Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-11-08
A STORY OF HUMAN NATURE.

STORY OF HUMAN NATURE.
The long walk down town from Madison
street, where Mrs. jefferson lived, could be
diriy alley, desienated. Howard Street Mrs.
jefferson seldom awaited herself of the advRnt-
age this cross way offered; but, one day, being
In great haste, she said 10 herself 81 think
will venture to go through this dirty lane.''
Accordingly, she drew down her face 70 its
greatest possible length, and, with frown
ppon her brow, set her pretty gathered foo. On
che walk. Passing along, bewailing the neces-
sity which subjected her 10 the annoyance OF
such miserable spectacles and offensive odors,
she approached a 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 marks
men came in contact with Mrs. Us nose.
Darker grew the frowR on her brow, and dark
or siill as she received the unmstakable evil
dpnce that the next aim was taken at her back.
An expression of disgust mingled with Mrs.
JeEsrsOn's frown As she discovered a dirty lit
tie child smiling at her through a cobweb cur
tanned window. The baby's sister saw the
look on her face and treated her TO a splash
from a mud puddle by the door.
4" You asty thing y said Mrs. Jefferson, but
was interrupted by another splash from the
paddle by the door.
Some toys were making miniature locomo-
uves OF mud on the walk. They did not notice
the lady approach until her fretful voice in
4uired:
"Can passr'
ayes, just as quick as we get this injine
"Lat her so BY, Bill. Only don't tip the CARS
over with Your hoops" said another.
The hoys considered this very witty re.
mark, and they sent forth long and boisterous
shours, which were anything hut musical.
Howard street was full of dirty, ragged,
saHcy children and it needed only a passing
glance 10 see that they lived in placrs too filthy
10 he honored with the name OF home.
Mrs. Jefferson was glad enough when she
reached the broad and decent thoroughfare,
hut she eonld not help seeing the mud splash
Is on her drcss; she feared the potato from the
pop-guns had left its mark on her face, and
her saiter boots had not been at all improved
BY coming in contact with the dirt. The faces
Of those "horrid children" seemed TO haunt
her, too.
she went home the furthest wav round. re.
solving, whatever her haste might be, never
again TO try and save time by passing through
Howard stree Just behind her tripped along
her little nsighhor, Mrs. Baldwin
Rather unlnviting," she said 70 herself, as
her happy face looked down the dirty alley:
"Sut III Try and see how many smiles can
get from the dirty little folks
With grateful feelings in her heart that God
had drawn her lines in pleasant places, she re-
celNed the pop-gun marksmsn, who had Just
taken so successful aim 1t Mrs. jefferson.
Now for my smiles" thought Mrs Bald.
win, as she greeted the boys with such a frank
and genial lock, that II won plea SAINT answer.
ing smiles from all but one. He WAS so busy
Er'tlng his pop gun into running order, that he
0id not see her face until the other boys ex-
claimed,
"Hold on, Tom. Don't shoot that lady,
Tom looked up with an expression which
said, u Will If / have mind to-" But the
lady gave him such merry smile that he drew
hack little, and Mrs. Baldwin heard him saw:
"Well, I'd rather not shoot her, reckon"
The dirty baby was still peeping through the
sobwebs He caught glimpse of her sun
shiny face, and instantly commenced such q
growing and capering that the lady had to
stop and look at him, and say aloud:
.. What dear baby YOU are
Babys sister saw the adrIiring look and
beard The praise bestowed, and hurried 10 the
deor, Groom IN hand, not this time TO improyise
shower from the mud puddle; but she said
The walk is so dirty for your nice dress
mat want 10 brush il of for you
The little engine makers were engrossed
with their mud toys, and hesitated about leay.
Ing their work long enough 10 let the lady pses:
but she said, pleasantly:
They are very nice locomotives, boys. I'll
IVY ana not come In collision with them
The boys made way for her right quickly.
ana from the lips of more than one OF them
came ''h~g pardon, madam"
Every htlle child was ready 10 give h, ck
smile tor smile, and il was with face perfect
~ radiant with happiness that she greeted her
Trends as she passed down Maine street Mrs
BALDWIN told her husband all about her walk
ana her adventure, and he (sIlly fellow kissed
her. and said:
BLESS your heart, wife! Yon are a perfect
sunDesm. W no besides you, could find any
ming oot Wretchednfss in Howard street l''
Mrs. Jefferson thought she would never 70
near me dirty alley again; bat on talking with
ZONE ladies OF a benevolent association of the
oesiAdanon OF It's inhabitants, che consented
alter considerable urging, TO 90 as a missionary
70 ll- "poor miserable creatures She sun
pil-d herself with q bundle OF tracts; and TAX
irg care 70 wear clothing which would no,
eHh'T me least injury from dirt, che sailed
iUrlli On her mission.
Dear Gear ms"' she said. a. she entered A
Tre'cfed dornlcil; II shouId think you would
ihircI the whole city with feyers and cholera
pont You know II IS shaInstully wicked for
yoG 20 De 20 dirty Are Won friend of the
SANlof she added IN q SIMPLE tone.
Don KNOW. don't want 10 be IL YOU are"
wa the reply.
Here are some tracts i should like 70 have
VOC read, il you can
Ne woman Ana;ched the tracts from her
visitor face. "
shaking the dust from her feet, Mr.. LETTER.
Ion passed from that d -IIln: 10 ano,her.,nsk
ING eGnIIar remarks, and ueetin z ~ iih a siui-
bsT reception.
"Here comes that cross woman, who looked
- ugly IT babys sis ieT and conll,auions' and
,he sislaAn@d ihs door Ia Mr.. Jenersoue face,
% .holDa think you would lie sick and
.h~Gld think your husband rould dr1uk." saws
Hrs J. 20 pals, fertile lookin z woman; "I'm
n thIs ulsers BILE WAY"
Mr.. Jefferson did her duty in distributing
her tracts, bat she hal the satisfaction Of se1.
ing most OF tkeIn follow her INTO the street and
tie rect were consigned 10 ths flames
Those creatures are hopelessiy depys we'd. >,
aid Mrs. Jefferson. "Ihrrr Is 10 U.s. irving
70 90 tDASk stT~tf.
Mrs. Baldwin could not help feeling An in
t~Tsst IA the chilorrR " ho Tee pOud-,t so r.al
ny 70 her kind looks, and 20, without tslIin,
even Mr.. Baldwin what she proposed 20 do.
ne Get out 90 make some calls among them
BE thought she vOuld call first where the
eAny lived, Tor she felt quite sure OF A kind re-
esgtlon.
Twas loyinl welcome they gave Der, for
The oabyis sister exclaimed:
o, "oh: mere l. The pleasant lady who s,oppad
10 hok Al Patsy the oiLer dayl OH She j.
coming right in here" ' =
"h Is TOO dirty place Tor tue like o. We,
SAID Patsys mother. ~
Never mind" said our sunshiny Mr. Bald
win 81 felt like dropping In, and fhouSht I
would tAke the liberty
Bless ye for ii! am ashamed 70 ha,. n
rsE iady 10 see M house. Things didn't I'D
20 20 30 wild me! No indaden Ana Ihe -
woman poured her lifes history into the sfraH.
GERS ear. so "--
Tears filled The loving listeners eyes. and
she Yeplied: ~
think can understand your fealin.s NV
Sooo woman poor, weary body mus, 20
aoire ret, after she has been ont over 4 wash
tno al day; but this smart lille girl, who
sWept The walk nicely the other daY, Won IA