Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-08-06
From the Illinois Public Ledger.
INTELLECT IN RAGS.

WU pTOuu Cnliurcu WcFc tripping
along the street of Boston, one sun
shiny day, on their way to school,
chatting as they went, and apparent
ly enjoying themselves right merrily.
A late rain had given coating of
mud to the red brick sidewalk, so the
chharen trod daintily--the older one,
II slight and delicately formed girl,
with a merry lark eye, and full rich
ringlcts, carefully lifting her soft shin
ing garments, that they might not be
soiled by contact with the wet. And
now their way led through dark al
ley, where the sunbeams grew sickly,
and paled into dimness, as they
touched the heavy and tainted atmos-
phere, though perchance long times
between they melted into the shadows
upon the golden hairs of some power
ty clad infant, for many such sat in
the door ways of that comfortless city
lane. The boy and girl moved slow
ly onward, their white brows bent
downward, their bright eyes search
ing for hidden pavestones-yet ever
and anon some sudden laugh at the
lndiorosas r - -
their paths tnrong fh fsfF ltH 1a sfnJ6t,F,l
cheeks with dimples. "Don't you
hate slch dirty places, julia" said
the boy, as a few drops, not of crys-
tai, stained the glossiness of his rich
attire-"don't you wish that the school
was at the other end of the lane?"
cts perfectly horrible" answered
the beautiful young creature, with a
light laugh-"dear, do look at these
creatures they can have no sensibil-
-ity to refinement-how dirty, how con-
temptible they are-well, thank good
ness that we were born rich"
"Stop, Julia, hush! yonder is some
thing to excite our laughter, | war
rant you-ha! ha! boy larger than
myself, and he appears to be picking
out the letters on that little scrap of
paper-bahf'
"Stand still, Arthur, do, and let us
hear him-we can wait a moment"
A few PAGES before them set boy
OF some thirteen years, hatless, shoe
less, and with a very scant frock and
trousers, the latter a mass of patches.
His hair, tangled and thick, hung
over his downcast eyes, and his hands
all stained and rough with labor,
grasped little torn piece of news
paper, which he had evidently picked
up out of the mud. So absorbed did
he seem in his task that he did not
notice the fair and high bred young
strangers who stood regarding him
with thoughtless but subdued mirth.
Hark! the boy, leaning his brown
face on his clenched hands, murmurs
unconsciously aloud ''b-l-e-n-no, not
that-yes, no''-a deep drawn sigh,
then again "b-l-a-n''-then again a
lOAg pause-"oh, dear, have forgot
ten! | shall never be able to read like
Barney"
As the poor boy exclaimed thus, he
lifted his eyes sorrowfully from the
tattered bit of printing; his gaze fell
upon the listeners, whose lips curled
with a scornful smile. A flush of
crimson started to swarthy cheeks,
mounting to the top of his forehead,
as he threw off the mass of tangled
curls, andhis bold black eyes met their
familiar stare.
Ella! HAP said the richly clad youth
carelessl y, "Fye got brother only
five years old who can read better
than that. A big boy like you ought
at least to know your letters. Why
don't you go to some SCHOOL,"
The lad at her tone of conmisera-
ton, sprang to his feet and bent on
the brother and sister such look of
defiance, Indignation and scorn, that
they instinctively hurried on-though
the girl turned once more mockingly
round, and gave utterance to a slight,
bantering laugh.
Still the poor lad stood--wounded
to the hearts core-stiIl he gazed at
them, his lips quivering with his men
tai anguish, his black eye, through the
misty drops that hung trembling on
his lids, flashing fire, as though they
would seattle and blast the selfish
pride of those thoughtless children;
then, turning, he hurried up three
broken steps into dim entry, flew
along a dark passage, and entering a
or eerless room, flung himself upon
the uneven floor, and wept burning
tears of grief and shame.
Years have passed away and we
shall behold our young friends in an
other phase of life.
ThaxearlaEs St 9 l sataatslsy maj mansion
liantly illuminated. The owner of
the princely tenement had issued
cards for a fashionable soiree-the
hour had arrived and the guests were
assembling.
The rich and the great were there,
but conspicuous among all, and con-
versing with the ex-president of the
U. S., the elder Adams, stood a noble
looking man, in the bloom and vigor
of manhood. His face was intellec-
tually handsome, and his manners
graceful and imposing.
"All the evening" murmured a
fashionable yet lovely lady, 81 have
been striving to gain an introduction
to MIR. Ms distinguished guest, but
he has been surrounded-now, how
ever, he stands alone. | should es-
teen it rare honor to speak to him
but for a moment"
uYou shall have that nleasnra -