BRIGHTENING THINGS UP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18553, 10 November 1923, Page 4 (Supplement)

BRIGHTENING THINGS UP.

Zena was one of a large family She had two brothers, older than hers-.., who were both employed in one of the linoleum factories, one sister who was married, and there were three children younger than herself. Zena had seen 12 summers, but you may be sure she was not accustomed to many luxuries, and often had to work fairly hard for a girl of her age. Zena's father had a large garden or backyard at least it once was a fine place, but through ill-usage the flowers had died out and the place looked generally untidy. At school Zena really enjoyed herself. By her gentle, kind manners, she won admiration and respect, and had many

gill friends. One girl in particular did Zftna like— a Maisie Gray. Maisie admired Zena because of her gentle manners and kindly ways, and in return, Zena loved Maisie wit); her whole heart, and delighted to do ; her any small service, so the two , girls made excellent companions. ■ <r ~T- „ ? . '■'■"'■ ...." Zena had great ideas about her garden or yard, and cherished secret hopes of seme day turning it from its present state to a dream of beauty. ; ' ■ ■■ 1 One night, while Zena walked briskly homo from school, she saw some rough boys tearing up some wild flowers, which were growing in a wood nearby, and, thoroughly angered, Zena stepped forward and spoke sharply to them, bidding them stop - their cruel play and deliver the flowers to her. :■.■"'-.'< .''*";'■ I

Sullenly the boys handed over the flowers, "and, muttering a few thr?.,3, sauntered away: looking to see if •♦hero was anything' else with which to amuse themselves. Zena watched them, and sighing,, said, "Boys will be boys," Gatbe/ing the/ broken flowers she took the roots and -quickened her pace homewards for she knew her mother would < be'none too pleased if she knew she had loitered on the way. " ' , Reaching home, Zena set the tableland tidied up the house. >■ When everyone h«t:l '■ had a good meal % the table "was cleared, and all went away Ito do as thev pleased. Zena then bethought herself of her flowers, and quietly going out the* front door, she slipped over ;to MaisieV house to ask for a small trowel. : Maisie, a little puzzled, granted her. request. Zena thanked her, and hurried home, when she immediately went to the yard, and by dint of much watering and digging, she managed to soften - a piece of ground. Gathering some stones, which .were lying about, she made i a neat- : border, and planted her flowers. Again giving them some water, she left them. The other children questioned her. 'so did Maisie, but Zena kept silence. ; \ ' A year has passed, and let us again peep at Zena A plot. No longer is it dull and untidy, instead, bright campions snd' hyacinths - proudly hold up their heads and daisies peep shyly up among the j»reen leaves of the ;'; foxglove. 1 : The ether, children; inspired bv Zena. : fol lowed her example, and the plane waX turned from a wilderness into a lovely garden. "It ik really amazing," said her parents In admiring tones . Everyone can do the same, and brighten up the dark corners we see everywhere