Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-03-22
MICHIGAN ROSE.
BY FLORA MARCIAN.

Two little boys of the street picked
up bunch ofMichigan ROSES, defaced,
bruised. 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 miracle of brightness, q
revelation Of another world, and they
stood together on the street as the
crowd surged by, earnestly and intent
" 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 this? It is a bunch Of
Michigan Roses" said the girl, with a
twinkle in her eye; land it grows tall,
away up to the sky, and all the bush is
like this cluster, pink, with yards and
flowers"
Sweet Michigan, said both boys i'll
the same breath, as the girl went on
herway; 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 destitution, they
got together enough money to buy
themselves each white straw sailor
hat with blue ribbon and little gilt
picture oAan anchor Oh enc end of the
streamer, asmall picture ola sailing
ship on the FONT. They bought cheap
shoes ard linen clothes also, through
anxiously hoasding and saving of
pennies all summer long.
They had pickedup all the Informal
ton they could about '.swect Miclli-
gan asking the big aewsboys III what
direction that coantrySay.
The children could not learn much.
but what the little newsboys told them
they remembered.
did you know" said one bootblaek
to another, that Johnny and Sammy
are goin' to emigrate?:''
mo; where are they goin %
"Wall, they're goiu' out West, where
roses grow, or suthin' O. that sort"
''Their heads are kinder cracked, |
think it's likely. And faint no
wonder, as L knows on. Last winter
was hard III on bigger coves than
they be.
They were always Clever creet,rs.
and busy as the day was long"
''Ie s, and tic little newshoys en- the
street,
They're a-going 70 start in the
mornin'; we must see 'em Of, Bill"
In the morning more than twenty
newsboys and sweepers and boot blacks
went down to the Erie to see the boys
start on their journey.
"We must take up collection for
'em. Pass round the hat, boys"
mo, we are going to Sweet Michigan
and shan't need any money. Keep il
for yourselves"
IF you get there before I do, re.
member NE; Pm coming TO-" SANG
Josh Bates.
"Win.'
The boys got aboard q Western ex.
press; their friends waved their hands
and gave them a cheerful farewell: the
train was of; Johnny and Sammy had
started on their new lives.
Tickets, boysi'' said the conductor
Yes, Sir" responded the children
taking out neatly folded brown paper
from each vest pocket and handing it te
the agent. The packages contained
exactly fifty cents apiece. They were
the remnants of johnny aud SAMMY
There were four fiye-cent pieces and
the rest was in pennies, two and three
cent coins. The man looked down in
to their sunbulned and happy faces. Ht
read no story Of misgiying there, but {
confidence and hope that was pleasant
to see.
"Where did you say you were going?
asked the conductor.
"Sweet Michigan" Esped the babies
together.
is this all the money YOU haYa: %
Eyes, sir"
| ''Put it back in your pockets. Yor
are running away, aren't you.
Eyes, SIR
II shall have to send you home"
Were going home, sir"
Then the boys told the conductor lie
story of the rose, and the desire to &C
into the country Of that sweet flower;
Of the summers toll accomplished in
this hope Of the hats. shoes, linen
clothes, and lastly of the money saved
so anXiousiy and carefully.
"And you had better take it, sir, fer
we shan't need it where we're goin'.''
The loneliness, innocence and youth
of the boys touched the heart of the
agent.
''Hcw do / know but Gods calling
them there?' said he to himself. II am
not going to do anything contrary to
Him, or go against Him in any way"
So he took two tickets and wrote on
them:
"Erie Pass these boys along the
line to Sweet Michigan and order
Lake Shore to 90 the same. SAM
O. Tol,n,x- .-o,.o $780,