Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-04-20
A Capital story Of Human NsturO.

Tho long walk down Madison street. where
Mrs Jefferson lived, could be very much shorten.
ed by passing through dirty alley, deSignsted
"Howard street." Mrs. Jefferson seldom availed
herself Of the advantage this cross-way offered,
but, one day being in great haste, she eaid to
herself: III think will venture to 90 through
this dirty lane"
Accordingly she drew down her face TO its
greatest possible length, and, with frown upon
her brow, set her pretty gathered foot on the
walk. Passing along, beWailibg the necessity
which subjected her to the annoyance of such
miserable spectacles and ofeneve odors, che
approached group of boys amusing themselves
With pop-guns. Half dozen voices shouted,
"Pop goes the Weasel" and the potatoes from
the guns Of the accurate marksmen came In
contact with Mrs. Jefrerson's nose. Darker
grew the frown on her brow, and darker still as
she received the upnistakable evidences that
the next aim was taken at her back. An ex-
preston Of disgust mingled with Mrs Jeffer.
sons frown as she discovered o dirty little child
smiling at her through O cobWeb curtained
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, bu.
was. interrupted by another splash from q puddle
by the door.
Some boys were making miniature locomo.
tives Of mud on the walk. They did not notice
the lady's approach until her iretful voice in
quired: ....
"Can psaa7"
Eyes, just as quick as We get this ipjn DONE .
said one.
"Les her 60 by, Bill Only don't tip the cara
over with your hoops," said another.
The boys considered this very witty remark,
and they sent forth long and boisterous shouts,
which we're any thing but musical.
Howard street was full of dirty, ragged, saucy
children; and it needed only passing glance ia
see that they lived 10 places too filthy to be
honored with the name of home.
Ms. Jefferson was glad enough when ahe
reached the broad and decent thoroughfare, but
che could not help seeing the mud splashes on
her dressi she feared the potato from the pop.
guns had left It's mark on her face, and her
gaiter boots had not been at ell improved by
coming in contact with the dirt. Tho faces Of
those "ho7rid children" seemed to haunt her,
too. -
She went home the lurthest way round,
resolving whatever her haste might be, never
again to try and save time by passing through
Howard street. Just behind her trippeJ along
her little neighbor, Mrs. Baldwin.
"Rather uninviing," she said to herself, as
her face looked down the dizzy alley, "but I'll
try and see how many smiles Ican get from the
dirty little folks"
With grateful feellngs in her heart that God
had drawn her lines in pleasant places, she
reached the pop-gun marksmen, who had
just taken such successfnl aim at MIRA. Jetfer-
son, . 81
"Now for my smiles" thought Mrs. Baldwin,
as she greeted the boys with such q frank, genial
look, that 1t won pleasant answering smiles
from sll but one. He was go busy getting his
pop-gun in running order, that he did not see
her face until the other boys exclaimed:
"Hold on Tom. Don't shoot that ladYln
Tom looked up with an expression which
said, ri win If IhaVe mind to.", But the
lady gave him such merry smile that he
drew back little, and Mrs. Baldwin heard bim
say; -, -. a e..
The dirty baby was still peeping through The
cobWebs., He caught glimpse of her sun.shiny
face and instantly commenced such a growing
aud capsrlng, that the lady had to stop and look
at him, and cay aloud: ~. +.-,'
nWhat q dear baby you ares
Baby's sister saw tha admiring look and
heard the praise bestowed, and hurried to the
door, broom In hand, not this time 10 improvlse
shower from the mud puddle. but she
said:
{ "The walk is 80 dirty for your nice dress that
want TO brush Il OF icr you"
The little engine makers we're epRroseed with
their mud toys, and hseitated about leaving
their work long enough to let the lady pass; but
she said pleasantly:
"These are very nice locomotives, boys; I'll
try and not come In collision with them"
The boys. made way for her right quickly,