The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-06
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1915.

The very fairest things that the spring tim
offers for our delight are the little human
blossoms which make all the pavements suci
pictures whenever the sun shines brightly
Their little noses have been SO carefully KEEP
in doors all winter long, or, if allowed an oc
casional airing, there has been such excess o
wrapping that nothing but nose tips were
visible. But now, out into the delicious sun
light they come in troops. Pretty white
dresses are the rule; gay sashes OF blilian
tints hang over the tiny skirts; dainty
sacques Of blue and scarlet; hats with noddint
tufts Of ostrich tips, and then the bright
stripes Of the stockings that fit the childish
limbs SO clo.ely, and the tiny bu:toned boots
There's little dot OF darling in our
street Grant Place, my inquiring friend
who is positively bewildering in her love
illness. 1 met her yesterday carrying a
doll as big almost as herself. Such a
picture as she made! Her skin is ex-
quisitely fair; the lips are wildly scarlet
full almost to pouting, utshaped like Cupid $
bow; the little chin has q bit of rose.tint just
where dimple nestles; the great eyes are SO
softly brown, with brown lashes, and round
the white forehead golden hair clusters in
the prettiest ringlets that never knew a hot
iron or url-paper. Say something pleasant
to her and watch the laughter chasing itself
in the cheeks that flush and dimple, while
YOU fancy that it must have been o child like
that of whom the Savior said ''Of such is
the Kingdom Of Heaven.
Easter Monday the Capitol grounds were
alive with the little midgets. You couldn't
walk there without smiling just to see SO
much careless happiness. If sober thoughts
came of future when those light hearts
must know sorrow and care, you would put
them away and rejoice in the present
that seemed so bright. Still the ache
would come when away from the gay,
cluster of little unfortunate waits, who know
no gladness, and who only looked with Won
der at an enjoyment they could never COM
prehend. never feel SO much inclined to
reese Mt proyidential dispensations, as when l
see children deprived of the happiness that
ought to be their inalienable inheritance So
inalienable after all. that even the most for
lorn will have their moments of fun in spite
Of surrounding misery.
Three ridiculous little rag pickers came
under my window, darkies, all Of them, with
all the African peculiarities in their most ex-
aggerated form, from the great hanging lips
to the absurdly long heels. They might have
made quite speculation had they sold their
own garments at so much per pound, and
each had slung over his shoulders the badge
of his profession. Such fun as they were
having. Each would try to utter their street
cry in some new key, prolonging the r-a-a-a-
IS, and finishing off with fearful whoop by
way Of flourish.
They bes towed on each others heads or
shoulders blows with their respective bags,
and finally, one being about to give his neigh
Dor friendly kick, that neighber not only
caught him in the act, but likewise caught
him by the leg. Then ensued pas seM not
taught in dancing academies, while l, at the
window, laughed till the tears ran and the
little scamps shrieked with ecstasy to see my
enjoyment, showing chasms across their black
Mammoth Cave, where the stalactites and
stalagmites meet in rows.
Yesterday group of little shoe blacks, hav-
ing nothing else to do. improvlsed show on
the corner. One of them, whose boots were
as wonderfully ventilated as the other articles
of his wardrobe, Strengthened himself against
the building where they stood, pulled down
his remnant of q vest, settled his torn hat at
rakish angle, and assuming severe de-
meanor. called out, Here, niger black my
boots!"
The crowd giggled minute, then another
bit Of ebony soberly came forward, planted
then came the fun. Such polishing as the
naked toes received wherever they dared to
peep out ! The leather was neglected, but the
live skin was faithfully brushed, while the
other boys danced with delight. One Of them
handed the principal performer q stump Of q
cigar, which he smoked in majestic fashion,
posing it now and then at the regulation
angle and making remarks that were posi-
lively delicious in their imitation of congress
sional conversation. They had evidently
listened somewhere most attentively. I wish
could repeat it. Yes, my dear Mrs. Grundy,
did stand on that corner and watch the per-
torrance through. The individual receiving
the polishing was supposed to be Bruce, the
colored Senator from Mississippi, while
another, who affected equally elegant airs,
was the famous Pinchback.
They are everywhere the most perfect
mimics, and somehow their representa-
tons do receive half their charm from
the dusky faces.
My golden haired beauty was driving her
hoop on the pavement this morning with
some of her playmates. Two little besgar
girls came from the next area. They stopped
to stare at the happy little maidens at play.
Golden-hair stopped her hoop, looked at the
Migrants a minute. and then said wondering
ly: What nakes you beg for your breakfast
Why don't your father give it to YOU"
l couldn't hear the answer; but Golden
hairs clear voice asked again:
doesn't your father have an office? Ny
papa has" Then she walked round the poor
children with her head on one side and
added:
"Ycu are bigger than l am; my dress
wouldn't fl, you, but you might do so ne work
for my mamma, and buy you some gowns. l
guess my mamma would give you six dollars !
ii you would wash the dinner dishes. Just
you wait minute; I'll GO and ask her" SO
nH 1o, had mn fair I