152 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
that of a rat’s. So I went on completing my number, partly from the impression made 
upon me by their looks, and partly from what the head gardener told me of their precedents 
and behaviour while they had been in the reformatory. I had arranged beforehand where 
they were to commence, and had marked out the ground, for there were full two acres in all 
under spade cultivation. Spades were given to them suitable to their age and strength, and 
they were delighted when they got out into the open air.” 
As George’s bedding plants come to maturity he visits Mr. Eose, a rich 
nurseryman in the neighbourhood, with whom the family had long dealt for 
seeds, and does a satisfactory stroke of business with him. But his customers 
were not all of this type. Having as yet no connection, he w T as glad to sell 
some of his plants to hawkers and costermongers. Later on, in a deal for 
some “Christines,” Mr. Eose 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. Eose, 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. 
Eose, with whom and whose clever daughter Polly he now stands on pretty 
easy terms, and Mr. Eose, 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. Eose’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 for Mr. 
Eose, 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 onset. George is now a rich and influential man :— 
“ When I look back and consider the humble position I occupied when a hoy—and I 
think that but for the encouragement my dear mother gave me, and the path she directed 
me into, and which I followed obediently, I might have all my life remained a poor, hard¬ 
working market-gardener—when I think of this, I rebel against the rule which advises us 
to rest satisfied with the lowliest estate we may be placed in, for I will not believe that it 
was ever intended that one endowed with human intelligence, was predestined to remain 
stationary. 
“There are and ever will be, I suppose, ‘hewers of wood and drawers of water,’ and I 
pity those who remain contented with such servile occupations. Those who exclaim against 
ambition raise a cry against progress, for it is that which causes a spirited lad to strive to 
excel both in the playground and in the school; and though on the latter point I speak not 
from experience, as my education was of the very humblest, yet I have known many who 
won the honour of captaincy in our schools, that went out and distinguished themselves in 
the world, as they were sure to do. 
“ Had I been kept down and remained only a common market-gardener, I should have 
striven hard as I grew older to have carried off a prize at some exhibition of vegetables for 
the finest Cabbage or Lettuce, if I could have grown nothing better; for I believe that in 
the humblest calling we may for a time follow, any one with a right ambition will reach the 
top of it.” 
The tale is a sweet picture of family concord, and points the road of 
honest and persevering industry as the surest means of reaching an honour¬ 
able end. "We repeat, lest we should mislead our readers, that this is not 
