178 THE FLORIST. 



were shewn in good condition. There was a promising Picotee, heavy 

 purple, large and distinct, named Fellowes' Prince Arthur. 



First-class certificates were awarded to j\lr. Black, gr. to E. Fos- 

 ter, Esq., for Pelargonium Optimum, Enchantress, and Ariadne. To 

 Mr. Turner, for Pink Optima ; ditto Pansies, Swansdown and Black 

 Diamond ; and to Mr. Bragg, for Pink Desdemona. Mr. Foster's 

 Pelargoniums also received first, second, and third prizes from the 

 "Seedling Fund." Mr. Turner's Pinks, first; Mr. Bragg's second, 

 ■from the same source. 



A PACKET OF SEEDS SAVED BY AN OLD GARDENER. 



[Continued from p. IGO.] 



After a while I asked the squire for a holiday, to go and see my 

 friends at the old place; and when he said "Yes," he told me he 

 should not find fault if I got a wife, provided she was the right sort ; 

 for he said it didn't look well for a man to live single when he'd a 

 comfortable place, and was a little ahead of the world. I'd thought 

 the same thing; and, to tell the truth, that was just what I wanted 

 the holiday for. Old friends at the old place shook hands very 

 hearty, and Margaret, with all her fine clothes, hadn't forgotten me ; 

 and when we shook hands, hers was so soft, I could but look at it, 

 and so white it was and so small, that it set me thinking a deal more 

 than I care to tell ; but this I did, I went a few miles, and bought a 

 golden hoop to have a leap through. 



" You might have called before this," said Elizabeth, " to see an 

 old friend," as I opened her door one evening. ** I saw you pass ; 

 and I did think you'd have looked in." 



I made some excuse, and we sat down, and talked over old times, 

 over those dead and gone, and those still about ; and we felt more 

 like brother and sister than any thing else. She told me all her 

 troubles — how hard she had to work, and how she'd lost part of the 

 washing at the Hall through the lady's maid, though she couldn't 

 learn why, only it was so ; and then she said she meant to go to 

 service ; and if I should hear of any thing likely to suit her, she'd 

 thank me to let her know : she wasn't afraid of work, only she 

 wanted to be comfortable, — for she wasn't at all so, as things were. 



"Well," said I, " I know just the place for you, if you'll take it; 

 but you'll have to work hard, and live hard, and sometimes have to 

 put up with a good deal ; for the master's an obstinate man, and, 

 right or wrong, he will have his way." 



" I don't mind that," said she, " if I can but be comfortable, and 

 be let do my work ; — but you'll see me again before you go, and then 

 you can tell me more about it ;"and she put out her hand, and said, 

 "good-bye." 



"But," said I, "there's no hurry; this hard hand of yours has 

 done enough for to-day ;" and I slipped the ring on her finger, and 

 said, " If you're of my mind, we'll make another move with the old 



