The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17

and attends to everybody, no matter how
crowded the street.
| During the winter this dignifed negro
who wears a tall hat and long coat
smiled perpetually. 1t was particularly
bland smile. which he distributed as con-
stantly and as freely as he did his adyer-
tisements. 1t was pre-eminently rich,
happy grin, and infectious to degree
Few could pass Of so grim cast Of mind
as not to be moved by the fun of it, and
cheered, at least for the moment.
One day a curious person stopped and
said to this attentive negro: Il often pass
here and always notice that you are smil-
ing. 1t warns my heart frequently to see
you and l think the public ought to be
grateful as / am. But why do you smile?''
The negro paused. For nearly five min
utes he only smiled occasionally and only
occasionally distributed his circulars.
while he replied:
II SMILE" he said gravely, ''for the fol-
lowing reason: ! am very well in health
and there is no reason why I should ro
smile; but that is a minor consideration
The real reason Is that there are many un-
happy people in the world. They pass ne
with gloomy faces. as I stand here. all day
long. / often wonder what sorrows they
/ have. what private woes. that make then
look so. And / try to cheer them up.
think it Is my duty to make the world {
little happier. and in the winter time wheI
the days are dark and cold there is esp cia
need Of smiles and cheerfulness. So
smile as kindly as can. to help my fellow
men,"
Latelv however. the bland smile has dis
appeared from the nsgro's expressive oou1.
tenance. He is as swell and as polite as
ever. and tends as strictly to business, but
he smiles no more. The cuIi1us man whc
passes the corner eve: y day wondered at tbs
change. He feared that his radiant frien1
might have had some bl;ghting experience;
I an unfortunate heart affair. perhaps. al
though that seemed hardly possible in case
of such an attractive fellow. But he
nevertheless. felt that something untoward
had happened. SO one day he said to tie
grave negro:
My friend. you used to cheer me and
others, as they passed. with that luminous
smile Of yours. But you smile no more.
Why is this"
After thoughtful pause. during which
several passers-by escaped unnoticed, he
replied. with great solemnity:
In the winter time. you see. the
weather is cherries and gloomy. People
who pass in the street are affected by
the frowning aspect Of things. In the
winter, therefore. l felt 1t was necessary
to smile. in order to cheer the crest
fallen. 1t was then my duty to smile.
But you will notice that l always smiled
in q dignified way. Indeed. sir. I am nat
urally OF a very grave. quiet countenance;
/ am never sad, but 1 am thoughtful and
solemn by nature. and l like to have my
face in calm condition. Now that Ii is
springtime, and the weather Is glorious.
the faces that pass in the street are more
cheerful. Other things, the sky. the air.
smile now. and so do not need to. l am
now allowed to let my face take its natu-
raj expression. l can give myself a rest.
as it were, until next winter. when I
shall again need to take up that cheerful
smile which seems to have impressed you
so much"
And the handsome negro continues to
distribute the cards with grave and solemn
manner.