National Republican., 1874-05-09
THE FLOWER MISSION.

[From the New York Tribune
One Of the hottest days of that hot summe
which burned itself into everybOdy's memory
lady in the country happened to send q larg,
basket OF cut flowers to 8 friend who had beer
forced to remain in town through even the fiery
heat Of July. The lady, as she uncovered the
basket ofpansies and roses, heavy with fragrance
and still wet with dew, stood by an open window
and, glancing out carelessly, saw two wretched
little street Arabs dragging their barrow Of old
rags along through the dust. Without thought
she threw them two or three OF the roses She
quite expected their astonished yell Of delight,
and the quick "Saddee, ma'am.'' The native
American rough in his cradle thanks you for a
kindness; but she hardly anticipated the sudden
halt which they made, the delicate care with
which they handled the flowers, looking at and
smelling Of them gently astnough priceless
treasure had fallen into their hands. Presently
the two roses were put together, q bit Of paper
wrapped about the stems, and one boy ran of
with them, while the other took up the heavy
barrow to 20 on alone. Where is he going with
them?" she asked. Home, ma'am. If you put
them posies in water you kin keep 'em two or
three days, " with nod, as one who imparts use
ful information.
Two newsbOYs with the evening papers under
their arms had stopped and were looking hungrily
up to the open window; it was not in woman's na-
the flowers. But the consequences were appal-
ling. Have any OF our readers seen how boys, at
the cry of Fire or Fight" grow out OF moth
ing7 How the street, which SO utterly vacant
this moment, the next sWarms with them-ln
hats in caps, bareheaded, in fine sailor rig, or in
rags-but all together in q white heat Of excite
ment, and yelling in concert? Now this phe-
nOmenon suddenly overwhelmed our friend with
the roses. The street was one Of a quiet, decent
unfrequent visitors; but here they were, dirty,
il-smelling, wan-faeed, IN army Of them, before
her, as though her scattered leaves had been
dragons teeth, and brought forth this crop of
miniature savages out OF the pavement. News
boys. bOOtblaeks with their boxes strapped on
their backs, miserable little organ grinders still
more miserable beggars, artistically gotten up
for effect, in dirt and nakedness, all mere chill
dren together for the moment, whine, slang. petty
rascality forgotten, their little hands held up,
and their eyes sparkling at the sight Of a flower:
"You are not going to give your lovely roses to
these creatures?'' demonstrated somebody inside
The lady had no fancy for playing bountiGul on
the street; but the evening was darkening and
the window low; besides, she had babies Of her
own, and no mothers heart could stand those
pleading, dirty little faces. So the flowers were
dOled out carefully at last, for the crowd without
gathered fast, and when the last leaf was gone
there was still an unsatisfed crowd of upturned,
eager faces. The lady had in her time assisted to
distribute songs or clothes to the poor and OBJ
served the callous indifference with which they
took both their right; but for these flowers she
was repaid by breathless gratitude, Joyous little
cackles Of laughter, and in every instance by the
Same tender handling which the first boys had
given, most Of the children running home with
their treasures. Until late that night the door
bell did not cease to ring, dirty little applicants
coming to know # this was the house where
posies was Civ for nothing"
Now there was nothing in this story worth the
telling; the lady herself only recolected it after.
ward when She would pass a garden full of impe-
rial lilies or rieh-hued roses falling from their
q ssfPs 3 g9nGsicsd Il The EaRtOa abuR9sRcsOf sum-
countless sitting alleys and courts to whose
Nretehsd inhabitants the wonder Of Q single rose
was unknown year after year. Another lady, how
ever, in Boston, had similar experience six years
ago, and ont Of her thoughts about 1t grew the
Flower Mission in that city, which has every sum-
mer since 1858 supplied the prisons hospitals asy
lyms, knd thousands Of poor homes with wec,fy
fair and fragrant messages Of the ie'|,. and the
loving God who made them; I.nIs Flower Mis-
sion has extended to svefal churches Of this city,
and to the Children's Aid Society. If any Of our
ers into any Of the Wretched purieus Of the city,
and they will find these messengers from heaven
have more sacred meanings and uses than to serve
as q button hole bouquet or fade in the heated
air OF q ballroom.