South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-03-30
MIcHIGAN ROSE


oausSsus stOuucu OuS SOLICIT With OuSb
stains. Some country girl had dropped
them from her bosom. for they were
from distance and not seen in any Of
the Aorists' shops. To the children
they we're miracle OF brightness, a rev.
citation Of another world. and they stool
together on the street as the crowd surg.
cd by, earnestly and intently examining
the cluster of several small roses and
bud.
A girl passing by, and attracted By
the eager and interesting look on the
children's faces. stopped to inquire what
they were talking about
What is thisy 1t is bunch OF Mich.
igan Roses" said tue girl. with a twin.
kle in her eye; land it grows tall, away
up 10 the sky. and all the bush is Ike
this claster. pink, with yards and flow.
ers."
Sweet Michigan" said both boys in
the same breath, as the girl went on her
way; but from that day forth, as the
quest of the Holy Grail possessed Sir
Galahad, SO the search after Sweet
Michigan possessed these orphan boys.
BY great perseverance in sweeping
street crossings. blacking boots. selling
newspapers, and many other bleak little
contrivances known only to the children
OF want and restitution, they got togeth.
er enough money to buy themselves
each white straw sailor hat with blue
ribbon and little gilt picture of IN an.
Choir on one end Of the streamer, a small
picture of 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 mp all the informa-
! ton they could about Sweet Michigan"
asking the big newsboys in what direc-
ton that country lay.
The children could not learn much,
but what the little newsboys told them
they remembered.
did You know said one bootblack
to another. that johnny and Sammy
are goia' to enigrate ~ $685..
No; where are 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 won.
| der, rs knows on. Last winter was
hard un on bigger coves than they be.
They were always clever creeturs,
and busy as the day was long"
Yes, and the little newsboys on the
street"
They're a.going to- start in the morn.
| in we must see 'em off. Bill"
In the morning more than twenty
newsboys and sweepers and boot blacks
went down to the Eric to see the boys
start on their journey.
"We must take mp collection for 'em.
Pass round the hat boys"
| No, we are going to Sweet Michigan
and shan't need aay money. Keep it
! for yourselves"
III you get there before i do, remem.
Der me; I'm coming to- sang JOSH
Bates.
"Will."
The boys got aboard Western OK.
press; their friends waved their hands
and gave them cheerful farewell; the
train was off; johnny and Sammy had
started on their new lives.
Tickets, boys" said the conductor.
Yes, sir responded the children,
taking out a neatly folded brown paper
from each vest pocket and handing it to
the agent. The packages contained ex.
actly fifty cents apiece. They were the
remnants ofJohnny and Sammy. There
were four five cent pieces and the rest
was in pennies, two and three.cent coins.
| The man looked down into their sun.
burned and happy faces. lie read no
story OF misgiving there, but a conf.
dence and hope that was pleasant to
| see.
Where did you say you were going?'
/ asked the conductor.
"Sweet Michigan" lisped the babies
together.
as this all the money you bave?'
ayes, sir"
Put it back in your pockets. You
arc running away, aren't you.
"Yes. sir"
81 shall have 10 send You home"
Were going home, SIR
Then the boys told the conductor the
story OF the rose, and the desire to 90
into tho country of that sweet flower !;
Of the summers toll accomplished i'm
This hope or the ha 8, shoes. linen
clothes, and lastly OF the money saved
so anxiously and carefully.
and you had better take it. sir. for
We shan't need il where we're eoin'."
The loneliness, innocence and youth
OF the boys touched the heart ofthe a.
gent.
How DO know but Co.'s calling
them there?" said lie to himself. I'm
not going to do anything contrary to
Him, or go against Him in any way -
80 he took two tickets aud wrote on
them.
"Erie-Pass these boys along the line
to Sweet Michigan" and order Lake
Shore TO do the same. SAN"
30 johnny and Sammy we're passed
over the route, and their story was borne
along with them. Travellers gave them
food from their baskets. At night n
motherly old lady folded shawls TO put
under their heads, covered them up and
made them 80 TO sleep in seats near her
.InLntau All &c.,. -