Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-08-30
SWEET MICHIGAN ROSE.
A Sketch Of the City and Country.

A Sketch Of the City and Country.
Two little boys of the street picked
up a bunch of Michigan Roses, de-
faced, bruised. trodden on, soiled with
dust stains. Some country girl had
dropped them from her bosom, for
they were from a distance and not
seen in any Of the florists shops. To
the children they were a miracle Of
brightness, a revelation of another
world, and they stood together on
the street as the crowd surged by,
earnestly and intently examining the
cluster Of several small roses and a
bud.
A girl passing by. and attracted by
the eager and interested look on the
children's faces. stopped to inquire
what they were talking about.
what Is this? 1t is a bunch Of
Michigan roses" said the girl, with a
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" 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 pos
sessed Sir Galahad, so the search
after Sweet Michigan possessed
these orphan boys. A f.,s
BY great perseverance In sweeping
street-crossing, backing boots, sell
ling newspapers, and many other
bleak contrivances known only to
the children of want and restitution,
they got enough money to buy them
selves each white straw sailor hat
with blue ribbon and a little gilt
picture Of an anchor on one end Of
the streamer, q small picture OF q
sailing ship on the front. They
bought cheap shoes aad lined clothes
also. through anxiously boarding and
saving Of pennies all summer long.
They had picked up all the infor-
nation they could about Sweet
Michigan, asking the big newsboys
In what direction that country lay.
The children could not learn much,
but what the little boys told them
they remembered
did you know, said one bootblack
to another, shat Johnny and Sammy
are going TO emigrate?'
mo; where are they going?"
wall. they're -goin' out West
whore roses grow, or suthin' o that
SORT ; nLI1oAs~ 81 =
~Their heads are kinder cracked, /
think it's likely. And faint no
wonder, as I know on. Last winter
was a hard IN on bigger coves than
they be-
"They were always clever creeturs,
aud busy g the day Was long" =
Yes, and the littlest newsboys on
the street. asf
~They are going to start in the
mosnin'; we must see 'em of, Bill
In the morning moro than twenty
newsboys and sweepers and boot
blacks went down to the Erie to see
the boys start on their journey.
I'VE must take up collection for
'em- Pass around the hat, boys"
mo, we are going to Sweet Michi-
gan and shan't need any money.
Keep II for yourselves" 60 Az
III you get there before I do, re-
member me; I'm coming too" sang
Josh Bates.
I'VE win.f,T s. 27V0T<
The boys got aboard Western ex-
press; their friends waved their
hands and gave them cheerful
farewell: the train was on: Johnny
and Sammy had started of on their
new lives.
Tickets. boys" said the conductor.
Yes, sir" responded the children
taking out neatly folded brown pa
per from each vest pocket and hand
ing It to the agent The packages
exactly nfty cents apiece.
They were the remnants Of Johnny
and Sammy. There were four five
cent pieces and the rest was in pen
MES. two and three cent coins. The
man looked down into their sun
burned and happy faces. He read no
story Of missgiying there, but q con-
fidence and hope that was pleasant
to see.
where did you say you were 60
ing?" asked the conductor.
Sweet Michigan" lisped the ba-
bies together. - s.t~ =
is this all the money you have?'
Yes, SIR" ~ frtts-s E
Put it back in your pockets. You
are running away. aren't your
Yes, SIR" a. ~
~Ishall have TO send you home" 4
Were going home, SIR
Then the boys told the conductor
the story Of therose. and the desire
TO go into the country Of that sweet
flower: of the summers toll accom-
plished In this hope; OF the hats
shoes, linen clothes, and lastly Of the
money saved so anxiously and care
fully.
And you had better take 1t, sir,
for We shan't need It where we're
goin'."
The loneliness. innocence and
youth OF the boys touched the heart
Of the agent. g
How do know but what Gods
calling them there said he to him.