(1) Thus it was that Flora returned to the home she had left eleven years before. (2) Just as the train was preparing to leave the station, Lottie Piper, one of Flora's friends and admirers, came running to the car, and tossed something through the open window into Flora's lap, saying hurriedly and pantingly, as she pressed the hand held out to her: (3) "There, Flora, take that. (4) Don't laugh. (5) I raised it all myself, and I want you to have it; but don't eat it! (6) Keep it to remember me by. (7) Good-bye," she called, as the train moved off. (8) Flora waved her handkerchief out of the window to Lottie, until her arm was tired. (9) As she looked about the cars her attention was attracted by a titter from the opposite side. (10) At first she could not understand why the girl who sat there should look at her and smile. (11) As her neighbor gazed at her lap, Flora's eyes followed, and there she saw the cause of the merriment in Lottie's parting gift-a yellow sweet potato. (12) At first she felt inclined to be provoked with Lottie for bringing such a thing and causing her to be laughed at. (13) However, the remembrance of her parting words, "I raised it all myself; but don't eat it!" made her smile in spite of herself. (14) This encouraged the girl opposite to slip over to the seat beside Flora, as Mrs. Hazeley was occupying the one in front, and the two girls, although entire strangers to each other, chatted away busily, until the train stopped at one of the stations, where the girl and her father, who sat farther back, left the car. (15) Soon after, Flora found herself at home, Bartonville and Brinton being but a short distance apart. (16) This brings us to the opening of our story. (17) It was Lottie's potato that lay upon the table, and Flora had been wondering what to do with it. (18) The memories it awakened were of Brinton and the many pleasant strolls and romps she had enjoyed with Lottie in her father's fields, which joined Mrs. Graham's, of Aunt Bertha herself, and much more. (19) "But what am I to do with the potato?" she questioned. (20) "I am not to eat it. (21) I don't care to, either. (22) Oh! I know, I will plant it in a jar of water and let it grow. (23) That would please Lottie, I guess." (24) She soon found a jar such as she wanted, and after washing it clean and bright, filled it full of clear water, And carefully placed the potato, end up, in it, and then looked about for a suitable place for it.