Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-11-11

young apple trees was in full bearing
The sunshine falling on the ripenin@
frnit made them seem the yellower, red
der and ripper. A little riil ran alon9
the roadside for short distance, thel
crossed the highway and tricMed dowl
a meadow whose greenness showed tn.
second growth of the year. Great fockl
of hens, turkeys and ducks gave anima
tion to the farm. The great barn door'
were wide open, and out of them ISSUED
the sweet scent of newly cut clover anG
timothy. Across the road, opposite the
barn, fine herd of COWS waited to be
MIXED. They stood quietly chewing
the cud as Johnny and Sammy came tc
the yard by the roadside where they
were.
"Will they hurt us, Sammy?"
"No; they are gentle things; know
by their pretty eyes" i.
The farmhouse was pleasant build.
ing story and half high. The doors
and windows were open. The path that
led from the house to the gate was bor-
dered with camomile and China asters,
with some bright nasturtiums. But
over the portico of the front door there
crept a magnificent vine of Michigan
rose. Its time of blossoming was long
since past, but few clusters starred
the green boughs. Both boys saw it,
and recognized the flowers at once.
"It is the place I" exclaimed the
boys. "Sweet Michigan 7" and open
ing the gate they walked into the yard.
They raped on the open door, and a
ko 1
them.
"Come in, children" she said, very
gently and sweetly.
Is it the place ?" inquired Johnny
and Sammy.
Yes, think 50.
We are so glad to get here" Then
in answer to her question they told thsir
oft repeated story But we were SO
glad when We saw the rose"
Take off your hats and come out to
the trough and l will brush your hair
and wash your faces, and when father
comes in from the field we will have
supper"
So when she had washed their faces
the boys saw pet lamb in the yard and
wanted to play with it. Mr.. Laly COM
ing across the field saw the little lads,
and wondered whose children they were.
His wife met him at the gate and told
him what they had told her. "Anl I
think, husband, God has sent us some
thing to love. They can never be like
our own dear children, know, but it is
80 lonesome.
They must be queer little fellows,
Sally. You say it was the rose that
brought them to the door 9".
"Yes; the same slip that little Sally
brought from mothers 8 and you planted
it for her by the portico."
"Well, let us go to supper now. Call
the children; if we like them we will
keep them"
Johnny and Sammy never before saw
real plenty. The loaf of bread, deli
cious butter, cream and peaches, the
cake and honey were all new. The afiu-
ence of the farmers house astonished
them. In the buttery they saw long,
shining rows-of milkpans, full to the
brim, rolls of butter ready for market,
and baskets of eggs.
$50, boys" said Farmer Laly, after
supper, "you thought you would come
ont here and live by the Michigan
rose9"
"Yes, sir"
"And you like it, do yous"
"Yes, SIR"
"Well, you can live here if you want
to-"
"Forever
eyes. You can call Aunt Sally there
mother, and if you like me for father
you can call me 80. Now, boys, I am
going to milk the cows come and see
them"
The winter had been one of sickness
among children; diphtheria and scarlet
fever robbed many O home of its little
ones. Among those most afflicted were
Mr.. and Mrs. Laly. OF their three chill
dren not one survived. This it was that
made their hearts SO tender to the stran-
gers who came seeking sweet Michigan.
From that day forth they became john
ny and Sammy Laly. Aunt Sally taught
them to read. In their sweet home we
leave them,. thinking that thereto they
were guided by some angel of the Lord,
perhaps little Sally herself, and crushed
cluster of withering Michigan roses.