 Publishers note and preface to Floyd's Flowers or Duty and Beauty for Colored Children being 100 short stories gleaned from the storehouse of human knowledge and experience. Simple, amusing, elevating by Silas X Floyd. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Lola Janey of Northern Virginia. Publishers note. The publishers of this book have spared neither pains nor expense in trying to make it as nearly perfect as a book of this kind can be. The typographical appearance and the illustrations will speak for themselves. We consider ourselves fortunate in having been able to secure the services of the Reverend Dr. Silas X Floyd as the author of this volume. Mr. Floyd's life work, aside from his literary training, has made him the ideal man to speak to the colored boys and girls of the South. Soon after graduating from Atlanta University in 1891, Mr. Floyd became principal of a public school at Augusta, Georgia, and remained in that city for five years consecutively as a teacher. In June 1896, he was called from the school room into the Sunday School work, having been appointed by the International Sunday School Convention as one of its field workers throughout the South. He continued in his work for three years, retiring from it to become pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia, one of the largest churches in the South. After a year and a half in the pastorate, he returned to the Sunday School work becoming Sunday School Missionary for Georgia and Alabama under appointment of the American Baptist Publication Society. Two years ago, he re-entered the school room and is now once more principal of a public school at Augusta. His school is one of the largest in the state of Georgia. Mr. Floyd's work as the record shows has been conspicuously for and in behalf of the children, and he is known far and wide as a competent writer and speaker on topics concerning young people. He has contributed to Sunday School Times, The International Evangel, The New York Independent, The World's Work, Lippincott's Magazine, and many other journals and periodicals. He is the author of a volume of sermons published by the American Baptist Publication Society and listed in their catalog as among their standard works, and is also the author of The Life of the Leading Colored Baptist Preacher in America, published by the National Baptist Publishing Board. From the beginning of The Voice of the Negro, Mr. Floyd has had charge of the wayside department as editor, and his work as a humorist and writer of Negro dialect is known to many through that medium. In 1894, Atlanta University, his alma mater, conferred upon Mr. Floyd the degree of Master of Arts and, in 1902, Morris Brown College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Breakfast. Truly the boys and girls of today ought to be thankful that they are alive. They are never with such a golden age for childhood and youth as the present. To say nothing of the rich opportunities for mental and spiritual development, what a multitude of things have been provided for the innocent pleasure. The wholesome recreation of the young people of today. Inventions that remind one of the magic of the Arabian Nights. Tools of sport so perfect that one cannot imagine how they could be bettered. Fascinating games. All unknown in the days gone by. Books and papers upon which science, art, and literary skills have lavished modern resources. All these and many of the wonderful things have fallen to the lock of the favorite boys and girls of today. And now, enterprising publishers of our grand country are going to put the boys and girls of America, and especially the colored boys and girls of America, under obligation to them, because they have decided to add to the list of good books for children and youths already on the market. I use the word good, advisedly, for from the day that I was engaged to write this book, I have had in mind constantly the thought of making it such a book as would tell for good. It is an old saying that evil communications corrupt good manners, but evil reading does more than this, for evil reading corrupts good morals. I have endeavored to put into this book of stories for children only such things as might be freely admitted into the best homes of the land, and I have written with the hope that many young minds may be elevated by means of these stories and many hearts filled with high and holy aspirations. Our nation has a right to expect that our boys and girls shall turn out to be good men and good women, and this book is meant to help in this process. Silas X. Floyd End of Preface and Publishers Note Chapter Number One of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd This live preface recording is in the public domain. Chapter One A Spelling Lesson The boys and girls of Public School Number Ten were glad to have a new girl whose name was Bertha Dent entering their spelling class. The little girl's mother told the teacher that the child could probably keep up with the first grade in spelling because she could spell such words as dog and hog and cat and rat and that. It was not a great while before the teacher called the spelling class. She asked Bertha, the new girl, to stand with the class. You may spell dog, Mary, said the teacher to one of the girls and tell us what kind of noise little dogs make. D-O-G, dog, said Mary, and our little dog says, wow, wow, wow. That's very well done, said the teacher. Now, Annie, you may spell cat and tell us what kind of noise little kittens make. C-A-T, cat, replied Annie, and the little kitties sometimes say, meow, meow. And when the little doggies come around, they bristle up and hiss at the doggies. That's very well responded the teacher. Sadie, you may spell bird and tell us what the little birds do. B-I-R-D, bird, said Sadie. We have a pretty marking bird that sings for us all the time. Most birds sing, but Mama says there are some birds which are good to keep bugs and worms off the vegetables and flowers. That is correct, the teacher may answer. Now, Bertha Dent, you may spell love for us and tell us what love does. Oh, said the new pupil, I know very well how to spell love. And then Bertha ran to the teacher, threw her arms around the teacher's neck, and gave her a sweet little kiss. That is the way Mama told me to spell love, said Bertha quietly, while the teacher and all the members of the spelling class smiled. That is a very pretty way to spell love, said the teacher. But don't you know any other way to spell love? Why, yes, answered Bertha, looking around. I spell love this way, too. Then she brushed a fleck of dust from the teacher's sleeve, picked up some papers that were scattered on the platform and arranged them on the desk. She also pulled a tiny bit of thread off the teacher's skirt. I spell love, said Bertha, by working for Mama and Papa and Little Brother, and trying to make everybody happy. The teacher drew the little girl close to her side, threw one arm around the child's neck and said, that is the very best way to spell love. But can't you spell love the way the book spells it? Oh, yes, said Bertha, L-O-V-E, love. The teacher hugged Bertha, called her a dear little girl, and then dismissed the class. End of chapter one. Chapter number two of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter two, The Truth About Luck. This is a world of order and system. There is nothing haphazard about it. The sun rises and sets according to a regular and unchanging law. The tides come in and the tides go out, not by accident or chance, but in accordance with well-defined laws. Winter and summer, sunshine and rain, follow each other in well-ordered succession. What is true in the natural world is also true in a moral and business world. A boy reaps that which he sows and gains the prizes for which he is willing to pay the price in labor and self-denial. A divine law controls success and defeat in this life and no stratagem or trick can take the place of hard work. Some years ago, I happened to find myself near the terminal of the Great East River Bridge in New York City. Two little boys were standing near one of the large iron poles crying the afternoon papers. I tarried near them because I was waiting for a particular car. One little fellow said to the other, How many papers have you sold today, Tommy? Nearly one hundred and fifty was Tommy s quick reply. On a bright? Yes, on a bright. Whoopie! But ain't you in big luck, Tommy? Luck, exclaimed Tommy, wiping the perspiration from his brow. They ain't no luck about it. I've just been everlastingly at it since four o'clock this morning. That's all. And that is the all of real success. Those who achieve success are everlastingly at what they are trying to do. Tommy was right and declining to have his hard work and honest work cheapen by calling the result of it luck. While the luckiest chap I ever saw, I once heard a little boy about sixteen years say to another boy of about the same age. Why do you say that? Asked the other. Because you have had your salary raised twice in the same year. Well, was the reply. You may call it luck, but I don't. I have always done my work the very best I knew how. I have never once in the whole year been a single minute late in getting to the office. Nor have I ever left a single minute before it was time for me to leave. When I have worked overtime, I have not made any fuss about it. My boss said when he raised my salary last week that he had taken these things into account. So I don't see where the luck comes in. All the same said the first boy. Some bosses wouldn't have raised your salary. Then I would have the satisfaction of knowing that I had done my duty. Boys, I tell you that's right. Nine out of ten employers know that it is to their advantage to show appreciation of faithful work. And they show it. When this appreciation comes, luck has had nothing to do with it. The thing that passes for luck is in nearly all cases the just reward of honest endeavor. Do not, therefore, start out in life with the expectation that some lucky turn will bring you sudden honor or wealth or position without any effort on your part. Substitute that fine old word, work, for that deceitful word, luck. And base your hopes of future success and usefulness upon the honorable labor that it is a God-given privilege for every well and strong and right-minded boy to give his heart and hands to performing. End of chapter two. Chapter three of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd. This Liber Vox recording is in the public domain. An evening at home. Boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 17 ought to spend their evenings at home as much as possible. In these busy, bustling 20th century days, there are many families, so much the worst for them, that scarce to know what it is to spend an evening at home together. Not only the younger people, but the older people are on the go. The evenings are crowded with calls and invitations, which come from far and near. It is nothing to go five or even 10 miles to an evening concert or social gathering. The trolley is so near, so cheap, and so universal. But I tell you boys and girls, no matter what the pleasure or amusement afforded, no matter what the instruction or culture received, there are no social or similar opportunities good enough to displace the home circle. The sooner young people realize this, the happier they will be. Boys and girls ought to plan for some evenings at home. Let other things have a share, but do not give up all the time to other things. Once a week, the young people ought to arrange for an evening at home. Decline everything else for that evening, the same as you would for any other engagement. Gather the family together. Make a special place for Grandma and Grandpa. Sing merry songs, play innocent and amusing games. Take time to tell the home folks about some of the things that you do and that you've seen in the world. Get acquainted with the home folks. Be delighted in their delight. By special appointments, spend one or two cheerful hours with the folks at home each week. The young folks themselves should take the lead in this matter. A home is not merely a place with four walls where people meet to eat and drink and sleep securely beneath a roof. Nay, boys and girls, a house is reared to be a home. The center where a family may gather into one to be a serene retreat with the tenderest affections may find rest. Where love may have a dwelling place and the amenities of life gain ample scope. Where parents and children may press one another's heart to heart. Where sorrows and joys may be freely shared in sacred confidence. In a word, where the great work of training human beings for the duties of the present life. And the perfection of another may be begun and carried on. There is one special reason for making much of the evenings at home that young people are not likely to think of. Inevitably, the family circle will be broken up very soon. Perhaps not by death, but most certainly by change. When Fred goes to college, that is the beginning of new ties and new associations, and the home privileges can never be quite so complete to him again. The years of the complete unity of the home are very few indeed. While these years are passing, young people especially should make the most of them. My dear boys and girls, get the benefit of these years. Get their joys, store up memories of home life. For they will be, in future years, the most beautiful pictures of the heart. However, some may sneer at it. The memory of home and mother is the great power for righteousness. It has saved many a person to God and native land and race. Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. End of Chapter 3 Chapter number 4 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd This liver box recording is in the public domain. Chapter number 4, The Making of a Man Mr. Stamps, seated near the table, was glancing over the afternoon paper. Mrs. Stamps, in an easy chair, was doing some fancy work. Little Bobby, six years old, more or less, was playing with his toys on the floor. All at once, the precocious little boy stopped short in the middle of his sport and, looking up at his mother, asked, Mama, who made the whirl? God replied Mrs. Stamps sweetly. Who made the seed? continued Bobby. Mrs. Stamps answered, God, well, said Bobby. Did God make everything? Yes, my son, the Lord made everything. And did he make everybody? Yes, the Lord made everybody. Bobby was silent for a moment. Presently, he looked anxiously at his father and then, turning to his mother, asked, Mama, did God make Papa too? Yes, God made Papa also. After a lengthy pause, Bobby asked, Mama, do you think that I could make a man if I was to try really hard? You had better run out to play now, Bobby, said Mrs. Stamps. Somewhat non-pluse by her son's curiosity. Bobby left the room almost immediately. He went straight to the beach in front of the house and labored long and earnestly in piling up some wet sand. Pretty soon, he was joined in this work by two other little boys. For some time, the three little fellows worked vigorously in piling up the mud. Mrs. Stamps called her husband to the window so that he might see what the boys were doing. Wife, said Mr. Stamps, I believe those little statements are trying to make a man. Toward sunset, Bobby ran into the house and exclaimed with delight, Mama, we've got our man almost finished. We didn't have but one marble and we used that for one of his eyes. I came in to ask you to give me a marble so that we might put it in his other eye. It's too late to bother now, Bobby, said Mrs. Stamps. Wait until tomorrow morning. Then I will give you a marble and let you finish your man. The next morning, bright and early, Bobby went out to look for his man. Lo and behold, the sea had washed the man away during the night. But Bobby, of course, did not suspect that. He thought that the man had gone away of his own accord. So the little fellow spent the entire morning looking for his man. He looked under the house. He looked in the stable. He went up to the garret. He walked up and down the beach. He went into the woods looking for his man. But his man was nowhere to be found. Two or three weeks later, an African Methodist Episcopal Conference assembled in Bobby's town. Among the ministers present, there happened to be a short, chubby, tan colored brother with only one eye. When Bobby spied him, he examined the man curiously and cautiously from head to foot. The examination ended. Bobby concluded that this was his man. At once, the little fellow left his mother and went over and took a seat beside the man. Bobby's mother was somewhat embarrassed. The man was evidently pleased, although, to be sure, he himself was not quite certain why he should be an object of special interest to the little boy. The man went to the secretary's table to have his name enrolled. Bobby went with him. He went into the vestibule to get a drink of water, and Bobby followed him there. But all of a while, the man was still in doubt as to the cause of the little boy's apparent affection. By this time, thoroughly exasperated, Bobby's mother decided to go home. She approached the pew in a very ladylike manner and said, Bobby, dear, come, we must be going home now. All right, mama, said Bobby in a dead earnest. But will you please let me take my man home with me, won't you? I just found him today, and you know I've been looking for him for over two weeks. Then, for the first time, it suddenly dawned upon Mrs. Stamps what was the matter with Bobby. In spite of herself, she laughed heartily at the boy's perversity. Finding that his mother hesitated to reply, Bobby turned to the man and said, come on, we're going home now. Why did you leave before I finished you? End of chapter four. Chapter five of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd. This liberal box recording is in the public domain. Chapter number five, false pride. Once upon a time, the head clerk in a carpet store requested one of his junior clerks to go to a patron's home to measure a room and suggested that he take along a five-yard sample. The junior clerk objected to carting such a big bundle, as he said, all over town and asked that one of the boys be sent with it. The proprietor of the establishment, who happened to overhear the remark, privately told the head clerk to inform the proud young fellow that a boy would be sent on after him with the roll. Shortly after the young man reached the house, the proprietor of the establishment covered him with confusion by appearing at the house in person with the roll of carpet under his arm. Handing the bundle to the bewildered young man, the proprietor remarked, here is the carpet young man, I hope I have not kept you waiting for it. If you have any other orders, I'll take them away now. A young woman of my acquaintance refused to carry home a yeast cake, though it was needed at once for the family baking and she was bound directly homeward. She said that she wasn't a delivery wagon and so the yeast cake had to be sent to her home. A great many foolish young people are so absorbingly regardful of their trim appearance on the street that they will never, under any circumstances, carry a basket or bundle, however much inconvenience they may cause to others by refusing to do so. Now, it is not proper pride or self-respect which prompts people to act as the young folks acted whom I've just referred to. It is silliness which prompts them to act so. Any honest work is honorable that is honorably done and you will notice that young people of good social position and strength of character are above such pettiness. Only inferior people act that way. Superior people do not act so because they are well aware that they cannot be compromised by doing straightforwardly without fuss or apology, whatever needs to be done. Yet I admit that it seems to be human nature that whatever is distasteful or supposedly menial should be done by somebody else. When young people or old people, for that matter, are tempted to be foolish in such things, they should remember the lesson of humility that Christ taught his disciples when in that warm Oriental country where only sandals are worn. He performed the necessary service of washing the disciples' feet. For us to be above our business, for us to think ourselves too good or too dainty to soil our hands with honest toll, for us to feel that it is a lowering of our dignity to carry a bundle through the street, is to prove by our conduct that we are not up to the level of our business, that we are possessed of a great amount of false pride, and in a higher sense, it shows that we have a foolish and wicked distaste of true service. There is nothing low, nothing degrading, nothing disgraceful in honest labor, in honest work of any kind, whether it be to boil an egg properly, to sweep a floor well, to carry a bundle or package through the streets, or bring a pail of water. In fact, if somebody were to say that chores done or undone are the making or the unmaking of boys and girls, it would be a homely way of putting an important truth. Bringing up coal or bringing in wood, weeding the garden bed, running errands, washing dishes, sowing seams, dusting furniture, doing any of our jobs where there is need, cheerfully, faithfully. These lead to the highway of greater opportunities and are the usual avenues to the only manhood and womanhood that is worth having. My young friends, the castle of your noblest dream is built out of what lies nearest at hand. It is the uncommonly good use of common things, the everyday opportunities that makes honored lives and helps us to help others along the sun road. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. Pride goeth before destruction and a hearty spirit before a fall. End of chapter 5. Chapter number 6 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd. This LibriVox recording is in public domain. Thanksgiving at Piney Grove. The people of the Piney Grove settlement, both white and black, have been freed for nearly a generation. The whites have been freed from the curse of being slaveholders and the blacks have been freed from the curse of being held in bondage. But never in the history of this little town, in the very heart of the so-called black belt of Georgia, had the people known anything about the proper observance of Thanksgiving Day until 1890 blank. And in that year, the revolution was brought about by a young colored woman named Grace Wilkins. Grace Wilkins was the only daughter of Solomon and Amanda Wilkins. Solomon and his wife were farmers. Plain, simple, ordinary country folk. Amanda was literally her husband's help-meat. She went along with him every morning to the field and in season chopped as much wood, picked as much cotton, holed as much corn, pulled as much fodder and plowed as much as her husband did. Up to her 14th year, Grace had been reared on a farm and had learned to do all the things that any farmer's child has to do, such as milking cows, feeding hogs and chickens, hoeing cotton and corn, picking cotton, pulling fodder and the like. In her 14th year, acting upon the advice of an uneducated colored preacher, her parents sent Grace away from home to attend one of the great normal and industrial institutes for the training of the black boys and girls of the South. At first, her mother and father were filled with foreboding. It was the first time that they had ever allowed their daughter to be away from them and they missed her so much and longed for her so constantly that they thought that they had made a mistake in sending her off to boarding school. Ignorant and superstitious neighbors, though they knew as little about such matters as did Solomon and Amanda, were loud in saying that Saul and Mandy would live to regret the step they had taken in sending Grace away from home. The only rays of sunshine that came in to brighten these periods of mental unrest and gloom on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were found in the letters which they received regularly from their daughter. Grace invariably informed her parents whenever she wrote that she was well and doing well. Thus, reassured from time to time, Solomon and Amanda managed somehow to undergo the terrible strain of having their daughter absent from them for eight months. But meantime, they were firmly of the opinion that once they got their hands on her again, they would never allow Grace to return to school. With glad and thankful hearts, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins joyously embraced their daughter when she came home at the close of her first year in school. With keen and genuine interest, they listened to her wonderful accounts of the great school and of the great man at the head of it. Grace dressed differently and talked differently. And her mother said, speaking one day in confidence to her husband shortly after Grace's return, that girl sure got a new walk on her. Grace Wilkins brought back a toothbrush with her from school. That was something which she had never had before. She used that toothbrush every morning and every night. That was something that she had never done before. She was now careful to keep her hair and welcomed every day. That was something that she had been accustomed to do on Sundays only or on special occasions. She washed her face two or three times a day now as her mother and father noticed. Before she went to school, she had been in the habit of giving her face as the old people say a lick and a promise early each morning. Besides, Grace kept the house cleaner than she had kept it before. She brought home with her a brand new Bible which she read regularly at home and always carried it to church and Sunday school. She also had a song book called Jubilee Songs and Plantation Melodies. And it gladdened the hearts of the good old folks at home to hear their daughter sing from a book, some of the very songs that they had sung all their lifetime and which were so dear to them. All these things and others made a deep and abiding impression upon Solomon and his wife and finding that with all, their daughter was just as loving and kind as she had been before. And that she was just as industrious and faithful as formerly. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were not long in deciding that their daughter should go back to school another year and that they would work hard and stint themselves in order that they might keep her there until she had finished the normal course. So back to school, Grace Wilkins went that year and the next year and the next. It was the proudest day in Solomon's and Amanda's lives when they sat in the magnificent chapel of the school and heard their daughter read her graduation essay on The Gospel of Service. Glad tears welled up in their eyes when they heard the principal call their daughter's name and then saw Grace step up to receive her certificate of graduation. Coming back to Piney Grove to live, Miss Gracie, everybody called her after graduation, established a little school which she called the Piney Grove Academy. It was the first public school for colored children ever opened within the corporate limits of the little village. Before that the schools were district schools or county schools which were taught about in different places for only three or four months in the year, mainly during the summer. Miss Gracie began her school the first day of October by special arrangement she used the first three months for the public term allowed by the state and supplemented that with a five month term for which the pupils were required to pay 50 cents each per month. The plan worked well. The parents joining in heartily in the movement and the Piney Grove Academy soon became the model school for the surrounding counties. Among other things Miss Gracie had learned at school what was the import of our national Thanksgiving Day. At the opening of the second year of the Piney Grove Academy she decided that she would inaugurate an annual Thanksgiving service. Accordingly on the opening day of the second year Miss Gracie informed the pupils of her plan. She would begin the very next day to prepare a suitable program for the exercises. Afterwards Miss Gracie secured the cooperation of the village pastor, the same man who had been instrumental in having her parents send her away to school. Through him she was permitted to talk to the people at the church two or three times about the proposed celebration. She was careful to tell them that the Thanksgiving festival was meant specially to be a home festival in addition to being a time for the people to come together in their accustomed places of worship to thank God for the blessings of the year. She urged them therefore as far as they were able without going to unnecessary expense to have family dinners and bring together at one time and in one place as many members of the family as possible. She explained to them how this might be done successfully and economically and with pleasure and profit to all concerned. She also urged them to be planning beforehand so that nothing might prevent their attending church Thanksgiving day morning. She was going to hold the exercises in the church because her little school was not large enough to furnish an assembly hall for the people to be likely to be present. On Thanksgiving day nearly everybody in town went to the exercises. Many white people attended including the county school commissioner and the school trustees. It was the first Thanksgiving service that any of them had ever witnessed. The program was made up for the most part of choice selections from Negro authors, composers, orators and so forth. A selection from Frederick Douglass on patriotism was declined. One from Booker T. Washington Atlanta Exposition Speech was also delivered. Paul Lawrence Dunbar's poem entitled Signs of the Times, a Thanksgiving poem was read by one of the pupils and also the party. Another of Dunbar's pieces was rendered. The Negro national hymn was by James W. Johnson and music by his brother Rosemann Johnson was sung by a chorus of 50 voices. At the opening of the service, the president's Thanksgiving proclamation was read and appropriate remarks were made by Mrs. Wilkins. The closing remarks were made by the Reverend John Jones, the village pastor. The remarks of Mr. Jones were in the congratulatory mood. He was naturally proud of Miss Grayson's achievements because he had had something to do with putting her on the road to an education. He spoke of the teacher as the leaven that was leavening the whole lump. And the applause which followed the statement showed plainly the highest theme in which the teacher was held by all the people. Everyone enjoyed the service. None of the villagers had ever seen anything like it before. After singing America, all of them went away happy. Many of them in obedience to Miss Grayson's previous counsel going home to eat for the first time well knowing what they were doing of Thanksgiving dinner. At the home of Miss Wilkins, there was an excellent spread of possum, potatoes, rice, chicken, pickles, macaroni, bread, a precious Thanksgiving turkey and the inevitable minced meat pie. Miss Grayson there sat at the table that day, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Wilkins, John and Joseph Wilkins, brothers of Solomon who had come from a distance, Mary Andrews, a sister of Mrs. Wilkins who also came from a distance, Grandma Wilkins, Grandma and Grandpa Andrews, the Reverend John Jones and his wife, his daughter and his only son, Jasper Jones. Jasper had gone to school at T. Blank. One year after Gracie went and of course was one year later in finishing the course there. On this Thanksgiving day, nevertheless, he had been out of school long enough to have successfully established himself in the business of poultry raising and dairying. Just before the dinner party was dismissed, the Reverend Mr. Jones arose and said, there is another little ceremony y'all is invited to witness before you go out to see the baseball game. I am authorized by these credentials which I hold in my hands to unite in the holy bonds of matrimony. Miss Grace Wilkins and Mr. Jasper Jones, if there is no objection, these two persons will please stand up and now tie the knot. Of course there were no objections. The knot was tied and when the villagers learned of the occurrence, not long afterwards, they had additional reasons for believing that they were right when they voted that Piney Grove had never seen the like of such a Thanksgiving day and that Miss Gracie Wilkins was one of the best women in all the world. End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 7, The Loud Girl. I do not know of a more sorrowful spectacle than that of a girl who is loud in her dress, loud in her manners, and loud in her speech. It is a great mistake for a girl to suppose that this loudness will be mistaken by her friends and acquaintances for smartness. The desire to be regarded as bright and witty has led many a girl into folly of being loud in her manners. She often terraces the illusion that the attention such manners attract is combined with admiration when the truth is that those who witness her strange conduct are simply wondering how it is possible for her to throw to the winds that charm of all girlhood modesty. One afternoon, not long ago, I saw a group of girls of the loud type. They came into the streetcar in which I was sitting. They all wore boys hats. One wore a vivid red jacket with brass buttons and another had on a brass belt. A third one had on a most conspicuous plaid skirt. This third one had a box of bonbons and when the three were seated she opened the box and offered it to her companions saying as she did so in a voice loud enough and shrill enough to be heard in every part of the car. It's my treat! Have some chums! Upon this invitation, one of the girls dived down into the box like a hungry bear and held up a piece of the candy in triumph and then dashed into her mouth with a great guffaw. Oh, many! said one of the girls. If you ain't just horrid to go and take the very piece I wanted, Mamie laughed and taking the candy from her mouth offered it to the other girls saying as she did. Well, here it is Lulu. Lulu struck the candy from Mamie's hand and it flew across the aisle into the lap of a lady sitting opposite the girls. This set all three of the girls into giggling and tittering and they seemed in danger of convulsions when the owner of the box of the candy let it fall and a part of the candy rolled out on the floor. The conductor came forward and picked up the box and candy and handed them to the owner. She giggled out her thanks and Lulu said why didn't you give him a gumdrop for his trouble? This seemed to impress the other girls as a most brilliant witticism fell to tittering violently over it. Presently a gentleman came in and stumbled slightly over the feet of one of the girls thrust out in the aisle. I begged your pardon said the gentleman as he lifted his hat whereupon the three girls grinned and giggled and giggled and grinned immoderately and one of them said Roxy you had better ride out on the platform where there is more room for your feet. Roxy then struck Lulu for making this speech. Lulu pretended to be much offended and flung herself over to the other side of the car where she made a grimace at the other girls. The conduct of these girls during the half hour that they were on the car was such as caused every father and mother who saw them to regard them with pity. The loud girl my dear readers is always an object of pity. She should be a sorry object for her own contemplation. An old writer has said you little know what you have done when you have first broken the bounds of modesty. You have set open the door of your fancy to the devil so that he can represent the same sinful pleasure to you anew. Now the loud girl may be entirely innocent of any actual wrongdoing but she is regarded with dislike, distrust and even disdain by the better class of people. She acquires a reputation for rudeness and coarseness and the people of refinement will not associate with her. Her character suffers no matter how innocent she may be of any intention of doing wrong. Delicacy, modesty is the certain sign of sweetness, purity and gentleness of character. Just as indelicacy is the certain sign of a lack of these beautiful traits end of chapter 7. Chapter 8 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 8, The Rowdy Boy You can tell him whenever you see him. There are certain marks or appearances which he carries about him and which are never absent. For one thing you will find him with a cigarette stuck in his mouth and a cigarette is one of the deadliest poisons in the world for a boy or man. He wears his hat on one side or cock back on his head. Frequently he stuffs both hands in his trouser pockets. He doesn't attend school regularly. Sometimes he starts for school and ends at the bathing pond or the baseball park. He is late at Sunday school if he goes at all and he stands around on the outside in search while the service is going on inside. He steals rides on trains and on trolley cars and on passing vehicles of all descriptions. He is saucy and imputed to older people and is always ready and willing to quarrel or fight with his mates. He is what the boys call a bully. The loud girl and the rowdy boy are two things of which we have seen enough in this world. Rowdy worked the dignity of being called human beings. I saw one of these rowdy boys in his own home not a great while ago. His mother said to him Johnny you must always take off your hat whenever you come into the house. Good gracious alive he said I can't do anything right. What is the use of grabbing off your hat every time you come into your own house? His mother looked sad but said nothing. She discovered that her little boy had brought some mud into the house on his shoes. In her sweetest tone she said Johnny you must go to the door and wipe your feet now. See how you are tracking up the floor there? Well said the rowdy boy with the snarl. Can't the old floor be scoured? You must think this old house is gold. Now I'm a preacher boys and being a preacher of course I am what is called a man of peace but I tell you that was one time I came pretty near wishing that I wasn't a preacher so that I might have given that boy what he deserved. I was sorry for the time being that he wasn't my son. No manly little boy will ever talk to his mother in any such way. I suppose that boy thought it made him appear to be very much mistaken. Don't be rowdy boys don't be rough don't be rude. You were made for better things. End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd. This Libri Fox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 9 Honesty. Early in the morning two little boys came to the marketplace. They arranged their little stands and spread out their wares and sat down to wait for customers. One sold watermelons and fruit and the other sold fish and oysters. The hours passed on and both were doing well. By and by Sammy had only one melon left on his stand and a gentleman came along and said what a fine large melon. I think I will buy that one. What do you ask for it my boy? This is my last melon sir and though it looks fair there is an unsound spot on the other side said the boy turning the melon over. So there it is said the man I don't believe I'll take it but he added looking straight at the boy. Is it very good business for you to point out the defects of your goods to customers? Perhaps not sir said the boy with becoming modesty but it is better than being dishonest. You are right my boy always speak the truth and you will find favor with God and man. I shall not forget your little stand in the future. Then turning to the other boy stand the man asked are those fresh oysters? Yes sir said Freddie these are fresh this morning just arrived. The gentleman bought them and went away. Sammy said Freddie you never will learn any sense what did you want to show that man that spot on the melon for? I never would have looked at it until he got home. I've got an eye to business myself you see how I got rid of those stale oysters sold them just for the same price as fresh oysters. Freddie said the other boy I wouldn't tell a lie or act one either for twice the money we both earned today besides I have gained a customer and you have lost one and it turned out just as Sammy said the next day the gentleman bought a large five fruit from Sammy but he never spent another penny at Freddie's stand. It continued that way through all the summer at the close of the season he took Sammy into his store and after a while gave him a share in the business. End of chapter nine. Chapter 10 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Uncle Ned and the insurance solicitor Turner Tanksley a representative of the workman's industrial aid insurance company called upon Edmund Grant an elderly colored man with a view to getting him to ensure his life. Good morning Uncle Ned said Mr. Tanksley. Morning boss said the old man raising his hat and making a low curtsy. Uncle Ned do you carry any insurance inquired the solicitor does I care what asked Uncle Ned in great surprise do you carry any insurance is your life insured asked the solicitor by way of explanation bless God yes yes reply the color man long ago long ago then the solicitor asked in what company Uncle Ned answered I'm a Baptist sir I'm a Baptist a deep water Baptist Mr. Tanksley realized that the old man had not understood the question but anyhow he asked how long has it been since you joined I've joined reply Uncle Ned the same year that the stars fill I reckon you know how long that's been that's a long while commented the insurance man quite a long while does your company pay any dividends boss said Uncle Ned with a broad grin that question is plum out of my reach was you trying to get it why Uncle Ned said Mr. Tanksley a dividend is interest paid on your money and if you have been paying your money into one company for more than 30 years surely you ought to have been receiving your dividends long before now especially if it's an old line company well said Uncle Ned his show is the old line company his show is the large star himself way back gone down Calvary Street but I ain't never tell no insurance to no dividends and there's nothing to that so and you ain't hear me saying nothing talking about paying in no money for 30 years you know you ain't man Salvation's free you know that as well as I does the way Uncle Ned laughed when he had delivered himself for this remarkable speech would have done your soul good oh I see said Mr. Tanksley with much condescension I see that I've misunderstood you you're talking about your soul Salvation that's what I is chimed in Uncle Ned that's what I I came resume the solicitor to talk to you about insuring your body in case of an accident sickness or death Assurances for Saul said Uncle Ned with a far away expression on his face I ain't getting no round to death that's true responded the patient solicitor that's true insurance companies can't prevent sickness and accidents and death any more than you can Uncle Ned but insurance companies can help do help you to bear your burdens in the time of troubles that's just what my legend does said the old man with supreme satisfaction that's just what my legend does but we do it in a different way persistent solicitor well how does y'all do asked Uncle Ned then the solicitor went over the details of the workman's industrial aid insurance company with his accustomed rapidity telling about the initiation fees monthly premiums accident benefits sick benefits etc etc laying much stress especially upon the endowment fund that would be paid upon the death of the insured when he had finished the elaborate narrative Uncle Ned who had given the most earnest attention to the speaker in quiet boss who you said and money goes to when I dance to your wife answer this listener or your children or anybody your name well boss said the old man let me ask you one question don't you think that I had to help the other fellow morning hit it with me what other fellow asked Mr. Tanksley my old woman's second husband replied Ned you know this as good as I does that if I was a die and leave my old woman 200 or 300 dollars that would be some culling judgment doesn't change the name fall near cold in the ground Uncle Ned's originality made it very hard for Turner Tanksley to suppress a smile without giving the solicitor a chance to speak Uncle Ned continue and there's another way to look at it women's is my the curse yeah sir women's is my the curse if I was to go into this thing you telling me about I there's a left down and know it white man you don't know no sir you don't know if a that woman know that she get all that money when I die she will show put a spotted in my dumpling she sure would and the first thing I know I'd wake up some morning and I find myself dead and then all on a kind of this thing that you's called show no sir I don't want nothing to do with it the Baptist church is good nothing for me when the solicitor turned the corner Uncle Ned sing some kind of religious song with the following refrain I'm Baptist bread and Baptist born and when I die there's Baptist gum end of chapter 10 chapter number 11 of Floyd's flowers by Silas X Floyd this the revox recording is in the public domain the strenuous life they were having a rough and tumble time of it and pansy was getting some pretty hard loads she took them all good naturally nevertheless and tried to give us good as she received much to the delight of her little boy friends a lady who was standing near afraid for the little girl shy to the boys and said you shouldn't handle pansy so roughly you might hurt her and then pansy looked up in sweet surprise and said with amusing seriousness no they won't hurt me I don't break easy it was a thoroughly childlike expression but it had more wisdom in it than pansy knew she spoke out of a little girl's experience with dolls some of which as she learned broke very easily pansy knew how delightful it was to have a doll that didn't break so easily though she was not a homely girl by any mean and though she was not a wicked little girl yet she wanted it understood that she was not like a piece of china that was why the other children liked her so much because she knew how to rough it without crying or complaining at every turn pansy was not a cry babe there is all the time my dear boys and girls a great demand everywhere all through life for people who don't break easily people who know how to take hard knocks without going all to pieces the game of life is sometimes rough even among those who mean to play fair it is very trying when we have to deal with people who break easily and are always getting hurt and spoiling the game with their tears and complaints it is so much better when we have to deal with people who like little pansy do not break easily some of them will laugh off the hardest words without wincing at all you can jostle them as you will but they don't fall down every time you shove them and they don't cry every time they are pushed aside you can't but like them they take life so hardily and so sensibly you don't have to hold yourself in with them all the time you can let yourself out freely without being on pins as to the result young people of this class may good playmates or good work fellows as the case may be so boys and girls you must learn to rough it a little don't be a china doll going to smash at every hard knock if you get hard blows take them cheerily and as easily as you can even if some blows come when you least expect it and knocks you off your feet for a minute don't let it go everybody likes the fellow who can get up when he is knocked down and blink the tears away and pitch in again learning to get yourself accustomed to a little hard treatment will be good for you hard words and hard fortune often make us if we don't let them break us stand up to your work or play courageously and when you hear the words that hurt when you are hit hard with the blunders or misdeeds of others when life goes roughly with you keep right on in a happy companionable courageous helpful spirit and let the world know that you don't break easily and of chapter 11 chapter number 12 of Floyd's flowers by Silas X Floyd this LibriVox recording is in the public domain a humbug a boy or girl who is pleasant and agreeable everywhere except at home is a humbug I know one boy who is a good deal of a humbug although you would never think so if you were to see him in any place outside of his home he's good looking neat and tidy and carries himself like a little man I don't know of a boy who can tip his hat more gracefully to a lady or who can say I beg your pardon or excuse me please more pleasantly than he can but for all that he is a humbug I visited his home the other day I heard his mother speak to him Alexander she said well what do you want he asked in a voice which plainly indicated his displeasure I want you to do something for me oh you always want me to do something just when I'm going to be doing something else said Alexander and this time he was whining in departing on his errand Alexander accidentally ran against his little sister in a hall I expected to hear him say I beg your pardon in this pleasant way that I knew he could say it but he snapped out and said oh get out the way can't you when he returned from the post office Alexander's mother was out in the yard trimming the flowers while Alexander was reporting to her she happened to drop her scissors I expected to see her polite and dutiful son pick them up as he was close by when the scissors fell but the boy paid no attention to the scissors when his mother said please pick my scissors up from me Alexander he said when you drop them for I spent the best part of one whole day at Alexander's home and never once during all that day did I hear him speak politely to his mother or sisters nor did he observe the ordinary rules of courtesy and good behavior in their presence he was continually grumbling and complaining and finding fault so I think I have a right to say that this boy is a good deal of a humbug any boy is a humbug who is polite and gracious to others and in every way discourteous and disagreeable at home don't you think so too End of Chapter 12 Chapter number 13 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd this LibriVox recording is in the public domain a candidate for baptism at the close of the regular prayer meeting service the pastor of the new Mount Zion colored Baptist church according to custom stepped to the front of the platform and inquired is there anybody present tonight who would like to join this church if so please stay in it whereupon a little girl apparently 14 or 15 years old stood the parson said take your seat there's one the church was set to gather after dismissing and here from this little land the benediction having been pronounced all the senators were asked to leave the room only church members are allowed to remain for these after meetings the pastor was cleared of all the goats a pompous looking individual perhaps a deacon of the church arose and said brought a pastor the house is in order and ready for business the pastor then asked the little girl who was seeking admission to come forward she gave her name to a one-eyed man seated at a table in front who after a laborious effort passed it up on a piece of paper the preacher readjusting his brass rims spectacles looked at the piece of paper for a long while and then raised his head and said brought us in sisters this is little queen victor davis who comes to tell us what did lord has done for her soul then turning to the girl he said my daughter we want you to tell what fussed started you to prayin and how you found the lord and so on and so forth speak loud so I can hear you the little girl began as follows well brothers and sisters what fussed started me to prayin was that I knowed that I have a soul to save and if I didn't get religion hell would show be my home true exclaimed a number of men and women in chorus and then continued queen victoria I wanted to start serving the lord while I was young I wanted to give him my best days amen said one old brother well asked the pastor how did you feel while you were seeking the lord the girl hesitated a moment and doubt as to the exact purport of the question finally she said I felt like I wanted to be saved this answer was not exactly suiting the parson he put the question in a different way said he did you feel light or did you feel heavy while you was a praying I felt both said the little girl in an unaffected innocence funeral groans the pity swept through the congregation the preacher tried again this time he asked did you feel light most or did you feel heavy the most when queen victoria responded I feel heavy the most a wave of approval greeted the remark when did that heavy load leave you last Friday night said queen victoria last Friday night I kept on a praying and a praying and I didn't feel no better until I made my mind that I was going to find the lord or die a trying and last Friday night the spirit met me and spoke peace to my soul I heard a little voice but I saw no man and the little voice said to me and said no more your sins is forgiven and your soul is sought free at this everybody shouted a say glory hallelujah exclaimed an elderly sister now my daughter how did you feel after that I felt light as a feather said the child there was another shout of approval queen victoria having hit upon a regulation answer if you was to die now where would you go inquired the examiner to heaven was to reply if you had a died in your sins where would you went I would have went to hell said the girl would God have been just inciting you to hell no sir I am an applicant many of the heroes laughed the preacher raised his hand and said don't laugh don't laugh the child is young yet and she's got to learn then by a series of leading questions mainly concerning parental government the old pastor brought the child around to the point where she saw or where she was willing to say that she saw that it was just for God do you want to join this church continue the questioner yes sir said the applicant this is about this church you know explain the pastor we baptize here by putting people deep down under the water ain't you shared of cold water in the wintertime water can't get too cold for me said the little girl with God in my heart the people fairly whooped at this as in their superstition they supposed supreme manifestation of faith the pastor then turned to the congregation and said is there any other questions an old brother never stole a rose and said brother pastor ain't he the child sir where she was at to change through place Queen Victoria responded I was at the bridge street church last Friday night the old brother nodded as if completely satisfied with the answer then he asked well how long is you willing to trust this hope tell I dies said the applicant down set the questioner any more old questions asked the pastor a sister stood honey she said is you got any parents living yes him was the reply my mom and my pa is both living and they's both out in the old field of sin Lord have mercy exclaimed several of the hearers the sister who asked the question sat bathed in tears a brother in the rear arose and said I have a question that I want to ask I want to know daughter if you was converted at the bridge street church how come you want to join this church this spirit sent me to this church exultingly exclaimed the girl glory to God said the pastor bless the lamb exclaimed someone else honor honor honor honor hallowed many others and there was a general shout the examination ended two sisters came forward and took queen victoria into the enter room when the applicant had been carried out a brother arose the same pompous individual who had originally announced that the house in order and ready for business clearing his throat he said brother I should believe this is the work of grace there was a loud chorus of amen and our motions continued the speaker if I can get a second that she deceptive as her candidate for baptism and on baptism come a full member of this church second the motion exclaimed several at one time and the same time the motion was put and carried queen victoria was brought in once more the pastor informed her of her unanimous vote of the church and instructed her to be ready for baptism the following Sunday night then the meeting adjourned the members singing as they dispersed oh sheep you know the road oh sheep you know the road oh sheep you know the road young lambs must learn the way end of chapter 13 chapter number 14 of Floyd's flowers by Silas X. Floyd this LibriVox according is in the public domain going with the crowd all the girls went mother I didn't like to be the only one left out besides when I said I wouldn't go they all laughed at me and said that I was a coward it was Wednesday morning before school time and Anna was dreading to go back to school dreading to meet her teacher the day before a circus had been in town at recess while the children were on the playground they heard the noise of the band and one of the girls said let's go and see the parade all right said Anna I'll go and ask the teacher if we may no don't ask her she might say no we can get back before the bell rings and she'll never know that we left the grounds Anna and one or two other girls held back they all knew that it was against the rules to go off the playground at recess without permission come on come on you're a free you're a free come on don't be such a coward all the rest are going and so Anna went when the girls saw the parade pass one point they wanted to see it once more and away they went through the cross street to get to another corner ahead of the procession school was forgotten and when they did remember recess time was long past and it was too late to go back the next morning as Anna stood in the kitchen talking over with her mother her little heart was very heavy she knew she had done wrong she dreaded to go to school and she was very unhappy perhaps said her mother was very angry and brave about not going the other girls would have stayed on the school grounds too or if you had asked the teacher I think she would have let you all go but whether she did or not it is never safe to do a thing just because all the rest do it going with the crowd is not a good plan unless you're sure that the crowd is going in the right direction the only wise thing for you to do is to be sure and then stick to it and never mind what the crowd does I didn't mean to do wrong said Anna as the tears started in her eyes I know that my dear said her mother but you were more afraid of being teased than you were of doing wrong I hope you will remember from this day forward that the brave girl is not the girl who dares to do wrong but the brave girl is the one who does what she knows to be right in the hands of her parents and years of her playmates what shall I tell my teacher asked Anna in a low voice as she dropped her head oh said her mother kissing her you go right straight to your teacher and tell her that you have done wrong and that you were sorry for it and ask her to let you say so to the whole school be sure to beg her pardon and promise not to do so again little Anna did as her mother told her when she came back from school she ran into her mother's arms and said mother I'm so happy teacher forgave me and I mean to be good and the smile on Anna's face spoke plainly of a happy heart end of chapter 14 chapter number 15 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X Floyd this Libri Fox recording is in the public domain Mary and her dolls was there ever a time when the first doll was born was there ever a time when little boys and girls especially little girls did not love dolls and did not have something of that nature to play with it would appear that dolls or play things somewhat like unto dolls are as old as babies themselves that is to say boys and girls that ever since there have been little children in the world there have been little things for them to play with and I saw a sane person in my life who regrets that it is so it is not only amusing it is inspiring to see little children make Mary with their dolls and their toy animals and their little express wagons and their wooden guns or their toy steam engines and their little whistles or their balloons and their brownies and their jumping jacks and their hobby horses and a hundred and one other things Mary had put away her dolls for the night cleaning the dollhouse when Papa came in how many doll babies have you now Mary? he asked I have five dolls now Papa said Mary but only one is a baby that is little Flossie Robbie and Nell are three years old now Maddie is two and Joshua is one year old Flossie is now the only little baby the Reverend Dr. Smithson smiled well he said after a time five dolls make a big family I think I don't said Mary quickly Rola Mays has 13 girls and two boys in her doll family and I have it but five and all I shouldn't think said Dr. Smithson that Rola would know what to do with so many why Papa of course she does Mary said Dr. Smithson looking thoughtfully at his little daughter in my Sunday school class who hasn't a single doll I thought you might like to give her one of yours you could spare one couldn't you oh Papa I couldn't not a one exclaimed Mary not one when this poor little girl hasn't any oh Papa I love my doll so how can I give them away you'd have four left wouldn't that be enough Mary thought a long while before speaking she looked distressed Papa she said at last Mrs. Grant was over here the other day and she said that she wished you and mama would give me to her because she didn't have any little girls of her own you've got five children yourself Papa would you give any of them away just because you would have four left Dr. Smithson took his little daughter in his arms and kissed her no dear he said Papa wouldn't give any one of his children away you may keep all of your dollies and we'll think of some other way to help poor little Hattie the next morning Mary said Papa I have thought it all out for Hattie you know I've been saving up a little money to buy me a little iron bank but I can wait for that I've saved up 50 cents don't you think that will be enough to buy a nice little dolly for Hattie and let me keep my babies Dr. Smithson knew that Mary had long been planning for the bank so he asked are you quite sure that you want to spend your money in this way yes Papa I'm very sure said Mary with a smile though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes Dr. Smithson and Mary bought Hattie a pretty doll Hattie was overjoyed when she saw it Mary went back home glad that her Papa had understood how she loved her dolls and glad to find that not one of her beloved children was missing end of chapter 15 chapter number 16 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Jackie Tolbert's playlists well Johnny where are you going this morning asked Mrs. Jones as her little boy started toward the gate I'm going over to Jackie's mama you know I must go over to Jackie's every day what do you find at Jackie's to make you so anxious to go over there every day almost before you're out of bed good oh mama Jackie has the nicest playmates over to his house you most ever saw who else goes over to Jackie's besides you asked Mrs. Jones Jackie don't have no regular visitors but me said Johnny proudly me and Jackie is the whole thing well you're saying a good deal for yourself when you say that Jackie has the nicest playmates in the world don't you think so I didn't mean me explain Johnny Jackie's playmates ain't folks at all Jackie's playmates is animals just animals but I do believe that they have got as much sense of some folks I know what kind of animals asked Mrs. Jones becoming interested then Johnny went on to explain he said Jackie's got chickens and dogs and cats and birds he's got names for all of them and they all know their names and they just run to Jackie when he calls them the chickens and birds too will just walk right up and eat out of Jackie's hands and his trained dogs and cats are just the funniest thing I ever saw this little dog trip can carry a gun and obey the commands carry arms present arms parade rest just like a little soldier one time at a fair he saw trained dogs and horses elephants and even lions then he decided that he would train some animals himself and mama he has done well while he's got a cat that can spell some words Jackie printed some letters of the alphabet on separate cards and he's got a cat that will pick out the right ones every time one of his little dogs can play the fiddle it may seem strange but he certainly can do it he can hold the fiddle and draw the ball cross it just the right way and he can play a little tune Jackie calls it a dog tune and I think he ought to know you just ought to see Jackie's chickens he got six of them he calls them and they all come running then he holds out his arm and he calls them by name and they will jump up on his little arm after the other and will sit there until Jackie tells them to jump down and Jackie is so kind to his two birds that they won't fly away when he lets them out of their cages for a little while he can take them up in his arms and pat them gently and then he puts them down and they will lie still right by Jackie until Jackie calls them by name and tells them to go into the house that is I mean into their cages by the way mama I forgot to tell you Jackie's getting up an animal show and he says that I'm going to be his manager he's going to print the cards today he's going to call his circus Jackie told his great animal show the greatest show on earth and he's going to make me the manager of his circus won't that be fine you come and see it won't you we're going to charge only one cent for you to come in oh it's going to be great and I don't want you to miss it to be sure I'll come, said Mrs. Jones tell Jackie I'm glad to hear about how much he loves the dumb animals he's a family boy or to love and protect them I tell you said Johnny as he hurries out the gate Jackie will fight anybody who eludes at one of his pets or mistreats one in the least here's just as kind to them as he can be don't you forget the show it'll come off next week end of chapter 16 chapter number 17 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X Floyd this LibriVox recording is in the public domain a Valentine party it was one week from St. Valentine's Day and the buried children had already provided a number of the tokens comic and otherwise which they meant to send to their friends Jack produced a grotesque and awfully exaggerated caricature of a withered, stooped shouldered old woman with some cruel lines of a dog reel printed beneath it I'm going to send this to old Mrs. Gray as he exhibited the comic picture nearly all the children laughed and said that the picture and the words beneath it would just suit the old woman Mrs. Gray was an old poverty stricken widow woman and many of the children of the little village took delight in playing tricks on her on Halloween and Valentine nights in this way the children, especially the boys had made her life so miserable that the old woman often said that she hated even the sight of a boy in the midst of the merriment over the proposed venture of Jack Berry it was Lily Berry who spoke up saying Jack, I tell you what I think I think we ought to give Mrs. Gray a genuine surprise next week she has had so many ups and downs in this life I really believe that we can give her a little pleasure if we give her a true true surprise of course all the boys and girls will be invited to join in it's not going to be like a regular party but something like the surprise parties or donation parties that we sometimes give the preacher we'll just put the things on the doorstep and run the way we do with Valentine's you know what do you say to that Jack and what do the rest of you think very quickly the Berry children agreed with what Lily had said and immediately they set about planning for the Valentine party the night of February 14th it was dark cold and moonless across the fields in the darkness a throng of Mary young children with a wagon or two little goat wagons piled high with baskets and bundles and wood slipped silently toward the little house where old Mrs. Gray sat shivering over her scanty fire a sudden knock at the door aroused Mrs. Gray from her musing she hobbled painfully to the door opening it she saw by the light of the tallow candle a basket full of rosy apples and another of potatoes nothing else was inside a second knock followed almost as soon as the door had closed on the two baskets which were hurriedly drawn inside this time a can of kerosene oil held a lonely vigil on the doorstep I haven't had a drop in my lamp for two weeks Jack heard the old lady say as she peered out eagerly into the darkness before closing the door as she was busy filling her lamp she was interrupted by a third knock which resulted in a basket filled with groceries and parcels in all shapes and sizes great tears stood in Mrs. Gray's eyes and a great lump arose in her throat at last knock number four revealed the real St. Valentine a group of laughing boys and girls one who carried an armful either of pine or oak wood for the stove where shall we put it? asked Jack Berry as eager now to help as he had been the week before to tease Mrs. Gray was rubbing her eyes and wondering if she could possibly be awake and in her right mind wish you many happy returns of Valentine's Day said Lily Berry as she slipped into the withered hand a small purse containing the Valentine money of the boys and girls and before the bewildered woman could say more than a fervent God bless you her guests had melted away into the darkness and she was left to weep tears of thankfulness among her new possessions End of Chapter 17 Chapter number 18 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd this liberal voxel cordon is in the public domain with no money down boys and girls I suppose you're quite familiar with what is known as buying things on the installment plan you have seen people in your own neighborhood perhaps in your own homes buying things that way chairs, tables, bedsteads, rugs, pictures things for the kitchen and things to wear and many other things are bought that way most people think they are getting a great bargain when they're able to buy things they are getting a small amount in cash as the first payment say 50 cents or a dollar and then pay the balance in small weekly or monthly payments and especially do some of our mothers and fathers think they are getting a great bargain if they're able to buy things they want for no money down and so much a week in such matters my dear boys and girls your parents are making a terrible mistake and are setting you a wrong example they lose sight of the fact when they fall into the habit of buying anything and everything on the installment plan or on the no money down plan that a day of reckoning is sure to come that the time comes when they must pay for everything that they have been led into buying thoughtful people wise people prefer to pay money down when they buy anything and this habit of paying as they go helps them at least two ways first it saves money in their pockets and secondly it keeps them from running into debt children these men who come to your homes with great packs on their backs always charge you double for whatever they may sell you on the no money down plan no matter what it is that is why they are willing to make the term so easy as they say in the end they profit by their schemes and nobody else will profit by their schemes except these peddlers you ought to avoid them as you would a wild beast you do not know now boys and girls what a terrible thing debt is I honestly hope that you never know and if you will take the advice of older and wiser persons I am sure you will always be free from the bondage of debt not long ago I saw two women standing at the window of one of these no money down hand me down stores one said to the other I just believe I'll get me a new cloak this winter my cloak didn't cost but $3 and it is so old and shabby that I'm ashamed to wear in the street look at that beauty over there in the corner only $10 and no money down yes said her companion but I guess the money will have to come down sometime oh of course but you know I don't have to pay it all at once I could probably get it for $0.50 a week well why don't you just save the $0.50 a week until you have enough to pay cash down for the cloak and in that way you would save I'm sure $3 or $4 because you can buy that same cloak for $6 or $7 in cash oh said the woman I'd never save it as I would if I had the cloak and knew that I just had to pay for it but deal ya the cloak would not really be yours until you had paid for it and I would feel kind of cheap wearing a cloak that didn't belong to me if I were you I would stick to the old cloak until I could pay the money down for a new one that's what I would do and that is exactly what anybody should do who wants a new cloak it is what people should do no matter what they want I know a boy 15 or 16 years old who had the courage in the manliness and the honesty to wear a very shabby old overcoat all of last winter rather than buy one on the no money down plan it is his plan always to pay as he goes and be debtor to no one I heard the other day of a young fellow who goes 2 or 3 blocks out of his way to avoid passing certain stores because he owes the proprietors of those stores money that he cannot pay that boy I know is miserable night and day Mr. Longfellow in his the village blacksmith tells us that the honest old blacksmith could look the whole world in the face because he did not owe anybody anything he was out of debt and boys and girls if you are level headed you will fight shy of the no money down plan by choosing the money down plan you will save your self respect and your good name end of chapter 18 chapter number 19 of Floyd's flowers by Silas X. Floyd this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Tommy's baby brother for several months Deacon Tadpole's little son Tommy had made constant and repeated reference to the fact that he had no little baby brother or little sister to play with one day when he was feeling unusually sad over his misfortune he said to his father Papa I ain't got no little baby brother to play with you might at least buy me a pony Papa can't buy a pony son said the Deacon a pony cost too much I thought you wanted a little brother or sister I do said Tommy but if I can't get what I want I'm willing to take what I can get a little brother than a pony wouldn't you asked Mr. Tadpole Tommy thought a while and then said he thought he would rather have a little baby brother than to have a pony you see he said it cost so much to keep a pony and we would have to buy a stable for him wouldn't we Papa yes answered his father and we haven't got any room in the backyard for a stable and we'd have to buy hey too said the child yes well I'd rather have the little brother so the matter was left in a bay until a month ago when little Tommy was told one morning that a little brother had come to him he was delighted he danced around in the hall and made such a racket on the stairs that the nurse threatened to have him sent away when he was permitted to see the baby Tommy went into ecstasy he asked a thousand questions about the little one and was very anxious to know why God had taken so long to send him down from heaven he wanted to kiss the baby and cried because they wouldn't let him hold it in his arms but Tommy's enthusiasm for the new baby began to wear off in about a week's time it was always shh shh shh you wake the baby or Tommy you must be more quiet or you can't come in this room now in fact the little baby brother seemed to be interfering with little Tommy's fun to such an extent that he decided to go to his father and see if some new arrangement could not be made Tommy found his father in the library he ran to deacon tadpole and climbed upon his knee and said, papa I don't believe I want my little brother anymore I can't have any fun with him I'll tell you what let's do let's trade him for a pony oh we couldn't do that said the deacon Tommy was silent for a time then he said, well I don't suppose we could find anybody that would want to trade a pony for him but don't you think you could trade him for a goat end of chapter 19 chapter number 20 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X Floyd this liberal arts recording is in the public domain keeping school every boy and girl in America ought to go to school the public school is one of the best institutions connected with the life of our nation but did you ever hear of a little girl who went to school to herself I have and I want to tell you about it we will call her tootsie there was no school house and no teachers nothing, only just little tootsie just simply tootsie sitting all alone on the couch near the window that was all there was in this little school so far as anybody could see but tootsie said she had a large school with some 60 pupils sometimes she would say that her scholars had been naughty and that they would have to stay in at recess and then again she would say that they have been promoted to a higher grade she often talked to her pupils as if they were real live people telling them how they should stand and how they should sit and giving them permission to be excused and so on so you can see it seemed in tootsie's mind very much more like a real school than it could to us every morning when tootsie's sister would start the school tootsie would watch her until she was out of sight and then she would go and sit down on the couch she would take her christmas story books at first she would only look at the pictures and try to think what the story about them must be then she would ask mama or grandma or whoever happened to be nearest what the words of the picture story were she would then say the words of the story to herself and look at the pictures next day she would read over the words of the same story as far as she could remember them and when she came to a word that she did not know she would jump and go and ask someone what it was when she had learned a story herself she would then talk to her 60 imaginary scholars about it showing them the pictures and explaining the story to them just as though the children were all there before her in her little school room in this way tootsie went through one after another of her story books picking out the stories that had pleasing pictures but the nice thing of it all was that tootsie was really learning to read and she did get so that she could read real well for she knew just what she was reading about and often when she would find a story that was funny she would laugh right out even if she was at school and then she would find mama or grandma and read the funny part to them maybe one reason why tootsie learned so fast was because her school was just like play to her it was just like play to work of course it's easier to play than it is to work but could you think of any better thing to play than to play keeping school why not try it it helped tootsie wonderfully and I believe it would help many other boys and girls what do you think about it end of chapter 20 chapter number 21 of floyd's flowers by sylas x floyd in the public domain the school of the street little joe ten years old had followed his business as a news boy and boot black in smutville for three or four years and of course turned out to be a first class little citizen of the street he could curse and swear and drink and smoke just the same as any old heart and center one day after joe had finished one of his daily fights a small boy a kind hearted gentleman stepped up to him and said my little man do you go to school nope said joe do you go to sunday school nope well said the gentleman what do you expect to do when you're grown I ain't going to wait till I'm grown I'm going to be a jockey that's what I'm going to be how would you like to be a bank cashier or president of a great bank wouldn't you like that better yep said the boy but a poor boy can't get no job like that now you know he couldn't oh yes he could if he were to prepare himself for but a poor boy and no other boy will ever be a great businessman if he's going to live forever in the street cursing and swearing and fighting and it may be stealing and having no higher ambition than to be a jockey are you a person asked the little boy becoming interested no but I'm interested in little boys I am the secretary of the young men's christian association and we have a boys department I want you to join it I have found out about your habits and your surroundings I was told of the death of your mother and father and I made up in my mind to come and ask you to come over to the young men's christian association and live with us you may continue to sell your papers in black boots but you see living with us you can go to school at night and someday you will have a good education and you might be a bank cashier little joe took this good man's advice and went to live in the ymca building he did not turn out to be a bank cashier or president but what was better joe turned out to be the general secretary of one of the largest ymca's among the colored people of this country and in that way has been instrumental in saving a great many other boys from the gutter but joe would never have amounted to anything if he had not been taken away from the wicked influences of the street and placed on the road to hire things the worst school in this world that any boy can go to is the school of the street the school of the street turns out the most impure the most dishonest and the most illiterate boys and those boys and girls who ever rise to be anything or anybody in the world are the ones who leave the influences of the street in due time as little joe did the street offers most of his work and most of his attractions at night as many boys can tell the life of the street leads to no career that is worth following the good careers are made by those whom the street has not had a chance to spoil or by those who are taken out of the streets before they become hopeless cases there is no greater error than the common notion that it is a good thing to let boys run the streets and become hard and tough and have his wit sharpen and make a little man of himself as some foolish people say a boy learns more downright mischief in one night in the streets than he can unlearn in the home in six months and so what were the teachings from the public school and the Sunday school amount to if we're going to give our boys in their young and tender years the freedom of the streets if now and then a street boy that is to say a boy hardened in the ways of the street does get a good place in most cases he will lose it and fall back to the old free life of the gutter the boys who succeed are the boys to get away from or who are taken away from the influences of the street and who are surrounded by better and more wholesome influences those who remain under the influences of the street become in the course of time members of the great army of beggars tramps and criminals it is a great pity that there should be so many stories going around which tell about news boys and messenger boys and so on rising to the bank clerks and telegraph operators and so forth on the whole these stories are misleading and for the reason that they seem to give the impression to many innocent boys and to many thoughtless parents that the surest way to give a boy a good start in life is to send him out into the streets to rough it and fight his way to the front over beer bottles, games of chance the racetrack and the pool room to the accompaniment of vulgar jokes profane swearing and evil associates I repeat, the school of the street is the worst school in the world and the sooner boys get out of it the better it will be for them End of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X. Floyd this liberal box recording is in the public domain The Fox Hunt Uncle Hambrite used to pride himself upon his ability to invent using games for the children sometimes he found it hard to think of anything new but the demands of the children were so insistent and his desire to please them always was so intense that it often happened that Uncle Hambrite could almost make a way out of no way dinnertime was fast approaching all the morning the half dozen little children who were spending the day with Uncle Hambrite at the Sunday school picnic and playing every conceivable sort of game and had been enjoying every imaginable kind of story told in Uncle Ham's inimitable way but still the children were not satisfied just one more story or just one more game or give us your best game now for the last before dinner the children clamored one after another very well said Uncle Ham you all wait until I come back and then we'll play Fox Hunting Uncle Ham went and told his sister and her husband the parents of the little children to take the dinner baskets far into the woods to the place which they had already agreed upon as the spot where the dinner table should be spread coming back to the children Uncle Ham said now we are ready come close and listen while I explain with anxious hearts and eager faces and clapping their glad hands the children gathered around Uncle Ham now he said I have a piece of chalk here in my hand I'm going to make something like this wherever I go along while he was speaking he made a round ring on the fence close by he put marks for the ears and feet and a mark for the tail then he continued this is the fox I'm going to make foxes along the path that I take into the woods sometimes these foxes may be on fences sometimes on trees sometimes on rocks or anywhere I wish to place them whenever you find a fox you will know that you are on the right road and you must be sure each time to follow in the direction that the head of the fox points then you won't lose your way you must give me a little start because I must be out of sight before you all begin the hunt at the end of the hunt if you follow carefully you will find a large present awaiting for each one of you you may help yourself to whatever you like and then we shall all come back together because you know I will be at the end myself waiting for you when you come it seems that the ten minutes start and the children had agreed to give Uncle Hambright would never come to an end so eager were they to begin the hunt by and by the time came and they were off the first few foxes had been drawn on the boardwalk so the hunters had easy sailing for a little while pretty soon however one of the girls discovered a fox on a tree and the head of the fox pointed right into the woods and once the children halted the eldest girl said finally after studying a few minutes let's go in Uncle Ham wouldn't take us where anything could hurt us and besides he said he would be waiting at the end thus reassured all of them plunged into the woods once in the woods the little foxes drawn on trees and stumps carried them right along by the side of the Babylon Brook for a long distance they found one fox and then it would find it very hard to locate the next one it was great fun for them to scurry about in the woods examining trees, stumps, rocks and everything hunting for the foxes finally one of the little girls found a fox on a fence the head of the fox pointed upwards the little child said this little fox seems to be pointing to heaven I'm sure we can't go up there oh no said the oldest girl again coming to the rescue I think that little fox leads over the fence that's all so over the fence they jumped and continued to chase the course proved to be zigzag now for a few minutes and the children found the foxes more and more difficult to locate they felt safe again when the foxes were found on stones or rocks leading up the side of a hill the woods began to thin out and the children were no longer timid up the hill they went with a merry laugh and a shout once on top of the hill they lost their course again after time they found a fox though and that fox pointed straight down the hill the children bravely followed at the foot of the hill they suddenly came upon an open space and close by there was a great big fox marked upon a piece of black paste board and standing right over a bubbling spring of water the little handbrake must have meant for us to stop here said one maybe he meant for us to stop and get some water said another wanted to the fox hunter stop and drink some water then the oldest one said come on now let's look for another fox I guess we are most through now about 20 yards away from the spring the children came to another open space that was well shaded what was their delight and surprise for them on a large white table cloth laid on the bare ground a sumptuous picnic dinner and in the middle of the table there was a true true stuffed fox with a large red apple in his mouth for a few moments the children stood around the table and be willed a man but they were not to be kept in suspense a great while pretty soon uncle handbrake and mom and papa came out of the woods nearby and such a laugh as went around the picnic dinner was never heard before or since at the close of the meal the children all voted that that was the best game that uncle ham had played during the day end of chapter 22 chapter number 23 of Floyd's flowers by Silas X Floyd this liberal box recording is in the public domain a bold venture Mr. Slocum good morning sir I came around to ask you to lend me five dollars Mr. Slocum manager of the Harlem steamboat company looked up from his desk in surprise when he heard this abrupt announcement was that he asked Kurtley lend me five dollars said the little boy who had first addressed him who are you demanded Mr. Slocum I'm nobody said the boy nobody but I want you to lend me five dollars Mr. Slocum who was generally said to be a hard man to deal with was surprised at the boy's presumption yet nevertheless he was secretly pleased at the boy's frank and open manner do you know what foreign money means asked Mr. Slocum rising and looking down upon the diminutive figures standing before him the boy was barefooted held his hat in his hand and his hair was nicely combed Mr. Slocum continued don't you know when a person borrows money he is supposed to pay it back oh yes said the boy I know that you lend me the money and I'll pay it back alright I only wanted for three months I'll pay it back there was something about the boy's face and general department that won Mr. Slocum's favor he ran his hand into his pocket pulled out a five dollar bill and handed it to the boy thank you sir said the boy he turned to go thank you sir I'll pay it back three months later the same little boy entered Mr. Slocum's office here's your five dollars Mr. Slocum said the little boy I much obliged to you sir who are you asked Mr. Slocum as he reached out and took the money I'm nobody said the boy well why do you bring me this money because I owe it to you explained the little fellow the boy told Mr. Slocum of the deal made three months before and made Mr. Slocum recall the transaction Mr. Slocum asked him to have a seat well what did you do with that money asked Mr. Slocum well said the boy I was hard up when I called on you me and my mom had been selling papers for a living up to that time but somehow we had got behind with our expenses house rent was due and we didn't have nothing to eat I had to find a friend somewhere so after trying two or three places where I was known and failing to get any help I decided to drop in here and see you you know the result well I pay my rent for a week rented a little stand for my modest cell papers on the corner while I continued to hustle in the street that five dollars you lent me gives me good luck and I've been doing right up ever since me and my mom are living in a better place now we got a plenty to find customers I told you when I came here before that I was nobody then but I'm somebody now Mr. Slocum anyhow I feel so and I want to thank you for the help he gave me the boy's story please Mr. Slocum very much it is needless to say that he took an interest in that boy and continue to befriend him this happened many years ago today Tommy Tolliver that was the boys name is the assistant general manager of the Harlem Steamboat Company and a very well-to-do man Mr. Slocum says that there is nobody in the world like him Tommy's mother died some years ago but she lived long enough to see her little boy taken out of the streets put to school and started on his career of usefulness and of chapter 23 chapter 24 of Floyd's Flowers by Silas X Floyd this LibriVox recording is in the public domain a hero in black I read some years ago boys and girls a story in McClure's magazine which I think should be of interest to every boy and girl in the world the story was taken from the records of the Royal Humane Society of Great Britain it told about an obscure Negro semen whose brave deed was discovered and honored by two of the great nations of the earth one tropical night the steamer dolphin rested almost motionless off the Cayman rocks in Nicaragua crew and passengers some 20 in all were asleep about the deck for it was too hot to go below then came such a squaw as comes only in those southern seas the sails all set furnished ample leverage within 10 seconds the dolphin was bottom up her passengers and crew sailing in the water Wilson McField a Negro and a subject of Great Britain was the first to come to the surface all his 27 years of life he had known these waters and he swam like a fish he soon succeeded in climbing upon the bottom of the vessel then he shouted to the others and one by one pulled up five of the crew fortunately the squaw was soon high after they had drifted two hours the men heard strange sounds like pounding within the vessel some thought they heard voices the more superstitious were afraid the night dragged on and by daylight the sounds had grown fainter the crew concluded that men were imprisoned within the boat but none could devise a way to save them then the Negro proposed to dive and into the ship they assured him he would never get out again but carrying between his teeth one end of a rope that had been dragged from the vessel McField dived passed under the gun wall and rose in the hatch it was pitch dark and the interior of the vessel was full of floating cargo but he kept on steadily finally concluding that he had reached the cabin he rose and in an instant he found himself above water yet so foul was the air and so narrow the space between the water and the ship's bottom that he could hardly breathe he could see no one but he heard the knocking again and called out then came voices faint but familiar swimming in the direction of the sound he found two men braced against the cabin sides and holding their heads above water one was a young rubber cutter the other a native Spanish Nicaraguan called Ovando both were panic-stricken and McField was obliged to threaten them with instant death if they did not obey him he fastened the rope around my lids and gave the signal to pull McField darted into the water along with his man in his fright my lids entangled himself in the hatchway and precious time was lost infringing him on the surface my lids was unconscious and McField more dead than alive they pulled my lids aboard but McField would not follow as soon as the rope was freed he took it in his teeth and went under found the hatch and entered the cabin Ovando was almost uncontrollable with fear and exhaustion but McField finally secured him with a rope and gave the signal to pull up this time the trip was made without accident and both men were drawn aboard all of the men were saved the United States government awarded McField a medal and a sum of money and gold and the Royal Humane Society of Great Britain gave him a medal of silver End of Chapter 24