49" " MY FATHER'S GARDEN." 



tomers were not all of this type. Having as yet no 

 connection he was glad to sell some of his plants to 

 hawkers and costermongers. Later on, in a deal for 

 some " Christines," Mr Rose fairly "walks over" George, 

 although the latter slily tells him at the onset that he was 

 going to take them to his rival, Mr Smith. Mr Rose, 

 however, although a very " hard nail," was not the man to 

 benefit by others without seeking to render some return. 

 George, by steady perseverance, honesty, and exercise of 

 judgment, had improved in circumstances and gained very 

 general respect, although still short of capital. He wants 

 another greenhouse, but cannot bring his mind to build it 

 until he sees clearly how it is to be paid for. In his 

 difficulty he consults Mr Rose, with whom and his clever 

 daughter Polly he now stands on pretty easy terms, and 

 Mr Rose, by advancing money for bedding plants which 

 he would require, enables him to carry out his views. 

 After this the circumstances of our hero continue to 

 improve, and, like most true-hearted, courageous, and 

 intelligent men, he rises with his circumstances. He is a 

 great favourite with the opposite sex, especially with Mr 

 Rose's daughter Polly, and Lily the daughter of an officer 

 in the volunteers, which corps he has joined with an eye 

 to business. At length he becomes manager to Mr Rose, 

 and, as might be expected, marries Polly, and finally 

 succeeds to the business. Sister Jane, who recovers her 

 health, marries a clergyman ; while old Able and his wife 

 are amply provided for, principally through the restoration 

 of property which, unknown to them, had been purchased 

 by the grandfather. Old Mrs Able pleads successfully for 

 a dinner to the street-hawkers on George's wedding-day. 

 With the following extract we must conclude a much 

 longer notice than we had intended at the outset. George 

 is now a rich and influential man : 



" When I look back and consider the humble position 

 I occupied when a boy and I think that but for the 

 encouragement my dear mother gave me, and the path 



