228 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



FLOWER AND FRUIT MISSIONS. 



BY C. W. MURTFELDT, OF KIRKWOOD. 



EMMIE. 



u * * * * V And we passed to this ward where the younger children are laid : 



Here is the cot of our orphan, our darling meek little maid ; 



Empty you see just now I We have lost her who loved her so much — 



Patient of pain tho' as quick as a sensitive plant to the touch ; 



Hers was the prettiest prattle, it often moved me to tears, 



Hers was the gratefullest heart T have found in a child of her years — 



Nay, you remember our Emmie ; you used to send her the flowers ; 



How she would smile at 'em, talk to 'em hours after hours I 



They that can wander at will where the works of the Lord are reveal'd, 



Little guess what joy can be got from a cowslip out of the field ; 



Flowers to these spirits in prison are all they can know of the spring, 



They Ireshen and sweeten the wards like a waft of an angel's wing ; 



And she lay with a flower in one hand and her thin hand crossed on her breast — 



Wan, but as pretty as heart can desire, and we thought her at rest. 



Quietly sleeping — so quiet our Doctor said '' Po( r little dear," 



*^-** ********** 



The flower and fruit missions of our cities are among the most 

 beautiful charities. Generally and most appropriately they are con- 

 ducted under the auspices of benevolent ladies, although occasionally 

 a gentleman is permitted to take part in collecting and handling the 

 flowers, or to contribute a V or an X for the purchase of fruits or other 

 incidentals. People who live in the suburbs of our large cities, where 

 lands are not yet sold at so much per front foot, cultivate flowers on 

 purpose to supply the mission on a given day in each week, from early 

 spring until late autumn. It is no uncommon sight to see express 

 wagons filled with baskets full of flowers and boquets. These are 

 gathered by the children of the mission bands of the churches in our 

 suburban towns and either made up into small boquets, or brought loose 

 in baskets to be arranged by the ladies of the mission. When all is 

 ready these same ladies enter their carriages and start for the various 

 hospitals, asylums and homes for the friendless, and even for the pri- 

 sons, while the sick and poor living in private houses when known are 

 not forgotten. 



