Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-23
SeIettea slistellanp
From Moorc's Rural New Yorker.
HOWARD STREET.
ny NETTIE.

The long walk down from MauiS0r
street, where Mrs. Jefferson lived, could
be very much shortened by passing thro
dirty alley designated Howard Street
Mrs. Jefferson seldom availod herself oil
tho advantage this across way offered
but one day, being in great haste, she
said to herself, Il think / will venture
to go through that filthy lane
According ly, she drew down her face
TO its greatest possible length, and with
n frown on her brow, set her pretty
gathered foot on the dirty walk. Pass
ing along, ,bcwailing the necessity which
subjected her to the annoyance Of such
miserable spectacles md offensive odors
shc approached group OF boys anu.
sing themselves with pop guns. Halfa
dozen voices shouted Pop goes the wea-
sell and the potato from tho guns OF the
accurate marksmen came in contact
with Mrs. Jeffcrson's nose. Darker
grew the frown ON her face, and dark.
cr still as she received unmistaSable ev-
idence thnt the next aim was taken al
her back. An expression of disgust
mingled with Mrs. Jefferson's from as
she discovered II child smiling at hcr
through cobwob curtained window
The baby's sister saw the look on her
face, and treated her to splash from O
puddle Mt the door.
You nasty thingI said Mrs. j., but
sho was answered by another splash, ,and
hurried on.
Some boys wcrc making miniature
locomotives of mud on the walk. They
did not observe the lady's approach un.
I'll her frctiul voice inquired,
Can pass2'
Yes, jest MS quick as / git this injne
done, said one.
Let her go by, Bill only don't Tip
the cars over with your hoops said an-
other. The boys considered this very
witty remark, and they sent forth long
and bostcrous shouts, which were any
thing but musical.
Howard street was full Of dirty, rag.
ged, saucy children, and IL needed only
u passing glance 60 see that they lived
in places too filthy TO be honored by the
namc of homo.
Mrs. Jefferson was glad enough when
Aho reached the broad, decent thorough.
fire; rho tried TO put on cheerful
pleasant face; but sho could not bell
seeing tho municipalities on her dress
she feared the potato from the pop-gun'
had left its mark on her iace, aud hol
pretty gaiter boots had not hccn at al
improved by contact with tho dirt. The
ficos Of tt ose 'horrid children soomoC
TO haunt her too.
Sho went homo by the 'furthost way
round, resolved. whatever her haste
might be, never again To- Try to sayc time
hy passing through Howard street. =
Just hchlnd her trlppcd along her LITTLE
neighb0r, Mrs Baldwin.
Rather unnyiiing, rho said 10 her
self, ~ her happy tnce lonkcd down tl'
dingy nlley, but III try and eeo bow
many smiles | can got from tho dirty
little iolks
With grateful feeling in her hoar
that God had drawn her lines for he
IN pleasant plnces, sho reached tho pop
gun mnrksmen, who had Just taken sucl
succossinl aim ut Mrs. Jefferson. Nov
for my smiles, Thought Mrs. baldwin
and sho greeted tho boys with such
frank and gonial look that she woI
pIcasunt answering smiles from oil O
them but ono. lIo was 80 busy gclllni
his pop-gun into shouting order, that Ia
did not SEQ her taco until tho other buy
exclaimed,
Hold on Toni Don't shoot that Ia
dy.
Tom looked up with m expression
which said, i will IT. hayo u mind 10,
but tho lady payo him such u merry
smile, Tint no drew back lllllo, ant
Mrs, baldwin heard him say,
We'll, Id rather mol shoot her, reel;
onl
Tho dirty baby was still peoplng thro
the cowbwebs, lilo caughta glimpse 0
tho suhshny iaoc, and instantly com
monood such q growing and caperlnl
that tho lady had to stop and look ri
him, and said aloud,
What doar hAby you arc Baby
sister saw tho admlring look and hoarC
tho praise bestowed, aud sho hurried l'
tho door, broom in hand, not this tim'
TO improviso shower from tho mud
puddle, but sho said,
Tho walk Is So dirty for your nie'
dress, want TO brush II Oft for you.
Tho little ongno.makers worc ON
grossod with their mud toys, and hesl
tpled about leaving their play lonl
enough 10 let the lady pass, but sho said
PLEASANTLY,
These are worry ueo locomotives, boy,
l'll Try and not come IN collision VIII
them.
The boys made way for hor righ
quickly, and from tho lips Of moro tha
ono Of them, came a Beg par Ion, mad
am
Every little child was ready 10 civ
hnek smile for smile, and IL was lac
periuelly radiant with Happiness tha
sho greeted her friends rs she passe
down Main street. Mrs. Baldwin toll
her husband all about her walk aud he
adventure, and he, (silly fellow kiSse
her and said, 'Bloss your dear hear
wllpl You arc a perfect little sunbeam
Who, besides you, could find nnythin
but wretchpdness in Howard street,?
Mrs. Jefferson ihought sho would ne'
or go near the dirty alley again, bat o
talking with some of tho ladies OF . bs
neyolent association about tho degradg
ton OF It's Inhabitants, sho consented