Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-29
Michigan Rose.

uhllfll Nl llfNiANlA NNiNNNf hNlhNf'Af fANNffN'As
trodden on. soiled with dust stains Some
country girl had dropped them from her
bosom, for they were from distance, and
not seen in any Of the florists shops. To
the children they were a miracle of bright
ness, q revelation Of another world, and they
stood together ON the street as the crowd
mrgcd by, earnestly aud intentiy examining
the cluster of seven small pink roses and a
bud.
A girl passing by, and attracted 10y the
eager and interested look on the children's
faces. stopped to inquire what they were
talking about.
What is thisy It is a bunch of Mchi-
gan roses" said the girl with twinkle in
her eyes and it grows tall, away up to
the sky. and all the bush is like this cluster,
pink. with yards and yards of flowers
Sweet Michigan 90 said both boys in the
same BREATH as the girl went on her way
but from that day forth the search after
Michigan possessed these orphan boys.
BY great perseverance in sweeping street
corners, backing boots, selling newspapers,
aud many other bleak little contriyances
known only to the children of want and des-
titutiou, they got together enough money to
buy themselves each a white straw sailor
hat with blue ribbon, and little gilt picture
of an anchor ON one of the streamers and a
small picture Of a sailing ship on the front.
They bought cheap shoes and linen clothes,
also, through anxiously boarding and saving
Of pennies all summer long.
They had picked up all the information
they could about Sweet Michigan, asking
the big newspapers in what direction that
country lay
The children could not learn much, but
what the little newsboys told them they re-
memhcred.
Ct" Did you know" said one bootblack to
another, "that johnny and Sammy are going
to mmgrate?'
NO where they goin?"
Wall, they're goin' out West, where roses
grow. or suthin' o. that sort"
Their heads are kinder cracked. think
it's likely, And faint no wonder, ~
knows ON. Last winter was a hard I'm on
bigger coyes than they be-"
"They was always clever crecturs, and
busy as the day was long"
" Yes, and the lttlest newsboys on the
street"
They're a-goin' to start in the mor-iu'
We must see 'em Off, Bill"
In the morning more than twenty news
boys and sweepers and bootblacks went to
see the boys start on their journey.
ave must take a collection for EN-. Pass
round the hat, boys
NO" answered Johnny and Sammy ;
We are going to sweet Michigan and
sha'nt need any money. Keep it your
selves"
"If you get there before do, remember
me; I'm coming, too" sang out josh Bates.
ave will"
The boys got aboard Western express ;
their friends waved their hats and gave
them cheerful farewell the train was off
Johnny aud Sammy had started on their
new lives.
" Tickets, boys said the conductor.
Yes, sir" responded the children, taking
out a neaty-folded brown paper from each
vest pocket, aud handing it to the agent.
The packages contained exactly fifty cents
apiece. They were the remnants Of the
earnings Of johnny and Sammy, There
were four five cent pieces and the rest was
in pennies, two and three cent coins. The
man looked down into these sunburned,
happy faces. lie read no story of misgiv-
ing there, but a confidence and nope that
was pleasant to see.
Where did you say You were gomgY"
" Sweet Michigan lisped the babies to-
gether
Is this all the money you have 20
Yes, sir"
Put it back in your pockets. You are
" Yes sir
II Shall bave 10 sand van. h,,,,,r
We're a-goin' home, sir
Where are your father and mother"
Both dead, sir"
Then the bovs toIJ tI,e ,.,.....
Of ,l,o rsa ,,,5 H. '''f .''e S'"ll
conntrv Of that sweot gnoer. , i''' ,,'e
shoes linen clothes and lastly ~ ,b. n"'s'
saved so anxiouslv md car.f,lI, a.
Won had better tnks if sir far ~. ha'',t '
nead IL ,,hera ,o,ro o-,,,i,.,,,
ma loneliness i,reca,,... ,,l ,.u
the hoys Touched tbs be,rt Of 1 ,ha a y"ut" o'
JI9w Jo kuo ,, Inv N.Y., ca \, ' aa, Gse".
hereY" said he to himself 81 oromet ' ,,5
IN do anvthng contrary to Ili,, a." rr w., G.'s
Him in ANY wav" 81 ha tnot t,n-o 49,
and wrote ON item
" Fp,r- p,ss the ho,s aI>,.,, ,i.o H.;
S,yoet NIichiron a,,d rJs III ",,9 10
IN do the same Ian" ,o'io''
So .IoInny and Sa,,,,,,,. ,,.,., -,
the route and their story ,yos ra oo' . Invl
Win tbom Trayelors ,,S,.o L. ~ 'tous
tbeir haska,s A. njS,Lt h -, ~,
lady folded sbavls IN mt ,,nd.r ti,"ir IoaI,
covered them nm and made tbo,n ~, g. '' si,'
in seats near her own Iobn,,, asJ $500 s,.
reolIv had a glhnnse If nars1; ;'''' ,,'',i'"S
steamed alone tLat d,v w '"''
I'm the nigbt the hovs ,,.,t AL NH
pered tocet6er anu WIS
"Irs a very good rl,co 10 la s..,,..n
"Yes. tbey sro al 81, "a >,
amt the same kind lat u.eI to hs Il, i,,a
| citv.m ~ NC ~ ''''
| n do,,t lnoy- ,h.,..,. .o,,. a...s..t
ones there Tbores not l'il nv %,',' SSo .'
uhers The roses orc,, ,hr VIZ 'ui' US
p'benmen was alwavs good 10 ne a,,d 49,, ~
could sleen in the station when We o "I W.,
| sleen anyJbers slso w 0O'''N Il
IT don't mean That lind. 7 ,,,.,, .h.
swell ones mean '''
0Weu thew uore ,ro,,r ,,,ol ,,, ,,
ciallv ON sunday Jobnn,,, :, $780, ''V' ''P'
- Wall condncto,, =" said n,o f,r,,o, .a.
and Narier mnst al, 90, ~, ,i,o 's'
onr ways don't rnH mo- fuY,har -, ~
| like ~ know what hecornas 80 IT, - "
two children a.go,n, m tha for1 -,
where. Gurus now ain,t ~ III -, ~ We
IN sweet Nicbigan val notb;,, a., w, ~ ~ ~
a. ANYBODY knows 3n' I'd a.to,L w ,he'
| 10 Kansas bnt Kansa. wonr a. f. 'O"s
| ont. MARI my words condnc,or ,haI -.