The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-11-19
X, THE UNION
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 10, 1862
A Story Of Human Nature.

A Story OF Human Nature.
The long walk down town from Madison
street, whtre..Mrs. Jefferson lived, .scould
be very much shortened by passing through
a dirtyssalley, designated Howard street. "
Mrs. Jefferson seldom availed herself OF
the advantage this crossway offered, but,
one day, being in great haste, she said to
herself 81 think | will venture to go
through this dirty lane"
Accordingly she drew down her. face to
its greatest possible length, and, with a
frown upon her brow, set her pretty gaiter.
I'd foot on the walk. Passing along, be
wailing the necessity which subjected her
to the annoyance Of such miserable spec
tacles and offensive odors. she approached
IA group Of boys amusing themselves with
pop guns. Half dozen voices shouted
Pop goes the weasel" aud the potatoes
from the guns sf the acc lrate arks,nen
came in contact with Mrs. Us nose. Oar
ker,gr,w the frown on her brow, and dark
er still as she received the unmistakable
evidences that the next aim was taken at
her back. An expression Of disgust ming
ffed with Mrs. Jeiferson's fruwn Is she dis
covered dirty little child smiling at her
through cobweb curtained window. The
baby's sister saw the look on her face and
,reate'. her to splash from d.puddl,
by the door.
"You nasty thing" said Mrs. Jefferson.
but was interrupted by another splash from
the puddle by the dog.
Some boys were making miniature loco
motives OF uud on the walk. They did
not notice the lady's approach until her
fretful voice inquired:
Can pass?"
"Yes, just as quick as VIC get this injinc
done," said one.
"Let her 60 by, Bill. Only don't tip
the cars over with your hoops" said anoth-
er
The boys considered this a very witty
remark, and they sent forth long and bois-
terous shouts, which were anything but
musical
Howard street was full Of dirty, ragged,
Saucy children; and it needed only 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 thorough.
fare, but she could not help seeing the mud
; splashes on her dress she feared the pota.
to from the pop guns had left its mark on
: her fac :, and her gaiter boots had not been
at all improved by coming in contact with
the dirt. The faces Of those ''horrid child
5 rem seemed to haunt her. too.
She went hon,e the furtherest wav round
: resolving, whatever her haste might be
never again to try and save time by passing
: through Howard street. just behind he
tripped along her little neighbor, Mrs
Baldwin.
''Rather uninviting," she said to he, self
= as her happy face looked down the dirt,
"A alley, but III try to see how many smile.
| can get from he dirty little folks"
= With grateful feelings in her heart tta
t God had drawn her lines in pleasant places
2 she received the pop gun smark s,nen, VIII
f. had just taken SO successful aim at Mrs
t Jefferson.
. Now for my smilcs,' thought Mrs
& Baldwin, as she greeted the boys with =, u
d frank and genial look, that it won pleas
j. ant answering smiles from all but one. II
" was 50 busy getting his his pop,gun int
running order, that he did not see her fac
until the other boys exclaimed,
1 Hold on, Tom. Don't shoot that lady
: Tom looked up with an expression whc
= said, Il will if have a mind to-" Bu
;, the lady gave him such merry smile tha
II he drew back little, and Mrs. Baldwin
4 heard him say:
J, "Wcll, Id rather not shoot her, reck
/ on"
The dirty baby was still peeping through
the cobwebs. He caught glimpse of he
+ Sunshiny face. and instantly commence,
e such Growing and capering that the lad,
b had to stop ard look at him, and say aloud
= What dear baby you are"
i Baby'S sister saw the adniring look am
= hca'd the praise bestowed, and hurried t,
= the door. broom in hand, not this time /,
L nnprov'se shower from the mud puddle
u but she said:
{ "Ths walk is so dirty for your nice dres
I that | want to brush it of for YOU"
= The little engine makers were engrosse'
. with their mud toys, and hesitated abou
{ leaving their work long enough to let tn
lady pass; bc, she said, pleasantly
These are very nice locomotives, BOYS
I'll try and Lot come in collision will
! thcm.''
The boys made way for her right quick
:, y, and from the lip: Of more than one 0
them came "beg pard.n, madam
. Every little child was ready to give bacl
= y smile for smile, and it was with face per
: fectly rad'ent with happiness that sh
= greeted her friends As she passed dowI
: Main street. Mrs. Baldwin told her hus
:, band all about her walk and her adyen
. ture, and he (sily fellow) kissed her an,
; SAID:
BLESS your heart, wife You are per
feet sunbeam. Who, besides you, coul,
!. find anything but wretchedness in Howar,
street!'
Mrs. Jefferson thought she would neve
60 near the dirty alley again but on talk
E ing with some ladies' of benevolent asso
. !, ciation Of the degradation Of its inhabit
ants, she consented, after considerable urg
: ing, to go as missionary to the ''poo
: miserable creatures She supplied her
self with bundle Of tracts; aud takiuI
!, care to wear clothing which would no
: suffer the least injury from dirt she sallie'
forth ON her mission.
a. Dear dear me I" she said, as she en-
, tered wretchcd domicil, II should thinl
you would infect the whole city with fever
and cholera. Don't you know it is shame
, fully wicked for you to be so dirty? AR
you are u friend Of the Saviour p she ad
ded in a simple tone.
"Don't know. don't want to be if 70,
are" was the reply.
Here are some tracts should like t
have you read if you can"
The woman snatched the tracts from he
hand, tore th~m to pieces, and threw the,,
q in her visitors face.
|, Shaking the dust from her feet, Mrs
: Jefferson passed from that dwelling t
;. another, making similar remarks, and meet
:. ing with similar reception.
I Here comes that cross woman. VII,