The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-01-09
HOWARD STREET.
A CAPITAL STORY OF HUMAN NATURE

The long walk down from Madison
street, where Mrs. Jefferson lived, coulc
be very much shortened by passing thrc
a dirty alley, designated "Howard Street.
Mrs. Jefferson seldom availed herself O
the advantage this cross-way afforded
but, one day being in great haste, sh,
said to herself, al think l will ventur,
to go through the dirty lane."
Accordingly she drew down her face Il
its greatest possible length, and, with ,
frown upon her brow, set her pretty gait
cred foot on the walk. Passing along
bewailing the necessity which subjected
her to the annoyance Of such miserable
spectacles and offensive odors she ap.
preached a group of boys amusing them.
selves with pop-guns. Half dozen vol.
ces shouted "Pop goes the Weasel y
and the potatoes from the guns of the
accurate marksmen came in contact with
Mrs. Jefferson's nose. Darker grew the
frown on her brow, and darker still as
she received the unmistakable evidence
that the next aim was taken at her back.
An expression of disgust mingled with
Mrs. Jefferson's frown as she discovered a
dirty little child smiling at her through a
cobweb curtained window. The baby's
sister saw the look on her face and treat
ed her to splash from a mud puddle by
the door.
"You nasty thingp said Mrs. Jeffer-
son, but was interrupted by another splash
from the puddle.
Some boys were making miniature To-
comotives of mud on the walk. They
did not notice the lady's approach until
her fretful voice inquired.
"Can l pass"
"Yes, jest as quick as we get this in
jine 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
boisterous shouts, which were anything
but musical.
Howard street was full of dirty, ragged,
saucy children; and IL needed only a pass
ing glance to see that they lived in places
too filthy to be honored with the name
Of home.
Mrs. Jefferson was glad enough when
she reached the broad and decent thor
oughfare, she tried to put on a cheerful,
pleasant face, but she could not help see
ng the mud splashes on her dress; she
eared the potatoe from the pop-guns had
eff. its mark on her face, and her gaiter
boots had not been at all improved by
coming in contact with the dirt. The
aces Of those "horrid children" seemed
10 haunt her too.
She went home the farthest way round,
whatever her haste might
DO never again to try TO save time by
passing through Howard street. Just
behind her tripped along her little neigh
Dor, Mrs. Baldwin.
Rather uninviting," said she to her
'clf, as her happy face looked down the
lingy alley, "but I'll try and see how
many smiles l can get from the dirty lit
lie folks"
With grateful feelings in her heart that
God had drawn her lines in pleasant
places, she reached the pop-gun marks
nen who had just taken such successful
lim at Mrs. Jefferson.
snow for my smiles," thought Mrs.
Baldwin, as she greeted the boys with
'uch frank, genial look, that won pleas
INT answering smiles from all but one.
de was so busy getting his pop-gun into
'unning order that he did not see her
ace until the other boys exclaimed:
"Hold on, Tom! Don't shoot that
adyp
Tom looked up with an expression which
aid, al will il / have mind TO-" But
he lady gave him such merry smile
hat he drew back q little, and Mrs. Bald |
win heard him say:
Well, I'd rather not shoot her, I |
eckonm ..'
The dirty baby was still peeping thro'
he cobwebs. lie caught a rlimpse Of