OR, HOW I BECAME A FLORIST. 13 



$ie servants were washing down all the door-steps at 

 once. 



Coming out upon Trimountain Avenue, near the park, I 

 began to look about for a flower-stand, or seed store. Soon 

 I came to one, and looked in. There was no one there but 

 a boy with his broom, so I passed on. Presently I came 



to another. The clean marble floor and handsome show- 







case, filled with all sorts of garden nicknacks, tempted me 

 in. Seeing a young man behind the counter, I went up to 

 him, and, opening my box, laid it upon the wet marble slab 

 before him. 



" Are those flowers for sale ? " said he. 



"Yes, sir." 



" What will you take for them ? " 



" Anything that is fair. I know nothing of their valuet 

 I trust to you to give me whatever they are worth." 



He at once turned the flowers out, and, pushing my box 

 towards me, handed me a bill. Placing the box under my 

 shawl, I went out, and reached the cars in time for the first 

 train home. At my door I met the children. 



"Why, where have you been, mother? We thought 

 you must have run away." 



"No, no. I have been to town on an errand among the 

 shops." 



" What ! shopping at this time of day ? " 



" Yes ; but come, eat your breakfast and be off to school, 



for I am busy now." 

 2 



