he had evidently made4 ',is ,zenobia--what a sweet name1 to be sure6' he added in a fawning voice1--'is she here8' ',of course she is1' ,i replied2 'can you not hear her crooning to her nine children8' with a strong emphasis on the number4 ',sweet1 tender creature6' he exclaimed4 ',oh1 but to know her yet more intimately6 ,let me jump over the gate to her6' ',what6 without your gloves on8' cried several of us at once2 'consider how very vulgar you would look4' ',dear1 dear1 ,i quite forgot1' he ejaculated rather impatiently2 evidently he wanted his supper4 ',here they are1' said my brother2 'pray allow me the honour of putting them on for you4' ,he saw the fox was all impatience2 however1 he was obliged to consent1 and my brother proceeded forthwith to fit on a pair of ,fox-gloves made expressly by us4 ',they are rather a tight fit1' he nervously remarked4 ',rather1' we cried1 as my brother held him fast by the paws1 and we went to assist him in keeping the scoundrel a prisoner4 ,he saw1 when too late1 the trap into which he had fallen1 and struggled hard to get free1 even trying to pull us from off the old wall in his futile efforts to escape4 ,but we were too securely fixed there for his strength to be of any avail2 our roots were the growth of years1 and1 besides1 we clasped him so tightly--for unity is indeed strength--that at last the cowardly fellow roared aloud with mingled pain and fright2 perhaps he thought to startle us1 and make us lose our hold4 ,but we knew better than that--we only gripped him the faster2 but the noise aroused ,dash1 who came bounding to the spot 7he was always unchained at night71 and1 flying at ,mr4 ,reynard's throat1 he soon pinned him to the ground4 ,the farmer and his sons must have heard the cries of the ,fox and the baying of ,dash1 for presently they came running as fast as possible to the spot1 armed with all sorts of weapons1 and soon despatched the rascal4 ,and it would have pleased you to have heard the praises bestowed upon the brave old dog for his courage1 which praise he most certainly deserved2 but no one thought of us4 ,however1 we had our reward in feeling that we had done our duty1 and tried to repay our debt of gratitude to little ,susie2 that was recompense enough for us1 nor did we wish for more1 for-- ',on their own merits ,modest men are dumb2' and so say we simple ,foxgloves4 ,,parable ,,fourth4 ,,the ,,little ,,miner ,,and ,,his ,,flower--,,trust ,,in ,,god4 ,i do not think any of us would care to pass the greater part of our days down in a coal mine1 or even to live in the vicinity of one4 ,for miles around the country is barren of trees or flowers2 even the grass does not grow there2 the very air is dense with black smoke from the numerous chimneys1 so that the sky is hidden1 as it were1 by a thick1 murky veil4 ,but1 if thus dreary by day1 how much more dreadful does it look at night1 when the lurid glare from the furnaces lights up the sky with a red gleam1 which can be seen far and wide6 it has then in it something terrible4 ,as ,i said just now1 not a flower can thrive in such a close and heavy atmosphere2 not even a blade of grass can push its way up through the coal-encrusted soil which covers the earth4 ,well may it be called the ',black ,country2' and yet there are brave1 good men living1 ay1 and working there1 day after day descending those dark shafts and in the underground of the mines living out their hard1 laborious lives1 braving dangers innumerable1 to provide for the wants of their fellow-men2 yet ,i wonder how many of us1 as we gather round the cosy fireside of home1 ever think of the hardy miners4 ,all honour1 then1 to that ,christian man1 whose noble heart thought so much of them and of the risks they encounter in the deep mines2 his mighty genius studied to avert the dangers to which they are exposed1 and by his clever invention many thousand lives have been saved4 ,statues are raised to soldiers and statesmen1 and their deeds are chronicled all over the world1 yet the simple-hearted ,cornish chemist has done more for ,england's glory than all her greatest warriors or statesmen6 ,sometimes1 it is true1 terrible accidents happen even now1 and indeed1 had any one passed through a certain coal district on the day of which we speak1 a scene of desolation and misery would have presented itself2 for there had been a colliery accident6--a fearful explosion in a mine through some 7as yet7 unknown cause1 and they were now bringing up the dead and dying4 ,we too often1 alas6 read these sad accounts in the newspapers1 but cannot fully realize the intense anguish and despair among the mining population when such a calamity befalls them4 ,try to picture1 then1 the men1 women1 and even children1 who were gathered in anxious groups around the mouth of the pit1 eagerly waiting to see if any of their kindred were among the hapless victims2 and when the brave rescue party would appear above the shaft1 bearing in their arms the sufferers1 wailing cries would rend the very air1 as some poor woman recognised her son or her 'good man' in the crushed and mangled form they laid so tenderly down6 ,there was a little cottage standing among others of the same class1 but which from its appearance seemed to betoken the residence of one more refined than the rest1 for snowy curtains draped the windows1 the panes of which were scrupulously clean1 and the doorsteps were as white as hands could make them4 ,going now towards this cottage1 a group of men might be seen1 carefully carrying a heavy burden1 over which a sheet was spread4 ,it was their foreman--a man loved and respected by them all1 and the hearts of these rough colliers beat sadly1 as they bore him thus towards his once happy home6 ,the rumour of the catastrophe1 and of her husband being one among the many poor sufferers1 had burst upon his wife like the surging of an angry wave1 overwhelming her with its force1 and she sat with ashen cheeks and quivering lips1 listening with bated breath for that which she knew must come1 the while convulsively clasping in her arms their only child1 their fair-haired ,davie4 ,but when at last she heard the measured tread of those who bore him coming nearer and nearer to her door1 she rose1 with a shivering sob1 to meet him1 as she had ever done1 with a loving smile1 though now her heart was full of anguish4 ,and he knew her1 for he put out his poor crushed hand for her to take1 faintly murmuring1-- ',my poor1 poor girl6' ,tenderly1 as with the gentle touch of woman1 those rugged men laid him upon the bed from which he had risen in full health and strength1 and the wife's hand was firm1 as softly she removed the garments from his mangled limbs4 ,ah1 little had she thought1 when she bade him ',good-bye' that morning1 his return would have been thus4 ,he had said to ,davie in his merry way1 laying his hand on the boy's curly head1-- ',ah1 young man1 soon you will be the bread-winner2 your old father will then be able to sit idle by the ingle and smoke his pipe1 whilst mother looks on4' ,he had returned to the ingle1 but ,davie was still a child6 99 99 99 99 99 ,a few anxious days1 and all was over2 the end had come1 and he and his fellow-sufferers were laid to rest beneath the fresh green turf in a distant churchyard1 and the poor young widow was alone in the wide world1 with only little ,davie6 ,but the poor have no time to spare for mourning or regrets2 they must be up and doing1 even though their hearts fail them for very sorrow2 yet none save those who have suffered can know the utter desolation of heart1 crushing the very soul to the earth with despair1 when the father1 'the bread-winner1' is taken from their midst1 and those who are left know not where to look for help or guidance2 and so this poor widow sat by the fire-light1 with her boy's hand clasped in hers1 gazing into the glowing embers as if trying to read the future therein4 ,the past had been very happy1 for her girlhood was spent in a far different sphere1 but she had freely given up all for him who was now no more1 and had never repented of the sacrifice made2 but1 alas6 he was gone1 leaving her alone1 and her heart was like to break4 ,and1 musing thus1 she recalled the tones of the dear voice that had ever comforted her when in sadness1 now silent for ever6--the brave heart so firm of purpose that had ceased to beat6--and as she thought of him who had been so kind1 so true1 her courage gave way1 and1 burying her face in her hands1 she sobbed aloud1 saying1-- ',oh1 ,davie1 ,davie6 who will care for us now father is gone8' ,the child put his arms lovingly around her bowed head1 as though it was his place to be the comforter4 ',mother darling1 the ,lord will care for us4 ,he is the friend of the widow and fatherless4' ,there was something in the boy's voice that struck the mother's ear1 for she removed her hands from before her face1 and1 drawing him nearer to her1 gazed earnestly into those clear blue eyes4 ,sudden sorrow often changes the entire nature of people1 and the events of the last few days had1 as it were1 transformed little ,davie from a mere child into a thoughtful boy4 ,like his namesake of old1 'he was of a beautiful countenance1' and as he caressingly smoothed his mother's pale cheeks with his soft1 gentle hands1 she felt she was not desolate1 since he was left to her4 ,long they sat in silence4 ,at last the boy said1-- ',mother dear1 ,mat ,morgan says that1 as ,i am now ten years old1 it is time for me to begin work like the other lads about here4' ',how1 ,davie8' she dreamily questioned1 for her thoughts were wandering far away1 so that she scarcely heard what he said4 ',in the pit with him1' was the reply2 'he is so kind and good1 ,i know he will take great care of me4' ',no1 no6' she cried1 clasping him yet closer to her2 'not in the cruel mine that has robbed us of father6--no--not there6' ',nay1 mother darling1' the boy gently urged2 'it was ,god who took father home--and he was ready to go6 ,besides1' he continued1 with all the hopefulness of youth1 ',i could earn some money every week1 and only think how useful that would be6' ',but your poor father did not wish you to be a miner2 he hoped you would become a great and clever man1' the mother replied4 ,he hesitated for a moment4 ,bright visions had filled his young head of gaining riches and honours 'some day1' that glorious time of the young1 and he had thought how proud they both would be of him1 and they should neither of them work any more1 but live in a lovely home of his providing1 and never know care any more4 ,and now6--he clenched his small hands together1 and choked back the big lump rising in his throat as bravely he exclaimed1-- ',and ,i will be a clever man1 for ,i will learn at night when ,i come home1 and who knows what ,i may be one day4 ,mat ,morgan says our manager was only a poor collier lad once1 and look at him now4 ,besides1 they are all so good to us here2 they loved father dearly4' ,so the boy prevailed over her fears1 and in a few days he took his place by the side of his old friend ,mat ,morgan1 who grew to love him as his own child4 ,but the mother's heart was grieved when at night her boy returned with the fair golden hair rough and tangled1 the once delicate hands torn and hardening with toil2 yet the child gave no thought to that4 ,true1 this was not the life he would have chosen1 for he was a studious boy1 but still1 was he not 'the bread-winner'8 and it was a proudly happy day for him when he laid his first earnings in her lap1 and felt her tears upon his cheek as she kissed and blessed her boy4 ,but the hour he loved the best was when1 casting aside all care1 he sat on a low stool at her feet1 and1 with his head resting on her knee1 listened as she read aloud their evening chapter from the ,book of ,life2 he was then the child again1 not the toiling little miner-lad6--and oh1 it was so peaceful6 ',consider the lilies of the field1 they toil not1 neither do they spin1' read the mother one evening4 ',but1 mother1 what are lilies like8 ,i have never seen one1 you know1' asked the boy1 when she had ceased reading and had closed the book4 ,in simple language1 she endeavoured to describe to her town-born child the exquisite beauties of the flowers of the field1 and he1 with an innate love of the beautiful1 caught readily at all she said1 and seemed as though he saw them all as she depicted4 ',how ,i should love to be where there are always flowers6' he exclaimed2 'it must be like paradise6 ,but those ,i have seen always close up at night4 ,i wish there was one here that opened of an evening1 as if to greet me when ,i come home6' ,i know not how it happened1 but the next night1 when little ,davie entered his home1 a delicious perfume filled the air1 and standing in the cottage window was an ,evening ,primrose1 with its petals fully expanded4 ',mother1 mother1' cried the boy1 'my wish has come true6 here is a flower opening its blossoms to bid me welcome home2' and in excess of delight he knelt and kissed his treasure again and again4 ,and words cannot express the love he bestowed upon the plant2 it was to him an unfeigned joy to watch the growing of each leaf1 the gradual unfolding of each fresh bud2 and every night1 on his return from work1 his first thought1 after the thought for his mother1 was of his sweet ,evening ,primrose4 ,those who gather flowers at will1 prize them for a while1 then cast them carelessly aside1 can form no idea of the all-absorbing love the little miner lad evinced for his one fair flower2 it was his sole treasure1 and he ever watched and tended it lovingly and well4 ,but time passed on1 and it was ,davie's last day in the coal-mine4 ,he was going to exchange that toilsome life1 so uncongenial to his taste1 but which stern necessity had made him adopt1 for a new and brighter occupation1 one1 too1 for which he had always ardently longed4 ,the manager of whom he had spoken to his mother had frequently noticed the gentle1 fair-haired boy2 prosperity had not hardened his heart 7as it so often does71 and recollections of the long-ago flashed ever across him1 when he saw ,davie bravely striving to do his best to help his mother bear her burden of sorrowful poverty4 ,he too had been a collier lad in those far-off days1 and 'the only son of his mother1 and she was a widow4' ,the grass was green above that dear mother's grave1 whose latter years had been cheered and comforted by his tender1 fostering love2 but his thoughts were of her1 as1 laying his hand upon the lad's curly head1 he kindly asked1-- ',would you like to leave the pit-work1 ,david1 and go into the engineers' department8' ',what6 and become a great man like ,stephenson and ,brunel8 ,oh yes1 sir6' the boy joyfully exclaimed1 for1 like all youthful ambitions he vaulted at once to the highest pinnacle of greatness--there is no midway for the ardent young4 ,the manager smiled at his enthusiasm1 as he replied1-- ',you can but try1 my lad1 to be as great and good as they were2' and he added1 ',you can enter upon your new work next week2 there is a vacancy for you4' ',but1 sir1'--and the boy paused1--'shall ,i earn wages like ,i do now8 because'-- ,and his voice failed him1 he could not utter the thought of his heart1--should he still be able to help his mother8 ,the gentleman understood his hesitation1 for he said kindly1-- ',yes1 my little man1 you will earn good wages1 and1 if you are only good and steady like your poor father before you1 ,i've no doubt but that you may become a great man one day2' and he smiled encouragingly into the boy's upturned face1 a face which was beaming with hope and happiness4 ,as to ,davie1 he raised his generous friend's hand to his lips1 for he could not speak for very gratitude2 then1 with his blue eyes sparkling with joy1 ran quickly home to tell the blissful news4 ',mother1 mother6' he cried1 bursting in upon her as she sat at work2 ',i shall become a great man now1 and you shall ride in a carriage1 and never work any more2' and then1 with his arms around her neck and his curly head resting lovingly upon her shoulder1 he poured forth his bright hopes for the future4 99 99 99 99 99 ,so the last day came for working in the dark mine1 and to-morrow--oh1 to-morrow6 ',but ,i'll miss ye1 ,davie1' ,mat ,morgan observed1 as he and his little friend trudged on side by side to work2 'ye be bright and cheery-like down there1' pointing with his pipe towards the pit4 ',and maybe ye'll forget the missis and me when ye gets to be a great man1 as ye says ye'll be one day1 and ,i makes no doubt but ye will be too4 ,ye be summat like yer poor fayther1 my lad2 he were allers above we4' ',nay1 ,master ,morgan6' cried the boy reproachfully2 'were you not my first friend1 when dear father died8 ,you don't mean that1 ,i know6 looking up at his old friend's rugged face with eyes full of tears4 ,then1 brushing them away with his jacket sleeve1--it was not manly to cry1 he thought1--he continued1 ',no1 when ,i am rich1 you and ,mrs4 ,morgan shall both live in a big house with mother and me2 we will ride in a grand carriage1 and be so happy all together1 and never look at black coals except to burn them4' ,the old miner smiled as he listened to the boy's bright day-dreams1 yet still he could not help feeling somewhat sad1 for he dearly loved the lad1 and knew how much he should miss his merry chatter and song1 which so beguiled the time while they worked together down in the mine4 ,but the time passed on much as on other days2 when1 just as they were preparing to leave off work1 and another gang was coming to relieve them1 a low1 rumbling sound was heard4 ,one or two of the men ran to the entrance of the working1 ,mat ,morgan among the number1 and his face was blanched when he returned to his comrades4 ',what is it1 ,master ,morgan8' asked ,davie1 looking up at him with an undefined dread4 ',my lad1' was his reply1 and his voice was very calm1 'there has been a landslip in the sidings1 and we are shut in4' ',but can we not get out8' he questioned4 ',no1 never again1 unless help comes1' he hoarsely whispered1 for his brave heart stood still at the terrible danger they were in4 ,indeed1 no pen can express the terror that filled the hearts of these brave and hardy men at the thought of being thus entombed in a living grave2 they quailed not when meeting death face to face1 but shrank in dread at the slowly advancing foe4 ,all but the boy6 ,the light from the flickering lamps the miners carried fell upon his delicate features2 but his eyes brightly gleamed1 as1 laying his hands on the bowed head of his old friend1 he softly said1-- ',master ,morgan1 let us not fear2 our ,god is with us still6' ',maybe ,he has forgotten us1 ,davie1' the man pitifully moaned1 for even his strong courage had broken down in face of this calamity4 ',no1 no1' soothed the boy4 ',yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil2 for ,thou art with me3 is it not so8' ,there was something so calm1 so trustful in the child's faith in ,god's mercy1 that the poor stricken men listened as he tried to cheer them with thoughts of that ,power who is mighty to save4 ,the weary hours dragged their slow length along1 and1 though help came not yet1 his perfect trust in ,god never wavered4 ,some of the men gave themselves up to despair1 and lay down where they had sat cowering1 prepared to die4 ,the lamps went out by degrees as the oil was expended1 adding to the horror of the situation by leaving them in utter darkness4 ,and yet1 though death appeared so near1 it had no terrors for little ,davie1 for ,god was nearer still4 ',shall ,i sing to you1 ,master ,morgan8' the boy asked1 as he laid his weary head down upon his friend's broad shoulder4 ',ay1 ay1 my lad1' was the sole reply the poor man could make4 ,then through the awful silence and darkness of this fearful grave rang the sweet1 clear tones of the child's voice1 singing-- ',rock of ,ages1 cleft for me1 ,let me hide myself in ,thee4' ',hark6' he cried1 suddenly pausing in the hymn2 'they are striving to clear the working--,i hear the sound of their picks6 ,we are saved6 we are saved6' he joyously shouted4 ,with the sense of hearing preternaturally sharpened1 these poor men1 who had given themselves up for lost1 also listened2 those who had lain down to die rising up and listening with every nerve acutely strained to catch the faintest sound4 ,yes1 they could hear their deliverers bravely working to set them free4 ,then arose as with one voice their glad song of deliverance1-- ',thou canst save1 and ,thou alone6' 99 99 99 99 99 ,tenderly they bore him home to his mother1 that brave1 noble child1 whose simple trust had sustained their failing hearts in that hour of trial and suffering4 ,but reaction had set in1 and he was weak and fainting when they laid him in her arms1 yet he feebly murmured1 striving for her sake to appear still strong1-- ',oh1 mother darling1 ,i am so glad to be at home again6 ,i thought ,i should never more see you1 nor my ,evening ,primrose4 ,but1 mother1 why is it still so dark8' ,she glanced in terror at his soft blue eyes1 which to her looked as clear as ever4 ,but why was it that1 though the morning light was streaming in through the open window1 to him it still was dark8 ,she breathed not one word of her fear to him1 though the icy dread chilled her to the heart1 but1 laying him gently down in his own cosy bed1 ,soothed him with loving caresses1 bidding him-- ',try to sleep1 and forget it all6' ,then1 when sleep came to the over-wrought brain1 she left him in the care of a kindly neighbour1 and went tremblingly forth to seek her child's trusty old friend4 ,she found ,mat ,morgan seated in his arm-chair 7for1 like the rest of the miners who had been in this imminent peril1 he had escaped unhurt71 recounting to a group of neighbours the wonderful faith of little ,davie1 whose trust in ,god never failed1 even when the shadows of the dark angel's wings had hovered so closely over them4 ',oh1 ,master ,morgan6' the poor mother cried1 as with clasped hands and quivering lips she overheard him thus dilating on her boy's noble fortitude and humble ,christian faith2 'my darling ,davie6 he will never1 never look on us again this side the grave4 ,he'-- ',he be no dead1 ma'am6' exclaimed the old man1 starting from his chair1 while sympathizing friends gathered round her with words of tender pity4 ',no1 no1 not dead1 thank ,god6' she sobbed2 'but blind1 ,i fear4 ,oh1 my little boy1 my ,davie6' ',maybe not1' he replied1 endeavouring to comfort her4 ',i'll jest go wi' ye4 ,i've known sich things afore1 when men have been shut up in the dark some hours1--and we were nigh upon three days in the pit1 mind ye--the shock of seein' the daylight kind o' dazes the sight for a while4 ,so ye must not greet1 but hope and trust in our heavenly ,father1 as your little lad ever does1 ,i'm thinkin'6 ,come along4' ,how eagerly did she hasten home1 all anxiety to prove if the old miner's opinion was right1 and 'hoping against hope' that the child's sight had become cleared while he slept1 and that when he awoke he would look upon her with unclouded eyes4 ,her heart beat so violently she could scarcely speak1 as1 standing by his bedside1 she saw his blue eyes were unclosed and apparently gazing upon her where she stood with ,mat ,morgan by her side4 ',davie1' she whispered softly1 bending over him and kissing the parted lips1 'here is ,master ,morgan come to see you4' ',where is he8' the boy joyfully cried4 ',he is not hurt1 then8 ,oh1 ,i am so glad6 ,but1 mother dear1 ,i cannot see him1 nor you2 there seems like a shadow over my eyes4 ,oh1 mother1' he piteously moaned1 as the sad truth appeared to strike him1 'tell me1 ,i am not blind1 am ,i8' ,then1 as she could not for very anguish reply to his eager question1 his noble courage gave way1 and1 throwing himself upon his pillow1 he uttered a piercing cry of untold despair4 ,the poor mother knelt beside him with arms closely folding him to her heart1 unable to soothe1 save with loving caresses1 her child's unutterable anguish4 ',nay1 ,davie1 my man1' cried the old miner1 wiping his eyes with the back of his rough hand1 'ye did no greet when death a'most stared us in the face2 why do ye sorrow now1 my brave lad8' ',oh1 but then ,i should have been with ,god6 ,now'--and his sobs redoubled--',i shall never see mother's dear face again1 nor yours1 ,master ,morgan2 and for me my ,evening ,primrose will never open its buds again4 ,and oh1 if ,i am blind1 ,i can never more be mother's little bread-winner4' 99 99 99 99 99 ,the parable is told6 ,little ,davie eventually recovered his sight1 thanks to the generous kindness of the manager1 who spared no means to procure the best surgical aid for the poor little lad2 and in the years that quickly followed1 he became the stay and comfort of his widowed mother1 retaining ever his filial affection for her1 and cherishing fond recollections of those early days when his only treasures were her love and his ,evening ,primrose4 ,,parable ,,fifth4 ,,the ,,little ,,seed--,,kindness4 ',why1 what have you got in your beak8' asked a dingy ,london ,sparrow of another1 just as dingy as himself4 ',well1 ,i hardly know1' replied his friend1 laying down the article in question1 and surveying it critically with his head on one side2 'but it seems to me as though it is a seed--of some sort6' ',so it is1' assented the other1 as he hopped nearer and attentively examined the treasure-trove4 ',yes1'--as if the idea had suddenly suggested itself1--'yes1 it is a seed4 ,where did you find it8' ',i did not steal it1' exclaimed the owner of the property1 who evidently resented a something in his companion's manner of questioning2 ',i honestly picked it up in a garden1 where it was lying on the top of the earth1 not in it1' he added1 with emphasis4 ',i expect the wind blew it there1 for the gales have been very high these last few days4' ',yes1 yes1' replied the questioner with alacrity2 perhaps he feared he had wounded his friend's feelings1 and dreaded lest there might ensue a squabble1 for sparrows1 it must be confessed1 are easily affronted over trifles1 though1 as a rule1 they are good-tempered little fellows enough1 putting up with scanty fare and homely lodgings very contentedly and cheerfully4 ',i wonder what kind of seed it is1 do you know8' he still further questioned1 being of an inquisitive turn of mind4 ',no1 ,i do not1' replied the finder4 ',ah1' he said1 with a sigh that ruffled all his feathers1 'if we did but live in the beautiful green hedgerows1 instead of dwelling among town chimneys1 we should soon know what it was2 our country cousins would be able to tell us in a moment if it was good to eat or not4 ,by the bye1 shall you eat it8' he pursued1 eyeing his friend in the same keen way as he eyed occasional crumbs of bread1 his sharp little eye glancing quick and bright whilst waiting for the reply4 ',no1' answered the other2 ',i shall give it away4' ',give it away6' he repeated1 in utter astonishment at the idea2 'who to8' ',why1 in my travels about this city1 ,i have noticed a small window up among the chimneys in the ,east ,end of ,london--it's a mere garret1 ,i expect4' ',well8' ejaculated the listener1 somewhat impatiently4 ',i have also observed1' pursued his companion deliberately1 'that on the ledge of this window there are two or three flower-pots with some tiny pieces of green trying to shoot out of the dry mould4' ',what have those flower-pots and the dry mould to do with this seed8' was the question he sharply put4 ',i think1' continued the other ,sparrow1 not heeding the interruption1 'this must be a flower-seed1 since ,i found it in a garden well known to me for its loveliness1--for1 as a rule1 ,i go about with my eyes open1' he added4 ',now at this attic window of which ,i spoke1' he went on saying1 ',i have seen a poor pale-faced girl for ever bending over needlework1 although sometimes1 but very rarely1 ,i have observed her carefully watering and tending those flower-pots with their feeble attempts at greenery4' ',have you nearly finished your touching description8' asked the friend1 with a sneer4 ',now1' went on the ,sparrow1 as though he had not heard this remark1 'the soil does not look very inviting1 yet ,i have been thinking that1 as there has been rain during the night1 the mould may be a little softened perhaps2 so if ,i alight on the window-sill1 and drop this seed into one of those pots1 a pretty flower might come up in time1 and then how glad the poor girl would be6--why1 it would actually give her happiness4' ,and the reflection merely of this hoped-for pleasure so brightened up the little bird that he looked positively lovely6 ,not even a bird of paradise could have appeared more glorious1 dingy brown though our tiny hero's plumage was2 but good deeds and kind words always bring a brightness with them4 ',oh1 that is what you intend doing6' remarked the other1 who had been pruning his flecked feathers whilst listening to this delightful plan2--perhaps he might have imagined the treasure would come to him1 since his friend was not going to keep it himself4 ',you are very generous1' he added1 with a slight touch of sarcasm4 ,but the kind little ,sparrow did not mind2 his heart was too full of noble intentions to notice trivial things4 ,he merely said1-- ',so now ,i'm off6 ,good-bye for the present4 ,i shall be back in time for roost4' ',oh1 you are going1 are you8' was the comment1 as his friend picked up the seed again in his beak and flew away4 ,but1 as he darted off1 a sunbeam peeped round a corner just to see what the dear little fellow looked like1 and this very sunbeam threw such a halo around him1 you would have thought his feathers had been burnished gold4 ,then his voice1 too1 sounded so cheerily1 as1 with a merry ',twit-twit-twee1' he disappeared from view1 intent on his errand of kindness4 ',i'm sure ,i should not have troubled myself to carry that burden so far1 but should have eaten it for my dinner1' muttered the one sitting on the water-spout4 ',dear me1 what's that8' as he caught sight of a shadow round an angle of the roof4 ',oh1 gracious6' and he gave such a jump in his terror1 as he recognised ,pussie taking a walk on the tiles1 looking out for her dinner1 no doubt4 ,you may be quite sure ,mr4 ,sparrow did not wait until ,pussie came up to him1 but flew away to a safe distance4 ,meanwhile the other bird was speeding on his errand of kindness4 ,he did not feel the weight of his burden1 but went bravely on1 only occasionally resting on a water-spout or a parapet1 just for a second or two1 but never losing sight of his precious seed2 though sometimes he was sadly annoyed by other ,sparrows coming up1 and1 with great fuss and chatter1 inquiring as to what he was so carefully carrying4 ,but he was very cautious1 and always kept an eye upon his treasure 7answering their questions curtly71 for ,london ,sparrows have the character of being not too honest1 with what truth it cannot be said2 let us hope the charge is unfounded4 ,still our hero thought it advisable to be watchful2 therefore1 after satisfying all curiosity on the subject1 as much at least as he deemed needful1 he flew off again on his mission--without telling them the ultimate destination of his seed1 fearing1 perhaps1 they might be unable to resist the temptation of picking it out of the mould into which he intended to drop it4 ,by and by he left the more respectable part of the city1 and winged his way as near as he could remember towards the attic window1 where he had so often seen the poor work-girl busy at her weary task4 ,but a heavy cloud of smoke darkened the air1 and a perfect forest of masts bewildered him1 for he had come to that part of ,london where the ships are to be seen--thousands of vessels from all countries of the world4 ,still1 though he was puzzled for a while1 yet he felt sure the house was near this place1 as he recollected having seen these docks before4 ,what should he do8 ,he paused for a bit upon a slanting roof just to look around4 ,oh1 the smuts1 how they settled upon his feathers6 he was obliged to preen himself1 he felt so dirty2 if his coat was a dingy brown1 there was no occasion for its being dirty also6 ,all at once1 as he paused during the process of preening1 he saw the very window right in front of him1--he recognised it by its cleanliness1 such a contrast to the squalor around4 ,yes1 there it was1 the polished panes of glass glinting in the gleams of light that came now and then through the murky atmosphere2 and there were the three flower-pots4 ,why1 actually they had been washed1 they looked so freshly red6--or perhaps painted4 ,away he joyfully flew1 his task was nearly done2 but alas for hopes of birds or people6 ,just as he was about to alight upon the window-sill1 a tiresome bird--a ,sparrow--came flying towards him1 exclaiming1-- ',hallo6 who are you1 ,i should like to know8' and so startled was he when accosted thus abruptly1 that in his fright he dropped his dear and precious treasure4 ,down1 down it fell upon a deal case a man was wheeling on a truck4 ,the man did not notice the tiny grain that fell2 perhaps1 had he done so1 would merely have thought it was a particle of dust2 but the poor bird's heart was sorely grieved as he saw it disappear1 after all the trouble he had taken to bring it thus far1 and he sat upon the window-ledge of the girl's room with ruffled plumage and dim eyes1 utterly crushed by this untoward loss4 ,it was too bad6 ,but after a while he took heart1 and looked the disappointment boldly in the face1 which is always the better plan than brooding over it4 ',it can't be helped1' he said wisely1 rousing from his sorrowful reflections1 and giving his feathers a shake together4 ',i did my best1 and could do no more4 ,it is a loss certainly1 but no doubt there are other flower-seeds to be found1 so ,i'll go to-morrow morning to that same garden1 and see if there are any more to be had4 ,dear me6' he continued1 glancing up with his now bright eyes at the sky2 'why1 it is getting late4 ,i must make haste home1 or else my friends will be anxious1 and fear that ,i have come to grief4' ,so saying1 he flew away1 not without a note of farewell to the girl1 who had been looking at him all the time he sat there so disconsolately1 wondering in her own mind why he was perched there so ruffled and sad1 little dreaming of his kindly intentions towards her--how should she8--so away he went1 and reached his place of abode just as his brothers and friends were going to roost4 ,you may be quite sure he was received with a perfect volley of questions4 ',where have you been8' asked some who were ignorant of his scheme4 ',how did you manage8' questioned others who knew4 ',what sort of a place is it8' inquired several4 ,poor little bird6 he was obliged to confess his failure1 which he did with reluctance2 yet still he bore his disappointment so cheerfully and bravely1 they could not help sympathizing with him1 promising to help in the good work next time4 ,even the ,sparrow who had jeered somewhat at him was really sorry1 and consoled him so kindly1 that he went to sleep with his head tucked under his wing1 in a far happier frame of mind than he could have supposed possible1 after such a grievous sorrow4 ,and the seed8 ,as it was being jostled on the top of the packing-case1 it thought to itself3 ',there's an end to me1 ,i suppose4 ,i shall be shrivelled up to nothing for want of nourishing earth1 and shall do good to no one4 ,what a pity that dear little ,sparrow's kind intention was frustrated by that meddlesome and inquisitive bird6 ,i am sure ,i would have done my duty to the utmost1 and realized his wish by growing as fast as possible1 and looking cheerful and gay when in flower4 ,well1 well1 it is no use being unhappy2 ,i must only wait patiently1 hoping that a chance of doing good may occur4 ,who knows what may happen8' ,and at that very moment1 the truck the man was wheeling gave a lurch1 and in consequence the tiny seed rolled along until it slipped down a crevice in the lid1 and found a comfortable resting-place inside amongst some soft hay with which the case was packed4 ',this is cosy1' it remarked1 nestling in the warmth2 'perhaps after all ,i am reserved for some good purpose4 ,i had become desponding1 but there is always a brightness behind the darkest cloud4' ,so it cuddled down contentedly1 not knowing or heeding whither it was taken1 only resting satisfied with the reflection that whatever happened was for the best4 ,and so the packing-case was put on board one of the great ships in the docks1 and in a few days away sailed the ship1 packing-case1 and little seed1 far over the ocean1 leaving ,england many thousand miles behind4 ,not having been to ,australia1 we cannot describe what the little seed next beheld4 ,but when the sun once again shone upon it1 it was in a very different country to this dear land of ours4 ,the case had been emptied of its contents1 and the hay and straw with which it had been packed was thrown aside upon the ground1 and there lay the seed1 so tiny that it was quite unheeded1 indeed it is to be doubted whether it was even seen2 but the loving ,god1 who has created nothing in vain1 had still a use for the small grain4 ,a soft wind came and carried it to some moist earth1 into which it sank1 thankful for the rest and quiet after the past turmoil4 ,but its work was not finished4 ,by and by came up a little slender green shoot1 then a leaf or two1 and after a while1 in due season1 some pretty bell-shaped flowers1 almost white1 with just a tinge of delicate purple1 made their appearance1 and there they swayed in the breeze--,english ,wood ,anemones in a distant land4 ,and in this distant land a young ,english girl had her home2 and bright and beautiful it was1 with huge trees and gorgeous flowers1 unheard of and unseen in the country village from which she had come4 ,but1 bright and beautiful as her new home was1 she often sighed for the green hedgerows and sweet wayside flowers of dear old ,england2 not that she murmured because ,god had sent her thither1 only the love of her old home and old home memories yet lingered in her heart4 ,think1 then1 what her joy was1 when1 one day as she wandered alone1 gazing on gorgeous blossoms rich in brilliant colours1 down at her feet she spied1 waving its delicate-tinted elf-bells in the warm1 soft breeze1 the ,wood ,anemone4 ,could it be possible8 ,that well-known ,english flower blooming there6 ,how could it have come across the ocean8 ,ah1 how often had she seen it at home--for ,england is ever home to those who are far away--seen it in the early spring days clustering thickly in the woods and copse1 heralding the cuckoo1 and bringing with it a promise of summer days to come4 ',dear1 dear little flower6' she cried1 kneeling down and kissing1 in excess of joy1 its delicate petals4 ',welcome a thousand times1 for you bring with you memories from the old land4 ,i will not gather your pretty flowers1 nor take them away to myself1 but will leave you here1 so that others1 perhaps more home-sick than ,i1 will take heart1 and be cheered by your soothing though silent message4' ,and the young girl was right4 ,others passing by--some poor wanderers1 footsore and weary--were cheered by the bonnie wild-flower1 which1 happy in giving happiness to others1 swayed its tiny bells as it danced in utter gladness1 whispering to the wild bees who also came to visit it1-- ',i thought at one time1 when the ,sparrow let me fall1 that there was no more use for me in the world1 that my work was finished2 but ,god had still a mission for me1 and ,i have done what others equally small can do--given happiness1 and cheered those who came across my path4 ,it is not much to do1' it continued meekly1 'not great and glorious deeds at which the world stands amazed2 but it was all ,i could do1 and was the work ,he meant for me--we must not despise the day of small things4 ,the acorn is very small1 yet look at the oak4 ,a gentle word1 a bright smile1 is not hard to bestow1 but oh1 the blessing they can be to hearts pining perhaps for kindness6' 99 99 99 99 99 ,so the ,sparrow's good intention was carried out after all4 ,,parable ,,sixth4 ,,the ,,crown ,,imperial--,,hope4 ,have you ever seen a ,crown ,imperial1 that lovely flower which comes in the early spring-time1 just after the ,snowdrops have gone8 ,you will not find it in new gardens1 ,i fear2 but in those delightful shady nooks and corners where the old-fashioned flowers seem to come and go just as they please1 there it is to be found1 coming up year after year in all its beauty1 and yet1 though so lovely1 meekly drooping its velvet petals1 upon which tear-drops are ever resting4 ,it has been said that it droops thus in humiliation1 because its pride was once rebuked2 but ,i do not think that aught so lovely could be unduly proud6 ,even the acknowledged queen of the garden1 the stately ,rose1 is gentle in her beauty2 and ',consider the lilies1' though ',solomon in all his glory was not arrayed' like them1 yet how meekly they bloom beneath our feet6 ,then shall the ,crown ,imperial tell its tale to you1 and see what lesson we can learn from it8 ,no1 an old yew tree shall relate the story4 ,listen to what it says3-- ',many1 many years have ,i stood on this spot1 from the time that ,i was a tiny sapling until now1 when my branches spread far and wide1 covering the earth beneath with shadow4 ,summer sunshine has touched with its fiercely scorching breath1 and winter snows have shrouded me in fleecy garments1 but the old yew tree has weathered so far the storms of life1 growing year by year more twisted and gnarled as time passed on4 ,i have seen the song-birds come and depart2 some have even built their nests within my leafy branches4 ,i have watched sweet flowers blossom1 then fade1 but among the many lovely flowerets ,i have loved--for the old dry tree has a tender heart1 my children--there was one whose very gentleness made me love it even yet more dearly4 ,it was a ,crown ,imperial4 ',the spring was commencing to gladden the earth when first ,i perceived it1 forcing its way timidly through the soft grassy lawn of an old1 old garden4 ,who had placed the parent bulb beneath that turf was never known1 for the owners of the estate had passed with their generation from the land1 and strangers had come to reside in the ancient homestead1 but there was this fragile plant1 outliving1 as it were1 those who had planted it1 and coming up1 year after year1 to gladden other eyes than those which had first beheld its beauty--like good actions and gentle words--imperishable6 ',so day by day ,i watched it grow1 stronger and stronger1 higher and higher1 and1 as it grew1 spreading gradually its beautiful1 shining leaves2 but when it had reached its full height1 behold1 it was crowned with a diadem of the softest green--an emerald crown worthy the brow of a queen6 ',then by degrees ,i saw its blossoms begin to unfold1 the velvet petals richer far than the feeble looms of man can weave2 but1 as they unclosed1 to my intense surprise1 they were not uplifted to the sunshine and blue sky1 but meekly bowed--drooping earthward4 ',they will gaze upward by and by1 ,i said to myself1 and1 when they know and feel the power of their beauty1 will court the admiration they are sure to win4 ',but ,i was wrong4 ',pride had no place within their lowly hearts--never were their flowers lifted up--their glances were ever bent in sweet humility towards the green sod from which they had sprung1 and1 as ,i gazed upon them1 ,i saw that on each lovely petal there ever rested a tear4 ',why this sadness8 ,i mused4 ,surely so lovely and guileless a flower can know no sorrow1 since sorrow often goes hand in hand with sin2 this ,crown ,imperial must surely be as faultless as it is beautiful6 ',yet ,i hesitated to ask the reason2 there was a gentle and reserved timidity about it1 that checked all questionings4 ,the cause of this unspoken grief would be revealed to me sooner or later1 ,i felt convinced4 ',the days passed on with sunshine and shadows1 and1 as the hours fled1 ,i saw with regret that stern ,time had relentlessly breathed with his withering breath upon my much-loved flower6 ,gradually and slowly its blossoms pined1 the lovely colours faded1--almost imperceptibly1 'tis true1 still they faded1--its fresh green crown became less purely bright1 and ,i knew with anguish my sweet one was dying4 ',then1 and not till then1 did it raise its faint eyes heavenward--they were tearless now4 ,i could restrain my wonder no more4 ',why1 oh1 why wert thou weeping and gazing ever earthward when in thy peerless beauty1 sad and disconsolate--and now that thou art fading from us thou art happy8 ,i asked in my sorrowful regret2 perhaps reproach was mingled with my complaint4 ',is it not ever so8 the gentle flower replied4 ,whilst burdened with ,life's sorrows1 our eyes are tear-dimmed4 ,the cares of this world press heavily upon our hearts1 so that we scarce can lift our thoughts from this earth--cold and weary though it is--to gaze upward4 ,it is only when we are passing from all shadows into the ,divine ,light that we can look heavenward1 yet even then the tear-drops linger4 ,but when earthly sojourners have passed through the dark valley into the ,eternal ,brightness1 then1 and only then1 will they be freed from anguish2 then1 and only then1 will eyes be no longer dimmed by sorrow--for ,god ,himself shall wipe away all tears6' ,,parable ,,seventh4 ,,the ,,two ,,leaves--,,discontent4 ,once upon a time1 as the good old fairy tales always begin1 there grew by the side of a little brook a large ,oak tree4 ,the brook was a bright1 sunlit stream1 gliding along so cheerfully to join the river1 between grassy banks1 kissing the willows which bent down towards it1 or whispering softly to the blue ,forget-me-nots2 and so clear was it1 you could see the smooth pebbles lying at the bottom1 and the fish skimming along gaily1 as if there were no such things in the whole world as fishing-rods4 ,all through the day it rippled merrily1 catching every ray of sunlight that flickered through the trees or the blue sky above2 but if an angry black cloud ever chanced to see itself reflected in its clear mirror1 it scudded away as if ashamed of looking so dark4 ,but at night1 when the holy stars were shining1 ah1 how softly the little brook murmured to them6 you could almost fancy it did not babble so loudly as in the day-time1 for fear lest it should wake the sleeping flowers on its mossy banks4 ,it was a happy little stream1 so calm1 so placid1 no angry ripples ever disturbed its pure surface1 over which the ,swallows lightly skimmed4 ,and it meandered along for many miles2 sometimes you would lose sight of it altogether1 then out it would come from some quiet1 grassy nook1 gaily sparkling1 and glide with a merry sound1 as if laughing1 towards the steady rushes1 and they would sway to and fro at its approach1 dancing to its rippling music4 ,but1 as ,i was saying1 a sturdy ,oak grew by the side of the brook2 it had sprung from an acorn many hundred years ago1 now it was very old4 ,wintry storms had vainly tried to subdue it2 many a time they had bent its branches1 plucked at its roots1 but fruitless was their fury1 for the noble tree firmly held its place1 rearing its proud head more loftily than ever2 and so the storms1 finding their power availed them nought1 passed away over the land1 howling with rage at their failure4 ,then1 oh1 how the birds loved the clear old tree6 ,summer after summer did they return to build nests among its moss-grown branches2 and the branches1 glad that the songsters had come back again1 would put forth green leaves to hide them from prying eyes1 so that they could rest there securely4 ,can you wonder1 then1 that they sang sweet songs of gratitude to it1 and that the little brook should murmur her sweet melody as she glided along at its feet8 ,on the opposite bank grew an ,aspen4 ,it was not so old as the ,oak1 who had seen it grow up from a mere sapling2 still they had been neighbours for many years1 and the graceful ,aspen looked with love and reverence upon her aged friend's sturdy face and form4 ,often1 in the calm summer nights1 the ,oak would talk to her of the days of the long-ago2 you would have thought it was merely the breeze sighing amidst the branches1 but it was the voice of the ,oak telling of the past4 ,many of the birds imagined the ,aspen to be a weak1 trembling tree1 quivering always with fear at the slightest wind that ruffled its branches4 ',scarcely safe to build a nest in6' so said an old motherly ,rook1 who had reared many a brood4 ,but the fairies who danced beneath its shade on bright moonlight nights knew better2 they knew that the fragile-looking tree never trembled with fear2 they had often seen it meekly bend beneath the sway of the fierce wintry blasts1 knowing full well whose hand guided the storm2 and when the summer came they knew that then it quivered with happiness at being created on so fair an earth1 and that its leaves only shook with quiet laughter as it listened to the merry chatter of the brook4 ,well--winter had passed with his frosts and snows1 and spring was scattering her flowers everywhere4 ,the ,cuckoo was calling aloud1 ',cuckoo1 cuckoo1' all day long1 never heeding the young folks who mocked his song2 even the ,swallows had returned from the warm1 sunny ,south1 and were for ever skimming over the brook1 just dipping their wings into its limpid waves1 then off again with the joyous ',twit1 twit1 twit4' ,the meadows1 too1 were yellow with buttercups1 in which the cows waded knee-deep4 ,talk of the ,field of the ,cloth of ,gold6 ,francis the ,first would have been a clever man could he have made such an one6--no earthly king could create golden fields like these4 ,all nature was rejoicing in earth's brightness1 and our old friends the ,oak and the ,aspen as much as any4 ,they had put forth their fresh green leaves1 and beneath their shade many a tired traveller rested from the noonday sun1 thanking them both in his heart for the welcome shelter4 ,during the winter the ,oak had not been idle1 for it had extended its branches far and wide2 one1 indeed1 stretched right across the brook1 in fact1 almost touched its opposite neighbour1 and the ,aspen welcomed it gladly4 ,you would have thought it great happiness to live in such a lovely spot1 ,i know1 but there is never perfect bliss1 and if little folks will be discontented1 they make the prettiest place appear wretched and miserable4 ,now1 among the leaves of the ,oak there was one that was always restless and fidgety4 ,in vain the sweet birds perched near and sang to him1 and the gentle brook murmured tales of other scenes--he never seemed happy4 ,the fairies1 too1 as ,i before said1 danced by moonlight at the very foot of the parent tree1 yet even that brave sight gave him no pleasure1 though his brother and sister leaves would clap their tiny hands in ecstasy4 ',it disturbed his sleep1' he said4 ',why could they not dance in the day-time8--not when all respectable leaves and flowers were sleeping6 making such a noise1 especially that mischievous ,puck6' ,and1 unfortunately1 he grew on the branch nearest to the ,aspen1 and his constant grumbles made them quiver with sorrow and pain at such incessant complainings4 ,as to his own relatives1 they would not listen1 but frisked about merrily enough when the zephyrs came and played with them4 ',alas6' said he one day to a little ,aspen leaf that grew on a branch close by1 and who had patiently borne with his ungrateful complaints2 'how sad is our lot6 ,here we are always attached to the same place1 in a state of cruel bondage2 everything around us moves3 the birds1 happy in their liberty1 fly here and there1 singing ever their songs of joy2 even the beasts of the forests are free--whilst we--ah me6--we never lose our galling chains but in dying6' ',why do you murmur thus8' asked the ,aspen leaf in a sweet1 tremulous voice2 'why are you not contented8' ',oh1 it is all very well for you to preach contentment1' it pertly replied1 turning up its point with contempt4 ',i am a leaf of intellect4 ,i hate this aimless1 monotonous life2 it does very well for such silly1 trembling things as you and yours1--not for me6' ,for a moment the little ,aspen leaf felt its pride wounded by the contemptuous speech of its neighbour1 and was strongly disposed to answer in the same strain2 but fortunately1 a fairy who chanced to be passing at the time laid her silver wand lightly on its lips1 so with a smile she merely said1-- ',yes1 ,i know ,i am timid1 and cling to my parent tree for security and protection4 ,what would you do if you were free8 ,we are so happy here1 ,i would not leave my home2 the soft breezes are ever among us with cheerful stories of the countries they have visited to amuse us2 and as to the birds1 why1 all the day long they are singing their sweetest melodies to gladden our hearts and cheer us4' ',i have heard their songs until ,i am quite tired of their sameness1' was the ungrateful response2 'besides1 in a few months the cold winds will be here1 and then we shall fall to the ground and be trodden under foot--that will be the end of us4 ,so ,i am determined to see something of the world before that time comes4 ,i shall go off with the first north wind that visits us--so ,i tell you4 ,you will not reason me out of my plan4' ',oh1 stay1 stay with us6' cried the trembling listener2 'you cannot surely know the sorrow you would cause1 nor the troubles you would have to endure4 ,it is true we leave our kind branches but to die1 but we are not carelessly trodden on2 the rustling of we poor faded leaves beneath man's feet recall to his mind pure and holy thoughts of the unknown future1 filling his heart with unuttered prayers to the ,great ,power who changeth not4 ,then1 if we poor leaves can teach a lesson1 we have not lived in vain4 ,do not murmur at your humble fate1 dear friend1 but stay with us1 contented with your simple destiny and the goodness of ,god4' ,the ,aspen leaf ceased speaking1 overcome by its emotion1 whilst the little grumbler1 silenced1 but not convinced1 turned sulkily away4 ,it did not relish the kind advice of its true friend1 nor did it at all intend to follow it1 but still it settled down on its tiny twig so very quietly1 that all its relatives firmly believed it had given up its foolish scheme of imaginary happy freedom2 but they were mistaken1 for a few days after a north wind came quite unexpectedly upon them4 ,it bent the ,aspen tree almost to breaking1 still the loving little leaves clung trembling to their parent1 feeling that their very safety rested on their keeping close to it4 ,then1 finding its strength was in vain1 away the north wind rushed to the sturdy old ,oak1 swaying its branches wildly about1 and even making them crack in its fierce rage4 ,but the ,oak reared its proud head defiantly1 and its leaves hung tightly on--all save one4 ,alas6 with a mocking laugh at his friends' and his brothers' fears1 he threw himself into the arms of the cruel north wind1 who bore him swiftly away1 and ere the night came the foolish leaf lay faded and dead4 ,as he was whirled away1 a sad1 sad moan sighed through the branches of the old ,oak4 ',twas a cry of anguish for its wilful child4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the bright summer was gone4 ,one by one the leaves were falling4 ,with a gentle rustle they fell from their parent trees1 and lay in their faded beauty upon the earth4 ,the little ,aspen leaf lingered1 but one day a soft1 sweet zephyr came and gently released her1 and she fluttered slowly down to the calm bosom of the little brook1 who had1 alas6 seen many flowers bloom and die4 ,tenderly the stream bore it away to a grassy nook on its banks1 and there it placed the tiny leaf1 alone in its quiet rest4 ,,parable ,,eighth4 ,,the ,,ambitious ,,wild-,,flower--,,ambition4 ',who'll buy my roses8 they're lovely and fair1 ,they're ,nature's own bloom1 and are fed on fresh air4' ,so sang a little girl1 as she walked along a shady lane1 carrying a basket of those glorious flowers which she was taking to a friend as a birthday gift2 and so on she went1 singing her song of ,roses1 sweet ,roses1 little thinking that others were listening to her melody 7besides the birds71 or that her simple words would raise angry feelings in the very flowers themselves4 ',oh yes6' exclaimed a small ,wild-flower--its name ,i will not tell2 'oh yes6' she repeated1 waiting until the singer was out of hearing2 'always ,roses1 or ,violets1 or ,lilies--no one ever composes songs about--us--we are only common flowers4' ',don't say so1' interposed ,pimpernel1 'because that is not true4 ,there is a poem on a ,daisy that will ever be remembered1 and ,i have heard some children sing a pretty one about ,buttercups and ,daisies1 besides4' ',oh1 of course you uphold these song-makers1 because your name has appeared in print1' she interrupted1 with a toss of her bonnie petals2 'but no one has ever noticed me4' ',nonsense6' said ,ragged ,robin1 who1 having been of a wandering disposition1 had seen and heard a great deal in his time2 'why1 there is one poet who says1-- ,full many a flower is born to blush unseen1 ,and waste its fragrance on the desert air4 ,therefore1 if you are not mentioned by name1 you certainly must be included among these unknowns who are born to blush unseen4' ',i don't want to be included among these unknowns then1' exclaimed the ,flower angrily4 ',i am sure ,i am'--she hesitated a moment--'quite as lovely as a ,rose1 or any other garden beauty2' but she could not help hanging her head for very shame whilst uttering this piece of self-conceit4 ',oh6 oh6 oh6' were the exclamations to be heard on all sides4 ',so ,i am1' she persisted1 going on now in sheer desperation1 having proceeded too far to retract4 ',my petals are delicately fair1 with just a faint rosy blush1 my pistils and stamens of a tender yellow1 and my form1 if fragile1 is very graceful--so there6' ,you may imagine the laughter that ensued as she ended with that emphatic 'so there6' laughter which could not be suppressed1 although she plainly showed her anger at their behaviour2 they could not help it1 so flower-bells shook and leaves fluttered with mirth1 even ,quaker grass quivered with merriment4 ',i would advise you to be more contented1' said a ,honeysuckle1 as she looked down upon the ambitious little ,flower from her own elevated position2 'let me tell you it is not always those who are highest up in the world are the happiest2 they feel the cold winds quite as keenly1 perhaps more so4' ',ah1 but ,i want to live in a conservatory or a greenhouse4 ,i feel ,i am fitted for that position1' grumbled the other2 'in such a place ,i should be more seen1 and consequently more admired and appreciated4' ',what vanity6' sneered wild ,vetch1 who was somewhat ambitious also1 seeing he tried to climb up as high as he could4 ,an angry retort was on the lips of the one addressed1 but ,honeysuckle interposed1 by saying kindly1-- ',well1 well1 we shall see1--perhaps your position may be altered one day1 and then you will be able to show us how you bear prosperity4 ,many flowers ,i have known transplanted to conservatories1 thinking they would prove to be exotics1 but ,i have heard that they generally withered in the heated atmosphere to which they were removed1 and did not come to perfection when taken from their native soil4' ',i am sure ,i should enjoy the change1' was the answer vouchsafed to this friendly warning4 ',i know ,i am not in my proper sphere2 such beauty as mine was never surely intended by ,nature for a hedgerow4' ',we shall see6' cried several ,blossoms1 who felt indignant at her contemptuous way of speaking4 ',your parents were no doubt'-- ',exotics1 ,i am convinced1' she said4 ',then how came you here among such humble company8' asked merry ,ragged ,robin1 who was fond of teasing4 ,she deigned no reply1 but looked him scornfully up and down1 to his intense amusement4 ',let her alone6' cried a sturdy ,bramble2 'she will buy her experience with sighs and tears1 ,i fear4' ,so1 acting upon ,bramble's advice1 they did leave her alone to muse over her ambitious hopes and desires1 whilst they1 contented and happy with their lowly fate1 opened their buds to the bright sunshine1 which beams alike upon the high or humble4 ,and very pretty looked that hedgerow on this same morning4 ,the flowers were so lovely and fresh1 for their gentle ,mother ,nature had washed their bonnie faces fresh with dew1 and so they held their petals up to catch the sun's brightest rays1 which came in golden gleams through the thickly-leaved hedges above them4 ,what life could possibly be happier8 ,there were the birds flying about1 cheering them with merry twitterings1 as they sped from tree to tree1 or perched in the boughs overhead1 warbling ever their songs of gladness4 ,then the bees would come1 and ask them1 in drowsy1 murmuring voices1 for just a sip of nectar from their cups1 a boon which was never refused1 and in return the busy little workers would leave them some pollen to colour their petals1 and render them 7if it were possible7 more lovely than before4 ,the butterflies1 too1 would alight on their leaves1 and display their brilliant hues for their admiration1 or the gay dragon-flies would fly about them in that wandering fashion peculiar to those gorgeous insects1 darting hither and thither like flashes of rainbow light4 ,at night the moonlight would kiss their weary eyes to sleep1 whilst the soft night-breezes soothed them to rest with murmuring lullabies4 ,it is true there were storms sometimes1 and the cold rain would fall upon them2 but still they were sheltered from all fierce tempests1 and would rise up refreshed after the dark clouds had passed away1 for they knew ',behind the clouds the sun's still shining4 99 99 99 99 99 ,into each life some rain must fall1 ,some days must be dark and dreary2' and as to the summer showers1 why1 they tossed their heads1 and laughed merrily at them1 shaking the light rain-drops from their petals in playful fun4 ,but on this morning1 when the tiny ,wild-flower was making her life miserable by useless repinings at her humble lot1 and sighing for--she knew not what6--well1 on this same morning there was not a cloud to dim the sky1 so brightly blue was it1 and the soft west wind crept among the leaves and flowers1 whispering to them the glad tidings of ',summer is come6' ,i do not know how long it was after the little girl had passed1 that a gentleman came sauntering slowly up the lane2 and as he went1 he would stop every now and then to examine the hedgerow flowers and shrubs4 ,all at once he espied our friend1 almost hidden though she was by the leaves and long grass around4 ',what a lovely little flower6' he exclaimed1 as he stooped down to examine more closely his newly-found treasure2 'how delicate in colour1 how sweet in perfume6 ,surely this was never intended to remain hidden in a hedge8' ,oh1 if you could but have seen how she tried to raise her pretty head1 which ,nature had bowed in simple loveliness1 and endeavoured to look big1 little thinking that her greatest charm lay in this sweet simplicity4 ',i must certainly transplant it to my greenhouse1' he went on saying4 ',with care and skill1 who knows into what it may not develop6--an entirely new plant1 ,i doubt not4 ,i will at once take it home4' ,and away he went to procure the necessary tools for removing her from her lowly home to one more suited to her wishes4 ',did ,i not tell you so6' was her delighted exclamation4 ',well1 ,i never6' ejaculated ,pimpernel1 whose pretty eyes were now opened wide in astonishment4 ',better to be born lucky than rich1' muttered ,ragged ,robin4 ',shall ,i not be grand in a conservatory8' cried the ambitious ,flower4 ',i would rather ,adorn the rustic stibble-field1 ,unseen1 alane1' murmured meek ,daisy4 ',ah1 you have no ambition6' sneered the other2 'besides1 the rustic stibble-field is your proper sphere--it is not mine6' ',pride1 pride6' rebuked ,honeysuckle1 gazing sorrowfully down upon the arrogant little speaker4 ',take care that you sigh not yet for your old home and humble friends4' ',indeed ,i shall not6' she retorted insolently4 ',wait1 wait6' continued sturdy ,bramble2 ''tis the time of flowers now--wait till the fruit-time comes4' ',i do not know what you mean1' she retorted angrily2 'nor do ,i'-- ',that there is a time for all things1' explained ,shepherd's ,clock1 interrupting her4 ',i trust your high hopes will be realized1' said ,speedwell kindly4 ,how much longer this wrangling would have continued it is impossible to say1 for at that moment the gentleman returned with a trowel1 spade1 and basket1 and proceeded to remove her from her native soil4 ,in justice to her1 it must be confessed that1 when the moment came to part for ever from all her old friends1 and the surroundings to which1 in spite of her incessant murmurs1 she felt attached1 she clung desperately with her slender1 fibrous roots to the familiar spot where from a seedling she had lived and grown--yes1 clung desperately6 ,but with the utmost care every tender fibre was released1 and she was placed in the basket and carried away4 ,was she glad now8 ,no1 far from it--wishing again and again that she had been left alone4 ,however1 it was too late4 ,she had always complained of not being in her proper position1 and now the glorious change was come2 she was being taken to where her hopes had aspired1--a conservatory or a greenhouse1 it mattered not which4 ,after a while1 with the usual indifference of such natures1 her regrets subsided1 giving place to thoughts respecting the place in which she was destined to live4 ',of course ,i shall be welcomed by all the nobler flowers with delight and astonishment1' she mused2 'delight because of my agreeable manners1 and astonishment at my beauty6 ,how ,i wish my old hedgerow friends could but be present to witness my reception6' ,but this reception1 upon which she built such bright fancies1 was delayed for some few days1 for1 on arriving at her destination1 she was carried into a dingy shed1 not into the splendid glass palace her visions had conjured up4 ',is this the place to which ,i am destined8' she muttered complainingly4 ',oh dear6 no one will see me here4 ,i wish ,i had remained in the lane1 for there was a chance of my being admired by some passer-by4 ,what is the use of my ambitious hopes1 if this is to be the end of them8' ,fortunately there was no flower or even a plant near to be wearied with her repinings1 so on she grumbled1 until at last her misery reached its climax1 when she was taken and pressed tightly into a horrible flower-pot1 then carefully watered1 and afterwards put into a dark corner to take root4 ,had she been capable of shedding tears1 no water would have been required1 such as was given to revive her2 for the sorrow she felt was almost too great to be borne4 ,here was a life to lead after all her high aspirations1 and her slender roots1 too1 were so cramped and squeezed it was something dreadful6 ,oh for the once despised hedgerow1 with the soft1 cool earth1 in which she could stretch her delicate fibres6 ,but wait1 impatient little flower6 other days are coming4 ,one morning--at least so it proved to be1 though at the time she did not know it1 as in her dark dwelling she saw neither sunrise nor sunset--well1 this morning of which we speak1 to her intense delight1 the gentleman came and carried her out into the open air1 and surveyed her critically4 ',yes1' she heard him say1 and how her heart bounded with pride1 'it is indeed a lovely flower1 and may well take its place among those in the conservatory1 for it is really exquisite4' ,here was a triumph6 this was the hour to which she had so long looked forward4 ',at last1 at last6' she murmured4 ',oh1 if my old acquaintances could but see me now1 what would they say8 ,i wish some of them were here4' ,not satisfied even yet6 ,you see there is always an alloy in our greatest earthly pleasures or triumphs--always a something wanting4 ,yet so completely bewildered was she by this excess of gratified pride1 that she knew not whither she was borne1 until1 when the delirium1 for such it was1 had passed1 she found herself in a place which her wildest imaginings never could have supposed possible--a wondrous glass palace1 filled with the most gorgeous flowers of all tints and forms1 some deliciously perfumed1 making the air fragrant2 whilst in the centre of this palace a fountain rose and fell with soothing murmurs1 scattering its silvery spray upon exquisite blossoms that floated in the marble basin4 ,it was almost too lovely1 and our little wayside friend sighed with a sense of overpowering astonishment at the wondrous beauties around1 beauties that dazzled her unaccustomed eyes4 ,her place1 however1 was upon one of the lower shelves1 and above her head waved the feathery leaves of tropical plants1 which throve wonderfully well in the heated atmosphere of this 7to her7 paradise4 ,then she was left alone with her new associates--alone6 how much that word conveys6 ,after some time the other flowers became aware of a stranger having come among them1 and a flutter 7as much as such well-bred creatures deigned to evince7 stirred their leaves and petals4 ',what is she like8' asked a ,maidenhair ,fern1 who from her position could get not even a glimpse of the new arrival4 ',is she elegant and refined8' inquired a ,camellia languidly4 ',is she fair or dark8' questioned ,tea-,rose1 with a faint breath4 ',it matters not to me what she is1' murmured ,ice-,plant coldly4 ',where does she come from8' whispered ,myrtle to her neighbour ,cape ,jasmine4 ',from a hedgerow1' was the reply1 but uttered so that all around her heard the answer4 ',only a ,wild-flower6' was the general exclamation4 ',what presumption to come amongst us6' ,then a chilling silence fell upon them all1 except when they spoke to each other2 but1 after that unlucky explanation of her origin1 it was as though they ignored her very existence--she was with them1 still not of them4 ,and1 strange to say1 our little friend1 who was so ready with words among her compeers1 was completely silenced by these disdainful beauties1 and1 instead of replying1 and holding1 or rather maintaining1 her position there1 she shrank1 as it were1 abashed and ashamed of her lowly origin4 ,was this the triumphant reception she had expected8 ,where was the homage her beauty was supposed to exact1 and where the admiration of her manners and elegance generally8 ,ah me6 she was only a little wayside blossom after all1 pretty1 it is true1 and suited to the quiet hedgerow1 but without the merits or the talents to raise her to a higher place4 ,better far the humble friends1 the lowly mossy bank where she had grown in peace and rest 7save for her own unquiet ambition71 than the grandeur and contempt which now were hers4 ,so day after day passed on1 and the florist who had brought her from the shady lane1 hoping he had discovered a lovely and rare flower1 saw with regret that his treasure was fading2 the heated atmosphere of this splendid conservatory was too great for her to bear1 and she was pining away for the fresh air and freedom of her old home2 but1 above all1 she longed for the kindly if rough sympathy of her humble friends2 the cold society of these exotics was gradually yet slowly killing her6 ,in vain was the owner's care lavished upon her--it would not do2 the delicate petals shrank up witheringly1 the slender green leaves became shrivelled and dying1 so in kindness he took her from the gorgeous palace1 which she quitted gladly1 without one sigh of regret1 and carried her back to the shady lane1 the once despised hedgerow1 and carefully placed her in the very spot from which she had been taken4 ,it was the home for her6 ,sadly she turned her dim eyes to the old friends around1 who gazed upon the sorrow-stricken ,flower pityingly and without reproach4 ',i have returned to die1' she murmured4 ',ambition which has pure and holy aspirations is laudable in all2 but ,i mistook pride for that which is more noble1 and ,i am punished4 ,do not blame me1' she pleaded piteously1 'but give me your pity1 and when ,i am gone1 think with tenderness upon the poor little ,wild-flower who knew1 when too late1 that her place was best and happiest when among the humble blossoms by the peaceful hedgerow6' ,,parable ,,ninth4 ,,the ,,honeysuckle ,,and ,,the ,,butterfly--,,humility ,,and ,,pride4 ,one early spring day1 a little shoot of ,honeysuckle was putting forth its tendrils low down on the ground at the foot of a quickset hedge4 ,as yet it was but a weakly sprig1 not knowing its own strength1 nor even dreaming that it would ever rise far above the earth4 ,yet still it was very contented1 drawing happiness from its lowly surroundings1 happy in living1 and feeling the warm sunshine kissing its fragile leaves4 ,close by1 there was a strange1 dark1 oblong mass1 and the little ,honeysuckle tried to imagine what it could possibly be1 for it never moved1 nor evinced emotion of any kind2 and yet it was alive1 because people would take it up1 examine it1 then put it down again1 saying1-- ',it is only a common ,chrysalis6' ,but what that was the ,honeysuckle knew not4 ,at last1 one day1 when the sun was shining very brightly indeed1 and the air was warm1 and filled with the sweet breath of spring1 to her great surprise she saw this peculiar object move1 then by degrees the dark brown casing was cast aside1 and she saw that it had wings6 ',why1 what are you8' she questioned1 in utter amazement at this marvellous transformation4 ',me6' he replied4 ',oh1 ,i am a ,butterfly1 and you will see that very soon ,i shall become most lovely1 such gloriously tinted feathers will deck my wings1 all the world will be lost in admiration1 ,i shall be so beautiful6' ',and will you let me see you then8' the meek little flower asked humbly4 ',oh yes6 certainly you shall gaze upon me1' he answered1 with a mighty air of condescension4 ',but will you not always remain here8' she questioned1 pleased at the idea of having so charming a neighbour4 ',dear me1 no6 ,i should think not1 indeed4 ,why1 ,i shall fly far away from this humble neighbourhood6' was his exclamation4 ',what6 and leave me8' ',certainly6 what else could you expect8' he replied4 ',my ambition could not endure such a humdrum existence as yours2 with these gay-coloured wings of mine ,i shall soar to higher realms1 and be courted and caressed where'er ,i go6' ',oh that ,i had wings like yours1 or that you clung to earth6' sighed the tender-hearted ,honeysuckle1 who1 from having been so long in close companionship with the dark1 unsociable ,chrysalis had actually grown to like him4 ',nonsense6 what a ridiculous wish6' exclaimed the gaudy insect1 who did not share his little friend's feeling of regard4 ',why1 ,i should die if ,i were rooted to one place6 ,i require a large sphere in which to move about2 while as to you--,i doubt if ever you will rise higher in the world than you are now4' ,not a kind remark to make1 certainly1 and it sadly grieved the humble flower to hear the ,butterfly thus speak4 ',and yet1' she sorrowfully mused1 'perhaps he is right2 ,i know ,i am but a little green plant1 very small1 and very lowly1 whilst he is so noble and beautiful with his gorgeous wings4 ,still1 it is heart-rending to think ,i shall never rise above the sordid earth1 always remain a mere groundling6 ,but never mind1' she added more cheerfully2 'even groundlings can do good sometimes1 so ,i'll take courage1 and hope for the best4' ,not many days after this1 the ,butterfly called out joyfully to his little admirer1-- ',good-bye6 good-bye6 ,see6 ,i have acquired my full beauty1 so now ,i am off to entrance the world with my perfect loveliness6 ,i think ,i am an ,emperor1 though ,i am not quite sure2 but there6 people will soon appreciate me1 and1 of course1 will acknowledge my claims to admiration4' ',and are you really going8' she asked sadly4 ',yes1 of course6 ,i am perfect now1 and could not possibly stay here any longer2' looking round contemptuously upon his humble surroundings4 ',but ,i'll come and see you again1 perhaps2 you are sure to be found in the same place6' ,and away he flew with a mocking laugh2 his gay wings fluttered merrily in the sunshine as he poised above the gorgeous garden flowers a while1 then he sped away into distance1 and was lost to sight1 whilst the little ,honeysuckle felt very lonely as she watched him disappear4 ',oh dear me6' she sighed2 ',i feel rather sad now he has gone4 ,it certainly must be very nice to rise a little in the world1 not to be'-- ',take hold of my hand1 my dear1' said a kind ,bramble1 who happened to hear the flower lament her lowly fate4 ',i may perhaps be able to give you a lift up4' ',oh1 thank you very much1' was the response2 'but ,i fear your kindness would be thrown away1 for ,i do not think ,i shall ever be more than ,i am at present4' ',one can never know1 until he has tried1 what may be done1' was the encouraging rejoinder4 ',look at me1 for example6 ,i am only what is called a ,bramble1 very much despised by some folks1 no doubt2 but then1 who despises the fruit ,i bear8 ,why1 every one likes the hardy blackberry1 and ,i believe by your fruit ye are known4' ',but ,i shall never yield fruit1' the ,honeysuckle exclaimed2 'and as to flowers'-- ',you are as yet only a green sprig of something--what ,i know not1' interrupted the ,bramble sharply4 ',but courage1 child2 take fast hold of me4 ,i am rough but trusty2 so take my hand4' ',i fear to climb6' cried the other timidly4 ',nonsense1 child6 nothing is done without an effort4 ,only1 when once you have secured a chance1 hold it fast1' was the caution given4 ,so she ventured to put forth a tender green tendril and clasp her kind friend's helping hand1 which1 if rough and thorny1 was certainly honest and true4 ,it is very seldom in this world that the humble and shrinking find friends ready and willing to raise them from the ground2 for there is such a rush and scramble to reach the temples of ',fame' and of ',mammon1' that each one elbows the other in the crowd4 ,some of the weaker ones get sadly pushed to the wall1 others are trampled under foot1 and it is only the very boldest and most daring of the throng who ever reach the desired goal4 ,but amongst the flowers it is not so2 for how many of the weak ones cling for support to others1 and1 through their tender care1 gain strength and beauty4 ,and this was the case with the ,honeysuckle2 she felt so secure resting on that strong1 protecting arm1 that by degrees she began to gain courage1 and to feel her own power4 ,the ,bramble1 too1 perceiving she was something more than a mere 'little green sprig of something1' kindly encouraged her to persevere in her upward course4 ,so she clambered up higher and higher2 the delicate green tendrils became firmer and stronger1 and at length1 after much painful toiling and many a disappointment1 she reached the highest summit of her hopes--the top of a quickset hedge6 ',oh1 how can ,i thank you all6' she joyfully cried1 when from her lofty position she gazed around on beautiful scenes undreamt of ere this1 and then looked back upon the toilsome path she had travelled1 and beheld the many kind friends who had helped her on her way1 each one of whom was now rejoicing in her success2 'and you1 dear ,bramble1 my first generous guide'-- ',we are all very pleased to see that at last you have succeeded in your efforts1 my dear1' interrupted that sturdy friend2 'and1 what is more1 we do not fear you will prove ungrateful1 you are sure to remember us4' ',indeed1 indeed ,i ever shall6' cried the happy little flower4 ',can ,i ever forget those who loved me when ,i was poor and lowly8 that would be cruel and unkind4' ,and so it proved2 for1 as the summer grew warmer1 and her lovely blossoms opened to the bright sunshine1 she in her gratitude showered them over those dear ones who had helped her in the days of her poverty2 and the fragrant blossoms thus spread over the hedge and the bramble enhanced their beauty1 and rendered them still more lovely in the eyes of the passers-by4 ',dear me6' exclaimed the ,butterfly1 as one very hot day he alighted to rest upon one of the ,honeysuckle's leaves4 ',dear me6' he repeated1 surveying her critically2 'why1 really ,i did not know you again4 ,how did you contrive to get so high up in the world8' ',kind hearts1 loving hands1 helped me1' was the simple answer given4 ',oh1 indeed6' he curtly said4 ',well1 ,i owe gratitude to no one4 ,i suppose you will not get any higher8' he questioned1 after a pause4 ',no1' she replied1 with her usual humility2 'and even if ,i could1 ,i would not wish it2 for1 living as ,i do amongst all who are dear to me1 ,i have no higher ambition4' ',you were always a faint-hearted thing1' exclaimed the insect1 quite forgetting even to be commonly polite1 so elated was he with pride4 ',just compare the difference in our lives6 ,i fly here1 ,i fly there1 now on this flower1 now on that4 ,ah1 mine is a glorious life6 nothing but pleasure and excitement all the livelong day4 ,confess1 now1 would you not like to be me8' ',no1' she answered1 with the utmost sincerity2 ',i am so happy here1 ,i would not change my lot even for a career so brilliant as yours4' ',what a taste6' he exclaimed1 with scornful pity2 'no wonder you remain a hedge-flower6 ,why1 poets write about us1 and there is actually a song called ,i'd be a ,butterfly4 ,only think of that6' he exultantly cried4 ',what6 and have a pin stuck through one's head1 and to be suffocated with camphor1 merely for the sake of being placed in a glass-case for people to stare at6' ejaculated ,spleenwort1 with a dash of malice in his tone4 ',don't talk of such things1 you common flower6' the insect angrily exclaimed4 ',i'll not stay here any longer to listen to such vulgarity4 ,i prefer more refined society6' ,and away he flew1 evidently very much disturbed in his mind by what ,spleenwort had remarked as occurring to butterflies in general1 although he would not acknowledge that it was so1 even to himself1 but tried to banish the thought by indulging more freely in what he considered pleasure4 ,you see--poor1 giddy flutterer--he did not like to hear the plain truth spoken2 flattery would have pleased him better1 yet truth1 though sometimes bitter1 is a wholesome tonic when taken properly4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the summer days sped fast1 for ,father ,time's scythe is never idle1 and he was gradually1 though slowly1 mowing down the flowers which had garlanded the sunny hours4 ,the leaves once so green were changing now1 assuming their glowing autumn tints1 whilst some would fall fluttering to the ground with a gentle sigh of weariness1 as the cold winds were rustling by4 ,then the stern northern gale came sweeping along1 proclaiming to the forest trees that winter was on her way2 and a shudder would pass through their sturdy branches when they heard the tidings1 for they feared her chill1 icy breath4 ,the bees took refuge in their well-stored hives1 the ants had barred their outer doors1 and retired to their most secluded apartments2 even the garden spider was sheltered in his home--only the once gay butterfly was homeless and friendless4 ',shelter me1 shelter me1 dear ,honeysuckle1' moaned the shivering insect1 coming back to the old home in the day of his sorrow4 ',i am so cold1 so weary6' ',poor thing6' the tender flower exclaimed1 with the utmost pity1 forgetting now all former slights4 ',creep under my leaves1 perhaps they may shield you4 ,but your beautiful wings1 how came they so torn and colourless8' ',the pitiless storm last night fell upon me and crushed me to the earth in its fury1' he answered1 with difficulty1 for he was so feeble4 '',tis true the gleams of sunshine to-day have revived me a little2 but alas6 ,i am dying6 my brief day is over1 and there is no one to give me a refuge save you6' ',where are your gay friends8' she asked1'those with whom you sported throughout the livelong summer hours8' ',gone far from me1' he answered bitterly2 'they were but friends of the fleeting sunshine1 and ,i in the day of my power thought but of myself1 and now--,i am left alone to die6' ,the ,honeysuckle was deeply moved2 she remembered no more his haughty pride1 she only saw that now he was ill and in sorrow2 so she placed her clinging tendrils gently around him1 trying thus to keep the poor ,butterfly under the shelter of her protecting leaves4 ,night came stealing on1 folding her sable curtains over the earth2 and it was a wild night1 for not a star shone in the skies1 all was dark and dreary1 for the ,storm ,king was abroad in all his mighty strength4 ,the fierce gales came with terrific power1 tossing the lordly ships as they nobly braved its fury1 but causing1 oh1 so many loving hearts to fervently pray 'for those at sea4' ,no wonder1 then1 that when the cold grey dawn awoke the early flowers1 they saw the poor crushed ,butterfly lying dead6 close beside the little ,honeysuckle1 whose trustful1 meek heart he had once so cruelly derided4 ,,printed ,,by ,,morrison ,,and ,,gibb ,,limited ,,edinburgh