64 MY TEN-ROD FARM; 



will again make a return. Busy with the problem, I heard 

 the bell ring, and, going to the door, found Mr. Felix on the 

 steps. 



"Excuse me, Mrs. Oilman, I am in a hurry. I wish 

 some flowers to fill an order. Will you cut me some ? v 



" With pleasure," said I, and we both went to the garden. 

 Taking out his knife he began to cut the tea-rose buds, say- 

 ing, at the same time : 



" Please, Mrs. Gilman, cut me six dozen heliotrope." 

 We both worked rapidly, and in a few moments he placed 

 three dozen buds with my heliotropes. Taking out his purse, 

 he prepared to pay me. 



" Six dozen heliotropes, at a shilling, will be one dollar, 

 and the buds will be a dollar and a half," said I. . - 



"More than that, Mrs. Gilman," said he, with a smile. 

 " The cool nights have sent the price of flowers up. Roses 

 sell at a dollar a dozen, and heliotrope advanced to twenty- 

 five cents to-day, four dollars and a half." And, handing 

 me that amount, he, took the flowers and going to his car- 

 riage that stood at the gate drove rapidly away. 



"There goes an honest man, and a gentleman," thought 

 I. So the price of flowers has nearly doubled. The early 

 frosts will soon kill off the garden-flowers, and then those 

 who have greenhouses will control the market. In fact, only 

 they will have any flowers to sell at all. I have supported 

 myself by my garden for two months, earning nearly one 

 hundred dollars, and now, in spite of all I can do, my income 



