THE HYACINTH. 



FROM THE GERMAN OF KRUMMACHER 



Emily complained of the length of winter. — For she loved flowers 

 dearly, and had a small garden where she cultivated the most beau- 

 tiful with her own hands. Therefore she longed for the departure 

 of Winter and the approach of Spring. 



One day her father said to her, " see, Emily, I have brought you 

 a flower root. But you must cultivate it yourself with care." 



"How can I, dear father," replied the girl. — "The fields are 

 covered with snow, and the ground is as hard as a stone ! " 



Thus she spoke, and she knew not that flowers could be cultiva- 

 ted in vases, for she had never seen it. But her father gave her a 

 small pot filled with earth, and Emily planted the flower root. And 

 she looked at her father and smiled, as if she doubted his sincerity. 

 For she thought that a clear blue sky must be spread over the 

 flowers, and that the gentle breath of air must breathe around them, 

 and did not dream that magnificence could flourish in her hands. 



" For modest youthful simplicity knows not its own power." 



After a few days the earth rose in the vase, and green leaves 

 came forth and appeared in the light — and Emily rejoiced and an- 

 nounced to her father and mother, and to the whole house the birth 

 of the young plant, 



