Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1905 — HIS COLLECTION OF ORCHIDS. [ARTICLE]

HIS COLLECTION OF ORCHIDS.

One of the stories John Burroughs, the aged naturalist, loves to tell has to do with a friend of his named Orr. On one of his trips Mr. Burroughs happened to be in the town where Mr. Orr lives. Meeting him in the street, Mr. Burroughs insisted that hi 6 friend should accompany him to the hotel for luncheon. As they were eating Mr. Burroughs inquired if his friend was not interested in any specialty. “I think,” said the naturalist, “every man ought to have a collection of some kind. It adds zest to life.” “Oh, yes,” said his friend, “I have quite a collection. I am interested in flowers. Come home with me, and I’ll show them to you.” As they approached the Orr home air fine, healthy children, playing on the lawn, ran to meet their father. ’ “These,” said Mr. Orr, with a twinkle in his eye, “form my collection of orchids. Ain’t they grand apecimens ?”