The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-21
rived from this service will not exceed $500
per annum.
HOWARD STREET.
A CAPITAL STORY or urxAs NATURE.

The long walk down town from Madison
street where Mrs. jefferson lived. could he
very much shortened by passing through
dirty alley, designated - Howard Street"
Mrs. JefIerson seldom availcd herself OF the
advantage this cross way offered. but, ono
day being in great haste, SHE said to herself
al think will venture to 20 through tho
dirty lane" Accordingly. she drew down
her face to its greatest possible length. and,
with q frown upon her brow. set her pretty
gathered foot on the walk. Passing along,
bewailing the necessity which subjected her
to the annoyance Of such miserable spec'a-
cles and offensive odors, she approached q
group Of boys amusing themselves with pop.
guns. Half q dozen voices shouted Pop
goes the weasel" and the potatoes from the
guns Of the accurate marksmen came in con-
tact with Mrs. Jeiferson's nose. Darker
grew the irown on her brow, and darker
still as she received the unmistakable eri-
denccs that the next aim was taken at Ter
back. An expression Of disgust mingled
with Mrs. JeiIerson's irown as she discovered
dirty little child smiling at her through
a cobwcb curtained window. The baby's
sister saw the look on her face and treated her
to splash from the mud puddle by the door.
You nasty thingf' said Mrs. Jefferson
but was interrupted by another splash from
mud puddle by the door.
Some boys were making miniture loconio-
tiycs Of mud on the walk. They did not no.
tice the lady's approach until her fretiul
voice inquired:
Can pass'
Yes, just as quick as We get this ipjine
DONE said one.
Let her 60 by, Bill. Only don't tip the
cars over with your hoops, said another.
The boys considered this a very witty rs'
mark. and they sent forth long and boist.r-
Gus shouts, which were anything but mu'i- 70
cal.
Howard street was full of dirty ragged
saucy children and il needed only pas
sing glance to 500 bat they lived In places
too filthy to be honorcd with the name Of
home.
Mrs. Jefferson was glad enough when she
reached the broad and decent thoroughfarc,
she tried to put on cheerful pleasant
face, but she could not help seeing the mud
splashes on her dress shc feared tho poia-
toe from the pop-guns had left Its mark upon
her face, and her gaiter boots had not been
at Iall improved by coming in contact
with the dirt. The faces Of those " horrid
children" seemed TO haunt her, too.
She went home tho furthcst way round,
resolving, whatever her haste might be, new
or again to try to save time by passing
through Howard street. just behind her
tripped along her little neighbour, Mrs.
Baldwin. :.
Rather uninyiting,' she said TO herself,
rs sy heE apP SSa see 'Rs RUw S many smile.
can get from the dirty little folks"
With grateful feelings in her heart that
God had east her lines in pleasant places,
she reached the pop-gun marksman who bad
Just taken such successful aim ut Nlrs. JEFF
ferson.
Now for my smiles, thought Mrs. Bald.
win, as she greeted the boys with such
frank genial look, that won pleasant, ans
werins smiles from all but one. IIe was ~
busy getting his pop-gun into running order
that ho did not see her face until the other
boys exclaimed
Hold on, Tom Don't shoot that lady 2
Tom looked up with an expression which
said, will II have mind to- But the
lady gave him such merry smile that no
drew back little, and Mrs. Baldwin heard
him say:
.Well, I'd rather not shoot her, rcckon!'
The dirty baby was still pceping through
the cobwebs. lie caught glimpse Of hor
sunshiny face, and instantly commenced
such growing and capcring that the lady
had to stop and look at him, and say aloud
What dear baby you are
Baby's sister saw the admiring look and
heard the praise bestowed, and hurried to
the door, broom in hand, not this time TO
improvise q shower from the mud puddle
but sbc said
The walk is 40 dirty for your nice dress,
that want to brush Il oirior YOU
The little cngine-makcrs were cngrossed
with their mud tops, and hesitated about
leaving their work long enough 10 let tho
lady pass but she said pleasantly
These aro very nice locomotives, boys,
I'll try not to come into collision with them
The boys made way for her quickly and
from the lips Of more than one Of them cam,
beg pardon, madam
Every little child was ready 10 give back
smile for smile. and II was with face per.
fectly radiant with happiness that ihe greet.
cd her friends as she passed down Main St.
Mrs. Baldwin told her husband oil about her
walk, and her adventure, and he, (silly fel-
low,) kissed her and said;
Bless your heart. dear wife You are
perfect sunbeam. Who, besides you, could
find anything but wretchedness In Howard
strcct?"
Mrs. jefferson thought she would never
90 nsar the dirty alley again but on talk.
ing with some ladies Of benevolent associa-
ton, Of the degradation OF the inhabitants,
60 rs missionary to the poor mi'crable
creatures She supplied herself with
bundle Of tracts and taking care TO wear
clothing which would not suffer the least in
jury from dirt, she sallicd forth on her mis-
sion.
Dear dear me = she said, as she enter
cd a wretched domieil, should think you
would infect the whole city with foyers and
cholera Don't you think II is sbamcfally
wicked for you 10 be 80 dirty3 Arcyoua
friend Of the Savior p she added. In simple
Il don't want to be, II you arc,' was the
Here are some tracts would like you 70
read, II you can
The woman snatchcd the tracts from her
ha, a. tore them to pieces, and threw them In
her visitors face.
Shaking tho dust from her feet, Mn. JEFF.
ran r,...d from that dwelling 20 another,
m kin. similar remarks, and meeting with Q
similar reception.
lIrrc c,ines that cross woman who looks
>, cross at baby's sisters and companion."
Il. h.. -. N