The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-03-19
THE DAY BOOK.
For the Day Book.
A Picture From Life.


Scarcely day passes, Mr.. Editor lin which
do not from some favorable stand point
CLEAN lesson illustrative of human nature
not in the abstract, but diversified as it is,
in its various phases, each one of which al
fords ample materials for the investigation
OF these, who believe with the Poet, that
"The proper study of mankind is man."
Often l wend nay way through the
streets alone, and as l pass unobserved
amongst strangers, many an unstudied re-
mark greets my ear, and | note those truth
full and alternate changes, which often hit
athwart
"rhe human face divine"
We have lately had some charming wealth
er /; days so pleasant, that they seemed like
bright spirits sent to cheer US on our way,
and whisper of day whose brightness is
eternal skies so blue, that they rivalled
the far famed ones of Italy; gales balmy, as
tho waited from some Ocean Isle OF fra
GRANGE; sweet, golden sunshine diffusng
such genial warmth, that leaflets, buds and
blossoms were woed into life and beauty
On one OF the fairest of those days, walked
out with a friend, W hose pleasant converse
enhanced my enjoyment; passing quietly
down Main street, we found the pavement
so much crowded, that our progress was
greatly impeded; SO our attention was ar
rested by the appearance Of one of the most
pitiable objects, on which my eyes have ever
rested. An old and decrepid negro woman,
whose earthly tenement: seemed lettering
to its base, was creeping slowly along, her
body so bent by age, that her head nearly
reached her knees, and her arms, so stiffened
by time and disease, that they appeared as
tho changed to bone; and under this weight
of intirmity and years, she staggered along,
keeping close to the curbstone, as tho try
ing to avoid the finely dressed ladies, that
were passing in every direction, at times so
near that their rich and costly robes brushed
her scant and faded gown. l marked her
deeply narrowed visage, her dim and sunken
eyes, and saw that as she tottered along, ev-
cry now and then, she stopped to pick up a
stick, or bit of old rag; and as | watched her
movements, l wondered if amongst the
crowd, there were none to feel the tender
influences of pity, or extend the kind hand
of charity. At this movement, two ladies
then passing, seemed to regard her atten-
lively, and l heard one say to the other,
"Poor old creature, l can never pass her
by," "nor can !, added her companion, land
they turned aside, as tho to avoid notice,
and unclasped their portmonnaies 80 secret
ly, that their movements would have es-
capped me, had l not heard their remarks,
and each taking silver coin, approached
and leaning down, said, "take this Auntie."
marked the look Of glad surprise, as her
dim eye suddenly glistened, and | saw a
tear brighter..than a diamond, trickle down
that poor negroes furrowed cheek, and |
heard a voice, tremulous from age, and sof
tened by gratitude almost to melody, ex-
claim: "God bless you both sweet ladies,
God bless you forever" and thought, as i
listened to that voice, it sounded sweeter to
my ear than tame's slvery trumpet tones,
or fattery's syren voice; and as my friend
and wondered on, we each culled moral
from this little incident, and our hearts were
cheered by the reflection that in many hos.
oms, there are pure and Godlike fountains
of sympathy, warming and ennoblins their
possessor, and diffusing blessings and hap
piness in their recipinets. S. L. p
NORFOLK, VA.