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Show MEISSONIER'i GARDENER. Tin Bhriwd Eninloy K.pay Ilia Ma.Ur tor Alt.inptiUK t Trick llliu. Etolle Uel ze, Meissioner, like many other celebrities, celebri-ties, had a passion for gardening. His gardener, an accomplished botanist, knew to perfection the seeds of every plant and Meissonier had often tried in vain to throw him olT his guard. "This time I've got him," the artist remarked to a party of friends at tho dinner-table, and he showed them a small packet containing the dried roe of herring. He sent for the gardener. "l)o you know thisseed!1" Meissonier inquired. Tho gardener carefully sern- tiniml thu (Truing. "Why not'" he said at last. "They are the seeds of the popus ilusciaiua, a very rare tropical plant." "How long will they be in coming lip?" Meisaonior askod, with a chuckle of suppressed exultation. "About a fortnight," was tho reply. Two weeks later the guests were again assembled at Meissnnier's table, and alter dinner the gardener was announced. an-nounced. "Meitsonler," the man said, "the seed has just come up." "Ah! you surprise me," the artist exclaimed ex-claimed as he rose up and led the way into the garden to eiamine the botanical botani-cal phenomenon. The gardener lifted a glass shade aud disclosed to view a smallbed with three rows of pickled herrings' heads peeping out of the ground. Everybody laughed. Meissonier discharged the gardener on the spot, but took him on again the next day. |