Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-03-31
A Genuine Little Lady.

MISS LOUISA NJ. ALcorT tells this pleas
ant story-a true story-in the You@s
Companion
Going down one of the very steep
streets, where the pavement was covered
with ice, saw before me an old woman,
slowly and tiredly picking her way. She
was one of the poor, but respectable old
ladies, who dress in rusty black, wear old
fashioned bonnets and carry big bags.
Some young folks laugh at these anti
auated figures, but those better bred treat
them with respect, and md something
touching in the faded old suits, the with
cred old faces, and the knowledge that
those lonely old ladies have lost YOUTH
friends and often fortune, and are patient
ly waiting to be called away from world
that seems to have passed by and forgot
ten them.
Well, as slipped and scuffled along,
watched the little black bonnet in front,
expecting every minute to see 1t go down,
and trying to hurry, that might offer my
At the corner, passed three little school
girls, and heard one say TO the other
80, wouldn't she will do well enough
and we shall lose our coasting II we don't
hurry"
"But il she should tumble, and break
her poor old bonnet, should feel so bad"
returned the second, Q pleasant faced child,
whose eyes followed the old lady, full OF q
sweet, pitiful expression.
"Shes's such q funny looking woman, I
shouldn't like to be seen walking with
her" said the third, as If she thought it
would be kind thing to do, but hadn't
the courage to try 1t. p.
"Well, don't care; she's old. and
ought to be helped, and I'm going TO do It,,
cried the pleasant.faced girl, and running
by me, saw her overtake the old lady, a.
she stood ct crossing, looking wistfully
over the dangerous glare OF ice before her.
"Pleace, ma am, shan't help you, it's
90 bad here ;" said the kind little voice. as
the hands in the red mittens were help
fully outstretched. :,
30, thankee, dear. I'd no idee the walk.
ing was 90 bad, but must get nome.
And the old faced lighted up with CRATE
| full smile, which was worth dozen OF the
best coasts In Boston. ..i.
"Take nv arm then; III help you DOWN
the street, cause I'm afraid you might
fall" said the child, Offering her arm.
"Yes, dear, 80 ! will. Now we shall
get on beautifully. I've been having 9
dreadful time, for my over-socks are AL
holes, and alp every step"
"Hold on, ma'am, I shan't fall, I've got
rubber boots, and can't tumble down."
So chatting the two went safely across,
leaving me and the other girls TO look
after them, and wish we had done the lit
tic act of kindness that looked 80 lovely
| In another.
II think Katy IL real good girl, don't
YOU I" said one child to the other.
Eyes, l do! Let's we wait till she
comss back. No matter II we do lose
some coasts" answered the child who had
tried to dissuade her playmate from going
| to the rescue. HtFl.
There left them; but I think they got
| lesson that day in tho real politeness
which comes from having kindness; for,
as they watched little Katy, dutifully sup
porting the old LADY, undaunted e the
immense yellow muf, or the old socks, or
the queer bonnet, both their faces were
full Of new respect and affection for
their playmate " ~ 81 fHG