The narrative unfolds in a new suburb named Lobelia, where the scent of kinnikinnick tobacco evokes memories for its older residents. Leigh Harvey, a prominent figure in the community, encounters an old pedlar who sells various items from a basket. This meeting triggers a recollection of a man named Gammett, who exploited the misfortunes of others, including a down-and-out individual who struggled to provide for his wife after losing their children. The man, burdened by despair, dreams of a white garden to bring back his lost children. As Harvey recounts the man's story, he reveals that the old pedlar had once given this man a packet of flower seeds, specifically white columbines, which he had forgotten in the chaos of his life. The man, lost in the mountains during a storm, discovers a vein of silver but cannot find his way back to it. His despair deepens until he stumbles upon the blooming columbines, which remind him of the seeds and rekindle his will to live. This moment leads to the discovery of the silver mine, transforming his fortunes. Harvey expresses a desire to repay the old pedlar for the life he unknowingly saved. However, the pedlar, embodying a deeper wisdom, suggests that true wealth is not material. He reflects on the nature of desire and fulfillment, indicating that the man who wants nothing is as rich as the one who possesses everything. The pedlar declines any offers of wealth, preferring the simplicity of his existence. As the story concludes, Harvey is left with a red handkerchief that symbolizes his past and the connections between the characters. The narrative explores themes of memory, the impact of kindness, and the complexities of human desire, ultimately suggesting that true fulfillment may lie in the intangible rather than the material.
By Marjorie Pickthall · First published 1926 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Drama