Connecticut western news., 1888-09-12


 seen grass l could tromp on; never seen birds 'cept in cages; never seon any thing---I was goin' to say--but misery, dirt and poverty. But then, that would n't be true, for there was ono lovely thing before my eyes, night and morn ing, aud that was my sister Mary. She was beautiful girl, but she'd been sick for long time, and so, though she did all she could, she couldn't do much more than keep herself sweet and clean. Mother had died when was baby, and I suppose it was the hard work and fathers drinking ttat had sickencd the poor girl. But was tellin' you about that day. It was a hot June day. Father had been special hard on u', and the last thing he'd done was to get mo place in a drinking saloon, where there was lot of gambling goin' on, too. My boy, you're m innocent, we'll brought-up young fellow" (Jack lifted the mass of blossoms to hls face, and their delicate pink seemed reflected in his chceks), but if you ever kpew what I know of the wickedness that cards and liquor may lead to, you'd not won der at tho old deacon's narrow ness.' We'll, as I was a-sayin', my father d found me the place, and I'd b, cn at it for just week. That Fri day evenin' I was to b, paid, and I had a great plan in my head. Mary was just crazy over flowers. A missionary lady had brought her bunch once and again, and the way she dotted on 'em was just surprisin'. Dear, dcar how often Eve thought of Mary when I sec the youngsters pullin' flowers and throwin' lem away!"
 The deacon paused a moment. Jack broke off bit of the blossoms, and, with the gentleness of woman, fas . tened it in the old farmer's coat.
 "Thankee! thankee I never could pick fruit blossoms myself, but don't know but flowers is as much needed as fruit. Well, as was a-sayin', had plan. l had seen a lovely rose- bush in a pot at the corner grocery, and meant to buy that for Mary. Ipriced it; twas just twenty-five cents; and I'd watched every day and no one had bought it. Now, this morning I meant to buy it and keep it in the saloon till Id get off, late at night. But when I got to the grocery tho rose- bush warn't there!
 'Ivo had a good many dis p int mcnts one way and another, but don't knows ever I felt one wuss. The groceryman was talkin' to big rough lookin' fellow, but was that eager l couldn't wait, and just rushed up and said: You ain't sold that rose- bush2
 'I guess I looked mighty airnest, for they both looked at me, and then the man said: Yes, hubby, I sold it yesterday afternoon. But there's other 1owers-this mans just bargaining for me to buy some of his h.
 "Are you so fond of flowers, sonnyT said the strange man.
 'I told him wanted the rosc for my sister, who was sick, and then said had told Mary how pretty tho rose was, aud, though she diln't know was to get it, I'd meant to buy it'd bor- rowed the money from Tom 'cause l wouldn't be paid off till midnight.
 Midnight! A little fellow like youp" exclaimed the big man. And where do you work till midnighta'
 "'At the big saloon around tho cor .ner,' said. I ain't so young II m fourteenp i
 "sAnd workipe ia saloona What does that sister O your say to that2' said the big one.
 "'Shs feels mighty bad about it. She cries and cries. But I tell her wouldn't drink, not if they killed me, nor won't play cards; and tonight I'll have threo dollars for Nary
 "The groceryman had gone to another customer. The b stranger stood lookin' me over for minute or so, and then he laid his h,rd on my shoulder and said: How'd Mary like you to live on farm, sonnya'
 q told him that that was just what made Mary feel so bad. A lady had told her to pray about everything. and Mary had prayed and prayed that l might go to work on farm-as if there were farms in New York City!
 Now, see here, sonny said the man, you just look in that covered wagon and pick out tho flowers you'd like for Mary, and thea tell me where sho lives, and I'll go and soc her.
 "You'll believe I stepped up to that wagon pretty lively. It was just full oi roses-little pots and big ones. But hadn't minute to spare, and I pulled out beautiful pink rose that made me think of Mary's cheeks at night, and told him where we lived; and then just few around the corner. I was late, and the man was mighty cross. The police had teen in the night before, and I got hard wor Is and some blows, but didn't carc-Mary would havs thlt rose haven't time to tell you how the me [ took fancy to make me drink that evening, and how my own father, al tipsy as he was, helped lem on; but at last it was time for mo to leave, and asked for my pay. Jack, just think how felt when that saloon keeper told