Shields High School - Patriot Yearbook (Seymour, IN)

Page 31 text:

in the fireplace sent a soft glow over the room, the only light. Richard, weary with the day ' s problems, sank in a nearby chair and listened. Beatrice, un- aware of his entrance, was saying: Vallalila and Granmer were brother and sister and lived with their old grandmother in a beautiful valley, where there were lots of flowers and trees, and where the sun shed its warm rays upon their little home and where the raindrops played upon the cottage roof. Vallalila was a golden-haired girl as bright and cheerful as the beams that come from the sun. But Granmer was dark-haired and had black eyes. Sometimes he was dark and ugly like the sky in a storm and the flashes from his eyes were as bright and keen as those of the lightning. Most of the time, however, he was like his sister and they spent many happy hours together in the woods. One beautiful day in October, when many, many leaves had fallen on the ground, Vallalila and Granmer were playing. Suddenly, the little girl gave a cry and when Granmar ran to her, he found her bending over a large beautiful, white flower. At it ' s side grew a large yellow one. Granmer. attracted by the bright gleams of the yellow, seized it and cried, Oh! Oh! Oh! Aren ' t they beautiful 1 Mine is the prettiest ! You can have the pale white ones, but I like yellow! But Vallalila was very pleased with hers and broke it from the stem and ran to her grandmother. When Granmer plucked his from the stem, he felt it grow hard in his hands and turn to solid gold. But he was overjoyed! He ran to his grandmother and she told them that the flowers were called chrysan- themums, and had probably been planted there by the Fairy of Fate. The golden chrysanthemum will bring you boundless wealth, she told Granmer. But dear Vallalila, she said as tears fell from her eyes, Fate has de- creed that you will have to suffer for the joys of another. Oh, no! cried Granmer, She will never suffer, for I won ' t let her! I ' m going to take care of her forever and ever. Poor Granmer ! He little knew that he was to be the cause of all her sorrow. For several years the two children were happy and played together in their valley. But one day, Granmer grew tired of his life there, so taking his golden chrysanthemum, he kissed his sister good-bye and left for the larger world beyond. Vallalila was very sad for she loved Granmer dearly. One day in October Granmer had left his mansion and was walking down the long walk to the waiting carriage. It was a beautiful day and the storm on his face appeared to have somewhat abated. He was inspecting the lawn as he walked and an attractive bunch of flowers growing near the well caught his

Page 30 text:

In brief, Grenvil ' s proposition was this: Barnstone was to remain in the employ of the American Company for several weeks — at least long enough to find out what the firm was going to bid at the next stockholder ' s meeting. Kichard shook his head, for he knew that to give Grenvil this bit of knowledge would mean a great financial loss to his present employers. It would be play- ing false to the company with which he had been so long connected to quietly resign from the American Company and transfer to the Grenvil-Parker Estab- lishment as Junior partner with five hundred dollars a month and promised advancement. Kichard begged leave to consider the matter until the next morning when he would let him know his decision. Grenvil agreed and impressed upon him the facts that no one would ever know about this little business, that he would be perfectly safe, and that he had a perfect right to change positions if another offered better opportunities. Barnstone returned to the office with a heavy heart and a cloudy mind. He could not work. He had to think this thing out — get it off his mind. He left the office and started home, although it was only mid-afternoon. As he walked his mind became clearer and he was able to think. Why shouldn ' t he accept Grenvil ' s offer? He was under no obligations to his company and there was no reason why he should stay with them if someone else offered a better salary. But his inner-self answered, Would you enjoy the results of this better offer if it is obtained by deceit and underhanded schemes ? ' ' Richard knew that it was not an honorable plan and that his transference would not be a loyal thing. To disclose the knowledge that Grenvil was desirous of having was any- thing but the deed of a gentleman. But the money! That salary which would increase the bank account that some day was to put Dickie through college. Richard ' s heart beat rapidly as he thought of the increased advantages of a boy who has money behind him. No one would know of it. Hadn ' t Grenvil said that he would keep it quiet? And then — -what was there really to be ashamed of? He would merely transfer from one company to the other, an act which was being done every day. Arguing and arguing, he finally determined to accept the offer. It was late afternoon when he turned his steps toward home. The little place looked like a fairy ' s castle. The tiny white cottage enshrined in trees; the rows of white and yellow chrysanthemums ; it was truly a scene that would grace fairyland. Richard entered the house very quietly for it seemed as if there was a charm on the little home. He seemed afraid of breaking the quiet and peace that reigned. He opened the door and before him was as pretty a picture of home, com- fort and happiness as any man could wish. His wife, Beatrice, was sitting before the fire, telling little Dick, who sat at her feet, a fairy story The flame

Page 32 text:

eye. He went over to examine them and recognized them as chrysanthemums, as beautiful as those that he and Vallalila had found so many years ago. Memo- ries of his little sister and of the beautiful valley flooded his mind and he was very sad. ' ' Oh, Vallalila, ' ' he cried. ' ' How could I have ever forgotten you so long ? Will you forgive me? I need you so — oh — so much! He broke the flower from its stem and much to his dismay he saw it wither and fade in his hand. He realized the significance of the act at once and when he remembered the little girl in the valley and his neglect and disregard of her, he was overcome with sorrow. Granmer ' s grief was so deep that he sent messengers to all parts of the kingdom to hunt for his sister but they could not find her. When all of the messengers returned and reported their failure, Granmer decided to set out himself in search of Vallalila. He searched for many many days and finally, weary and footsore, he reached his native home. He hardly recognized it. The place where every- thing once had been so happy and peaceful now was gloomy and dreary. He was so sad and weary that he sank down on a nearby log and wept. He had found the cottage, old and desolate, but he could not find his sister. He looked again at the scene before him and he saw this time growing beside the cottage door, a single chrysanthemum on a tall slender stem, graced with beautiful leaves. He went to it and when he touched it he saw the beautiful flower change its form and take on the appearance of his much sought sister, Vallalila. Oh, Granmer, Im so glad you ' ve come back to me, she cried, You don ' t know how sad I have been. I couldn ' t stand it any longer so the ' ' Fairy of Fate changed me into my white chrysanthemum. I ' ve waited so long and I thought you never would come back. Granmer felt very sad when he thought of the suffering and sorrow he had cuased her but now that he had her back, he was happy. They returned to Granmer ' s home and lived happily ever after, never forgetting the white and golden chrysanthemums. ' ' When Beatrice finished her story, Richard rose from his chair and joined the two before the fire. Beatrice, he said, The time has come when I am to choose between the white and golden chrysanthemums. I almost chose the golden, but due to your beautiful little story, my honor is saved and tomorrow — I will refuse the golden and — accept the white chrysanthemum.