Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-22
Mothers and Children.
THE LOST HAIR-P1N.
HQdge Elliot in BdJd,Cin's Mont6ly. !

IL was in busy, dirty New-York street
iesa ig 10 Terry, that the hair pin dropped,
failing from the golden braid a pretty, IaIr
girl wore, at the back of her pretty, fair
head "Oh? said the hair pin, as she touch
ed tne pavement, and ''oh!" again, as she
looked around her-.a piece of orauge-peel
lay one SIDE, an overripe peach on the other
ana dirt was everywhere. "What shall
oo!" said the poor thing but she slipped and
I Ien uown again, and the oyerripe peach
What do you want to do?" asked an old
s SIh, PeePing over the side of the gutter
Il want TO go home-oh! I want to 90
home" said the hair-pin.
Where Is your homer" asked the shoe.
where my sisters also live, aud our dear
friend, the golden braid-that Is, we live
there nights-but, in the daytime we are all
carried about on the head of our young mis-
tress, and have the jolliest times, seeing and
nearing everything. Have, did L say? Alas!
It's had for me. And now, If they and tue CO.
iogne- bottle ann powderpuf, our near neigh
would all belief to perish In a dirty, noisy
street, with orange peel, banana-sk ins, over
ripe peaches and old shoes. 1, who have al
ways been so sweet aud clean-the rose-per-
STILL" ~ "
You're not very backward In expressing
your feelings said the overrips peach
Don't you suppose the companions You
nave fallen among have any? And do YOU
imagine that you alone have seen better
tree In fine orchard-green grass below me.
blue sky above me, and the fragrance OF the
clover to delight me. There turned from a
sweet little bud to pretty blossom, from a
pretty blossom to a delicious peach, and
now behold me!-taken from my beloved
tree, brought TO crowded market, so hurt
and bruised on the journey, that 1 am at
last declared good for nothing and dung
away, like an old SHOE"
"Hey?" said the shoe, standing up on its
heel. Like an old shoe, indeed! That was
nd
hear my story, and learn that gutter was
not always my resting place-far from it,
Whea first 1 remember myself, and my
twin brother stood side by side In the eIe-
CANT widow OF Broad way store, in COM
pany with many pretty delicate slippers and
graceful CATERS. And merry life we led,
looking out, day after day, on the gay and
fashionable crowd that was forever passing
by. Then handsome boy bought us, the
store Keeper buttoned us upon his feet, and
we joined the thr0ng we used TO watch from
The window. For q while we felt a little
down-trodden-for looking straight out at
lie from a window, and up at 1t from pave
ever we found ours was the fate of al shoes.
and soon took real pleasure in being polish
ed for our daily walk. We used to shine al.
,,. "0h! Of course" interrupted the peach,
The shoe paid no attention to it, but went
on win bis story: Unfortunately, before L
was half worn out, an envious stone, that
could not shine, cut hole In my side, and
the handsome boy gave me away to another
boy-a very queer boyle was always shout
ing AFTER people such a funny, long
word suneneraldtry buneentImes,
heard 1t so often I learned Ii by he art and
never could find out what IL meant. was
too big for the foot of the queer boy, so he
tied me on with piece of rope, aud had for
a mate, instead Of my well-shaped brother,
an old carpet slipper Of no shape at all, so
Didn't think shoes could fall any lower
than they always are," said the overripe
peach, at the same time laughing so heart
lily at its own wit, that 1t split It's sides"
"And at last" continued the shoe, az found
myself-just able to keep body and sole to-
gether-kicked aside by the queer boy, and
left, as far as can see, TO the end my days
In gutter. So you'll perceive. Miss Hair
PIN you're not the only one who has met
with misfortune"
"Pm afraid there's no hope for that" said
the shoe.
But, even as he spoke, a few large rain
drops began 10 dance on the sidewalk, and
soon the hair-pin got her wish, for they
hustled her and the two halves of the peach
into the gutter, beside the shoe, and then
down came the rain In a torrent, and swept
them all along until they reached the sea,
and there they must be clean enough, god
ness knows, bathing all day, and all night,
too