Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-16
General iHtsrclIanu.


dirty alley. designated Howard Street. -
Mrs. Jefferson seldom availed herself Of the
advantage this "cross way offered but one
day being in great haste, she said to herself,
/ 81 think / will venture TO 60 through the FL
thy lane"
Accordingly she drew down her face to its
| greatest possible length, and, with frown on
her brow set her pretty CATERED foot on the
dirty walk. Passing along, bewailing the ne
cessity which subjected her to the annoyance
Of such miserable spcctacles and offensive
odors she approached group Of boys anus
/ lag themselves with pop-guns. Half dozen
voices shouted, "Pop goes the weasel, and
the potato from the guns Of the accurate
marksman came in contact with Mrs. Jeher-
sons nose Darker grew the trown on her
brow, and darker still as she received unmis-
taxable evidences that the next aim was taken
at her back. An expression Of disgust min
gled with Mrs. Jeferson's irown as she dis
covered a dirty little child smiling at her
through a cobweb-ourtained window The
baby's sister saw the look ON her face, and
treated her to a splash from mud puddle by
the door
"You nasty thing" said Mrs. Jefferson,
but was answered by another splash, and hur-
ried on
Some boys were making miniature locomo-
tiyes Of mud on the walk. They did not OBJ
serve the lady's approach until her itettul
voice inquired
"Can pass
"Yes, jest as quick as we git this injine
done said one.
"Let her 90 by, Bill-only don't tip the
cars over with your hoops, said another
The boys considered this very witty remark,
and they set forth long and boisterous shouts
which were anything but musical.
/ Howard street was full Of dirty ragged sau-
cy children, and 1t needed only passing
glance to sec that they lived in places too fill
thy TO be honored with the name OF home
Mrs Jefferson was glad enough when she
reached the broad decent thoroughiare she
tried 90 put on a cheerful pleasant face put
she could not hcip seeing the mua splashes
on Nor dress'- she feared the potato rom 'he
Pop-Suns had leit l's marx on het iace' ana
her pretty s"tet boots haa not oeen al a''
improved 10y contact with the dirt Inc faces
OF those houid children seemed 20 haunt
her too.
She went home by the 'iurthestWay round,
resolved Whatever her haste might be, never
again to try to save time by passing through
Howard street just behind her tupped
ha'hef nnlnViung, she 'ala 20 herself as
her ha1PPy lace looked down the d'ngY al'ey'
nut Try ana see now many Smiles can
get from the diftf httie FOLKS
WIN a grateful feeling IN her heart That
God had drawn her lines Tor her IN pleasant
places she reached the pop gun marksmen'
q who had just taken such successful aim at
Mrs Jefferson
"Now for my smiles, thought Mrs Bald
win, and she greeted the boys with such a
frank ana genial look that she won pleasant
answering smiles from all OF them but one
lie was SO busy getting ms pop gun INTO
shooting order that be ana not see her face
unnl me other boys exclaimed
Hold on. Tom don shoot that lady.
lom looked up "lih an expression winch
SAID ~ "ll' have mind TO, bug the la
dy gave hum such merry smile, that he drew
back Httle, ana Mrs BALDWIN neard MN
say, wv ell, rather not shoot her, / reck-
p on
The dirty baby was still peeping through
i the oobweos. lie caught glimpse OF the
sunsh'ny face and instantly commenced such
Growing and capcrng that she had to stop
= and look at hlm' and SAID aloud
Nv nat dear baby you are. BABY Sis