The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-12-31
THE SWEEPERS.

A NEW YEARS STORY WEIGH DESCRIBES
HOW 1T WILL DE.
The evening was clear and cold, the stars
smiled down upon earth SO fondly that when
looked from my window late in the night
longed TO go out under them, and let their
benign spell charm away the fret and fever
of the day. went out and walked slowly
on and on, feeling the Testfnl influence of the
silence and the beauty of the,night A cres-
cent moon glittered in the sky, the myriads
Of stars blazed in unwonted glory, and the
earth slept under a white blanket Of snow.
ASH walked farther and farther in the cold,
white silence, the everyday world, with its
worry and vexation, fell away from me.
The people of tho village slept. Their
houses were locked and lightless; tho earth
itself slept. only seemed to be awake But
no; another Yves abroad as well as myself.
Not a meditative soul, evidently, for he came
toward me whistling and singing CHEEKY
songs. He had no vexations to be charmed
away an the silence of tho night, that was
certain. There was "a confident ring i'm his
step as he ground his heel into the hard beaten
spsw of the highway, and there was assertion
in the notes he whistled and sang.
As he came i'm sight saw that he was an
exceedingly spruce youth, with a finely de-
voloped figure, and, as near as could see i'm
tho white light of the stars and tho snow, a
beaming face He was clad in velvet ard
fur, dressed with foppish care and nicely,
and he carried q brand new broom
"Good evening" said. as we were about
to pass each other on the narrow road.
Evening"" he said, interrogatively II
never knew any such thing. belong to the
morning"
elias the boy been drinkingm thought I. A
second look convinced me that he had not
He stuck the handle of his broom firmly into
the snow as he stopped and spoke made
up my mind that he was youth trimming
over with life and health and superfuous
energy. That he was vain any one could see
from his walk, his speech and manner. 1
wanted to prolong the conversation, and for
want of a. better subject / mentioned the
beauty and newness of the broom.
That pleased him. He smiled approvingly,
shook the broom triumphantly and said:
Eyes, it's splendid brociu, and it's well that
it is, for have big contractor sweeping OH
hand, and am just on my way to begin"
"You?" look at him incrednlously. Was
the boy q merry lunaticl Going to do job of
sweeping, clad in velvet and fur9 HHave you
ever swept any in your lifeY' 1 asked.
"No; but have studied sweeping, studied
il i'm books"
"Ahl and what are you going to sweep,
may askr
"Why I'm going to sweep the earth,n mo
said confidently, as he fiourished the broom
above his head, and then scratched around
with it moment in tho snow, merely to
show his expertness as a sweeper.
THAT'S large contract for a theoretical
sweeper" answered; II am curious to know
something about you"
"Don't recognize me, ehf Well, how could
you, since I am not yet born?' And be
laughed aloud.
By this time I was convinced that had
met jolly and extremely original lunatic.
As be seemed harmless as well as mirthful, I
didn't mind hearing him talk little. awhat
particular style Of dirt do you intend to
sweep of the earthT' asked.
Everything offensive and harmful" he re-
piled, In most positive voice. "All corrup-
ton, oppression, dishonesty in high places,
and degradation in all places Yes, and dis
case; that, too, must 60. And poverty also.
Everything that II hatsful and makes the
heart bitter shall b swept away"