24 MY GARDEN ACCOUNTED FOR. 



resurrection of our memory which will continue 

 green and fragrant for months. 



My mother was an invalid, but so cheerful a 

 on** that she chose the sunniest room of the 

 house as her own, and as boy and youth I never 

 remember entering it without seeing flowers 

 upon her open Bible. From my earliest recol- 

 lection, she was accustomed to sit in her garden- 

 chair and direct or walk feebly around, and help 

 me in the care of what were to her pets and 

 friends. Oh, that I could help her now with 

 the patience of a man, and atone for the heed- 

 lessness and petulance of the boy. 



But the one who has done most to inspire me 

 with a fondness and knowledge of gardening, 

 is still at the old homestead a silver-haired 

 patriarch of eighty-four, and yet " his eye is 

 not dim, nor his natural force abated." 



The large square garden with its flower-bor- 

 dered walks daily prove his skill and vigor; 



