Argosy: The Short Story Magazine — page 102: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

102 3 tell you just now. You see, the Empress was very fond of rock gardens with picturesque little trees. She could not bear to see any of her favourite flowers or plants die out. So she used to say tome: ‘ You know, trees and flowers always become more charm- ing when they are old. If you treat them well they will never ate.” ‘““ But some miniature trees cannot live very long,’ Chou. ““T dared not say this to Her Majesty. This is why Ff had to spend my salary in trying many fantastic ways of keeping her flowers and trees alive. Once I was worried about an old tree peony that was one of her favourites, which I replanted in a shallow pot. I found its root beginning to rot. Then I tried many methods of keeping it from dying, but in vain. Finally an old gardener told me to wash the roots with sesame oil. It was cured and did very well.” “How extravagant! We never use more than a spoonful when we are cooking.”’ “ But it is always a real thrill for us to see fresh new flowers on an old branch,” continued Uncle Li. “I am going to treat my three-hundred-year-old lilac with this expensive oil. You see, money works wonders when you know how to use it.” On our way home Lao Chou said tome: “ Uncle Li is not only a remarkable gardener, he is in love with his garden.” Su Hua, Ancient Melodies , said Lao Water Nymph I saw you first on a summer afternoon Watering the lawn with a hose and a glittering jet Of falling crystals, shining in the sun. On the shaded grass, drenched and soaking wet, Neighbours might pass, and you would answer their call With a constant voice. With that same voice I heard You scold three puppies for romping too much with a ball Or yapping under a locust tree at a bird. Then Autumn descended out of her chariot of bronze (Spring in her silver, Summer tn her gold one had left) And found your asters unready, with rusted crowns, And the puppies all half-grown dogs, and you bereft Of your olden voice, raking the fallen leaves And snipping the moon-flower vines that had grown to the eaves. MerriLL Moore, J Saw You First comiclooks.comn