ESCAPED FROM GARDENS 191 



securely among other weeds. It blows about until cov- 

 ered by snow or caught in the ice ; but meanwhile it has 

 showered evil seeds far and wide, and accomplished its 

 mission. 



"Tumble weeds remind me of the society tramp," re- 

 marked the cynic who had come along under his umbrella. 

 "They feed off the property of the industrious. The 

 tumbleweeds usurp the fields of the useful, they deceive 

 the unwary by making a show of good clothes and im- 

 pudent manners, they are careless of the rights of others, 

 they abhor honest labor, and are the epitome of selfishness. 

 'Let me live, and the rest of the world go hang,' they cry. 

 To the fire with them, good farmer." 



While tumbleweed has foolishly bounded along the 

 highroad, sowing disorder and discontent, under the 

 shadows of the hedges Jenny notes here and there a flower 

 favorite or humble shrub hanging its wilted head. 



Frost has not sent the gentian to rest, and the starry 

 aster bears signs of good health. Why the discourage- 

 ment of the others'? She searches farther, and nothing 

 alarming meets the eye other than a delicate little vine 

 hung with clusters of pearly berries. 



"Dodder," she cries with disgust. "Come, Tommy, see 

 the horrid thing squeezing the life out of this pretty 

 flower." 



It is too late to tear the offending parasite from its 

 hold ; the mischief is done, but she may save the plants of 



